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A MATTER OF HONOR

A Terran Empire novel

by Ann Wilson

Copyright (C) 1992 by Ann Wilson

I

Irschcha, 2569 CE

Chaos take those Imperial schools anyway!

It was all their fault, Thark growled to himself, increasing his paceas the sleek lines of his ship came into view. Not even the prospectof flying the Prowler lightened his mood this time. The Chaos-lovingschools had done too much! They were fine for the unTalented, likehumans and now Traiti, but they had probably precipitated a disasterhere on Irschcha. Their damnable stress on Imperial rather thanplanetary allegiance was to blame; it had deprived him of the strongestTalent to appear in many years, Corina Losinj--and it would cost Corinaher life soon, if it hadn't already. 

He was practically running toward his small ship now, dignity forgottenin the need for haste. "Dammit all to hell!" he burst out, the humancurse seeming oddly appropriate under the circumstances. If the TerranEmpire hadn't discovered Irschcha for another century, or if Chearhadn't chosen to affiliate with it, none of this would have had tohappen. 

As Thark neared the ship, he forced his thoughts and emotions undercontrol, away from such useless speculations. He was High Adept of theWhite Order now, not Chear, and it was up to him to correct Chear'serror. His calm voice did not betray his feelings when he returned thesalute of the gray-kilted Sanctioner standing at the foot of theboarding ramp. 

"Greetings, Master Thark, " the Sanctioner said. 

"Greetings, Underofficer Jamar. What is Prowler's status?"

"Senior Adepts Valla and Kainor are already on board, as is the rest ofmy squad. The ship is ready for takeoff. "

"Excellent, " Thark said. "Then we leave immediately. We have no timeto waste. " He hurried up the ramp into the ship. 

Jamar followed, stopping to raise the ramp and close the lock. Tharkwent on to the cockpit and secured himself in the pilot's seat, scanning his instrumentation. He was an accomplished pilot, and ratherto his surprise he found that the pre-liftoff routine did ease hismood, even under such unpleasant circumstances. 

His ears went forward in satisfaction. Jamar had surpassed himself;the only thing left was to alert his crew and passengers for immediatetakeoff. He did so, then fed full power to the null-gravs. There wasno need to wait for clearance; this was a private field, one of hisprerogatives as High Adept, and the Prowler, as his ship, had anautomatic clearance superseding any other in this system save anImperial Navy ship. 

As soon as they were a safe ten diameters out from Irschcha heactivated the hyperdrive, then unstrapped himself and rose. Prowler'scourse to Rendavi, the Crusade leaders' rendezvous, had been fed intothe navigation computer several days ago and been updated automaticallyevery hour since. 

He started to leave the cockpit. Once the transition into hyperspacehad been made, there was no need for a pilot until it was time toout-transition and land. 

Still--at the moment, he really didn't feel like talking to hislieutenants. He returned to the controls and sat down, staring intothe blank viewscreen and visualizing the morning's unexpected, perhapsdisastrous, developments. Perhaps if he had handled thingsdifferently . . . 

 * * * * *

He had spent most of the week arranging things so he would be free allday today, knowing such things would not be possible for much longer. The weather had cooperated almost as if it were intelligent and sensedthe importance of this meeting. Although it was still early spring, the day was a brilliant one, the temperature a comfortable fifteendegrees. He had taken advantage of that, deciding to have Corina'sfinal lesson out on the sundeck. 

He took several seating cushions outside and arranged them so the sunwould warm them, yet not glare into his or Corina's eyes. Then heleaned back on one set of the cushions to wait for her. Relaxingalmost totally, he watched a small cloud drifting in the clear greensky. The sun's gentle warmth on his fur was thoroughly enjoyable. Itwas indeed a pleasant change, he mused, to be able to relish such a daywith no duties to interfere. His position as High Adept made suchluxuries all too rare. 

Corina's lessons were a self-imposed duty, one he was pleased he hadassumed. He was looking forward to her initiation into the WhiteOrder, and the fact that he had trained her himself would make thatdoubly enjoyable. 

It was fortunate that Corina was available to the Order at all. HerTalent had been deeply latent, not developing until quite late. Because of that, she had been missed by the Order's usual pre-schooltesting. That, Thark thought, still bitter, was one of the few thingsthe Empire's very presence had not changed. Although the examiner hadbelieved she had sensed something, Corina had been unable to receiveeven the simplest thoughts, and had not had even a trace of mentalscreen. 

She had been seventeen, close to eighteen years old by the new ImperialStandard measure, when she had found herself beginning to pick upthoughts. She had gone, naturally enough, to a local Order chapter forhelp and possible training. The chapter had reported it to him, knowing he would be interested; when Talent appeared so late it wasalmost always minimal, usually only telepathy and a weak mind-screen, and the tester had been astonished at Corina's strength. 

Thark had been surprised himself when he scanned her. It was then thathe had decided to take her as his private student. Four years'training had brought out her potential, the power he had sensed sheshould be able to control, when they met. It would be formallyrecognized soon, when she was initiated; then Thark could bring herinto the Prime Chapter, where the Order could make full use of herTalents. He had no intention whatever of letting them go to waste. Senior Adept Corina of the White Order, he thought--yes, it had apleasant ring. He and the others of the Prime Chapter already thoughtof her that way, used her last name only when formality required it. 

He caught sight of her then, and watched her come up the rubberoid walkto his raised sundeck. As usual, she was precisely on time. And shecertainly wasn't difficult to spot; all her kilts were bright, but thered-and-gold one she favored and was wearing today was positivelygaudy. Urr, perhaps her taste would improve as she matured. He lookeddown at his own kilt, a conservative dark blue that went well with thetawny shade of his fur. That, with its sporran, was one of the fewhuman innovations he appreciated. 

Corina purred softly in pleasure when she saw Thark out on the sundeck. Truly, this weather was too good to waste any of it indoors, especiallyat this time of year. He stood as she approached. 

"Good day, Master Thark, " she said with a slight bow, her hands openand raised to shoulder level. 

Thark returned the formal bow. "Good day, Student Losinj. Bewelcome. "

Formalities were certainly briefer since Irschcha had joined theEmpire, Thark thought. He wasn't sure yet whether he approved of thator not. They had been time-consuming, but they had also given life acertain grace that now seemed lacking, and had provided a sociallubricant that Irschchans, in his opinion, needed. He could be wrong, though, he thought as he returned to his cushions. 

Corina sat facing him. "What is today's lesson, Master?"

"At this stage, it is up to you to tell me. Further training will bedirected to any area in which you feel deficient. "

Her mind-shield was down, so he could sense, as well as hear, hersurprise. "I do not understand. "

"The only thing you truly require now is more confidence in yourself. Otherwise you are fully ready for initiation, and I would like to seethat take place as soon as possible. "

Corina shook her head slowly. "I do not feel ready to take on suchresponsibilities, Master. I have not had the psychological preparationof those who have attended Order schools. "

"Your feelings are understandable, " Thark said sympathetically. "Youknow, however, that you already have as much power and control as anySenior in the Prime Chapter. "

"Urrr . . . " She hesitated. "You may be correct. I did stalemateSenior Valla in our last practice session. "

"Yes, she told me about it. She was quite pleased. She and Kainoragree with me that you are ready, and if you are willing, they haveasked to stand as your sponsors. "

"I would be most honored to have them as sponsors, " Corina said, inclining her head. "What do you plan for me after initiation?"

"I want to bring you into the Prime Chapter, where one with your amountof Talent belongs. As for a specific job, we think such Talent, inconjunction with your other abilities, can best be utilized as a rovingsupervisor in Valla's Intelligence Division. "

Corina considered that. It would be a most interesting job, she had nodoubt. The Intelligence Division got the most difficult cases theSanctioners had to cope with, and since they were Irschcha's military, as well as its police, the variety of such cases was truly remarkable. It was tempting, though she questioned whether she would be able to dowell at it. "I have not yet finished school, " she objected. 

"I have not forgotten. Until you graduate, you will work as Valla'sassistant after class. She will train you for the job. "

"Yes, Master, I believe I would like that. But the Prime Chapter . . . "

"You will not be expected to participate fully until you do graduate, Corina. By that time you should be sure enough of yourself to functionproperly as a Senior. "

"Under those conditions, I can honorably agree. "

"Excellent!" Thark let his pleasure show. "As part of your furtherdevelopment, I would like you to do some teaching. Through teachingothers, you will learn more yourself--and more of yourself. "

"That I will do gladly. I do not feel as fully qualified as I shouldbe. "

"Perhaps not, but your Talent is truly remarkable. " Thark purred. Bythe time he was ready to step down, she should be capable of takingover leadership of the Order. By then, if his Crusade were successful, it would have taken over rule of the Empire from the unTalented humans. The end of the Traiti War made that a probability in the near future. 

Humans weren't stupid, he thought. In fact, some were quiteintelligent. And the Empire was, as far as it went, a fairly goodbasis for government. It was simply that those with Talent hadsuperior abilities, thus were better qualified to rule. And to rule, the Order must rebel. 

He had not been fully shielded, he realized when he saw the look onCorina's face. "What Crusade?" she asked curiously. 

Thark felt her probing for more information, and reinforced his shield. "Do not concern yourself with that, " he advised. "You should knownothing about it until after your initiation. "

"Why not?"

"Because it is Order business, and you are not yet sworn to the Order. "

"Oh. " She seemed to accept that, but Thark was familiar with hercuriosity, and it would be no surprise to him if she kept trying tofind out. He would have to be careful to keep his shield up. 

"All I can tell you now, " he said, hoping to ease that curiosity, "isthat it will bring proper symmetry to the Cosmos. "

That statement served only to make Corina even more curious. Thark hadseemed preoccupied for the last half year, and so had the other Seniorsshe knew. It was clear that something was going on; she had sensed itfor some time. She had asked nothing about what she felt, knowing thatThark was reluctant to discuss it. Now, though, it appeared thatwhatever this "Crusade" was, it concerned her own future. That fact, she felt, gave her the right to know about it. 

She probed at Thark's shield again, but he was too strong for her topenetrate it. All she knew was what she had overheard, and even thenshe had gotten little information. Only the term "Crusade, " the factthat she was somehow involved, and a mixed feeling of obligation andimpending triumph. But what kind of triumph, and over what? Or . . . Who?

"Is it something that will affect the Empire?" she asked. 

"Something that will improve it, " Thark replied. "You must admit it isnot perfect--"

He was interrupted by a mindcall from Valla, head of the Sanctionersand his chief lieutenant. *What is it, Thark? I felt yourdisturbance--*

*Not now, Valla!*

Her thought cut off, but too late; the momentary distraction hadenabled Corina to break through his lowered shield. He could see, aswell as feel, her reaction, and it was what he had feared. 

Corina was both shocked and angry. Shocked that Thark would even plansuch a rebellion, and angry that he had expected her to participate. Thark had not been raised as an Imperial citizen; she had, and couldnot understand his desire for change. Yet she liked him as a friend aswell as respecting him as a teacher--she did not want to believe hewould actually go through with such a thing. 

Her thoughts were a turmoil of conflicting loyalties. The Empire, shehad been taught and firmly believed, was what kept the peace betweenplanets and systems, while allowing maximum freedom on-planet throughthe ruling nobility. Thark retained his title of High Adept, though hecould have claimed the title of Planetary Baron, and was virtually aspowerful as he would have been before the Empire. 

Why, then, did he want change? Perhaps that should not concern her asmuch as the mere fact that he did. She was due for initiation; inhonor, could she oppose him? Or was it her duty as an Imperial citizento do so? She was bound by no oaths, and so free to choose. Blades!she thought angrily. Why did Thark put her in such a position?

Perhaps if she got more information she would know what to do. Keepingher voice steady, she asked, "Is such a rebellion not simple treason, Master Thark? Will it not destroy the Empire, rather than improve it?"

Thark looked closely at his student. It was natural for her to beconcerned; he himself was not particularly fond of the idea of thebloodshed that now appeared necessary. At the very minimum, theEmperor, Rangers, and nobility would have to be eliminated, and he knewfull well that there would be others. 

"It might be so construed, but it is something that cannot be helped, "he said calmly. "You should be able to understand that for yourself. Look at the peace and balance that rule by the Order has broughtIrschcha since it was founded, then look at the constant unrest andcontroversy elsewhere in the Empire. Which is better?"

Corina shifted uncomfortably. "Peace, of course. " She hesitated, thensaid, "But rebellion is no way to bring true peace. And there is agreat difference between ruling one race on one planet and ruling anEmpire of thousands of worlds. "

"Less than you might think, " Thark replied, pleased at her composure. A difference of opinion need not be disorderly, and her temper at timeslike this was uncertain. "We need only replace key people with our ownmost strongly Talented initiates. The bureaucracy and computers will, as they do now, handle day-to-day operations. "

"And because you possess the strongest Talent, naturally you willbecome Emperor?" There was a distinct trace of sarcasm in thatquestion. 

"Of course, " Thark said, mildly surprised and ignoring the tone of hervoice. "It is not something I particularly want to do--" He brokeoff, looked at her sharply. "It is indeed unfortunate that you did notattend an Order school. "

He probed gently. She was angry, of course; he could tell that eventhrough her shield, but she seemed to be keeping her emotions undertight control. Good. She might still be amenable to reason. 

"I have told you many times, " he said patiently, "that possession ofTalent carries with it a certain responsibility. We of the Order areable to use our Talent to govern better than do those who lack it. Honor demands that we do so. We cannot avoid our duty. "

He could feel her rejection of that argument even before she spoke. "That may apply to Irschcha, but it is obviously not true of humans. They did quite well before MacLeod found us, despite their lack ofTalent. You must agree that things have improved for Irschcha since wejoined the Empire. "

"Some things, yes, " Thark admitted. "We have hyperships now, like myProwler; we are benefitting from trade with other systems; we arestarting out-system colonies ourselves; we have people in the ImperialServices--"

"And in the Emperor's own Palace Guard!" Corina interrupted. 

"But that is not enough!"

"Is that not considerable progress since they found us only forty-threeStandard years ago? Can you truly expect more so soon? We are only asmall part of the Empire. "

"I cannot accept that, " Thark growled. "We are being humiliated! Wemust even use human units of measurement. Standard years? Terranyears is what you mean!"

"Still--"

"We have no one in the nobility except for myself, " Thark continued, ignoring her attempted protest. "No Irschchan is a Ranger, nonecommand major military ships or bases. Does that seem equitable toyou?"

"It does not seem inequitable, simply on the basis of numbers, " Corinapointed out. "Humans occupy thousands of worlds, the Traiti hundreds, while we occupy only this one completely. And it is possible they havetalents or abilities we lack. "

Thark groaned inwardly. This was not going well, but she was toovaluable to lose; he would have to keep trying. 

"They do not, " he told her. "I have scanned a large number of humans, tourists and administrative officials alike. They have no indicationof Talent or anything else unusual, except perhaps an occasional traceof screen. They are exactly what they seem. All they have is a verysophisticated technology. "

"Perhaps that is their talent, " Corina said. "It was they who foundus; we did not find them. Or perhaps their special ability is evenrarer with them than Talent is with us. "

"If that is the case, " Thark replied, "it would seem they either cannotuse it to govern properly, or refuse to do so. In either case, ourduty is clear. "

He was silent then, perceiving her need to think. 

Corina was deeply disturbed. Thark's arguments were plausible, atleast on the surface, but she found them unsatisfying. Tourists andadministrative officials were not the Empire's best examples, especially the tourists. Thark claimed his motive wasunselfish--duty--and she knew him well enough to believe he trulythought so. But what if he was wrong?

Chaos take it! Peace was important, and she could see it as aresult--perhaps--of Thark's rebellion. But first there would be muchdeath and destruction. With the Traiti War barely over, what Tharkplanned might as easily trigger a disaster as lead to the peace heexpected. 

It was a difficult decision; no matter what she did, people would bekilled. Yet Thark himself had taught her that her responsibility toIrschcha ought to be paramount, and that meant she had no choice but tosupport the Empire that had done so much for it. In honor, that wasthe only way she could decide. Irschcha had made more progress in itsforty-three years since joining the Empire than in any span ten timesthat long under the Order. 

Once her decision was made, she did not hesitate. She stood, then saidwith a return to strict formality, "I can regard your Crusade asnothing but treason, Thark. I can no longer call you Master. "

Thark also rose, nodding his acceptance. At least, he thought, she wasacting as he had taught her, with honor and decorum. "Then we areenemies. I truly regret that, necessary as it is. Will you at leastgive me your word that you will not go to the Imperial authorities?"He knew the answer even as he asked the question, but it was apropriety he had to observe. 

"I cannot do that, " Corina said. "You have taught me too well. Failing to act now, on what I am positive is right, would be asdishonorable as treason itself. "

"It would indeed, " Thark replied with regret. "You leave me no choice. I cannot kill a guest in my home; to do that would bring only shame. However, I cannot let you live to reach the Imperials with thisinformation, either. And I most certainly will not allow you to aidtheir cause. "

Fear almost weakened Corina's resolve. She did not want to die, butdeath seemed unavoidable. If she thought about it too much, though, she might give in, and that would be worse. "I must try, " she saidsteadily. "What of my family?"

"The decision was yours, not theirs, " Thark replied. "It will not beheld against them. If you wish, I will give them your soul-blade. "

"I am not yet dead, " Corina said, caressing the dagger's hilt. Sheturned and left. 

"No, " Thark said softly, watching her leave. "Not yet. " As soon asshe was out of sight, he mindcalled his lieutenant. *Valla? I have ajob for you. *

*Yes?* came the calm reply. 

*Corina Losinj must be eliminated. She broke through my shield whenyour call distracted me, and discovered the Crusade. She has justleft, and is going to report to the Imperials. *

*Corina!* Valla's thought was surprised. *But I thought--* Shehesitated. *Are you sure, Master? Why would she--*

*Apparently her lack of Order schooling. I cannot fault her; it issimply that her loyalties lie with the Empire rather than with us. Still, she is a danger which must be eliminated. *

*Understood, Master. She was a good friend, and most Talented. * Vallahad felt the regret in Thark's mental touch, and shared it, but therewas no time for emotion now. *This is an unfortunate happening. Iwill take care of it. *

*With your usual efficiency, of course. But not personally. Arrangeit. Tell the Sanctioners she is wearing that red-and-gold kilt. Thenbring Kainor and meet me at my ship. She is forcing me to speed up thetimetable; the Prime Chapter and other Crusade leaders are to gather assoon as possible on Rendavi. Inform your people. *

*How do you wish her to die?*

*She has betrayed her Talent; let her be destroyed by Talent. Tellyour executioner to use darlas. * Thark regretted that, in a way; deathby telepathic attack was exquisitely painful. But it was just, and itwas honorable. 

*What of her family?* Valla asked. 

*They are oathbound. Disregard them. *

*Yes, Master Thark. Are there further instructions?*

*No. *

Thark broke the contact, then made three more briefer ones before hisgeneral broadcast to the off-planet Crusade leaders. Once they hadbeen informed of the accelerated schedule, he was free to leave for hisprivate spacefield and the Prowler. 

 * * * * *

Thark's attention focused again on his immediate surroundings, theProwler's control room. In retrospect, he was as sure of Corina'sthoughts as if he had read them. He laid his ears back in a frown. No, he could see no way he might have changed the morning's events. Itwas most regrettable, both the loss of such a Talent and Corina'sdeath. He was still quite fond of her. 

But enough of these useless memories, Thark told himself sternly. Whathad happened could not be changed. He should join his passengers. Herose, giving his instrument panel an automatic scan as he rose. Urrr--the proximity alarm! He'd forgotten to turn it on, a mistake he'd nothave made but for Corina's defection. He sat back down and correctedhis error, wondering if there were any others he'd made in his chagrinover Corina's betrayal. 

 * * * * *

Corina was thinking in rapid, frightened bursts as she left Thark'shome. She was certain he would lose no time in sending theexecutioners after her, probably Sanctioners. She was not particularlyoptimistic about making it safely to the Planetary Palace and theImperial authorities. 

Thark's home was ten kilometers north of the capital city, MacLeod'sLanding. It would be a long, time-consuming walk, but what choice didshe have? With Sanctioners on her trail, using her identification tocall for public transportation at one of the hailing posts would be afatal mistake. 

The occasional clumps of bushes bordering the street's short-croppedgrass gave her an idea. She was fairly conspicuous; there were fewpedestrians this far from the city, and as Thark had told her oftenenough, she did dress rather gaudily. She made her way into one of theclumps, took off her kilt, turned it inside-out, and put it back on. It was a youngling's trick, but . . . She surveyed the results. Notgood, she decided. Still, it might help; at least the solid maroonlining was a little less gaudy than red and gold plaid. 

She returned to the street, glad for the soft grass that had replacedpavement when null-grav craft came into common use, and resumed herwalk toward the city. As small as MacLeod's Landing was by humanstandards, it was already large by Irschchan, and still growing. Ifshe made it that far, there was at least a chance she could avoid theSanctioners in the crowds, and reach the Palace. 

She had been walking for perhaps five minutes when a Sanctioner patrolcruiser sped past her, toward Thark's home. The wind of its passageruffled her fur as well as her kilt, but they seemed to pay noattention to her, for which she was grateful. 

Still, it was what she had hoped. If she were obvious enough, theSanctioners should think she had nothing to hide. Between that and herkilt-flipping, unless she ran into a Sanctioner who knew her wellenough to identify her by the pattern of her mind-shield, she mightmake it. 

Bare minutes later, though, her hopes fell as she heard the patrolcruiser approaching again. It stopped in front of her and threegray-kilted Sanctioners got out. 

Besides the usual sporran and soul-blade everyone carried, theSanctioners wore their collars of office, gleaming gold bands snug attheir throats. And their blasters, normally worn on belt clips, wereall pointed in her direction. Pitting around the muzzles showedCorina, as if she had needed the confirmation, that the weapons had allseen use. 

She made her body relax. These Sanctioners were big, and they weretreating her as cautiously as they would a dangerous criminal. Fromthe Order's point of view, though, that was now an accuratedescription. 

"All right, Losinj, " the oldest one said. "Hands on your head, and donot move. "

Corina obeyed, moving slowly to give herself time to think. Thesethree would have tight mind-shields, and anyway, the most she had beenable to handle in practice was two--which Thark, of course knew. Shewas in no position to fight. Her only chance was to get them to relax, drop their shields voluntarily. Unless they were simply going to killher here . . . 

Which they were apparently not going to do. Two stood back, perhapsthree meters from her and an equal distance from each other, theirblasters steady on target. The leader, staying carefully out of theirlines of fire, approached her. He unclipped the soul-blade, sheath andall, from her belt and attached it to his own. 

"It will be returned intact to your family for their Hall of Memoriesafter your execution, as Senior Valla has ordered, " he told her. 

"My thanks to Senior Valla, " Corina said, her voice shaky. So Tharkhad turned her case over to Valla. That wasn't good news at all. Sheknew Valla well, had in fact gotten much training from her, and theywere friends, though not close ones. But Valla didn't let friendshipinterfere with her work, and she had a well-earned reputation forthoroughness and efficiency. At least, Corina thought, Valla did notdishonor her by ordering her blade broken. 

The Sanctioner moved behind her. "Put your hands down, behind yourback. "

She obeyed, felt cool metallic bands close around her wrists. TheSanctioner took hold of her arm just above the elbow. 

"Into the cruiser, youngling. "

She got in, was seated between him and another Sanctioner, both withblasters aimed at her. The third took his place at the controls, heading them toward MacLeod's Landing and Sanctioner headquarters. Sheput her sort-of-a-plan into action; as uncertain as it was, she hadbeen unable to think of anything else. 

Huddling up, she let her mind-shield relax slightly. As the cruiserpicked up speed, she felt one of the Sanctioners try a probe. Don'tfight it, she told herself, use it. Sanctioners were Talented, ofcourse, but they didn't have the training or control she had gottenfrom Thark. They shouldn't be able to detect her attempt at deception. 

She shivered, letting the shield drop even further and allowing herfear, only partially falsified, to seep through. If she could convincethem she was terrified, too paralyzed with panic to be a danger, shemight have a chance. 

The Sanctioner leader looked at her for a moment, then said, with somesympathy, "You seem harmless enough, hardly a dangerous criminal. Whydoes Senior Valla want you dead, youngling?"

"I do not know, " Corina lied, projecting more fright. "I mean . . . Ihave done nothing . . . " She let her voice trail off. 

"Urrr, there is no need to worry, " the officer said, apparently tryingto reassure her. "The executioner here is good. He will give you aswift death, and it will be one with honor; she has ordered you killedwith darlas. "

It didn't reassure Corina, and she let that show in her expression. She looked up at the Sanctioner leader, shivering again. "But . . . Idon't want to die! I have done nothing to die for!"

"Youngling, it is not for me to question Senior Valla's orders, but Iadmit I do no like this assignment. My own girl-child is about yourage. "

"Then--" Sudden hope dawned. 

"No, youngling. " The Sanctioner's voice was full of pity, but remainedfirm. "My honor lies in my duty, and that duty requires me to take youin. "

Corina slumped, fear and a sense of hopelessness seeming worse afterthat surge of false hope. Her shield was almost all the way down. Shedared not probe at the Sanctioners to see if they believed her; somehowthat did not seem to be the sort of thing a frightened prisoner woulddo. She could only hope her plan was working, but the closer they gotto the city and Sanctioner headquarters, the less confidence she had init. 

The trip ended in deep silence. By the time they pulled up in front ofthe large stone building that housed the capital's Sanctioners, Corinawas on the ragged edge of desperation. It must have appeared more likesheer terror to the officer beside her, because he dismissed the othertwo. "Go on in. She will give me no trouble; she is too afraid. "

They obeyed. As they entered the building, the leader climbed out ofthe cruiser, clipped his blaster to his belt, and extended a hand tohelp his trembling prisoner. 

That was when Corina struck. He had relaxed his shield slightly, thinking her powerless, and she had no trouble stunning him withdarlas. Awkwardly, hampered by the way her hands were fastened and byher need for haste, she dug through his sporran for the handcuff keyand fumbled it into the lock. The cuffs opened after what seemedhours, but could have been only seconds. Then she retrieved hersoul-blade from his belt, half tempted to use it on him. She refrained;he had pitied her, and the killing would not be justified. Self-defensewas commendable, but she could not kill one who was unable to defendhimself. She did, however, increase the mental pressure on him enoughto insure he would remain unconscious for at least an hour. Then shesensed one of the other Sanctioners returning, wondering idly what waskeeping Garal and the prisoner. 

She straightened and left at a fast walk, was around the corner and outof sight before he spotted Garal's unconscious form. She tightened hershield, feeling probes as the Sanctioner alerted the others. Althoughshe knew it would make her conspicuous, she broke into a run. She hadto reach the park that encircled the Planetary Palace before theSanctioners caught her again. That was Imperial territory; Irschchanjurisdiction ended at the park's edge. She just hoped that legalitywould stop the Sanctioner. 

The park was in sight, less than a hundred meters away, but theSanctioner who had found Garal was fast closing the distance betweenthem. Corina risked a quick glance back, saw him stop, crouch, and drawhis blaster. She increased her speed somehow and started dodging. Itmight take her a few seconds longer to reach the park, but she would beharder to hit. 

She heard the frying noise of the blaster, felt heat as the bolt singedfur on her right arm. A second shot missed completely as she dove intothe park and rolled into a stand of purple-leafed bushes. A third boltwent overhead, then the Sanctioner returned the blaster to his belt andcalled to her. 

"You have made it to Imperial territory, Losinj, but you are not safeyet! Even if you manage to get past Entos and into the Palace, we canhave you extradited as a common criminal, for assaulting a Sanctioner. Think about that!"

"Thank you for the information, " Corina called back, shaken but not, she hoped, letting it show in her voice. Entos! Valla must haveanticipated her escape from the Sanctioners, Corina thought, if she hadsent her best killer to attempt an intercept in the park itself. 

Then she realized that wasn't necessarily the case; more likely it wasonly Valla's thoroughness, her reluctance to leave anything she thoughtimportant to only one group. Still, using Entos against a studentshowed her how seriously Valla regarded this; it was rather like usinga blaster to eliminate an annoying insect. 

There was no point in being particularly cautious, she knew, so shehurried directly toward the Palace. She had met Entos several times, often enough that he knew her both by sight and by mind pattern, evenwhen she was shielded. 

She was almost at her objective--in sight of the main entrance, infact--when the anticipated attack came. It started with a savagemental thrust, powerful enough to penetrate her shield and drive her toher knees. It didn't last; only Thark or another member of the PrimeChapter, which Entos wasn't, could maintain that level of intensity forlong. But by the time she had recovered enough to stand, shaking herhead to clear it, Entos was behind her. She sensed a physical threat, lunged to her left just in time to feel his dagger brush her fur ratherthan bury itself in her back. 

She scrambled to her feet, drawing her own blade and attempting amental counterattack. It slowed Entos' next slash, but had no othereffect. She stabbed at his upper arm, trying to cripple him, but heparried skillfully. 

"You fight well, youngling, even now, " he said, then tried anotherintense mental thrust. It was less powerful than the first had been, and Corina managed to block it, though she was less successful parryinghis simultaneous dagger thrust at her throat. She did avoid most, butit was enough to draw blood; she felt warmth seeping into the fur atthe base of her neck. 

Corina didn't reply, saving her breath for the fight. They werecircling now, both looking for openings, when she saw a flicker ofmotion from the direction of the Palace entrance. She risked a quickglance, saw it was the Imperial Marine guards running toward them anddrawing sidearms. 

Entos obviously saw them as well, because he snarled and struck for heragain. She was starting to parry when the Marines fired, and bothIrschchans fell. 

 * * * * *

Thark finally came to the conclusion that if he had made any othererrors in his chagrin, he couldn't remember them. And Prowler didn'tneed him, while it would probably be wise to brief his chief aidesfully on Corina's defection, even though it was a strong probabilityshe was dead by this time. He made his way to the ship's lounge, thinking about the mistakes he had made with her--mistakes that wouldhave to be avoided in the future with others who had been taught inImperial schools. 

The lounge was small--Kanchatka-class vessels had originally beenintended as couriers, not yachts--but it was quite comfortable, withdeep-pile carpeting, and a large viewscreen now displaying a sunsetlandscape Valla was fond of. She and Kainor started to rise as Tharkentered, but settled back at his gesture. 

He paused at the service panel to dial three glasses of koril, thefermented milk Irschchans drank as humans drank wine. Carrying them, he joined his aides, seating himself on the third pile of cushions atthe lounge's low table. 

After the first silent, companionable sips, Thark began filling theother two in. It wasn't easy for any of them, though an outsider wouldhave thought them discussing abstractions. Only Thark himself had beentruly close to Corina, but Kainor and Valla had known and liked her forthe four years since her Talent was discovered; her betrayal hurt. 

When Thark was finished, Valla detailed the steps she'd taken to insurethe traitor's death, for Kainor's benefit. That brought a trace ofamusement to his voice. "Three Sanctioners, Valla? And Entos? Ishould think either more than adequate to deal with her. "

"Either should be, " Valla agreed, "but you know I like to takeprecautions, especially when it is so little trouble. Should she bysome stroke of luck escape the Sanctioners, she will not escape Entos. "

"True, " Thark said. It was unfortunate, he thought, that it had seemeddesirable to impose a communications blackout, including telepathy, except in a major emergency or by messenger, but at present securitywas more important than convenience--however good it would be to beable to make definite, rather than tentative, plans. Facts must beaccepted, though; they had insufficient data, so they simply had tomake do with what they did have. "Even so, we do not yet haveconfirmation. I think we must plan for the possibility, remote as itis, that she did escape both and make it to the Palace. If theImperials are informed of even as little as she got from me, it couldhinder us. "

"If you plan for that, " Kainor said, "you will also have to assume aRanger will be involved within minutes, or at most hours. "

"What--" "A Ranger!" Valla and Thark exclaimed as one. 

"Yes. Ranger James Medart arrived yesterday aboard the battle cruiserEmperor Chang, and took a lander down to the Colvis Reserve. "

"Why was I not informed?" Thark asked, forcing his voice to remainsteady. A Ranger's interference, especially this early, could bedisastrous!

"Ranger Medart's orders, Master. He is on convalescent leave, recuperating from the injuries he sustained just prior to the end ofthe war. He did not wish to be bothered by official functions. "

"If he is injured, " Thark said thoughtfully, "he should be no problemto eliminate. "

"I said he is recuperating, " Kainor corrected. "I understand he isstill weak, but otherwise he is healthy enough. It is unlikely toaffect him except to slow him in personal combat. "

"And Rangers do not fight unless it cannot be avoided, " Valla said. "Does he have anyone with him?"

"I was not told, but most probably he does. Since this is a peacefulworld and the Reserve is a resort area, I would assume him to beaccompanied by a token bodyguard--perhaps two to four Marines, notenough to stop a determined killer. "

"True, " Valla agreed. "Entos again, then, with four Sanctioners. TheSanctioners have enough Talent to take out two Marines each, so even ifour estimate is low, they should have no difficulty. And whetherMedart fights or not, Entos will be able to give him a swift death. "

Kainor nodded. "After all, it is not their combat abilities that makethem so valuable to the Empire, even though Menshikov is the Empire'sgreatest strategist. It is their personalities and the way theythink. "

"Yes, " Thark said. "That much everyone knows. But exactly what is itabout their personalities and thinking? What is so unusual about themthat there are only ten Rangers, and none of those Irschchans?"

"Nine, since Tarlac's assassination, " Kainor reminded him. His earswent back in a slight frown. "Despite my investigations since theCrusade was decided on, I have not been able to discover the actualselection criteria. All I can tell you is what I have been able todeduce from studying them and their accomplishments, and that certainlycannot be taken as conclusive. "

"Go ahead, " Thark told him. "I know you dislike making incompleteevaluations, but there is no more time to complete that project. Anincomplete evaluation is better than none at all, you must agree. "

"I do--but keep in mind that it is incomplete. " Kainor shifted on hiscushions, then continued. 

"First, their selection is based on a combination of factors, not asingle isolated characteristic. Genius-level intelligence is of coursepart of it, along with a generalist's wide range of interests andabilities, and greater adaptability than normally appears even inspacers. They are also able to analyze situations, develop a solutionthat seems improbable or impossible, and make it work--usually if notalways to the Empire's benefit. "

"I have had little opportunity to study them, " Valla said. "Could yoube more specific?"

"Easily, " Kainor replied. "And Medart is a classic example, so I willuse him. Among his other accomplishments, he was responsible for boththe successful human-Irschchan settlement of Ondrian and the end of theSandeman Incursion in Sector Five, which resulted in SubsectorSandeman's joining the Empire. "

"Which in turn led to a high percentage of their warriors in theImperial military or serving as contract police forces on variousworlds, " Thark said. "Extremely loyal military or police--but they areElnar's problem. Continue. "

"Yes, Master. Valla, do you remember anything about either incident?"

"Almost nothing, " Valla admitted. "Until recently, I had very littleinterest in Imperial news. "

"And I would appreciate hearing about both with the information youhave that Imperial newscasts probably left out because humans wouldtake it as a given, " Thark said. 

Kainor sighed, something a number of Irschchans had picked up sincemeeting humans. "Very well. The Ondrian situation, then. During thesecond year of the joint colony's existence, an Irschchan youngling wasexploring in the mountains alone, contrary to all colony rules. Hevanished, and search parties found no trace of him. He was presumeddead after a standard week, due to the bitterly cold weather. 

"It surprised everyone, to put it mildly, when he showed up inexcellent health a month after the search was abandoned. That was notall. He had one of the mountain cloudcats with him, and thanks to hisTalent--so minimal the Order had not accepted him, but there--he hadmanaged to establish communications with her. Very rudimentary ones, to be sure, but quite adequate to establish their intelligence. 

"That was a severe blow to the colony. With the cloudcats proven to beintelligent, Imperial law required that the colony be abandoned. However, it is the only place that so-called 'miracle weed' can begrown successfully. It could not be obtained by trading, because thecloudcats have no hands and no interest in farming. Since miracle-weedis the only source of several valuable pharmaceuticals includingrapid-heal, the Emperor sent Medart in to see if anything could besalvaged. 

"He somehow got the idea that the cloudcats originated in a warmerclimate than Ondrian's. Nobody believed it, of course; geologicalstudies done when it was first discovered showed Ondrian's climate hadnever varied enough to produce such an evolutionary difference. Andwith their lack of hands, they could not possibly have built spaceshipsto bring them from another planet. 

"It turned out, of course, that Medart was absolutely correct. Thecloudcats--or perhaps I should say our young explorer's friendStarflower--had learned to understand English, and could indicate a yesor no answer to questions. Medart talked to Starflower for severaldays, and found out that they were in fact not only from a differentplanet, but from a different system entirely. 

"They had been transported to Ondrian more than ten thousand years agoby beings they called simply the Others, who had discovered thecloudcats' sun was about to go nova. The cats elected to stay in thesame stellar neighborhood, but according to them the Others werepreparing to embark on a racial expedition of their own, one ofconsiderable magnitude. From what Starflower told Medart, it seemsthey left this galaxy entirely. 

"Medart went back into the mountains with Starflower, remaining therefor two weeks. When he returned, he had somehow gotten the cloudcatsto agree to let the colonists have free run of the equatorial zone, though they must stay out of the mountains unless they are invited. Inreturn, he gave the cats the right to travel on Imperial Navy ships atany time. So the Empire got its pharmaceuticals, and the cloudcatsseem more than pleased with the opportunity to indulge their curiosity. A most economical solution, though I regret he did not see fit torelease the details of his negotiations. "

Kainor rose and went to the service panel, returning with more korilfor each of them. He handed out the glasses, sat back down, and took adeep swallow before continuing. "It is possible someone else couldhave accomplished the same thing, as it is possible someone else couldhave accomplished most things Rangers have. They are mortals, afterall. With one of them, however, if a problem is soluble, it will besolved. "

"And solved, as you say, to the Empire's benefit, " Thark said. "Butyou give Medart credit for ending the Sandeman Incursion; I understoodit took five Rangers. "

Kainor's ears twitched in amusement. "Five were there, yes--but theother four were part of Medart's solution, to give the Sandemans anhonorable reason to stop fighting rather than be annihilated. Much ofthis episode is either public record or not difficult to discover, though parts are still obscure. 

"Medart was not sent in until the Duke of Sector Five admitted herinability to stop the Sandemans and requested Imperial assistance. Medart took a fleet to the one world the Sandemans had made aprotectorate rather than conquering, stopping long enough en route tocapture several for study. " Kainor paused briefly. "You do know aboutthe genetic engineering that was done to create the Sandemans, particularly their warriors?"

Both his listeners nodded. 

"Good--but at the time, no one except the Sandemans themselves knew, and they had no intention of divulging that information, especially theweakness the engineers had intended as a control mechanism. Theyrefused to cooperate, preferring to die of that weakness rather thanreveal to the enemy the ways they needed to use to live with it. 

"One did in fact die, and others were succumbing when Medart was ableto deduce--a point I cannot make too strongly--that they wereengineered to fight, both physically and psychologically, and that lessthan a week without some form of combat or lovemaking was enough tomake them ill, then kill them. He took steps to prevent furtherdeterioration in those who could still be helped, then granted a swiftdeath to two who could not be. 

"When he arrived at the protectorate--an obscure world called Mjolnir--he mindprobed a warrior who had sworn fealty to the Baron there, thendefeated in single combat the Warleader who wanted to take the world, obliging him to protect it instead. That probe verified Medart'sdeductions and gave him enough more information on the Sandeman culturethat he persuaded the Baron to declare Mjolnir a neutral zone, invitedthe Sandeman leaders to a conference--and called in the other fourRangers, also with battle fleets, to provide a show of force. 

"He made no threats, simply had the leaders given tours of the fleets, and let them realize the alternatives: they could continue fighting, inwhich case the Empire would have no choice but to destroy them, or theycould accept Imperial citizenship, in which case they would have to payfor the damage they had caused, but there would be no other penaltysince they were doing what Terran engineers had created them to do. Instead, they would be offered a chance for combat for the Empire, using the ships and weapons they would otherwise have to fight. Beingas intelligent as they are combat-loving, the Sandemans chose thesecond alternative. 

"Again, you see, an economical solution of considerable benefit to theEmpire. The brief use of four other Rangers and a total of five battlefleets saved months if not years of fighting, along with millions oflives. "

"And gained them the willing service of the most dangerous fighters inthe known universe, " Thark added. "All right, those examplesdemonstrate the intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving--butsurely such qualities are not as rare as the low number of Rangersindicates!"

"In themselves, no, " Kainor admitted. "But those are only the mostobvious of the qualifications. Another is that they must have no closepersonal ties, including family; that eliminates many possiblecandidates. All have applied for and been accepted by the main ImperialMilitary Academy at the Palace Complex, though none has remained theremuch beyond Test Week. And all, needless to say, are intensely loyal. "His ears twitched, this time in irritation. "I am positive there areother qualifications; as I said, I have been unable to discover theactual criteria, which are known perhaps only to the Sovereign andRangers themselves. "

Thark held back a growl. "I understand that--still, can you deducefrom what data you do have why there are no Irschchan Rangers?"

Kainor shook his head slowly. "Not with any degree of confidence, " hesaid. "The only possibility I find marginally sound is that Irschchanswho have the requisite abilities also have Talent, meaning they jointhe Order rather than entering Imperial service. "

"I suppose that is possible, " Thark said thoughtfully. "If you arecorrect, the lack of Irschchan Rangers will soon be rectified. Youwill have to find out all the requirements as soon as possible, however. Important as Talent is to one in such a position, they willneed the other, lesser, talents as well. "

II

Corina woke with a splitting headache, the characteristic aftereffectof being hit with a neural stunner. Groaning, she opened her eyes andfound herself in what, except for the straps holding her in place, wasa fairly comfortable, if too large, armchair. A Terran in Marine blackservice dress uniform sat behind a large metal desk, holding a blasteraimed casually in her direction. Her soul-blade lay beside his lefthand. 

She suppressed the rage she dared not show at that sight. It had beenbad enough earlier, when the Sanctioner had taken her blade, but atleast he had been an Irschchan and understood its significance. To aTerran, it was nothing but a simple dagger, with no more personalmeaning than a kitchen knife. 

Not that they could understand, she thought, forcing herself to calm. They had no Talent, no way to sense the owner's mind-pattern, impressedon the blade at an Irschchan's coming-of-age ceremony. 

She could retrieve it telekinetically--that part of her Talent wasweak, but the blade was hers--then decided quickly against that idea. The man holding the blaster did not look like the type to tolerate anymisbehavior from his prisoner, and she had no desire to test herestimate of his character. 

He gave her a few seconds to evaluate the situation before he spoke. "Okay, you're awake. Now tell me what the hell that was all about. "

"He was trying to kill me, " Corina replied. 

"We guessed that much, " the Terran said. "I want to know why. "

"May I know who you are?"

"Yeah, you people like formality, don't you?" The man shrugged. "Whynot? I'm Major Patrick Dawson, Security Division of the ImperialMarines, on temporary duty from the Emperor Chang. You?"

Corina managed as much of a polite bow as she could. "Greetings, MajorDawson. I am Corina Losinj, until today a student of High Adept Thark. Entos was trying to kill me before I could report treason against theEmpire, in the form of a rebellion by the White Order. Thark isleading it himself. "

Dawson's expression looked to Corina like a combination of astonishmentand disbelief. "Rebellion? The White Order against the whole Empire?That's impossible. "

"I assure you, Major, it is quite possible. Or Thark believes it is, which is effectively the same thing. "

"Um. " Dawson was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Well, it soundscrazy to me, but it isn't something we can risk not checking out. " Heholstered the blaster. "The other one, Entos--is he in the Order?"When Corina nodded, he punched a number on the desk intercom. 

"Interrogation, Captain Daley. " Corina couldn't see the screen, but itsounded like a human female. "Oh, hi, Pat. What can I do for you?"

"You could run a mindprobe on the other Irschchan who was brought in. The one I'm interviewing claims the reason he was trying to kill herwas that he's involved in a treason plot. "

"You got it, " the woman said grimly. "Do you want yours probed too?"Dawson thought for a moment, then shook his head. "By the time you'redone, Ranger Medart should be here, and he can make that decision--shewas the one being attacked, so the odds are she's innocent. If that'swrong, or if the Ranger wants her probed for more information, it canbe done once he's here. "

"I copy. I'll let you know what I find out. "

"Appreciate it. " Dawson broke that connection, immediately punched inanother number. 

"Communications, Commspec First Carlson, sir, " came the reply. 

"This is Major Dawson. Can you get me Ranger Medart, Securitypriority?"

"It'll take a couple of minutes, sir. I'll have to patch through theChang to his lander. "

"That's fine--just do your best. "

 * * * * *

Ranger James Medart was stretched out on a lawn lounger, basking in thewarmth of Irschcha's sun only meters from the lander that was nowserving him as a vacation cabin. Convalescent leave had its goodpoints, he thought drowsily. He hadn't been this relaxed since beforethe war--and not often then. Laying here in swim trunks, it was hardto believe he'd been damn near torn in half not much more than twomonths ago. 

But he had been, trying to help one of the then-enemy, a gray-skinnedTraiti. Oh, well. The war was over, thanks to Steve Tarlac, and theTraiti were Imperial citizens, while he was supposed to beconcentrating on recovering his strength. He stood, called to thelander. "I'm going for a swim. "

A blond head looked around the edge of the lander's open hatch. "Right, sir. I just got my suit on; I'll play lifeguard. "

"Whatever you say, Nevan. " Medart sketched a salute, grinning at theyoung Sandeman warrior who was one of his bodyguard. Then he turned, taking a running dive into the Colvis Reserve's main attraction forhumans, Clear Lake. 

He swam straight out, with a leisurely sidestroke that took him in thedirection of the resort across the lake. He had no intention of goingthat far, or of seeing anyone except his bodyguards; a week in a tankof rapid-heal, followed by over a month of therapy and constantattention, left him with a strong desire for some privacy. 

He'd been swimming for perhaps half an hour, enjoying himselfthoroughly, when he heard Nevan calling him. The warrior wouldn'tinterrupt his swim without good reason; he waved acknowledgement andheaded for shore, wondering what was up. 

Nevan didn't look too happy, the Ranger thought as he waded out of thelake, and that was a bad sign. "What is it?"

"A call from the Planetary Palace, sir, security priority. MajorDawson is on the screen. "

"Damn. All right. " Security priority was never good news; Medartwondered just how bad it was this time. He accepted the towel Nevanwas holding out, began drying himself as he went to the lander andclimbed in. Then he dropped the towel, grabbed his uniform shirt from ahanger by the door, and put it on before going to the lander'scomscreen. "What's up, Major?"

Dawson repeated what Corina had told him, adding, "Sergeant Orloff saidshe was definitely the one being attacked, sir. I asked for amindprobe to be run on the attacker. "

Well, Medart thought with brief regret, there went his leave. Couldn'tbe helped, though. "Good work. Hold off on Losinj; I'd rather notprobe someone trying to help us unless there's no other choice. " Hegrinned, wolflike. "If somebody thinks she's worth killing to keep herfrom us, she's got to be valuable--I'll be there in about two hours, and I'll stop by Interrogation before I join you. Medart out. "

 * * * * *

Dawson switched off, looked at Corina. "I'm curious about one thing. Why didn't you call instead of coming in? If you're right, we'd havegotten the information sooner, and you'd have been safer; I could havesent a squad of Marines to escort you here for protection. You'd havebeen in no danger. "

"I am afraid that is not the case, Major. In the first place, therewas no place I could call from. In the second, if the Order wishes medead, there is no safety for me anywhere on Irschcha. "

"I don't know, " Dawson said skeptically. "All I've really heard aboutthe White Order is that they rule this planet with some sort of strangepower they refuse to talk about. I think you're underestimating theMarines. "

"Talent is not discussed outside the Order, except with potentialinitiates, " Corina said. "At least it has not been until now; I mustinform you of what they can do. It is you who underestimate them. "

Dawson shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. Either way, I don't have theauthority to deal with a major rebellion; you might as well wait tillRanger Medart gets here, and tell him. "

Corina nodded, and Dawson went back to the report he'd evidently beenstudying when she was brought in. She tried a probe of him, finding aweak, almost-nonexistent mind-screen. It was not a real barrier, andher reasons were compelling, so she probed deeper. Human mind patternswere too murky to make this sort of thing a pleasure, but she scannedanyway, for information about this Ranger Medart. She knew, as dideveryone, about Rangers in general--that they were the Sovereign'srepresentatives, wielding Imperial authority at need--but she had toknow about this specific one. 

Dawson, unfortunately, knew little. Although he did serve aboardMedart's cruiser, he was not very familiar with the Command Crew orRanger. All she could get was his feeling of respect, bordering onawe--much, she thought, the way she had felt about Thark until thismorning. 

Dawson did not expect any trouble from the Order here inside thePalace, she noted, and found herself agreeing. Thark was not likely torisk compromising the Crusade by a frontal attack now. There wouldprobably be an attempt, though, to have her returned as a criminal, asthe Sanctioner had threatened. 

Perhaps an hour passed before the intercom chimed. Dawson answered, and Corina overheard Captain Daley's report. 

"Just finished that mind-probe you asked for, Pat. He was trying tokill Losinj, all right. His orders came from Senior Valla; she toldhim Losinj was betraying the Order. He also knows about the existenceof a Crusade, which is what they call this rebellion. I couldn't getany details, though. And when he woke up, he somehow managed to knockout a couple of my technicians without even touching them. I had tohit him with another stunner, and I'm going to keep him under until Iget orders to the contrary. "

"Uh-huh, that confirms what she told me. He probably doesn't haveenough rank to know any details. Was he the only one?"

There was a grim laugh from the intercom. "Hardly! From what I got, every Order member on Irschcha is either out to kill her themselves orreport her whereabouts to the Sanctioners so one of them can do it. "

"Thanks, Joanie, that's a big help. " Dawson switched off the intercomand turned to Corina. "That exonerates you, Ms. Losinj. There's nomore need to confine you. " He touched a switch on the desk, and therestraining straps retracted into the armchair. 

"Since I am proven innocent, may I have my blade back?" Corinacouldn't keep a note of pleading out of her voice. 

Dawson looked at her sharply. "It means that much to you? Well, Idon't see why not; take it. "

"I thank you. " Corina retrieved the blade, ran her fingers gentlyalong it before returning it to its sheath, and resumed her seat. Shesensed the Marine's puzzlement, and decided she should try to explain. "It is a part of me, in a way. Having it in someone else's possessionmakes me quite uncomfortable. "

Dawson shook his head. "I don't understand. I know it means you're anadult, but it's just a knife. "

"It is more, " Corina said, her ears twitching. "My mind pattern--" Shebroke off at Dawson's blank look. "It is an Irschchan thing, " she saidapologetically. "I fear I cannot explain it well. "

"Or I don't have the background to understand. " Dawson gave her alopsided smile. "Ranger Medart will; whether or not I do isn't reallyimportant. " He turned his attention back to his report. 

Corina took that opportunity to think. She was, she had to admit toherself, still more than a little frightened. It was less fear for herlife now, as it had been when the Sanctioners captured her; it was morenervous apprehension about her future. She could not remain onIrschcha, she knew. If she did, as she had told Dawson, she would bekilled. 

But then where could she go? What could she do? Her peaceful life hadnot prepared her for this kind of situation, suddenly caught in themidst of a rebellion. Things were happening too fast, overwhelmingher. She wasn't sure what to expect from the Ranger, either. He'dsaid she had to be valuable; what had he meant?

Urr . . . There was nothing she could do now but wait, as patiently asshe could, until he arrived. 

 * * * * *

The next hour went slowly. Corina's patience, not one of her strongestpoints at best, was almost exhausted when the door behind her slidopen. Dawson stood, coming to attention; Corina turned, to see if sheshould stand as well. She hadn't quite made it around when a calmvoice said, "As you were. "

She sat back as Dawson resumed his seat. The newcomer was RangerMedart; he propped himself on one corner of the desk, crossing hisarms, and the two studied each other. Medart was good-looking for ahuman, Corina thought, though not really outstanding in any way butone: he moved with almost Irschchan grace, something unusual in a humanmale, especially considering this one's 180-cm height. 

She'd seen pictures of him, of course; one Ranger or another wasusually in the news. So his appearance was familiar: medium build, youthful-looking thanks to anti-agathics despite graying hair at thetemples and an age--about 75, if she remembered correctly--when anIrschchan would be preparing for death. The plain forest-green uniformwas familiar too, with pants bloused over black boots and the widepouched gun-and-equipment belt, its only decoration the platinumstar-in-circle badge of his rank. 

He was more impressive in person than on the holos, Corina decided. His cool blue eyes seemed almost able to see into her, and even withouttrying, she could sense him; he seemed to radiate an aura of quietcompetence like nothing she'd felt before. It surprised hermomentarily, then she twitched an ear, amused at herself. He was aRanger, after all, not an ordinary human. Her curiosity aroused, shetried a quick probe--to be stopped by a mind-shield that was clearlyboth unconscious and well above novice level. An unusual human indeed, she thought, intrigued. 

Medart allowed her scrutiny, studying her at the same time. Despitetheir upright stance and lack of tails, Irschchans invariably remindedhim of the Siamese cats he'd raised when he was a youngster in Texas. This one was no exception. Tawny fur, thick and soft, coveredeverything except her palms and the soles of her feet, though it wasmarred now by slight scorching on her right arm and a bloodstained areajust below her throat. Her alert, pointed ears only increased herresemblance to the remembered Siamese, but he knew the brain which laybetween those ears was fully equal to a human one. While it was hardto read Irschchan expressions, Medart liked the steady look in thisone's jade-green eyes. 

He did think they looked faintly ridiculous in kilt and sporran, butthat had become the Irschchan mode of dress almost as soon as MacLeod, a man aggressively proud of his Scots heritage, appeared in one at theofficial welcoming ceremony. Too bad; it not only detracted from theirgraceful appearance, in his opinion, but it made telling male andfemale apart almost impossible. For humans, at least, he thought witha silent laugh. The Irschchans themselves seemed to have nodifficulty. 

Well, time for business, he decided. But he'd take it as easy on heras he could; she'd had a rough time. "How about some more informationon this rebellion?" he asked, keeping his tone casual. 

"I have already told Major Dawson what I am certain about, " Corina saidquietly. 

"And the mind-probe of Entos confirmed all of it. But can you tell mewhy it's happening?"

"Thark is convinced that the White Order can rule the Empire much moreeffectively than you unTalented humans have been doing. They have, after all, ruled Irschcha for over five millennia, and according toThark, brought about peace and order for most of it. He feelshonor-bound to do the same for the rest of the galaxy. "

"Looks to me more like stagnation, " Medart commented. "You've hadspace travel for more than--what, two of those millennia?--but whenMacLeod found you, you were still system-bound. Sorry for theinterruption; go on. "

"I could not agree with him, and came here, " Corina said. "I have nophysical proof, however, of anything I have said. I learned what Ihave reported when I broke through Thark's mind-shield this morning. "

"Physical proof isn't necessary, " Medart told her. "Your report, backed up by the probe of Entos, is enough. Learn anything else?"

"Not really. The whole Order is not taking part, of course, but thosewho are not active in the Crusade will also not actively oppose it. "

"Oh? Why not?"

"They cannot honorably do so, " Corina replied, surprised. "The oath ofthe Order forbids such opposition to its leaders, though of course itcannot compel any to follow orders which would lead them to death, asthe Crusade will. "

"You're not actually a member of the Order, then?"

"No. I was to be initiated soon; however, for now I am bound by nooaths. I am still free to follow my own paths. "

"Uh-huh, " Medart agreed. "Good thing for the Empire. " Not as free asshe believed, he thought but didn't say. She had chosen sides, and itwas up to him to make use of that choice. Then he went on. "I stillneed your help. As secretive as the Order is, we don't know much ofanything about this Talent you say they have, much less how to combatit. "

The intercom chimed before he could go further. Dawson answered, andMedart joined him, looking into the screen. 

"Lieutenant Edmonds, Duty Officer of the Watch, " the caller identifiedherself. "The head of the district Sanctioners is here. He hasextradition papers for Ms. Losinj, who is accused of assaulting aSanctioner officer. He also demands we release Entos. "

"Send him in, " Medart said, the casualness he'd assumed for Corina'sbenefit vanishing. "I'll handle this myself. "

"Yes, sir. " The viewscreen went blank. 

Medart turned to Corina. "Did you assault a Sanctioner officer?"

"That is a matter of interpretation, " she replied. "I was on my wayhere when they stopped me. They were taking me to Headquarters forexecution; I had to use Talent to knock one of them out so I couldescape. "

"Self-defense, then, since you were trying to prevent a crime byescaping. " Medart took Dawson's place behind the desk, and the Marinetook position slightly behind and to the Ranger's right, standing atparade rest. All three waited silently until the door slid open again, to admit the Sanctioner chief. He wasted no time getting to the point. 

"You have no right to interfere in purely planetary matters, " he said. "I must require the return of Losinj and Entos. "

"You're wrong on two counts, " Medart said coldly. "As a Ranger, it isnot only my right to interfere, as you put it, anywhere and anywhen Isee a threat to the Empire, it is my duty. Rebellion against theEmpire is such a threat, not a `planetary matter'; Losinj was actingproperly in defending herself to report that treason. She is guilty ofno crimes, which is not true of the ones who obstructed her. 

"I am not particularly concerned about the ones who arrested her, " hecontinued. "They were obeying what they considered lawful orders fromtheir Baron, on his world, so punishing them would be unjust. Entos, however, is guilty of attempted murder on Imperial territory. I haveboth eyewitness and mind-probe evidence, so there is no doubt of hisguilt; he will be executed. "

"But she betrayed the Order!" the Sanctioner chief objected. "Forthat, if nothing else, she deserves to die. Entos was actingproperly. "

"Not under Imperial law, " Medart said. "The sentence stands. And Iadvise you not to get more deeply involved. Just carry out yourpeace-keeping functions. "

"But--"

"No buts, " Medart said coldly. "Losinj lives, Entos dies. If youinterfere further, I will have to assume you are part of this Crusade, and take appropriate measures. Is that understood?"

The chief's ears twitched. "Yes, Ranger. "

"Good. You may leave. "

Corina watched the subdued Sanctioner chief do so, then she turned backto the Ranger, intrigued. His sudden change of manner had caught herby surprise, and it might have been frightening--except that he haddefended her, even as he condemned Entos to death. Knowing what he wasand seeing him in action were very different things. There wassomething decidedly attractive about this human, more than just hisappearance--a something she was beginning to appreciate. 

"I must ask asylum, " she said quietly. "If I leave the Palace . . . Urrr. You know what will happen. Most in the Order will feel as hedoes. "

"But you say you're not a member of the Order, " Dawson objected. "Ifyou're not oath-bound, how can you betray them?"

"They do not see it that way, " Corina said. "They expect anyone withTalent to feel bound to the Order even before formal initiation. Itis--or was--inconceivable that anyone with any useful degree of Talentwould refuse to join the Order. It is natural that they would see myopposition as betrayal. I would probably feel the same way myself if Ihad spent my childhood being indoctrinated in Order schools. "

"That's all very interesting, " Medart interrupted, "but not right now. Ms. Losinj, there's no asylum involved; I've said I need your help, soyou'll be coming aboard the Emperor Chang with me. "

"I have no desire to be killed, and you certainly need to know aboutTalent. I will give you what help I can. "

Medart was careful to hide his amusement at that response; she'd madeher choice already. But he couldn't help feeling a little regret attearing her away from her home world, even though it meant saving herlife; home meant a lot to most people, and losing it usually meant aserious blow. But at this point neither of them had much choice left. "Shall we leave, then? We do have a rebellion to stop. "

III

Corina didn't pay much attention to her surroundings as the three wentto the Palace roof where Medart's lander waited. Reaction had set in, now that she was safe, and for the moment she was numb. 

It wasn't until they were inside the boxy little vehicle that she paidfull attention again. Small as it was, this was a space-going vesselof the Imperial Navy, something she'd thought lost to her forever whenher Talent made its belated appearance. Her ears went forwardattentively; she didn't want to miss anything. 

Medart noticed, and smiled. "Your first time aboard a spacecraft, Ms. Losinj?"

"Yes, Ranger. "

"Take the right-hand seat forward, then. No co-pilot's necessary on asurface-to-orbit hop, and you'll get a good view from there. " Heturned to his bodyguard, who was also the lander's pilot. "Nevan, would you help Ms. Losinj strap in, please?"

"Aye, sir. " Nevan, now in Marine black, bent over the young Irschchan. "Here . . . This goes across your lap, and these two over yourshoulders, all to the same buckle. It's a quick-release type; to getout, just slap this button. "

"Thank you. " Corina accepted the help, though she didn't really needit. Her pre-Talent hopes of attending the Naval Academy had led her tostudy anything she could find about the Fleets, including such minordetails as how to secure flight restraints. 

She had given up those hopes, forced herself to repress them and thinkabout her future in the Order instead. To suddenly have them back--once she'd given the Ranger what help she could, of course--was almosttoo much to believe. And to be making her first trip off-planet aboarda Navy craft, with a Ranger, was something beyond her wildest dreams. 

It was truly no dream, though, she assured herself, and as they liftedoff she was determined not to look foolish. That was easy at first;she had seen enough holoshows to be familiar with the green sky'sdarkening, becoming black as they left atmosphere. Soon she could seestars, now hard bright points of light rather than the soft twinklingshe was used to. 

One began showing a sunlit disk, and she realized that had to be RangerMedart's ship. Tiny-seeming at first, it grew rapidly, filling thelander's window and continuing to grow. 

Corina's determination faltered. She had seen innumerable pictures ofsuch vessels, knew their immensity--a Sovereign-class battle cruiserwas approximately spherical, a kilometer in diameter, and massed on theclose order of eight hundred million tons. But pictures and statisticscouldn't convey the emotional impact of actually seeing one at closerange for the first time. Corina swallowed an exclamation of awe, trying to remain calm, but she could feel Medart's gaze, and feltcertain he knew how the ship affected her. 

The lander surged slightly as it was gripped by a tractor beam from oneof the Chang's equatorial hangars. Nevan released the controls, allowing the beam operator to settle the lander to the deck whilehangar doors closed behind them. As soon as his gauges showedTerra-normal atmosphere, he opened the airlock and the group disembarked, with Medart in the lead and Corina trailing behind. 

The hangar deck was large, much bigger than necessary for the lander itnow held, yet Corina had a feeling of things closing in on her. Precognition was no part of her Talent, though, so she attributed thesensation to her surroundings, familiar from pictures but strange inreality. She felt like a young, unbladed child again, everythingaround her seeming odd and alien in spite of her studies. 

But this was her new reality, here aboard the Chang. She had no way toknow how she would fit in yet, but she did know she would have to. This ship was going to be home for however long the Ranger wanted herhelp; she would have to adapt. 

When they left the hangar, they were met by a stocky officer in Navyworking khaki; from the eagle on his collar, Corina knew he was theship's captain. There were several others, with different rankinsignia, but it was the first man who saluted Medart. 

The Ranger returned the salute, then introduced them. "Captain DavidHobison, this is Ms. Corina Losinj. She will be accompanying us onthis trip as my special assistant. She won't have any formal Navyrank, but I want her quartered in a senior officer's cabin, preferablynear mine. Have someone see to that, bring the ship to ConditionYellow, then meet me in Briefing Room One. I have to call the Emperor, and I don't want to have to go through everything twice. "

He started to leave, then turned to Corina. "Before I go, what's yourident code?"

"ISCCJ-1643-2048, " she replied. 

"Got it. " Medart strode past the group and entered an intra-shipshuttle, one of several, partway down the passage. 

Hobison gave Corina a thoughtful look, then turned to one of theofficers standing nearby. "Ensign Yamata?"

A young female with a gold bar for collar insigne answered. "Yes, sir?"

"You're assigned to Ms. Losinj until further notice. Get her a cabinand anything else she needs. You're relieved of regular watchstanding. "

"Yes, sir!" Yamata said with a wide smile. "If you'll come with me, Ms. Losinj?"

Corina inclined her head. "I appear to be in your hands, Ensign. "

"You might as well call me Sunbeam, " Yamata said as they left thegroup. "Everyone else does, even Ranger Medart, except on watch. Andyou heard the Captain, I'm not standing watches any more, thanks toyou. I really do mean thanks--I was supposed to go on rotating shiftstomorrow, instead of staying on first watch, and now I don't have to. "She smiled again, even more widely. 

Corina's ears twitched in surprise at the flood of words, but Sunbeamdidn't seem to notice. "All right, Sunbeam. What do we do first?"

That was something else she would have to get used to, Corina toldherself. Humans were, by Irschchan standards, quite informal, sometimes to the point of appearing rude. But they did not intendoffense, and she really ought to adapt to their ways, so she added, "You may call me Corina. "

"Great! We find you a cabin, that's first, then we can eat, if you'reas hungry as I am. C'mon, let's get a shuttle. "

That reminded Corina that she hadn't eaten since the previous night. "I am hungry, " she agreed, as they entered one of the elevator-likecubicles that provided intra-ship transport. "But what if RangerMedart wants me for something?"

"That's right, he called you his special assistant. Don't worry aboutit, Chang handles the intra-ship communications. " The young Ensignspoke into thin air. "Emperor Chang?"

A pleasant baritone voice replied. "Yes, Ensign Yamata?"

"We have a VIP guest, Ms. Corina Losinj of Irschcha. Ranger Medartwants her assigned a cabin near his. What's available?"

"There is one next to his, " the ship-comp replied. "3N-2-1-8 is free. "

"Great! Take us there, will you?"

"Affirmative. Is there anything else?"

"No, thanks. "

"Chang out. "

The shuttle began to move, and Sunbeam turned to Corina. "You'll haveto memorize those coordinates, I'm afraid. You're not a member of theship's crew, so until Ranger Medart or Captain Hobison say otherwise, that and comm patches are the only commands of yours the Chang willobey, once you get its attention by using its full name. Security, youknow. "

"I understand, " Corina said. "Deck Three North, Ring Two, Segment One, Cabin B. "

"Very good!" Sunbeam exclaimed. "If this was the Academy, I'd make youexplain the system. "

"If I am fortunate, I will go to the Academy when this is over. May Ipractice?"

Sunbeam assumed a mock-fierce expression. "All right, plebe. Recite!"

A stern-looking Sunbeam Yamata seemed so incongruous, even on shortacquaintance, that Corina purred briefly in amusement. "We came in onDeck Zero, known as the Equator. Other decks are numbered away fromthat, south being toward the drive pod, north toward the bow. TheBridge is at the center of Deck Zero, fully protected. The rings arenumbered outward, toward the hull. There are twelve segments, numberedclockwise from an arbitrary beginning, and compartments in each segmentare given alphabetic designations. "

When she finished, Sunbeam was grinning again. "Not quite by the book, but you're close, and you've got all the facts right. Are you a Navyfan, or something?"

The shuttle door opened, and the two stepped out into a cool-lookinggreen corridor before Corina replied. "I would not use that term, butyou could say so. "

"D . . . C . . . Here we are. " Sunbeam motioned Corina into the cabin. "So was I. It makes a lot of the first year easier. But don't getused to this--cadet quarters aren't anywhere near this nice, andneither are junior officers' quarters. Which you probably alreadyknow. "

"Yes. " Corina looked around. It was more like a small apartment thana cabin, with the part they were in both lounge and office. A panellabeled "Ship's Services" covered one wall above a table which had anL-shaped extension housing a computer terminal and viewscreen. Storageand display cabinets lined two other walls. The fourth was atranslucent screen with a curtained-off opening. 

She brushed past the curtain into the sleeping area. A standard bedcovered in glimmercloth was the only furniture here; the clothingstorage and fabricator were both built into the wall across from thebed. A door in the wall opposite the divider proved to lead to a smallbut well-designed 'fresher room--though Corina remembered that aboardNavy ships, for some obscure reason, they were called "heads". 

She returned to the lounge area, testing one of the two armchairs itheld--yes, as soft as it looked--glad that if she was to spend someappreciable amount of time on this ship, it would be in such pleasantsurroundings. A yellow light flashing on a panel beside the door caughther attention, and she pointed to it. "What is--oh, I remember. "

"Ship's status, right, " Sunbeam said. "We're in Condition Yellow;what's General Quarters?"

"Red, with a wavering buzz. I do not have a battle station, so I wouldremain here unless told otherwise by a senior officer. "

"Right again!" Sunbeam looked around. "I think that's all here. Sounless you need something else . . . " Her voice trailed off, and shepointed to Corina's neck. "Is that blood?"

"Oh. " Corina reached up and touched the spot. "I forgot, and I havehad no chance to wash it off before now. Excuse me for a moment, please. " She left, returning with her throat fur damp but clean, toface a thorough scrutiny by the young Ensign. 

Sunbeam nodded at last. "And that's a blaster burn--"

Corina felt a curiosity as strong as her own, and hastened to say, "Ido not think I should discuss it until Ranger Medart tells me I may. "

Sunbeam looked dissatisfied, and Corina didn't really blame her. "Youmust be something pretty special, " the Ensign said. "He comes backfrom convalescent leave early, brings you along--wounded--as hisspecial assistant, puts the ship on Condition Yellow . . . And I betyou can't talk about any of that, either. Uh, do they hurt? I cantake you to sickbay if they do. "

"You cover many things at once, " Corina said with amusement. "No, Icannot talk about it, but no, they do not hurt. The burn just singedmy fur a little. It looks bad, but it is not a problem; I need nomedical attention. "

Sunbeam frowned briefly. "Whatever's going on must be big! But okay, I know about security. If you're sure you're all right, and there'snothing else, what say we go eat? You could have a meal right here, ofcourse, " she indicated the service panel, "but it's more fun to eatwith others. I usually go to Mess Three; the food's the sameeverywhere, but Three's where junior officers mostly eat, Ensigns andLieutenants, and it's usually lively. Want to?"

"You are the guide, " Corina said, wondering how, if she always talkedthis much, Sunbeam managed to eat. Apparently she didn't manage much;she was quite slender. 

 * * * * *

Medart did some serious thinking about the young Irschchan while hewaited in the briefing room for Hobison. Like most Rangers, he'dlearned to follow his occasional hunches, and one had hit him on theway up to the Chang. Corina Losinj was important, both to the Empireand--on a very personal basis--to a certain James Medart. His huncheswere seldom specific, so he didn't have any idea how or why she wasimportant, but he was certain she was. That was part of the reason he'dcalled her his special assistant, and had her assigned quarters nearhis own. 

He looked up as Hobison entered. "Everything set, Dave?"

"Yes, sir, " Hobison replied. "And I had Communications call thePalace, your personal code. We should be getting a reply any time, andit'll be patched through to here. "

"Thanks. " Medart was appreciative, though he hadn't expected any lessfrom the man who'd captained his ship for the past twenty years. "Thisis something I'm not looking forward to telling His Majesty. "

The briefing room screen flickered blue, then cleared to show a lean, gray-haired man wearing a Ranger's uniform with the Imperial Seal inplace of the badge. Both men on the Chang stood and saluted. 

Emperor Charles Davis returned the salute. "What is it, Jim? Youwouldn't be back on duty if it weren't critical. "

"Rebellion, sir. " Medart reported all he had learned, both from theprobe of Entos and from Corina, watching the Emperor's expressionbecome grim. And he reported his hunch. 

Davis nodded. "Follow it up. Learn all you can about their Talent, too. The White Order's never given us any trouble before, so they wereentitled to their privacy, but that's over now. We can't afford tokeep depending on stories and rumors. "

"She's agreed to give any help she can, sir, as I said, and thatincludes briefing me on Talent. "

"Good. I'll alert the nobility, have them take extra precautions sincethey're bound to be targets. You're on-scene; do you think I shouldhave a fleet cordon off Irschcha itself?"

"No, sir, " Medart replied. "Thark's smart, we know that. If he andhis people haven't left the planet already, they'll damnsure be gone bythe time a cordon fleet could get here. "

"All right. But I will have Earl Suitland take over planetaryadministration, and I'll send some extra troops to stand by in case sheneeds them. " Davis scowled. "This isn't going to look good, especially to the Traiti. I promised them they'd keep their owngovernment so they could stop fighting and join the Empire, and theWhite Order ruling Irschcha was one of the convincers. Only theirLords know how they'll react to this--they've only been part of theEmpire for six weeks. "

"It's touchy, all right, " Medart agreed. "Having to take over one ofthe only two non-human governments--they may see it as evidence wedon't really consider non-humans as equals. "

"We'll have to convince them otherwise. " Davis paused briefly. "Jim, do you think your hunch that Ms. Losinj is important could mean she'sRanger material?"

"No way to know yet, sir. She's got the loyalty, she's proven that, and she certainly acts intelligent enough, but I'll have to find outabout the rest. Check her records, talk to her, see how she thinks--maybe give her the pre-Academy tests. I haven't noticed anythingnegative so far, but I haven't seen much of her, either. "

"I know. Just keep me informed; we need a non-human Ranger. But evenif she doesn't qualify, I think she deserves a title for having thecourage and loyalty to warn us. "

"Agreed, sir. A Life Nobility?"

Davis smiled slightly. "She deserves it, but I'm going to reserve thatpleasure for myself--here at the Palace, in a full Grand Audience. Give her a knighthood for now. "

"Yes, sir. I'll hold a Tribunal tomorrow morning. "

"That's it, then. I've got to get moving on this mess. Out. " TheEmperor's image flickered blue, then disappeared. 

Hobison gave the Ranger a long, silent look before he spoke. "Rebellion, hmm? From the timing, I'd say this Thark's just beenwaiting for the war to end. That doesn't strike me as typical behaviorfor a rebel. "

"Same here, " Medart said. "He's not typical at all, from what Losinjtold me. Most rebels are greedy, out for nothing but power--accordingto her, Thark's convinced the Order can rule better than we poorunTalented can, so it's his duty to take over. Naturally, I don'tagree. "

Hobison snorted. "Good intentions don't make up for treason. What'snext?"

"That depends on what we learn from Losinj, " Medart replied. "At themoment, I just don't know enough to make realistic plans. Too muchdepends on how powerful this Talent of the Order's is. "

Hobison nodded. "That makes sense. But would you really ask her tojoin the Rangers? She's so tiny, so . . . "

"Pettable?" Medart came close to smiling. "She looks it, yes, but youheard what she had to do to reach us. And you know size doesn't haveanything to do with it. Sure I'll ask her, if I find she's qualified, even if I hate to wish this responsibility on anyone. His Majesty'sright, we need a non-human Ranger badly. Especially now that we'reintegrating the Traiti. "

"Uh-huh. Good politics, if nothing else. "

Medart nodded. "Since that damn Firster backshot Steve in the Palaceand Hovan took him, there's been sentiment growing for non-humans. It's a good thing, and it makes this an ideal time for thatbreakthrough. It'd probably tickle Steve to know that she'd take hisplace. I'm just sorry this means no shore leave for Chang's crew. "

"So am I, " Hobison agreed. "I could use a bit of vacation about now. It can't be helped, though. "

"No. " Medart sighed, changed the subject. "She might as well briefall of us at once; can you have the Command Crew here in, say, anhour?"

"Yes, sir. Do you want me to have her paged?"

"Don't bother. " Medart grinned. "If I know our Sunbeam, she's foundLosinj a cabin and taken her to Mess Three. I could use something toeat myself, so I'll go get her. "

 * * * * *

Medart spotted Yamata and his new assistant almost as soon as heentered Mess Three. Spotted where they must be sitting, rather; thatnoisy group on the far side of the room. He punched in his order--coffee and an egg salad sandwich--and when it slid from the dispenser, took it over to stand on the outskirts of the group. 

"--like it's something you'd do every day before lunch!" a young MarineLieutenant was saying. "Dig out a plot, escape from three cops, fightan assassin, then say it was nothing. That's incredible!"

So they'd succeeded in worming part of the story out of her, Medartthought. Just the basics, most likely, so they'd let her eat, andthere was no harm in that; everyone would find out soon enough. 

"You can't shrug it off that lightly, 'Rina, " someone else said. "That'd get one of us a medal. Should get you a knighthood, maybe aLife Nobility. "

Then Sunbeam spoke up, almost laughing. "Take it easy! Can't you seeyou're embarrassing her terribly?"

"Well, she should, " the other retorted. "If I had enough rank, I'dcall a Tribunal right now, and knight her. "

Not a bad idea at all, Medart thought. It probably would be best, considering Greggson's attitude, for her to have that formal statuswhen she met with the Command Crew. The man's competence as SecurityChief couldn't be questioned, but Medart wondered at times how he'dever passed the psych tests to become an Imperial officer, with hisnear-xenophobia. Hmm, this was getting interesting--the anonymousyoung officer was going through with it, speaking the formula ofknighthood as solemnly as if this were indeed a real Tribunal. AllMedart could see of the Irschchan was her eartips, erect and quiveringas her admirer finished on a note of triumph: "--and do name you, Corina Losinj of Irschcha, a Knight of the Empire!"

"Confirmed, " Medart said, pitching his voice so the entire group wouldhear. 

"Wha--" The officer turned, flushing, as the group noticed the Rangerfor the first time. 

Medart smiled. "I said `confirmed', Ensign; you did that well enough Idon't see any need to repeat the ceremony. Now may I join myassistant?"

"Uh . . . Yes, sir. Of course. "

Corina stared from Ranger to Ensign and back, confused. This was fartoo informal, even by human standards, to mean what it seemed to--andyet the Ranger was perfectly serious, no trace of humor in voice oraura. "I do not understand, " she said at last. "I have done only myduty; I deserve no special recognition for that. "

"His Majesty doesn't agree, Sir Corina, " Medart said, stressing thetitle slightly, as he took a seat. "If you'd care to argue it withhim--?"

Corina looked disbelievingly at the Ranger, who was smiling at her withone eyebrow raised. Was this what humans called "teasing"? Shesupposed it had to be; he couldn't seriously expect her to argue withthe Emperor! "No, Ranger. If His Majesty wishes to so honor me, Imust accept. "

Typical exaggerated Irschchan respect for authority, Medart thought, but if she stayed around humans long, she'd get over that! "You'd bestfinish your lunch, Sir Corina. And get used to the title; I've calleda Command Crew meeting for 1400, so you can brief them. "

"Yes, Ranger. " Corina turned her attention back to her meal, the milkand medium-rare steak Sunbeam had recommended. 

 * * * * *

The meeting began on schedule, in Briefing Room One, with Hobisonintroducing his senior officers. Corina took the opportunity to make aquick evaluation of each. There was no dishonor; she was not probingdeeply enough to intrude. 

Hobison himself was shielded, well enough she could read nothing of him. . . As he should be in his position, though it was surprising. 

"My Executive Officer, Commander Sonia Pappas. " She was a shortbrunette, four or five kilos overweight but not fat. No mind screen;Corina felt an aura of competence from her. 

"Marine Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Greggson, Chief of Security. " Tall andmuscular, he wore Marine black with silver oak leaf rank insigne. Despite his strong mind shield, Corina sensed hostility. 

"Commander Marie Sherman, Chief Medical Officer. " A tall blonde whoseemed uncomfortable outside her own medical center. No screen, butshe wasn't radiating any particular emotion, either. 

"And finally Commander Carl Jensen, Chief Engineer. " Small andstudious looking, he didn't really stand out. Like Sherman, he wasunshielded and wanted nothing more than to return to his own domain. 

Medart took over the meeting at that point, describing what little heknew of the White Order. "We're here to find out exactly how much of athreat the Order actually is to the Empire, " he concluded. "Sir Corinahas agreed to help us, so she's next. "

Corina stood. "I do not know precisely what information you wish. Perhaps it would be best if you asked questions. "

"All right. Just what can the Order do? Specifically, what is thisTalent we hear stories about? I need facts, not rumors. "

"You mean the individual members?"

"For a start, yes. "

"Urrr . . . Telepathy, of course, and--"

"Reliable telepathy?" Sherman broke in skeptically. "That's never beenproven. "

"Then I must do so, at least to your satisfaction. " Corina turned tothe Ranger. "If I may do so without dishonor?"

"There's no dishonor involved; that's what you're here for. Go ahead. "

Corina turned back, probed gently into the Medical Officer's unscreenedmind. "You are familiar with the Rhine reports some four centuriesbefore the Empire?"

"Yes, but they're no more proof of telepathy than your guessing I'dread them. "

"They should have convinced you. Since they do not, I must probe moredeeply. I do not wish to distress you, but belief is essential. Ihave been aboard only a short time, not long enough to learn anythingabout you in the so-called `normal' way. Would you agree?"

Sherman nodded. 

"Very well. Your middle name is Jean. Your hobby is pre-Empirescience fiction. " Corina paused, contemplating. "That appearsinteresting; I shall have to look into it. To continue, your favoritestories are the Lensman series, and your only regret is that--"

"That's enough!" Sherman interrupted in a near shout. "I'm convinced. You don't have to go on. "

Corina, satisfied that she had made her point, continued to the entiregroup. "Telepathy is the most common aspect of Talent, and by far theeasiest to develop; all of the Order has it, in varying degrees. Amind screen or shield is almost as common; it seems to go with thetelepathy, in all but rare cases. " She noticed a slightly raised hand. "Yes, Colonel Greggson?"

"That mind screen--does it occur without telepathy? It could be veryuseful, in my field. "

"Not in Irschchans, but it apparently does in humans. I noticedearlier that you, Ranger Medart, and Captain Hobison all have excellentones, among the best I have felt. "

Greggson smiled grimly. "Thanks. That's good to know. " He went onmore softly, muttering to himself, but Corina's hearing made his wordsclearly audible. "All the most sensitive positions. Damn lucky . . . If the kitty's not lying. "

Corina's ears flattened slightly at that uncalled-for slur, but sheforced herself to say nothing about it, responding instead to the ChiefEngineer's slight gesture. "You wish to ask something, CommanderJensen?"

"Please. Can a mind screen like that be generated electronically?"

"To the best of my knowledge, Commander, such a thing has never beenattempted. There are those who would consider the electronic imitationof Talent an obscenity, and they have much influence. "

"What else?" Medart asked. 

"Direction sense would be included for humans, I believe, " Corina said. "The Order does not consider it a true aspect of Talent, since it issomething all Irschchans have, but I understand that is not true foryou. Otherwise, aside from what I have already mentioned, there isanything one can imagine being done by mind power rather than physicalmeans, though few people have more than one such aspect, and no one hasbeen reported with more than three. The rarest is precognition; I havenot heard of anyone having that in over fifty years. I myself amcapable of weak telekinesis, finding, and darlas. " She saw puzzledlooks, and explained. "Finding is the ability to locate concealed--orsimply misplaced--objects, and darlas is a form of telepathic attack. "

"What's telekinesis?" Greggson asked. 

"Moving objects by mind power alone. " When the Security Chief lookeddoubtful, Corina decided she had best demonstrate that as well. Butthe conference table was bare, and she did not want to use anything ofher own. 

"Ranger Medart, do you have anything I could use to show the Colonelwhat I mean? It had best be light; as I said, that aspect of my Talentis not particularly powerful. "

"I think so, " Medart replied. He reached into a pouch on his belt, pulled out a small notepad. "Is this okay?"

"It is fine. Would you put it on the table, please?"

He did as she asked. She stared hard at it for perhaps five seconds, concentrating, then the pad rose from the table. Apparently on itsown, it circled the room, then settled gently back to its startingplace in front of the Ranger. 

For long seconds, nobody spoke. Then Medart said softly, "If the Ordercan do all that, I'd say we have a bit worse of a problem than Ithought. "

"Not all can do everything, " Corina reminded him, "any more than I can. Still, their abilities do combine to make a formidable power. Theproblem is a serious one. "

"This Talent of yours is all very well, " Greggson put in, "but I doubtif it would be any good against armed, trained Security DivisionMarines. I'd bet on my men any day. "

"You would lose, " Corina told him, then she looked at Medart. "Itseems I must demonstrate this as well, since Colonel Greggson appearsunable to accept my word. Although there are many who equal or surpassme, my Talent is above average; I can give you some idea of theopposition you will have to face. "

Medart nodded. "Good suggestion. Greggson, get half a decade of yourbest troops together in the main gym as soon as you can. "

"Yes, sir. " Greggson left, scowling at Corina as he passed her. Shewondered what she could have done to arouse the man's hostility; afterall, she had barely met him. 

"Give him a few minutes to get them together, " Medart said, "then wecan meet them in the gym. Do you really think you can defeat five topSecuDiv Marines?"

"I do not know, " Corina replied quietly. "It has been some time sinceI worked with unTalented people, and last time I tried, I could defeatonly two, neither of whom had a shield. On the other hand, I have beentraining with Thark and Valla. But defeating them is not as importantas convincing Colonel Greggson of the danger he and his Marines face. "

"Truthfully, I don't think you can do it, " Hobison said. "All hispeople are top caliber, or they wouldn't be on this ship--and one ofthem, Ranger Medart's bodyguard, is a Sandeman warrior. "

"Any selected for this vessel's Marine contingent would be formidable, I know, " Corina said, "particularly one of that race's warriors. But Istill believe the demonstration necessary; if one who is yet a studentcan make a respectable showing against such, then you will take moreseriously those who are long-experienced in the use of their greaterTalent. "

"Can't argue that, " Hobison said. "But I don't envy you thedemonstration, Sir Corina. "

All except the Ranger agreed aloud. He agreed privately as well, butwanted to give her the best chance possible, which meant notdiscouraging her before she even got started. And she was right; thedemonstration, whatever its outcome, would be valuable. "Greggson'shad time to call his people together, " he said at last. "Let's get tothe gym. "

Medart spent the shuttle trip unobtrusively studying the youngIrschchan. She'd certainly been handed a rough deal, he thoughtsympathetically. He might not share her telepathic Talent, but hecould make an educated guess about how she felt. Betrayed by herteacher, attacked and almost killed, then drafted and hauled into awhole new kind of life . . . She couldn't be exactly comfortable aboutthe whole thing, but she was reacting better than he could'veexpected--well enough that he'd rate her adaptability level the equalof a Ranger's, which was a promising sign. She'd make out all right, whether she met Ranger standards all the way or not. 

Corina's self-evaluation was less optimistic. She was managing to keepup a good front somehow, she thought, since she didn't care to letstrangers know just how overwhelmed she felt by the day's happenings. At the moment she was going strictly on stubbornness, and was justhoping that would last long enough for her to adapt to this totallyunfamiliar existence. 

IV

By the time they got to the gym, it had been set up for thedemonstration; it held a translucent-walled structure that Corinarecognized from descriptions as a combat practice module, its wallsopaque from the inside. To her dismay, there was an audience; off-dutycrewwens lined the gym walls. An audience, she thought, was the lastthing she needed now--but there was no help for it; she would simplyhave to do her best in spite of them. 

Then she saw Greggson and five others in Marine black standing slightlyapart from the spectators. She recognized Dawson, and three of theothers were as big--but the fifth, little taller than Corina herselfand seemingly as slight of build, she recognized as by far the mostdangerous. The pale-eyed, dark-skinned blonds from Subsector Sandemanwere the product of major genetic engineering, particularly theirwarriors. They had a number of advantages over standard humans, butthe only ones she needed to worry about right now were their greaterstrength and speed. Maybe Greggson was right after all. Talent wasimportant, but it certainly was not the only factor; she knew betterthan to underestimate Imperial Marines, and when one of them was aSandeman warrior--

She broke off that line of thought abruptly. If she kept it up, theMarines would have no need to defeat her; she would do it to herself. Calm and control, as Valla and Thark had told her repeatedly, were thekeys to victory. She and Medart joined the waiting group. 

"My men have been briefed, Ranger, " Greggson said. "And they havestunners, not blasters, so . . . Sir Corina . . . Won't be hurt. " Heturned to her. "Unless, of course, you'd rather call it off. "

Corina's self-doubt was turning into determination under his scorn. "No, thank you, " she said quietly. "I will continue. "

Medart smiled briefly at her, then turned to Greggson. "Get off herback, Colonel, " he said. "You can join the spectators; I'll set up thesituation for them. "

Greggson obeyed silently, and Medart turned to the team leader. "Thismay be a demonstration, Major Dawson, but I want you to treat itexactly as you would a real security alert. You've just gotten word ofan intruder, probably armed, and you're checking the ship. " He turnedto Corina, touching a control beside the module's entrance. When thewalls turned opaque, he said, "You're the intruder, of course. Go onin the module and pick yourself a spot. I'll give you time for that, then send them in and turn the walls back to one-way. "

"Yes, Ranger. " Corina did as she was told, picking a spot near the farend, a location that had several connecting corridors. If what she'dread about search procedures held true, the team would split into twopairs, with the fifth person keeping several meters behind to back upwhoever needed it. Her best bet, if they separated widely enough, wasto take out one pair and the backup, then the remaining pair. If not, it would probably be best to try for the standard humans first--assuming, as seemed most logical, the Sandeman was backup--which wouldleave all her attention free for him. 

She closed her eyes, taking her soul-blade and its sheath from herbelt, and scanned for other presences as she would if she were enteringhostile territory. Despite the distractions of the crowd, she quicklysensed her five opponents--and got an unpleasant shock. Three weretotally unshielded, and Dawson's screen was so weak it would offer himno protection--but the fifth had a shield as tight as any she'd everfelt. She shook her head in brief amazement. Four shielded humans inthe perhaps three hundred she had mind-touched since coming aboard, andThark insisted he had met no Talented humans? But then the Emperor-classcruisers did have elite crews, and three of the four were Commandlevel--that must be significant, somehow. 

But this was no time to worry about theory. She had been almost rightabout her opponents' formation; two were coming down secondarypassages, the fifth--the shielded one, and she learned from Dawson thathe was the Sandeman--was coming down the main corridor. There was noway she could defeat them conventionally, but she had known that fromthe beginning--and this was to be a demonstration of the Order'spotential; her Talent, not her blade-work, was necessary. So sheshould try for the standard humans first, with darlas. 

In training she'd always been able to see, as well as sense, heropponents; although she had been told her Talent, like Thark's, wasstrong enough to make visual contact unnecessary, she wasn't sure shecould concentrate well enough without it. Considering thecircumstances, however, it was worth trying; she chose Dawson, focusingher Talent on him with what felt like the right degree of intensity toknock him out for roughly an hour. 

To her surprise and satisfaction, her attack was just as effective andnoticeably less difficult than in her practice sessions; she sensed theflash of Dawson's pain, then his loss of consciousness. It was easy torepeat the process with the unshielded three, and it was good to knowthat her training had been so effective--but she knew her mostdangerous opponent remained. And even Thark's darlas couldn't penetratea shield that strong, which left TK, weak as hers was, her only realweapon. 

She waited tensely, a meter back from the main passageway, as heapproached. He was quiet, his steps barely audible, but she didn'tneed that to place his relative position. He stopped just short of thecross corridor, then entered swiftly, in a crouch, his stunner ready tofire--but he was looking to his left, away from her, and that gave herthe time she needed to push the stunner's powerpack release and, as itfell, spring at him with her sheathed blade coming to rest at the angleof his jaw, close under his ear. 

To her surprise he grinned at her, raising his hands. "I'd call thatconclusive advantage, Sir Corina, " he said. "With abilities andreflexes like that, you should've been born Sandeman--I'm LieutenantNevan DarLeras. Welcome aboard. "

Corina replaced the soul-blade at her belt and stepped back, returninghis courtesy with a bow. She'd read about Sandeman ethnocentrism, andknew he meant his words as a compliment, so she said, "You do me honor, warrior. I am pleased to meet you; I hope my victory has notdishonored you or your fellows in the eyes of your shipmates. "

The Sandeman chuckled. "Hardly, with powers that were only legenduntil you proved them. The others are all right?"

"They are unconscious and they will have painful headaches when theywake, but other than that, they are fine. "

"Only because it was an exercise, I'd say. " Nevan picked up thepowerpack, replaced it in the stunner, and holstered his weapon. "MayI ask a tactical question?"

"Of course. "

"In that case, why did you knock them out and simply remove thepower-pack from my stunner? I would have expected you to use yourstrongest ability against me. "

Both looked toward the entrance as they heard footsteps, and saw RangerMedart approaching. When he joined them, he said, "I'd like the answerto that one myself. "

"I did, " Corina replied. "Although it would be more precise to saythat I used the strongest of my powers he was vulnerable to. Hisshield is strong enough to protect him from an attack directly againsthis mind; were it weaker and this not an exercise, I could breakthrough, injuring or killing him. However, even the best shield doesnot protect from physical effects, so I was able to use TK against him. Had this been actual combat, I would have attacked him instead of hisweapon, but a ruptured blood vessel in the brain is too permanent for asimple demonstration. "

"It is that, " Medart agreed, pleased and a little surprised at whatsounded like she might be attempting mild humor. "If this were real, then, you're saying all five would be dead. "

"Yes. Although had the warrior Nevan entered the corridor facing rightinstead of left, the result would have been different. "

"But he wasn't. " Medart nodded to the Sandeman. "You can go back towhatever you were doing, Lieutenant; I know you're not on watch rightnow. "

"Thank you, sir. " Nevan bowed to Corina, then left. 

Medart gave Corina his full attention. If he hadn't just watched herdo it, he would have found it almost impossible to believe one small, delicate-looking student could defeat five Marines at all, much less doit so quickly and with so little apparent effort. Her demonstrationdidn't make the actual threat any worse, of course; it just made themagnitude of that threat a lot more apparent. The White Order was asmall group compared to the rest of the Empire, but with that type ofpower, it wouldn't take many of them to cause a major disruption. Especially if they selected their targets carefully, which Medart hadno doubt would be the case. 

He'd better find out her potential as soon as he could, he decided. Ifshe wasn't Ranger material, best to know it right away and go fromthere; if she was, she should be wearing the badge. It was a demandingjob, but he enjoyed the challenges, and so would she if she had what ittook--which he found himself hoping she did. "That was a veryimpressive demonstration, Sir Corina, " he said then. "I think you andI need to have a serious talk. Let's go to my quarters, where we won'tbe disturbed. "

 * * * * *

Corina settled into the armchair Medart indicated, her legs curledunder her, and accepted the glass of milk he offered. He had soundedquite somber when he had mentioned the demonstration, and had beensilent on the way here, but there was something in his attitude thatgave her the impression of hope, as well. 

His first question startled her. "Have you given any thought to whatyou're going to do with your life, now that you've gone against theWhite Order?"

All she could do for a moment was look at him. Finally she said, "Ihave hardly had time to think about that, Ranger. I suppose I willreturn to my original ambition, which was to attend the ImperialMilitary Academy; being a naval officer appears to be the mostpractical way for me to explore the Empire while being of service toit. "

That was promising, Medart thought--very promising. "I don't mean torush you, " he told her. "I have a couple of ideas on that line myself, so I'm naturally curious, but I don't need to know right this second. You're welcome to stay aboard the Chang until you make up your mind, either as my assistant or simply as a guest. "

Corina was puzzled--what ideas could he possibly have about herfuture?--but all she said was, "I thank you for your kindness; I doneed time to adjust. "

"Probably less than you think, from what I've seen. " Medart seatedhimself, taking a sip of coffee. "Tell me about yourself. "

Corina made a gesture of dismissal. "There is little to tell, I fear. Until my Talent was accidentally discovered four years ago, I led anormal, quiet life. Afterward, I received training in how to use it, as well as going to tertiary school. Though my Talent was late indeveloping, it was strong enough for Thark to take an interest in meand supervise my training until he took it over completely. Otherwisethere is nothing notable. "

"That isn't exactly what I meant, " Medart said. "I was thinking moreabout things like how you get along with your family, how you feelabout other people, that sort of thing. "

"Again, there is nothing truly unusual. I moved to MacLeod's Landingwhen my Talent was discovered, to make my studies under Thark possible. The Order, as is customary, was supporting me until my initiation, aswell as providing tuition for my advanced schooling. I remain gratefulfor that, despite what I now know of them. My parents and I get alongwell enough, though we are not close. We simply have very little incommon. The same is true for my other relatives, including mysiblings. "

"What about other people?"

She laid her ears back in what Medart recognized as a frown. "That isdifficult to explain. It is not that I have trouble associating withothers, because I do not. More and more, however, I find myselfreacting as an observer rather than as a participant, especially inpurely social gatherings. That disturbs me. "

Better and better, Medart thought; that was a pretty good descriptionof the detachment a Ranger needed to maintain impartiality. "Don't letit, " he advised. "I feel the same way most of the time myself; it'snothing to worry about. You said you'd planned to go to the Academy;do they do pre-testing here?"

"Yes. " Corina allowed herself a brief purr. "I did well enough toreceive conditional acceptance by the main Academy on Terra. "

Medart raised an eyebrow. "Not bad, though I wouldn't wish Test Weekon my worst enemy. Emperor Chang, query the local comps for thoserecords, please, and send me a hard copy. "

"Yes, Ranger, " the ship replied. "It may take some time, however. "

"By morning will be fine. Medart out. "

Corina stared at him, then decided she had to ask. "Why are you sointerested in me?"

"Isn't it obvious? You're my assistant, at least for now, and I needto know a lot more about you than your name. "

Corina wished she could probe him, but his shield made that impossible. His interest, she was certain, was greater than normal about a simpleassistant--especially when he had mentioned having a couple of ideasabout her life-plans. But she had been raised to trust Rangers; ifthat was all he thought it wise to say, it would be best not topersist. 

Medart grinned at her. "You want more, but you won't ask. That'sgood, since I don't have the answers just yet. Why not let me callSunbeam up here, get her to take you to supper, then both of you relaxfor the evening? We can talk more once I've gone through your records, and I expect to have a war conference after that, when you'll have toevaluate whatever you know about Thark for us. "

 * * * * *

Medart had been too keyed up by the young Irschchan's demonstration toeven try sleeping normally. Two hours on the sleep machine gave himthe equivalent of a good eight hours' rest, though, and by 0100 he waskeying the service panel in his cabin for a cup of coffee, strong andblack, plenty of sugar. 

He gulped half the cup, scalding his tongue in the process, then sippedat the rest, thinking about her and making plans for the day. Firstthing to do was check her records, then report his findings to theEmperor. From what he knew of her already, he fully expected thosereports to be favorable. 

He finished the first cup of coffee, then checked his delivery slot, finding Chang had accomplished its mission; the slot held a hard copyof Corina's records, complete with summary. He got a second cup ofcoffee, taking it and the printout over to his work area. 

Several hours passed as he studied those records with growingsatisfaction. The more he read, the more promising Corina Losinjlooked. The only flaw he could find was in her psych profile; itshowed a lack of self-confidence. Medart wondered at that, because shecertainly didn't lack ability. Still, self-evaluations werenotoriously inaccurate--and for his current purpose, too littleconfidence was better than too much. 

Finally he stood and stretched, easing muscles cramped from sitting inone position too long. His next step, he decided with some amusement, would have to be getting rid of that coffee!

That accomplished, he returned to his work area and switched hisdisplay screen to communications mode. It was 0800 by ship and Palacetime; the Emperor would be in his office by now, so Medart accessed theImperial priority band, then the Emperor's private comset. 

The response was prompt; Davis' face appeared within five seconds. "Morning, Jim. What have you found out?"

"She looks promising, sir. Very promising. I talked to her a bit lastnight, and I've just finished going over her records. They're damngood. IQ in the top tenth percent, personality profile stable Class I. School grades above average but not spectacular--her teachers attributeit to boredom from lack of challenge, even in the advanced classes--andshe's a generalist. Independent work is widespread and good; she didone paper on Imperial administration that should be turned into ahandbook. And she's already taken the pre-Academy tests. Top level, of course; she qualified for the Academy at the Complex. Which iswhere she plans to go, now that she's not committed to the White Orderany longer. "

"Typical pattern for a Ranger, all right, " the Emperor said with asmile. Then he turned serious. "How many potential Rangers are wemissing? The gods know we need every one we can find! Anything else?"

"She's lacking self-confidence, but that's the only negative thing Isaw. As for missing others, there can't be too many we would miss, even on Irschcha. Anyone with the right personality pattern is certainto try for the Academy, and that degree of ability will get them toTerra--unless they're stopped by something, like the White Orderpre-empting anyone with Talent. "

"Mm. " The Emperor looked dissatisfied. "Not much we can do aboutthat, though. You're satisfied that Sir Corina is fully qualified?"

"No question in my mind. Yes, sir, she is--maybe more so than the restof us, with her extra Talent abilities. She demonstrated them veryconvincingly yesterday afternoon. " Medart described the previous day'sexercise in full detail, then shook his head. "It was almostunbelievable. Five Marines, with one of them a Sandeman warrior. "

"And you saw it, " Davis said. "If Chang made a tape, I'd like a copy. "

"We didn't expect much, so I didn't order one, but somebody else mighthave. Emperor Chang?"

"Colonel Greggson has all such exercises taped for analysis, Ranger. Iwill send His Majesty a copy. "

"Thank you. Medart out. "

There was a brief silence while the ship sent the tape and EmperorDavis watched it. When his attention returned to Medart, he echoed theRanger's headshake. "I see what you mean, Jim. It's a good thingshe's with us, instead of the Order. Do you think you can get her tojoin?"

"With that lack of self-confidence, I doubt it. "

"Considering the rest of what you've just told me, she'll get overthat. Ask her to think it over, at least. It's possible that justknowing we think she's suitable will do the trick. 

"At any rate, I want a conference with you, her, and Chang's CommandCrew later today. We need to get more information from her, and wealso have to do some planning. How about 1600? If you can't talk herinto it by then, Rick and I will give it a try. "

Medart nodded. "That sounds good, sir. Considering the time zone shelived in, she's probably still asleep; that'll give me a chance to goover her records again, maybe find a good talking point. "

"Good enough. I'll talk to you again at 1600, then. Out. "

The screen went blank, and Medart picked up the printout, carried it tohis favorite armchair, and sat half reading it and half sunk inthought. Her lack of self-confidence was the real problem, all right;it was hard enough convincing someone who had a normal amount, and notalways successful at that. 

V

It was 0900 Standard, 0600 at the MacLeod's Landing time she wasaccustomed to, when Corina was awakened by her doorchime. "Who isthere?" she called, stretching herself out of bed. 

"It's just me, Sunbeam, " came from the door speaker. 

"Come in, " Corina called back, taking her kilt from the autocloset. She slipped into it, then stuck her head around the partition. "Canyou wait a few minutes while I brush myself?"

"Sure thing, " Sunbeam replied. "I'm yours to command, Sir Corina;remember Captain Hobison assigned me to you yesterday?"

"I remember, " Corina said. "I do not wish to inconvenience you, however. I will be with you soon. " The closet, she was glad to see, had cleaned her kilt; otherwise it would be looking rather bedraggledby midday. She went through her morning routine, then walked into theliving area ready to face the new day. 

"What do you want to do this morning?" Sunbeam asked. 

"That is hard to say, " Corina replied thoughtfully. "It all depends onwhat Ranger Medart has planned for me. Right now, though, I would likea glass of milk. " She started toward the service panel, but Sunbeamwas already there. 

"I'll get it for you, " Sunbeam said. "I could use a glass myself. "

"Thank you. " Corina wasn't used to having others do things for her, but she sensed that Sunbeam was agitated about something and wanted tomove around, so she sat in one of the armchairs, tucking her feet underherself. 

She took the glass Sunbeam brought, enjoyed a deep swallow, then said, "What is disturbing you, Sunbeam? Can I help?"

"Well . . . " Sunbeam hesitated, then blurted, "It's that demonstrationyou gave yesterday. Stars above! The whole ship's talking about howyou put down five top Marines with no more trouble than I'd have, oh, swatting a fly! I'm about half scared to be in the same room with you!"

"You should not be, " Corina said, projecting amusement to try and calmthe human Ensign. "I am the same person you met yesterday, and Icertainly had no intention of frightening anybody. "

Sunbeam ventured a half smile. "Maybe not, but you did a great jobwithout meaning to, then. "

"Are the Marines all right?"

"They're fine, from what I hear, " was the slightly steadier reply. "Except for their pride; that was pretty badly battered. " Sunbeampaused, then grinned. "Four of them, anyway. That cute Sandeman keepssaying how pretty you are, and what a warrior you'd be if you'd beenlucky enough to be born on Sandeman. If I didn't know better, I'd sayhe has a crush on you. "

"I am quite content being Irschchan, " Corina said, no longer needing topretend her amusement. "Though I must admit his compliments areflattering . . . I do regret causing the others distress, though thedemonstration was necessary. Nor was there any dishonor in theirdefeat; they did as well as possible for those who lack Talent. "

Sunbeam looked more cheerful. "Maybe it would help if you told themso. "

"I will, then, at the first opportunity. "

"And you should see Colonel Greggson!" Sunbeam barely managed tosuppress a giggle. "He's grumping around the ship like an old bear, snapping at everyone. I don't think he's too fond of you. Maybe Ishouldn't say it, but he keeps talking about an oversized kitten makingmonkeys out of his men. "

"He seemed to dislike me even before that, " Corina said. 

"Probably. He isn't too fond of non-humans, and he doesn't even likemany of us. Sometimes I don't think he even likes himself. But therearen't many of that kind aboard Chang; most of our people are reallynice. You'll like them. "

There was another chime at the door. Without bothering to find out whoit was, Corina called out, "Come in. "

Medart entered, and she and Sunbeam stood. 

"I'd like to talk to Sir Corina alone, " he told Sunbeam. "Can you findsomething to keep yourself occupied till we're done?"

"Can I ever!" Sunbeam exclaimed happily. "I've been trying to finishthat new xenology tape for days!"

Medart shook his head slowly, watching her leave with a lopsided grin. Then he seated himself in the other armchair and gazed intently atCorina for several seconds. She returned the look with equalintensity, wishing she could get through this unusual human's mindscreen. 

Finally he spoke. "I have to ask you something very important, SirCorina. I don't want you to answer me now; I just want you to thinkabout it for awhile. Will you do that?"

"Of course, " she replied, puzzled by his strangely hesitant manner. 

"I was talking to the Emperor again earlier today. I spent most of themorning studying your records, then told him what I'd found. We wereboth quite impressed. " Medart paused, seeming unsure of himself, thenhurried on. "We need more Rangers, especially non-human ones, and youmore than qualify. We're--I'm asking you to consider joining us. "

Corina's first reaction was to wonder about Medart's mental stability. He couldn't possibly be serious!

No, from the look on his face, he was serious. "I cannot, " sheprotested, shaking her head. "I have not even finished school--I am tograduate this summer, and Thark did not insist I join the Prime Chapteruntil then--I am only twenty-two, Standard, I could not possibly--"

"Hold it, " Medart interrupted mildly. "You said you'd think about itbefore you answered. I'm keeping you to that. "

"Urr . . . All right. " Corina nodded reluctantly. She would not begraduating, or joining the Prime Chapter, or . . . She forced thosethoughts from her mind. The past was past; she had to go on. "I didsay that. But I will not change my mind. "

"Don't be too sure, " Medart said. "At least three of us said the samething, and they're part of the group now. "

Both were silent for almost a minute, with Corina trying to think ofsome way to change the subject, and at last she succeeded. "I have anidea I would like to try, Ranger, if you have no objection. "

"That depends on the idea. What is it?"

It wasn't really a strong conviction, more of a feeling, but Corinasaid, "Unlike Thark, I believe that humans, at least some, do haveTalent and simply do not know how to use it. Were you an Irschchan, with a mind shield as strong as the one you certainly possess, I wouldbe sure that your other Talents were equally strong. What I would liketo do, if I can get past your screen, is to find out if that is thecase. If it is, I would then teach you to use your Talent. "

Medart sat in silent shock. Esper ability? Him? The psych peoplekept trying to find real espers, but until Corina revealed her Talent--despite what she'd said about the Rhine experiments, he didn't considerthem either complete or conclusive--he'd heard of nothing he foundconvincing. If he weren't adaptable, though, he wouldn't be a Ranger;after a few seconds, he said, "You really think there's a chance ofthat?"

"A chance--that is all I am certain of, but yes, I think there is. "

"Let's try for it, then. "

"One caution, " she said. "Even if you have the potential I thinkpossible from your shield, I have never trained anyone before. "

"That's all right. I'm willing to take the chance if you are. "

"Very well. You will have to let down your screen, however, before wecan accomplish anything. It would be best if you can drop itwillingly, though since you were unaware of its existence, that may notbe possible. If not, perhaps we can weaken it by inducing a relaxedemotional state. I will not attempt to break through with darlas, though I am sure I could, because it would be extremely painful atbest, and it would probably damage or destroy your mind. Nor, mostcertainly, will I do what was done during the struggles to establishthe Order. "

Omnivorous curiosity was part of a Ranger's job description; Medartindulged his. "What was that?"

Corina's ears went back in distaste. "The infliction of systematicpain, weakening both the will and the ability to resist. "

"I wouldn't want that, " Medart agreed. "We try the voluntary partfirst, right? You'll have to tell me how to do it, though; until yousaid something about it yesterday, I never even considered thepossibility of having one. And which is it--shield or screen?"

"The terms are used interchangeably, though technically a screen isless powerful than a shield. I will try to be more precise henceforth. Yours is a shield, and I am not sure I can tell you in words how to letit down; you may have to work that out. It can be described as a sortof mental force field, with your mind as generator and field both. Youhave to relax, deactivate the generator as it were. "

Medart closed his eyes, leaned back in the chair, and relaxed all hismuscles. Corina concentrated on his shield, ready to slip through thesmallest opening, watching his face as he tried something totallybeyond his experience. 

A sort of mental force field, Medart thought. He knew how to turn offa standard field; all that took was touching a control. This was a lotmore nebulous. He didn't have any switches to throw or dials to turn, he had to deactivate part of himself. Relax, she'd said. What were acouple of those tricks Jasmine had tried to teach him?

Deep breathing, he remembered. That was supposed to help, as long asyou didn't overdo and hyperventilate. In and hold, then out and holdwas the pattern. He began the exercise, doing the best he could torelax--though he couldn't help wondering how he'd know if he succeeded. 

After what seemed like an hour, he opened his eyes. "How'm I doing?"

"I noticed no reduction in field strength, " Corina said. "You aretoo--it is difficult to put properly. Defensive, perhaps, or suspicious. If this is to work, you must trust me. " She thought for a minute, thentook the dagger from her belt and held it out to the Ranger, hiding awince of anticipation at his touch. "Perhaps it will be easier if I amnot armed. "

Medart took the soul-blade, too surprised not to. Unlike Dawson, heknew the blade's significance, and could appreciate Corina's action. She had to be really determined about this working, he thought. Thark's betrayal must have hurt even more than he'd gathered earlier. "Let's give it another try, then. But it isn't easy turning offsomething you never knew was on. "

"True. " Corina was surprised to find his touch on her blade didn'tbring discomfort. That was highly unusual, but she was becomingaccustomed to unusual things around this human. "Again, try to relax. I will continue to check your progress. "

"Right. " For the second time, Medart closed his eyes and began thedeep-breathing routine. In and hold . . . Body relaxed . . . Out andhold . . . Cat-clean scent . . . In and hold . . . Cat-and-mouse . . . Oh, hell!

"What is it, Ranger?" There had been a flash, an instant of touch toofast for her to grasp and expand, then nothing. 

"This isn't going to work, and I think I know what the problem is. Every time I try to relax, I see those four Marines stunned on the deckand the other one with your knife at his throat. "

"So your undermind considers me dangerous, is trying to protect youfrom that. Yes, that is reasonable. " Corina thought for a moment. "Iseemed to get the impression of memory-smell, though I cannot be sure. And perhaps of a small feline. When MacLeod discovered Irschcha, hethought of us at first as 'overgrown pussycats', and other humansseemed to agree. Perhaps if you thought of me as some sort of domesticpet?"

Medart considered that idea, then chuckled. "I used to raise Siamesecats, and you Irschchans do remind me of them. It's worth a try. "

Kimi and Saren, his first pair. Not Saren, who'd been on the blockyside for a Siamese; young Losinj was more like Kimi, slender andincredibly graceful. She'd climb up on his lap, butt his chin with herhead to demand that he scratch behind her ears . . . 

Corina, observing carefully, felt his shield start to weaken. Thatcontinued until she was able to catch a mental picture of herself, withparts of her fur more deeply colored, curled up on the Ranger's lap andpurring with contentment while he gently scratched behind her ears. 

She echoed his amusement silently, then began examining his mindpattern. She was careful not to let him realize what she was doing, though she was reasonably sure he could not feel her check. That wasboth quick and thorough, his mental "atmosphere" far less murky thanthe other humans she had touched--and his patterns were clear as well, easy to read and work with. His Talent was unmistakable--his potentialTalent, she corrected herself; he might not be able to learn its use. 

She could at least try activating his latent telepathic ability. Thatmight be somewhat delicate, given his humanity, but with such clearpatterns, it should not be particularly difficult. She knew thetheory, and Thark had done the same for her; it was merely a matter ofredirecting the mental impulses of communication from the speech centerto the TP center, something she ought to be able to do without him evenrealizing the change was being made. 

*That is a little better, * she thought at him while pretending to speakaloud. *Perhaps if we combine what you are doing now with a discussionof something else for awhile, it will be more effective. *

"Yeah, maybe. " Excellent, Corina thought. He could definitelyreceive, then--a very good sign. "What do you want to talk about?"

*It does not really matter. Something you like, a memory you findrelaxing or humorous. * She felt her ears twitch nervously, hoped hedid not notice. The redirection she was attempting was indeed simple, but delicate with the human-different patterns however clear they were, and she needed no extra complications. 

"There aren't too many of those in a Ranger's life, " Medart saidslowly. It was rather like listening to a simultaneous echo, Corinathought as she very cautiously nudged the flow of impulses. "It's adamn good life, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't have many laughs, and the most satisfying parts are usually the result of a lot of work, and sometimes pain. " He chuckled, ruefully. "Exactly what I shouldn'tbe telling someone I'm trying to get to join us, I guess--but if youpay attention to Imperial news, you picked up on that for yourself. Assomeone said a lot of years ago, Rangers and active Life Nobles tend toget into 'dangerously interesting situations'. "

It seemed like a good enough subject, as well as having a strongbearing on the offer he had just made her, so Corina pursued it. *True. I find it difficult to believe, however, that individuals ofsuch value are permitted to place their lives at serious risk sofrequently. *

Medart chuckled. "We're perfectly aware of our value, believe me, andwe're just as fond of life as anyone else--maybe more so, since we'reat risk so often. But there're some things worth the risk--a feelingyou share, or you wouldn't be here. "

*Also true, * Corina conceded. *The Empire has given my people much;saving it for them, and others, is something I think well worth therisk I took. But I am a private individual; no one may forbid me totake whatever risks I judge necessary. *

Medart grew thoughtful, making it easier for Corina to establish themental pathway she was working at. He was still speaking aloud, though. "We aren't, but that evaluation is still up to us; if we thinkthe situation's worth risking a Ranger, or if it needs our abilities, we go in ourselves. If not, we send in someone else--and that's a hellof a lot harder, I'll tell you right now. "

*Thinking of one's own life objectively is difficult, * Corina agreed. *I believe I would find it difficult to think of my life as having morevalue than another person's. *

*Or a group's, * Medart said, speech now echoing telepathy. *You learneventually, but it is hard, especially at first. We've all made atleast one bad call, usually going in when we should've sent someone. That hasn't been fatal so far, and doesn't even always mean gettinghurt--but Steve Tarlac's first solo mission came within an hour or soof being his last. *

*I believe I have heard about that incident, * Corina sent, *but wouldyou mind refreshing my memory?*

*It got made into a holoshow, so I'd be surprised if you hadn't--butokay, why not? He got captured by a group of rebels--a lot smallerscale than this rebellion, just one system--who beat him with a whipthey'd soaked in a particularly nasty poison. He'd refused a commimplant for reasons he never explained, so I can't argue them, but itmeant he couldn't call for help. If it hadn't been for a young camperwho rescued him, and one of the rebels who decided to call the Marineswhen a Ranger got hurt, he'd have died of stingweed poisoning. Therebel was killed by his former colleagues before Marines could get tohim to protect him, but the youngster earned a Life Dukedom. *

*I believe I do remember, * Corina sent. Medart's voice had keptgetting softer, and by the time he finished, he was using onlytelepathy. The redirection was successful, the new pathway nowestablished. Still, Corina hoped he would not realize it right away, would instead remain intent on the conversation for at least a fewminutes more to strengthen the new pattern. *The young man was DavidScanlon, was he not? And he cared for Ranger Tarlac in a cave, was inthe middle of a gun battle with the rebels when the Marines arrived. Ihave wondered if that part was the holo director's dramatic license, orif it actually happened that way. *

*That was how it happened, * Medart assured her. *Scanlon wasn't aboutto give up, either, according to the Marines' testimony. He insistedthat one of them come into the cave to prove @'s identity before he'dgive up his blaster--and when he did, he only had one half-exhaustedpowerpack, and a knife for a backup. That was one brave and determinedyoung man. *

*I must agree. Ranger Tarlac was most fortunate he and the unusualrebel were in the area. *

*Right, but the Traiti'll tell you it was the Circle of Lords lookingafter him. Speaking of which, how do you feel about religion?*

*I know it is a subject both important and sensitive to humans, so Inormally hesitate discuss it. To most Irschchans, religion is a ratherpeculiar aberration; while a deity or deities may exist, they areunnecessary and none have shown any proof of themselves. I prefer toregard them as interesting possibilities. May I ask you the samequestion?*

*I was raised Omnist, and it stuck; I believe in one Creator and a wideassortment of secondary gods. I have no more proof than you do, butsince that's how I was raised and I can't disprove their existence, Iaccept them, though I'm not what you'd call devout. Most of us areeither Omnist or agnostics, like you, and the rest aren't dogmaticabout their beliefs being the only truth. * He chuckled. *Naturally, since the Empire doesn't promote any given religion or lack thereof. *

*Quite understandable, from what I have read of human history. * Corinawas no longer pretending vocal speech, though she wasn't being obviousabout her silence; he was doing well enough that he deserved a fairchance to discover how he was "speaking" to her. 

At that thought, he gave her a sharp look. "How I'm doing what?"

*You have been using telepathy alone for the last few minutes, * Corinasent with a purr. *And you have surpassed your teacher; it was someweeks before I could receive thoughts not specifically directed at me. *

Medart rose and stalked to where she sat still purring withsatisfaction, and glared at her, fists on his hips. "You tricked me!"Then he gave her one of his lopsided grins. *But I guess you had to, didn't you?*

*I am afraid so, * Corina agreed, pleased but not surprised by theRanger's rapid grasp of the situation. "It was the only way I couldget past your shield. "

"How long?"

"Since that mental picture you had of me curled up in your lap. Itrelaxed and amused you enough that you dropped your shield to the pointwhere I could get past. "

"Well, I'll . . . Be . . . Damned, " Medart said, half in admiration andhalf in wonder. "I never felt a thing. "

"You were not supposed to, " Corina said calmly. "If you had, theprocedure would have been a failure. "

"Can I work it on humans? Did you find anything else?"

"I know of no reason you could not. In fact, you should find it easierwith other humans than with me, because the basic mind pattern ought tobe more similar. As for your other question, you do have muchpotential; it remains to be seen if you can develop it. Your mindshield can be made stronger with practice, and there is unusuallypowerful darlas latent. I sensed no traces of the other usualTalents. "

She paused, then continued, puzzled. "There is also something else, but I cannot be sure what it is. I have never before sensed such anaspect of Talent. Even describing it vaguely is difficult. " Shepaused again, laying her ears back in a frown. "The closest I can comewould be to call it a sort of darlas in reverse, but that is almostpathetically inadequate. "

Medart could feel her puzzlement changing to amusement, echoed it withsome of his own when she sent, *And Thark believes humans areunTalented! Undeveloped and untrained, most certainly, but hardlyunTalented. You have not bred for it, even as indirectly as we have, so the percentage of Talented humans is probably much lower than it isfor Irschchans, but--*

*--we're hardly the total incompetents he thinks we are, * Medartfinished. 

"True. However, he does not know that and would not be convincedmerely by being told, even if we knew his location and were able tocommunicate with him; his beliefs, once established, requireoverwhelming proof to be changed. " Her ears twitched. "I have thoughtabout contacting him telepathically, but even if he were to accept mymind-touch, which I am certain he would not, he no longer trusts meenough to believe my unsupported word. "

"I'm afraid you're right, " Medart agreed. "There's not going to be anyeasy way to end this Crusade of his. I'm just hoping the informationyou've already given us, and the help you're still going to give, willlet us stop it without too much bloodshed. "

"I hope so, as well, " Corina said, her tone as serious as his. "Irschchan culture was quite chaotic and warlike at one time, but theOrder was a civilizing influence, and the idea of unnecessary bloodshedhas become quite unpleasant. "

"Civilizing influence? I suppose so, " Medart said with less than totalagreement. "It did cut down on warfare, which is a major benefit--butI still say it caused stagnation, too. Your progress slowed fromfaster than ours to almost nothing after the Order took over, in thename of stability. Even slower than the Traiti, and for them gradualprogress is the norm. It took you fifteen hundred years to go from acrude aircraft to just a system-capable spacecraft--it took Terra lessthan a hundred. "

"That was fortunate for you, " Corina said with a touch of pique. "Otherwise Terra would be an Irschchan subject world rather than thecenter of a growing Empire. " Then her tone grew softer. "But I wasraised an Imperial citizen, and I am glad of it. If the Academyaccepts me, I will be able to travel, always finding out new things . . . Meeting people of all races and species . . . "

Her voice trailed off, and Medart was struck by the sudden enthusiasmand warmth replacing her normal controlled formality. No, he mused, she'd never be happy in a society as static as Irschcha's, even as amember of its ruling elite. 

She was quiet now, gazing wide-eyed into nowhere, and Medart decided totry his new ability. He sent a faint, wordlessly-questing thought ather, and was rewarded with a mental image she had of herself. She wasclad in Imperial Navy service blue with an ensign's stripe, standing onthe bridge of a ship. The vessel appeared to be much smaller than theChang, and it was highly imaginative--didn't correspond to any actualclass--but he got the feeling it might be a courier or perhaps a scout. 

He withdrew, letting the picture fade from his mind. So that was herdream. She could achieve it easily with her ability, of course, andmore . . . Yet what a waste it would be. Anything short of the Rangerswould be a waste as far as she was concerned, but he knew he couldn'tforce her into that decision. There were compensations, sure, but itwas still a tough job, one that had to be taken on willingly. He couldand would use all his powers of persuasion; he could not and would notuse any form of coercion. 

He'd been turned down once before, which had been disappointing--butCorina's refusal would be worse. He wanted to make her accept theEmpire's need of her, its desperate urgency to make the best possibleuse of such outstanding minds--especially, now, a non-human's. LindaEllman might have found it easier to persuade the young Irschchan, hethought. She'd said Steve Tarlac had had a similar lack ofself-confidence when she'd recruited him. But that was nothing but idledreaming; this was up to him, not to Linda. 

He shrugged, then said, "Sir Corina?"

She shivered slightly, returning to reality. "Yes, Ranger?"

"It's almost noon. Why don't I call Sunbeam, then you two have lunchand get her to show you the ship? I have some work to do, and ifyou're planning on going to the Academy you'll want to know all you canabout the Navy. "

"Yes, I think I should. Personal experience is far superior to merestudy. But you need to rest, give your undermind a chance to adjust tothe idea of telepathy. Your overmind accepts it now; the undermind isnormally slower to accept change. "

"I can't really rest, " Medart said slowly. "I don't have the time. Ican work on something that won't take too much thinking, though. Goodenough?"

"I suppose it will have to be, though true rest is better. " WhileMedart called Sunbeam, Corina thought. Her former teacher meant well, she was sure, had turned traitor out of conviction that it wasnecessary and not for gain . . . Yet the thing which had made him thinkthe humans unfit for rule, their lack of Talent, was not the case. Howwould he take it when he could finally be convinced of his error?Would he do as honor demanded, or would he continue his treason?

"We'll find out when it comes to that, won't we?" Medart responded. "This works between us; I'd like to try it on Sunbeam, make sure itreally does work for me with humans. "

Fascinating that he could read her undirected thoughts while doingsomething totally unconnected, Corina mused. She could prevent that byshielding, of course, but it was her first experience with it, and shepreferred not to. Such contact was not unusual between Talented familymembers or extremely close friends, but Medart was neither, and she hadnot found herself reading him that way. 

"Maybe you know you shouldn't be able to, so you can't, but I don't, soI can?"

Corina purred, wishing she could laugh. "That is as reasonable anexplanation as we are likely to get, I would say. But I am not sure Ican approve of you attempting to read Sunbeam. It is honorable toprobe the unTalented only when truly necessary, since they cannotdefend themselves--and you do not know your own strength; if you shouldaccidentally use darlas against her, she could be seriously hurt. "

"I don't want to hurt her, of course, " Medart said, "but I think thisis necessary. I need to know all I can about Talent, especially yoursand mine--and so far you're the only one I've read. "

"That is true. " Corina thought for a moment, then nodded. "I canmonitor, and if you should begin using darlas, protect her. It is arisk, but in this case justifiable. "

The door signal chimed, and Corina called, "Come in, Sunbeam. "

"Ready for lunch, Sir Corina?" the small ensign asked as she entered. "I sure am!"

"In a moment, Sunbeam, " Corina replied. *Try now, Ranger, while Ispeak to her. *

*You can talk and still monitor?*

*If you can read me while thinking of something else, why not?* Corinacontinued aloud, to Sunbeam. "Did you get to finish your xenologytape?"

"I sure did, " was the enthusiastic reply. "It was fascinating, too--Imay take a full course on it, and who knows? I may decide to switch toSciences instead of staying a Line officer. I just wish there weresome way I could do both--there's so much to learn, and so much to do!"

Corina purred. "Perhaps there is, or could be. I do not see the twodesires as exclusive; perhaps Ranger Medart can investigate a combinedLine/Science section. "

"Not a bad idea, " Medart said. "I'll have the Navy look into it, andif there aren't any major problems, ask His Majesty to implement it. "

"Great!" Sunbeam exclaimed. "Would you like to borrow the tape, SirCorina? I think you'd enjoy it, and if you're going to the Academy itmight help you pick one of your specialties. "

"I would appreciate that. I do expect some difficulty in choosingthose; I have found so few things that do not interest me that I willprobably need considerable help finding three or four to concentrateon. "

Then Corina felt the Ranger's thought. *No trouble, she's not evenscreened. But it seemed somehow harder with her than with you, noteasier. Any idea why?*

*Not immediately, no, * Corina replied, puzzled. *As I said earlier, itshould be the other way around. Let me think about it, please. *

*Okay. * Medart continued aloud, to both. "Well, why not go eat? Thengive her the grand tour, Sunbeam, anything she wants to see. Just haveher at Briefing Room One by 1600. "

"Yes, sir. "

VI

Lunch was good, and the tour was interesting, if tiring. The ship hadmore machinery of more differing types than Corina had ever seen in oneplace before, and they covered a lot of territory. Despite extensiveuse of the intraship shuttles, that meant a lot of walking. Normallythat would have caused Corina no problems, but hard metal decks insteadof grass or rubberoid sidewalks made her feet hurt. That made theirarrival at the Security section a relief, since Sunbeam had promised itwould be their last stop. 

It was obvious to Corina that Colonel Greggson wasn't particularly gladto see them, but he was polite, clearly on his best behavior--untilMajor Dawson entered. 

"Good afternoon, Sir Corina, " Dawson said with a grin. "That's quite awallop you pack--almost like getting hit by a Traiti. I don't supposeyou could teach me how to do it?"

"I am afraid not, " Corina replied, remembering their earlier meetingsand his weak screen. "You simply do not have the right mentalpattern. "

"Oh. " Dawson looked disappointed for a moment, then shrugged. "Well, I never could sing, either. "

"I am sorry. But at least Lieutenant DarLeras told me you would not beshamed by what happened in the exercise. "

"Not at all, " Dawson said cheerfully. "We got a little teasing, ofcourse, but that's no problem any more. I just reminded a couple ofthe more persistent kidders why we'd been picked for SecuDiv in thefirst place. "

"Oh? May I ask how?" Corina could have probed, but satisfying hercuriosity wasn't a valid reason for using Talent against one who hadnone. 

"Telepathy's part of your Talent; why not take a look?"

"Thank you. " Invited, there was no breach of honor, so Corina scannedhim. From his point of view, she saw him working out in a gym with acouple of his kidders. Either of the two, from their relative sizes, should have been able to defeat Dawson--but that wasn't the case. Using close-combat techniques distilled from the most effective ofTerra's many martial arts, he had both "disabled" or "killed" in lessthan thirty seconds. 

"Elegant!" she said in real admiration. "I should get you to teach meinstead. "

"Telepathy?" Sunbeam asked in amazement. "I heard, but I didn't reallybelieve--"

"Yes, dammit, telepathy!" Greggson snapped. "That's how she managed tohumiliate my men!"

"I do not understand your anger, " Corina said quietly. "It was simplya demonstration of Talent, the way it can be used against theunTalented, as Thark plans to do. I did not intend to humiliateanyone, and they have said they do not feel humiliated. "

"Damn your intentions!" Greggson rasped. "No oversized kitty is goingto make fools of my men and get away with it!"

"Hey, Colonel, " Dawson said, "it's okay, we--"

Greggson glared at him. "Keep out of this, Major. Get back to yourpost. And keep your mouth shut. "

"As the Colonel orders, " Dawson said with icy correctness, and left. 

"That goes for you, too, Ensign. Wait outside. "

"But I'm supposed to--" Sunbeam objected. 

"Wait outside. "

Sunbeam hesitated, looked at Corina. "Sir Corina--"

"Go ahead. I will be fine. "

The young ensign left, but her hesitation seemed to inflame Greggsonstill further. "You don't give orders aboard this ship, Sir Corina, "he said coldly. "Not even if you are Ranger Medart's specialassistant. You have no military authority. "

"I merely reassured Ensign Yamata of my welfare, " Corina retorted, controlling her own anger. "Ranger Medart did assign her to me; fromwhat I have read, that places her under my command, despite my lack ofmilitary rank. She is a most conscientious officer, and--"

She fell silent when Greggson stepped toward her, his right handclosing into a fist. Surely he would not strike her . . . But he wasangry, and a Marine, and shielded-- Her hand, seemingly of its ownvolition, went to the hilt of her soul-blade as she felt a surge offear. 

"No. " Greggson shook his head, backed off a step with visiblereluctance. "I won't give you the satisfaction, you little--"

Corina interrupted, fear suddenly overcome by exasperation. "It is notyour men's pride that concerns you, Colonel; they felt no shame, asthey should not. It is your own. You ought to be pleased to haveaccurate knowledge of your enemy's abilities. Should I have let yourmen defeat me, merely to save your pride, then allow them to go againstThark believing him to be as easy a target? I merely stunned them; hewill be trying to kill them. "

She turned and stalked out under Greggson's furious glare, shakinginwardly at her defiance of him despite its necessity. What was itabout her that made him loathe her so? She was not human, granted, butthat seemed too minor a reason for such disturbance. It was out ofproportion for him to take offense at her very existence. That madehis presence discomforting, and it was a definite relief to walkthrough the door and rejoin Sunbeam. 

"He really hates you, Sir Corina, " Sunbeam said as they left theSecurity area. "It isn't just not liking you any more. He's awfullyproud of his work--I think it's all he has--and it looks like he tookyour demonstration personally. " The young ensign was clearly worried. "He may try to cause you serious trouble. I ought to tell RangerMedart. "

"I see no need to bother him with it, " Corina said. "I appreciate yourconcern, but I believe you worry too much. Colonel Greggson knows mystatus here; he will not harm me. "

She didn't have to probe to feel Sunbeam's doubt, but all her escortsaid was, "You're probably right. " Then Sunbeam glanced at her chrono. "Uh-oh, better get you to the briefing room; it's 1545 already!"

They arrived at Briefing Room One with a few minutes to spare, andSunbeam left while Corina entered. She was looking forward to themeeting, if only for the chance to sit down and rest her feet. 

The briefing room, she saw at once, had been completely rearranged. The standard conference table and the holo stage were gone, replaced bya semi-circular table. Its flat side had been put against the wall, just under a screen that was normally used to display graphic aids. Chairs lined the curved edge, already occupied by the officers who hadbeen at the earlier meeting. Greggson had somehow arrived before her, and was seated two places to Medart's left. The Ranger was in themiddle of the semi-circle, one empty chair at his right. He motionedCorina to it, then stood and called the group to attention as thescreen flickered with scrambler blue, and cleared. 

Corina recognized both men on the screen at once, from innumerablephotos and holograms. The one on the right, in civilian clothes, wasEmperor Charles Davis. He looked rather tired, she thought, butbetween the Traiti War and Thark's Crusade, she thought, he had everyreason to be fatigued. 

The one on the left, in Ranger uniform, was Crown Prince Rick Forrest. He didn't look quite as tired, she thought, but there was still strainon his face. 

"As you were, " the Emperor said. The conferees sat, and Daviscontinued. "This is a war council, not an Audience, so we'll skip theceremony and get to work. Sir Corina, you have the Empire's thanks foryour courageous and timely warning. Can you give us any further ideaof when this rebellion will start, or where?"

Corina took a deep mental breath, feeling badly out of her depth. "Notwith any degree of certainty, Your Majesty. "

"Any guesses?" Forrest asked. 

"Guesses? Yes, sir. If Thark reacts as usual, I would expect theOrder to strike as soon as possible, perhaps within five or ten days. He tends, as he admits, to be somewhat impatient, and that will be evenmore true since his treason has been revealed before he was ready. Thelocation is more difficult, since the Order will undoubtedly havemultiple targets. He himself will take the center of power, of course--"

"He'd try for the Palace?" Davis interrupted. "He'd know better thanthat. It's much too heavily defended, especially after Tarlac'sassassination. "

Blades! Corina thought nervously. How to contradict the Emperor? Noteasily, not if you were a youngling with a strong desire to crawl underthe table and hide! Being teased about arguing with him was one thing, actually having to do it something far different. She had no choice, though. "Its guards, however numerous, are humans and unTalentedIrschchans, perhaps a few Traiti. They will be little or no defenseagainst Thark and the Seniors of the Prime Chapter, even if some fewhave mind-screens or shields. Nor can you count on mechanicaldefenses; they are operated by your Palace Guard, which renders them asvulnerable as the guards themselves. If compelling a Guardswen is notpossible, controls can be operated by TK. "

Davis frowned, while Medart sent her encouragement. *Good going. Hewon't bite you. And don't think about hiding under the table; you'redoing fine. *

*I think otherwise, * she sent back, though she was grateful for hissupport. *I am frightened!*

*So?* Medart replied. *You're functioning just fine anyway. *

"Aren't you perhaps overestimating their abilities?" the Emperor askedquietly. 

"No, sir, she's not, " Medart answered for her. "You saw the tape ofyesterday's demonstration; if a young student could take out thisship's top five Security people, including a mind-shielded Sandemanwarrior, I find it very easy to believe that a group, all of whom havethe degree of experienced Talent she describes, could take even thePalace. She says her Talent is above average, but so are theirs. "

"How would you rate them by comparison, Sir Corina?" Forrest asked. 

"Thark is stronger, of course; the High Adept, by definition, has thestrongest Talent in the Order. The Seniors have approximately mystrength, but are better trained since they were raised in Orderschools and I was not. They also have far more experience than I do, asRanger Medart pointed out. "

"You're the only expert we have on the Order, " Davis said. "How wouldyou recommend we defend the Palace?"

"As it stands, Your Majesty, the Palace cannot be defended from such anattack. " Corina hesitated, unwilling to go on. 

*Finish it, * Medart urged her. 

*They will not like it, * Corina thought nervously, but she said, "Myrecommendation, under these circumstances, is that Your Majesty andPrince Forrest leave Terra in a ship crewed fully by humans, itsdestination unknown to anyone not aboard, and remain there until Tharkand the Order are no longer a threat. "

A murmur around the conference table was disapproving. 

"I don't like the idea of running, " the Emperor said, "but I can't denyit's the logical thing to do. Ranger Medart?"

"How sure are you that it'll be Thark himself and the Prime Chapterafter the Palace?" Medart asked Corina. 

"I am positive, " she said. "He will not risk failure by using lessthan the best against his most important target. "

Medart nodded, then returned his attention to the screen. "In thatcase, I'd say to follow her recommendation, sir. Your safety's a lotmore important than the Palace Complex--and if he does move against thePalace itself, we'll have unarguable proof of his and the Order'streason. "

"Very well. " Davis didn't look happy, Corina thought, but he did lookdecisive. "We will leave on the Empress Lindner as soon as thisconference is over, then. Kennard and Menshikov are here; I'll leavethem in charge. Anything else?"

"Leaving them will place them at hazard, sire, " Corina ventured. 

"I'm aware of that, " Davis said. "I'd prefer not to, but there areother things I have to consider. The Sovereign is prohibited fromrisking @'s life if there's any choice, and the Successor should notexcept in a critical emergency when no other Ranger is available, soRick and I are expected to think of our own safety first. But--give meyour opinion as an ordinary citizen, Sir Corina. How would you feel ifall four of us fled to safety, leaving the Palace Guards to face arebellion alone?"

Corina thought about that, then inclined her head. "I see, YourMajesty. While it would be the sensible thing to do, it would give theimpression of not caring about those who serve you. "

"Which is precisely why they'll be staying. Ranger Medart, you looklike you have something on your mind. "

"Yes, sir. " Medart looked up, at nothing in particular. "Unlessthey're intercepted and destroyed, which isn't very likely, " he saidquietly, "someone is going to have to face Thark and the Seniors. SirCorina says the Guards won't have a chance, and Kennard and Menshikovare no more qualified to do it than I am. "

Corina suddenly felt completely exposed and completely alone. At hiswords, everyone except Medart himself had turned to stare at her. 

"No!" She shook her head, keeping herself from yowling by sheer forceof will. "I cannot--I am not good enough--"

"Wrong, " Davis said. "I'd hoped Ranger Medart could persuade you, buthe obviously hasn't been able to; may I ask why?"

"I have just said, sire. I will do everything I can to help--I amdoing it--but I am not qualified for that. "

Davis shook his head. "You're the only one who has even a chanceagainst Thark, and you're as qualified as any of the rest of us to be aRanger--maybe more so, as Ranger Medart told me, with that Talent ofyours. None of us asked for this job, and none of us felt capable ofhandling it at first. You can do what we cannot. Will you face Tharkfor us, as a Ranger?"

Corina remained silent, overwhelmed by his intensity. 

"Let me, " Medart said quietly. "Corina, you came to us originallybecause your honor--the part of it we call loyalty--demanded it. Itwouldn't let you permit Thark to destroy the Empire. Right?"

"Yes. " Her answer was almost inaudible. 

"Will that same honor let you stop now, when you know you're the onlychance the Empire has?" That might be putting it a bit strongly, Medart thought--but after her demonstration, it might also be theprecise truth. 

She stared down at the table for what seemed like eons before she wasable to answer. "No. "

Looking up, she continued. "You are correct. I will face Thark. ButI see no need to do so as a Ranger. "

Tension built in the silent room as Corina thought. It wasn't fair, she felt. They were trying to . . . Perhaps force was not the rightword, but urge her into something she did not feel capable of. It wasalmost impossible for her to accept the idea that feeling unqualifiedwas part of what made her qualified. It did not seem reasonable. Andit was just too much!

Medart answered her unspoken thoughts. "No, it isn't fair. And thereasoning may not be obvious, but from our experience, it is logical. "

"This is just as much a war as the one we fought with the Traiti, "Forrest added, with a curious glance at Medart. "Even though theEmpire tries to be fair, Sir Corina, we can't always manage, especiallyin this kind of emergency. "

"Take some more time, Sir Corina, " Emperor Davis said suddenly, sounding sympathetic. Forrest threw him a quick glance, so Daviscontinued. "It was a hard enough decision for us. She's already hadto go through one drastic change; we can't expect her to accept theidea of an even more drastic one so easily or quickly. "

Corina felt a flood of relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"So the little kitten can't take it, " came a familiar voice. 

Corina was shocked by the venom in the Security Chief's tone. So wereothers; everyone, from the Emperor on down, stared at the defiantGreggson. 

"That was totally uncalled-for, Colonel, " Davis said coldly. "One moresuch outburst and you will be replaced. You will apologize to SirCorina at once. "

Corina thought for a moment that Greggson would refuse, but he finallysaid, "Please forgive me, Sir Corina. " His tone was full of distaste, but it was an apology; the Emperor looked unsatisfied, but saidnothing. Corina wondered why. 

*He doesn't want to have to relieve him, especially at this point, *Medart sent. *I don't know how he made it past the psych tests withwhat I'd class as xenophobia and paranoia, but he did, and he's one ofthe best Security Chiefs in the Fleet. Still, it looks to me like he'sgone over the edge this time; once this rebellion's over, I'm going tohave him retested. *

She glanced at him and nodded. Davis saw it, traded glances withForrest, then said, "That seems to conclude the council as such, Captain Hobison. You and your people are dismissed; please return toyour stations, and set course for Terra. Ranger Medart, Sir Corina, Iwould like you to remain. "

All rose, Hobison and the Command Crew bowing before they left. TheEmperor and Crown Prince reseated themselves, and Davis motioned thetwo aboard Chang to do the same. Then he leaned forward, looking atthem intently. "It's obvious the two of you are holding somethingback, something important. Tell us about it. "

*You tell them, * Medart sent. *It's your field of expertise, afterall, not mine. *

*Yes, Ranger. * At least, Corina thought, she had no reason to benervous about this. "I have discovered that Ranger Medart has a highdegree of Talent, sire. I have begun training him in its use, and wehave been `speaking'--primarily, he has been reassuring me--telepathically throughout the conference. "

"Controlled, reliable telepathy?" Davis asked, his expression intent. 

"Fully, sire. He also has the potential for strong darlas, and anotherTalent aspect we have not yet been able to identify. "

"Does that mean he'll be able to help you against Thark?" Forrestasked. 

"It is barely possible, " Corina replied, "if we have the time todevelop them. Telepathy is by far the easiest and fastest part ofTalent to train. I would estimate it will take at least eight totwelve days before he will be able to use his other abilities with evena novice's degree of skill and reliability. "

Davis frowned. "Will that be enough to help at all?"

"Any assistance against Thark will be of help, Your Majesty, " Corinasaid. 

"That's cutting it pretty fine, though, " Forrest said. "You only giveThark five to ten days before he attacks. "

"They'll just have to do the best they can, " Davis said, then turned toCorina. "Can you teach that to anyone else?"

"I can if the latent ability is present, sire. And although I have noreally firm grounds to base it on, I am beginning to suspect, from whatI am learning from Ranger Medart, that most if not all Rangers do havesuch ability latent. There may be others as well; it appears thathumans do use what you call paranormal powers, hunches for example, though not consciously and very weakly. "

"When things get back to normal, I'd like you to check on that, andtrain any who do have it. For now, though, unless you have any morestunbursts for us, we'd better finish up here and get back to work. "

"That's all we have, sir, " Medart replied. He signalled Corina and thetwo stood, bowing. The men on the screen returned the courtesy, andthe screen cleared. 

"I'm sorry, Corina, " Medart said. "It was a dirty trick to pull onyou, making you agree to face Thark the way I did, but can you acceptthe fact that I had to do it?"

"I should be the one to apologize, " she replied, continuing when shesensed his surprise. "It should not have been necessary for you topoint out what honor requires of me. I suppose I knew, but wasunwilling to face it. "

"Don't let that bother you. It's not going to be either easy or fun, and none of us blame you for being reluctant. "

"No, it will not be either, " she agreed. "Thark is quite powerful. Itis entirely possible that he will kill both of us. "

"What're the odds?"

"Not good. I estimate I have perhaps one chance in five of defeatinghim, perhaps less. "

Medart whistled. "That's bad. It doesn't change things, though; I'dhave done the same thing even if I'd known the odds earlier. "

"Having been in your mind, I am sure of that. " Corina attempted apurr, with little success. "Nor would I expect otherwise from one inyour position. You may phrase it differently, but honor compels you, also. "

VII

As soon as they left the briefing room and were going toward one of theintraship shuttles, Medart said, "I'd like to start that other trainingyou mentioned as soon as possible. When can we do it, and is thereanything special you need?"

Once they were inside the shuttle, Corina answered. "We can begin assoon as you like. We need quiet at first, as relaxation will speedyour learning of the basic techniques. Afterward, you will needvolunteers for practice. I do not like the idea of using unTalentedfor that, but I see no choice; I can teach you only so much with myselfas your target. The techniques are not difficult; you should be ableto learn them in an hour or less. It is the practice, for control andpower, which will take most of your training time. "

"Right. Emperor Chang, take us to Sherwood Forest, please. "

"Yes, Ranger, " the ship replied, and the shuttle began moving. 

Medart turned back to his assistant. "Since you say relaxation's soimportant, at least for basic training, we're going to what I think isthe most soothing part of the ship. I like trees. "

"So do I, but what is Sherwood Forest? I do not remember seeing anytrees when Sunbeam was showing me the ship. "

"Not likely you would, with her for a guide, " Medart said, grinning. "She's a city girl, all the way through. Except for orientation, Idon't think she's ever been there. If she thinks of trees at all, it'sprobably just as potential furniture. "

"It seems strange, " Corina said, "that you, a Ranger, would take suchan interest in a young ensign. "

"Not this one, " Medart replied. "It isn't just that she's impossibleto ignore, either. I first heard about her when she was in her thirdyear at the Academy. Her teachers were predicting that she'd end upeither getting herself kicked out of the Navy in disgrace, or as Chiefof Naval Operations, and I'd tend to agree. She doesn't know it, but Iasked to have her assigned to my ship to give her the best chance atthe second; if anyone can keep her on the right heading withoutbreaking her spirit, it's David Hobison. " He laughed. "As if justrunning the Chang wasn't enough of a headache for him!"

The shuttle door slid open and they stepped out into a pleasant, open-wooded area which, from all appearances, was on the surface of aplanet rather than inside the hull of a warship. It was impossible, Corina knew, but it certainly looked like the parkland was lit by abrilliant yellow sun, while clouds drifted slowly across a blue sky. Except for the odd sky color, it reminded her, with a sudden pang ofhomesickness, of a small glade she used to visit almost daily. Onlythe fountain was missing. 

She managed to bring her voice under control before speaking. "It isbeautiful! But how is it done? And why?"

"It is, isn't it?" Medart agreed. "The sky is simply glowpanels. Clouds are Type II holograms, the sun's a Type IV. If you want thetechnical details, I'll have to refer you to Engineering; it'ssomething I've never had the occasion to go into deeply. 

"As for why--Sovereign-class cruisers are the long-tour ones, sometimesstaying away from their home ports for years. Even near a planet, onlya small part of the crew can be allowed shore leave at any one time. If everyone were city-bred, like Sunbeam, that wouldn't be a problem, but most aren't. We had some pretty serious morale problems untilRanger Ellman suggested this idea about five years ago. It's provenquite effective, well worth the investment in power and space. Chang, Lindner, and Yasunon are the only ones with them so far, though. Therest'll get them as soon as they go into Luna Base for a major refit. "

They had been walking while he talked, and came to a halt beneath awide-spreading, though not very tall, tree. Corina didn't recognizethe species, but liked its smell. 

"Is this all right?" Medart asked. 

"Fine, " Corina said approvingly. She glanced around, saw severaloff-duty crewmembers strolling around, either singly or in pairs. "Ifyou are certain we will not be disturbed, that is. "

"I'm sure, " Medart said with a chuckle. He sat cross-legged, his backagainst the treetrunk. Corina also sat, facing him. 

"You had best practice defense first, " she said. "If you cannotprotect yourself, nothing else I can teach you will be of any use. "

Medart nodded, and she tried a gentle probe. *You are wide open, Ranger, * she told him. *You will have to bring your shield undervoluntary control. An automatic shield is adequate under mostcircumstances; if you intend to attempt stopping Thark as you said atthe conference, it is not. *

*I understand that, but how?*

*If you can remember the way you felt, your mind pattern when we workedthis morning--* She caught a sudden picture of herself holding thesheathed blade at DarLeras' throat, then nothing. "Very good, you haveit. Now down again. "

Seconds passed, then, *How's that?*

*Excellent, * she complimented him. *You learn quickly. Now I musttest you, to find your shield's present strength. Prepare yourself. *

*Right. * Medart's shield went back up, and Corina began probing, gradually increasing the strength and intensity of her attack while theRanger fought to hold his shield. His eyes closed, his fists clenchedwith his effort. He was starting to break out in a sweat when Corinafelt the shield waver and instantly released her pressure. 

"Are you all right, Ranger?"

"I think so, " Medart said, shaking his head experimentally. "That was. . . It was like nothing I've ever felt, ever even imagined. " He tookseveral deep breaths, relaxing, then asked, "Just how much force wereyou using?"

"About half my maximum. "

"How's that compare to Thark?"

"That is difficult to say. " Corina's ears went back slowly, athoughtful frown. "I would estimate he has half again my strength, sothat would be perhaps a third of his maximum. "

The Ranger looked grim. "One chance in five? Looks to me more likeone in fifty. "

"You forget he trained me. I know his patterns, can anticipate how andwhere he is most likely to strike me, and strengthen my shieldaccordingly. There is the added factor that this practice will benefitme almost as much as it will you. My estimate remains one in five. "

"You know more about it than I do. " Despite his words, Medart wasdoubtful. "Do we try that again, or what?"

"That would be unwise now; it is more of a strain than you realize. Nomore than two, or at most three brief sessions like that per day, untilyou gain strength. It would be as well to begin teaching you to usedarlas, however. It means going much faster than is usual for thistype of training, but our time is limited. "

"It is that, " Medart agreed. "How do I go about darlas?"

"It is similar to telepathy, which you already know, but is projecteddirectly rather than through the TP center, and is much more powerful. You must try to force a feeling of pressure, of constriction, on youropponent. "

She raised her shield, holding it at half strength so she could feelany success he might have. "All right, go ahead. "

She waited patiently, but felt nothing, so she lowered her shieldslightly. Still nothing. She dropped it even further, finally managedto detect an extremely faint, almost nonexistent, touch. 

Even that faded, and Medart looked at her with a frown. "That didn'tseem to be working too well, did it? What am I doing wrong?"

"It was indeed weak, " Corina admitted, "but with my shield at minimum Iwas able to detect something. Each individual is different, even amongIrschchans, and though it is far clearer than most, your patternremains human. You will simply have to keep trying until you find whatworks for you. The potential is there. "

"Okay, let's try it again. " Medart closed his eyes, and Corina set hershield at about a third of its full strength. 

After perhaps a minute, she felt a faint tingle. It got stronger for amoment, peaking at what felt like a gentle nudge before fading again. She studied the Ranger's expression of concentration, and decided tokeep her shield up at the same intensity. She would give him anotherfive minutes; that should not strain him unduly, and then she would endthe session. 

 * * * * *

The next thing she knew, she was flat on her back in the grass, lookingup at Medart's worried face. "Are you all right, Sir Corina?" hedemanded. 

She struggled to sit up, dazed, and felt him supporting her. 

"Are you all right?" he asked again. 

She took a quick self-inventory, decided she was well if uncomfortable, and reassured him. "I am unharmed, though I will have a headache forsome time. What did you do?"

He hesitated for a moment, looking her over carefully. "I'm notcertain. Nothing seemed to be working, so I tried picturing a giantanaconda--that's a Terran snake--wrapped around you, contracting. Ifinally got it good and clear, and you collapsed. Are you sure you'reall right?"

Corina growled softly, disgusted at herself. "Blades! I should havethought of that. Unless you concentrate on words, I keep gettingpictures from you. I should have realized your primary orientation wasvisual, and guided you--"

"Oh, no, you don't, " Medart interrupted. "If there's any chewing outto be done around here, I'll take care of it. You said it yourself:everyone's different, and you're not that familiar with human patterns. And you've never taught before. You can't be expected to anticipateeverything at once. "

He gave her a quizzical look that reminded her of their first meeting. "I hadn't realized how different in some ways, and how similar inothers, Irschchans and humans are until your shield fell. I seemed toalmost be you for a couple of seconds, just before you blacked out. Iglimpsed a lot of things, but I couldn't understand more than half ofthem. "

Corina was sitting unsupported now, with Medart squatting on his heelsfacing her. She stared at him, then started searching intensivelythrough her memories of the last few minutes. Her shield was stilldown, and Medart followed her thoughts with no difficulty. 

*Eyes closed . . . Five minutes, then . . . Picture . . . What's he--*Then an image of herself tangled in an exaggeration of Medart'svisualization, a confused jumble that reminded the Ranger ofmulti-colored spaghetti. She started probing at it, using his actualvisualization to guide her as she finally tugged at what appeared to bea key strand. That made the `spaghetti' disappear, releasing a floodof concept/imagery/experience into her mind, understandable only infragments that seemed to flow past and through her. 

"Pattern rapport, " she breathed in wonder. 

"Right, I got that much, " Medart said. "But what is it? I'm not sureI understand anything about it but its name. "

"It is an extremely unusual stress phenomenon, " Corina said, pickingher words with care. "It occurs when two very similar mind patternsare in close physical proximity and under considerable stress. Something--the Order is not sure what, but the most respected theory isboth underminds acting as one--apparently `decides' to relieve thestress by combining whatever memories can be used to accomplish thatpurpose. "

"But aren't human and Irschchan patterns too different for that tohappen?" Medart objected. "That's what you seemed to think earlier, atleast. "

"I believed so, yes, " Corina said slowly. "Yet the Order's millenniaof experience cannot be totally wrong. It had to be pattern rapport. "

"Then either human and Irschchan patterns are closer than anyone's eversuspected . . . "

"Or it is our own two basic patterns which are in phase. "

"Uh-huh, that could-- Hey! Remember, I told you I had more troublereading Sunbeam than I did reading you?"

"That must be the case, then, but I would like to know--" Corina cutthat thought off before it could go somewhere she didn't want tofollow. 

Medart, though he wasn't about to broadcast it, had a pretty good ideawhat the pattern rapport might mean. He wasn't at all familiar yetwith Talent, granted, but he did know what his problem was. Apparentlyso did what she called her undermind, and it agreed with him. "I'dsuggest a hearty meal and a good night's sleep, " he said. "That was ashock to both of us, and we'll solve our problems better in themorning, when we've rested and steadied down. "

Corina nodded agreement. "That sounds most reasonable. We do bothneed time to integrate the . . . New experiences. I would say you inparticular; I at least knew of the possibility, though I never thoughtit would happen to me. "

Medart chuckled. "Don't be too sure who needs it more. I've beenthrough something similar--you studied the Sandeman Annexation, ofcourse. "

"Of course, " Corina agreed, puzzled. 

"I needed to learn as much as I could about them, as quickly aspossible, and Gaelan DarShona, who had sworn personal fealty to BaronKlaes, agreed to a mind-probe. You know about those?"

"I have heard of them, " Corina said. "An artificial form of telepathythe Order considers repugnant. "

"Close enough. At any rate, I had Gaelan given a deep, full-experienceprobe, with myself hooked up as the receiver. So I've already `been'one other person. You haven't. "

"That may indeed make a difference, " Corina agreed. "I wonder if Iwill experience that part, or if it was bypassed as unnecessary. "

"I imagine you'll find out. If you do, I'm sure you'll find it bothinteresting and different. For now, though, let's go eat. "

Corina followed him to the shuttle, conscientiously trying not to thinkabout the rapport, but with only moderate success. It was less thecontents of the transfer that concerned her, than the reason for it. Her undermind must be trying to tell her something, but what? And. . . Did she really want to know?

The shuttle, at Medart's instructions, took them to Mess Three. "WithSunbeam assigned to you, she's probably staying on the day-shiftschedule, so she'd be going to eat about now. She should be able tokeep our minds off anything too serious, as long as we don't starttalking shop. "

"Do you eat there often?" Corina asked, glad of the change of subject. 

"Fairly often, " Medart replied. "I like the relaxed atmosphere, evenif it is a bit on the noisy side occasionally. It was stiff the firstfew times, right after I took over Chang, until they adapted. Itwouldn't be quite acceptable for me to join in the horseplay, butnobody minds as long as I just watch and listen. "

Sunbeam was indeed in the mess, standing at the row of autochefs withMajor Dawson. Medart and Corina got in line behind them and, whenSunbeam turned around, were invited to join the pair. They agreed; itwas, after all, what they had hoped for. Corina decided on hellbeaststeak again; it was becoming one of her staples, since Sunbeam hadintroduced her to it. Besides that, she ordered two things she hadn'tyet tried--a taco and tapioca pudding--and her usual milk. 

Medart looked at her tray. "That's quite an assortment you've gotthere. What're you trying to do, sample everything on board?"

"Not quite, though I am trying a number of things. It appears I willbe aboard for some time, and I prefer variety. The tastes are strange, but some are quite good. "

They were carrying their orders to the table when Medart noticedsomething seemed to be missing. "No coffee?"

Corina shook her head. "No. I cannot understand how you can drinksomething so corrosive, much less appear to enjoy it. "

"It's an acquired taste, " the Ranger agreed. They sat down as hecontinued, "But the Navy seems to run on it, and I'll admit to drinkingmore than I should. "

"Drink what?" Sunbeam asked, having missed the first part of theconversation. 

"Coffee, " Medart replied. "Sir Corina thinks we're crazy to drink it. "

Sunbeam giggled. "If she thinks coffee's bad, she should try tea!"

"I did!" Corina said emphatically, trying to imitate Sunbeam's gaiety. "The things you humans ingest and claim to enjoy, it is a wonder thatyou survive at all. "

"It's not that bad, " Sunbeam said, still amazing Corina with herability to eat and talk simultaneously--and neatly. "You rememberMajor Dawson, don't you, Sir Corina? His name's Pat; we got to talkingwhile you were hassling with Colonel Greggson. He's going to coach mein unarmed combat--he's the ship's men's champion, since LieutenantDarLeras says it wouldn't be proper for him to compete withnon-warriors--and he thinks I may have a chance at the women'schampionship next month. "

"You must be quite good, then, " Corina said. 

"What hassle with Greggson?" Medart demanded. 

"It was nothing serious, " Corina said, and summarized the incident forhim. "I was nervous, but not badly upset. "

"That's good, " Medart said, then continued silently. *Maybe it doesn'tbother you, but it does me. I'll let it go for now, since HisMajesty's already warned him and I have a feeling we may need hisshield, but if he tries anything else, I want to know about it rightaway. *

Corina was impressed by his seriousness. *Yes, Ranger. *

The spoken conversation continued on a light tone, with Sunbeam asusual carrying most of it. Corina was almost silent, content merely toabsorb the alien atmosphere and continue accustoming herself to it. She felt occasional twinges of familiarity which she knew must comefrom the Medart-pattern that was becoming a part of her mind. Most ofthe integration, of course, would be done by her undermind while sheslept that night--but she could feel it beginning already. 

 * * * * *

As she had known it would be, Corina's sleep that night was restless, disturbed by her undermind's attempt to fit those alien memories into apattern that would allow her to grasp and use them. She might neverfully understand them, but when the process was complete, she wouldhave more feeling for humans than was possible for an Irschchan whohadn't experienced pattern rapport with one. 

The integration process worked mostly in the form of dreams, somefragmentary, some less so. She/Jim was laying in a bed with bars, ahuge pink face framed in white looking down at her/him and radiating afeeling of peace. 

Then Corina-as-Jim was sitting beside a wicker basket, stroking aSiamese cat who was giving birth to her first litter of kittens andwouldn't let him leave. There were three already, tiny white-furredthings blindly nursing. The mother stared up at him, butting his handwith her head, and purred as only a Siamese could, seeming to be proudof her accomplishment. 

A nude swim in a warm blue sea--the memory a pleasant one for thehuman, but one that made Corina's sleeping body tremble with distaste. 

But it was Jim's invitation to the Rangers that claimed most of herattention, from Perry appearing in his room after the Test Week resultswere posted, through his first meeting with the Emperor soon after--ithad been Yasunon then, not Davis, who was still Crown Prince--to hisbrief visit home before starting his new duties. 

For details of Medart's invitation, see SELECT

Working with other Rangers, then alone: the massive flood that almostwiped out the Yonar colony, and proved to be sabotage. Taking over theChang when Rick was elected Successor, and renewing his acquaintancewith Dave when Captain Hobison took command. The Ondrian affair, withhis new friend Star-flower playing a large part, and a wry thought thathe kept getting involved with cats in one form or another. 

The crisis in Sector Five when Sandeman erupted, conquering half thatSector before its Duke realized she couldn't handle them and called forImperial help. The mind-probe of Gaelan, giving her a new insight intothe small warriors, and added respect for their integrity and ability. Glimpses of many planets, from space and surface. That one spotting ofa huge white ship that disappeared into hyperspace and couldn't betraced. 

The memory of his sorrow at Yasunon's death was enough to make Corinatoss restlessly in bed. She seemed to see the funeral from twoviewpoints at once: her own, the film in history class, and Jim's beingthere. Then came the Conclave that elected Forrest as Crown Princewhen Davis became Emperor. 

Then war struck. Fragmentary memories of battle flickered by, thencame a chance to capture a Traiti ship. Ray Kennard had come up withan idea that might keep imprisoned Traiti alive, at least long enoughto be questioned before they succumbed to the prisoner psychosis thatso inevitably killed the ones who could be kept from suicide. 

He'd gone with the boarding party despite Hobison's objections. He'dseen his first live Traiti then, with its leathery gray skin andsharklike face. Not attractive at all to Medart's way of thinking--then--but the big male was hurt and in obvious pain; he'd knelt, intending to help, only to be torn almost in two by the Traiti's clawsand teeth. 

And, he found out when he was allowed to regain consciousness afterthat week of immersion in rapid-heal, it had been for nothing. The twoprisoners the boarding party did manage to take had lived to reachTerra before the psychosis set in, no longer. 

It was a memory that reeked of failure and self-accusation. Heshould've expected that trick; although it wasn't common, it was known. His carelessness and stupidity could have cost them the ship, cost theEmpire a Ranger it could ill afford to lose, wasted even more lives. 

Corina shifted, unable to accept that even in a dream. He was aRanger, he had been doing the only thing honor would allow . . . 

Then came the interrupted recovery leave on Irschcha, and his meetingwith the young Losinj. In Medart's memory, Corina watched herselfdefeat the Marines, studied her own records, discussed them with theEmperor. Again came the invitation to join the Rangers, but from hisside this time, and the intensity of his emotion was enough to bringher awake shivering. 

She rose and automatically went through her morning routine, then wentto the service panel and got a glass of milk. She sat at the desk, then, taking occasional sips and thinking. Did she still have achoice, or did the Empire's need of her make this a matter of honor?Jim--no, Ranger Medart, though it was now difficult to think of himthat way--would, she knew, leave that question to her. And she wasterribly afraid she knew how she would eventually have to answer. 

VIII

Medart's night was equally disturbed, though since Corina was youngerand had had a more peaceful life, his dreams were less troubling. 

He saw/was Corina, about seven years old Standard, receiving hersoul-blade from an elderly Order initiate in a ritual as old as theOrder itself. He was impressing her mind pattern on the blade with aspecialized form of darlas, and her acceptance of it would signifytechnical adulthood, though she would stay with her parents for sometime yet. The dagger, ideally, should never leave her while she lived, and now he felt the reason as well as knowing it. The pattern-imprintingmade the blade literally a part of her. 

Scattered memory-bits of school and family, nothing particularlysignificant until her discovery of her Talent, accidentally made whileshe was basking in the sun beside her favorite fountain. Althoughshe'd said it had been weeks before she'd learned to read thoughts notspecifically directed at her, Medart realized that she must have beensubconsciously blocking them, because that was how she'd made heraccidental discovery. 

For details of Corina's discovery, see TALENT

Medart shifted his position in bed, her memory-feelings enough to pushhim out of that dream but not waken him. He soon slid into anotherone, rather patchy at first. Her first meeting with Thark, High Adeptof the White Order, who was impressed and pleased by a Talent shewasn't sure she was happy to have since it had cost her the future shedreamed of. There were later memories of them together; after she hadforced her regret into the background, they had developed a profoundregard and respect for each other, though much of it was hidden bytheir formal teacher-student relationship. 

Then came their breakup, in full detail. Medart experienced it all, from the friendly greeting and Thark's comments on her ability, throughher discovery of the Crusade and her rejection of it, to theirdeclaration of mutual enmity. Outwardly quiet though that had been, ithad enough of an emotional charge to awaken the Ranger. 

A glance at his chrono showed 0405. Too late, the way he felt, to goback to sleep, so he rose, showered, and dressed. Then he sent atentative inquiry. *You awake?*

*Yes. * Hopefully, *Would you care to join me?*

*You bet. I'll be right there. *

He was soon seated in one of the armchairs in her cabin, balancing asteaming cup of coffee on its arm. Corina still sat at the desk, sipping at her second glass of milk. 

"That was quite an experience, " Medart finally said. "Especially thatlast meeting with Thark. "

"And your feelings when His Majesty pinned your badge on. It isstrange, is it not, how a small piece of metal can mean so much?"

She was skirting the subject, and both knew it, but Medart went along. Patience now, he felt, would pay off later. 

"There's an ancient Terran proverb, " he said, "that clothes make theman. It isn't literally true, of course, and the badge certainlydoesn't have any intrinsic power, but humans are very strongly affectedby symbols. This one, " he tapped the badge on his chest, "can traceits history back to before the Empire, even back before atomic energy. It's meant official authority in one form or another since at least thesecond century pre-atomic, and for centuries before that--maybelonger--it was believed to be a particularly powerful magical symbol. "

Corina nodded, appreciating his intent as well as his explanation. "Ithink I understand, though clothes are relatively new to us, andsymbols of that sort affect us far less strongly. " She smoothed herkilt. "What you wear affects the way others act toward you, but doesit not also affect your own feelings?"

Medart nodded, but remained silent as he sensed her growingcomprehension. 

"That, then, is why you and the others wish me to face Thark as aRanger. The added psychological advantage. "

"Yes, partly, " Medart said. "You do have the ability--compare yourselfto me when I was tapped, if you still have doubts--and the uniform andbadge will give you the extra edge of confidence you need to use thatability fully. The other part is the way seeing you as a Ranger willaffect Thark, since his main grievance--aside from our supposed lack ofTalent--is the real lack of high-ranking Irschschan Imperial officers. "

"The second is certainly true. The first . . . " Corina fell silent, retracing her borrowed memories to Medart's first meeting with Perry. She ignored the surface this time through, digging for the deepermemories, and those confirmed Medart's words. Their specific abilitiesdiffered, but the general level was approximately the same. Anddespite mistakes he thought of as idiotic--she winced at the recurringthought of that Traiti deception--he had done well. 

"None of us is perfect, " he said mildly. "We're mortals, not gods, andwe've all made mistakes. "

"Yes, I see that, " she said at last. "Your memories are mostconvincing. " She paused, took a deep breath, then nodded. "Very well, Ranger Medart. I accept the burden. "

Medart seemed to relax all over, though he hadn't seemed particularlytense. "As Arlene said, none of us asked for this job. Anyone who didwould be the sort we wouldn't want. And it does have compensations, you know, both social and financial; you'll learn about those as yougo. And remember we're not the only ones with a lot of confidence inyour ability; Thark knew you could handle being a member of the PrimeChapter, though he had his aims for you set too low. Okay, let's makeit official. Emperor Chang?"

"Yes, Ranger Medart?"

"Formal voiceprint confirmation for Empire Net ident and securityinput. This is Ranger James Kieran Medart, ident code RJT-6743-5197. "

There was a brief pause, then the ship-comp said, "Voiceprintconfirmed. Awaiting input. "

"Change ident code ISCCJ-1643-2048 to RCJ-1643-2048. Delete allsecurity restrictions from the individual identified by that code, andrelay to any peripherals that Corina Losinj of Irschcha has beenselected as a Ranger. "

"Acknowledged. Request formal voiceprint from Ranger Losinj. "

Medart nodded to Corina, smiling. "Go ahead, Rina. "

Corina glanced at him, then decided she liked both the nickname and hisuse of it. "Thank you, Jim. Empire Net, this is Ranger Corina Losinj, ident code RCJ-1643-2048. "

"Thank you, Rangers. Is there anything else?"

"No, " Medart said, then looked at Corina, smiling. "Welcome toImperial service, Ranger Losinj. Now that the formalities are over, you might want to get into uniform; we should call His Majesty with thegood news, then have breakfast. "

"That would seem proper, " Corina agreed, "though I would prefersomething other than your style. A kilt is nice, with a cloak for badweather, and the sporran is useful--but I do not think I would becomfortable with fitted garments all over, such as yours. "

"Good point, " Medart said. "Since uniforms are supposed to be bothconvenient and a form of easy identification, there's no reason youshouldn't use a kilt the right shade of green; along with the badge, itshould serve the purpose. And once we have time, you might want torecommend similar uniform changes for the Irschchan members of otherImperial services. "

"Should we survive, I will do so. " Corina went into her sleeping areaand ordered a complete uniform, though with kilt instead of shirt andtrousers, from the fabricator. 

"Thark? There's him, of course, " Medart called. "But there's no pointin worrying about him right now. Make your preparations, geteverything as ready as you can--then worry; it might let you findsomething you've overlooked. "

"I will try. " Corina shook her head, but Jim was right; she did tendto concern herself with problems that never arose, and that did wastetime. 

Medart heard the fabricator's delivery bell ping, then sounds ofrustling cloth as Corina changed. The pattern rapport had made a bigdifference in her manner, he thought, and for the better. She was muchmore relaxed around him, even a little less formal. And she seemedmore sure of herself, which would help. 

Corina felt strange, changing out of her accustomed bright garb intothe functional, if in her opinion unnecessarily drab, forest green. The fabricator had included an ankle-length cloak with heavy silverembroidery and the Imperial Seal; she considered that for a moment, settled it over her shoulders long enough to admire it in the mirror, and removed it. That was for formal ceremonies in which she used hermilitary rank and title, not for every day. There was a visored hat, as well, but she didn't try it on; such headgear did not take Irschchanear structure into account, so she planned to avoid wearing it. Andpossibly suggest another uniform change. 

She stood holding the badge for a moment, still hesitating to take thefinal step and pin it on. It was only a small piece of platinum, astar in a circle, but it meant almost total independence and authority, subject only to the Sovereign, anywhere in Imperial space. It was odd, she thought, but this particular symbol affected her more than itshould. Either Irschchans were more symbol-conscious than she had beentaught, or this was a side effect of pattern rapport with a human. 

She told herself to get on with it. She had accepted the job, why notits symbol? But it did not seem appropriate, after Jim's memories, topin it on herself--not the first time. She returned to the livingarea, held it out to Medart. "Would you mind?"

"Not at all. I'd be honored. " Medart took the badge and pinned it tothe holder the fabricator had provided on her equipment belt. 

To Corina's surprise--and Medart's satisfaction--her emotions when hedid so were a duplicate of his fifty-seven years earlier. Pride, determination--and the confidence that others' belief in you couldcreate. 

*Yes, * Corina sent. *I have heard of such boosts, but had never quitebelieved in them. It is strange . . . I had always thought myselfunaffected by others' opinions, but it is clear I was wrong. *

*Sometimes it depends on who the others are, * Medart replied. *Someoneyou don't care about can't have more than a surface impact, pro or con;someone you do care about can have a disproportionate one. This is thewrong time for philosophy, though. Is that knife the only weapon youplan to carry? You might want to think about something with a littlemore range. *

"I think not, " Corina said aloud. "I am not familiar with distanceweapons, since I am not a Sanctioner; my darlas should be adequate foranyone I cannot reach physically--after this mission, at least. " Sheindicated the weapon at his belt. "Nor, I would say, am I the only oneto prefer unconventional weapons; that does not appear to be ablaster. "

"It isn't, " Medart said, drawing the weapon with a chuckle. "It's justas effective, though, maybe more so. It's a replica of a BrowningHi-Power 9mm automatic--a slugthrower. I had it made not long after Iwas tapped, and I have a standing order for fresh ammunition; it goes badafter a few years, even under shipboard conditions. It holds thirteenrounds in the clip--" which slid out as he pressed the release button, "and one in the chamber when I expect trouble. I can always carry moreclips if I expect a lot of trouble. " He worked the action, then handedher the empty weapon. 

Corina examined it carefully. It was too large for her hand, which sheexpected because it seemed to fit Jim's perfectly. She was impressedby the precise workmanship, too; it made the gun, deadly as it was, athing of great beauty. 

"Why a slugthrower instead of a blaster?" she asked curiously. 

"Personal preference, " Medart replied. "For one thing, I happen tolike slugthrowers--and computers with keyboards, and paper books. Foranother, more practical reason, it has stopping power a blaster can'tmatch, and it's noisy. A snap shot, if I'm surprised, will give metime enough to get in a second, well-aimed round. That's saved my lifea couple of times. "

Corina handed it back, watched him reload and holster it. "It seems tobe an excellent weapon, but I prefer to rely on my blade and darlas. "

Medart shrugged. "No arguing preference. And it's about time we getto work, so--" He called the Comm Center, told them to set up ascrambler call to the Emperor either at the Palace or aboard theEmpress Lindner. "And have it put through to my quarters, " he added. Then he turned to Corina. "We'll have to have your quarters rigged forpriority communications, but until the techs can get to it, you'll haveto use mine or go to Briefing Room One. And my quarters are right nextdoor. I'd also recommend a comm implant, but that can wait if youdon't want to spend a couple of hours in sick bay; a wrist-com will doeverything you need for now. "

"A wrist-com, then, until we complete this mission. "

 * * * * *

The screen was flickering blue even as they entered the human Ranger'scabin, then it cleared to show a sleepy-looking Davis. "Morning, Jim. What's up?"

"Sorry to wake you, sir, but for a change it's good news. We haveanother Ranger. "

Davis smiled. "Losinj? That's the kind of news I don't mind gettingout of bed for. How did you manage to convince her?"

"I didn't, sir, at least not in any conventional way. We had atraining accident. " Medart briefly described the pattern rapport andmemory exchange, then went on, "I'm putting her in charge of thismission and going on backup. "

"Right, " the Emperor said. "That's what I'd do; Thark's her problemanyway. I'll pass on the good news to Rick and the others. " He turnedhis attention to the young Irschchan. "I'm glad to have you with usall the way, Ranger Losinj. "

"Thank you, sir. " Corina hadn't expected to be put in complete charge, but she wasn't totally surprised; it was logical, given thecircumstances, and Jim's memories did indicate that Ranger training--what there was of it--had a tendency to be rather abrupt. 

"Before we get to serious planning, " the Emperor said, "have you givenany thought to the arms you want?"

"Arms? No, sir. " It was traditional, Corina knew, for a new Ranger touse the arms of one who had died--but that tradition had not evenoccurred to her. 

"May I make a suggestion, then?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. "

"I think Steve Tarlac's would be appropriate. Hovan told me ClanCh'kara's Speaker for the Lords said our next Ranger would be hisspiritual heir--and now that we've found you, that seems reasonable. "

Corina bowed. "I would be honored to bear the Peacelord's arms, sir, though I do not know if I can live up to his example. "

"It won't be easy, but then neither are any of our jobs. " Davis grewsober. "Back to our present situation. So you can plan, Rick and Iare in space now, as you suggested, outside Sol System. Only theship's captain and navigator know our location. I've ordered thedefense satellites not to fire on any Irschchan ships. Since you'resure Thark will be leading the attack, we'll be using Jim's plan: Iwant Thark to land and take action against the Palace itself, and toprevent unnecessary damage, I'm making it as easy for him as I can. Asa ruling noble, he'll have no trouble getting through the Complex'sweather dome, and he'll find the Palace's security screen has somehowbeen left off. The Guards have orders not to fire until he takeshostile action. "

"I understand, sir. I may not be able to take him alive for aTribunal, though. I may not be able to take him at all. "

"It's not necessary to take him alive, " Davis replied after a moment'sthought. "A Tribunal isn't essential, it's the evidence that is. Ifyou can't take him at all--" He was silent for a moment, then said, "All right. How long will it take if you can handle him?"

"Less than half an hour, certainly; probably no more than fifteenminutes. "

"Considering the size of the Palace, " Davis pointed out, "it could takeyou longer than that just to find him. " He thought for a moment. "Signal Defsat Five when you land. They'll have their orders, and ifthey don't receive a second signal from you within an hour, they'llblast the Palace and everything for ten kilometers around it. I don'twant that to happen--it'd mean losing four Rangers, as well as a coupleof hundred thousand people, and probably destroy the Complex--but eventhat is better than a rebellion that would cost millions or billions oflives throughout the Empire. "

"I will do my best to avoid that, Your Majesty. "

"I know you will, " Davis said. "Still, for the first time, I'mgrateful that politics forced Chang to have the Palace built inAntarctica. A strike like that almost anywhere else would kill a hellof a lot more people. "

"Yes, sir. "

"Don't hesitate to call me if you have to. But unless there's anythingelse, I'll sign off now and let you get back to work. "

"I have nothing more, sir, " Corina answered, and the screen went bluemomentarily before it shut off. 

She was unfamiliar with Terran geography, but everyone knew about thefabulous Imperial Palace. Isolated in the heart of a frozen continent, it was the center of the Palace Complex, a hundred-kilometer-diametercircle of parklike city. She didn't understand the physics of themodified defense screen that allowed it to exist in spite ofAntarctica's climate, but the politics Davis had mentioned were clearenough. 

The Solar Federation's capital had been in Ceres, but when Nannstein'sdiscovery of hyperdrive had triggered the necessary change fromFederation to Empire, that had been abandoned. The Empire needed acenter on Terra itself as a symbol of unity, yet squabbling about itslocation among the planetary powers had made that unity a mockery untilEmperor Chang stepped in. 

It was his decision that, since the Empire was not concerned with localpolitics--it couldn't be and still govern the Empire as a wholeproperly--the Palace would not be located on any individual nation'sterritory. That made Antarctica the only possible place. Covered bymultinational treaties and with no permanent inhabitants, it had nonational identity. 

And she would be going there, going to the Palace itself . . . As aRanger. What would her parents think? Corina hoped they would beproud--

Medart interrupted her musing. "How about breakfast? I don't knowabout you, but I'm hungry. "

"So am I, " Corina agreed. "And we have plans to make. "

"Correction, " Medart said. "You have plans to make. All I'm going todo is listen and critique. "

They took an intraship shuttle to Mess One, intended for seniorofficers and at this hour quite empty, unlike the always-busy MessThree. They got their meals and ate silently while Corina decided onher plans. 

"The first thing, I think, " she finally said, "is to find anyone elseaboard with mind shields, to make a combat group. I have metsurprisingly many--four out of perhaps three hundred--yet five of uswill accomplish little against Thark and the Seniors of the PrimeChapter. "

"Right, " Medart agreed, "since unshielded ones wouldn't last long. Whoelse have you found?"

"Besides yourself, there is Colonel Greggson, as you know from theconference. Also Captain Hobison, and the small Marine from thedemonstration, Lieutenant DarLeras. "

"That one somehow doesn't surprise me, " Medart commented. 

Corina purred briefly. "He is the first Sandeman warrior I have met, but from my reading and your memories of the warrior Gaelan, I am alsonot surprised. An enthusiastic fighter, of course, and even shielded, I sense great potential in him. "

"He's got that, all right, " Medart agreed. "First in last summer'sgraduating class at the Academy in the Complex, and if he'd fit thepsych profile better, he would've been approached about the Rangers. But he can't help thinking of combat as a preferred option rather thana last resort. " Medart paused. "It might interest you, and supportsyour theory, that Captain Hobison was asked. He refused, but thatdoesn't change his abilities. "

"Four out of the first five either Rangers or Ranger-level, " Corinasaid thoughtfully. "Colonel Greggson is not?"

"What do you think? No--too inflexible, not enough regard for others, too narrow an orientation. He's at the top of his field or he wouldn'tbe on an IBC, but he's definitely not Ranger material. Go on. "

"Once we have found any shielded people, we must develop your Talent, in particular your shield and darlas. You do have the ability, but itwill be of little use without better control than you have yetachieved. And greater power, as well. Admittedly, you did knock meout yesterday; that, however, was in part because I had partiallylowered my own shield, trying to feel any trace of your darlas. Thatis one mistake I do not plan to repeat. "

"I should hope not!" Medart said emphatically. "You gave me quite ascare, and I'd rather not `be' any more people than I have to. "

"It is imperative that we find out about the aspect of your Talent Ihave, for lack of a better term, called reverse darlas. A thing notunderstood may be a help or a hindrance. We must discover which thisis, and if it is a help, how best to use it. "

"Yeah, and if it's a hindrance, how not to use it. What about timing?"

"I am concerned about that, " Corina admitted. "I hope to have the weekto ten days you need for even minimal training, but I must plan onless. I am almost positive of another four days, though, which willhelp. "

"So what are you going to do with the ship in the meantime? Our TerraETA is 0330 tomorrow. Chang's too big to land, and we'd be prettyconspicuous in orbit. "

"Urrr. " Corina hadn't thought about that. "Does that system not havea band of debris? Between the fourth and fifth planets, I believe. "

Medart nodded. "The asteroid belt. "

"Then instead of going into orbit, we stay there. I will give thedefense satellites instructions to call us when Thark lands. The delaybetween our getting that message and our arrival in orbit, plus thetime to land, should take perhaps twenty minutes, from the theory Iremember. That will allow him to attack the Palace and provide theevidence His Majesty wishes. "

"You're assuming Chang's navigator can plot that short a hyperspaceflight with a lot of precision. "

"Yes. I believe it a valid assumption, or he would not be conning aRanger's chosen ship. "

"Logical reasoning, and very true. All three of our navigators areevery bit that exact. It sounds good; now we just hope it works. Oneof our ancient poets wrote, `The best laid plans of mice and men gangaft a-gley, ' and he was right. "

"That was Robert Burns, " Corina said. "One of your early scientistsput the same idea another way: `Anything that can go wrong will gowrong. '" She felt Medart's surprise at the identification and quote. "I was not probing; Terran poetry interests me, particularly Burns, Service, and Kipling. Except for ancient war chants, Irschcha haslittle that can be called poetry. "

"Nice to know you have interests that don't show up on your records, "Medart said. 

"What do you mean?"

"As I said earlier, it's not so much what you know as how your mindworks that counts, as long as you have the basics. You can always findout any facts you need. But being interested in a variety of things isessential; you never know what's going to come in handy. Poetrydoesn't seem particularly promising, but on the other hand, as I said, you never know. "

The mess was starting to fill as the senior officers trickled in forbreakfast. By the time the two Rangers finished eating, all butCaptain Hobison and Commander Jensen were there. 

Until they stood to leave, nobody paid any particular attention toCorina; it wasn't surprising that Medart's special assistant shouldjoin him at a meal. When they did stand, however, Commander Pappasgave an exclamation of surprise, and the room grew silent. That didn'tlast long; the murmur of conversation resumed, but now, from whatCorina could hear, with herself as the subject. The tone was more awedthan surprised after that first exclamation, and Corina assumed thatword of the previous day's war council was no longer restricted to theCommand Crew. 

Jim must have picked that up, she thought, or possibly he was justanticipating her reaction. "It's impossible to keep rumors fromcirculating aboard ship, " he said, "especially about something as rareas a potential Ranger. The word was probably all over Chang withinfifteen minutes after His Majesty dismissed the Command Crew. There'sno harm in it. "

They entered a shuttle, and Medart ordered it to the Bridge. "We'llmeet Captain Hobison there, so he'll get the news directly, notsecond-hand. He normally has breakfast in his cabin, and goes straightto the Bridge. "

Corina nodded. "And I must tell him my plans, as well. But what aboutthose rumors? What if I had continued to refuse?"

"You're starting to sound like Sunbeam, " Medart laughed. "The rumorswould have tapered off eventually, after giving the crew something abit different to talk about for awhile. "

The shuttle slowed to a stop, its door sliding open. The Bridge, asthe ship's nerve center, was of course always fully crewed; ChiefEngineer Jensen, on duty as Senior Officer of the Watch, was seated inthe Command chair. He swung the chair around to face them as theyentered, saying, "You're early, Cap-- Huh?" He stood and saluted, hisexclamation attracting the attention of the rest of the Bridge crew. They also started to stand. 

"As you were, " Medart said, returning Jensen's salute. The Bridgereturned to near-normal, though with more than the usual amount ofnon-duty conversation. 

Corina saw Jensen's hand move toward the chair's comm controls, andspoke. "No, Commander. There is no need to disturb Captain Hobison; Iunderstand he will be here shortly. "

"Uh, yes, sir. "

They waited in silence, both Rangers moving to stand at the left of theCommand chair. The shuttle door finally slid open again and Hobisonemerged. He raised one eyebrow in surprise at the sight of Corina'sbadge, but went through the routine of relieving Jensen before he saidanything. Change of watch completed, he seated himself in the Commandchair and turned to face the pair. "He talked you into it, did he, Ranger Losinj?" The words were neutral, but the tone was warm. "Knowing Rangers, I suppose he's put you in charge of this mission. "

"Yes, Captain, to both. I would like to tell you my plans as soon asyou have the time. "

"I've got it now, Ranger. Here or in the briefing room?"

"It might as well be here. The whole crew will need to know. " Corinabraced herself mentally. This was real; she was giving orders to theCaptain of an Imperial Battle Cruiser, certain they would be obeyed. "When we arrive in the Terran system, take station in the asteroidbelt. Then call Defense Satellite Five and have them inform us of anyIrschschan ship landing near the Palace. When you receive that word, start for Terra and call me. As soon as you have Chang in orbit, Ranger Medart and I, along with any crew members who have mind shieldsand are willing to volunteer, will take a lander down and attempt totake Thark in the act of invading the Palace. "

"After your demonstration, " Hobison said, "I can understand why youwant people with mind shields, but everyone aboard this ship is alreadya volunteer. You don't need to ask them again. "

"I realize that, Captain, but in this case I would prefer to. DefsatFive has orders to blast the Palace and its immediate surroundingsunless I can defeat Thark within an hour of our landing. As I toldRanger Medart, the assault team will have at best a twenty percentchance of survival. "

Hobison nodded. "Right. Am I shielded?"

"Yes. "

"Then you have one volunteer. Anyone else in the Command Creweligible?"

"There is Colonel Greggson. Only one of the others I have scanned sofar has a usable shield, and I plan to speak to him shortly. That iswhy the whole crew must be informed of those facts. Ranger Medart andI will have to check everyone. Be sure to emphasize, please, that wewill be checking only for shields; their private lives will remaintheir own. "

"Jim?" Hobison looked startled. "What's this all about? You meanyou've got Talent like hers?"

"Uh-huh. " Medart was purposely informal, trying to ease Hobison'sobvious shock. "You'd already left when I told His Majesty. There'sno sense in trying to keep it a secret; she's trained me to be as gooda telepath as she is, and she's teaching me darlas. I'll needvolunteers, too, to practice on. They'll be in no danger, since she'llbe monitoring everything I do until she's satisfied with my control. "

"I'll make the announcement, " Hobison said after a few moments'silence. "But I was definitely right--captaining a Ranger's ship isanything but boring. "

"The same goes for being a Ranger, " Medart said, smiling. 

"I've noticed. I'll get on it right away. Where do you want tostart?"

"Sherwood Forest, " Corina decided, "then work our way south. I cansense the presence of shields with a shipwide scan, but not the precisestrength, location, or most important, who is shielded. " Then shecorrected herself. "No, that is not precisely correct. If I alreadyknow the person, I can tell identity from the shield pattern, but eventhen, not the location. The `finding' aspect of my Talent, unfortunately, is limited to inanimate objects. "

She turned to Medart. "We had best start now. Our time is limited. "

IX

In the shuttle heading for Sherwood Forest, Medart said, "I agree thatspeed's important, so why not split up? We could cover the ship fasterthat way. "

"I do not think that would be wise, Jim. " Corina was a littleuncomfortable with such familiarity, even in private and with theknowledge from his memory that it was now proper for her, but she feltshe ought to accustom herself to it. "You cannot test a shield'sstrength without using darlas, and you do not yet have the control todo that safely. " Getting brave, she chided herself. Makingsuggestions to the Emperor, giving orders to a battle cruiser'scaptain, and now telling a Ranger--a fellow Ranger, she remindedherself--there was a thing he could not do. 

Medart sensed her feelings and smiled to himself. Yeah, she had theadaptability, all right. She'd definitely gained confidence since thepattern rapport, which was good, and she was already showing theself-possession it had taken him over a month to achieve, maybe from hismemories. That, he thought, was even better; she'd need every edge shecould get. "I can't argue, " he said. "I certainly don't want a repeatof the accident with you. "

"Nor do I. If you were to overestimate a shield's strength, orvisualize too clearly, you could easily injure or kill its possessor. You will test them, yes, but only when I am standing by to protectthem. "

"That sounds reasonable. "

They reached the ship's park a couple of minutes later, and encounteredseveral crewmembers as they walked through it. None, unfortunately, had any trace of shield, which disappointed both Rangers. But Corina, despite her misgivings about the mission she'd assumed, found theforest eased her tension. She breathed deeply, savoring the smell ofgrowing things--and startled herself with a sneeze. That was odd, shethought; she knew of no allergies. Perhaps it was the change ofenvironment. 

The forest's calming effect didn't last. Much as she liked suchsurroundings, she couldn't avoid the knowledge that it might be herlast time to enjoy them. She kept that thought carefully shielded fromthe other Ranger; it wouldn't help for him to know just how much shedreaded the coming encounter with Thark, or her certainty that it wouldmean both their deaths. 

Medart felt the shield and wondered at it, but decided to remainsilent. She must have a reason for concealing whatever it was, he wascertain, and although that pattern rapport had made them in some wayscloser than any married couple, she did deserve her privacy. If shefelt like sharing this later, she would. 

He thought of a safe subject. "It almost slipped my mind, Rina. You're entitled to an aide if you want one; what about it?"

Corina turned to him in surprise. "What would I need an aide for?"

"To run errands for you, make appointments, take care of anything youdon't want to or can't do yourself. "

"I do not think I wish one. You seem to have no such need, and itappears to be a waste of a person who could accomplish more usefulthings elsewhere. "

Medart nodded. "I've never used one for just those reasons. When werun into Sunbeam, then, I'll tell her she can go back to her regularduties. "

"That will disappoint her, but she is much too able to be what I gatheris no more than a personal servant. "

"Right. Well, we don't seem to be finding too much here; let's go on. "

The two worked their way through the next several decks with equal lackof result. There were a few screens here and there, but they foundnothing approaching the strength of a true shield, and Medart wasscowling. 

Corina sensed beginning discouragement, and hastened to reassure him. "Jim, we already know that Talent is even rarer among humans than it isamong Irschchans. We have encouraged and developed it for millennia, and even to a certain extent bred for it. Humans have not, so I amsurprised to have found so many with even as limited a Talent asshields. This ship has a crew of approximately two thousand, does itnot?"

"Just about. And no passengers this trip. "

"Then assuming even half as many humans--in this picked group; the truenumber, from Thark's experience, is far less--as Irschchans are at allTalented, an assumption he would not credit, we can expect to find atmost ten, in addition to the ones we already have. Fewer would notsurprise me. "

"And there are how many in the Prime Chapter?"

"Nine. The most dangerous are Thark, who is my problem, then SeniorAdepts Valla and Kainor, who I am afraid will be yours and perhapsColonel Greggson's, if his shield is as strong as I first thought. "

"We should have some element of surprise with shields, shouldn't we?From what you said, they won't be expecting even that much. "

"True, but even shields will give only a temporary advantage. Theywill adapt quickly, and they are powerful. You will have to use thefew seconds the shields give you to stun or kill them. I will be nohelp there; Thark will be keeping me fully occupied. And I am surethere will be Sanctioners to deal with, as well as the Seniors. "

"Yeah. Well, if we're going to have any chance at all, we'd betterfind ourselves that assault group. And it could take days, at thisrate; this is a damn big ship. " He thought for a moment. "You did sayyou can sense the presence of a shield. Isn't there any way you canuse that to speed this up, find them all today?"

"There is one way, " Corina admitted, "but I dislike using it. I couldfind shielded minds, then direct you to a nearby unscreened one todetermine location. That, however, involves probing many who lackTalent. "

"And I know how you feel about that. But you can't be absolutely sureyou've guessed Thark's timing right, can you?"

Corina shook her head. "No, I cannot. You are correct, the necessityfor speed is more important than my reluctance. Very well, but go nodeeper than you must to determine location. "

"Right. "

No longer interested in a physical search, the two Rangers found anunoccupied passenger lounge and began the mental one. With Corina'sTalent and Medart's knowledge of the ship, it went quickly; they foundeleven, besides the known three, with enough shield to be worth furthertesting. Hobison's, they already knew, was adequate, and Corina wasless than enthusiastic about meeting Greggson again, so they decided tocheck with the young Sandeman first. His shield was strong, she knewfrom the demonstration, and she knew his pattern from the combatdemonstration, which made it a simple matter to touch him, find someonenearby, and let Medart identify his location. "Zero-gee gym, " thehuman Ranger said. "I think you're going to like what you see. "

When they reached the mid-level observation platform glassed off fromthe gym itself, Corina had to agree. Nevan was practicingflight-shooting, clad only in exercise trunks that set off his dark skin. Small and slender he might be, but there was no denying his strength orhis grace as he pushed himself off one gym wall, drew his bow in asingle smooth motion, and fired as he tumbled through the air. 

"Beautiful, " Corina said. "I have never seen a human move with sucheconomy or precision. That is a combat bow, is it not?"

"Instead of a practice one? Right--no target sights, and it's a lotheavier. That one pulls close to seventy kilos. I can't even get thestring back ten centis, and he makes it look like nothing. "

Nevan hit the far wall feet-first. There was the solid sound of himkicking off again, the scream of a hollow pierced-shaft arrow, the thudof it hitting the small remote-controlled target less than a centimeterfrom the first. That was repeated half a decade times, with whatappeared to be effortless ease. 

"Does he ever miss?" Corina asked as the Sandeman continued to shoot. 

"I've never heard of it happening, and I'm sure it'd be all over theship in less than an hour if he did. " Medart chuckled. "He spendshalf his free time in combat exercises of one sort or another, afterall, not just the minimums for on-duty training. It's not as good ascombat, to their way of thinking, but it's better than what we standardhumans class as normal entertainment. "

The two were silent then, for the couple of minutes it took Nevan torun out of arrows and signal the target controller to end the session. Then he dove for the floor, used a handhold to pull himself erect, andswitched off the gravity neutralizer that isolated the gym from theship's gravity field. 

"Okay, " Medart said. "That's it; let's get down to the dressing roomand wait for him to get into uniform. "

"You stressed the need for speed, " Corina said as they left theobservation platform. "Why do you not speak to him while he changes?I cannot, I know; having a female around would embarrass a human male. "

"Or vice versa. " Medart grinned. "And Sandemans are even worse thanmost that way. They don't even like to strip for a medical exam--whichthey hate in the first place. I'd embarrass him every bit as much asyou would. I was worried about wasting days; we can spare a fewminutes. "

"I do not understand, but I would not wish to offend him. We do wanthis assistance. "

Medart chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll get it. Just look at Gaelan'smemories if you think there's any chance of a Sandeman warrior passingup any kind of honorable combat. "

Corina did, and found herself amused at her doubt. "I see. But heshould still have the opportunity to refuse, with the odds so greatlyagainst the assault team. "

 * * * * *

It wasn't long before the dressing room door opened and Nevan emerged, his blond hair still damp from the shower. He'd caught a glimpse ofthe two Rangers watching his practice, so he wasn't really toosurprised to find them waiting for him, but he was wondering what theywanted with a young First Lieutenant fresh out of the Academy. He cameto perfect Guidebook attention, waited. 

"At ease, Lieutenant. " Corina purred briefly. This one, she thought, would truly be an asset. "I must ask if you would be willing tovolunteer for a particularly hazardous mission, one from which it isentirely possible no survivors will emerge. " She went on to explainabout his mental defenses and the opposition the assault team wouldface. She wished she could read his thoughts, but after the firstmention of fighting, she had no doubt of his answer; not even Marinediscipline could make him hold back a smile, and his eagerness wasevident in his steel-gray eyes. "I believe that is everything, " shesaid at last. "The choice is yours, and you may refuse withoutprejudice. "

For Nevan's opinion of this, see NEVAN

"No, sir. I'm volunteering. "

"Excellent. I will call a briefing as soon as I have spoken to allthose who have shields of adequate strength, and so are eligible forthe assault team. In the meantime you are relieved of normal duty;relax, or do whatever you think best to prepare yourself. "

"Yes, sir. " Nevan came to attention again, waiting. 

*You'll have to dismiss him, * Medart sent. *He's still Academy-stiff, hasn't relaxed to Fleet standards yet. *

*Thank you. * "Dismissed, Lieutenant. " Corina watched him leave, purring softly in satisfaction that he, at least, was happy. Then herears went back slightly, and she turned to Medart. "I can no longerput it off. We must speak to Colonel Greggson. "

"I'll talk to him if you'd like, since he makes you uncomfortable. "

"No, though I thank you for the offer. I have accepted this job, Iwill do what it requires. I will speak to him. "

"Right. " Good for her, Medart thought. She'd apparently gotten morefrom his memories than he'd realized; that sounded like something he'dsaid once, back in the early days of his own career. Or maybe theywere just a lot alike. 

 * * * * *

Greggson, naturally, was in his office in the Security section. Hestood and came to attention as the two Rangers entered, strictly by thebook though his expression was cold. "Yes, sirs?"

Corina explained as she had to Nevan, seeing Greggson's expressionbecome thoughtful as he analyzed the problem. It seemed Jim was right, she thought. This man was a professional, would do his job in spite ofhis personal opinions. And his shield was fractionally tighter thanHobison's or Nevan's, though not up to Jim's partially-trained one. "Ibelieve, Colonel, " she finished, "that you would be most useful on theteam going after Thark, Valla, and Kainor, although that will meanworking directly with me. Are you willing to do so?"

"Yes, sir. " Emotion was seeping through, despite his shield, andCorina read two that conflicted strongly. One was a passionate dislikefor her as an individual, but the other was more important to theMarine: his duty to the Empire, which she as a Ranger had the right tocommand. 

That fact overrode his personal feelings. He would accompany theassault team not because she asked it, but because of his ownconviction that it was part of his job as a Marine. In a flash ofinsight, Corina realized that Sunbeam had, perhaps without fullyrealizing it, given her a very accurate capsule description. Greggson's work was truly all he had: the Corps was his entire life, nothing outside had any meaning whatsoever. She found herself pityinghim as she and Medart left with his agreement, on the way to speak withthe rest of the shielded ones. 

The group that finally came together in Briefing Room One shortly afternoon to form the assault team was an unlikely one, but the only onethat would have any chance at all. In addition to those they'd firstspoken to, the Rangers had found a nurse, an engineer's assistant, theship's junior navigator, and four other Marine officers. 

There was noticeable tension in the room when Corina called thebriefing to order. They already knew the basic situation; she could godirectly to the assault itself. "I will be making assignments basedsolely on shield strength, as that is the only factor which will slowthe Seniors to any degree. Ranger Medart, Colonel Greggson, and I willattempt to trace and confront Thark and his two chief lieutenants. Iwould like the rest of you to spread throughout the Palace, to find andeliminate as many of the others as you can. We will remain in touch asnecessary by wrist communicators, which will be issued as soon as weare finished here. 

"I have ordered a disruptor mounted on the lander we will be using. Lieutenant DarLeras, Ranger Medart tells me you are a pilot; since wedo not have such a specialist, I would like you to fill that positionas well as the combat one you agreed to earlier. Will that cause youany problem?"

"No, sir. It just means I prep before we leave, rather than during thetrip. "

Medart sent Corina a mental wince. *Make sure your restraints aretight. He took it easy on the way up because it was your first trip;he wouldn't be concerned about comfort on a combat flight even if heweren't battleprepped. Since he will be, we're going to have a roughride. *

*He is still the only pilot we have, and it will be to our advantagefor him to be prepped. He will have to take our limitations intoconsideration, however. *

*He will, since that's good tactics, but that doesn't mean he'll begentle, especially if he has to do any dodging. Go on. *

"Unfortunately, Prowler will have to be destroyed to prevent itsweapons from being used against us. Since I expect the crew to remainaboard, that means they will be killed. The others, Seniors andSanctioners, will be in the Palace, and we must expect immediateopposition when we land. "

"What kind of armament does Prowler have?" Greggson asked. 

"When I was last aboard, approximately a week ago, it had medium-powerblasters. I believe its shields are standard for that class. "

"Nothing a disruptor can't handle, then. It'd take more than a week tomount heavy weapons. "

"He would depend more on speed and secrecy, even so, " Corina said. "Hewishes to take over; he will cause no more destruction than he must. "

"What about personal weapons?" Nevan asked. 

"The Seniors will depend on Talent. Sanctioners, however, have onlylimited Talent, as a rule just telepathy and shields, so they use andare quite familiar with distance weapons. Some have considerableskill, and those are the ones likeliest to be in Thark's group. "

Greggson frowned. "No unTalented at all? I'd hoped we couldsupplement our few shielded people with a trained Security team, atleast. "

"I do not believe he would take that chance, " Corina said. "This isfar too important to him; his attack force will include only his bestpeople. A Security team would have little chance against even aSanctioner's simple telepathy; no action can be taken without at leasta fraction of a second's forethought. "

"Damn. " Greggson's voice was flat. "That's out, then. "

"Hold on, " Hobison said. "Emperor Chang?"

"Yes, Captain Hobison?"

"Identify Prowler, Irschchan registry, and give crew/passengercapacity. "

"Prowler, Irschchan registry One-Alpha. Kanchatka-class courierrefitted as a yacht, crew of nine plus pilot. Maximum passengercapacity thirty humans. Further data?"

"Not required. " Hobison turned his attention back to the others in theroom. "Thirty human passengers, so call it about forty-fiveIrschchans. And there are twelve of us . . . Not very good odds atall. " He paused, frowned. "Worse, if the crew's Talented. "

"They are not, " Corina said. "They are all Navy veterans; untilmyself, Talented went into the Order instead as a matter of course. However, since Prowler must be destroyed to prevent the use of itsweapons, I do not expect them to be a problem. "

"Forty-five effectives, then, " Hobison said. "I've faced better odds;looks like things could get interesting. "

"We had best plan on forty-six, " Corina corrected. "Thark seldom useshis assigned pilot; he prefers to do his own flying. " She laid herears back. "There will be much death because of his Crusade; I wouldprefer that we cause as little of it as possible. Set your weapons fora two-hour stun. Under the circumstances, that should be quitesufficient; by the end of that time, either Thark will be defeated, thestunned ones still able to stand trial, or we will all be dead. Arethere any questions?"

"I have one, " Greggson said. "You can sense shields at a distance, sothe Seniors can, too. What's to stop them from killing us with darlasas soon as they sense us?"

"Thark is the only one in the Prime Chapter, to the best of myknowledge, who is able to use darlas effectively without visualcontact. "

"You did it!" Greggson's tone was accusing. 

"I am aware of that, " Corina said. "I am surprised I was able to; Imade the attempt only because I had more opponents than I had everfaced in training, and had nothing to lose by trying. The others willhave to be able to see you before they can attack. If we arefortunate, your shields will all be strong enough to deflect such anattack for the two or three seconds necessary to stun them. And thedanger from the Sanctioners, who cannot use darlas at all, is purelyphysical. "

"That's encouraging, " Nevan said. 

Corina's ears twitched in appreciation of the attempt at humor. "I amglad you think so. Are there other questions?"

When there were none, she dismissed the meeting, and the two Rangersreturned to Sherwood Forest to continue Medart's training. Corinabegan to think she must have an allergy after all, because she sneezedseveral times as soon as they entered the park, but she refusedMedart's suggestion that they find a different location. "This area ismost conducive to the proper frame of mind, especially for you. Thatis worth some minor irritation, and I see our tree is available; shallwe take advantage of it?"

When they were seated, Medart came straight to the point. "The firstthing, I think, is to find out about what you called reverse darlas. "

"As I said, that is not a precise description. " Corina's ears wentback in frustration. "It is merely the best I can do in ImperialEnglish. Or in Irschchan, for that matter. "

"It's all we have to work with, though, so let's try to define it a bitmore closely. I can't either practice or avoid something I can'tidentify. "

"That is true enough. Very well, darlas is a form of attack. Itsreverse would logically be some form of defense, yet that is not thefeeling I get. And it would seem redundant, as well, since your shieldis a more than adequate defense, even now, against all but thestrongest conventional darlas. "

"Let's go all the way to basics, then. An attack is hostility, intentto cause harm. The reverse of that is good will, intent to help. Thatsound any more promising?"

"Urrr . . . Yes, somewhat, though I have never heard of such anapplication of Talent. "

"Uh-huh, you said that. " Medart leaned back against the treetrunk. "What you call Talent we call esper abilities, and if I remember right, one of those was healing. Emperor Chang?"

"Yes, Ranger Medart?"

"Scan records for healing as an aspect of ESP, report on verifiedincidents. "

"Insufficient data to verify any given incident, " the ship-compreported after several seconds. "Most data are religious in origin, rather than scientific. Not subject to positive verification. "

"Thank you. No further information required. " Medart looked at thesmaller Ranger. "Like telepathy was, until day before yesterday. Stories, but none of what Greggson likes to call cast-iron facts. "

Corina sneezed again, and Medart frowned. "Sounds to me like you'recoming down with something, Rina. Maybe you ought to go see Dr. Sherman--you need to be in top shape when you go against Thark. "

"That is true, and it is more than the sneezing; I woke with a slightheadache this morning, and I feel as if I have been exercising harderthan I should. Your ship is warmer than I truly like, and I have beenunder some strain; I attributed those symptoms to that. It ispossible, however that I am becoming ill. " She paused, thinking. "Ifthis aspect of your Talent is connected with health, perhaps you shouldsee what you can discover about my condition before I go to Dr. Sherman. "

"That sounds reasonable. " Medart closed his eyes to concentrate betteron sensing her. 

Corina closed hers as well, dropping her shield completely to allow himunrestricted access to her feelings. His mental touch was gentle, evensoothing, and she felt aching start to ease. Then there was a touch onher forehead that felt like both his hands, warmer than normal humanbody temperature, and all her symptoms faded to nothing in perhaps halfa minute. 

When she opened her eyes, it was to see Medart looking at her with anexpression of pleased surprise. "I feel considerably better, Jim, andI thank you. It appears your deduction was correct. "

"You're welcome, " Medart said, still grinning. "And they said there'dnever be a cure for the common cold! You were right too, Rina; thechange in environment when you came aboard gave some viruses the chancethey needed. You were in the early stages of a nasty respiratoryinfection. "

"An unpleasantness that would have hampered me rather badly. "

"That's the understatement of the year! Well, if you agree it won't betoo useful, maybe we'd better drop it and get on with the darlas andshield training. I can always go into medicine later, when we aren'tpushed for time. "

"I must agree. Healing will probably be most valuable, but it ishardly something useful in combat. Fortunately, it is also not ahindrance. "

 * * * * *

"No, Jim, no! That was painful, too strong. " Corina shook her head, half in reproof and half to clear her mind. It was getting late, thetraining session lasting well beyond what the Order consideredreasonable, but both wanted to keep going as long as possible. Still, Corina thought, his control was getting worse rather than better; theyshould finish up soon, then eat and rest. "That snake image is far toopowerful for a stun effect. You must visualize something else. Andyou must also visualize with more consistency, as the power you exertis directly proportional to the clarity of your image. "

"I'm sorry, Rina, " Medart apologized. "You were right, though. Thetechnique was easy, but the control damnsure isn't. Do you think I'llever get the hang of it?"

"Of course you will, " she replied. "Remember, it took me four years toreach my present degree of control, but I was being trained by thetraditional methods. It took me a quarter of a year to achieve whatyou have managed in two days, with this compressed training. Youshould be as pleased with your progress as I am, not discouraged. "

"Three months, hmm? Then I guess I don't feel so bad. "

"That is good. I only hope we have the four to eight days I estimated, even as quickly as you are learning. By then you should be able toconsistently come close to the effect you intend, and can begin workingwith the volunteers. "

"Yeah, me too. I have a lot to learn. "

"Do not let it worry you. Despite my studies under Thark himself, Istill do not have the control I should. Ideally I should be able tostun someone for a given length of time, plus or minus not more than aminute, regardless of the other's strength or mind pattern. I am noteven close to that; plus or minus three minutes is the best I have beenable to manage. "

"That sounds good to me!"

"It is not bad, " Corina agreed, "but it is not what I am supposed to becapable of. That is always the goal, working up to your ownpotential. "

Medart nodded. "I can understand that. What next?"

"Next, " Corina said, getting to her feet, "we eat and rest. Those areas important to your progress as the training itself. "

X

Corina was awakened by the whooping of a siren, followed by asurprisingly calm voice on the ship's annunciator. "General Quarters--All hands to battle stations. General Quarters--man your battlestations. Rangers Medart and Losinj, Palace assault team, to the hangarbay, please. "

Corina scrambled out of bed and into her kilt. "Emperor Chang!"

The ship-comp's voice was unchanged. "Yes, Ranger Losinj?"

"What time is it? What is happening?" The announcement left no doubt, but she wanted details. 

"It is 0230, sir. The Prowler requested clearance for SydneySpaceport, but is on course for the Palace Complex instead. DefsatFive estimates their arrival there in fifteen minutes. "

"Blades!" Corina ignored the ship's "I beg your pardon, Ranger?", andsent a hurried thought. *Jim?*

*On my way. We'll land about an hour and a quarter behind them. Another hour to orbit, then fifteen minutes to the Palace. Seems hewas closer to ready than you guessed. *

*Let us hope not disastrously so. *

*Right. Anything you can do from this distance?*

*I do not think so, at least nothing useful. Once we are aboard thelander, however, I will attempt to read Thark; his shield will have tobe down for him to work, and he may be distracted enough not to noticeso light a touch. *

*If it's down, can't you hit him with darlas? You don't need to be insight of him, from what you said. *

*I do not need to be in sight of someone without a shield, * shereturned. *That is all I am sure of. Should I attempt such an attackon Thark, it may have some effect, or it may simply alert him to ourapproach. I think it would be wiser to do no more than observe, ifthat is possible, and maintain the element of surprise. You have farmore experience than I in such situations, however; I will defer toyour judgement. *

*I've got more experience in combat, less in Talent. We go with yourjudgement on this one. See you in a second. *

It was a little longer than that, but less than a minute later the twowere in a shuttle going to the lander bay. "No armor?" Medart asked. 

"I do not know how to use it, " Corina said. "But you are not wearingit either, and you must be familiar with its use. Why not?"

"From your demonstration, there'd be no point. Armor can protectagainst blasters, but not against Talent--and it has a lot of placeswhere a touch of TK would be fatal. If anyone wants to wear it I won'targue, for the psychological help it can give, but I'm not going toburden myself with it. "

They were the last to arrive; since their quarters were closest to thecenter of the ship, they had the furthest to come. When they got tothe bay, most of the team was standing near the lander talking in lowtones, about half in armor, but Nevan was off to one side, kneelingwith upraised arms, chanting softly in a language she didn't recognize. Her Gaelan-memories let her recognize what he was doing, however; hewas preparing for battle, inducing the psycho-physical conditioningthat made Sandeman warriors the most dangerous fighters in the Empire. 

"If I am going to provide information about Thark, " she said, "we hadbest go aboard; it is almost time for him to land. It should be safefor you to link with me, if you wish to relay what is happening to therest. "

"That might not be a bad idea, " Medart said. 

They entered the lander and Corina strapped herself into a seat--tightly, remembering Medart's caution about Nevan's battlepreppedpiloting--then she made herself relax, closing her eyes, and reachedtentatively for Thark's mind-pattern, ready to pull back at the firsthint that he detected her touch. 

 * * * * *

They were nearing the Sentinel Mountains before Thark began slowing theProwler. Yes, there it was: the circle of greenery and buildingssurrounding the single huge structure that was his goal. The ImperialPalace. 

The sight awed him, and he felt an instant of uncertainty. Could thoseresponsible for such a tremendous feat of architecture be asincompetent to rule as he thought? It was too late for such doubts, though. They were through the weather screen, past the main Palacespaceport, and there was no barrier to a closer approach; there was noneed to disable the Palace's defense screen. As he had planned, Tharkset the Prowler down on the Emperor's private landing pad. Everythinghad gone smoothly so far, but now there was bound to be opposition. 

And that lost no time showing up. The Prowler's touchdown was thesignal Palace Guards had been waiting for; humans, Irschchans, and aTraiti, all in Imperial Marine dress blues, ran toward the ship, drawing and firing their sidearms. They were no real threat; handgunscouldn't penetrate even a courier's shielding. The heavy disruptorcannon swinging to take aim at the little ship's main hatch was anentirely different matter, though. A small cannon of that type coulddo serious damage, and one this size would simply separate ship andcontents into their component atoms. 

But that was something Thark could handle. He made a quick scan tolocate the weapon's operator and any backup, finding to his relief thatthere was none. A swift thrust of darlas, and the cannon was no longera threat, its operator dead. It was the first death at Thark's ownhands . . . But it was not the only one for long. The defending PalaceGuards began to drop as the Seniors used viewscreen images to pick andfocus on their targets. Thark took the ones they couldn't see, theones hidden by Prowler's hull. 

With the first wave of opposition dead, Thark opened the hatch, extended the ramp, and led the Seniors and Sanctioners toward the pad'sentrance to the Palace. They were almost there when more oppositionarrived, perhaps a dozen Palace Guards--followed seconds later by a manin Ranger green. 

There was no time to be neat; the Sanctioners used blasters, theSeniors darlas and soul-blades. Thark's fur was splattered with bloodby the time he reached the Ranger. Menshikov's gun was coming to bearon him even as Thark used darlas to attack. A Ranger deserved thatmuch of honor, to die with @'s body unmarked. 

But--Menshikov was shielded, impossible as that was! An involuntaryshield, though, however good, was no match for Thark's lifetime oftraining and experience. Menshikov's face twisted in agony, and hecollapsed before he could scream. 

Thark stared at the crumpled body for several seconds. The man'sshield disturbed him more than he cared to admit, even to himself. Itshould not have existed! Still, he thought, perhaps in the finalextremity, a rare human could show a trace of Talent; such things hadbeen known to happen on Irschcha. He would check on it later, perhaps;for now, it made no difference. 

 * * * * *

Corina's attention returned to the lander, where she found herself andMedart the focus of the entire assault team's intense interest. *Whatdo you expect?* Medart sent grimly. *That's the second Ranger murderedin the Palace in less than two months--maybe others elsewhere, depending on how widespread this Crusade is. *

*Probably others elsewhere, * Corina replied, equally grim. *He willnot be content with one strike, and Rangers are essential targets foranyone who seeks to greatly alter or destroy the Empire. I fear forthose who are not in space or otherwise out of the Order's reach. *

*Me, too. * He continued aloud. "Did he sense you?"

"No. As I thought, he is too intent on his task to notice a touch aslight as I am using. Is there no way we can get there faster? If hecontinues at his present rate, everyone in the Palace may be dead bythe time we arrive. "

"No, dammit, " Hobison said. "Hyperdrive is three lights per hour, period, and we're still most of an hour out. "

"Perhaps a few minutes, " Nevan said. "If Chang can make a sub-orbitalpass, we can save the descent from orbit. "

That brought the group's attention to him, and Corina was struck by thechange in his bearing. Everything about him was taut, ready: his eyesheld an eager gleam, and his smile was nothing like the happy one she'dseen when she offered him this duty; instead it was one of deadlyanticipation, and he was seething with controlled violence. It waseasy, seeing him this way, to believe stories that had been difficultto accept earlier. "Is that not quite dangerous?"

It was Medart who answered. "For a standard human, it's almostimpossible. For a battleprepped warrior, it's not too bad; they did itquite a bit during the Incursion. It'd save probably ten minutes. "

"We will do so, then, " Corina decided. "Captain Hobison, would yougive the necessary orders? And ask whoever is in temporary command tonotify Defsat Five when we land, please; I believe we may be too busyto do it. "

"Yes, sir. " Hobison left, going to the lander's controls. 

Corina took another look at Nevan, then sighed--a human mannerism, butone that seemed appropriate. "I suppose I should return to myobservations. "

"It would help to know what he's up to, " Medart said. "First, though, I think you ought to check out Nevan's shield. It seems battleprepmakes a difference in Talent strength, too. "

Corina's ears went back briefly. "Such things do not normally change, but I will retest him. " When she touched the Sandeman's mind, her earswent forward in amazement. His shield, respectably strong before, nowhad the density and chill feel of spacer-steel armor!

She nodded. "This means a personnel switch. Nevan now has a betterchance against Thark than Colonel Greggson does; he will accompany us, and Colonel Greggson will assist with the other attackers. "

Neither man raised any objection to the substitution, though Greggson'sexpression was not pleased. Nevan simply nodded, his eyes a bitbrighter. 

 * * * * *

Thark had entered the Palace by the time she made contact again, andthe slaughter was continuing. He, Valla, Kainor, and four Sanctionerswere looking for the Emperor; the rest were spreading out to eliminateopposition elsewhere in the Palace. 

There were adequate maps of the public areas, none of the private areaslike this--but for one of Thark's Talent, that was a minor obstacle. It was a simple matter to extract whatever directions he wanted fromthe unshielded minds of staff and Guards before killing them. Hisfirst goal was the Emperor's working office; when that proved empty, hegot directions to His Majesty's apartment on the top floor, and led histeam there. 

When that also proved to be empty, Thark began to worry. Something wasdefinitely wrong, and it took longer to get around in the Palace thanhe had expected, even for a building so huge; it took a good fiveminutes simply to get from the bottom to the top floor or back. Thenthere was the time to find his objectives, made longer by having toeliminate opposition on the way--this was taking too long!

The assault team on the lander disagreed; anything that delayed Tharkworked in their favor. "How long till launch?" someone asked Nevan. 

"Eight minutes. Then about three to land. "

Corina was aware of her team, so she heard the estimate, but her mainattention was still on Thark. He and his people were on their way tothe Throne Room, hoping to find the Emperor there with his staff. Others of the Crusade had been along parts of their route; they passedbodies, all marked by blaster fire, and added others, unmarked orknife-killed, of those who tried to block their way. Thark was notproud of the number of beings who had to die. He had to remind himselfsternly--and repeatedly--that their sacrifice was necessary for thebirth of a new and greater Empire. 

The Throne Room, when they reached it, was also empty except for ahandful of Guards. Thark grabbed one of them while Valla and Kainorkilled the rest. 

The man was a typical human, with no trace of screen, so Thark found itsimple to probe his mind. And this time he went deep, digging foreverything the man knew instead of only for directions. The resultswere bad, very bad. Thark let the Guard's body fall and broadcast amessage to the entire attack group. *No more killing. I needprisoners now, high-ranking ones. Bring any you find to the ThroneRoom. *

As soon as he received acknowledgements, he called Valla and Kainor tohim. "We have a serious problem. The Emperor and Crown Prince haveleft Terra, an option we did not consider, and this one, " he indicatedthe body, "did not know why or for what destination. All he knew wasthat they were picked up by a lander from the Empress Lindner daybefore yesterday. We must find and eliminate them, else the Crusade isdoomed. "

"If they are aboard a battle cruiser, " Valla objected, "how can wedestroy them? You know how powerful and well-armed those ships are. "

Thark nodded. "True. But our ships are no smaller than Traitiwarcraft, and they destroyed several such cruisers without theadvantage of Talent to tell them the humans' intentions. It will notbe easy, but it can be done. "

"It will cost us many lives. "

Thark agreed, somberly. "I know. Yet we cannot stop now. We havegone too far to fail. "

Movement at the Throne Room's great door attracted his attention. Itwas Underofficer Jamar and another of his Sanctioners, half carryingand half dragging a bound and bleeding prisoner toward him. Tharkpurred briefly, pleased. The prisoner was better than he had expected, a Ranger who would surely know the Emperor's location. From the man'scondition, it was as well he had ordered the killing to stop when hehad, else he might have lost this valuable prisoner. 

Aboard the lander, Corina heard swearing--which was interrupted byNevan's "Launch!" command. A pressor beam sent them out the airlockand through the cruiser's wake, the lander's engines screaming as itspilot fought it through maneuvers it hadn't been designed for. Corinafelt a sudden lurch of fear--could he do it?

*He's from Clan Leras and he's battleprepped, * Medart assured her. *That part I'm not worried about--can you get anything else while we'regoing in?*

*If his maneuvers do not become too violent. * Corina re-establishedcontact, to find Thark studying the youngest of the Rangers--she wasthe newest, but almost four standard years older than he--Ray Kennard. Medium height and build, he was a fair-skinned redhead who might havebeen handsome but for his injuries. He had clearly resisted till hecould fight no more, yet despite his injuries and his obviousweakness--he could barely stand--he seemed to radiate an aura of quietcompetence. Thark felt grudging respect. This human wasn't like thetourists and administrators he was all too familiar with. 

"How did you manage to capture him?" Thark asked the Sanctioners. 

Jamar answered. "We found him in the Comm Section just as we receivedyour message, Master. We attacked before he could get his weapon out. He fought well, as you can see, but he could not defeat two of us. "The Sanctioner hesitated. 

"Go on, " Thark urged him. 

"Master Thark--he is shielded! I could not read his intentions!"

"What!" Not another one, Thark denied to himself. He probed Kennard, only to find the Sanctioner was right. This man was shielded, at leastas well as Menshikov had been. Could he, then, have been mistakenabout the human lack of Talent?

No. He pushed that thought firmly aside, unable to accept it. 

Kennard grinned at him, weak but triumphant. "I am, huh? Then Rinawas right--Jim's not a fluke. You've blown it, traitor. "

Corina lost contact as the lander lurched, making its firing pass overProwler, and then made a fast landing. She was out of her seat almostas quickly as Nevan, though he beat her to the door. As soon as allwere outside, she said, "Our countdown starts now. Go!"

She was badly disturbed by the bodies littering the landing pad. Eventhough she had watched him do it, she found it hard to believe the onewho had taught her so much could be responsible for this. The Tharkshe had been so sure she knew would never have been capable of suchslaughter!

She followed Medart's sudden movement toward the green-clad bodyhalfway to the Palace entrance. He stopped, knelt to turn it over andclose staring eyes, then he looked up at Corina. "Darlas. He neverhad a chance. "

A taut, quiet voice interrupted. "There is a living one we can stillhelp, sir. "

Medart looked up into cold-steel eyes. "Right. Let's get to theThrone Room, then. "

Hobison and Greggson had already led the rest of the assault groupinside; Corina heard the Security Chief curse, then comment, "They'llbe easy enough to find, Captain. Just follow the bodies. "

"Yeah, " Hobison agreed tonelessly. "Split up, then. You, Marshall andEustazio secure Communications; the rest of us will search-and-silence. Double-check that your weapons are on stun, then go. "

As soon as the rest were out of the way, Medart began leading the othertwo through the Palace's private section. Nevan would have been betterat point, but he couldn't know this part of the Palace--

"Down!"

Medart dropped automatically, heard a stun-bolt go by overhead, and sawa gray-kilted Irschchan fall two corridors ahead. "You okay, Rina?"

"I am fine. " Corina had also dropped at the warning; now both Rangersstood. She turned to the Sandeman. "How did you do that?"

Nevan gave a tiny shrug. "I heard @, probably. Or saw a flash ofkilt, I can't be sure. Since I knew it wasn't one of our people, Ifired. "

Medart managed a chuckle, despite the circumstances. "They call itcombat instinct, Rina--but I'm beginning to think it's an aspect ofTalent. "

"An aspect that works through a shield, " Corina said. "That will haveto be explored later--for now, we can only use it. How much further?"

"Not much. " Medart began moving again, taking a straight line until hemade an abrupt turn that took them into a corridor with severalwidely-spaced doors. "Our offices--this hall brings us out behind theThrone, but I have to check something. Wait a minute. "

He went into one of the offices, emerged seconds later. "The securitycameras are getting the whole thing--we've got plenty of evidence. Let's finish this up. "

He led them through a door at the end of the corridor. It openedbehind draperies; when the three stepped through those, Corina foundthey were on the Throne's marble dais, two meters behind the plain, high-backed wooden chair. She moved forward, between it and one of theswirling-silver columns that flanked it. 

The scene below her was sickening. Bodies scattered around were badenough, but there was worse: Thark's calm, merciless beating of thehelpless Kennard, while Valla and Kainor looked on in apparentapproval. These couldn't be the gentle, affectionate people who hadtaught her with such patience over the last four years, now bloody andfearsome. 

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward to the edge of the dais andcalled, "Thark!"

He turned, startled, and looked up at her. "Corina!" he exclaimed. "What--" Then he noticed the drab green kilt, totally uncharacteristicof her. Now what? he wondered. He strode to meet her as she descendedfrom the dais, drawing his bloody soul-blade as he went. 

Corina unsheathed her own blade, the movement attracting Thark'sattention to the bit of metal at her belt. A human would have paled indeep shock; Thark's only visible reaction was an agitated twitch of hisears. 

"You? A Ranger?" It was too much for him to accept. First humanswith shields--blades, with Talent!--and now Losinj a Ranger? "No!"

"It is true, Thark. I am placing you under arrest for treason againstthe Empire. "

Thark started to answer, was interrupted by gunfire. The Sanctionerholding Kennard had let the human fall to go for his blaster; Nevandropped him, Valla, and three others while Medart shot Kainor and theremaining Sanctioner. His demoralization was completed when theSandeman said, "Good shooting, Ranger Medart. Do you want that lastone, or may I take him?"

"Neither, " Medart replied. "He's hers--give me a hand with Kennard. "

"Yes, sir. " Nevan holstered his blaster, and the two men went to kneelby the fallen Ranger. 

Corina stopped in front of her former teacher. "You have seen and feltthe truth, Thark. Will you continue to deny it and fight, or will youdo as you taught me honor requires?"

Thark gestured at the carnage around them. "All this has been fornothing?"

"I would not say that, " Corina said. "Your Crusade is the reason I wasable to become a Ranger and to discover and train--or begin training--Ranger Medart's Talent. " She gestured to where Nevan was now standingguard while Medart still knelt, his hands on Kennard's forehead andchest. "He is now using an aspect we never developed. This human is ahealer, as well as having considerable darlas. "

Thark shook his head. "I cannot dispute your word, but it is difficultto accept an idea that seemed impossible even an hour ago. May I havea demonstration of a human Talent I can understand?"

"If he is willing. " Corina called to her fellow Ranger. "Jim!"

Medart looked up, anger plain in his face. "What is it?"

"Thark wishes proof of your Talent. "

"He'll get it, " Medart promised. Then Corina felt a blast of darlasagainst her own shield. Most of it, she knew, was directed at Thark, but Medart's lack of control let her feel the fringes. The power ofthat blast was immense, as if the Ranger was releasing years of pent-upenergy at once, but it didn't last long; Thark was shaken, not hurt. 

"That satisfy you?" Medart demanded. 

"It does, " Thark replied formally. "Such proof cannot be denied. " Heturned back to Corina, feeling empty. It had all come to nothing. Allthose lives wasted, all that blood on his hands--all for his mistakes. "I have committed grave dishonor as well as treason, Ranger. May I bepermitted to salvage what I can of my honor before I pay the otherpenalty?"

Corina sheathed her dagger. This was her old master once again, itseemed. Even in his treason he had acted as he believed honordemanded; despite her fears to the contrary, it was clear he wouldnot--he could not--refuse honor's demands now. "Halt the Crusade, Master. I will do what I can for those who followed you, if theysurrender immediately. "

Master, Thark thought. She had refused to call him that before, whenshe had named him traitor. He bowed his head, acknowledging herauthority--but there was one thing he still had to find out. "You havetaught the use of Talent, Ranger Losinj, which should have increasedyour own ability. May I test, to find if it has had the effect Ibelieved it would?"

Corina inclined her head. "You may, Master--but my new positiondemands I take precautions. Lieutenant DarLeras. "

"Yes, sir?"

"This is not a combat situation, but should I appear to be weakening, Imay need your support. Your shield is powerful enough that you shouldbe able to give it simply by wishing strongly to protect me. Willyou?"

"Gladly, sir!"

Corina felt his shield reaching for her, and purred in amusement. "Notnow, Lieutenant--only if I cannot protect myself. I believe I knowwhat Master Thark has in mind, and it is important to Irschcha's futurethat the results not be distorted. "

Thark looked from her to the Sandeman, reached out gently, and touchedthe strongest shield he had ever felt. "You, too, " he said inresignation. "Guard her well, warrior. "

Nevan bowed. If Ranger Losinj called him Master and showed him adegree of respect, a junior officer could do no less. "You have awarrior's word on that, High Adept. "

"That title is what I am testing. " Thark's attention went back toCorina, and he struck with the full power of his darlas. 

It hurt, but Corina was able to block any damage and strike back. Toher astonishment, her blast penetrated Thark's shield and it was shewho had to pull back to prevent injury. 

Thark held up both hands. "Enough. You have done even better than Iexpected, which was to become my successor when I chose to retire. Youhave become stronger than I, which makes you High Adept by default. And it seems only fitting, now, that a Ranger of the Empire be head ofthe White Order. " He broadcast a thought, seeming relieved at hiscapitulation. *Cease all resistance and surrender to the nearestImperial officer. I have been wrong. The Crusade is truly simpletreason, and as its leader I command its dissolution. Ranger CorinaLosinj is now High Adept of the Order, to be obeyed as such. *

There were astonished objections from those still able, especially theones not on Terra, but Thark overrode them. *Do as I have commanded. Honor cannot be denied. *

That brought acquiescence, sometimes grudged but real. Medart felt itand touched his throat, activating his comm implant. "Chang, relay toour assault team, then the appropriate parts to Imperial installationselsewhere--and make sure Defsat Five is included. Cease fire, theOrder has surrendered. Bring any who are still conscious, and those ofthe stunned ones you can manage, to the Throne Room. Medart out. "

Thark bowed to Corina, feeling only exhaustion and an odd sense ofrelief. It had been a noble dream, but it was now at an end, and hehad only one thing left to do. "I will need a blaster. "

Corina nodded. "Lieutenant DarLeras, " she called. 

Nevan joined her. "Yes, sir?"

"Give Thark your gun. "

Nevan wanted to protest, but resisted the urge and handed the weaponover--with a warning. "Try to harm her, Master Thark, and you're theone who'll die. "

Thark felt unexpected amusement. "I have committed enough dishonor, young warrior. I will not compound it by harming her. I wish only todestroy this blade, and so regain what I may of the honor I have lost. "He held up the bloody dagger that had, so long ago, had his mind-patternimpressed on it. 

Nevan bowed. "I meant no disrespect, only to assure her safety. "

"As you should, and will. " Thark switched the blaster to maximumpower, placed his soul-blade on the floor, and fired. 

Then he screamed, a long full-throated yowl of absolute, terrifyingloss that subsided to broken whimpers as he collapsed beside thesmoking metal that had been a blade. 

"What--" Nevan exclaimed in astonishment. 

"Psychic shock, Lieutenant, " Corina said. "He will recover enough tostand trial and serve whatever sentence he is given, but he will neverbe whole again. He has destroyed an essential part of himself. Takehim to the medical unit, please, and see that he is cared for whilemedteams find and treat the other survivors. Can you find it?"

"Yes, sir. " Nevan pried his gun out of Thark's hand and holstered it, then picked the Irschchan up. "I'll be back as soon as I can. "

 * * * * *

Three hours later, the Empress Lindner returned to Terra orbit, andshortly thereafter one of its landers touched down beside Chang's. Medart and Corina were waiting for the passengers in Emperor Davis'working office, as he had asked; they had given him a complete reportduring his trip back, and had in turn been given reports of what hadhappened elsewhere in the Empire during the shortest-lived revolt inits history. The next step was His Majesty's decision as to what wasto be done about it. 

The office showed no sign of the fighting just ended, and cleanupelsewhere was already under way. The Palace morgue was busy, themedical center only a little less so; Hobison was there, in criticalcondition, along with three less seriously wounded from the assaultgroup. Greggson and one of the other Marines had been killed; the restof the group was unhurt. Kennard's injuries had been serious, butthanks to Medart's help not fatal, and Senior Physician Zanivar hadsaid he'd be released later that week. 

The two stood and came to attention as the Emperor entered, followed byCrown Prince Forrest and a massive, gray-skinned Traiti in Marineservice black. "As you were, " Davis said, motioning the others tochairs and seating himself at his desk. 

He turned to Corina. "You did a good job, Ranger. I didn't expect itto end so quickly. "

"Had Thark been less honorable than he was, sir, it would not have. "

"I'm aware of that, which is why he'll be sentenced to exile ratherthan death--though in his condition, I'm not sure which would beworse. "

"To him, " Corina said slowly, "it no longer matters. His bodysurvives, but very little of Thark himself remains. He can go throughthe motions of life, that is all--and he has effectively wiped himselffrom Irschchan memory. His name and story will survive, of course, butit will be without the mind-pattern in his blade to give it substance. "

"He can still serve as an example, " Davis said. "The fact that he leda rebellion because he was convinced it would be beneficial to everyonedoesn't excuse it--but the fact that he called it off and tried toatone when he found he was wrong justifies my giving him what will beseen as clemency by most people. And it'll have at least one sidebenefit. " Davis indicated the Traiti. "Lieutenant Hovan spoke to hisClan Mother at my request, and got her consent. Thark's exile will beon Norvis, guarded and taken care of by Clan Ch'kara. That way he'svisibly punished, in a way that demonstrates the Empire's trust in ournewest citizens. "

"An elegant solution, " Corina agreed. She turned to Hovan, gave him apolite seated bow. "I saw the tapes of your rulers' Audience, Lieutenant. I am pleased to meet one who can react so swiftly andcorrectly. "

Hovan returned the bow, his arms crossed over his chest. "You give metoo much honor, ka'naya Ranger. When that man shot Ranger Tarlac, Ireacted the only way I could, as a newly commissioned officer of theEmpire. "

"It was well done, nevertheless. " Corina returned her attention toDavis. "I assume my next task, then, will be bringing Irschcha'sgovernment into conformity with the rest of the Empire?"

"That's right. You're head of the White Order now, so you'd have lesstrouble than anyone else. I'll give you a signed Confirmation ofSuzerainty for whoever you pick as Baron; from now on that's going tobe a hereditary position the way it is everywhere else outside SectorTraiti--though if you think it best, I'll add a stipulation that theBaron must have Talent. "

"That would indeed be best, sir, at least at first. "

"So be it, then. Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Not at the moment. I cannot even consider candidates until I know whois available--in other words, who did not participate in the Crusade. Then I will have to choose one who abstained because of loyalty to theEmpire, not because of fear. "

Davis nodded. "Do you have any idea how much of the Order will be leftfor you to choose from?"

Corina's ears went back in a frown. "That is difficult to say, sir, though probably less than a quarter. Those raised in Order schools arealmost certain to share Thark's convictions, and therefore to havetaken part. I simply hope there are enough to form a new government; Iwould prefer not to have to bring in unTalented, who would not beaccepted because of it. "

"As long as you can manage to avoid me having to send in an occupationforce, I'll be satisfied. You'll have Jim along, of course; it'll be ayear or so before I'll send you out solo, even if he didn't have aconvalescent leave to finish. "

"I am most grateful for that, Your Majesty. I have much to learn. "

"Don't we all. " Davis leaned back. "Now--have you been able to findout more about human Talent potential? Especially Rangers'?"

"Very little, I am afraid. I was reluctant to tamper with the shieldsof any of our assault group to check them further, but I did probeRanger Kennard while he was being treated, since his shield wasweakened by his injuries. He does have good potential, though somewhatless powerful than Jim's. Since Captain Hobison and LieutenantDarLeras are both Ranger-level and shielded, as well, I would say thathypothesis is correct. "

"What about Rick and myself?"

It hadn't occurred to Corina to check the Emperor or Crown Prince; nowshe did so. "Both shielded, Your Majesty. "

"Good. Next time you're on Terra, you can train us; in the meantimeyou can work with Jim, and I'll send the others to you for training asI can spare them from other duties. We'll worry about lower-rankingones with Talent later. "

"Sir, " Medart said. 

"Yes, Jim?"

"What do you have planned for the rest of our assault group?"

Davis smiled. "I think you can guess, for a mission that valuable tothe Empire that they didn't expect to come back from. Since they'remilitary and risking their lives for the Empire is technically part oftheir jobs, I can't quite justify Life Nobilities--but I can damnsuregive them Sovereign's Medals and merit promotions, plus choice of nextassignment. "

"That sounds good, except for Hobison, " Medart said. "He's alreadyrefused promotion half a dozen times to keep command of the Chang. "

"Considering his total career, that's one Life Nobility I can justify, "Davis said. "And I think he will take promotion if it doesn't meanlosing his ship. "

"I think so too, sir. " Medart grinned. "I like it--that'll make himthe only ship captain whose position title is lower than his Navyrank. "

Davis chuckled, then sobered. "That's it, then. I'll see you all atthe Tribunal, gentles--in the meantime, we all have work to do. " Hestood. 

The others rose and bowed, then left. Corina waited until she andMedart were on an elevator to the Rangers' apartment floor, then shesaid, "It is strange, Jim. I was afraid to take this job, and I amstill not positive that I should have been offered it--but I findmyself enjoying even the danger and the responsibility. "

"Which, " Medart said with a grin, "should prove to you that you areright for the job. It's one challenge after another, and you'lleventually run into one you won't get back out of--but in the meantimeyou can be damn sure you won't be bored. "

For a brief outline of the rebellion's consequences, see AFTRWORD

AFTRWORD

(A basic overview of the general situation and what happens to the maincharacters between this story and the next one [either already written, or just planned] that they appear in. )

Although the White Order rebellion was the shortest in Imperialhistory, its active phase lasting only slightly over an hour, it wasthe most disruptive. Its purpose was to replace the nobility and keymilitary/administrative personnel; the Order members who were to bethose replacements, after killing their predecessors, were in place andready to strike days or weeks before Thark set the time. In spite ofRanger Losinj's warning, many succeeded, either because their targetsdid not believe the seriousness of the threat, or because Talent wasable to overcome the precautions that were taken. 

When all the reports were in, Imperial losses were staggering. ThreeRangers were dead, one seriously injured, and over a third of theruling nobles, some with their heirs, had been killed--along withapproximately a quarter of the top-ranking planet-based military andAdmin Service officers. 

Once the full extent of the disaster was assessed, Rangers Medart andLosinj were reassigned, to separate missions. Because of Losinj'sfamiliarity, however brief, with Chang's crew, Medart decided to changeships rather than having her do so; he chose the Empress Lindner, formerly Ranger Tarlac's ship. Rangers Fenn and Scolacz were recalledfrom Sector Traiti, which was unaffected by the rebellion because theWhite Order had not had time since the War to infiltrate. RangersKennard and Forrest were also sent out on missions to help therecovery; only Ranger Wang was kept on her original mission, but withanother sector added to her responsibilities. 

In a brief meeting before Medart and Losinj left for Irschcha, Nevanasked Medart's advice on how best to prepare himself should RangerLosinj accept his personal fealty once he felt he had enough experienceto be a suitable thakur-na. He acted on that advice, though it provedextremely difficult at times, and succeeded in a number of dangerousmissions; one of those earned him a second Sovereign's Medal, and wasfollowed within months by his second mission with Medart. 

For the meeting between Medart and Nevan, see ADVICE

ADVICE

"Captain Nevan DarLeras to see Ranger Medart. "

"He's expecting you, sir. " The Palace Guard opened the door toMedart's office and stood aside to let the Sandeman pass. 

Medart rose to greet his visitor, then gestured him to a chair and satback down as Nevan took the seat. "Your note said you'd like to see meabout a personal matter, to be discussed under warrior privacy. What'sthe problem?"

"It's not exactly a problem, sir, and I'm not quite sure how toapproach it, even with a battle-companion. You're familiar with ourcustom of personal fealty. "

That was a statement, not a question, but Medart nodded. "Veryfamiliar; I'm also battle-companion to Lord Klaes' 'na, Gaelan-FrederickDarShona. Who are you planning on offering fealty to?" As if hecouldn't guess, he thought. 

Nevan was relieved at the Ranger's calm response. "I would like toserve Ranger Losinj, but she doesn't need an inexperienced youngofficer, even a warrior. Since I've been given my choice ofassignments, I was hoping you'd help me pick one that will give me thekind of experience she's likely to need. I'll just have to hope shedoesn't accept another 'na before I'm able to give her the kind ofservice she needs. "

Medart studied the young Sandeman for several moments. "I can dothat, " he said at last. "But it's a type of work I think you'd finddistasteful, given your honesty, and given some of your culturalconditioning, you could find the training for it intolerable. Yourpsych profile, though, says you're adaptable enough that you couldaccept both, given adequate motivation. "

Nevan frowned. "I'm afraid I don't understand, sir. I don't know ofany Imperial job I would find distasteful, much less intolerable. "

Medart chuckled. "Sure you do--it's covered at the Academy, though notin great depth; the fact that you don't even like to think about itproves my point. But if you can manage the training, I think you'dmake an outstanding field agent. "

"Field agent!" Nevan couldn't help it; he grimaced in revulsion. "Those are--" he hesitated, then decided even one of High War Speech'sworst insults wasn't too strong--"nekulturniy. "

Medart grew serious. "Not at all, though I was sure you'd react thatway. Nevan, field agents have as much integrity as anyone else inImperial service, and they're necessary. Some investigations areimpossible to carry out openly--trying to find the Melgarie pirates'base is a case in point. The only way it'll be found and destroyed, other than by sheer accident, is by infiltration. If it could be doneopenly, it's big enough it'd be a Ranger's job; since it can't, fieldagents go in. To succeed, an agent will have to convince the pirates@'s a criminal--probably have to take part in some crimes for thatpurpose--to be allowed onto the base at all. Then @'ll have toconvince them @'s trustworthy enough to be allowed access to the base'sdefenses to determine their strength, and to communication facilitiesto call in a strong enough Navy force to take the base out . . . Preferably coming out alive @self. "

Medart paused. He wished he could read the Sandeman's mind, butNevan's shield was definitely up. Still, revulsion seemed to havesubsided to dislike, so he continued. "That's lying, probably theft, maybe murder. But it's the only way we know to eliminate what's becomea major threat to inter-sector commerce, and is rapidly becoming worse. Let me see if I can put it another way. Field agents are people we cantrust to act against the Empire's short-term interests when, and onlywhen, that's necessary to protect its long-term ones. It's always adangerous job, usually a nasty one, and the agents know very well thatmost people share your opinion of them. The only reason they put upwith all that is because they know how necessary it is. "

"I . . . Never thought of it that way, " Nevan said slowly. Sandemancustom said that any sort of deliberate falsehood or deception waswrong, a grave dishonor, and he believed that implicitly--but itsounded like Ranger Medart was telling him that in some cases it wasnot only honorable, it was praiseworthy! That was a difficult conceptto absorb--yet a Ranger was as scrupulously honest as a warrior, unlessthe Empire's very existence depended on one being otherwise, and Nevancouldn't imagine a warrior's becoming a field agent was anywhere nearthat important. 

Another strong consideration was just which Ranger was giving him thatinformation and advice. James Medart played a prominent role inSandeman history, one of the few standard humans they accepted as beingon a par with their warrior caste, and the one person they creditedwith making their entry into the Empire on an honorable basis possible;his words were to be given more than ordinary value. 

After several moments' silence, Nevan nodded. "Since you name it bothhonorable and the best way to prepare for the service I hope to giveRanger Losinj, I will do my best to become such an agent. " He paused, went on less formally. "If what you just told me--about field agentshaving a position of special trust--was known in Subsector Sandeman, any whose identity we knew would be honored, not scorned. "

"And that's something I hadn't thought of, " Medart said. "If you'rewilling to waive warrior privacy on that part of our discussion, I'llbe happy to pass it along to your clan-chief, the Vader, and theMiklos. "

"It is waived, but only on that part. "

"Understood, warrior. " Medart strongly hoped Nevan would make itthrough agent's training; outside of the unfortunate but inevitablewarrior's tendency to consider combat a preferred option rather than alast resort, he had all the qualifications of a Ranger. Whether Rinaaccepted his offer of fealty or not, the Empire would have somethingit'd never managed before: a Ranger-class field agent. That wouldfrighten some people if they ever found out about it, Medart thought, but he found it reassuring--especially since the prospective agent wasa Sandeman warrior. "Would you like me to brief you on the training?"

Nevan thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I'd rather go inwithout preconceptions, since you say I'm likely to find parts . . . Not intolerable, since I intend to tolerate them, but extremelydifficult. The fewer details I know, the fewer contingency plans I'llautomatically put together. "

"That sounds reasonable, " Medart agreed. Especially since a warrior'scontingency plans tended to be violent . . . "Do you have any ideawhen you plan to offer fealty?"

"I was thinking of about five years, " Nevan said. "I do want as muchexperience as I can get, and that's not a lot--but her people areallergic to the anti-agathics, so I don't dare wait too long. "

"True. I'd say that was a reasonable compromise. " Rina was a yearyounger than Nevan, but he was on anti-agathics and she couldn'ttolerate them; if he didn't get himself killed on the way, he'dprobably outlive her by close to two centuries. "Is there anythingelse?"

"No, sir. " Nevan stood, bowed. "I thank you for your counsel, RangerMedart. Gods permitting, I intend to follow it. "

Medart rose and returned the bow. "May they grant you success in bothyour training and your offer. "

 Until next time . . . 

[Preparer's note: This is the end of the main story. The materialfollowing this note is the supplementary material linked to fromelsewhere in this file. ]

SELECT

It was the end of Test Week at the Academy, almost time for the resultsto be posted outside the cadet-candidates' dining hall, and all of themwere there waiting. The results determined the incoming cadets'initial standings, so James Medart was as eager--and asapprehensive--about them as any of the others. 

Promptly at 1300, the display board lit, and Medart skimmed the listfor the M's. He was confident he'd made it through the gruelingtests--though even at this point, about a quarter didn't--and he washoping for a good ranking. In the planet-wide testing, he'd rated #1. That was good enough to get him to the main Academy at the Palace Complexbut everyone here had scored high on their home worlds; he wouldn't betoo disappointed, he told himself, as long as he made the top quarter. 

When he found his name, though, it was all he could to to hold back awhoop of delight. He'd made #1 again, even in this picked group! Itwas Cadet Medart now, no longer Cadet-Candidate, #1 of the Class of2516! At least, he cautioned himself, until regular academic rankingsstarted coming out. Then he'd be working hard to keep his rating, withthe rest working equally hard to take it over--but for today, comingthrough Test Week on top was plenty of grounds for satisfaction. 

The new cadets spent some time congratulating each other andcommiserating with those who'd be going to branch Academies instead, then the group broke up to pack. This afternoon was theoretically freetime, but the new cadets were anxious to move to the Academy proper, the others to leave the scene of their disappointment, so within halfan hour Medart was back in his room. 

He packed automatically, his mind busy. He was relieved to have TestWeek behind him, still excited by his ranking, and trying for what feltlike the millionth time to decide on his third major when there was aknock on the door. He called, "Come in, " expecting to see one of hisclassmates or an upperclasswen, when he finished closing his carryalland turned around. 

The woman standing in front of the again-closed door was neither, andMedart couldn't help staring at her in shock. Outside the PalaceComplex no ordinary Imperial citizen, and very few nobles or officers, could reasonably expect to see one of these people in the flesh. Hetried to regain control, but when the woman said, "Cadet Medart?" allhe could manage was a nod. 

The woman smiled. "I'm sorry for the shock, Cadet. I'm Ranger ArlenePerry. Do you have a few minutes to spare?"

This time Medart managed to find his voice, though it was a littleshaky. "Yes, sir, of course. " Dear gods, he thought numbly, anImperial Ranger. There were only ten in the entire Terran Empire, andone had come looking for him. That was astonishing in itself--and ifcadet rumor was right about the reason for such a visit, it was alsointimidating. 

To his surprise, Perry chuckled. That wasn't the sort of thing he'dexpected from one of His Majesty's personal representatives--it was tooordinary. So was her grin when she said, "I gather from your reactionthat you've heard the rumors about a post-Test Week visit from one ofus. "

Medart nodded. From Perry's tone and expression, she was trying togive him time to adjust, but he wasn't sure that would help. 

"The rumor's absolutely true, " Perry said. "What do you think?"

His first impulse was to say she must be either joking or crazy, but heknew better, and that kept him from answering right away. Of coursehe'd had the usual daydreams of himself in the forest green uniform andplatinum badge, but he'd never seriously thought of himself as one ofthis premier elite. He didn't feel qualified, and the idea of takingon a Ranger's tremendous responsibilities terrified him. The authorityand prerogatives were tempting--dear gods, who wouldn't want to beImperial royalty, with unlimited money and power?--but it was theresponsibilities that were his primary concern. A military officer'smistake could endanger a ship, maybe a fleet at the worst; a Ranger'smistake could endanger anything from a world or system all the way tothe Empire itself. That was easily intimidating enough for him to wantto turn Perry down flat. It wasn't at all the sort of thing he caredto have on his conscience. 

After several minutes, he shook his head. "That's very flattering, sir, but you have the wrong person. I don't think I have what it takesto handle that kind of power. "

Perry chuckled. "The classic answer. Jim, all your test results werefed into the Empire Net and analyzed. The comps saw you had the kindof profile we're interested in, so the Net kicked your records up tothe closest Ranger, who happened to be me. I agreed, so I brought themto His Majesty's attention. He agreed, so I'm here. Care to arguethat combination?"

Medart took a deep breath. "With all due respect, sir, I don't haveany choice, since I can't agree. I think I know myself pretty well;I'd make a good Navy officer, maybe even captain of a battle cruiser--but not a Ranger. "

Perry sat down on Medart's bed, next to the carryall. "Good. Believeit or not, Jim, that's exactly the response we were hoping for. If youdid want the job, thought right away you could handle it, you'd be anarrogant fool--and you'd have disqualified yourself, even this late. Iknow it's hard to understand that feeling unqualified is part of whatmakes you qualified, but history proves that in most cases, people whowant power are the last ones who should have it. There are a fewexceptions, of course, but we're talking about the vast majority. 

"What we want are people who have the necessary ability and areasonable amount of ambition, but who aren't interested in power forthe sake of power itself. It's a delicate balance, and we may misssome who qualify because we prefer to take no chances on power-hunger--but you can be positive that if you are tapped, you do qualify. "

Medart hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. He knew as well as anyonethat the Empire was chronically short of Rangers. There were neverenough, even when there were more than the average of ten. It was alsocommon knowledge that however few there were, the selection criteria--whatever those were--were never lowered. They might be, and had been, raised; the opposite, never. So however unqualified he felt, he couldbe positive, as she said, that he was in fact fully qualified. 

And he'd applied for the Academy because, as far back as he couldremember, his goal in life had been to serve the Empire to the best ofhis ability. Until Perry had entered his life, he'd thought that meantthe military, like the rest of his family. Now he was told there was afar more essential service the Empire wanted of him. That, he thought, had to take precedence over his fear of the responsibility--and theymust have known he'd feel that way. 

"In that case, sir--it scares me more than I want to admit, but if youand His Majesty want me for the job, I have to try. " He hesitated, then said, "Which you probably knew, from my psych tests, before Idid. "

Perry's smile was relieved. "We hoped, and we thought the odds weregood--but we didn't know. Good as the indicators are, we do have somerefusals. Welcome to Imperial service, Ranger Medart. "

Ranger Medart. The idea still scared him, but he had to admit he didlike the way it sounded. "Thank you . . . Uh, what do I call you now?"

"Arlene in private, Ranger Perry in public. And His Majesty is `sir'to you now, not `sire'. " She grinned. "I think civvies would be moreappropriate than probationary-cadet clothing, and I have a sidearm foryou outside the door. His Majesty will give you your badge when we getto the Palace. Okay?"

"Uh, yes, of course. Isn't there some sort of oath or something?"

"You don't need it. There'll be a confirmation ceremony after yourinitial leave, emergencies permitting--but the fealty oath you'll takethere is for the public, not for yourself. "

 * * * * *

Medart was a little disappointed that Perry's uniform was hidden by acloak when he got changed and left his room, and that the trip to thePalace was in an unmarked car, but she explained that was simply togive him enough private time to notify his family of his selectionpersonally before His Majesty made the official announcement. "Takeadvantage of privacy whenever you get the chance, " she advised. "Youwon't get it often, especially at first--and you'll want to makearrangements for SecuDiv to protect your family from the morepersistent newsies, at least until the novelty of your selection wearsoff. "

"I hadn't thought about newsies, " Medart admitted. "In fact, there'sprobably a lot I'm not thinking of right now. "

"Very probably--and that's another reason for initial leave. Adaptableas we have to be, it's quite a shock going from cadet-candidate toRanger; it'll take you a couple of days to get back to normal. So theroutine is to meet the Sovereign, then go home until you're satisfiedyour family is taken care of and you're ready to face the media. Thenyou spend a year or two in OJT with another Ranger--me, in this case--and then you pick your ship and start your solo missions. "

A year or two didn't sound like much, considering the variety ofsituations a Ranger got involved in, but Medart nodded. "I understand. And I'll have to do things like get a comm implant--take care of allthat sort of detail before I go on duty officially. "

"That's best, " Perry agreed, "though if we were rushed, or you thoughtit best to go public right away, those could be handled later. If youwant a comm implant, though, I can arrange for that as soon as youraudience is over. "

"I don't exactly want one, but I thought they were required. "

Perry chuckled. "His Majesty leaves that up to us. The only surgerywe're required to undergo is what's medically necessary. I think animplant is a good idea, and I'd strongly recommend it, but no, it's notrequired. There are a couple of us who chose not to have them. "

"I think I'll take your recommendation, " Medart said. "Though it maynot be too much use outside the System, since I can't carry anultrawave unit around with me. "

"True, but it'll still provide you a direct link to your ship, or toany planetary comp or military base you're within radio range of, andif necessary you can link to the Empire Net through one of those--though it's usually easier, if you have to contact it, to just use thenormal communicators. Want me to set up the implant for you?"

"Please. "

 * * * * *

They arrived at the Palace's private entrance not long after Perryfinished making the arrangements, and she escorted Medart to EmperorYasunon's working office, down a wide corridor to a door that wasdecorated with the Imperial Seal and flanked by two Palace Guardofficers who came to attention as they approached. "Rangers Perry andMedart to see His Majesty, " she told them. 

"He's expecting you, sirs. " The senior opened the door, and Perry, grinning, gestured Medart through first. 

He had seen the Emperor's picture any number of times, on everythingfrom holo-news to currency, so the chubby, balding man was nosurprise--but His Majesty's obvious enthusiasm was. The Emperor camearound his desk and grasped both of Medart's hands, smiling widely. "Ranger James Medart! You're the best thing that's happened to me inyears. "

"I'm flattered to hear that, Your Majesty. " Almost as flattered as hewas stunned by the unexpected greeting. 

Yasunon released his hands and reached into a compartment on his belt--hewas wearing a Ranger's uniform, with the Imperial Seal--and pinnedthe star-in-circle badge to Medart's tunic, then repeated Perry'sgreeting. "Welcome to Imperial service, Ranger Medart. "

"Thank you, Your Majesty. " Medart felt a surge of deep emotions hecouldn't identify, except for the determination to do everything in hispower to justify their faith in him. He still had doubts of hisability to do that, but the badge's weight on his chest left him withno doubts that he'd try. "As soon as I make the arrangements for myfamily that Ranger Perry suggested, I'd like to start work. "

"Since you're from Terra, that shouldn't be too long, " Yasunon said. "I should start preparations for your confirmation, since there don'tseem to be any situations nearing the critical point; how long wouldyou like?"

"A week should be more than enough, " Medart said, after a moment'sthought. "I'll need a ride to the airport near my home, then I'll haveto borrow a car to get the rest of the way. "

"No problem, " the Emperor said, a smile starting to grow. "Thearrangements have already been made; a lander's waiting to take you tothe airport, and a Texas Ranger car will be waiting for you there. "

Medart was surprised for a second, then he chuckled. "I like YourMajesty's sense of humor. "

"What can you expect when Emperor Chang set it up this way?" Yasunonwas smiling widely. "It's one of the requirements. "

TALENT

She was eighteen Standard, not quite fifteen Irschchan years old, basking in the sun beside a fountain as she considered the merits ofvarious young males as mate potential. She wasn't really interested inbeing tied down that way, and hoped to avoid it by going to theAcademy, but on such a nice day, why not indulge her parents' moreconventional desires?

Loren of the Order was probably the best match genetically, andsocially of course a mate in the Order was desirable. Still, though hewas nice enough, he simply wasn't very bright. Lovad Koversa might beall right; he was quite intelligent, if no more Talented than she--

Suddenly she heard him talking to himself about the Academy, though shehadn't heard him approach. "Lovad?" she called, sitting up and lookingaround. As soon as she did that, the voice disappeared. He wasnowhere in sight, and she wondered with some irritation what kind ofstunt he was up to now. 

That was Lovad's worst point: he was a joker, and liked to use hisknowledge of electronics to play tricks. It was never anythingharmful, though, just annoying. She got up, deciding to see if shecould turn it against him. None of the trees near the fountain hadtrunks large enough to hide behind, so she wandered around, looking upthrough the silvery-green foliage to find him. No trace; he must havecome up with a long-distance gadget and was trying it out on her. 

She'd get back at him somehow, but meanwhile this day was too nice towaste worrying about him. She returned to the fountain and stretchedout again, relaxing to the sound of the falling water. She thoughtidly of her mother, who owned a moderately prosperous kilt shop. Anindignant Mother: *Trade vegetables for kilts indeed! This is noback-country village--*

She sat up again suddenly, and again the voice disappeared as shetensed. This couldn't be one of Lovad's jokes, not with her motherinvolved. It had to be telepathy . . . And that meant she did haveTalent . . . And that meant . . . 

NEVAN

As she explained, Nevan could feel himself beginning to smile. She wasoffering him a chance at real combat, at what he had trained for sincehis fifth birthday, and she thought he might refuse? He'd missed thewar by less than two weeks, a disappointment made worse by hisassignment to SecuDiv rather than the Combat Division. Now he wouldget to fight!

And he would be doing so beside one who had proven herself a warrior'sequal, though her combat skills were of a different type. To hissurprise, he found himself imagining as a real possibility somethinghe'd thought of before only as a remote theoretical chance. It wasn'tbecause of the demonstration, though the way she had defeated them hada bearing, and it wasn't because she'd become a Ranger. He couldn'tpinpoint the reason; there was just something about this beautifulfelinoid that convinced him she was worthy of the greatest service andgift a Sandeman warrior could offer. 

The strength of that conviction would have made it easy for him tokneel to her and offer his personal fealty, but he wasn't sure he wasthe one who should do it. He was young and inexperienced, barely sevenmonths out of the Academy; her thakur-na should be a veteran, with atleast a few missions to his credit. Later, he might be qualified--butby then she might have another thakur-na. He could only wait, work, and hope. 

[Preparer's note: the RENDAVI material is placed here because itdoes not seem to be referenced from elsewhere in this file. ]

RENDAVI

Thark landed the Prowler at the rendezvous on Rendavi slightly overeighteen hours after leaving Irschcha. He was well rested and in acheerful mood as he, Kainor, and Valla left the ship for the improvisedconference hall. 

No other ships were there yet. Unfortunate, Thark thought. That meantthe meeting--more accurately, war council--would be delayed, possiblyfor several hours. 

Inside the hall, the trio from the Prowler seated themselves oncushions at the head of the low conference table, talking about nothingin particular while they waited for the rest of the Seniors and Crusadeleaders to gather. 

Those were trickling in slowly when, a little over five hours afterProwler's arrival, an orange-kilted messenger appeared at the door andtried to attract Thark's attention. He waved her to his side, listenedattentively to the message she murmured in his ear, then dismissed her. 

The last group of Seniors arrived and seated themselves. Thark wentthrough the brief formalities of convening the Prime Chapter, thensaid, "It is my unpleasant duty to report to you that this Crusade hasbeen betrayed by a young pre-initiate who discovered it existence byaccident, from me. "

A ripple of disturbance moved through the assembled Irschchans. Mostof what Thark could pick out were expressions of disbelief that anyonewith Talent could do such a monstrous thing. 

Valla's clear voice penetrated the disturbance, silencing the Seniors. "So Losinj escaped both the Sanctioners and Entos. "

There were more expressions of disbelief, stronger this time. Tharksilenced them. "According to the message I just received, it is notonly possible, it has happened, and worse. She made it past both, andinto the Planetary Palace. Ranger Medart, who was unfortunately onIrschcha at the time, arrived two hours later. His lander, presumablywith him and young Losinj aboard, left for his orbiting battle cruisersoon afterward. "

He turned to his chief aide. "Valla--I am sorry to be the one to tellyou this, but Medart also sentenced Entos to death for attempted murderon Imperial territory. The sentence has been carried out. "

Valla growled with an intensity that should not have surprised him butdid. "Entos was my best operative, and a friend. I claim Ranger JamesMedart as my personal prey. "

"Granted, " Thark agreed promptly. "But now to planning. With Losinjaboard Medart's ship, it is possible, even probable, that she will behelping him. Even if such is not the case, we must assume it is, andthat means our first strike must be decisive. Valla, does this affectyour plans for our assault on the Imperial Palace?"

"Possibly, " his aide replied. "If Losinj is helping Medart, and theyreach Terra in time, our assault team will be faced by a fairly strongTalent. She may be able to incapacitate one or more, and we need allour strength. Although there are enough Seniors to defeat her, she mayintroduce complications. "

"Since she was my student, and it was my error which caused her tobecome a problem, she is my responsibility. " Thark's ears went backbriefly. He had seriously misjudged her; he could not honorably askanyone else to correct his error, now that she was no longer his guest. But making that correction would not be a pleasant task. 

He went on. "Kainor, what about your status report on the Rangers?"

"Crown Prince Forrest is at the Imperial Palace on Terra, " Kainor said. "So are Kennard and Menshikov; all three are covered in Valla's assaultplan. Fenn and Szolacz are in the new Traiti Sector, assisting in itsintegration; they must be disregarded for the present, since we have noOrder members there. Ellman and Steinhauer are still in hospital, andmy agents are in position to kill them as soon as the strike time isset. Wang has just been sent to Sector Twelve to take over itsadministration, since its Duke died with no heir; being aboard a battlecruiser, she is presently out of reach and will have to be dealt withlater. Tarlac, of course, is already dead; we have all seen the tapesof his assassination. Medart is the only one in a position where hemight be an immediate danger. If Losinj got this location when sheprobed you, Thark--"

"She did not, " Thark assured him. "She did no real probing, in fact. She was far too upset by her simple discovery of the Crusade'sexistence to check any more deeply. "

Kainor nodded. "Good. Despite that, our first strike will not onlyhave to be decisive, it will have to be swift. The fact that apowerful Imperial officer has become aware of the Crusade means theirforces will be mobilizing. We must act before they can be fullyalerted and deployed. Even led by Rangers, that will take them acertain amount of time which we can put to good use. "

Thark agreed. "Speed is certainly essential. I will adjourn thismeeting shortly; I want the various operational group leaders to meetseparately and determine exactly how soon you can be ready to move. Report to me as soon as you can. The Seniors will remain here with me. Are there any questions?"

"The Traiti, Master, " a graying female said. "They have pledgedloyalty to the Empire. What threat do they pose?"

"Little as yet, " Thark replied. "Their casualties in the war were farheavier than the Empire's, and their military has barely begun thechangeover to Imperial service; for the moment they are toodisorganized to pose a true threat. Is there anything else?"

There was nothing. "One final detail before we adjourn, " Thark said. "We will be operating on Palace Standard Time from this point on, soadjust your chronos accordingly. This meeting is adjourned until 1600hours, that time. "

 * * * * *

By 1600, when the full council reconvened, Thark and the Seniors hadreceived reports from all the operational groups and had finalizedtheir plans. Thark rose and addressed the group. 

"This is the most important turning point in both human and Irschchanhistory, " he told them, trying to project his solemnity. "What we areplanning here, what we will soon accomplish, will determine the courseof civilization for centuries to come. We dare not fail, for if we do, the galaxy will continue under human rule, their lack of Talent causingthem to stumble from crisis to crisis, a whisker's width from disasterand complete chaos at any moment. Worse, they will drag us along withthem. It is symptomatic that except for Irschcha itself, our peoplehave no voice in Imperial government. 

"I am the highest Irschchan official, its Baron in their terms--thelowest of the Imperial nobility. All other nobles outside the TraitiSector are human. There has never been an Irschchan Ranger, so wecannot hope for an Irschchan Sovereign unless we succeed. "

He paused and scanned the group lightly, sensing their approval of hiswords. "If we succeed, however--when we succeed--we will bring theEmpire the same peace and stability the White Order has broughtIrschcha since its triumph. The humans may find it difficult to acceptat first--they seem to actually enjoy disorder--but they will soon cometo realize the superiority of rule by the Talented. The change may infact be difficult for our own people as well, but in the long range, things will be better for all three races. "

He paused again, then spoke in a more matter-of-fact tone. "These arethe final plans. The last operational group can be in position by 0145two days from now. Allowing an hour for the inevitable delays, I amsetting the strike for 0245. It is vitally important that no warningsbe given. Since Losinj got no details of the Crusade from me, anyalert that Medart puts out will have to be a general one. Losinj maybe able to make some guesses, since she does know me, but the Empirewill not dare depend on those. Except for the Palace itself, then, ourobjectives should be no more heavily defended than any others unless weourselves attract attention to them in some way. 

"The Seniors and I, together with thirty-six Sanctioners, will takeProwler to Terra, leaving here in time to attack the Palace incoordination with the rest of you, at 0245. I wish the assault forcecould be larger, but anything more would certainly be stopped by theprimary defense satellites. Therefore, we must use the strongestTalents available, and those Sanctioners who are most proficient withweapons, to compensate for the greater number of Palace Guards. "

An elderly Irschchan in a dark blue plaid kilt rose. "Will that besufficient if Losinj is there and opposes you?"

"Yes, " Thark replied without hesitation. "Admittedly she is strong, but she is only one person; she will, at worst, slow me somewhat. "

He returned to the original subject. "Once we eliminate the Emperorand any Rangers there, we should have no major problems. We will haveenough telepaths on hand to screen any humans in positions to causetrouble, and any of those who plan to do so we will kill. Afterward, we can replace the nobility with our own initiates, on the basis ofstrength of Talent. That is far more logical, and will insure far morestability, than the hereditary system now in use. "

"One more question, if I may, Master?" That came from a young male inscarlet. 

"Go ahead, " Thark said. "We have time. "

"I have heard rumors that some humans have developed Talent. "

Thark projected amusement, was joined by several others. "It has beenrumored indeed, " he said. "Stories from long ago, before the Empire, do hint at some, but the strongest of those legendary humans would beabout equivalent to a first-year student. There are not even rumorsfrom more recent times. "

"With respect, Master, what of the Narvonese Dragon-Kindred and theirability to project emotion?"

"An intriguing novelty, " Thark acknowledged, "but hardly either Talentor useful, except in a very limited sense. "

"Still, if there are any--"

"We can worry about hypothetical situations later, " Thark said in mildreproof. He didn't blame the youngster for asking, but facts werefacts: humans just were not Talented!

"Enough discussion, " he said finally. "You all have your assignmentsand you know the schedule. " He briefly considered dismissing them withthe final lines of an old battle chant, but decided against it. Ittranslated poorly, and few of the younger ones here used anything butImperial English. He settled for, "Go, and fight well. "