"I think he can read minds," Nedra said.
"I do not in the least doubt it," West answered. "If he did not possess this ability, or almost possess it, he would not be here."
"I, in my turn, think both of you are nuts," Zen answered. "I'm not putting on a mind-reading act."
"Not consciously, colonel, of course," West agreed. "You think your thoughts are your own. Often they are. But there are also times when they have originated with somebody else. However, before you tell me that I did not call you up here to discuss your mind-reading ability, or lack of it, I will show you one reason why I wanted you. Take the glasses, observe the ridge in the far distance, just under the pines. Tell me what you see there."
"Horses," Zen said. "No, mules. With riders. Cuso's men going out on a raiding party looking for food, ammo, and women, if they can catch 'em."
"Quite right, colonel. Except that they probably have the additional duty of inspecting the damage their blooper did when it exploded."
"I hope they inspect that damage from close range," Zen said fervidly. "That area is hot. If they will only spend an hour or so—" He broke off as he remembered that both Nedra and West had spent too much time in the same hot zone.
"They will not be that foolish," West said.
"I know some people who were," Zen said.
"Perhaps the area, at least on the fringes, was not as hot as you had thought," West suggested.