"This is the baseline scan. Hold on a moment." She holds still while the scan completes, and then the light fades.

A mechanical voice announces, "Incremental archive commencing. Please stand by."

"Seagulls, yes, the ones that don't chase back. Well, your Earth has any number of amazing beaches, black sand or white, or even red. Hawaii or Greece, perhaps?"

"Please refrain from moving. Beginning incremental archive again."

"Yes, fine. Have it your way," she answers the machine, rolling her eyes at Richard.