Not a moment too soon, because there's Vorob'yev, here to affirm the integrity of their luggage and get them strapped into their shuttle seats for departure.

"And that's that, my lords. Nothing taken from your possessions, nothing added. Welcome to Eta Ceta Four. There are no official ceremonies requiring your presence today, but if you're not too tired from your journey, the Marilacan Embassy is hosting an informal reception tonight for the legation committee and all its august visitors. I recommend it to your attention."

"Recommend?" says Miles alertly. Anyone who has done as good a job as Vorob'yev at something as delicate as ambassador to Cetaganda has, in Miles's view, a recommendation of exceptional weight.

"You'll be seeing a lot of these people over the next two weeks. It should provide a useful orientation," Vorob'yev elaborates.