by Ann Wilson
ofsomething besides the duel, so may I take advantage of your respite toask you some things?"
"Be my guest."
"I found it revolting at first to think of being friends with a Terran,but after being around you for a brief time, that became a moreattractive idea than otherwise. We seem to have more in common than Iwould have believed possible--do you have any idea why?"
"I know exactly why, and I think you could figure it out foryourselves--but you're like the ones at home. You don't want to thinkabout it."
Kelly frowned. "I must lack information, because I've been trying tofigure it out since you began training."
Medart grinned. "You have the necessary information. Want me to proveit, or just tell you outright?"
"Prove it," Kelly challenged.
"Remember you asked for it, and try not to attack me. I trust youboth, but I also remember how strongly the ones at home reacted to thesame information."
"I will control myself. Haley?"
"The same."
"Okay. You remember I told Ryan I recognized the design of ClanVader's arms from seeing the Saga as a child?"
"I remember," Kelly said.
"And your Standard is almost the same as Imperial English, right?"
"Right."
"And you know the Shapers began creating the Sandeman race from theirown genetic material in 2130, according to the calendar you and theEmpire share."
"Every child knows that."
"Uh-huh. Given all that, tell me where the Shaqers originated."
Kelly thought about his statements, her expression going from intent todisbelief to revulsion. "They came from Terra!"
"They sure did," Medart said. "Which makes you Terrans, too. Animproved version, so changed my Empire classes you as human variantrather than standard human--but Terrans. And that makes you Imperialcitizens by right of birth."
"That's obscene!" Haley burst out.
"Matter of opinion," Medart said calmly. "Both personally and as aPrince of the Empire, I think it's great--as long as you're notfighting the Empire you're rightfully part of."
"Ryan has to know about this," Kelly said. "Haley, would you pleaseinform him and ask him to join us?"
"Yes, lady." Haley stood and bowed to her, then left.
"Is it really that bad?" Medart asked the w'woman as soon as the youngwarrior was out of hearing. "It doesn't change what you are, how youlive, or have any other bad effects; what it does is give you newopportunities." He grinned. "I'm biased, of course--have been since Ifirst met Sandemans. I've liked you even when I couldn't identify thereasons, and that grew when I could. Your absolute integrity is one,and it's also one of the most valuable things you've brought to ourEmpire."
"Put that way," Kelly said slowly, "it sounds almost reasonable. Butyou didn't grow up hating the Shapers and everything about them."
"You can't hate everything about them," Medart pointed out. "They didmanage to engineer your race, after all. I personally think they wereabsolute, unmitigated idiots for thinking they could create and thencontrol a race of the most deadly warriors in the known universes--butfrom my own experiences with Sandemans, I can't help but be grateful tothem at the same time."
"Grateful to whom?" Ryan asked as he entered the room. "The Shapers,if I interpret what I heard correctly."
"You did," Medart told him. "They committed one of the worst crimes inImperial history, meddling with human genetics just for the fun ofit--but the results were so good I can't fault them totally for theirarrogance."
Ryan smiled, taking the seat Haley had vacated. "It's good to see youfeeling well again, Prince, and able to converse. So we are Terrans,are we?"
Medart nodded, pleased by the clan-chief's calm reaction. "Yes." Thenhe raised an eyebrow, grinning, and said, "You knew, didn't you? Thatemphasis on the first 'are' was a giveaway."
"We--the clan-chiefs--have known for centuries." Ryan sobered. "Orstrongly suspected, at least; all the evidence pointed in thatdirection."
"So why in Chaos haven't you done anything about it?" Medart demanded.
Ryan shrugged. "You know we aren't as powerful as your nobles, Prince.We can only lead our people where they want to go--and that hasn't beeninto the Empire."
"But you could have told them, at least!"
"Not and lived," Ryan retorted. "You, of all people, must know howdeeply unacceptable that particular truth is to most of us. Comingfrom you it's bad enough; coming from us, it would trigger a reaction Iprefer not to think about."
Medart nodded, reluctantly. "I think I can understand that. What'sgoing to happen now that I've spilled the beans?"
"The warriors' hall was full when Haley gave me the news; I'd imagineit's spreading as quickly as people can get to commsets or cast thenecessary spells." Ryan looked serious. "I should contact theclan-chiefs as well. Prince James, would it upset you to speak to allthe chiefs through me?"
"Not a bit--I'd jump at the opportunity."
"A moment, then, while I cast the spell. And some will need a few moremoments to wake up."
"Go ahead." This wasn't anything he could have expected, Medartthought, and he had no idea what effect it would have. A drastic one,he was sure; Sandemans weren't known for moderation in their reactions,especially to strong stimuli, and this was one of the strongestpossible. If he lost the duel, it could easily send them back intocombat with the determination to eliminate every trace of the Shapersand their kin. If he won, their reaction was less predictable. Theywouldn't continue the war; honor wouldn't permit that. But that stillleft two possibilities. They might pull back and refuse all furthercontact, or--Medart's earnest hope--they might decide to give theEmpire the benefit of their improvements, and join it. Here, they'd bea full Sector--probably the biggest one, Medart thought, and certainlythe strongest.
"Ready," Ryan said. "I'm linked to all the clan-chiefs and Warleadersavailable, Prince James. They see and hear what I do, and can speakthrough me if I permit. Would you summarize what you told the ladyKelly and the student warrior Haley?"
"Gladly." Medart did so, thinking that he preferred something like theMjolnir Conference, where he could see that he was talking to a group.This was like talking to a camera, he supposed--but it felt decidedlypeculiar, speaking to one person and knowing hundreds of others werewatching and listening through that person's eyes and ears.
"That's it," he said at last. "Now what?"
"Now what, indeed," Ryan said. "I think that determination will beprimarily up to you, Highness. Bryan of Alanna wishes to speak toyou." His eyes lost focus for a second; when they regained it, Medartknew it was the Alanna addressing him.
"I am Bryan of Alanna," Ryan said, confirming that. "Are you awarethat we have been following your training, Highness, as one of the mostimportant events in this sphere?"
"I've been too preoccupied to give any consideration to my news value,"Medart said. He didn't particularly enjoy being on public display,even after a lifetime of it--especially when he was at his worst. Buthe'd been there before, and if he survived he'd be there again; hecould handle it. "I suppose it does make sense, though. What aboutit?"
"Your efforts have done you great honor, and earned you more regardthan I can recall being given any other Terran. We understand yourmotive is to win our friendship or alliance as well as peace--but doyou really believe one person can achieve that after three years ofwar?"
"I don't know," Medart admitted. "All I can do is try my best andhope. I know you from my universe, remember, and I achieved it once,even though the circumstances were drastically different."
"Dell, of Raynor," Ryan said, his voice changing as another chiefspoke. "Why did none of this universe's Terrans make such an effort?"
"You didn't give them a chance. They know you the way we knew theTraiti--as ferocious, bloodthirsty killers. It took the Traiti askingone of my colleagues to take their Ordeal of Honor for him--and laterthe rest of us--to learn about them as they really are. I kn
ow thatabout you from home, so naturally I'm willing to take the same sort ofchance to give you and this Empire the opportunity to become friends."
"Gareth, of Levva," was the next introduction. "I believe youracceptance of such a risk, and your willingness to endure such painfultraining, have earned that
