The remaining Cetagandans undergo a remarkable transformation, from haut-blankness to a more expressive affect. The Emperor looks angry. Lisbet looks... slightly amused.

"Give the boy a chair, Fletchir," she says. "He fell onto the inside of a haut-bubble force-screen; if you make him stand up for much longer, he's going to fall over."

"As you wish," says the Emperor. He manipulates a control; a station chair rises from the floor next to Miles.