Why Ydwyr Wants Flandry

Merseian astronomers noticed an unusual, old and nearly extinct pulsar in no-man's-land near the Terran border. A team of physicists went to investigate. Taking routine observations on their return, they also investigated the unusual orbits around Siekh. When Ydwyr heard of the unusual Talwinians, he decided that they must be studied. This was agreed only on condition that Talwin also become an advanced base.

Ydwyr also wants to study human beings. Flandry is not only human but also an intelligence agent who should know some xenology and should therefore be able to help with the study of the Talwinians. He is also intriguing because Ydwyr, through his exalted family, has heard something of Flandry's role in the Starkad affair. Ydwyr, a scientist who investigates psychic phenomena, thinks that there might be a destiny in Flandry and he uses an obscure, probably archaic, term for "destiny." This reminds me of Manse Everard thinking that the time stream is bearing Veleda along.

Flandry, of course, will escape but what Ydwyr says suggests another story possibility about a human scientist who, captured and unable to escape, makes a fulfilling career out of working for a Merseian like Ydwyr.