"Pat. She was the prettiest and most discontented. I thought I could stir up some fire."
"You did."
"Ah, good. I am high-Psi, by the way. I seem to feel she's somewhere around here. However ... I can never be a Diver myself, but years ago I formed the theory that a lot of phenomena could be explained by minds reaching out beyond their bodies. Now be careful, Fred. I don't want to know. The Security Psis are very real and there are a lot of things I cannot afford to know. I'm a Solar Government servant, remember. But it seemed to me there might conceivably be a life-form somewhere in the universe which used the body as a vehicle for its convenience. I hoped one day the Divers would find such a life-form, and if I made the regulations stiff enough and supplied one or two other irritations, one Diver might decide to make the jump, to revolt and stand on his own feet. Free Divers, you called yourselves, eh? A good name. I don't want to know where your base—your other base—is, Fred. I only want to know there is a group of people willing to serve the Solar Government regardless of time, theoretically for eternity—that's what it amounts to when you work it out. As I say, I'm just a government servant. And thanks, Free Diver."
He held out his hand and shook Fred's. "From now on, Fred, you can all come and go as you wish. If you feel like keeping to the security regulations, fine. But I'll make it clear to the Defense Council that there's nothing they can do about it if you don't. Men who don't mind losing their bodies have always been somewhat beyond the power of a government."
"On that basis, Doc, I don't mind continuing the way you planned."
"Laryngeal transmitter, continue your cover-job and the rest?"
"Don't see why not."
"Come along then. You're due to be released from jail."
Fred followed the doctor into the operating room.