"No. There is worse. We have ascertained through some -- times bitter experience that not all people or things can be taken. It seems that any person who plays a significant role in his or her or its Mode -- "

"Its?"

"Some Mode-folk are sexless, and some are mechanical."

Darius shuddered. "Go on."

"No person of significance can be taken. Apparently there is a certain stability; a Mode will not let go of what it needs to make it what it is. This has a peculiar effect."

"Go on," Darius said, experiencing a chill.

"In general, only those folk who are destined to have min -- imal impact on their realities can be taken. It may be that their Modes know that these folk are soon to be lost anyway, and do not try to hold them."

"Do you mean they are about to be accidentally killed?"

"Not necessarily. They may have some terminal malady. You could bring such a one here, but she would soon die anyway. Or possibly she merely is of little account, so will live but will have no significant impact. You might find that she has similarly little effect here."

Darius was still struggling with another aspect of this. "You said their Modes know, and hold those they want. The Modes are conscious? The Modes are like people?"

"We don't think so. It seems more like a stone that does not readily give up any of its substance. But if part of it has been cracked, a chip may be flaked off with less effort. So you will have to find a loose flake."

Darius pondered this. A diseased woman? It would be bet -- ter to take one who was about to be killed. But what kind would that be? A criminal? He did not want to marry that kind either.

The prospects were dimming.

"I anticipate your next question," Pwer said. That was good, because Darius didn't know what to ask

next. "Yes."

"How do you locate such a woman?" the man said. "The answer is that we can help you there.

There are settings on the Chips. Not many, but enough. We can put you through to a reality that is livable, with human beings much like us, and where one is suitable. We can make that one female.

We can not guarantee that she is not already married, but of course if she dies that will not matter. We can not guarantee her age or health or personality. But we can put you close to her.

Not completely close, for our command of this alien device is imperfect, but in her Mode and in her vicinity. Then you can inspect her, and bring her back here with you if that seems appropriate. Which brings up your final question." "Yes," Darius agreed, as before. "How do you return? And the answer is that you will have a signal device, an aspect of the Chip. When you activate that, I will receive the signal, and will revert you and what -- ever you hold to this reality. If you do not signal within a month, I will assume you are not going to. Because you are dead or unable to signal. Without this signal we can not bring you back, because the Chip is unable to fix on you."