ught, that the beings
humans thought of as merciless killers considered the Sandemans
ferocious. On the other hand, there was no way he'd care to face a
battleprepped Sandeman warrior himself, in anything less than shielded
power armor . . . "Not to mention which, it's both easier and safer
to be direct, especially with warriors. Like them, for instance."

"They much like us are," Hovan said, smiling again. "If you do peace
bring, I think we and they will good friends become."

Tarlac had a sudden mental picture of a Traiti trading war stories and
combat techniques with one of the small dark-skinned blonds--and it
seemed more an inevitable picture than an odd one. "I wouldn't be a
bit surprised if you did," he agreed. "But you still haven't told me
why I'm being so well treated."

"That simple is. You to us armed came, and you have honor shown; we
could no less honor show."

There was no way Tarlac could reply to that. He had already begun to
believe that he could trust these people's honor where he'd be
reluctant to trust a human's obedience to law. Hovan's calm statement
only added to that conviction.

Another Traiti indicated that he had a question. Hovan listened,
gestured sharply, and spoke, then turned to the Ranger. "This more
personal is than the other questions. He asks if you have children
fathered."

"I don't mind; no, I haven't." Of course, Tarlac thought. With that
sex ratio, parenthood could easily be a sensitive subject for males.
"I'm not married, and even if I were, I don't think I'd . . . Well,
anyway, having children when I'm on Terra so little wouldn't be fair to
them. Being a Ranger's child wouldn't make up for having a father--or
mother--who's gone all the time. That's partly why none of us has a
family."

There was a soft murmur, this time sounding sympathetic, and the next
question was on an entirely different subject. "The furred four-footers
with two tongues--what purpose serve they?"

"Cloudcats? You must have captured some, yeah." Ondrian hadn't been
involved in any of the fighting, but cloudcats roamed all through the
Empire. "They don't serve a purpose. Part of their bargain for
certain human rights on their planet, Ondrian, was their right to
travel on Imperial Navy ships any time. I suppose you could call them
observers."

"They intelligent are?"

Tarlac could hear astonishment even in the original questioner's voice.
"Of course. Didn't anyone tell y