Harlan was in a thorough mood.

He had the full symptom list on the board, written out in neat columns, dated references from three different academic books, and the particular energy of a professor who had found his material genuinely interesting and intended to make sure everyone in the room felt the same way whether they wanted to or not.

"Rare cases," he said, moving along the board. "Bonds that form despite significant mutual resistance. Both parties actively rejecting the connection. ...