The first alien being that Nora and Lindsay meet, an Investor called the Ensign, comes to negotiate the sale of Asteroid ESAIRS 89-XII. Ensigns are the Investor's second in command aboard their ships. They act as a combination of minister and diplomat. The first Ensign that Nora and Lindsay meet is polished and well spoken in English, unlike the Ensign who deals with Lindsay once they leave G-T.