[uncledaddy]

Those words filled him with ice water. He'd known it was coming, but dreaded it just the same. He was going to have to take care of the Winston. No amount of respect he'd gained for humans as a whole could encourage him to take that creature seriously. Had the likes of Winston been somehow born into his own kind, he would surely have been put down for the betterment of the race--or at least sterilized. And how undignified for a respected military officer and researcher to answer to the whims of a disrespectful little worm like that! Even the experience and social understanding to be gained were hardly worthwhile compensation. At the very least, though, Randy supposed he could make himself useful in keeping Winston from bothering Alissa and the others as much as possible. He straightened himself, slowly turning his attention to Lord Stickbottom as he implored all of his training and natural calm to keep him silent.