sometimes get you in trouble."

"I know, sir. Uh . . . your King called you 'Protector'. What's that?"

Cortin studied her guest. "I'm not sure I ought to go into that
particular subject, Miss Conley. It's a religious title, and since it
was our beliefs that caused our Founders to flee the Empire, I think it
wise to avoid religious discussion as much as possible."

"Yes, sir--though it may relieve you to know that religion's not a very
big deal in the Empire, most places, and the Empire itself is strictly
neutral." She paused. "I'm sorry, Colonel, but I have a bit of a
personal problem. Is there a 'fresher anywhere around?"

"A what?"

"A 'fresher. Let me think--restroom? Bathroom?"

"That we have, yes," Cortin said with a chuckle. "We call them
bathrooms. Sis, would you show Miss Conley the nearest one, then her
guest room?"

"Gladly." Chang put her arm around the Imperial, smiling. "This way,
Miss Conley--may I use your first name?"

"Please--it's Gwen."

The two had barely gone out a side door when Odeon led the rest of the
team and their former prisoners through the main entrance. Since they
were guests now, Cortin gave them a courteous bow before asking, "How
much did you tell them, Mike?"

"Only that they're free; I thought you'd want to tell them the rest."

"Where's Conley?" DeLayne asked, his voice concerned. "Is she all
right?"

"She's fine," Cortin assured him. "She asked for a bathroom, then
Lieutenant Chang's taking her for a brief tour. They should be back in
a few minutes. It's thanks to Miss Conley's cooperation that you're
free and Ranger Medart will soon be on his way to the Kingdom Systems."

"Huh?" DeLayne, Cortin thought, looked like he'd been hit with a
sledge-hammer.

"You heard me correctly," Cortin said. She explained briefly, amused
by the changes in his expression from disbelief to comprehension, then
to determination.

"For someone who's afraid of the Empire," he said when she was done,
"you're making one hell of an effort to bring it in. If you'd like
some help, I'll ask for a temporary assignment here when I report we've
been released."

Cortin considered that briefly, then nodded. "Any preliminary
groundwork we can lay should help reduce transitional problems. Thank
you for your offer, Captain." She paused, then said, "The troopers who
brought you in mentioned you were the first group. How many of you are
there in all?"

"Four hundred ninety