"You are," Cortin managed to say, staring at her medic. But it did make sense--was even just, in an odd way. If it worked, a Brother would be providing what several of them had ruined. "You are absolutely correct. It sounds like fantasy, but if you think there's any chance at all, I'm willing to try." She glared at Odeon, who was trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. "What's the matter with you? Don't you think it'll work?" "If Sis's this optimistic, it'll work." Odeon grinned. "And I know you, remember? You've had a long dry spell--I can hardly wait to help you make up for that." Cortin's eyebrows rose. "Longer than I ever have before, true--and I'm as eager for the drought's end as you are. Maybe more so--and from what you two are saying, that won't be long." "Not long at all," Odeon said. "We'll be heading for Dragon's Lair first thing tomorrow--no need to look so surprised! Bradford pointed out that it'd have to be kept between him and us; what better place than a well-secured Royal retreat? He may've told His Majesty, to get us permission to use it, but can you imagine the reaction if the public found out someone--even a Brother--had been maimed for the purpose of allowing an Enforcement officer to have sex again?" "I can imagine it would cause a bit of an uproar," Cortin said drily. "Even if it's part of the punishment he deserves for his crimes." "And I imagine that's putting it damn mildly," Odeon said. "It's pretty obvious how you feel, but to make it official?" "I want it--even if it means being under algetin for however long." That would be days at least, maybe a couple of weeks, of pure agony . . . but it would be worth it. She hoped. "I'm at your orders, Lieutenant Chang." "The only one I have at the moment is that you are to eat no solid food until after the operation," the medic said. "Let me reassure you about the algetin, however. It will cause you no distress; those of my profession have drugs to ease or eliminate even such extreme pain. I can render you unconscious while the algetin is necessary." "Good." Cortin had no desire to use drugs for normal pain, but algetin enhancement was an entirely different situation. She turned to Odeon. "You said we leave at 0500, which means getting up at 0300 if we're going to say Mass and still have time for the rest of you to eat breakfast. So I think you'd better have supper, and all of us should get to bed early." 7. Dave St. Thomas, Thursday, 20 Feb 2572