‘Come, Siever, you aren't-’

‘On the other hand,’ said Genarr, not waiting for her protest, ‘I would say that Marlene's brain was remarkably out of the ordinary.’

‘Oh yes,’ began Eugenia. ‘I see what you're getting at.’

‘It's possible that when Pitt discovered that Marlene had this ability and that she was asking to go to Erythro, he saw at once that by merely acceding to her request, he might possibly get rid of a mind he instantly recognized as dangerous.’

‘Obviously, then, we ought to leave - go back to Rotor.’

‘Yes, but I'm quite sure Pitt can prevent that for a while. He can insist that these measurements you wish to make are vital and must be completed and you won't be able to use the Plague as an excuse. If you even try, he will have you held for mental examination. I would suggest that you complete those measurements as quickly as you can, and, as for Marlene, we will take all possible precautions. The Plague has died down, and the suggestion that out-of-the-ordinary brains are particularly vulnerable is just that, a suggestion, and no more. There's no real reason to think we can't get away with it. We can keep Marlene safe and do Pitt in the eye. You'll see.’

Insigna stared at Genarr, not quite seeing him, her stomach tying itself into a knot.