The accidentals were qualified, true. In fact, of all the billions of solar citizens, they alone could make the journey and return. But there were other factors that ruled them out. The first point was never safe to discuss with them, especially if the second had to be explained. It would take a sadistic nature that Cameron didn't possess.
occhi sat beside the pool. It was pleasant enough, a pastoral scene transplanted from Earth. A small tree stretched shade overhead. Waves lapped and made gurgling sounds against the sides. No plant life of any kind grew and no fish swam in the liquid. It looked like water, but it wasn't. It was acid. In it floated something that monstrously resembled a woman.
"They turned us down, Anti," Docchi said bitterly.
"Didn't you expect it?" the creature in the pool asked.
"I guess I didn't."
"You don't know the Medicouncil very well."
"Evidently I don't." He stared sullenly at the faintly blue fluid. "Why did they turn us down?"