"You were selected only after a searching investigation into your backgrounds," he said. "We considered your records, personalities, and your capabilities: phys and psy, professional skills, job performance, resiliency, whatever the task I assign to you will likely call for. "You are now a UIPS task group, for want of a better designation. One of you will be appointed Commander. You will be given a job to do. You will depend on each other in most difficult circumstances: your records for reliability under stress were among the selection criteria. You were acceptable. "As to your appointment, that was made by an authority outside this station, actually, outside the Correctional Service of which this penal institution is a part. From the time you were moved into the holding cells for transfer here, you came under the jurisdiction of a Ministry that is involved with the most vital interests of the UIPS. The specifics of your mission will be covered in our next session." "The hell you say." Hodak bounced again. "You're still dangling us on a string. Lay the whole bit out. Now!" Nods and grunts followed Hodak's demand. "Very well," Xindral said, after a short pause. "Actually, there's no reason to delay your marching orders." His voice flattened. "By direction of the President of the United Inner Planetary System you are appointed to the Strategic Penetrations Detachment of the Ministry of Intelligence. Your unit identifier is 'Sentinels'. Your unit commander is Brad Curtin, present. "Copies of your orders are in a secured file in the Ministry of Intelligence. A copy is temporarily posted in your core compartment. When you read it, note that all requests for release or reassignment are denied." Xindral folded back into his normal, slightly bowed posture. His audience, frozen, stared at him blankly. "That's it for now." Xindral ordered, the flatness gone. "Return to your compartment and report back here in an hour. Brad, please stand by." Chapter FIVE His jaws clamped tight, eyes glaring, Brad sensed his companions rise to their feet around him. Kumiko first, stood and wordlessly glided to the closed passage portal. Her back to the others, she waited for the panel to clear. Zolan, on his feet, mouth agape, stared at Xindral. Adari, still seated, gawked in bewildered disbelief from Xindral to Brad to Hodak. Hodak glowered, gestured rudely and cursed furiously and loudly. Myra stood, silent behind an icy mask. Xindral, perched on his stool, arms in his lap, impassively observed their reactions. The scene held for several seconds. Xindral broke the silence. "Your formal orientation and training begins when you return. First I must speak with your Commander. Please excuse us." He turned and touched a disk on the bulkhead. The entryway cleared and Jenkins appeared. "Escort our friends back to their compartment, Jenks. Commander Curtin will remain with me. Return the group in an hour." "Yes, sir."