ave your characteristics."

"Considering the ones I met, I'd tend to agree," Degas said.

"To get back to the subject," Cortin said, "which of your personas
ordered the Brotherhood disbanded? And what reason did you give?"

"Shannon gave the order, of course, as you'll see in the news. That is
the only one with any chance of influencing them, though as I said, the
results will be minimal. 'Peace and Justice' may be their slogan, but
it is not their true desire, and it is extremely difficult to lead such
men where they do not wish to go. As for the reason--Lawrence Shannon
seldom gives reasons, but I did say the Brotherhood had outlived its
usefulness."

"That's easy enough to understand. What about Shannon himself?"

"Good question. I'm sure, given what I observed today, that your
choice would be for him to repent and surrender?"

Cortin nodded. "It would, but considering Shannon's true identity, I'd
say that's not likely."

"Correct, since I have no intention of repenting, and you wouldn't
cooperate in such a pretense. He can simply disappear, or I can
arrange the murder or suicide of one of my doubles, to provide a body."

"Which wouldn't give the victim even a minimal chance of repentance."
Cortin shook her head. "Of those options, I'd prefer the
disappearance."

"So be it; Lawrence Shannon no longer exists. Nor do the compulsions
he imposed, to prevent Brothers from seeking the Sacraments. Some of
the lesser members will take advantage of that, though I doubt any of
the leadership will do so."

"Which you regret, even though you won't do it yourself," Odeon said.
"That doesn't make a whole lot of sense."

"To you, perhaps. I am doing what I see as necessary, which does not
include my own repentance." He paused, studying the scar-faced man.
"Has it occurred to you, Captain Odeon, that I may be too set in my
ways to change, particularly in such a basic way?"

"It hadn't, and I don't believe it for a minute." Odeon returned the
other's scrutiny. "I told Colonel Cortin once that not even you are
beyond redemption, and what you're doing now just reinforces that
conviction. It may take something drastic to convince you, but I'm
positive enough that I'm going to add it to my Mass intentions from now
on."

Lucius was silent for almost a full minute, then he nodded, once. "I
can hardly tell you not to, Captain, though after what I did to you, I
would expect you to hate and curse me instead."