Gavin was clicking again. “No reason? The oootoon, which is considered a single organism, by the way, has abducted placktoid settlers. That has been established, or I would not have stated it as a fact when you returned to the planet surface. The oootoon attacks any placktoids that stray near its shore.”
“Really? Why?”
Gavin leaned closer, so that his inner jaws were inches from Carrie’s face. She drew back her head.
“That,” he said, “is what everyone would like to know.”
“Hold on,” said Dave, “we were bombed down there. Aren’t the placktoids in danger of bombing their own people if they’re still alive...or functioning, or whatever?”
Gavin swung round to face Dave, who stumbled back.
“The placktoids have little value for individuals of their species who are not available for recyclin
