Kennebec frowned. "You must know what you're doing," he said. "But I was under the impression that Lane and Downing--?" Hotang Lu nodded. "That was the original plan. But due to a rather peculiar set of circumstances out near Sscantoo, Thompson now has the superior mind of all Solarians. You see, he did not achieve twinship with a Terran. He achieved a ... er ... _tripletship_ with Toralen Ki, and the Loard-vogh known as Kregar, who was high in their councils. Since he is aware of the Loard-vogh mind, his decisions can be expected to take into account what they are likely to do." "One of the main jobs in fighting an alien culture is to try to outguess them," added Thompson. "Having a bit of Loard-vogh psychology for inspection will enable me to handle the outguessing process somewhat better." "Reasonable," agreed Kennebec. "My job now will be to convince the superior officers of these three that their ability warrants giving orders instead of taking them." "It should be easy. Their ability will speak for itself. Besides, you may issue statements to the effect that mental activity between these three have placed them--" "Hotang Lu, a thousand years from now we might. But you told us that all we now have is the mental _ability_ without the training necessary to use it." "Yes?" "My small friend, all that means is that men will now be able to use the whole of their minds to indulge in power-grabbing, connivery, and politics." Hotang Lu smiled. "I know," he said. "The end-product of it all will be that little change is visible. You see, the avaricious of your race will be of greater mental power, true enough. But those of you who try to see that things are run right will have the same increase in mental stature. When I spoke of the human race as a slumbering giant, I meant that all facets of human nature were equally smothered." "Hm-m-m. I see what you mean. But jealousy isn't good, and if I make a statement to the effect that the minds of these three are superior, every mother's son on all three planets and nine colonies a-stellar will be sharpshooting for them. Ah-hah," he finished, shaking his head. "Their ability will take hold. Their individual characteristics will show. Let it be known that Lane and Downing are each doubly capable because of the mental twinship. That all Solarians know now. Let it also be known that Toralen Ki and the Loard-vogh Kregar fought the same type of mental battle for Thompson's mind--and that he has the triple ability. Regardless of jealousy, they will come out on top." * * * * * "Well," said Thompson, "at this point I think we'd best be thinking about our skins, Cliff, like to scout the catmen again?" "What for?" "Take a look at their stuff. That snatcher they had might be the stuff for trouble in a large scale. Might see what they've got, and what you can make of it." "Think there's any chance we might grab a hunk out of the middle of a sun and hurl it at the enemy?"