for a swim."

A blond head looked around the edge of the lander's open hatch.
"Right, sir. I just got my suit on; I'll play lifeguard."

"Whatever you say, Nevan." Medart sketched a salute, grinning at the
young Sandeman warrior who was one of his bodyguard. Then he turned,
taking a running dive into the Colvis Reserve's main attraction for
humans, Clear Lake.

He swam straight out, with a leisurely sidestroke that took him in the
direction of the resort across the lake. He had no intention of going
that far, or of seeing anyone except his bodyguards; a week in a tank
of rapid-heal, followed by over a month of therapy and constant
attention, left him with a strong desire for some privacy.

He'd been swimming for perhaps half an hour, enjoying himself
thoroughly, when he heard Nevan calling him. The warrior wouldn't
interrupt his swim without good reason; he waved acknowledgement and
headed for shore, wondering what was up.

Nevan didn't look too happy, the Ranger thought as he waded out of the
lake, and that was a bad sign. "What is it?"

"A call from the Planetary Palace, sir, security priority. Major
Dawson is on the screen."

"Damn. All right." Security priority was never good news; Medart
wondered just how bad it was this time. He accepted the towel Nevan
was holding out, began drying himself as he went to the lander and
climbed in. Then he dropped the towel, grabbed his uniform shirt from a
hanger by the door, and put it on before going to the lander's
comscreen. "What's up, Major?"

Dawson repeated what Corina had told him, adding, "Sergeant Orloff said
she was definitely the one being attacked, sir. I asked for a
mindprobe to be run on the attacker."

Well, Medart thought with brief regret, there went his leave. Couldn't
be helped, though. "Good work. Hold off on Losinj; I'd rather not
probe someone trying to help us unless there's no other choice." He
grinned, wolflike. "If somebody thinks she's worth killing to keep her
from us, she's got to be valuable--I'll be there in about two hours,
and I'll stop by Interrogation before I join you. Medart out."

* * * * *

Dawson switched off, looked at Corina. "I'm curious about one thing.
Why didn't you call instead of coming in? If you're right, we'd have
gotten the information sooner, and you'd have been safer; I could have
sent a squad of Marines to escort you here for protection. You'd have
been in no danger