more wouldn't be appropriate. Then Odeon approached,
his expression inquiring.

Medart shook his head with a smile. "I'm flattered, Mike, and I don't
want to offend you, but I'm afraid you aren't my type."

"Thanks, and none taken," Odeon said. "Too bad, though--does being
around it bother you?"

"No, not at all--it just doesn't do anything for me, either."

Odeon chuckled. "It would if you'd had the plague and been out on
remote patrol. There aren't many women in Enforcement, so all but a
very few troopers go both ways, especially in the field."

"I can understand that," Medart said. "The ones I've seen, on a couple
of worlds where sex is considered an art form, didn't leave any doubt
they were enjoying themselves, either."

"That's all very well," Cortin said, sounding plaintively amused, "but
would you mind going into reminiscence and philosophy later? I, for
one, am ready for supper and after-dinner relaxation."

Her semi-complaint drew chuckles and agreement; the Family and guest
went to the dining room.

* * * * *

After breakfast the next morning, Cortin asked Medart to accompany her
to her ground-floor office. When they were seated in the conversation
area there, she said, "While you were napping yesterday, I called
Colonel Bradford and asked him to go into the details of what you found
out from Shelton. I'm the best in the Kingdoms at third-stage, but
he's the best at first, especially the memory-enhancing techniques we
use with cooperative witnesses. I'd like you to work with him this
morning; you can join me this afternoon, if you want to observe an
execution."

Medart grinned briefly, then nodded. It was almost half a century
since he'd taken orders from anyone except the Sovereign--but he wasn't
in the Empire now, he was Colonel Cortin's guest; he'd go along with
her arrangements, as long as they didn't interfere with his duty. "As
you say, Colonel."

Cortin returned the grin. "Pretty good, for someone Captain DeLayne
told me gave orders rather than taking them."

"That depends on circumstances. One of my colleagues, not quite twenty
years ago, took orders from a fourteen-year-old who'd rescued him from
rebels--but if I may change the subject, did DeLayne and his people
have any effect on your attitude toward the Empire?"

Cortin sobered. "In that they were all proud to be citizens and part
of your military, a little. They got along well with the tr