"Mutant genes or bad sunburn?" He hasn't necessarily though this through to the end. In fact, he hadn't really thought further at all. "I don't know if it's the same thing though. Yes, the X-gene makes a lot of attractive blue people, but not as many as gamma radiation makes attractive green people."

Robbie thinks about Vance reading the Pratchett novels. On one hand, it would be nice to have something that expansive available for winking references. But... "No, don't. If you don't read it, I can still call you Captain Carrot with no repurcussions."