Part 12 (1/2)
”That is hard to say,” Corina replied thoughtfully. ”It all depends on what Ranger Medart has planned for me. Right now, though, I would like a gla.s.s of milk.” She started toward the service panel, but Sunbeam was already there.
”I'll get it for you,” Sunbeam said. ”I could use a gla.s.s myself.”
”Thank you.” Corina wasn't used to having others do things for her, but she sensed that Sunbeam was agitated about something and wanted to move around, so she sat in one of the armchairs, tucking her feet under herself.
She took the gla.s.s Sunbeam brought, enjoyed a deep swallow, then said, ”What is disturbing you, Sunbeam? Can I help?”
”Well . . .” Sunbeam hesitated, then blurted, ”It's that demonstration you gave yesterday. Stars above! The whole s.h.i.+p's talking about how you put down five top Marines with no more trouble than I'd have, oh, swatting a fly! I'm about half scared to be in the same room with you!”
”You should not be,” Corina said, projecting amus.e.m.e.nt to try and calm the human Ensign. ”I am the same person you met yesterday, and I certainly had no intention of frightening anybody.”
Sunbeam ventured a half smile. ”Maybe not, but you did a great job without meaning to, then.”
”Are the Marines all right?”
”They're fine, from what I hear,” was the slightly steadier reply.
”Except for their pride; that was pretty badly battered.” Sunbeam paused, then grinned. ”Four of them, anyway. That cute Sandeman keeps saying how pretty you are, and what a warrior you'd be if you'd been lucky enough to be born on Sandeman. If I didn't know better, I'd say he has a crush on you.”
”I am quite content being Irschchan,” Corina said, no longer needing to pretend her amus.e.m.e.nt. ”Though I must admit his compliments are flattering . . . I do regret causing the others distress, though the demonstration was necessary. Nor was there any dishonor in their defeat; they did as well as possible for those who lack Talent.”
Sunbeam looked more cheerful. ”Maybe it would help if you told them so.”
”I will, then, at the first opportunity.”
”And you should see Colonel Greggson!” Sunbeam barely managed to suppress a giggle. ”He's grumping around the s.h.i.+p like an old bear, snapping at everyone. I don't think he's too fond of you. Maybe I shouldn't say it, but he keeps talking about an oversized kitten making monkeys out of his men.”
”He seemed to dislike me even before that,” Corina said.
”Probably. He isn't too fond of non-humans, and he doesn't even like many of us. Sometimes I don't think he even likes himself. But there aren't many of that kind aboard Chang; most of our people are really nice. You'll like them.”
There was another chime at the door. Without bothering to find out who it was, Corina called out, ”Come in.”
Medart entered, and she and Sunbeam stood.
”I'd like to talk to Sir Corina alone,” he told Sunbeam. ”Can you find something to keep yourself occupied till we're done?”
”Can I ever!” Sunbeam exclaimed happily. ”I've been trying to finish that new xenology tape for days!”
Medart shook his head slowly, watching her leave with a lopsided grin.
Then he seated himself in the other armchair and gazed intently at Corina for several seconds. She returned the look with equal intensity, wis.h.i.+ng she could get through this unusual human's mind screen.
Finally he spoke. ”I have to ask you something very important, Sir Corina. I don't want you to answer me now; I just want you to think about it for awhile. Will you do that?”
”Of course,” she replied, puzzled by his strangely hesitant manner.
”I was talking to the Emperor again earlier today. I spent most of the morning studying your records, then told him what I'd found. We were both quite impressed.” Medart paused, seeming unsure of himself, then hurried on. ”We need more Rangers, especially non-human ones, and you more than qualify. We're--I'm asking you to consider joining us.”
Corina's first reaction was to wonder about Medart's mental stability.
He couldn't possibly be serious!
No, from the look on his face, he was serious. ”I cannot,” she protested, shaking her head. ”I have not even finished school--I am to graduate this summer, and Thark did not insist I join the Prime Chapter until then--I am only twenty-two, Standard, I could not possibly--”