"Yes, I think so." Cortin sighed, relaxing slowly. "Thanks, Mike. For being here, and for . . . you know. Make sure I wake up in time for Mass, will you?" "No problem," Odeon said. "Sleep in peace, Joanie." * * * * * Tuesday, 23 July 2571 The Mass had more of an effect on Cortin than she had expected it to--more than it ever had, even when she was in a mood for religion. For some reason it seemed more meaningful, more immediate, than it had before. Maybe it was the pain that made her empathize with the tortured image on the cross, maybe it was something else, she didn't know. All she was sure of was that for the first time, it felt like the "collective sacrifice" it was supposed to be, and when she went forward for Communion reciting the "Domine, non sum dignus," she found herself hoping the Host would actually heal the hurt in her soul. It didn't, but when she returned to her pew she did feel less despondent, and when the service was over, she found to her surprise that she intended to return the next morning. As they walked to the Officers' Club for breakfast, she turned to Odeon with an unforced smile. "Thanks for getting me there, Mike. Mind if I go with you again tomorrow?" "Be glad to have you. It helped, then?" "Yes. I don't know how, but it did." "Good!" Odeon grinned down at her. "I thought it had, from your expression. Just remember, He doesn't allow any of us to be tried beyond our endurance--even though He may come right to the brink of it." "I will." She started to ask him a question, but they were almost at the Club; she waited until they had gotten their food and started to eat, then she said, "You told me once you wanted to become a priest. Why didn't you?" "Because my primary calling was to law enforcement instead." He shrugged. There were priests in Enforcement, true--even a few bishops--but not in the operational sections, which was where his calling lay. "I've never understood why the two couldn't still be combined--the prewars sometimes had fighting priests and bishops--but since I had to make the choice, I decided I'd rather be a good law officer than a mediocre priest." Cortin nodded. "That makes sense, though I'd bet a month's pay you'd be an outstanding priest, not a mediocre one. As well as a great law officer--have you ever thought of applying for an exception?" "Quite a few times," Odeon admitted. "I think the reason I never did was that I was afraid I'd get my hopes up, then be turned down." "I can understand that," Cortin said, remembering. "I think you should, though. Maybe if you point out that Enforcement troops, especially Special Ops, go places regular priests don't get to in years, it would help. His Holiness does seem to be willing to accept that sort of innovation."