A Matter of Honor: A Terran Empire novel

  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, I
would 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."