since the
Crusade was decided on, I have not been able to discover the actual
selection criteria. All I can tell you is what I have been able to
deduce from studying them and their accomplishments, and that certainly
cannot be taken as conclusive."

"Go ahead," Thark told him. "I know you dislike making incomplete
evaluations, but there is no more time to complete that project. An
incomplete evaluation is better than none at all, you must agree."

"I do--but keep in mind that it is incomplete." Kainor shifted on his
cushions, then continued.

"First, their selection is based on a combination of factors, not a
single isolated characteristic. Genius-level intelligence is of course
part of it, along with a generalist's wide range of interests and
abilities, and greater adaptability than normally appears even in
spacers. They are also able to analyze situations, develop a solution
that seems improbable or impossible, and make it work--usually if not
always to the Empire's benefit."

"I have had little opportunity to study them," Valla said. "Could you
be more specific?"

"Easily," Kainor replied. "And Medart is a classic example, so I will
use him. Among his other accomplishments, he was responsible for both
the successful human-Irschchan settlement of Ondrian and the end of the
Sandeman Incursion in Sector Five, which resulted in Subsector
Sandeman's joining the Empire."

"Which in turn led to a high percentage of their warriors in the
Imperial military or serving as contract police forces on various
worlds," Thark said. "Extremely loyal military or police--but they are
Elnar's problem. Continue."

"Yes, Master. Valla, do you remember anything about either incident?"

"Almost nothing," Valla admitted. "Until recently, I had very little
interest in Imperial news."

"And I would appreciate hearing about both with the information you
have that Imperial newscasts probably left out because humans would
take it as a given," Thark said.

Kainor sighed, something a number of Irschchans had picked up since
meeting humans. "Very well. The Ondrian situation, then. During the
second year of the joint colony's existence, an Irschchan youngling was
exploring in the mountains alone, contrary to all colony rules. He
vanished, and search parties found no trace of him. He was presumed
dead after a standard week, due to the bitterly cold weather.

"It surprised everyone, to put it mildly, when he showed up in