"...Alori culture...had little use for the aggressive individual; nevertheless, each individual was fully developed, very much himself, free to choose his own endeavor within the pattern." (p. 157)
That "nevertheless" speaks volumes. Individuals are not aggressive but nevertheless are fully developed and free. There is an implied assumption that aggression would be necessary for individual development and freedom. The Alori have something to teach as well as a lot to learn.
When Trevelyan and Nicki discuss the predicament of the Nomads who have become unwilling "guests" of the Alori:
"They were standing on the southern coast, atop a rocky headland. Before them lay the sea; a fresh damp wind blew in under the high sky, tossing Nicki's dark yellow hair." (p. 159)
Nicki is beginning to feel content on the Alori planet. Sea, sky and particularly fresh wind tossing her hair signify the oneness with nature that is offered by the Alori. Predictably, that is not enough for Andersonian characters represented by a Nomad crew and a Coordinator. Like the Enterprise crew in similar situations, they resist and return to space.
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