“You need mates,” it said softly. “No one will mate with you here except old Humans who would steal perhaps four fifths of your life. On the ship, you may be able to get young mates—perhaps even young Humans.” “And bring them back to Earth?” “I don’t know.” “I won’t go then. I won’t take the chance of being held there. I don’t think Aaor will either.” “It will. You both will when it finishes its metamorphosis.”
