Plucked from Appalachian poverty by the Interstellar Federation of Sapients, trained as a diplomatic cadet on their artificial planet Karst, Tom Red-Clay has grown up in the galaxy. Now, in the stunning sequel to Becoming Alien, Tom must return to EArth on a secret mission for the Federation. His marching orders: 
"THREE GOALS: TWO OBLIGATORY, ONE OPTIONAL.
RESEARCH JAPAN
GO TO DINNER WITH TWO HUMANS
FIND A WIFE."

set down in Berkeley,  California, a world indeed no less strange to him than Karst, Tom must decipher the intrigues of humans and aliens alike - with the fate of Earth itself riding on his every move.
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EARTH IS THE ALIEN PLANET

I studied the map, found the university sprawled over a huge chunk of it. "I've got to do research on Japan while I'm here."
"You'll get a library card for twenty dollars as a Berkely resident," the Aharm, Alex, said "The library is okay, but you'll still have to carry out bound books - no terminal texts for non-students."
"Oh," I was so used to accessing texts through the computer I'd forgotten about checking books out.
"Set up an account with the Bank of America near the Co-op, Electric money is waiting for you."
"Fake credit?" They'd make me an outlaw again, data-junking the Bank of America.
Alex said "Don't get so touchy."
"It's his planet," the female Barcon said, bent over my right thumb, carefully rolling on the fake skin.
"I'm nervous. I broke people when I left Virginia."
Alex looked at me as if  He'd just realized I was not simply another rude human. "Okay, we're nervous too. You're the first human refugee we ever to get home pass."
"I'm nervous about the other humans here."
"You've got to learn how to deal with major humans," Alex said. "First contact's due in about ten years. Much better if you can help us deal with them."
"Are we really that awful?"
"No, no, not thatawful." Alx smiled at me. "We'll stay in touch, I promise," He tapped my temple over the skull computer so I'd realize how.
They've set it up so I'll have to meet people. My face went hot. I didn't say anything more.