said. "I'll order blasters set
on stun--with that request, I gather you don't have that option?"

"Bullets don't stun, no," Cortin said. "You intrigue me--could I try
one of those blasters?"

"I don't see why not," DeLayne replied. "The ship wouldn't let your
people into our armory, so we have plenty. Let me get my quartermaster
to bring you one."

"I'll be glad to do it, sir," Conley put in.

"Very well, Miss Conley. Have it logged as a permanent transfer, along
with a spare powerpack and charger."

"Yes, sir." Conley boarded the ship, emerging moments later with the
specified equipment, as well as a holster and pouch for the blaster and
spare powerpack. She handed them to Cortin, smiling. "I'll be glad to
show you how to use them, if you'd like."

"I would, if your Captain doesn't mind."

"No objection," DeLayne said. "In fact, if you don't mind, I'd like to
appoint her as our individual Special Liaison from the Empire to the
Kingdom Systems until Ranger Medart arrives. She can stay at your
Lodge, but I think the rest of us should go back to living on the
Columbus."

"If you wish, Captain." Cortin smiled at the young woman. "But the
final decision will have to be yours, Miss Conley. I should warn you,
associating with an Inquisitor will do nothing to improve your social
standing in the Systems; we may be respected, but we certainly aren't
popular."

Conley laughed. "Since I won't be in the Systems long, I'm not
worried--I'd love to learn what I can about you and your people, and--"
she glanced at her Captain, hesitating.

"And a stint as Special Liaison would look good on your record, I would
imagine." Cortin chuckled. "We share that much, at least. Consider
yourself accredited, Miss Conley. And Family Cortin's guest, until
your superiors require you to return to your duties."

"I'd like that--thank you, Excellency. When would you like to learn
how to use your blaster?"

"As soon as I can. What facilities do you need?"

"A standard target range will do fine for the blaster function. If you
want the stun function demonstrated, you'll need a volunteer and some
good strong headache medications."

Cortin frowned. "I thought stunning wasn't harmful."

"It isn't," Conley said. "At least, it doesn't do any physical
damage--unless the fall itself injures you, of course. But it does
leave you with a nasty migraine for most of a day."

"Interesting," Cortin said thoughtfully. A weap