Avon looked away from the expression on Data's face, feeling his heart sink further.

"We certainly want to speak to him," he agreed grimly. Passing 27Carol, he stalked past the other avatars and scientists without looking at them, focussed entirely on Roj. A few surprised glances followed his progress across the room.

He'd had half a dozen things he wanted to say, the only uncertainty being which of them would come first, but seeing Roj standing alone, somehow none of them felt right anymore. It would be illogical and unfair to be angry with Roj. It wasn't his fault, and besides, he had achieved something very impressive - Avon should be proud of him. And yet he couldn't help but feel frustrated, because he knew that his son was better than this, too gifted to waste his extraordinary intelligence on being somebody's hired muscle.

Not wanting to embarrass himself or Roj by an inappropriate show of emotion in front of the decidedly objective-looking other creators, he merely said, "I understand that you have been offered a commission. Congratulations."