Illyanov nodded. "I share that particular reservation, though not strongly. I believe contact will be traumatic, but ultimately beneficial. Like your fear, my optimism is not totally justified. It is stronger than a mere hunch, however, and I confess I would like to meet some of them face to face." Cortin looked at him quizzically. "Even the non-human ones?" "Perhaps especially those," Illyanov admitted, smiling. "But I fear I am monopolizing your time; perhaps we should rejoin the others." He helped her finish rinsing him, then got out of the tub and gave her a hand up. Clean and dressed--someone had thoughtfully laid Illyanov's uniform out on Cortin's bed--the two returned to the common-room. The rest were already back, and Brady was serving herb tea and small cakes. Cortin took one, though she wasn't really hungry, and nibbled at it until Brady left. Then she got the group's attention and said, "Ivan came up with an idea a few minutes ago. I don't particularly like it, but I can definitely see where it could be useful: let a reporter spend some time with us, enough to get to know us as people instead of symbols." That got a mixed reaction, from Degas' wince to Odeon's thoughtful nod. "Personally," her Team-second said after a moment's thought, "I don't like it any better than you do . . . but otherwise, it sounds good. And we can handle anything, for a short enough time." "A week should be about right," Bradford said. "And I think I know the ideal reporter to invite." Cortin cocked her head. "That expression says you're up to something, Brad. Just who is this ideal reporter?" "Sara Blackfeather, of the New Roman Times." Cortin stared at him in shocked disbelief. "Are you feeling all right? She not only despises Enforcement, rumor has it she's Pope Lucius' mistress!" "Not just rumor," Bradford said. "You have to remember, though, that in that part of this world, an unmarried man is almost required to have a mistress. If he's faithful to her--and everything I've heard says he is, from the time he acknowledged her when he was Cardinal McHenry--it's only a venial sin. As for her being hostile, what would it prove if, say, Patrick James did a series? He's always been an Enforcement supporter. But if you can turn Blackfeather into a friend--even a neutral--she'd sway a lot of her followers. Even her worst enemies can't argue her honesty; if she does change her opinion, she'll say so." "True," Cortin agreed. "She's done it before, two or three times that I know of. All right, as soon as I decide on a good time, I'll send her an invitation. And while we're on that subject--Dave, have you asked Betty yet if she and the children want to move here?" "No--until this morning, I didn't understand how you really felt." Bain smiled. "I'll call her after Mass."