ue?"

Medart chuckled. "And the Strike Force's . . . ah . . . 'enthusiastic
use of their dispensation' was how he phrased it. We've both been
immunized, just in case."

"Yes. Well, one of the social changes it triggered, and I helped bring
about, was an expanded family structure to allow for the variety it
makes you want, while still providing stability for the family itself,
particularly the children. Family Cortin began as Strike Force Team
Azrael, and most of it still is, though we've added a civilian wife. I
understand Sandemans have a strong privacy drive?"

"Very strong," Medart agreed. "Why?"

"Because Family behavior on the private floors can best be described as
uninhibited, particularly in the evening," Cortin said. "If open
sexuality disturbs him--either of you, for that matter--I'm not sure
what to do. You want to learn about us by living with us, and that's
part of our life. I certainly can't put one of your rank in a field
shelter!"

Medart chuckled. "It doesn't disturb me, but Keith would probably be
seriously embarrassed." He enjoyed it, in fact, any time he was on one
of the worlds where open sexuality was the norm--particularly where
outsiders were allowed or encouraged to participate. That was a
preference, though, that Sandemans definitely didn't share. He turned
to Keith. "Would you prefer staying in a shelter or the lander,
Lieutenant? With this many troops around us, I don't think I need a
full-time bodyguard."

"I would, thank you, sir. The lander, by preference."

"You will still eat with us, won't you?" Cortin asked. "We don't
generally relax to a degree that should make you uncomfortable until
after supper, and the ground floor is always formal."

"I intend no disrespect, Excellency. I will be honored to eat and
visit with you."

"Good. Let's go introduce you to my Family, then." As they entered
the Lodge and went upstairs to the common-room, she said, "To spare you
some confusion about our names: we're all Cortin, since Mike and
Sis--the senior spouses--wanted me as head of the Family and named it
after me. So Mike's full name is Michael Patrick Cortin-Odeon, but
around the Lodge or people who know us well, he's Mike or Captain
Odeon, depending on circumstances. Since he's also a priest, you'll
sometimes hear adults calling him Father, too."

They were in the living room by then, where the rest of Family Cortin
was waiting; she introduced them to the visitor