She was pleased that all the Enforcement people did so, followed by the King and Queen. More slowly, a few of the civilian Household followed suit, though most held back. That was too bad, Cortin thought, but she'd known not everyone would accept the Protector fully--some not at all. And she had to admit her condition wasn't the most reassuring; it was entirely possible they'd respond better to another celebrant. When it was clear that everyone who wanted the Communion of Promise had taken it, she dismissed the congregation and returned to the vestry, where she began removing her bloody uniform. If this was going to happen every time she said Mass, she'd have to have a shower installed here--and get something to wear that wouldn't be ruined, or that didn't matter. Whatever her position, she didn't care to ruin either a uniform or a set of vestments every day! There was a knock on the door, then Odeon's voice. "Need some help, Colonel?" "Yes--come in, please." He did, along with Chang. "That was a little more spectacular than anything we'd guessed at," he said quietly. "How do you feel?" "Fine," Cortin said. "No pain at all, even in my back. I just look like a mess." She grinned at them. "Jeshua said this trade would help, and I think it did, with the Enforcement troops--but it looks to me more like it scared most of the civs in the congregation." "Sure it did," Odeon said. "Here, let me give you a hand with that tunic-- What would you expect, the first time? We're trained to cope with the unexpected, they aren't--and I've got to admit I was shocked. Next time everyone'll expect it, and it will help. But--why didn't you tell me?" "Because I didn't remember till it happened." Cortin pulled herself free of the sticky tunic, looking at it in dismay. "Sis, could you ask someone to get me a fresh uniform? And I'm going to need some help with sponge baths until I can get a shower put in-- Oh, dear God." Her memory of the other "little thing" Jeshua had mentioned was triggered. "Mike, Sis--take off your gloves." She pulled off her own; yes, the burned-on symbols were now smooth pale-blue flesh. "What in God's Name!" Odeon exclaimed, examining his hands and the symbols that matched Cortin's. Chang's reaction was less emphatic; she merely smiled, then went to pass along Cortin's request for clean clothes. When Sis returned, Cortin answered Odeon's question. "Was I wrong?" she asked when she finished. "I was sure, but--" "And you were right; if you'd left us out, you'd've had a major morale problem. We were marked the minute we put on Special Ops patches, if you remember." He studied the marks on the backs of his hands again, smiling this time. "It's a difference in degree, not in kind."