“Regardless of your teaching I am afraid that I am still somewhat of a sentimentalist. I crave the redressing of wrongs. I crave friendship and love. The price you offer is not enough. Are you willing to pay more that this operation may be successfully concluded?”
He looked at me steadily for a long minute. “What do you want?” he asked. I could see that he was trembling with anger, but he did not raise his voice.
“Do you recall 4296-E-2631-H?” I inquired.
“The subject with the body of Xaxa? Yes, I recall the case. What of it?”
“I wish her body returned to her. That is the price you must pay for this operation.”
He glared at me. “It is impossible. Xaxa has the body. Even if I cared to do so, I could never recover it. Proceed with the operation!”
“When you have promised me,” I insisted.
“I cannot promise the impossible—I cannot obtain Xaxa. Ask me something else. I am not unwilling to grant any reasonable request.”
“That is all I wish—just that; but I do not insist that you obtain the body. If I bring Xaxa here will you make the transfer?”
“It would mean war between Toonol and Phundahl,” he fumed.