In spite of the dismay he felt at her confirmation of his worst suspicion, Joste couldn't help a smile. "Ka'naya Marine, I have only once the joy had, of sharing young. Say you he will truly me as es'chaya see? Male parent?" "Father?" The Marine's grin softened into an answering smile at his obvious sincerity. "Not exactly. That, yes, but more. He's your child--yours alone--unless he heard someone else about the same time he heard you." "There no one was, ka'naya. He in my arms asleep was, before another spoke. I your leave to go must ask; I should Ka'ruchaya Jarna call." She looked worried. "Okay, I guess you will take care of Major Marguerre. But what'll happen to me? So far I've been treated all right, but I'm afraid that won't--" "Ka'naya!" Joste interrupted, horrified by what she was implying. "You need nothing fear. You will guarded be, of course, but no harm will to you come! We not like humans twisted are, a female to hurt without great need." As her expression began to show relief, Joste gave her a courteous salute and left for the Communications section. Sedni wasn't the only one waiting there for him; so was his commander, Senior Group-Leader Kunnos. "Sedni briefed me," Kunnos said. "May I listen to your call?" "Of course, Group-Leader." It wasn't usually 'of course,' but Joste had served under Kunnos for a long time, long enough to trust his discretion even in N'chark's clan matters. Clan priority traffic got the same treatment as military communications, so it didn't take long for the operator to make ultrawave contact with N'chark clanhome, then leave to join Sedni. Nor did it take long, once contact was made, for Ka'ruchaya Jarna to appear on the comscreen. Joste greeted her formally, crossing arms over his chest and inclining his head. Kunnos followed suit, bowing more deeply as befit an out-clan male. Jarna acknowledged the greeting, then looked curiously at Joste. "Ruesten, you have won the Honor scars; what problem can you have so serious that it requires my intervention?" "Ka'ruchaya, it is a matter of adoption." "Ah, I see. Go on." Joste did as he was told, describing the human's torment, memory loss, and what the female Marine had told him. "Maybe he was being honest when he said the females volunteered for combat. Certainly the one I spoke to showed pain at his hurt. And he did prove himself honorable, sacrificing his mind--himself--as he did. Ka'ruchaya, he needs help, and I think that once he learns our ways, he will be a credit to N'chark." "He lost only his memory?" "Yes, Ka'ruchaya, according to the female Marine."