"Anthony,.Piers.-.Mute (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anthony Susan)

Knot started, almost dropping the crab in the forgotten hand. "Broadcast telepathy!" he exclaimed. "And near-Ifeuman intelligence. Mental verbalization. Isn't that at least '╗ double mutation?"

Х "Double mutations of a beneficial nature are prohibitively rare," Finesse said. "Usually they'll be a physical-mental combination, such as a minimal body abnormality and a substantial mental one, or vice versa."

Did she know? Knot was suddenly nervous again. She knows you are a double mutant, Hermine projected. And you are a transceiver telepath! Knot thought back. You can read minds, and you can project your own
thoughts. You must be one of the most potent telepaths in the human galaxy.

I'm not human! the weasel retorted.

I didn't think you were. But you are in the human galaxy.

The weasel galaxy!

Do weasels build spaceships?

You are too smart for me.

But you've got my number, you cute little huntress. Aloud he said: "Hermine does seem pretty smart. If she's not a double muteЧtelepathy and intelligenceЧwhat is she?"

"She's a full telepathЧreceive and transmit. A single mutation, but a potent one. Most telepaths are partial, being either readers or senders, with varying degrees of proficiency. In range of a human mindЧher range is three or four meters, the power varying inversely with distanceЧshe draws on the intelligence of that human mind, much as we draw on the abilities of computers. By herself, she is ordinary weasel intelligence."

"Fascinating, Did you pick up our mental conversation just now?"

No.

"No," Finesse echoed. "She transmits on a narrow band, mind-to-mind. Close up she can send to anyone; from a distance she must target a particular mind, one she knows well. She can receive from a familiar mind at greater distances. But the other party has to be consciously projecting, and Hermine has to work at it. Right now she's in touch with you, not me; I have no idea what secrets you two are exchanging."

Is that true, Hermine?

Half true, Knot. She isn't receiving, but she's guessing.

I don't want her to know my secret, Knot thought with a mental picture of a human face with a closed zipper in lieu of the mouth.

Nice man. Funny man. I won't tell. But she will know. She's very smart. Her thoughts are like the teeth of a carnosaur.

"I don't need to be a telepath to figure that out," Finesse said, frowning prettily. "You're making a deal
hide your paranormal power from me. But I'll have it ayway."

"So Hermine tells me. But you already have the lead-juter, who is potentially far more valuable to you than could ever be. Can't you settle for that?" "Let the animals play," she said. "They'll be all right." Mit feels no threat, Hermine agreed. Put us on the lund.

Knot put his hands to the ground, and both weasel and [crab moved into the grass.

Now Finesse leaned forward, treating him once more a glimpse of her frontal charms. Her eyes were large jjand green, the prettiest Knot had seen in a long time. She fwas a marvel of appearance, and obviously knew it, and her physical attributes to sway his mind. Knot was

* aware of all this, yet felt the impact. She was deliberately ' making him want her, and the strategy was working.

"I am here to interview you," she said. "The lead-muter was only a pretext. I'm not really an auditor; I'm ' a scout. The Coordination Computer is looking for someone, and suspects you may be that one."

"How did CC catch on that I have mental mutancy? I