an. We've got some real interesting plans for you." He turned to
Cortin. "We'll turn him over to guards for the trip to the Lodge, Your
Excellency, then be right back."

"Very good, Lieutenant." When they left, Cortin continued the
separation, but her primary concern remained her former tormentor and
what he'd said about the Brothers soon having real Inquisitors of their
own. They'd always had amateur Inquisitors, of course, and
occasionally--temporarily--a real one who'd gone rogue. That was
something else she'd definitely have to question him about, but just
the information she had so far was enough to disturb her deeply. Civil
Inquisitors were necessary to investigate, and in many capital cases
punish, crime. That was difficult enough, sometimes, even though crime
for the most part was objective, not dependent on intent. Sin, on the
other hand, was dependent on intent, and the ancient Terran Holy
Inquisition had proven that religious Inquisitors were more likely to
drive people away from God than bring them to Him.

Which, she thought grimly, would serve Shayan's ends perfectly. She
couldn't be certain why he wanted souls, but the fact that he did was
beyond question. Any people his Church Inquisitors drove away from God
would end up as his subjects in Hell--and if they were effective enough
at that, there could be an Infernal population explosion.

Population explosion. Cortin frowned at that thought. If they were
accepted, Families could, and hopefully would, provide that sort of
increase in the Systems. Which would give Shayan a chance at the
larger number, which would explain why there'd been nothing from the
Vatican objecting to that part of what she was trying to do. Her
theory might be wrong, she acknowledged, but it felt right, and she
knew nothing that would contradict it. At least it was some sort of
explanation, better that the total lack she'd had before.

* * * * *

Cortin joined her team for the return to Harmony Lodge, riding in a
command van for what felt like the first time in years. It took longer
than the Fleet helicopter would have, but by the time they got home,
she'd been fully briefed on the action, and her opinion of Blackfeather
had gone up several notches.

As they entered the outskirts of New Denver, she turned her attention
to the reporter. "The convent raid ends the cover on the Strike Force,
Sara. Their Majesties agree that news should b