"Telepathy?" Sunbeam asked in amazement. "I heard, but I didn't really believe—"
"Yes, dammit, telepathy!" Greggson snapped. "That's how she managed to humiliate my men!"
"I do not understand your anger," Corina said quietly. "It was simply a demonstration of Talent, the way it can be used against the unTalented, as Thark plans to do. I did not intend to humiliate anyone, and they have said they do not feel humiliated."
"Damn your intentions!" Greggson rasped. "No oversized kitty is going to make fools of my men and get away with it!"
"Hey, Colonel," Dawson said, "it's okay, we—"
Greggson glared at him. "Keep out of this, Major. Get back to your post. And keep your mouth shut."
"As the Colonel orders," Dawson said with icy correctness, and left.
"That goes for you, too, Ensign. Wait outside."
"But I'm supposed to—" Sunbeam objected.
"Wait outside."