ders. Now, under the emotionless
pseudoconsciousness of the nego, it seemed strange that he could have
been interested in those futile and primitive beings. Practically
nothing was known about them, because they could not communicate.

Tensor studied the question briefly. There was no answer available in
the paucity of information, so he dismissed it without further interest.
Insufficient data. Therefore, insoluble problem. Therefore, forget about
it.

He continued to stare at the sky, unconsciously and vacantly waiting.

He felt the itch. It was a slight stimulation of his medulary region,
indicating somebody's desire to communicate with him. That, however, was
impossible at the moment. The only faculties of significance remaining
in his neutral somatic state were those which were absolutely necessary
for civilized life--levitation to avoid being disturbed by gravity, the
focus for personal privacy, the construction of food. Communication was
not one of those, so the itch would just have to remain. Tensor
contemplated an eternity with the medulary itch without the slightest
concern.

Abruptly the itch stopped and Curl was there, looking exhausted, as was
the polite fashion, since teleporting oneself was commonly regarded as
tiring.

"You've taken nego," the physician murmured aloud, half accusingly.

"Yes sir," Tensor replied, using similar sound patterns. "Ruut ordered
me to."

"What in Oxy for?"

"He did not like my attitude."

The physician considered the information, and while he did so, Ruut
popped into existence beside him, a most uncivilized look of worry on
his face.

"How is he, Curl? What have you found out?"

"No need for excitement, my dear administrator," the physician replied
evenly, politely avoiding comment on Ruut's crude, low caste self
control. "I just got here. Thanks to your order to the young man to fill
himself up with nego, he was unable to let me project a hyperimage."

"But the situation was dangerous. Did you examine him? Did he tell you
what he said to me?"

Curl glanced at him, and then quickly sent probing thoughts at Tensor's
mind and body. After a moment, he gave it up, shaking his head. "The
nego won't let him communicate at all. I'll have to order him to
administer an antidote to himself."

"No!" Ruut almost shouted. "It's dangerous." He rapidly gave an oral and
somewhat horrified account of his earlier communication with Tensor.

"All right," the physician grudging