Brettin shrugged, waving a hand in generous dismissal. ‘It is of no moment. The Settlement can only ensure its humanity by adhering strictly to these “guidelines”, as you prefer to call them, as if they are indeed law. The fact that more candidates passed Assessment in previous times merely confirms this. It is obvious that some non-Standard genes must have been let through. That, surely, is one reason why there are fewer today who meet the proper standards.’
‘That sounds right,’ put in Olinna. ‘There must be some reason! Maybe the wrong settlers were allowed to breed, and that caused the problem we face now. Perhaps the Temple is right, and we should remain strict, become even more so.’
‘Of course I am right!’ snapped Brettin. ‘Poor Assessments in the past, and that very ill-considered
