“One might question the need for this step,” Polaris objected in the roundabout fashion of his kind. “I recognize the Minister directly.”

“Yet he was out of place,” Sol pointed out. “It is our duty as investigators to explore all potentially pertinent factors. A reading of his Kirlian aura could have bearing.”

“Agreed,” Canopus said, exerting his decision-making propensity. “Recognition is not the issue; circumstance is. The Minister should have been aware he was in violation of regulations.” He produced a unit outlet and tuned it to the stunned Minister.

And exhibited surprise; an emotion uncommon to his species. “This is not the aura of the Minister of Research.”

The guard looked up, hope flaring. “An imposter?”

“But I am certain of his identity!” Polaris protested with uncircular vigor.

“Both true. This is a Kirlian transferee. An alien mind in the Minister’s body. This aura is not in our records.”

“This is verging on the angular,” Polaris said. “Our Minister would not lend his body to such use.”

“Not voluntarily,” Sol said.

“He has not been absent from these demesnes since the last routine Kirlian verification,” Polaris insisted. “He was under no pressure to depress his aura, and in any event—”

“He remains with us,” Canopus said, studying the indicator closely with several facets of his eyes. “I now perceive a second aura imprint, suppressed by the first. This second one matches his own.”

“He is an involuntary host?” Sol inquired challengingly. Such a thing was considered impossible.

“So it would seem. The Minister’s aura is normal— one point two intensity, not in good health at the moment. The alien aura is more potent—twenty-seven. It has apparently overwhelmed that of the host. There are certain indications of strife between the two, augmenting the supposition that the hosting is not voluntary.”