moved into the holding cells for transfer here, you
came under the jurisdiction of a Ministry that is
involved with the most vital interests of the UIPS.
The specifics of your mission will be covered in our
next session."

"The hell you say." Hodak bounced again. "You're
still dangling us on a string. Lay the whole bit
out. Now!"

Nods and grunts followed Hodak's demand.

"Very well," Xindral said, after a short pause.
"Actually, there's no reason to delay your marching
orders."

His voice flattened.

"By direction of the President of the United Inner
Planetary System you are appointed to the Strategic
Penetrations Detachment of the Ministry of
Intelligence. Your unit identifier is 'Sentinels'.
Your unit commander is Brad Curtin, present.

"Copies of your orders are in a secured file in
the Ministry of Intelligence. A copy is temporarily
posted in your core compartment. When you read it,
note that all requests for release or reassignment
are denied."

Xindral folded back into his normal, slightly bowed
posture. His audience, frozen, stared at him blankly.

"That's it for now." Xindral ordered, the flatness
gone. "Return to your compartment and report
back here in an hour. Brad, please stand by."

Chapter FIVE

His jaws clamped tight, eyes glaring, Brad sensed
his companions rise to their feet around him.
Kumiko first, stood and wordlessly glided to the
closed passage portal. Her back to the others, she
waited for the panel to clear. Zolan, on his feet,
mouth agape, stared at Xindral.

Adari, still seated, gawked in bewildered disbelief
from Xindral to Brad to Hodak. Hodak glowered,
gestured rudely and cursed furiously and loudly.
Myra stood, silent behind an icy mask. Xindral,
perched on his stool, arms in his lap, impassively
observed their reactions.

The scene held for several seconds. Xindral broke
the silence.

"Your formal orientation and training begins when
you return. First I must speak with your Commander.
Please excuse us."

He turned and touched a disk on the bulkhead. The
entryway cleared and Jenkins appeared.

"Escort our friends back to their compartment,
Jenks. Commander Curtin will remain with me.
Return the group in an hour."

"Yes, sir."

Myra, Adari, Hodak and Zolan milled about for a
moment, then joined Kumiko at the portal. Passing
through, they spoke and gestured animatedly to
each other. The portal clouded over.

Xindral hefted his stool forward, p