In the shuttle heading for Sherwood Forest, Medart said, "I agree that
speed's important, so why not split up? We could cover the ship faster
that way."
"I do not think that would be wise, Jim." Corina was a little
uncomfortable with such familiarity, even in private and with the
knowledge from his memory that it was now proper for her, but she felt
she ought to accustom herself to it. "You cannot test a shield's
strength without using darlas, and you do not yet have the control to
do that safely." Getting brave, she chided herself. Making
suggestions to the Emperor, giving orders to a battle cruiser's
captain, and now telling a Ranger--a fellow Ranger, she reminded
herself--there was a thing he could not do.
Medart sensed her feelings and smiled to himself. Yeah, she had the
adaptability, all right. She'd definitely gained confidence since the
pattern rapport, which was good, and she was already showing the
self-possession it had taken him over a month to achieve, maybe from his
memories. That, he thought, was even better; she'd need every edge she
could get. "I can't argue," he said. "I certainly don't want a repeat
of the accident with you."
"Nor do I. If you were to overestimate a shield's strength, or
visualize too clearly, you could easily injure or kill its possessor.
You will test them, yes, but only when I am standing by to protect
them."
"That sounds reasonable."
They reached the ship's park a couple of minutes later, and encountered
several crewmembers as they walked through it. None, unfortunately,
had any trace of shield, which disappointed both Rangers. But Corina,
despite her misgivings about the mission she'd assumed, found the
forest eased her tension. She breathed deeply, savoring the smell of
growing things--and startled herself with a sneeze. That was odd, she
thought; she knew of no allergies. Perhaps it was the change of
environment.
The forest's calming effect didn't last. Much as she liked such
surroundings, she couldn't avoid the knowledge that it might be her
last time to enjoy them. She kept that thought carefully shielded from
the other Ranger; it wouldn't help for him to know just how much she
dreaded the coming encounter with Thark, or her certainty that it would
mean both their deaths.
Medart felt the shield and wondered at it, but decided to remain
silent. She must have a reason for concealing whatever it was, he was
certain, and although that pattern rapport had made them in some ways
closer than any married couple, she did deserve her privacy. If she
felt like sharing this later, she would.
He thought of a safe subject. "It almost slipped my mind, Rina.
You're entitled to an aide if you want one; what about it?"