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them.
    “Tulros. I am Mip7 from Cardinal-4. I was expecting to meet someone here.”
    One of the administrators activated a lightpad. “The name of the person you are here to see?”
    “I don’t know,” Mip7 replied. “I was to meet my associate here, a Sheen by the name of Arkan9. He would have set the proper appointments for us.”
    The two administrators looked at each other in a manner Mip7 thought betrayed condescendence.
    “Yes,” one of them said, “the Sheen is in already in conference with Director Markin1 and Professor Yob3. I can show you back.”
    Mip7 followed him down the hallway and could shortly see Arkan9 with the two scientists behind the glass wall of a conference room. Arkan9 was wearing his cloak and hood. One of the scientists was making hand motions as he spoke. He seemed to be agitated.
    The door to the room slid open automatically and the administrator announced Mip7. They all looked at him curiously. One of the scientists was an Amulite wearing the same director’s collar Lan2 wore; the other a fellow Banorian. The scientists sat together at one end of the long table. Arkan9 was in the middle of the table with his back to the wall. Several empty seats were between them. Mip7 took a seat opposite Arkan9.
    Arkan9 spoke. “Director Markin1, Professor Yob3, Mip7 is my assistant on this project.”
    “Tulros,” Mip7 said.
    “I’m not sure ‘project’ is the proper word here,” Markin1 said. “We consent to giving you full access to the research facility, and allowing you to review all the data assembled on the Earth species—but understand you cannot have free reign for conducting your own experiments.”
    “Our project was commissioned by Chancellor Renal5 and Governor Stugin2 of Cardinal-4,” Arkan9 said. “They have collaborated, and wish for us to have full clearance in all manner of research suitable for our purpose. You can verify this yourself with the chancellor’s office.”
    Markin1 shook his head. “We cannot have you poking and prodding the research subjects. You don’t understand the science of cryonic maintenance. We must not disturb the balance in their environment.”
    “I understand more about balance than you suppose,” Arkan9 said, “and it is not our intent to poke and prod them, but to fully revive them.”
    “Extat!” Markin1 exclaimed. Both scientists stood up, sending their chairs flying backwards.
    Mip7 began to stand as a reflex motion, but noticed Arkan9 was calm and remaining in his seat—so he stayed put.
    “That is out of the question and preposterous!” Markin1 said. He grabbed his light pad and began poking at it furiously.
    “Be sure you copy that message to the chancellor’s office,” Arkan9 said, “as the C2 governor will only forward it there, being as his authority is limited in this matter.”
    Markin1 glared at Arkan9 for a long moment, and then appeared to regain his composure. He sat back down. Professor Yob3, however, remained standing and was focusing on Mip7.
    “What interest does the space station have in our galactic species collections?” Yob3 asked.
     The question drew all of their attention to Mip7. He had no idea how to respond. Instead of employing his usual strategy in uncertain situations—remaining silent—he opened his mouth and began speaking, hoping something relevant and intelligent-sounding would come forth.
    “My governor is suspicious of certain recent visitors to Cardinal-4. He is concerned about what appears to be security breaches having taken place.  We have been informed that these particular research subjects of yours, the Earth beings, may have special knowledge and abilities which will assist in rectifying the security situation there. That is all I know.”
    Yob3 seemed satisfied with the answer and sat back down. Mip7 felt a wave of relief.
    “It is a cruelty,” Arkan9 said, “and a breach of Erob law, to continue to keep the Earthlings in comatose. You know that. These are intelligent