by Ann Wilson
"I'm glad you're here, Kelly. He doesn't have anyinformation, he just wants us to believe he's from a universe wherewe're part of the Empire--and where he was bequeathed a saber forgiving one of our warriors Last Gift. He waived immunity fromcompulsion to obtain that belief, and he's trying to cooperate, but hisauto-defenses are stronger than I'd have credited to a Terran; if Ikeep going I'll send him into convulsions, maybe kill him if hisdefenses collapse too quickly for me to pull back."
"And simple verification is nothing to die for, even verification ofsuch revolting statements." The warriors'-woman nodded once, sharply."Still, if he wants it, he is entitled to prove his honesty. I'llsupport his defenses if necessary, and have a healing spell ready ifhis condition gets critical."
"Good. As soon as you're ready, then, I'll boost the power."
Kelly took position behind the man, resting her hands on his shoulders.She closed her eyes for a few seconds, then opened them. "All right,I'm ready."
Ryan nodded, then concentrated on Medart again, increasing his spell'spressure against those defenses. As he'd predicted, the Princeconvulsed almost immediately, the restraints the only things that kepthim from breaking bones. At last, though, his defenses collapsed andRyan released the pressure, maintaining only the truth-compulsion. Afew questions verified his identity and universe of origin, then Ryangot to the key points. "You say you gave Last Gift to warriors ofClans Vader and Lewies. Describe the circumstances."
"They were prisoners aboard my ship, in sickbay because they were dyingof something we didn't understand and couldn't cure. I was able towork it out and save most of the rest, but those two were beyond help,and I wasn't about to make them suffer if I could help it. I guessedyou had some form of euthanasia or aided suicide the other Sandemanscouldn't provide in enemy hands, so I told them I'd handle it if thatwas what they wanted. It was, so I did. They died quickly, and aspainlessly as I could manage. Then we gave them star-burial, the bestwe could do in space."
"And how did you get the saber?"
"That was later, on Mjolnir, for the conference that brought theSandeman worlds into the Empire. I got into a TreasureTunnels gamethat included Clan-chief Wylie of Vader, along with a few others,Sandeman and Imperial. But I didn't have an appropriate character, soWylie loaned me one of his, the Black Jedi Kynan Ardais. He explainedthe game saber, then handed me a real one and let me try it out. WhenI went to return it, he told me it was mine, a thanks-gift from thewarrior Leigh."
Ryan wanted to continue that line, but he'd promised to restrict hisquestioning to what was required to prove James' claims--and thesubject James had told him he should ask about. "Tell me of theRavagers."
"They're inter-universal raiders. They aren't life as we usuallyunderstand the term; some scientists believe they aren't really life atall. From time to time, at unpredictable intervals, they erupt into arandom universe and--if that universe doesn't have a technological andpopulation level near the Empire's--devastate it and proceed toanother. But no Empire-level civilization is attacked more than once,because a civilization at that stage can defeat them, and so far alwayshas. After such a defeat, the Ravagers retreat, and it's several yearsbefore they attack again anywhere. That's why Empires in variousalternate universes cooperate to develop Empires or the equivalent instill other alternates."
"And you do not think we could defeat these Ravagers, though we aredefeating this Empire?"
"You probably could. In fact, I'm sure you could. But it's never aneasy fight; there are times we have to go in and rebuild, even afterthey're thrown out. The stronger a universe is, the better foreveryone--and this one would be strongest with you and the Empire asallies. United would be best, but that wasn't easy at home; it may beimpossible, here."
"And just how was such a union managed in your universe?"
Medart managed a grin. "Sweet reason, backed by five battle fleets.The fleets turned out to be a temptation rather than the threat I'dexpected, but either way they worked."
"To your pleasure." Ryan scowled, then shook his head. "I have askedwhat I agreed to restrict myself to; I will not go beyond that. Isthere anything else you would like to tell me while under the spell?"
"Just that I won't lie to you. Rangers don't, unless it's essential tothe Empire's survival--and the survival of this one depends on megaining your trust, which means I don't dare lie. I may not tell youeverything, but what I do tell you will be the truth."
"Said under truth-compulsion, I must believe you--though I find italmost impossible to credit the idea of a Terran who does not lie.Still, this interrogation is over." Ryan released the spell, andMedart collapsed, unconscious. Looking at Kelly, Ryan said, "Will youcare for him, lady? I named him clan-guest when he waived immunity toconvince us of his honesty."
"Yes, Chief." Kelly looked down at her patient with a bemusedexpression. "His ideas are revolting . . . but there's a certainfascination to them at the same time, and the man himself isintriguing."
"Yes, he is. I think I'm going to leave Trevor in charge of the fleetand take Prince James back to Sandeman--you can come along, if you'dlike."
"Thank you--I would."
* * * * *
Medart knew as soon as he woke that he was on a smaller ship. Therewas no single specific item, but a lifetime aboard numerous classes ofship had given him a feel for the differences between them; this wasabout courier size. Wondering what was going on, he got dressed--someonehad cleaned his clothes and hung them up, with his boots and weapon beltnearby, his saber clipped to the belt.
That was a good sign, he thought as he fastened the belt. Weapons werecustomary for the warrior caste, but a warrior or equivalent beingunarmed around others wasn't considered an insult, the way it was inthe Traiti Sector; they could have disarmed him without dishonoringhim.
Something to eat seemed like a good idea, so he left his cabin andstarted exploring. Almost immediately, he ran into the w'woman who'dtaken part in the interrogation. He'd been aware of what was going on,though he hadn't been able to react without prompting, so he knew she'dbeen ready to help him--and he was willing to bet it was she who'dcared for him when he'd passed out once he was free to.
He bowed to her. "I thank you for your aid, lady. Without it I wouldprobably be in considerable discomfort today."
She returned the bow. "I was pleased to be able to help, Prince.Fortunately, your pulled muscles responded well to a simple healingspell, which also insured a good rest. Would you care to join me andWarleader Ryan for breakfast?"
"I would be delighted. That's what I was looking for, as a matter offact." Medart grinned at her as they started walking. "We've changedships; are we bound for Sandeman?"
"Yes. Have you been there?"
"To Alpha Prime's, yes--but that's a different world, in a differentpart of the galaxy. I'm looking forward to seeing yours."
"It is a beautiful one, particularly near the Vader clanhome," Kellysaid. "As the first clan formed after Overthrow, we took the Shapers'area--and they, of course, had chosen one of the best and mostattractive parts of the planet."
"The same was true at home," Medart said. "I visited there a couple ofyears after Annexation, not long after they were granted the patent Isuggested they try for, on the saber's controlled-length blade."
"What is a patent?"
"The exclusive right to market something you've invented. On somethingas useful as a controlled-length laser beam, that's quite anadvantage--last I heard, Clan Vader was one of the richest groups in theEmpire. And probably the only one that amount of money didn't changemuch."
"Why should it change?"
Medart laughed. "No reason, really, but most people who suddenly get alot of money do change."
"In here--most people aren't Sandemans."
Medart followed her into the dining area and to Ryan's table; when theWarleader gestured them to sit, they did so. "I took the liberty ofordering breakfast for both of you," he told them. "It should
be herevery shortly."
"Thanks," Medart said. "And thanks for letting me keep my saber andgun, too. The gun I could replace if I ever get back; the saber'sspecial." He paused, grinned. "Not that I'm any physical threat to aSandeman, whether I'm armed or not. If I went for my gun, I'd be deadbefore I could get it halfway out of the holster."
"True," Ryan agreed. "That sounds like you've
