the section after that is interesting too, although i'm skimming past a lot of paragraphs it sounds like they spend a lot of time probing for ways that Shevek might speak about their sense of a body of authority. reminiscent of assumptions of powerholders that everybody has a leader, but that many deny it, and of having powerful connections to various areas. “But we haven’t been sure whether or not you came with the approval of—” He hesitated. Shevek grinned. “Of my government?” “We know that nominally there’s no government on Anarres. However, obviously there’s administration. And we gather that the group that sent you, your Syndicate, is a kind of faction; perhaps a revolutionary faction.” “Everybody on Anarres is a revolutionary, Oiie. . . .