But Mason had long since anticipated the clumsy move. The speed of thought is infinite; Mason and the Venusian, working jointly, easily immobilized the Mordargan.
The blaster dropped to the floor.
"Go easy on him," Mason said aloud to his partner. "We'll need him to get us out of the palace."
"Right."
Together they bound the alien in a hypnotic compulsion—to conduct the two Solarians safely out of the palace. Then Mason sent an inquisitive mind-probe into the Mordargan's psyche.
The yield of the probe was rich—data on Mordargan military movements, secret plans. Mason carefully memorized these things.
Then he freed the Venusian. Klon Darra smiled in gratitude.
"I was afraid you'd never get here," he said. "After they caught me I thought we were both finished. But we fooled them."
Mason nodded. "We're still a good team, Klon Darra. A little careless at times but who minds that as long as we bring home what we went out here for."
He turned to the stupefied Mordargan. "Let's go, Levron Clargo."