Terra orbit, and
shortly thereafter one of its landers touched down beside Chang's.
Medart and Corina were waiting for the passengers in Emperor Davis'
working office, as he had asked; they had given him a complete report
during his trip back, and had in turn been given reports of what had
happened elsewhere in the Empire during the shortest-lived revolt in
its history. The next step was His Majesty's decision as to what was
to be done about it.

The office showed no sign of the fighting just ended, and cleanup
elsewhere was already under way. The Palace morgue was busy, the
medical center only a little less so; Hobison was there, in critical
condition, along with three less seriously wounded from the assault
group. Greggson and one of the other Marines had been killed; the rest
of the group was unhurt. Kennard's injuries had been serious, but
thanks to Medart's help not fatal, and Senior Physician Zanivar had
said he'd be released later that week.

The two stood and came to attention as the Emperor entered, followed by
Crown Prince Forrest and a massive, gray-skinned Traiti in Marine
service black. "As you were," Davis said, motioning the others to
chairs and seating himself at his desk.

He turned to Corina. "You did a good job, Ranger. I didn't expect it
to end so quickly."

"Had Thark been less honorable than he was, sir, it would not have."

"I'm aware of that, which is why he'll be sentenced to exile rather
than death--though in his condition, I'm not sure which would be
worse."

"To him," Corina said slowly, "it no longer matters. His body
survives, but very little of Thark himself remains. He can go through
the motions of life, that is all--and he has effectively wiped himself
from Irschchan memory. His name and story will survive, of course, but
it will be without the mind-pattern in his blade to give it substance."

"He can still serve as an example," Davis said. "The fact that he led
a rebellion because he was convinced it would be beneficial to everyone
doesn't excuse it--but the fact that he called it off and tried to
atone when he found he was wrong justifies my giving him what will be
seen as clemency by most people. And it'll have at least one side
benefit." Davis indicated the Traiti. "Lieutenant Hovan spoke to his
Clan Mother at my request, and got her consent. Thark's exile will be
on Norvis, guarded and taken care of by Clan Ch'kara. That way he's
visibly punished, in a way th