As soon as they left the briefing room and were going toward one of the
intraship shuttles, Medart said, "I'd like to start that other training
you mentioned as soon as possible. When can we do it, and is there
anything special you need?"
Once they were inside the shuttle, Corina answered. "We can begin as
soon as you like. We need quiet at first, as relaxation will speed
your learning of the basic techniques. Afterward, you will need
volunteers for practice. I do not like the idea of using unTalented
for that, but I see no choice; I can teach you only so much with myself
as your target. The techniques are not difficult; you should be able
to learn them in an hour or less. It is the practice, for control and
power, which will take most of your training time."
"Right. Emperor Chang, take us to Sherwood Forest, please."
"Yes, Ranger," the ship replied, and the shuttle began moving.
Medart turned back to his assistant. "Since you say relaxation's so
important, at least for basic training, we're going to what I think is
the most soothing part of the ship. I like trees."
"So do I, but what is Sherwood Forest? I do not remember seeing any
trees when Sunbeam was showing me the ship."
"Not likely you would, with her for a guide," Medart said, grinning.
"She's a city girl, all the way through. Except for orientation, I
don't think she's ever been there. If she thinks of trees at all, it's
probably just as potential furniture."
"It seems strange," Corina said, "that you, a Ranger, would take such
an interest in a young ensign."
"Not this one," Medart replied. "It isn't just that she's impossible
to ignore, either. I first heard about her when she was in her third
year at the Academy. Her teachers were predicting that she'd end up
either getting herself kicked out of the Navy in disgrace, or as Chief
of Naval Operations, and I'd tend to agree. She doesn't know it, but I
asked to have her assigned to my ship to give her the best chance at
the second; if anyone can keep her on the right heading without
breaking her spirit, it's David Hobison." He laughed. "As if just
running the Chang wasn't enough of a headache for him!"
The shuttle door slid open and they stepped out into a pleasant,
open-wooded area which, from all appearances, was on the surface of a
planet rather than inside the hull of a warship. It was impossible,
Corina knew, but it certainly looked like the parkland was lit by a
brilliant yellow sun, while clouds drifted slowly across a blue sky.
Except for the odd sky color, it reminded her, with a sudden pang of
homesickness, of a small glade she used to visit almost daily. Only
the fountain was missing.
She managed to bring her voice under control before speaking. "It is
beautiful! But how is it done? And why?"
"It is, isn't it?" Medart agreed. "The sky is simply glowpanels.
Clouds are Type II holograms, the sun's a Type IV. If you want the
technical details, I'll have to refer you to Engineering; it's
something I've never had the occasion to go into deeply.
"As for why--Sovereign-class cruisers are the long-tour ones, sometimes
staying away from their home ports for years. Even near a planet, only
a small part of the crew can be allowed shore leave at any one time.
If everyone were city-bred, like Sunbeam, that wouldn't be a problem,
but most aren't. We had some pretty serious morale problems until
Ranger Ellman suggested this idea about five years ago. It's proven
quite effective, well worth the investment in power and space. Chang,
Lindner, and Yasunon are the only ones with them so far, though. The
rest'll get them as soon as they go into Luna Base for a major refit."
They had been walking while he talked, and came to a halt beneath a
wide-spreading, though not very tall, tree. Corina didn't recognize
the species, but liked its smell.
"Is this all right?" Medart asked.
"Fine," Corina said approvingly. She glanced around, saw several
off-duty crewmembers strolling around, either singly or in pairs. "If
you are certain we will not be disturbed, that is."
"I'm sure," Medart said with a chuckle. He sat cross-legged, his back
against the treetrunk. Corina also sat, facing him.
"You had best practice defense first," she said. "If you cannot
protect yourself, nothing else I can teach you will be of any use."
Medart nodded, and she tried a gentle probe. *You are wide open,
Ranger,* she told him. *You will have to bring your shield under
voluntary control. An automatic shield is adequate under most
circumstances; if you intend to attempt stopping Thark as you said at
the conference, it is not.*
*I understand that, but how?*
*If you can remember the way you felt, your mind pattern when we worked
this morning--* She caught a sudden picture of herself holding the
sheathed blade at DarLeras' throat, then nothing. "Very good, you have
it. Now down again."