ur or five kilos overweight but not fat. No mind screen;
Corina felt an aura of competence from her.

"Marine Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Greggson, Chief of Security." Tall and
muscular, he wore Marine black with silver oak leaf rank insigne.
Despite his strong mind shield, Corina sensed hostility.

"Commander Marie Sherman, Chief Medical Officer." A tall blonde who
seemed uncomfortable outside her own medical center. No screen, but
she wasn't radiating any particular emotion, either.

"And finally Commander Carl Jensen, Chief Engineer." Small and
studious looking, he didn't really stand out. Like Sherman, he was
unshielded and wanted nothing more than to return to his own domain.

Medart took over the meeting at that point, describing what little he
knew of the White Order. "We're here to find out exactly how much of a
threat the Order actually is to the Empire," he concluded. "Sir Corina
has agreed to help us, so she's next."

Corina stood. "I do not know precisely what information you wish.
Perhaps it would be best if you asked questions."

"All right. Just what can the Order do? Specifically, what is this
Talent we hear stories about? I need facts, not rumors."

"You mean the individual members?"

"For a start, yes."

"Urrr . . . telepathy, of course, and--"

"Reliable telepathy?" Sherman broke in skeptically. "That's never been
proven."

"Then I must do so, at least to your satisfaction." Corina turned to
the Ranger. "If I may do so without dishonor?"

"There's no dishonor involved; that's what you're here for. Go ahead."

Corina turned back, probed gently into the Medical Officer's unscreened
mind. "You are familiar with the Rhine reports some four centuries
before the Empire?"

"Yes, but they're no more proof of telepathy than your guessing I'd
read them."

"They should have convinced you. Since they do not, I must probe more
deeply. I do not wish to distress you, but belief is essential. I
have been aboard only a short time, not long enough to learn anything
about you in the so-called `normal' way. Would you agree?"

Sherman nodded.

"Very well. Your middle name is Jean. Your hobby is pre-Empire
science fiction." Corina paused, contemplating. "That appears
interesting; I shall have to look into it. To continue, your favorite
stories are the Lensman series, and your only regret is that--"

"That's enough!" Sherman interrupted in a near shout. "I'm convinced.
You don't