he recognized as by far the most
dangerous. The pale-eyed, dark-skinned blonds from Subsector Sandeman
were the product of major genetic engineering, particularly their
warriors. They had a number of advantages over standard humans, but
the only ones she needed to worry about right now were their greater
strength and speed. Maybe Greggson was right after all. Talent was
important, but it certainly was not the only factor; she knew better
than to underestimate Imperial Marines, and when one of them was a
Sandeman warrior--

She broke off that line of thought abruptly. If she kept it up, the
Marines would have no need to defeat her; she would do it to herself.
Calm and control, as Valla and Thark had told her repeatedly, were the
keys to victory. She and Medart joined the waiting group.

"My men have been briefed, Ranger," Greggson said. "And they have
stunners, not blasters, so . . . Sir Corina . . . won't be hurt." He
turned to her. "Unless, of course, you'd rather call it off."

Corina's self-doubt was turning into determination under his scorn.
"No, thank you," she said quietly. "I will continue."

Medart smiled briefly at her, then turned to Greggson. "Get off her
back, Colonel," he said. "You can join the spectators; I'll set up the
situation for them."

Greggson obeyed silently, and Medart turned to the team leader. "This
may be a demonstration, Major Dawson, but I want you to treat it
exactly as you would a real security alert. You've just gotten word of
an intruder, probably armed, and you're checking the ship." He turned
to Corina, touching a control beside the module's entrance. When the
walls turned opaque, he said, "You're the intruder, of course. Go on
in the module and pick yourself a spot. I'll give you time for that,
then send them in and turn the walls back to one-way."

"Yes, Ranger." Corina did as she was told, picking a spot near the far
end, a location that had several connecting corridors. If what she'd
read about search procedures held true, the team would split into two
pairs, with the fifth person keeping several meters behind to back up
whoever needed it. Her best bet, if they separated widely enough, was
to take out one pair and the backup, then the remaining pair. If not,
it would probably be best to try for the standard humans first--
assuming, as seemed most logical, the Sandeman was backup--which would
leave all her attention free for him.

She closed her eyes,