in Palace Guard dress blues entered
the morgue where Hovan was watching technicians prepare Steve's body.
Their impersonality was unpleasant to him, and it was a relief to turn
his attention to the NCO. Hoping he was reading the woman's insignia
correctly, Hovan said, "Yes, Sergeant?"

"The Emperor would like to see you, sir. I'm to escort you to his
office."

Hovan nodded, careful not to smile at the woman's expression. It would
only make her obvious apprehension worse. But, once they were out of
the morgue and seated in one of the small null-grav cars that served as
interior transport, he did say, "I will not bite you, you know."

"I . . ." The Marine hesitated. "No, sir. My mind knows you won't,
but my stomach's a lot less certain. And, sir--I've never even heard
of a junior officer being granted a private audience!"

That was all until the shuttlecar pulled up before a door that was
flanked by a pair of Palace Guards. As Hovan climbed out, the young
Marine said, "Lieutenant Hovan, to see His Majesty." There was an air
of tension from the Guards as Hovan approached the door, but neither of
them said anything; one simply opened the door for him and closed it
when he was inside.

Davis was waiting, now in a Ranger's plain forest green, seated at a
functional steel desk. He spoke before Hovan could bow. "No
formalities at this meeting, Hovan, though it probably won't happen
again. I think that armchair can handle your mass; have a seat."

Hovan sat, carefully as the chair creaked, but it held. "You said
Steve left a message for me, Your Majesty."

Davis leaned forward. "Yes. He told me quite a bit yesterday, while
you were still on Homeworld. For one thing, he said that you were as
important in bringing this peace about as he was, that if it hadn't
been for your help, he'd never have made it through the Ordeal."

Hovan shook his head. "That is too much credit, Sire. I did no more
than any sponsor should."

"That may be true, and I'll ask you to hold to that in public, but we
both know Steve's right, too. You did a sponsor's duty, yes--for an
alien, an enemy, and with a degree of sympathy no one could expect.
You acted exactly like what he called you, his brother."

"I was, yes. And I am glad that he saw the peace he wanted so. But
that he should die as he did . . ."

"I know what he's become," Davis said. "I guessed, and he confirmed
it. He's not dead, as either of us understand death