Move in toward the center, she broadcast with her mind. We can defend ourselves better if we’re all in one place instead of scattered around the farm.
She could feel the drawing inward as her friends hurried to comply. All thoughts and directions turned toward the house-tree. Some of the telepaths dropped their tools in their haste to run to safety, while others thoughtfully retained them to use as weapons if a physical battle developed.
Karonal-ess, one of the telepaths she’d sent to act as scout, could not move fast enough. As the invading force approached, he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. His muscles were frozen by an alien power that was assaulting his mind and removing control of his body. His entire form quivered as his mind fought to regain control and make his limbs do its
