56 "You wish to make clones of me?" Morn asked.
57 "That may be our purpose," the woman answered.
58 "You know my seed is faulty," Morn warned.
59 "We already know," explained the woman, "that it has already been
artificially implanted with excellent results."
60 "Very well!" answered Morn, "I will agree to your conditions. But
may I ask the reason for this testing?"
61 "NO!" the woman replied, "That is our business!"
62 "Then I suppose," Morn said, "I will have to honor that."
63 The Committee rose and left. Then the fourth group entered.
The next group that entered was the strangest of
all The Peepians. They were called
The Mindlos and were only about half the height of the rest of their
people. They had large heads and small bodies, which was the result,
Morn understood, of their people's genetic engineering.
64 All their children were produced mechanically in artificial wombs
and were raised jointly by the community. They were so small they had
difficulty climbing into the chairs, but when they seated themselves,
they sat for many moments simply staring at Morn. Then, four of them
looked to their Spokesman. "Would you assist me in an experiment?" the
Spokesman asked, "Quite simple."
65 "Of course," agreed Morn.
66 The Spokesman took a pen from his pocket, held it out before him,
and let it float from his fingers. It glided across the room, and with
a gentle tap landed on Morn's desk. "Would you return it, please," the
Spokesman requested, "the same way I sent it to you?"
67 Morn picked up the pen and did as he was requested. It floated
gently back to its owner who grasped it out of the air and put it back
in his pocket. "Tell me," asked the Spokesman, "did that tire you?"