d I've had
since they joined the Empire. And that's more symbol than necessity."

"In the Empire, maybe so," Cortin said. "For a major Brotherhood
target, a bodyguard is a necessity. And it's a good idea to have
physically impressive ones. Despite their abilities, Sandemans are
impressive only to people who're familiar with them, which most in the
Kingdom Systems aren't."

"You're the expert here," Medart said. "Okay. Keith, ask Colonel
Williamson to detail me a standard team, the biggest people he's got.
You'll be in charge of them, of course. Oh, and you can stay aboard
overnight, if you'd like."

"Yes, thank you, sir." Keith smiled briefly, and Medart hid a grin.
If Cortin thought he should have physically impressive bodyguards, that
could be arranged--along with an evaluation of the Systems' attitude
toward non-humans, though if it weren't for her suggestion, he'd have
put that off for a while yet.

"Good," Cortin said. "Captain Odeon, would you show Ranger Medart to
his suite, please?"

"Of course, Colonel. If you'll come with me, sir?"

30. Interview

Upstairs in the Family section, Odeon turned to Medart. "Thanks for
helping her, Jim. That's one the Brothers hadn't tried before,
tricking her into executing an innocent man."

"It was a nasty frame, all right, for both of them," Medart agreed.
"She seems to take a lot of pride in confining her torture to
criminals; killing someone who didn't deserve it under your laws, even
if it was on false evidence, I'd say would be a major blow."

"One that would lessen her effectiveness, and that'd be a major victory
for the Brotherhood." Odeon led Medart to one of the Lodge's guest
suites and showed him in. "This is yours as long as you want to stay.
If you'll authorize one to go aboard your lander, a servant will bring
your baggage."

"Damn--I forgot you don't have fabricators." Medart touched his
throat, activating his comm implant. "Empress Lindner?"

When the ship answered, he went on. "Have a standard travel kit made
up for me, please, for an indefinite stay. Lieutenant DarElwyn will be
up shortly; he can bring it with him when he comes back. Medart out."

"You can communicate with your ship with no equipment?" Odeon asked.

"Not exactly; the equipment's in my throat and behind my ear. It's
called a comm implant, and most senior Imperials have them. Normally I
initiate the contact the way you just saw, but the ship can contact m