I'm not the only one who'd like to do something more
positive than just administer Last Rites."

"It's worth a try," Cortin said. She speared a piece of ham-and-cheese
omelet, ate it, then said, "I can understand how you feel. It may
sound odd for an Enforcement officer, but I'd love holding a baby for
baptism--they're fun to cuddle."

"Cuddle a baby?" a voice said from behind her. "I hope that does not
mean you want to discontinue your training; I should deeply regret the
loss of such a promising student."

"Not at all, Major!" Cortin turned, gesturing to another chair at
their table. "You must've missed some of the conversation. Would you
care to join us?"

"With pleasure," Illyanov said, putting his tray down and seating
himself. "I am personally glad to hear you intend to continue; it
takes no more than fertility to bear children, and anyone with moderate
interest can become a fairly competent Inquisitor--but it takes both
talent and motivation to do truly well in our field." He smiled at
her. "Which I am convinced you will. It is good to see you out of the
hospital."

"It's good to be out!" Cortin said emphatically. "I'm still
technically in hospital status, and Doctor Egan has made it clear she'd
put me back in bed if I do anything too strenuous--but it's great being
out of there and back in uniform!"

"I am fully familiar with the feeling," Illyanov agreed. "There are
few things worse than enforced idleness, especially in such
surroundings." He raised a hand, smiling at her. "Not that I call
your studying idleness, not at all--I am, in fact, impressed by your
industry--but from your Academy and other records, I am sure you are
impatient to begin practical application of your theoretical work."

"I certainly am." She wasn't all that eager to practice the first two
stages, though, especially in the beginning when they were on Academy
cadets, with the additional purpose of training them to resist
interrogation. Her interest was in third-stage, with Brothers of
Freedom as her subjects--but she supposed it was all necessary, to
achieve her real end. "How soon can we start?"

"Such eagerness!" Illyanov laughed. "Nor are you the only one; I have
been relieved of my classes and given orders to expedite your training,
once you were out of the hospital. We are, if you choose, to
concentrate on Stage Three--and the one who gave me those orders said
it was highly likely you would so choose."

"