Part 59 (2/2)

”No charge,” Medart said. ”Civilians can be treated at military facilities if there's s.p.a.ce and what they need isn't otherwise available, both of which are true here.” He turned to the Sandeman.

”Take him up to the s.h.i.+p when Colonel Cortin's done, please.”

”Yes, sir.”

”I'd suggest,” Cortin said, ”that you bring a few extra bodyguards when you come back, Lieutenant. I learned from an earlier prisoner that Imperials are at the top of the Brotherhood's wipe list, and after the way he helped me today, Ranger Medart will be a particular target.”

Medart frowned. ”A Sandeman warrior's the only bodyguard I've had since they joined the Empire. And that's more symbol than necessity.”

”In the Empire, maybe so,” Cortin said. ”For a major Brotherhood target, a bodyguard is a necessity. And it's a good idea to have physically impressive ones. Despite their abilities, Sandemans are impressive only to people who're familiar with them, which most in the Kingdom Systems aren't.”

”You're the expert here,” Medart said. ”Okay. Keith, ask Colonel Williamson to detail me a standard team, the biggest people he's got.

You'll be in charge of them, of course. Oh, and you can stay aboard overnight, if you'd like.”

”Yes, thank you, sir.” Keith smiled briefly, and Medart hid a grin.

If Cortin thought he should have physically impressive bodyguards, that could be arranged--along with an evaluation of the Systems' att.i.tude toward non-humans, though if it weren't for her suggestion, he'd have put that off for a while yet.

”Good,” Cortin said. ”Captain Odeon, would you show Ranger Medart to his suite, please?”

”Of course, Colonel. If you'll come with me, sir?”

30. Interview

Upstairs in the Family section, Odeon turned to Medart. ”Thanks for helping her, Jim. That's one the Brothers hadn't tried before, tricking her into executing an innocent man.”

”It was a nasty frame, all right, for both of them,” Medart agreed.

”She seems to take a lot of pride in confining her torture to criminals; killing someone who didn't deserve it under your laws, even if it was on false evidence, I'd say would be a major blow.”

”One that would lessen her effectiveness, and that'd be a major victory for the Brotherhood.” Odeon led Medart to one of the Lodge's guest suites and showed him in. ”This is yours as long as you want to stay.

If you'll authorize one to go aboard your lander, a servant will bring your baggage.”

”d.a.m.n--I forgot you don't have fabricators.” Medart touched his throat, activating his comm implant. ”Empress Lindner?”

When the s.h.i.+p answered, he went on. ”Have a standard travel kit made up for me, please, for an indefinite stay. Lieutenant DarElwyn will be up shortly; he can bring it with him when he comes back. Medart out.”

”You can communicate with your s.h.i.+p with no equipment?” Odeon asked.

”Not exactly; the equipment's in my throat and behind my ear. It's called a comm implant, and most senior Imperials have them. Normally I initiate the contact the way you just saw, but the s.h.i.+p can contact me if necessary, or I can tell it to monitor full-time if I think there could be a need.”

”Still a lot I don't know,” Odeon said ruefully. ”I'd recommend the latter whenever you leave the Lodge.” He hesitated, then asked abruptly, ”How do you feel about Joan?”

”I'm not in love with her, if that's what you're asking.”

”It was, but how--oh. You felt it when you mind-touched us right at first. I'm not surprised; you don't seem the type to become an Enforcement trooper. In case you're worried, that's the only personality type she has that effect on. I'd say the Sandeman is, though.”

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