‘What is it, Paul?’ said Khuv.
‘I was on duty, keeping an eye – so to speak – on Simmons. Ten minutes ago they tried to get through to him! I cannot be mistaken: a strong telepathic probe was aimed directly at him. I sensed it and managed to scramble it – certainly I interfered with it – and when I could no longer detect it, then I came to find you. Of course, I left two of the squad there in my place in case there should be a recurrence. Oh, and on my way here I was given this to relay to you.’ He handed Khuv a message from Communications Centre.
Khuv glanced at it – and his forehead at once wrinkled into a frown. He read it again, his dark eyes darting over the printed page. ‘Damn?’ he said, softly – which from him meant more than any explosion. And to Vyotsky: ‘Come, Karl. I think we should go at once and talk to Mr Simmons. Also, I intend to bring our plans for him forward a little. Doubtless you’ll be sad to learn that from tonight you’ll no longer be able to taunt him, for he won’t be here.’ He tucked the message from Comcen into his pocket, dismissing the fawning Savinkov with a wave of his hand.
Vyotsky almost had to jog to keep up with Khuv when his boss now diverted and made for Simmons’s cell. ‘What is it, Major?’ he said. ‘Where did that message come from and what was in it?’
‘This telepathic sending we’ve just had reported to us,’ Khuv mused, almost as if he hadn’t heard the other’s questions. ‘It isn’t the first, as you’re aware . . .’ He strode urgently ahead, with Vyotsky close at heel. ‘Most of them have been merely inquisitive: the work of various groups of foreign seers or scryers trying to discover what’s going on here. But they were very weak because the alien espers can’t precisely pin-point our location – that is, they have no definite point of focus – and also because we’re protected by the ravine. Our own psychics have been able to break them up or block them easily enough. Ah, but if a foreign power could actually get an ESP-endowed agent inside this place, then it might be a different story entirely!’
‘But Simmons isn’t talented that way,’ Vyotsky protested. ‘We are certain of that beyond any reasonable doubt.’
‘That’s entirely true,’ Khuv growled his answer, ‘but I believe they’ve found a way to use him anyway. In fact this message in my pocket confirms it.’ He chuckled grimly, like a man who has just lost a piece in a game of chess. ‘It can only be the British, for they’re the most advanced in this game. The people in their E-Branch are a clever lot! They always have been – and extremely dangerous, as our espers learned to their cost at the Chateau Bronnitsy.’
‘I don’t follow you,’ Vyotsky scowled through his beard. ‘Simmons didn’t worm his way in here; we caught him, and he certainly wasn’t coming quietly!’
‘Right again,’ Khuv nodded sharply. ‘We caught him, and we brought him here – but believe me we can no longer afford to keep him here. That’s why he must go -tonight!’
They had arrived at Simmons’s cell. Outside the door, an armed, uniformed soldier lounged, coming to attention as Khuv and Vyotsky approached him. In a cell next door to the prisoner’s, a pair of espers in plain-clothes sat at a table wrapped in their own thoughts and mental pursuits. Khuv went in and spoke to them briefly: ‘You two – I suppose Savinkov has told you what’s happened? That calls for extra security. Be alert as never before! In fact I want the entire squad – all of you, Savinkov included – on the job from now on. Full time! These measures won’t be in force for long, probably only a matter of hours, but until I say otherwise that’s how I want it. Pass it on, and make sure the rosters are adjusted accordingly.’
He rejoined Vyotsky and the soldier on duty let them into Jazz’s cell. The British agent was sprawled on his bunk, hands behind his head. He sat up as they entered, rubbed his eyes and yawned. ‘Visitors!’ he said, displaying his accustomed sarcasm. ‘Well, well! Just as I was beginning to think you two had forgotten all about me. To what do I owe the honour?’