[It isn't quite surprising that Byerly balks. He's a funny man with funny notions instilled in him by some feudal code. They're creatures of opposing solar systems, Richie living too casual and Byerly too uptight. Predicting what will throw him and how is still murky business, so Richie spares a moment to squint at the shuffle and recoil.

But more importantly:]

But it was still through the job. And there was real reason to be concerned, especially if your emperor was doing the asking. Would you have hunted him down off the clock? Just out of spite?