"Good point." Thace's frown deepens, "but without confirmation, I would have to be concerned about... failsafes."

He twists that word in his mouth like it has a bad taste. "It would unfortunately be all too simple to add code into the balls to cause harm to Pokemon who are too far from them, or even that would cause their form to degrade or destabilize without frequent occupation, because of whatever process is used to contain them in the balls in the first place. I haven't seen any sign of the second, thankfully, but I also wouldn't want to harm a sentient being just to test a theory. Even if they were willing to engage in that test."

The last is said in Vrig's direction, because she was in the process of raising her tassel and volunteering.