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And the desperate creature would, if at all possible, find a substitute for the plant-the human hypothalamus being by far the most satisfactory. Of course, death would intervene before that happened. Otherwise, intense pain, even madness, would result as the body tried to revert. But it was critical that the dose be maintained. Initially, large quantities of the plant would be needed to ensure sufficient reovirus to effect the bodily change.Once the transformation was complete, the plant need be consumed only in small quantities, supplemented of course by other proteins. The climax of their ceremonials was undoubtedly the induction of a new creature-the force-feeding of the plant to the unwilling human victim. The cult would have centered around the plant itself, its cultivation and harvesting. Chances are, the Kothoga only kept one of the creatures around at a time-more than that would be too dangerous. The creatures kept the enemies of the Kothoga at bay-yet they themselves were a constant threat to their masters.

The plants were a curse that was simultaneously hated and needed. Kawakita could now visualize parts of the Kothoga's secret religion.

Mbwun-the word the Kothoga used for the wonderful, terrible plant, and for the creatures those who ate it became. I think you'll find the results very gratifying." "Steep it in boiling water, that increases the concentration. A monster that would terrorize the surrounding tribes without terrorizing its masters that would ensure the security and isolation of the Kothoga forever. A monster that would keep out the road builders and the prospectors and the miners that were poised to invade the tepui from the south and destroy them. They must have attempted to do with this white man what they had failed to do with their own kind: create a monster they could control. Perhaps they brewed him a liquor from the plant's leaves, or perhaps they simply forced him to eat the dried fibers. He wondered what Whittlesey must have felt: bound, perhaps ceremonially, being force-fed the reovirus from the strange plant he himself had collected just days earlier. "Keep the lights off," said Kawakita sharply. Night was rapidly becoming his favorite time of the day. It had been a long day, and he felt bone tired, but he was looking forward to nightfall, when the sounds of the city would subside and darkness would cover the land.

Kawakita closed the door and slid the bolt back in place.