, and as its leader I command its dissolution. Ranger Corina
Losinj is now High Adept of the Order, to be obeyed as such.*

There were astonished objections from those still able, especially the
ones not on Terra, but Thark overrode them. *Do as I have commanded.
Honor cannot be denied.*

That brought acquiescence, sometimes grudged but real. Medart felt it
and touched his throat, activating his comm implant. "Chang, relay to
our assault team, then the appropriate parts to Imperial installations
elsewhere--and make sure Defsat Five is included. Cease fire, the
Order has surrendered. Bring any who are still conscious, and those of
the stunned ones you can manage, to the Throne Room. Medart out."

Thark bowed to Corina, feeling only exhaustion and an odd sense of
relief. It had been a noble dream, but it was now at an end, and he
had only one thing left to do. "I will need a blaster."

Corina nodded. "Lieutenant DarLeras," she called.

Nevan joined her. "Yes, sir?"

"Give Thark your gun."

Nevan wanted to protest, but resisted the urge and handed the weapon
over--with a warning. "Try to harm her, Master Thark, and you're the
one who'll die."

Thark felt unexpected amusement. "I have committed enough dishonor,
young warrior. I will not compound it by harming her. I wish only to
destroy this blade, and so regain what I may of the honor I have lost."
He held up the bloody dagger that had, so long ago, had his mind-pattern
impressed on it.

Nevan bowed. "I meant no disrespect, only to assure her safety."

"As you should, and will." Thark switched the blaster to maximum
power, placed his soul-blade on the floor, and fired.

Then he screamed, a long full-throated yowl of absolute, terrifying
loss that subsided to broken whimpers as he collapsed beside the
smoking metal that had been a blade.

"What--" Nevan exclaimed in astonishment.

"Psychic shock, Lieutenant," Corina said. "He will recover enough to
stand trial and serve whatever sentence he is given, but he will never
be whole again. He has destroyed an essential part of himself. Take
him to the medical unit, please, and see that he is cared for while
medteams find and treat the other survivors. Can you find it?"

"Yes, sir." Nevan pried his gun out of Thark's hand and holstered it,
then picked the Irschchan up. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

* * * * *

Three hours later, the Empress Lindner returned to