The Canopan officer put in gently, "This was clearly a case of self-defense. The Fleetman was drawing a gun."
"Unfortunately for that argument," stated the Commandant, "the Fleetman was not carrying a gun."
"But this 34C could not see in the first instant. His attention was on the thoughts which the Fleetman transmitted at that moment. The Fleetman forgot he was not wearing a sidearm, and in his mind there was the distinct picture of drawing his gun and shooting 34C. To 34C this was the reality of the moment. In his extreme nervousness he misjudged the force needed, and projected a lethal thought."
"A pretty legality," the Base Commandant growled. "Is it self-defense when you kill a person for thinking that he is about to kill you?"
"I know nothing of your law," the Canopan replied. "We have warned that an incident such as this was bound to occur sooner or later in the tense atmosphere of this town. May I suggest...."
"I know, I know." The Commandant passed a hand through his hair in disgust. "Your ideas about orienting the entire fleet. Subconscious psychological training ... still sounds like hypnotism to me. But if we must, then we must."
"And you, Jeffreys." He turned to Grey's ship-commander. "You're taking off tomorrow. You wouldn't want to lose a team, would you?"
"Certainly not, sir." Grey caught the relief in the commander's mind. "They're a good team."
"Then as far as anybody is concerned there has been no incident tonight." The Commandant turned to the medic. "Get that?"
Commander Jeffreys motioned to Joe and Grey. "You two will return to the base with me."