"Repent!" Blackfeather exclaimed, looking confused. "Joan, you can't believe--" "I'll try, but I don't expect him to take the opportunity." The historian still looked uncertain, so Cortin continued. "He deserves far more punishment than I can impose, but I no longer believe anyone--even Shayan himself--deserves Hell for eternity. So I'll put this one through as much as he can survive of the kind of torment he gave his victims, though my methods will be different since I have both skills and equipment he didn't--but I will also pray for him, and if he repents, give him the Sacraments and allow him to finish his punishment in Purgatory." "You don't want revenge?" "Not any more. I think vengeance is for those who can't accept justice, and maybe for those who've been denied it. From the way I feel, I'd say it's not for the Protector or His people--though Mike may feel differently." "He said about the same thing before he and Dave got started. At the convent, he wanted revenge, but by this morning, he was past that stage. And I think that frightened the Brother more than the revenge did." Cortin thought for a moment, then nodded. "It probably would me, too. You can get to someone who's emotionally involved, if only to egg them on and end it quicker; a professional doing a job doesn't have that kind of handle." "I can see that--" Blackfeather broke off as Odeon turned, rubbing his knuckles, and switched the sound back on. "Is Colonel Cortin with you, Sara?" he asked. "I'm here, Captain," Cortin said. "You have the subject ready for me?" "Yes, Excellency. How would you like him?" Cortin hesitated before answering. She had intended to start by raping and gelding this one, but since she now had to take Sara's history into consideration, that no longer seemed appropriate. Although he'd undoubtedly raped and maimed quite a few besides herself, making it appropriate in that sense, the fact that he had done it to her would give it the appearance of personal revenge rather than impersonal punishment. Better to use techniques with less chance for misinterpretation. "Standard position, I think. At least to begin with." "Our pleasure, Excellency." Odeon bowed slightly, then he and Bain took care of securing the prisoner as she'd asked, and Bain left. Cortin explained her change of plan and the reason to Blackfeather, and got a nod. "I made the assumption you'd want to see at least one session," she finished, "but if you'd rather it be later, that's up to you." "I don't want to, but I definitely should," Blackfeather said. "And I suppose this is as good a time as any." "Let's go, then." It wasn't until she was entering Bravo's third-stage room that Cortin thought to ask, "Do you want me to describe what I'm thinking as I work? Though I doubt it'll be suitable for publication." "As I said earlier, even what I don't publish will be useful for background--knowing your thought processes will be a big help."