"Something strange about the trance, Captain," Farley said darkly. "Any spaceman can tell you that. Things we don't understand."
"I'm talking about something we do understand—sound. These suits perfectly soundproof?"
"Well, you can pick up sound by conduction. Like putting two helmets together and talking without using radio. You can't insulate enough to block out all sound and still have a man-shaped suit. You have—"
"I know. Then you have something like a tractor or a miniature spaceship. There isn't time for that. We will have to live with the sound."
"What do you think he's going to hear out there, Captain? We'd like to find one of those beautiful sirens on some planet, believe me, but—"
"I believe you," I said quickly. "Let's leave it at that. I don't know what he will hear; what's worrying me is how he'll hear it, in what sensory medium. I hope the sound doesn't blind him. His radar is his only chance."
"How do you figure on getting a better edge yourself, sir?"
"I have the idea, but not the word for it. Tonal compensation, I suppose. If you can't shut out the noise, we'll have to drown it out."
Farley nodded. "Beat like a telephone time signal?"
"That would do it."