way we have been, I'm a little surprised he hasn't
taken these away."

"You're thinking standard human, not Sandeman warrior. I'm sure he
thinks you're perfectly justified in feeling betrayed, since he's not
what you were promised. While he can and will carry out the functions,
since he accepted the position, and in Omnist terms has apparently
become a god, he certainly isn't the Creator." Medart paused,
wondering if this were the time to broach the subject of Odeon becoming
a Ranger, or at least claiming his Imperial citizenship and moving to
Terra. Before he could decide, Odeon solved that problem for him.

"Jim--can I ask you something?"

"Of course. I'll answer it as the private individual I am here, or as
a Ranger, whichever you prefer."

"What's the difference?"

"As a private individual, I can take your feelings into consideration,
and the answer doesn't have to be complete. As a Ranger, you get it
all, with no shading. And I'll warn you in advance: most people don't
ask us questions, because they don't have the first option and they
know they probably won't like our professional answers."

Odeon managed a grin. He didn't mean it all the way, but Jim's
response did deserve something. "At this point, I'm feeling like
nothing can go right, and I don't know what to do about it. I've got
to work something out, so you might as well give me the professional
version."

"Okay. In that case, I'm going to give you one more out. Lucius told
me something that makes me want--need, under our present
circumstances--to get you into the Empire and a job that'll regularly
get you into dangerously interesting situations."

"I'm Strike Force, Jim, even though I was taken off active duty four
months ago because I'm Joanie's heir. Danger's normal for us; it's
only by God's grace I survived my first year, much less made it to age
thirty-seven. And right now, I've got to admit I wouldn't exert a lot
of effort to avoid getting killed. What job are you talking about?"

"Let me get to it more gradually, okay?"

"Okay, if that's your professional opinion."

Medart chuckled. "It is--and that answer gives me a lot of hope.
Besides feeling betrayed, I'd bet that being relieved of active duty,
and now having Keith take over your work with Joan, have you feeling
useless as well. Am I right?"

Odeon nodded, reluctantly. "I've been trying to avoid thinking about
that, but . . . yes, you're right. With Keith the Pr