"But we must select a leader!"
"That won't be necessary, boys. I'm your new leader."
"As I see it," Retief said, dribbling cigar ashes into an empty wine glass, "you Qornt like to be warriors, but you don't particularly like to fight."
"We don't mind a little fighting—within reason. And, of course, as Qornt, we're expected to die in battle. But what I say is, why rush things?"
"I have a suggestion," Magnan said. "Why not turn the reins of government over to the Verpp? They seem a level-headed group."
"What good would that do? Qornt are Qornt. It seems there's always one among us who's a slave to instinct—and, naturally, we have to follow him."
"Why?"
"Because that's the way it's done."
"Why not do it another way?" Magnan offered. "Now, I'd like to suggest community singing—"