The smaller objects—molecules, electrons, photons—simply took practice and training. First the object had to be visualized, and the general structure memorized. Then the power had to be controlled carefully enough so that you moved just what you wanted to move and not, for instance, shift the Empire State Building while trying to lift a molecule out of its topmast.
It was possible, in theory, to create full sensory hallucinations by juggling electron streams and molecules within the brain. But memorizing the entire structure of the brain was a lifelong task, since you also had to allow for individual variation, and that meant working with "tracking" molecules inside each brain before any work began. Most Operatives stuck to one area—usually, as most effective, sight or sound.
He was a sight man. He could create any visual hallucination, as long as the subject was within a twenty-five-foot range. Beyond that, control of the fantastically small electrons and photons simply became too diffused.
But Fredericks had a shield. And in case the shield didn't work, he was coming with a blindfold.
The Psi Operative had no weapons, no reinforcements, no chance to run—nothing except his psi talent, which Fredericks had defenses against, and his brains.
But there had to be a way out.
Didn't there?
he desk clerk looked young and comparatively innocent. Fredericks ambled over, taking his time about it. The clerk looked up and smiled distantly. "Yes, sir?"