I bowed deeply to Kohnke and turned to the anamorph. "He would speak with you," I said impressively.
Her eyes widened with apprehension. I was not concerned about her reading my thoughts now. What she read in Kohnke's mind would be more believable to her.
"We must have fuel!" I shouted at Kohnke. "She can give it to us!" I pointed at the anamorph. "Command her!"
Kohnke concentrated his wild gaze on the girl and mouthed something inaudible.
The anamorph drew back. Her features seemed to lose their character, to be melting together.
This was the critical moment. "Tell her about your Father," I commanded.
His lips writhed damply and he began again his inarticulate muttering.
The anamorph cried out plaintively and covered her face with her hands. I shifted my attention to the pile of soil I had asked Burgess to prepare.
It quivered, flattened ... and hardened into six fuel ingots!
Twenty minutes later we were in space.