ght."

"And you know the Shapers began creating the Sandeman race from their
own genetic material in 2130, according to the calendar you and the
Empire share."

"Every child knows that."

"Uh-huh. Given all that, tell me where the Shaqers originated."

Kelly thought about his statements, her expression going from intent to
disbelief to revulsion. "They came from Terra!"

"They sure did," Medart said. "Which makes you Terrans, too. An
improved version, so changed my Empire classes you as human variant
rather than standard human--but Terrans. And that makes you Imperial
citizens by right of birth."

"That's obscene!" Haley burst out.

"Matter of opinion," Medart said calmly. "Both personally and as a
Prince of the Empire, I think it's great--as long as you're not
fighting the Empire you're rightfully part of."

"Ryan has to know about this," Kelly said. "Haley, would you please
inform him and ask him to join us?"

"Yes, lady." Haley stood and bowed to her, then left.

"Is it really that bad?" Medart asked the w'woman as soon as the young
warrior was out of hearing. "It doesn't change what you are, how you
live, or have any other bad effects; what it does is give you new
opportunities." He grinned. "I'm biased, of course--have been since I
first met Sandemans. I've liked you even when I couldn't identify the
reasons, and that grew when I could. Your absolute integrity is one,
and it's also one of the most valuable things you've brought to our
Empire."

"Put that way," Kelly said slowly, "it sounds almost reasonable. But
you didn't grow up hating the Shapers and everything about them."

"You can't hate everything about them," Medart pointed out. "They did
manage to engineer your race, after all. I personally think they were
absolute, unmitigated idiots for thinking they could create and then
control a race of the most deadly warriors in the known universes--but
from my own experiences with Sandemans, I can't help but be grateful to
them at the same time."

"Grateful to whom?" Ryan asked as he entered the room. "The Shapers,
if I interpret what I heard correctly."

"You did," Medart told him. "They committed one of the worst crimes in
Imperial history, meddling with human genetics just for the fun of
it--but the results were so good I can't fault them totally for their
arrogance."

Ryan smiled, taking the seat Haley had vacated. "It's good to see you
feeling well again, Prince, and able