t I'm supposed to--" Sunbeam objected.

"Wait outside."

Sunbeam hesitated, looked at Corina. "Sir Corina--"

"Go ahead. I will be fine."

The young ensign left, but her hesitation seemed to inflame Greggson
still further. "You don't give orders aboard this ship, Sir Corina,"
he said coldly. "Not even if you are Ranger Medart's special
assistant. You have no military authority."

"I merely reassured Ensign Yamata of my welfare," Corina retorted,
controlling her own anger. "Ranger Medart did assign her to me; from
what I have read, that places her under my command, despite my lack of
military rank. She is a most conscientious officer, and--"

She fell silent when Greggson stepped toward her, his right hand
closing into a fist. Surely he would not strike her . . . but he was
angry, and a Marine, and shielded-- Her hand, seemingly of its own
volition, went to the hilt of her soul-blade as she felt a surge of
fear.

"No." Greggson shook his head, backed off a step with visible
reluctance. "I won't give you the satisfaction, you little--"

Corina interrupted, fear suddenly overcome by exasperation. "It is not
your men's pride that concerns you, Colonel; they felt no shame, as
they should not. It is your own. You ought to be pleased to have
accurate knowledge of your enemy's abilities. Should I have let your
men defeat me, merely to save your pride, then allow them to go against
Thark believing him to be as easy a target? I merely stunned them; he
will be trying to kill them."

She turned and stalked out under Greggson's furious glare, shaking
inwardly at her defiance of him despite its necessity. What was it
about her that made him loathe her so? She was not human, granted, but
that seemed too minor a reason for such disturbance. It was out of
proportion for him to take offense at her very existence. That made
his presence discomforting, and it was a definite relief to walk
through the door and rejoin Sunbeam.

"He really hates you, Sir Corina," Sunbeam said as they left the
Security area. "It isn't just not liking you any more. He's awfully
proud of his work--I think it's all he has--and it looks like he took
your demonstration personally." The young ensign was clearly worried.
"He may try to cause you serious trouble. I ought to tell Ranger
Medart."

"I see no need to bother him with it," Corina said. "I appreciate your
concern, but I believe you worry too much. Colonel Greggson knows