'Paranoid'. [grins; sighs] But I am too. There's something a little too self-congratulatory about hunters building a death museum of their victims' bones. There were detailed anatomical displays -- fascinating; whoever assembled them knows their job -- but I don't understand why they can't synthesize the mineral instead of going to all this trouble. The emphasis they put on the creatures being just dumb animals....

[was working up to a fine old rant, but trails off at the vague statement. too tired to even think of dodging the question? you stay away from that cup, Miles; Bel's just going to intercept your hand and try to hold it instead.]

Paranoid and sleep-deprived? [the alto is light and warm, affectionately teasing.] It's high time they assign you an assistant. The crew's big enough to warrant a personnel department by now.