"Ilse! I-"

  "No-don't say it! Not now, when you have to tell me it doesn't make any difference. It does, and it will-you know that as well as I do. Just promise me, Ivan Marchant-that when you've given it a fair try and found you need a woman with a whole face-you'll tell me straight out, not try to hide it. All right?"

  Ivan looked to Rissa. She said, "It's a fair thing, that she asks. Only to know how it stands between you, not to have to wonder."

  "All right," said Ivan, "If ever 1 want to go-I'll tell you, Ilse."

  The mutilated face smiled. "Good-I'm glad that's settled. Now-I'm afraid I'm getting tired; I'd like to sleep a little. Rissa-Liesel-thanks for coming. And later, any time you're not too busy. And Ivan-wake me maybe half an hour before lunchtime?"

  "Sure." He bent to kiss her, straightened and escorted the two women out. Downship a little way he said, "You did it- you really did it. I don't know how you knew what to say, both of you. But this was the first time she'd talk about her-

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  damages-and the first sign she's shown of any interest in her future. I don't know how to thank you."

  Liesel stopped, pulled his head down and kissed him, long.

  "That'll do for me." Rissa reached out and squeezed his hand.

  She paused, then said, "Ivan-the promise you made-you must keep it, you know. If, when her present need of you is less crucial, you find that her maiming comes between you, you cannot try to pretend otherwise. For she will know, and-"

  "Peace be swallowed! You really think I'd leave Ilse? For what? A scar down her face-and I expect there's makeup will cover it for social occasions-and the loss of an ear, hidden by a wig?" He put his hand over that part of Rissa's face and head. "That much of Ilse, disfigured-you think it's going to change how I feel about her?"

  He laughed. "You might as well think the scars she'll have at the shoulder, and around it-that those would turn me away."

  "I had not thought, Ivan-and I am not sure what you mean."

  "I guess you've never seen Ilse without clothes. Well- Tregare and I went swimming once; I've seen his scars."

  "What-?"

  "Ilse went through UET's Academy, too."

  Speechless, Rissa could only nod.

  back aboard Hobnails, Rissa called Tregare. He expressed sympathy and concern for Ilse, wanted to know if Liesel and Hawkman were ready to travel, and was pleased to learn they were.

  "But not in the scout," he said. "That's off. No, I'm not being supercautious-I need another ship here, is all. Not Kickem's-I'm naming him strike force commander in case of action from outside. I had in mind Coryle Hagenau-she did a good job, coordinating the Escaped ships. She's on-what's it called now?"

  "Committee's Fall. Have you sent orders, or shall I call her?"

  "She has a tentative alert, through Zelde, so she could pick someone to stand in, there. If you agree, you can confirm it."

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  "I shall. But why do you need another ship?"

  "Well-it's all moving. Enough so that now I can get around to pulling the Space Academy apart. And I'm not going there in any peace-splattering little scomship."

  "But Inconnu-all the administrative circuits-"

  "We'll take the Fall; Hagenau can sit in, here. Now then- quick summary? Ressider's getting a handle on the Police system. You remember the woman on Stronghold? Flaer Leti-ken? Poiicebitch all her life and glad to get free of it?"

  "Yes. Tall, thin-I did not ever believe that bright red hair."

  He grinned. "She's on Ressider's ship-that's why I picked it for the Police job. She knows the system inside out, and that's just about the way she's starting to turn it."

  "That is very good news, Bran. And what else?"

  "Nothing-zerch!-from the Hulzein Establishment, any branch. Maybe it's gone out of business, which I don't believe. Or else Lena Diabla-my first cousin once removed, isn't she?-is waiting to see how everything turns out.

  "The Australians-Altworth came on the screen once. All he said was call back when things were settled, better. I don't know-"

  "And elsewhere, outside this continent?"

  "Feelers, is all-they're waiting, too. And I'm hanging from a tight string on Markine's project. But that's why now is a good time-tomorrow or next day-to proof out the Academy."

  "Yes. Then if nothing goes amiss, Tregare, we will come to you today."

  "I was hoping you'd say that."

  boarding Committee's Fall', Rissa thought back to what little she knew of Coryle Hagenau, from the time the woman had arrived with UET's second fleet until she had taken her ship back to Earth. A crewman met Rissa and escorted her to Control; there Hagenau greeted her.

  "Welcome aboard, I've been making the arrangements; we can move today, if you want."

  She has not changed so much . . . slightly taller than Rissa, perhaps five years older biologically, slim to gauntness-her dark hair now worn somewhat longer, and curling. Rissa said,

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  "Good-we can be ready soon." She looked around; Control was in good order. "All your Escaped ships have been cleared, I understand. Who will be in charge of them while you are away?"

  "Yes, we're cleared-our bad UET apples are in detention, or maybe Welfare by now. You wouldn't know my deputy- Carsh Rodelle--he's never been off Earth long enough to give him two ages. He's only a figurehead, anyway-the same as I've been. Zelde M'tana's running this group herself, through James Pescadore."

  "You resent the situation?"

  The woman shook her head. "No. It's interim; I realize that. We're not needed just now, and M'tana has no time for us. She said she'd get to us when she could." Coryle raised an eyebrow. "You know what I think of that one? If Tregare hadn't pulled the whole trick off, she's the only other who might have."

  "No. I agree, she has the ability-but not Tregare's incentive."

  "You mean-it's true, the story that she didn't come up through UET at all?"

  "Correct. Zelde began her career, on an Escaped ship, as captain's bedmate. When the man succumbed to drugs and sickness, she learned quickly enough to handle the ship while he lived and take command when he died. But she did not inherit control, and others bought her out. Soon after, she joined Tregare on Inconnu."

  "Captain's bedmate, again?"

  "I have not asked. If so, each had a worthy companion."

  Hagenau's eyes narrowed. "I see. Well, the first man, the one who died-he must not have been very much."

  "I do not know what his troubles may have been. But years afterward, Zelde M'tana named her squadron for him- Parnell."

  Exhaling a deep breath, Coryle Hagenau shuddered. "Ker-guelen-I don't know why I keep trying to fence with you. I-"

  "Perhaps you feel I hold a position I have not earned."

  "Maybe I do."

  "If the matter needs settling, how should we go about it?"

  The woman shrugged. "There's no way, I guess. I'm a primitive, I suppose-if it weren't for Tregare I'd fight you,

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  assuming you knew how. Nonlethal, of course-just to first disablement. But-"

  Rissa laughed. "If it were not for Tregare? Tregare has stood aside, as the local rules provided, and watched me fight. On our wedding day, it was. And when i had killed the man-but I will tell of that, another time." She paused. "Would a practice bout satisfy you?"

  Hagenau stared. Finally; "No, it wouldn't. But your offer does."

  " I do not understand."

  "Not much, you don't-but all right-you wouldn't offer if you couldn't back it. Which says I've been wrong, thinking you're a parasite on Tregare's power."

  "You thought that? Well-I do not know-I had not considered our situation in such terms. But I have worked alongside Tregare, and sometimes fought, also-and once to save, his life I killed a man neither of us wished dead. I would think it enough-"

  "That's twice in as many minutes you've talked of killing. Trying to scare me? I thought I made it clear; you don't have to, now."

  "Then loosen your string, Coryie Hagenau! Which is to say -in no way that I can imagine, am I a threat to you. I have never killed-and I hope 1 never will-unless forced to it. And even then-it costs me grief."

  After a moment the woman held out a hand; Rissa grasped it. "Sorry, Kerguelen. Sometimes it takes me a while to get to know people right."

  "Then you should know that my name is Rissa."

  "All right, Rissa. Could you use a drink? I can."

  before leaving the port, Rissa called to check developments with Zelde M'tana, with Melya Corradone and with Ingrith Hannulan. The last said, "I wouldn't have believed how smooth this takeover could go, so fast. Here at the port, anyway-I don't know how things are, outside."

  "There is much to do, sooner than we can reasonably expect to do it. Have you lost many of your people to truth field screening?"

  "At the political levels, yes. It helps a lot-I can promote capable persons into those jobs. Commander M'tana- she's

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  a good one to work with-she's screening only the top five levels, for now. Except security forces, of course. Says we can do the rest later. I don't know-"

  "We will overlook some, I suppose, who might be threats. There is not time for all of it. You will simply have to keep tight security, Hannulan. At Headquarters we have the same problem."

  "I suppose." The woman grimaced. "Forbisher-he called me yesterday. He-"

  "Did you trace that call?"

  "Can't be done; those trunks are blind coded, incoming only. But he-my God, I didn't think a human being could imagine some of the things he said he was going to have done to me!"

  "You can trust those who guard you?"

  "Yes, they're all cleared. But-"

  "Then you are as safe as any of us, perhaps more so. And the threat will not last much longer."

  "I purely hope not. Well-thanks for trying to help. Anything more you need?"

  "No-merely that you continue your work, as I know you will."

  "Sure. Hannulan out, then."

  coryle hagenau flew low and fast to Headquarters. Like Ragan, she landed a civil distance from Inconnu. She said, "Give me a few minutes to button things up here, and I'll walk over with you. Or-Ms. Hulzein, would you prefer a ground-car?"

  Liesel said, "I'm up to walking now, I think. Let's give it a try."

  "All right." Hagenau made a few intercom calls, instructed her First Hat-a thin, dark young man who never said one word where none would suffice-and led the party ground-side. Looking at Tregare's ship, she said, "You really took one, didn't you? Lucky it missed the drive."

  Rissa said, "Is there such a thing as luck? What happens, happens."

  "There speaks the girl," said Hawkman, "who came out of Welfare against odds of more than fifty million."

  Impatient, Rissa shook her head. "I said it at the time, on

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  the Tri-V. It would happen to someone, that month or another. And that time, I was the one-but except to myself, what difference did it make?"

  Liesel grasped her arm but did not slow their pace. "That's the thing about you, Rissa. I mean, I don't know anyone else who'd see it that way."

  "I can find no other way to see it. Am I, then, wrong?"

  Hawkman said, "No-maybe you're the only one who sees it right."

  Now they climbed Inconnu's ramp. At the top, entering, Rissa met Tregare's kiss and rib-creaking hug, then stood aside while he greeted Lie'sel less violently and exchanged back-pounding shouts with Hawkman. At the first pause Coryle Hagenau said, "Is it all right if I only shake hands?"

  Tregare broke into laughter. "Welcome aboard, Coryle. Don't worry-just the family has to put up with this sort of thing." He shook her hand, then ushered the group inside and upship. "It's a little late for dinner, but I figured you wouldn't be eating on such a fast jaunt, so I waited. Okay?"

  A few minutes later they sat and ate. Tregare said, "Coryle -you know this already, but it never hurts to make sure. Anything said here, you tag it Top Silence. Okay?"

  Before she spoke, she looked at him. "Yes. Of course, Tregare. I won't tell your secrets."

  Now it was he who paused. "Anything eating on you, Hagenau?"

  "No-it just seems to be my day to run crossgrain to the Tregares."

  His brows raised. "Something I ought to know?"

  Rissa touched his hand. "No, Bran. Coryle and I-we took a little time to reach understanding. That is all."

  Tregare looked at Coryle Hagenau; she said, "I didn't know you people, really. I still don't, but-I had some wrong ideas. Rissa took time to straighten them out."

  "Well-everybody satisfied now?"

  "I am," said Hagenau.

  "And I," Rissa said.

  "All right then." He brushed air away from him. "If all the small stuff's out of the way, here's what we're up against." He looked to Rissa. "Your red-headed friend with the interchangeable teeth-that's a nice touch he has there-he says the procurement department wants to make delivery three

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  days from now-but at night, and separately. We're supposed to use a scoutship for each item. How does it sound to you?"

  As Rissa thought, Coryle said, "That's Top Silence? Why don't you just talk Greek? I don't understand that, either."

  Tregare's fist clenched, then relaxed. "Any particular reason you want to know something that doesn't concern you and could be dangerous?" He stared at her until she looked away, downward.

  Rissa said, "Coryle is in charge of a major subfleet. If you do not trust her, then relieve her of command."

  "Wait a minute-I didn't mean-"

  Hagenau spoke. "No-it's my fault. I've been edging people all day-first Rissa and now you, Tregare. Comes, I guess, from sitting in space too long, not knowing who I'd have to deal with when somebody showed up. And then squatting groundside with nothing to do." She shrugged. "All right -tell me or don't. I'll accept it either way."

  Tregare grinned. "Now there's an answer I believe. Okay-the package we're talking about is the Presiding Committee itself, delivered one by one. We-"

  Coryle gasped. "Peace push a pencil!-and I guess you know where." One hand rubbed over her nose and mouth. "That's Top Silence, sure enough."

  As though there had been no interruption, Tregare said, "Rissa? What do you think?"

  "Do not agree to simultaneous pickups. They do not know how many scouts you have-say that there are less, and for every one that risks landing, have another aloft, on guard. There is no reason to expect treachery, but still-"

  "The New Mafia, isn't it?" said Coryle. "Couldn't be anyone else. Well, you can trust them-as long as you have their balls in both your hands and squeezing hard!"

  Rissa said, "I think our grip is firm enough."

  Tregare nodded. "They cross us, they get nothing and they know it."

  "What have you agreed to give them?"

  Not hard but audibly, Tregare's palm slapped the table. "Now that-it's outside the scope of this talk. We're getting above Top Silence and into policy."

  "Of course." The woman nodded. "Tregare-you haven't told me yet, what I'm doing here."

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  "All right. The situation here is stabilizing, and at the port and the Police bases. And we can't start on anything long-range until we've settled with the Committee. So you're here to sit in for me, on Inconnu, for the next two or three days. While I go-in your ship-and overhaul the Space Academy to my own specifications. And I've waited one peaceloving hell of a long time to do that job!"

  Hagenau half-stood, then sat again. "Tregare-I wish I could go with you on that one. You think you had it bad-but the girls-"

  "I know. We didn't have that part when I was there, but I've heard. Don't worry; I'll take care of it. No vengeance, though-you don't punish people for following a system that's already there. It's hard, agreed. If the same people were still alive who-when I was there-I don't know."

  ''Some are still alive from when I was there.''

  "That's why you're not going."

  after Hagenau returned to her ship, the discussion turned to family matters. In answer to Liesel's question, Tregare said, "Another four weeks, I think, before Dacia could bring the scout in. But I've sent two patrol ships out-one to take station where we met Ragan and the other to meet the scout and fetch it quicker. So knock off maybe a week."

  "It'll be good to see Liesel Selene again," said her grandmother. "How old will she be, bio-time?"

 

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