Chester went white. "I'm afraid we can't grant that. I promise we'll get him for you."
"Why can you not grant that?"
"Well—population. There aren't enough volunteers to host any more than the present quota, and of course you can't get around without hosts."
"How human," said Monnn through the attendant. "You are afraid of us. Yet you know we have no desire at all for this planet, and that we know you know this.
"Why do you lie? On our planet you would be treated as Minnn will be—your personality dismembered, the useful parts assigned to another, the imperfect disposed of."
"Be that as it may," said Chester, a chill in his spine. "We will find this fugitive ourselves."
"Of course. And if you do not, within two of your days, we must come to search ourselves. One more thing—Minnn may turn killer. And now I shall retire—manipulating this organism is most fatiguing."
The talking-attendant stood blank-faced for a moment as the Ravian withdrew to some nook of his mentality. Then he blinked and peered around, discovered he was in Forge's office, and saluted.
"That's okay, John," said Chester. "Thanks. Take him back to his husk."
The attendant left and Chester picked up his visor, punching the button for Security Chief....