"Close," Odeon said. "Commissioned him, since you wanted all officers. He doesn't meet the normal Strike Force criteria, but Colonel Bradford waivered them in his case. He's a good rider and a damn good marksman, but otherwise his main qualification is absolute dedication to his Team-Leader. I wouldn't call him a puppy, young as he is; I'd call him a guard dog. The cue to make him 'remember' he's been an agent of yours is you welcoming him to Team Azrael." "I'll do that next time I see him." Cortin sighed. "Pritchett saying last night that he's in love with me, Powell conditioned into devotion--what next? No, don't answer that; I don't think I want to know." She paused, then changed the subject. "So Ivan's experiment was successful--but how useful will it be?" "Practically, very little or none. It worked, yes, but the drug's expensive and scarce, and the procedures take too many people too long, to be worth using in normal circumstances. It may be done again, but it'll have to be a pretty special case." "Too bad; I can see where it could've been useful." Cortin dismissed the subject with that, hesitated, then picked up the red phone that almost had to link her interrogation suite directly with the Palace. According to Brady, His Majesty wanted any significant results she got, as soon as she got them. The phone rang once, then a half-familiar voice said, "Yes, Colonel?" It was a direct link, then. "His Majesty wanted immediate reports," Cortin said. "Are you authorized to take them?" "Anyone who answers this phone is so authorized, Colonel. Go ahead; your report is being recorded." "Good." Cortin gave a concise but complete report of what she'd gotten from Powell, pleased at the quick response. Too bad not everything in the Kingdom went this smoothly! "Excellent," the voice said when she was done. "I had, of course, hoped for quick and substantial results from you, but this exceeds my expectations. Good work, Colonel." Cortin swallowed hard, finally placing the half-familiar voice. Of course he was authorized to answer his own phone! "Th . . . thank you, Your Majesty. This was an easy one." "Easy or not, it was effective. Keep up the good work, Colonel; we have to crush these terrorists, especially the Brothers of Freedom." "Of course, Your Majesty--I'll do my best." "I would expect no less, Colonel." The line went dead.