nds, then cleared to show a lean,
gray-haired man Cortin recognized from intercepts as Emperor Charles
Davis. "I understand you have information about one of my ships," he
said calmly.

Cortin repeated her introduction, then went on. "I don't intend them
any harm, Your Majesty, in spite of the fact that they intruded in our
space and I fear what their arrival means for our Systems. Since we
cannot resist you, I ask that you send Ranger Medart to ease your
annexation of the Kingdom Systems; he seems to have done that quite
well for the Sandemans."

"It isn't as inevitable or as horrible as you seem to think," the
Emperor said mildly, "but if you have that kind of misapprehensions
about us, I agree that sending a Ranger in would be a good idea. And
James Medart is our cultural specialist, so he's the logical one; he'll
be on his way within the hour. Should he talk to you, or one of your
Kings?"

"That is something I cannot answer at the moment, Your Majesty. That
is up to High King Mark; I do not know who he will choose to handle
it." Probably her, she thought, considering she was acting Protector as
well as High King's Inquisitor and Archduchess of High Teton--but she
couldn't be certain.

"You're doing this without his knowledge?"

"Yes, because I believe it to be the least bad of the options open to
us, now that contact has been made."

To her amusement, the Emperor looked dismayed. "I . . . see," he said
slowly. "I hope Ranger Medart will be able to improve your opinion of
us, Colonel. If your Systems should choose to become part of the
Empire, I'd like you to be my guest in the Palace for a month or so."

Cortin inclined her head. "That is most gracious of Your Majesty. In
that event, I would be honored."

"Until that time, then, Colonel."

The ultrawave screen went blank, and Cortin picked up the telephone
handset, dialing High King Mark's private number. When that screen
lit, she said, "Is Your Majesty aware that the Imperial scouts got a
message out before they were captured?"

"I was not, Colonel. I assume that means we can expect more of them
soon."

"I can guarantee it, sire." Cortin took a deep breath, released it
slowly. "Rather than risk an automatic military response that could
destroy the Systems, I took advantage of information one of my
prisoners gave me. I appealed to the Emperor, based on their laws
granting citizenship to anyone of Terran origin, and direct access to
the