head. "What do you plan for me after initiation?"

"I want to bring you into the Prime Chapter, where one with your amount
of Talent belongs. As for a specific job, we think such Talent, in
conjunction with your other abilities, can best be utilized as a roving
supervisor in Valla's Intelligence Division."

Corina considered that. It would be a most interesting job, she had no
doubt. The Intelligence Division got the most difficult cases the
Sanctioners had to cope with, and since they were Irschcha's military,
as well as its police, the variety of such cases was truly remarkable.
It was tempting, though she questioned whether she would be able to do
well at it. "I have not yet finished school," she objected.

"I have not forgotten. Until you graduate, you will work as Valla's
assistant after class. She will train you for the job."

"Yes, Master, I believe I would like that. But the Prime Chapter . . ."

"You will not be expected to participate fully until you do graduate,
Corina. By that time you should be sure enough of yourself to function
properly as a Senior."

"Under those conditions, I can honorably agree."

"Excellent!" Thark let his pleasure show. "As part of your further
development, I would like you to do some teaching. Through teaching
others, you will learn more yourself--and more of yourself."

"That I will do gladly. I do not feel as fully qualified as I should
be."

"Perhaps not, but your Talent is truly remarkable." Thark purred. By
the time he was ready to step down, she should be capable of taking
over leadership of the Order. By then, if his Crusade were successful,
it would have taken over rule of the Empire from the unTalented humans.
The end of the Traiti War made that a probability in the near future.

Humans weren't stupid, he thought. In fact, some were quite
intelligent. And the Empire was, as far as it went, a fairly good
basis for government. It was simply that those with Talent had
superior abilities, thus were better qualified to rule. And to rule,
the Order must rebel.

He had not been fully shielded, he realized when he saw the look on
Corina's face. "What Crusade?" she asked curiously.

Thark felt her probing for more information, and reinforced his shield.
"Do not concern yourself with that," he advised. "You should know
nothing about it until after your initiation."

"Why not?"

"Because it is Order business, and you are not yet sworn to the Orde