A group of scientists goes after creatures that are purposefully crossing the entire universe. On the way, one of them, a telepath, begins to feel some inexplicable hostility around him. The situation is complicated by the fact that the ship's captain never appears to passengers in person, only through holograms and radio communications. By the end of the flight, the tension in the air becomes almost physically palpable. What kind of danger does the telepath sense? Who is the captain? These and many other mysteries remain to be solved. Awards and prizes: Locus Award. 1981 / Novella (Tale).