"You set yourself a difficult task," Illyanov said. "I feel safe in predicting you will not come to like it; observing you, I would say you lack the quirk of mind required to take pleasure in another's pain. With adequate motivation, time, and exposure, however, you may develop enough tolerance to be able to assist." "I'll settle for that." Odeon's stomach churned again at the thought of doing what Illyanov had, unsure whether he was pleased or not at the Major's prognosis. In a way, it'd be good to share Joanie's pleasure even in that . . . "What do I do, sit in on all her interrogations?" "I would normally recommend that you begin with a less talented Inquisitor," Illyanov said, "as that would be less unpleasant for you. However, Captain Cortin is the one you will be teamed with, so perhaps it would indeed be as well if you work with her from the beginning." "Less talented?" Odeon asked, puzzled. "That doesn't make sense." "If you think for a moment," Illyanov said gently, "you will find it makes very good sense. One with less talent cannot judge tolerances as well, is not as sensitive to an individual subject's particular dreads, is more likely to believe lies told to please him and stop the interrogation, and--although this is also true of Captain Cortin, until she acquires experience to match her theoretical knowledge and raw talent--apt to let the subject die before extracting all possible information." "Put that way, it does make sense," Odeon admitted. "I've never thought about Inquisitors very much--or the talents you have to have." "Few people do," Illyanov said drily. "Few people care to think much about us, fewer still about how we obtain our results--even though they have no objections to using those results. We get few thanks and less praise for what we do, so it is well that God grants us the mercy of deriving our satisfaction from the work itself." Odeon nodded. That was something else he'd never thought about . . . and again, it made sense. "I understand, I think. So I'll work with her whenever she's doing an interrogation, then?" "Yes. When you feel able to assist, you will of course be covered by her Warrant." He looked at his watch, then grinned ruefully at Cortin. "I thought we had been busy for some time, but I had not realized I had lost track of time to this degree. It is almost midnight--I think we had best call it a day immediately, and pray Doctor Egan does not find out how late I kept you. I am not feeling sucicidal enough to face her if she feels I have been overworking you again." "Neither am I! Once was more than enough." The chewing out Egan had given tham when she'd caught them in a tutoring session after visiting hours was one Cortin would remember with respect for some time. "See you at breakfast?" "It would be my pleasure." * * * * *