Disclaimer: See Prologue
Chapter 2: The Inn of the Dancing Electron and the Polys
"Who are they, Argon?" asked Frodine fearfully.
"They are the Polys. Neither Covalent nor Ionic. Once, they were covalent—until Silicon got his hands on them. They were bearers of nine of the Great Vials. The power of the unpaired electrons in the metals drew them closer and closer, until they bonded. Now, they are Polyatomic. Their extra electrons have caused them to have heightened sensitivity to the presence of any other pure form of matter. They are hunting you and your vial now. All their senses are bent on us."
"Must we not leave here, now, then?"
"At present, our disguises make us appear like HM's—Homogenous Mixtures. They will not spot us for a while. Soon, however, Silicon may guess our plan. Then—very little can save us."