marginally sound is that Irschchans
who have the requisite abilities also have Talent, meaning they join
the Order rather than entering Imperial service."

"I suppose that is possible," Thark said thoughtfully. "If you are
correct, the lack of Irschchan Rangers will soon be rectified. You
will have to find out all the requirements as soon as possible,
however. Important as Talent is to one in such a position, they will
need the other, lesser, talents as well."

II

Corina woke with a splitting headache, the characteristic aftereffect
of being hit with a neural stunner. Groaning, she opened her eyes and
found herself in what, except for the straps holding her in place, was
a fairly comfortable, if too large, armchair. A Terran in Marine black
service dress uniform sat behind a large metal desk, holding a blaster
aimed casually in her direction. Her soul-blade lay beside his left
hand.

She suppressed the rage she dared not show at that sight. It had been
bad enough earlier, when the Sanctioner had taken her blade, but at
least he had been an Irschchan and understood its significance. To a
Terran, it was nothing but a simple dagger, with no more personal
meaning than a kitchen knife.

Not that they could understand, she thought, forcing herself to calm.
They had no Talent, no way to sense the owner's mind-pattern, impressed
on the blade at an Irschchan's coming-of-age ceremony.

She could retrieve it telekinetically--that part of her Talent was
weak, but the blade was hers--then decided quickly against that idea.
The man holding the blaster did not look like the type to tolerate any
misbehavior from his prisoner, and she had no desire to test her
estimate of his character.

He gave her a few seconds to evaluate the situation before he spoke.
"Okay, you're awake. Now tell me what the hell that was all about."

"He was trying to kill me," Corina replied.

"We guessed that much," the Terran said. "I want to know why."

"May I know who you are?"

"Yeah, you people like formality, don't you?" The man shrugged. "Why
not? I'm Major Patrick Dawson, Security Division of the Imperial
Marines, on temporary duty from the Emperor Chang. You?"

Corina managed as much of a polite bow as she could. "Greetings, Major
Dawson. I am Corina Losinj, until today a student of High Adept Thark.
Entos was trying to kill me before I could report treason against the
Empire, in the form of a rebellion by the Whit