"I can't-- Yes." Cortin straightened. "If I'm in total charge of our relations with the Empire, I'm going to work on the assumption that we can become a fully functional part of it, with as much independence as it allows--as much as I understand the Sandemans and now, according to you, the Traiti, have. Tell Dave to release the rest of the prisoners and ask Captain DeLayne to join us, then have Matthew assign them all guest quarters. Find out if their ship will fit into the Lodge's grounds, and if so have it brought here; otherwise, they're to have free access, including transportation, while it's at the spaceport. Miss Conley?" "Yes, Colonel?" "Do you have any idea how long it'll take Ranger Medart to get here?" Conley shook her head regretfully. "I'm afraid not, sir. I don't know where he is, and I'm not even too sure where we were when your warship captured us. Captain DeLayne might know." "Thank you." Cortin wasn't sure whether to hope for no delay or a long one. The first would get the suspense over with; the second would mean a longer true freedom for the Systems. "Will you be subject to any discipline for cooperating with me?" Conley grinned. "Since it worked out, no--I might even get a commendation. If it hadn't, well . . . but I had a hunch I could trust you." "I'm the last one to argue against following hunches," Cortin said, "but I should point out that doing so can sometimes get you in trouble." "I know, sir. Uh . . . your King called you 'Protector'. What's that?" Cortin studied her guest. "I'm not sure I ought to go into that particular subject, Miss Conley. It's a religious title, and since it was our beliefs that caused our Founders to flee the Empire, I think it wise to avoid religious discussion as much as possible." "Yes, sir--though it may relieve you to know that religion's not a very big deal in the Empire, most places, and the Empire itself is strictly neutral." She paused. "I'm sorry, Colonel, but I have a bit of a personal problem. Is there a 'fresher anywhere around?" "A what?" "A 'fresher. Let me think--restroom? Bathroom?" "That we have, yes," Cortin said with a chuckle. "We call them bathrooms. Sis, would you show Miss Conley the nearest one, then her guest room?" "Gladly." Chang put her arm around the Imperial, smiling. "This way, Miss Conley--may I use your first name?" "Please--it's Gwen." The two had barely gone out a side door when Odeon led the rest of the team and their former prisoners through the main entrance. Since they were guests now, Cortin gave them a courteous bow before asking, "How much did you tell them, Mike?" "Only that they're free; I thought you'd want to tell them the rest." "Where's Conley?" DeLayne asked, his voice concerned. "Is she all right?"