Iawa follows close behind Avrayen, embarrassingly empty-handed. He has not yet twigged that physics jokes might be a useful resource on a Nirai station, but has rich previous experience in smiling as said jokes soar over his head.

Iawa's grandparent had a favourite joke about being a Liozh invariant technology specialist: "If it doesn't work, it's physics. If it works in theory but is completely impractical, it's philosophy. If it doesn't work and is completely impractical, it's political science."

Iawa feels like he understands that joke better than he used to.

[Liozh Ton continues: "If it explodes it's chemistry and/or politics. If it smells it's biology and/or politics."]