as the
one who was briefing him, with the best-case scenario for the Empire a
devastating war--that didn't sound good at all. And it all hinged on
one man! Well, at least it included the possibility of a new Ranger,
which was definitely to the good. Tarlac assassinated right after the
Traiti War, Menshikov, Ellman, and Steinhauer killed during the brief
White Order revolt--even though he'd recruited Corina Losinj during
that revolt, they were still three short of the average, and even that
wasn't enough. *Will I be able to use that possibility in convincing
him?*

*I believe so, though he does not at present have the scope to fully
comprehend what a Ranger is. I have told you what is possible to me
and necessary to you; we will not be in contact again until the
decision point.*

With that, the contact broke. Medart shook his head, then went into
the living room and made himself a cup of coffee. Instant from a
microwave didn't match what he got from a shipboard service panel, but
it was coffee, and he had a bad habit that way.

33. Discussion 2

A knock on Medart's door didn't surprise him. "Come in, Mike--I've
been waiting for you."

Odeon entered, tying the belt of his robe. "You've had some sort of
odd experience too, then?"

"Yeah. A mental visit from someone who calls himself Satan, or Shayan,
or Lucius. Want some coffee?"

"I'll make myself some tea, thanks." Odeon busied himself doing so,
thinking that it was clear both of them were in seriously unfamiliar
territory. "Did he tell you anything useful?"

"Yeah, sort of, though it seems I can't talk about all of it."

Odeon snorted a laugh. "That doesn't surprise me! So much of this is
keeping secrets from various people, I'd be astonished if you could
tell me everything. At least I can tell you that the permanent
Protector's shown up, so Joanie doesn't have that problem any longer."

"Whoever it was did tell me that was happening. What nobody's told
anyone in the Empire is what the Protector is."

Odeon frowned, staring at his cup. "That's because Joanie told us to
avoid talking about religion. But I don't think we're going to be able
to avoid it any longer. You know I'm Catholic, and the bio sketch I
read on you says you're Omnist--which I'm afraid doesn't mean much to
me."

"Not practicing, but yes. And your version of Catholicism is a
variant; I studied Traditional theology on the way out here. In that,
and in other Ch