Korgan Kantum Mohar smiled. "It is not for you to say," he said.
"You mean that we are prisoners?"
"Let us say rather guests by command."
"Do you mind telling me the purpose of this examination?" I asked.
"Not at all. It is to determine whether or not you shall be permitted to live."
XIV
HAVATOO
They were all very polite and pleasant, very professional and efficient. First we were bathed; then blood tests were made, our hearts examined, our blood pressure taken, our reflexes checked. After that we were ushered into a large room where five men sat behind a long table.
Ero Shan accompanied us throughout the examination. Like the others, he was always pleasant and friendly. He encouraged us to hope that we would pass the examination successfully. Even yet I did not understand what it was all about. I asked Ero Shan.
"Your companion remarked upon the beauty of Havatoo and its people," he replied. "This examination is the explanation of that beauty—and of many other things here which you do not yet know of."