Shevek

Shevek takes a a chocolate truffle and eats it with gusto. Only one, though: Annaresti aren't really used to rich food, a fact he'd learned after too many dinner parties on Urras.

"Mmmm!" Shevek says, then swallows. Then he examines the replicator machine with undisguised fascination.

"A Energy-to-Matter Replicator! I've heard about these things!"

So far, so good. Then, with a gleam in his eye, taking out a battered yet fairly advanced data pad, Shevek, (and a few of the scientifically minded syndics) betray their Anarchist sympathies.

"Are the specs available for download? What's the power input ratio?"