The Scanners all compressed their lips for answer. (Silence was the code.) Martel, who—long familiar with the code—was a little bored with the proceedings, noticed that Chang was breathing too heavily; he reached over and adjusted Chang's Lung-control and received the thanks of Chang's eyes. Vomact observed the interruption and glared at them both. Martel relaxed, trying to imitate the dead cold stillness of the others. It was so hard to do, when you were cranched.
"If others die, what the duty then?" asked Vomact.
"Scanners together inform the Instrumentality. Scanners together accept the punishment. Scanners together settle the case."
"And if the punishment be severe?"
"Then no ships go."
"And if Scanners not be honored?"
"Then no ships go."
"And if a Scanner goes unpaid?"
"Then no ships go."
"And if the Others and the Instrumentality are not in all ways at all times mindful of their proper obligation to the Scanners?"