the worst headache I've ever had."

DeLayne frowned. "I've never heard of a reaction that bad, or I
would've warned you. Let me get Dr. Drulet to prescribe you something."

"Thanks, but no thanks; I'll be okay. It's fading already." Odeon
straightened cautiously, shaking his head. "I don't think I'd care to
repeat the experience, though. Do you have any ordinary books I can
use instead?"

"No, but I can have the ship print you out what's on the tapes.
Normally I'd suggest you try a standard reading tape, but after that
reaction, printouts would probably be the best idea. They're a hell of
a lot slower than teaching tapes, though; it'll take you a day or so to
learn what the tape would've given you in a couple of minutes."

"I'll take the day, and the printouts."

"You've got them. Imperial English, or should I have the ship
transcribe everything into the pre-Imperial alphabet?"

"Imperial," Odeon said, after a moment's thought. "I'm going to have
to learn it sooner or later, so why put it off?"

"That makes sense. And I don't think I'd better let any of your people
try taking a tape till the Lindner gets here. An IBC has better
research facilities than a scout; they may be able to find out why you
reacted so badly, whether it's an individual reaction or something
everyone in the Systems shares, and how to avoid it."

"That makes sense, too. Thanks, Captain. Aside from the alphabet,
what would you recommend I study first?"

"In your place I'd start with basic history and Imperial structure.
Once you know that, you're in a better position than I am to decide
what else you'll need."

"I'll do that, then."

27a. At Harmony Lodge

28. Aboard the Lindner

James Medart was looking forward to his arrival in the Kingdom Systems.
Another new culture to study, this time a group whose ancestors had
fled the early Empire in an attempt to escape religious persecution.
From Captain DeLayne's reports, that had been about four hundred years
ago, and even though they refused to discuss religion, DeLayne said
that from their symbols and occasional references, they were a Roman
Catholic variant.

DeLayne's primary informant was Cortin's second-in-command, who was
also studying the Empire with considerable interest, DeLayne said, but
making slow progress because he had a strong negative reaction to
teaching tapes. That was unfortunate, Medart thought, but Odeon's
attitude was a distinct improvement o