Tregare scratched his chin. "You've been giving me the hawkeye all evening. No-" he waved a hand, "it's all right. I just want to know what's on your mind."

  After a long pause Anders said, "Well, Captain Tregare-I

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  mean commandant-I'm glad to be here, see my father again after so long, but I've looked around-and I don't want to spend the rest of my life on Stronghold."

  "I doubt you'll need to-you're young yet. But what's that to do with me?"

  "You're moving against Earth-oh, everybody says so; they just don't know when." And so much, thought Rissa, for Security in this beehive! "I want to go with you!"

  Tregare looked to Stepan and Eudyce in turn, then back to Anders. "You're how old? Eighteen?" A nod. "Old enough to decide for yourself, then. But still I'd like to know how your parents feel about it."

  Stepan said, "I'll miss you, son-again. But if it's what you want-"

  Tregare looked at Eudyce. She said, "This would be- when?"

  He shrugged. "This part, keep to yourselves-all right? Not sooner than two years-more likely, four and a bit."

  Eudyce nodded. "I can guess why, but I won't. Well, Stepan? I think we can live with that; don't you?"

  The boy's excitement showed. "Then I can go? Commandant-I can come with you?"

  "Off duty, my name's Tregare. Phase out of whatever you're doing now-no loose ends; right? Meanwhile-" He paused. "Rissa, what have they renamed the Saxbe?"

  She thought, then remembered. "It is now Catclaw."

  "Right. Anders-tomorrow you go to Catclaw and ask for Jamie Pescadore-James Pescadore. He's probably Second Hat-Second Officer-on her by now. Maybe First-I haven't kept track too well. Anyway-tel! him I sent you and to tell his new skipper I want you trained for Third. You may end up serving elsewhere if Catdaw's fully officered, but that's where you'll train. Got it?"

  Tregare looked at Kobolak. "The way I see it, any kid of yours is bound to be officer material.''

  The boy looked incredulous. "Third Officer!"

  "If you qualify-all I'm giving you is the chance."

  "Oh, thanks, commandant-I mean, Tregare."

  "That's settled, then." Tregare raised his glass. "Let's drink toil."

  For the first time in a while, Dacia spoke. "How about me?"

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  Her mother half-stood. "You want to go-to leave us- too?"

  "I don't know yet. But if he can go to space, why can't I?"

  Tregare laughed. "What have I let myself in for, here?" Again he looked to the parents. "All right if she tries it out, sees how she likes the training?"

  Stepan nodded, not quickly; Eudyce turned to Rissa. "You're an officer, aren't you? On Tregare's ship?"

  "Yes. And on three of the ships we came in, women command. Not as in UET."

  "I see." Then, "Tregare? She would not be committed to go?"

  "Course not-if she makes the grade she has her choice. For one thing, there'll be ships staying here-and they'll need officers, too."

  "Then I agree. Not, as you say, that Dacia needs any permission."

  "Then that's two drinks we have coming." In ceremonial fashion, Tregare sipped twice; the rest followed suit.

  Dacia said, "Thanks, Tregare. Now who do / see, once I've cleared up the scut job I'm doing now?"

  He turned to Rissa. "What do you think?"

  "There is no need to think. Dacia, go to the ship Valkyrie, ask for Captain Zelde M'tana and tell her the same things Tregare told your brother to say."

  Tregare said, "How did you decide between Zelde and Ilse?"

  "This girl grew up free on Earth-no Academy, no Welfare Center-the word, Tregare, is sheltered. Zelde's life experience rubs off on her associates-and that may be as important as the formal training."

  He grinned. "Now you spell it out, I don't see how I missed it myself."

  Dinner ended; Eudyce said, "Rissa, I know ships' men and women don't segregate their discussions but I'd like to talk with you. Let's take some wine to my study." When the two were seated there, she said, "Tregare mentioned to Stepan that you and your friend-the truth field tech-are both into first preg. He didn't say you could use a friendly shoulder, but I thought perhaps-"

  Rissa smiled. "You were right. I had wondered how to open the subject."

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  "Well, then-what is it you would like to know?"

  "Everything, I suppose. My upbringing was not usual-unfortunately, on Earth it now may be." Briefly, not in detail, she outlined her early life. "... then, free of Welfare, in a certain place I was trained in many things-but not at ali for what I now undertake. Of infants I know nothing."

  Eudyce gave her gentle laugh. "Well, I know plenty. My two-I birthed them, nursed them, and sometimes cursed them. So-let me tell you a little about this whole baby business. To begin with ..."

  Rissa listened, asked questions and evaluated the answers. Eudyce Kobolak, she decided, should have been a teacher; she gave information in logical order, so that Rissa could see how one item related'to the next. When Tregare looked in and said it was time to go, she thanked Eudyce and then said her goodbyes to the rest.

  On the way home, she said, "We shall be good friends, she and I. She gives me confidence."

  "Good. What do you think about both the kids signing on?"

  "If they qualify, and make that choice. Well-they have capability. It is well that you give them the opportunity to test it."

  the next time Rissa visited Eudyce, Felcie Parager accompanied her. Over coffee. Felcie said, "It's not just the baby part that bothers me-I was up to here in babies, from when I still was one. I know it's different, most places. But on Number One, then, there were so many that if one died it was like somebody broke a dish-too bad but there's lots more." She turned to Rissa. "Well, you know-so many defectives-main thing was to find out what snicked it, and watch for it in the others. But any one baby-and no real parents for any of us- nobody could really care very much. Surprised me-it really did-to see how natural parents felt so different about their own. I was awfully young, see? And so-"

  Eudyce shook her head. Her hair, loose today, shimmered with the motion. "I do find that hard to believe. Oh, I believe you, Felcie-it's the situation that's so incredible. But I can begin to see how it must have been."

  Felcie leaned forward. "So the baby part's all snooky; noth-

  35

  ing shaken. It's the parent part-how do I learn to be one?" She sighed. "Derek's never sired, that he knows of-Vanessa Largane was pregging when UET killed her. If I can't do it right-if something shakes with his child-1 might just as well cut my string. Not that he-"

  Rissa took her hand. "You will do very well. There is time to learn, and Eudyce will teach us both-will you not?"

  "Well, I'll try to. But the fact that you're worried, Felcie- that convinces me you won't be lax or careless."

  "I hope not." Then, "Rissa, I liked the names you and Tregare picked. That's another problem we had." Rissa's brows raised; Felcie said, "You used names from both your families. I don't have any-none of us zoom-wombers know who we are, that way. I've always wished I did ..."

  Thinking of what Marco had said, how UET obtained its ova, Rissa said to herself, Be glad you do not know! And aloud, "But you have chosen names?"

  "Finally we did. For a boy, Derek picked Arlen Limmer, after his grandfather. Well, I'm Parager because the Paragers mostly handled our creche, and I guess that's good enough. So for a girl-I hope it's snooky with you-Rissa Parager."

  Slowly, "I-am flattered. But why? I have done nothing-"

  Felcie gestured. "I'd want her to be like you. Not like me-I can't do anything really well-just a little of everything, well enough to get by. But you-"

  "Felcie-do not overestimate me. Please."

  "I couldn't, ever. In the duel ring-Eudyce, do you know about that?" And over Rissa's protests, Felcie told of the killfight with Stagon dal Nardo.

  Eudyce shook her head. "Rissa, you amaze me. How-?"

  "Two factors won that duel for me." She explained her advantage in newer combat techniques, then the stress reaction that stretched time for her. She shrugged. "The condition is somewhat rare but not unique to me."

  "Well!" Eudyce made a lopsided grin. "I can still learn something new, it seems. Five years late, I owe Dacia an apology. There was an emergency; she saved herself. When she told us how, I thought she was making it up-but it was much like what you 've said.''

  Rissa's eyes narrowed. "Does Anders have it too?"

  "I don't know. Why?"

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  "Then perhaps Dacia is best equipped, of the two, to go to space. Not that the phenomenon is necessary for that, of course."

  Felcie spoke. "Does Tregare have it?"

  "Somewhat, I think-perhaps more than he realizes. I cannot be sure."

  Eudyce said, "At any rate-Rissa, I've liked you, and knew you were capable. But now I see what matched you up with a fire eater like Tregare."

  Before Rissa could answer, Felcie said, "That wedding! You never saw anything like it. Right there in the duel ring-Rissa looking like what was left after the bushstompers stampeded, and-"

  "Felcie-perhaps I should commission you to write my biography." Laughter.

  with Felcie operating the truth field and Ivan the polygraph, Rissa and Tregare had experimented-learning how to set hypnotic triggers to protect persons against UET's investigations. With their first success-Terrell Ragan was the subject-they stopped work for the day and celebrated. As time passed, they improved their methods and results, checking under different conditions and after time-lapse, to see how well the protection held.

  "Once the programming's in," said Tregare, "it holds up. But I wish I knew why it works perfectly on some-and not at all on others."

  Ivan shrugged. "We're new at it. For now, we'll just have to use people it does work on."

  For they were choosing a crew, preparing a ship to go to Earth, there to learn and to infiltrate. Reluctantly, Terrell Ragan changed Loose Goose back to Trujillo-for his was the ship chosen.

  His crew-by necessity, but also fitting established UET procedure-came from several ships. Some were from the newest arrivals, but most had served on Stronghold. Rissa put each through a final check-all was well, for each tested solidly loyal to Tregare in normal circumstances and equally loyal to UET when the simulated situation required it. And the triggers, the knowledge of them-all was buried under at least three levels of code words.

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  At last Tregare showed satisfaction. "All right, Ragan. You're ready to lift tomorrow?"

  "Yes. The reports are all ready and will pass inspection?"

  "Falsified perfectly, I think. Korbeith-doped to the gills-gave his gravel laugh more than once when he signed them. So while I was at it I had him sign and thumbprint a stack of blank forms-just in case."

  "Did he do the taped parts all right?"

  "Some took several tries-dope and hypnosis mix him up a lot. But we did get them."

  "Good," said Ragan. He asked a few more questions; then he and Tregare shook hands and he went to his ship.

  And next morning the Trujillo lifted for Earth. Seeing its wake dwindle, Tregare said, "Rissa-I do hope we know the hell what we're doing!"

  the arming of ships neared completion. Two contingents went into space, where Limmer trained them in squadron maneuvers. So it was that when Felcie's labor began, a week early, he was absent.

  Rissa sat with Felcie in Derek's stead, her hands aching in the girl's fierce grip as the pains came. Afterward she answered the dazed questions: "Aden is of proper size and appearance, and if his appetite were any greater we might worry about Stronghold's food reserves." Felcie's unsure smile came stronger; Rissa patted her cheek. "Sleep now."

  when Felcie was, as Tregare said, "fully operational" again, the two families dined together. Afterward, nursing Arlen, Felcie said, "Isn't he a pretty one, though? Just like Derek, except the hair and skin a little lighter."

  Without thinking, Rissa said, "Yes. 1 had always wanted to see how he looked, before-" Wide-eyed she clapped hand to mouth. "Oh, Derek! I did not mean-"

  The scarred lips smiled; he shook his head. "As Felcie says, nothing shaken. Sure-I used to be bitter. But maybe you've noticed-since Felcie accepted me, and you two the same, a lot-it doesn't matter any more. I don't think of myself as- what did Peralta say that time?-a gargoyle, that's it. No- I'm just good old Derek Limmer, with one hell of a fine wife!"

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  His attempt to fend off Rissa's kiss was not wholly convincing.

  rissa's own time neared. Striving for the best physical condition, she remained as active as she could, as long as possible. When she asked Tregare about medical arrangements-her doctor, the same who had tended Felcie, was abed himself with a persistent virus infection-her husband said, "Our ships' medics aren't the best for this sort of thing. I've checked around-there's two choices. Old Noridas used to be tops, but he's old and getting shaky. The other one-Correval-I don't know if we can trust him. He's a hundred percent UET, and living in medium-security detention."

  She thought about it. "Let us speak with Correval and then decide."

  telis correval-large, pale, approaching biological middle age-sat stiffly before the commandant's desk. "You're opposed to me," Tregare said. "I accept that." The man nodded. "You'll agree, Correval, that I allow your people as much comfort as I can reasonably provide?" Another nod. "The question is, can I trust you with my wife and our baby?"

  "I hear that you make your own decisions. So make this one."

  For a moment, Rissa thought Tregare would kill him out of hand. But, "All right-you won't make things easy, so we'll do it your way. I don't like playing tyrant but you force me. Here's how it is-if you preside at this birth, any harm that comes to woman or child you'll suffer yourself, many times over. While you live." He waited while Correval blinked, looked up and then away. "With that understanding-do you take the job or don't you?"

  "And what if I don't?" Rissa thought, I do hate a whiner -but maybe I need him.

  "If you don't," said Tregare, "nothing. Just back to the routine."

  "No punishment?"

  "No." When the man did not answer, Tregare said, "Well? Which is it?"

  Slowly, pouting, Correval nodded. "I'll do it."

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  And when he had left under guard, Tregare said, "Are we doing the right thing?"

  Rissa shrugged. "Even hate could not give that man the courage to defy you. But I wish we had a better one."

  lying belly-swollen, undignified, on the table, mind slowed by the injected sedative, Rissa waited. The contractions had come upon her prematurely; she had tried to call Tregare but could only leave word for him. Felcie was early, too-does travel close to light-speed affect the body's clocks?

  Her body clenched again; she tried to do as Eudyce had instructed her. She heard someone-the man handling the anesthesia-say, "Dr, Correval! You've set this, on the card, at only half what she needs!"

  "I'm in charge." Even commanding, the man's voice whined.

  "But-"

  Peripherally she saw Correval grasp the other's wrist. "Listen! This is Tregare's bitch! I don't dare harm her or the child-nothing that would show-but I can make her hurt, and I'm going to! When Tregare arrives, he'll be just in time to see her writhing and screaming-and no fault of mine, you see? But all that I can hurt both of them, I will! And don't interfere-or Korbeith will hear of it."

  This cannot be real! But it was-before Tregare arrived and long after. The drugs in her blood blocked coherent speech; she said only his name. Pain grew until death-fear slowed her time and made the ordeal endless-but grimly she refused to scream, to writhe, to show her agony in any way she could avoid.

  And finally it was over, the baby out of her and lying on her flaccid belly. With effort, she smiled at Tregare and carefully mouthed a few words. "Who-who is it, Bran?"

  His grin stretched his lips. "Say hello to Liesel Selene Moray."

  She did, and he kissed her. Her mind came clearer; she said, "Get Noridas. I want him to check me-what was done, whether it is all right."

  correval was gone; others tended her. Old Noridas found

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  some work done not to his taste, and corrected it. Tregare looked questions but she shook her head and did not answer. "It will be all right, Bran."

  Eventually she and "Lieselene" returned home. To Tregare she reported nothing. But when she was healed and could exercise again, she went-in Tregare's absence and without his permission-to the detention quarters of Telis Correval. Using a master key, she entered without knocking and found Correval lounging in an easy chair.

 

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