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_Shind, where are you right now, physically?_
_I am drawing quite near their position. I have been moving toward them since I recovered. I was hoping there might still be something I could do. Now, though, it is purely a matter of curiosity. We are only about a quarter of a mile from you_.
_Have you looked into von Hymack's mind recently?_
_Yes. He is still in a state of depression. Harmless_ ...
_What are we to do with him, now?_
_The searchers are drawing nearer. I suppose we might just let them find him_.
_Do you think they would hurt him?_
_Difficult to say. The group I can pick up seems pretty businesslike about the whole thing, but there are some angry, unstable types ... Wait! --They are moving again! She raises her arm and begins to speak. He gestures also and joins her in whatever she is saying. Now_--
The sky seemed to collapse in a blazing sheet, and the peal of thunder that followed was the loudest he had ever heard. When his senses finally cleared, lie realized that it had resumed raining and that the taste in his mouth was blood, from where he had bitten into his lip.
_Now what, Shind?_ he inquired.
Again, the silence.
Then, "Heidel, other searchers are fairly near here--the real thing," he said. "Of course, they want to find you in order to stop the epidemics."
"That should all be ended. I can feel myself changing. I know the safe feeling, and it is on its way. Almost here, actually."
"But inasmuch as you are the only one aware of this feeling, they will still doubtless want to take you into custody. I understand that Dr. Larmon Pels is associated with the search. He would probably have you quarantined, studied. So you may get your wish for isolation."
"May?"
"I am wondering about the searchers themselves. Some of them may have lost relatives, friends ..."
"I suppose you are right. Any suggestions--beyond simple avoidance?"
"Not yet. If only we knew--"
_I believe that the issue has been decided_, Shind said.
_Which way?_
_I ca
_Were they injured?_
_It seems the result of some form of psychic shock, so I ca
_Yes. How do I find you?_
_Relax your mind and let me move further in. I will guide your steps to me_.
_Don't guide too quickly. Heidel is not so fast on his feet_.
_What do we need him for?_
_Nothing. He needs us_.
_Very well. Come_.
"All right, Heidel," he said. "Now is the time."
They rose together and, under one poncho, leaning together, moved through the mist and the rain, moisture starring their faces, a fresh-risen wind at their backs.
When he finally came upon them, Morwin found Shind beside the man Sandow, who sat holding Jackara's hand and supporting her back with his arm.
"Is she all right?" he asked.
Sandow looked at Shind, then at Morwin. Then, "Physically, yes," he said.
He released von Hymack, who seated himself on a stone.
"Give this to that man," Sandow said.
"What?"
"A cigar, He'd like one."
"Yes. --How serious ... ?"
_We have both viewed her thoughts_, Shind said. _She is a child again, in a slightly happier time_.
"But how severe is it?"
_See whether she recognizes you_.
"Jackara?" he said. "How are you feeling? It's John . . Are you all right?"
She turned her head and stared at him. Then she smiled.
"How are you?" he asked.
_There was a flicker_, Shind said.
He extended his hand. She drew back, dropped her eyes.
"It's me. John. Wait!"
He fumbled in his pocket, withdrew a handful of coins, tossed them into the air. They swirled wildly, swarmed, fell into a pattern. Forming an ellipse, they danced before her, moving faster and faster. She raised her eyes and stared. She smiled again.
Perspiration broke out on his brow as they spun, sped, turned.
"Is it a record?" she said.
They showered, clattering, to the ground.
"I don't know. I wasn't counting. I think so. You do remember."
"... Yes. Do it again--John."
The coins rose from the ground, hovered, began a Brownian movement before her.
"You do re--"
_Do not force her to recall anything. She wants to be distracted. She does not want to remember. Make it easy. Just keep distracting her_.
He juggled the coins, only glancing occasionally to see whether she was still smiling. He smelled the smoke from Heidel's cigar. He felt Sandow move within his mind.
--_So that is what you hit her with, he said. Now I understand_--.
The thought terminated abruptly.
He dropped the coins again when the implication reached him.
"No!" he said. "Do not tell me that thing migrated to Jackara because I hit it with my mind! I--"
_No_, said Sandow, perhaps too quickly. _No. The girl was ideal, personality-wise, and there was a cha
--_provided by me_, Shind broke in.
_All unknowing_, Sandow said. _Leave it at that. There need be no external stimulus for such a transfer. I know of one other case. Life is sufficiently furnished that one need not go looking about for extra guilt. Let this one go_.
"Do it again," Jackara said.
"A little later," Sandow told her, rising and drawing her slowly to her feet. "Take his hand now," and he placed hers in Morwin's. "Shind tells me a searching party is drawing near, and I see that he is correct. I have no desire to get involved. You people are welcome to come away with me if you share these sentiments." He turned. "Since I see that you do, we had better get moving. I am parked back that way."
"Wait."
"What is it?"
"The Commander," said Morwin. "Malacar. Where is he?"
"Beyond those rocks. About fifty feet. The searchers will find him soon. There is nothing we can do."
But Morwin turned and started toward the rocks.
"I wouldn't take her there!"
He halted.
"I guess you are right. You take her again. Go ahead without me if you have to. I have to see him one more time."
"We will wait."
_The searchers are very near!_
_I know_.
The storm renewed its fury, but a slight distance to the southeast.
"Thanks for the cigar--sir."
"Frank. Call me Frank."
_It is going to appear as if there has just been a murder, you know_.
_It will not be the first unsolved one in history_.
_When they identify him_--
--_there will be a stink. Yes. Think of the possible rumors. Of a political killing. He would be gratified to know that he may have done more for the DYNAB by dying here than by anything he has done since the war_.
_How so?_
_There will be a League status vote, suddenly, near the end of this session. The sentiments aroused by his death may be of benefit. He was a popular man once. A hero_.
_And he was tired, and more than a little bitter. It would be ironic_ ...
_Yes. The rumors will require careful handling. The restoration of the horns planet, as part of the DYNAB, should also be of some benefit. I will not be able to get to the work for a couple of years, but I will time the a
_Then it is true what they say about you_.
_What?_
_Nothing. --What is to become of von Hymack?_
_That is up to him. But I will see that he talks to Pels first, whatever. If he wishes, he can come to the clinic on Homefree, and Pels can orbit there and confer with the staff. In fact, as one of the few people with any idea as to what really occurred here, it might be a very good place for him to beat least until after the voting. --And yes, I was born on Earth, a long time ago_.
"... Soft," Jackara said, stooping to pet Shind.