Possibly she had some power of direct communication after
all.

"It's just those cables that you destroyed over the panel," she told him
in a softly cajoling voice. "I have some spares in the locker, and if
you would help me replace them, it would be fine."

Tensor floated over and peered into the stumps, examining the
composition and structure. He nodded and reconstructed them instantly.

She was obviously delighted and said, "I wondered if you could do that.
May I use the radio now?"

Tensor stared at the whiteness of her teeth contrasting pleasingly with
the redness of her lips. "Go right ahead," he murmured. He decided he
had better leave soon.

He watched as the brilliant spots of color glowed and shifted. She spoke
and the panel issued its response. "Control to Scout Three. What
happened there a while ago?"

"This is urgent," she said. "Is the Captain there?"

After a noisy hesitation, the panel replied. "This is Commander Carson.
What's up out there?"

"Listen carefully," she said. "I have an alien with me on the ship. He's
already learned English perfectly. He is only slightly telepathic, so
far as I am concerned, but he has great telekinetic powers."

"We were afraid of that. Is he dangerous?"

"Well--he killed Lieutenant Anderson. Completely annihilated her with a
simple act of will." She glanced at the bewildered expression on
Tensor's face, and favored him with a quick little smile. "He is
extremely powerful. He would be a very good friend."

Tensor broke in asking, "What is all this talk now? I do not understand
the purpose of it."

"Don't you worry," she murmured softly, reaching up and patting him on
the knee. "Just have patience."

The panel rasped at them. "I see. Do you know if there are many of
them?"

"He told me it was between thirty and a hundred, but nobody knows for
sure. Presumably they don't have very much communication with each
other."

"Ah," rasped the panel in a satisfied tone. "Just a minute. I'll get a
directive from the Captain for you."

Tensor nodded slightly as he said, "Oh, I see. That is your Council you
are talking to."

"Uh huh," she replied, dodging the hand that sought her hair again. She
smiled coyly. "Now just wait. I want to hear what my superiors say." She
pushed at him playfully, her smile growing strained as she desperately
tried to kill time.

Tensor was amused. Yes, he decided, it was time to go. He was not at all
sure that he wanted to go, but