“Sick bay to bridge,” Dunlopgrumbled over the intercom. “What do you think you’re doing up there? Some ofus are trying to work.”
“We seem to have run into anasteroid field,” John answered innocently. “We should be out in a littlewhile.”
“Next time, how about a warningif my patients are about to get thrown out of their beds.”
Half an hour later and they werethrough. As they reached clear space, the ship stopped vibrating. The crewdidn’t. It would take a little longer for their bodies to return to normal. John likened it to swimming in the surf all day when you could still feel therocking all night.
“Manados coming up,” McReidyreported.
She had caught John by surprise. Cutting through the asteroid field had taken hours off their schedule. At hisfailure to acknowledge, she turned around to face him.
“What’s wrong?”
“They don’t particularly like medown there.” He flinched at the uneasy admission.
“What did you do to them?” shedemanded, her voice raised slightly.
“Nothing.” John defendedhimself. “They’re telepaths and I won’t let them read my mind.”
“How do you stop them?” was thequestion that filled everyone’s mind. Most telepaths anyone had come acrosscould read minds undetected. It was only with respect that they chose not to.
“You’re in charge of the landingparty,” John told McReidy. “Take Gillespie… You stay where you are!” Hepointed at Humphries who was ready to jump at the chance. “Dunlop, he’ll befascinated by them, and pick up Giacomo on your way. He’s in cartography.” Well, he would be by the time they got there. “Make contact. I’m off thebridge.”
John vacated his chair and leftthe bridge.
McReidy took his chair. It mustbe serious if he didn’t want his presence known, and she was well aware of howeasily he could aggravate someone. It took her a moment to compose herself. The thought of telepaths made her uneasy. There were certain thoughts shewished to remain private.
“Open a channel, Mister Tan,” sheinstructed.
“Channel open.”
“This is Lieutenant CommanderMcReidy of the Earth ship Bismarck, calling Manados Central.”
“Greetings, LieutenantCommander.” The main screen came on. “This is Manados Central. I am GovernorCush… You are early. We did not expect you so soon.”
Blue eyes pierced throughMcReidy’s as though they could penetrate to her very soul. She was not awareof any other physical features of the man who spoke to her. “We cut throughthe asteroid field,” she found herself explaining.
“Explanations are not necessary. You are here, that is what matters.” The voice was genuine. Not particularlyfriendly, but a welcome change from the contempt they were becoming used to. “We will be pleased to receive your landing party to discuss the proposals wehave received.”
“Thank you. We will be downshortly. Bismarck out.”
It was only after the screen wentblank that McReidy realised how much like John her response had been. It wasautomatic. Her thoughts had not been her own since those eyes captured her. She would have to be careful.
She flicked the intercom. “Commander, we’re on our way. It’ll take a few minutes to pick up the others.”
“Fine. Let me know when you’reready to transport down.”
* * *
John was back on the bridgebefore the landing party was ready to leave. “Keep your minds on your job,”was the only advice he gave. McReidy would no doubt have told them of his lackof popularity and to keep his name and all thoughts of him out of theirencounter.
Manadosians were an extremelyintelligent people. The placement of a watching station on their largest moonwas of great strategic importance to all concerned. They were on the galaxy’sside of the border: a point that hadn’t shifted since it had been establishedseveral months ago. John felt confident in McReidy’s ability to handle thenegotiations. There was enough leeway for both sides to make concessions.
For the first few hours, McReidywas able to concentrate on her job. She was fully focused, taking in verylittle around her. She had vague perceptions of artwork on the walls of theboardroom, but hadn’t even glanced at it.
Every now and then, she feltCush’s presence inside her head. As she became aware of the intrusions, heretreated, choosing the times when her body language told him she wasvulnerable.
She was getting tired; it becameharder to concentrate. As she looked at her list, there were three more pointsto be negotiated. She felt Cush again. A foreign presence in her head,probing at her hidden thoughts. She glared at him. The blue eyes pierced backthrough her, but he retreated.
Gillespie was not much help. Morally, he was there. Academically, he knew as much as she did, but he was anoutsider in the battle of wills that was going on.
Cush was a skilful negotiator;two associates on his side of the table having no input in the discussions. He’d make a good card player. That thought brought a curious glance. Gillespiesmiled to himself. How could one play cards, when everyone could read eachother’s hands?
It was Cush who decided to endnegotiations for the day.
“I need some air.” He rose tohis feet and strode around the table to McReidy. “Walk with me, LieutenantCommander.”
McReidy turned anxiously toGillespie, who had no verbal answer.
“Your companion agrees with me,”Cush confirmed.
Gillespie had thought they allneeded a break, but he wouldn’t have gone that far. He was beginning to feeltired and hungry.
“It is getting late,” Cushagreed. “You will, of course, dine with us. Your companions…” He was stillfor a moment as he thought. “Ah, yes… there they are.”
He turned to one of hisassociates. McReidy and Gillespie were not privy to the telepathic conversation. The other nodded slightly. Cush turned away.
“Shall we?” he asked McReidy.
She had no choice. She had nocontrol over her thoughts, didn’t dare try to sort out her feelings. No wonderJohn didn’t get on well with them. With his temper… She was horrified as thesmall smile on Cush’s face revealed his knowledge. She had to think ofsomething safe.
A gentle breeze reached them asthey stepped outside. It felt cool on McReidy’s face and she closed her eyesfor a moment to let it refresh her.
“It tends to become stuffyinside. It is more soothing out here.” Cush’s voice was gentle, the razorsharp edge of the negotiator gone.
McReidy, now more relaxed, beganto see him
