 What did Kolin think about becoming a tree himself?
"You will scout in five details of three persons each," Chief Slichow said. Kolin found himself in a group with Jak Ammet, a third cook, and Eva Yrtok, powdered foods storekeeper. For all Kolin could tell, he and the others were isolated in a world bounded by the rocky ridge behind them and a semi-circle of damp trees and bushes several hundred meters away. "Be a job to find anything edible here," grunted Ammet, and Kolin agreed. As he reached her, whatever Yrtok was examining came to life and scooted into the underbrush with a flash of greenish fur.
 He was intrigued but wanted to try something slightly different.
 He wanted to be an animal, not a plant.  He was intrigued but wanted to try something slightly different.  He figured it was an effective way to escape his crew.  He refused to give up his own body.