"Uh-oh." Odeon made a quick grab, intercepting an orange streak heading for the guest. "Forgot to warn you about Tangerine," he apologized, stroking his prey's soft fur. To his combined relief and disappointment, Tanj was no longer fixated on him, though he told himself she did still like him best. "She's not called the attack kitten for nothing--she'll go after whoever's closest, just to get attention, though I'm her favorite target. And she likes to land about rump-high, with all claws out." "Thanks for the rescue, then--I like cats, but that sounds painful." "It is," Cortin assured her. "Worse now than when we first got her, since she's bigger, but even at six weeks old, she made herself felt." She gestured to the couch in front of the fireplace. "Have a seat. Matthew should be here soon with the coffee." "Thank you." Conley sat down, Odeon joining her, while Cortin pulled up a nearby chair. "Will the others be okay?" "Unless they do something stupid," Odeon said. "Like attack someone who's armed when they aren't." Conley chuckled. "None of our crew is Sandeman--for one of them, it might work." "The genetic warriors." Cortin frowned. "The ones you forced into the Empire--what, about thirty years ago?" "That's when, yes, but we didn't force them," Conley objected. "We had to stop their invasion of Sector Five, of course--we couldn't let them just take over! I've talked to some, though. They weren't happy to be stopped, but when Ranger Medart showed them our weaponry and told them that if they joined the Empire they'd be able to use it, well, they jumped at the opportunity." "I was impressed by how quickly and completely that war ended," Cortin admitted. "I'd like to meet one of your Rangers, especially Medart, if it weren't for the consequences--" Forget that caveat, she told herself. The Columbus had gotten a message out; the consequences would happen whether she met a Ranger or not. Though--she felt a sudden lift of hope--maybe a Ranger could mitigate the damage to the Systems. "Is there any way you could get him to intervene on our behalf?" "Huh?" Conley gaped for a moment. "Sure, but you can do it yourself, and it'd mean a lot more coming from a Colonel than from a Spacer Third. Since you're obviously of Terran origin, you're legally Imperial citizens; you have the right of direct appeal to the Sovereign if you don't think there's any other solution." Cortin stared at her, bemused. "It can't be that simple!" They were interrupted by Sis and Matthew entering with the coffee service. Sis pulled up a chair opposite Cortin while Matthew served; when he left, Sis asked, "What can't be how simple?" Cortin recapped the conversation, seeing Sis' growing hope. "What do you think?" she asked at last. "The same thing I believe you do," the nun replied. "Either you or King Mark should call the Emperor and request Ranger Medart's assistance in determining our position in regard to the Empire."