somebody else might
have. Emperor Chang?"

"Colonel Greggson has all such exercises taped for analysis, Ranger. I
will send His Majesty a copy."

"Thank you. Medart out."

There was a brief silence while the ship sent the tape and Emperor
Davis watched it. When his attention returned to Medart, he echoed the
Ranger's headshake. "I see what you mean, Jim. It's a good thing
she's with us, instead of the Order. Do you think you can get her to
join?"

"With that lack of self-confidence, I doubt it."

"Considering the rest of what you've just told me, she'll get over
that. Ask her to think it over, at least. It's possible that just
knowing we think she's suitable will do the trick.

"At any rate, I want a conference with you, her, and Chang's Command
Crew later today. We need to get more information from her, and we
also have to do some planning. How about 1600? If you can't talk her
into it by then, Rick and I will give it a try."

Medart nodded. "That sounds good, sir. Considering the time zone she
lived in, she's probably still asleep; that'll give me a chance to go
over her records again, maybe find a good talking point."

"Good enough. I'll talk to you again at 1600, then. Out."

The screen went blank, and Medart picked up the printout, carried it to
his favorite armchair, and sat half reading it and half sunk in
thought. Her lack of self-confidence was the real problem, all right;
it was hard enough convincing someone who had a normal amount, and not
always successful at that.

V

It was 0900 Standard, 0600 at the MacLeod's Landing time she was
accustomed to, when Corina was awakened by her doorchime. "Who is
there?" she called, stretching herself out of bed.

"It's just me, Sunbeam," came from the door speaker.

"Come in," Corina called back, taking her kilt from the autocloset.
She slipped into it, then stuck her head around the partition. "Can
you wait a few minutes while I brush myself?"

"Sure thing," Sunbeam replied. "I'm yours to command, Sir Corina;
remember Captain Hobison assigned me to you yesterday?"

"I remember," Corina said. "I do not wish to inconvenience you,
however. I will be with you soon." The closet, she was glad to see,
had cleaned her kilt; otherwise it would be looking rather bedraggled
by midday. She went through her morning routine, then walked into the
living area ready to face the new day.

"What do you want to do this morning?" Sunbeam asked