"You're learning too fast," said Shearing dryly. "Stick to something small and close and sordid, namely an asteroid where we can land."
"I found one," said Hyrst. "There."
Shearing followed his mental nudge. "Hell," he said, "couldn't you have spotted something better? These Valhallas give me the creeps."
"The others within reach are too small, or there's no cover. We'll have quite a little time to wait. I take it you would like to be alive when your friends come."
Vernon's thought broke in on them abruptly. "You have just one chance of that, and that's to give yourselves up, right now."
"Does the socially-conscious Mr. Bellaver still want to give me that job?" asked Hyrst.
"I'm warning you," said Vernon.
"Your mind is full of hate," said Hyrst. "Cleanse it." He shut Vernon out as easily as hanging up a phone. Under stress, his new powers were developing rapidly. He felt a little drunk with them. Shearing said, "Don't get above yourself, boy. You're still a cub, you know." Then he grinned briefly and added, "By the way, thanks."
Hyrst said, "I owed it to you. And you can thank your lady friend, too. She had a big hand in it."