"What do we care if you promised these fools protection?" Xavier replied to Wonder Woman. "Your protection has reached its limit—their status is our concern now, and we shall not compromise sector security on the basis of some foolish promise. You and they are hereby quarantined until we can judge whether or not they are as they purport to be. Yes, you too, Wonder Woman. For all we know, they could even be controlling you, beneath that block."
"Centerlanders, controlling a Super? Outrageous!"
"We concur, obviously. But we must determine that it is not a fact."
"Professor."
"Yes, J'Onn?"
"I have lived many ages, seen many mortal lives wax and wane. My mental powers are the most highly developed here, and I can tell when one being is being controlled by another. Wonder Woman is under no being's control but her own."
"I am not willing to stake a matter of such gravity on your intuition," said Xavier haughtily.
Saturn Girl raised a hand. "I am," she stated. "You are outvoted, Charles."
Xavier looked highly offended, but submitted with poor grace. "I shall report this to the Confab," he said.
"Do," said the Manhunter. "But for the present, assist Miss Ardeen in mentally restraining Wonder Woman and her charges, if you would, please. Meanwhile, I shall commence examination of the first inhabitant of Jest."
"You? But I should be the one to—"
Once again Saturn Girl raised a hand. "Outvoted again, Professor," she said. "J'Onn's right, he is the best telepath among us, and clearly the most highly qualified to take the lead role."
"This one, I think," said the Manhunter. "The spokeswoman." He indicated D.J.
Dabbler tried to protest, only to find she could neither move or speak. Xavier and Saturn Girl were mentally restraining her—and no doubt the others, as well. Cautiously, she tested the restraint. Yes, it was within her power to break. But if she did so, it would be patent that the party was not as it seemed. Still, knowledge of her own strength heartened her—surely D.J., who was now her equal in mana levels, would be able to withstand the Manhunter.
But would JigSaw, Mort, Sindy and Rincewind reach the same conclusion? Each had at least as much power available to them as she and D.J. did, and they could blow the group's cover just as easily....
Make no move on my behalf. The words just appeared, without prompting on Dabbler's part, in her mind. The personality behind them was obviously D.J.'s, and obviously intended for all members of the group. Telepathic communication, beneath the mental block? Incredible! But there was no sign the trio of telepathic examiners had detected the message, and D.J. was unexcelled in the effective use of mana in difficult conditions. Dabbler had to trust her.
I just wish I knew what's going on, she thought.
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Thu Aug 14 03:06:15 2003
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