"Thank you, Ranger Medart. The ship and crew you want will meet you as
soon as possible--and in the meantime, I'd recommend you not study
magic. You don't want our version limiting you if you are able to get
any help from the Sandemans."
"Yes, sir. I'll concentrate on recording everything I can remember
about them, then."
* * * * *
Medart watched the lifecraft heading back for Imperial space. His
volunteer crew had given him a good ride to near-Sandeman space, and
had been reluctant to leave him to face them alone, but they'd finally
obeyed his orders and left.
Once the lifecraft was out of sensor range, Medart switched on all the
courier ship's external lights, activated the locator beacon, and set
course for the center of the Sandeman sphere. The Sandemans at home
had become familiar with Rangers, but the ones here still weren't, so
he'd done as he had for the Mjolnir Conference: traded his military
title and uniform for his civilian title and appropriate clothes, which
meant a lot more to them.
The Sandemans here were as alert, quick to respond, and curious as the
ones at home; less than an hour later, he was challenged. A
dark-skinned face with light blond hair and pale grey eyes appeared on
his comscreen. "You are intruding, Imperial. Identify yourself and give
us a reason not to blast you out of existence."
"James Medart, Prince of the Terran Empire--but an Empire in a
different universe. At home, we're friends, and I'd like the same to
be true here." He unhooked the lightsaber from his belt, held it where
the Sandeman could see. "I was bequeathed this by the warrior Leigh of
Clan Vader, for giving him Last Gift. Both he and the warrior Keith,
of Clan Lewies, named me as battle-companion for that service, and I
have never claimed the life-debt owed by either clan."
"You know things you should not, Prince James," the Sandeman said. "Do
you claim life-debt now?"
"No." Medart grinned. "I would if I thought it were necessary, but
the Sandemans I know would be curious enough to invite me to their
ships, or to Sandeman itself, to talk about it."
"You wish to surrender?"
"Not hardly--but I will, if that's what it takes to get a chance to
talk to you."
"I will have to consult the Warleader on that, Prince. In the
meantime, I will have your ship brought aboard our cruiser--release
your controls to our operators."