Cortin was a little surprised that no one questioned her power to administer a commissioning oath without prior authorization, but she'd apparently been right in her guess that it was one of her rights as a Strike Team leader; after all, it was neither treason nor regicide, and it was in the interest of eliminating the terrorists. As a side effect, one she hoped might reduce press attention to herself, it made her no longer the only female Enforcement officer. When the ceremony was over and Chang had accepted Odeon's offer to help her get her ID and uniforms later, that afternoon--"Anything to get away from stacks of personnel records," he admitted cheerfully--he and the other witness left the two women alone. Cortin studied the nun for a moment before speaking again. "You're aware, of course, that your Enforcement oath takes precedence over your vows--and that being Strike Force means you owe obedience only to your Strike Force superiors, the High King, and His Holiness." "I am aware of all that." Which was true, Chang thought. She was no longer restricted by her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience--or protected by them, illusory as that protection had proven when she had most needed it. "And you're a field medic, so you know what tends to go on in a team's spare time. Will that bother you, now?" "No, Captain. I have been on missions since; shelter parties and the like do not disturb me." Chang smiled momentarily. "In fact, my last . . . experience . . . with His Infernal Majesty seems to have had a side effect he did not anticipate and may not like. Forcing me to feel sexual pleasure, even with him, has let me appreciate what willing partners give each other. Since then, I have found it highly enjoyable watching them, where earlier I had no particular reaction." "As long as you don't have to participate, naturally." Which she most certainly wouldn't; any attempt to compel sex, at least in Enforcement, was dealt with harshly--and usually right then. "If you'd like, I'll tell the men not to even ask you." "I would appreciate that. Even though I am unable to accept their offers, I would prefer not to hurt their feelings by refusing." "I'll take care of it, then. Have you tried therapy, to get over what happened?" "And prayer," Chang agreed. "I shall increase my efforts at both now, of course; it would be unfair to the rest of the team to do less." That was true, Cortin thought. No one could be faulted for not taking part, but that shouldn't be because of a correctable disability; it should be either voluntary, or because of permanent disability like her own. It seemed a cruel irony that Chang had the ability without the desire, while she had the desire without the ability. At least she could try to take comfort in the fact that one of them had a chance to be fully functional again . . . "If there's any way I can help, just let me know. And let the men know if you beat your problem." "I will be certain to."