"It is required," he said. "First visitors are not allowed to leave the Uniport landing without one."
Walther was too happy to argue. He shoved the manual into one of pockets.
"If I may suggest, Sir," said the customs officer, his eyes widening as he looked over Walther's letters of credit, "You will find the Hotel Altair most comfortable. It's where all important visitors in Uniport stay."
The next few moments went by so quickly they left Walther a little dazed. A servo-robot took his bags and led him to a monorail car, which whisked him off to the hotel.
"Gdegr," said the doorman, another servo-robot, in a brilliant scarlet uniform. Its wax-like features were set in a perpetual smile.
Walther blinked.
"I'm sorry," he began. "I—"
"Thayr," said the majestic robot, taking Walther's handtooled overnight bag and motioning imperiously for two bellhop robots to bring the rest of the luggage. Silent and smiling, they leaped to obey.
The desk clerk was a human, and greeted Walther with an efficient:
"Wemtalr."