ng
in particular while they waited for the rest of the Seniors and Crusade
leaders to gather.

Those were trickling in slowly when, a little over five hours after
Prowler's arrival, an orange-kilted messenger appeared at the door and
tried to attract Thark's attention. He waved her to his side, listened
attentively to the message she murmured in his ear, then dismissed her.

The last group of Seniors arrived and seated themselves. Thark went
through the brief formalities of convening the Prime Chapter, then
said, "It is my unpleasant duty to report to you that this Crusade has
been betrayed by a young pre-initiate who discovered it existence by
accident, from me."

A ripple of disturbance moved through the assembled Irschchans. Most
of what Thark could pick out were expressions of disbelief that anyone
with Talent could do such a monstrous thing.

Valla's clear voice penetrated the disturbance, silencing the Seniors.
"So Losinj escaped both the Sanctioners and Entos."

There were more expressions of disbelief, stronger this time. Thark
silenced them. "According to the message I just received, it is not
only possible, it has happened, and worse. She made it past both, and
into the Planetary Palace. Ranger Medart, who was unfortunately on
Irschcha at the time, arrived two hours later. His lander, presumably
with him and young Losinj aboard, left for his orbiting battle cruiser
soon afterward."

He turned to his chief aide. "Valla--I am sorry to be the one to tell
you this, but Medart also sentenced Entos to death for attempted murder
on Imperial territory. The sentence has been carried out."

Valla growled with an intensity that should not have surprised him but
did. "Entos was my best operative, and a friend. I claim Ranger James
Medart as my personal prey."

"Granted," Thark agreed promptly. "But now to planning. With Losinj
aboard Medart's ship, it is possible, even probable, that she will be
helping him. Even if such is not the case, we must assume it is, and
that means our first strike must be decisive. Valla, does this affect
your plans for our assault on the Imperial Palace?"

"Possibly," his aide replied. "If Losinj is helping Medart, and they
reach Terra in time, our assault team will be faced by a fairly strong
Talent. She may be able to incapacitate one or more, and we need all
our strength. Although there are enough Seniors to defeat her, she may
introduce complications."

"Since