A Matter of Honor

since Corina was younger and had had a more p

pattern on the blade with a specialized form of darlas, and her acceptance of it would signify technical adulthood, though she would stay with her parents for some time yet

basking in the sun beside her favorite fountain. Although she'd said it had been weeks before she'd learned to read thoughts not specifically

Corina's discov

High Adept of the White Order, who was impressed and pleased by a Talent she wasn't sure she was happy to have since it had cost her the future she dreamed of. There were later memories of them tog

mments on her ability, through her discovery of the Crusade and her rejection of it, to their declaration of

e felt, to go back to sleep, so he rose, showered, and

y, *Would you c

I'll be ri

balancing a steaming cup of coffee on its arm. Corina s

Medart finally said. "Especial

your badge on. It is strange, is it not, ho

knew it, but Medart went along. Patie

very strongly affected by symbols. This one," he tapped the badge on his chest, "can trace its history back to before the Empire, even back before atomic energy. It's meant official a

s are relatively new to us, and symbols of that sort affect us far less strongly." She smoothed her kil

ned silent as he sensed

rs wish me to face Thark as a Ranger

badge will give you the extra edge of confidence you need to use that ability fully. The other part is the way seeing you as a Ranger will a

urface this time through, digging for the deeper memories, and those confirmed Medart's words. Their specific abilities differed, but the general level

mildly. "We're mortals, not god

most convincing." She paused, took a deep breath, then

ant. And it does have compensations, you know, both social and financial; you'll learn about those as you go. And remember we're not the only ones with a lot of confidence

anger M

t ident and security input. This is Ranger Ja

the ship-comp said, "Voicepr

estrictions from the individual identified by that code, and relay to any

st formal voiceprint

Corina, smiling.

ickname and his use of it. "Thank you, Jim. Empire Net,

gers. Is there

e, Ranger Losinj. Now that the formalities are over, you might want to get int

your style. A kilt is nice, with a cloak for bad weather, and the sporran is useful-b

no reason you shouldn't use a kilt the right shade of green; along with the badge, it should serve the purpose. And onc

sleeping area and ordered a complete uniform, though wit

rrying about him right now. Make your preparations, get everything as ready

right; she did tend to concern herself with pro

pattern rapport had made a big difference in her manner, he thought, and for the better. She was much m

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 her military rank and title, not

t meant almost total independence and authority, subject only to the Sovereign, anywhere in Imperial space. It was odd, she thought, but this particular symbol a

ut it did not seem appropriate, after Jim's memories, to pin it on herself-not the

he badge and pinned it to the holder the fa

did so were a duplicate of his fifty-seven years earlier. Pride, det

quite believed in them. It is strange... I had always thought my

e impact, pro or con; someone you do care about can have a disproportionate one. This is the wrong time for philosophy, t

hould be adequate for anyone I cannot reach physically-after this mission, at least." She indicated the weapon at hi

ong after I was tapped, and I have a standing order for fresh ammunition; it goes bad after a few years, even under shipboard conditions. It holds thirteen rounds in the clip-" which slid out as

ed because it seemed to fit Jim's perfectly. She was impressed by the precise

nstead of a blaster?

per books. For another, more practical reason, it has stopping power a blaster can't match, and it's noisy. A snap shot,

holster it. "It seems to be an excellent weapo

nd have it put through to my quarters," he added. Then he turned to Corina. "We'll have to have your quarters rigged for priority communications, but until the techs can get to it, you'll have to use mine or go to B

n, until we compl

d the human Ranger's cabin, then it cleared to sho

t for a change it's good ne

f news I don't mind getting out of bed f

ident." Medart briefly described the pattern rapport and memory exchange, t

ll pass on the good news to Rick and the others." He turned his attention to t

totally surprised; it was logical, given the circumstances, and Jim's memories did i

" the Emperor said, "have you given

for a new Ranger to use the arms of one who had di

e a sugges

se, Your

h'kara's Speaker for the Lords said our next Ranger would be his s

the Peacelord's arms, sir, though I do n

ordered the defense satellites not to fire on any Irschchan ships. Since you're sure Thark will be leading the attack, we'll be using Jim's plan: I want Thark to land and take action against the Palace itself, and to prevent unnecessary damage, I'm mak

o take him alive for a Tribunal, though

unal isn't essential, it's the evidence that is. If you can't take him at all-" He was

certainly; probably no mo

rs, and if they don't receive a second signal from you within an hour, they'll blast the Palace and everything for ten kilometers around it. I don't want that to happen-it'd mean losing four Rang

st to avoid that

hat politics forced Chang to have the Palace built in Antarctica. A strik

s,

. But unless there's anything else, I'll

a answered, and the screen went b

t, it was the center of the Palace Complex, a hundred-kilometer-diameter circle of parklike city. She didn't understand the physics of the

change from Federation to Empire, that had been abandoned. The Empire needed a center on Terra itself as a symbol of unity,

pire as a whole properly-the Palace would not be located on any individual nation's territory. That made Antarctica the

lace itself... as a Ranger. What would her pa

"How about breakfast? I don't k

agreed. "And we ha

have plans to make. All I'm goin

rs and at this hour quite empty, unlike the always-busy Mess Three. Th

lds, to make a combat group. I have met surprisingly many-four out of perhaps three hundred

unshielded ones wouldn't last

ow from the conference. Also Captain Hobison, and the s

oesn't surprise me,

reading and your memories of the warrior Gaelan, I am also not surprised. An en

le better, he would've been approached about the Rangers. But he can't help thinking of combat as a preferred option rather than a last resort." M

ngers or Ranger-level," Corina said t

, too narrow an orientation. He's at the top of his field or he wou

of little use without better control than you have yet achieved. And greater power, as well. Admittedly, you did knock me out yesterday; that, howev

ly. "You gave me quite a scare, and I'd rat

of a better term, called reverse darlas. A thing not understood may be a help or a

ndrance, how not to use

to ten days you need for even minimal training, but I must plan on le

antime? Our Terra ETA is 0330 tomorrow. Chang's too

es that system not have a band of debris? Bet

ed. "The as

ds. The delay between our getting that message and our arrival in orbit, plus the time to land, should take perhaps twenty

r can plot that short a hyperspac

umption, or he would not be co

at exact. It sounds good; now we just hope it works. One of our ancient poets w

ng will go wrong.'" She felt Medart's surprise at the identification and quote. "I was not probing; Terran poetry interests

rests that don't show up on

do you

ou can always find out any facts you need. But being interested in a variety of things is essential; you never know what

d in for breakfast. By the time the two Rangers finished eat

mmander Pappas gave an exclamation of surprise, and the room grew silent. That didn't last long; the murmur of conversation resumed, but now, from what Corina could hear, with herself as

rumors from circulating aboard ship," he said, "especially about something as rare as a potential Ranger. The word wa

Captain Hobison there, so he'll get the news directly, not second-hand.

plans, as well. But what about those ru

he rumors would have tapered off eventually, after giving t

nsen, on duty as Senior Officer of the Watch, was seated in the Command chair. He swung the chair around to face them as they entered, saying, "Y

te. The Bridge returned to near-normal, though with

rols, and spoke. "No, Commander. There is no need to distu

yes,

at the sight of Corina's badge, but went through the routine of relieving Jensen before he said anything. Change of watch completed, he seated himself in the Command chair and turne

ld like to tell you my plans

Ranger. Here or in

e in the Terran system, take station in the asteroid belt. Then call Defense Satellite Five and have them inform us of any Irschschan ship landing near the Palace. When you receive that word, start for Terra and call me.

y you want people with mind shields, but everyone aboard this

e Palace and its immediate surroundings unless I can defeat Thark within an hour of our landing.

d. "Right. Am

es

teer. Anyone else in the

im shortly. That is why the whole crew must be informed of those facts. Ranger Medart and I will have to check everyon

"What's this all about? You me

o sense in trying to keep it a secret; she's trained me to be as good a telepath as she is, and she's teaching me darlas. I'll need vol

few moments' silence. "But I was definitely right

being a Ranger," Me

on it right away. Wher

ocation, or most important, who is shielded." Then she corrected herself. "No, that is not precisely correct. If I already know the person, I can tell

"We had best start now