s...."

"I can hold them off for awhile," Walt said. "I can shield myself from
the radiations of the focus rod. All the mutants have to be able to. I
think I can shield the building against them; I think I have the
advantage of knowing more than they do. I don't know how long I can hold
such an extended shield--Until they come in after me, I guess."

"We'll stop them," the general said. "We'll stop them at the door."

"You can't," Julia said. She was slowly rousing from her stupor. "They
can displace."

"I can't hold off five of them long," Walt said. "Not and hold the
shield."

"It would be a greater risk, cutting off Julia's frequency, searching
for Walt's."

"But Julia could help him then!" the general said.

"No, because then those on _her_ frequency would come after us. There's
more of them." Dr. Norvel pressed her forehead wearily.

"We've got to do something."

Walt's voice cut through the confused babble. "I'm trying to reason with
them."

"... he hears their thoughts," Julia whispered.

Activity ceased. Breathing seemed to cease.

Walt stood erect, motionless, grim. His body was taut. His eyes were
bright with tension.

_Your focus rods can't penetrate!_ he called to them.

He braced the shielding against another assault. It came and passed. _I
can hold the shielding as long as you can!_

_We'll come in and kill you. There's five of us._

_Friends, it's me. Walt._

_Traitor!_

_No! No, I'm not!_

_Lies!_

_Let me--Listen! Forential lied! I, I can prove it! ... how?_

_Hell with him!_

_No, wait!_ one of the five insisted sharply. Walt didn't catch who.

He could hear them in conference.

* * * * *

Then one blocked out the whole conversation and held it blocked out. A
moment later, the block faltered and faded. Walt felt uneasy. What had
they said? Some trick?

_We do know Walt, after all. We may as well listen._

_He's a traitor._

_Wait. If he has proof--!_

_He couldn't have: It's Lyrian lies!_

_Give me a chance! Walt pleaded. I know you all. Give me a chance. What
can you lose?_

_Forential said--_

_Give me a chance!_

_Let's hear him._

_We owe him that._

Walt was sweating now. His hands were clenched into fists. He was almost
certain that the argument was for his benefit: to make their seeming
acquiescence less suspicious.

_I'm coming out. One of you come to me._

Walt let out his breath. "There's a chance--" He went t