"And this makes it even worse. It was bad enough as pure speculation, but we've got something real here. Something rough. For one thing, we have got a planet where no one but native operatives stand a chance of working. For another we—" He cupped his chin in his hands and examined Elwar closely.
"Do you really want to learn the secrets you looked for in the books, youngster? Do you still want the secrets you first thought you might learn?"
The boy seemed to withdraw a little. "I have a great fear," he admitted tremulously.
"You haven't been injured or mistreated, have you?"
"No, Master, but—" Elwar looked toward the door.
"And you won't be," he was told reassuringly. "Now you just go ahead on back to your quarters."
As the door closed, Kweiros turned to Jaeger.
"Think we'll put you on special assignment. For the next few cycles, you'll act as a private tutor. Then you can go back to Main Base with Elwar while they give him his training."
Jaeger raised his eyebrows. "Yes, sir," he said doubtfully. "You think the boy will develop?"