A Matter of Honor: A Terran Empire novel

  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.