Spencer shifted his weight in his chair. “I have long prided myself on the conviction that any Star Watch officer can handle almost any kind of emergency anywhere in the galaxy. From your description of the past few weeks, I was beginning to have my doubts. However, Junior Lieutenant Hector seems to have won the day ... almost in spite of himself.” “Don’t underestimate him,” Leoh said, smiling. “He turned out to be an extremely valuable man. I think he will make a fine officer.” Spencer grunted an affirmative. “Well,” Leoh said, “that’s the complete story, to date. I believe that Odal is finished. But the Kerak Worlds have made good their annexation of the Szarno Confederacy, and the Acquataine Cluster is still very wobbly, politically. We haven’t heard the last of Kanus—not by a long shot.” Spencer lifted a shaggy eyebrow. “Neither,” he rumbled, “has _he_ heard the last from _us_.” * * * * *