e, his tall, slender
frame swaying, his head changing direction to
maintain eye contact.

Brad rose and stood erect, legs apart, fists on
hips, fury pouring out in his body language.

"Your team has just been assembled," Ram said,
"yet we don't have a moment to lose to get you
in place and operational. Orientation and training
will allow no more than four sleeps. The special
knowledge and skills each you needs for this
mission will be implanted into your conscious and
subconscious minds, and, as it suits our needs,
into your survival instincts. We have a long
history at this game."

Brad rose and strode angrily up the aisle to the
door and pressed the panel that would slide it
open. The panel did not function. Other than raise
his eyes to follow him to the door, Ram continued
talking as if Brad had remained nearby. After a
moment's hesitation, Brad returned to his seat.
Ram paused and gazed at Brad sympathetically.

"If you're all going to operate like a well-lubed
machine, without appearing to be doing so," he
said, "you'll need all the gimmicks we can hang on
to each of you."

Ram shrugged and went on, "News of your escape
will be broadcast system-wide; all part of the cover.
They'll be suspicious for quite a while, but you've
got to infiltrate, despite the risks.

"The mission has many subtleties; you must all
understand how they interact. Above all, you must
never, despite the most extreme interrogation,
betray the mission. In that sense, yes, you are
expendable. Small comfort, I know, but insurance
against betrayal will entail a simple psy-mod."

"Is there to be a complex one?"

"Yes."

"Let's have it all, man."

"If you are to join these terrorists, pirates, or
whatever they are, your characters must be suitable
to blend with theirs. On the one hand, you will be
loyal to each other and to us; on the other, you,
and I mean each of you, will lie, cheat, bribe,
subvert, sabotage, and kill for the mission, and
if it serves our greater purpose, act convincingly
against us. That's one complex psy-mod."

"There's more?"

"There's communications and one other. About
comm, off-planet messages from Planet Pluto,
especially through spunnel channels, are under
the tight control of Pluto's insurgent government.
Transmission facilities are under constant heavy
guard. You'll all be checked out by the Pluto's
security people to make sure none of you are
carrying prohibited comm gear or are otherwise