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 dangero
us?"
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," Hobis
on 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 h
imthe 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.)