Every one of Billy's muscles tightened with fear. They had used their hand too soon. One of the bombs had gone off. A number of podlings may have perished, and whoever had been working on it---had Renne been in the cavern? He was sure he would have felt their bond sever if it had been him, but he needed to know.

But now wasn't the time to fall apart in the absence of further observation. They needed to hold steady and prepare for whatever else was thrown at them, or more would die.

...In hindsight, it would become a very good thing that he didn't know.