*Yeah. I like this version a whole lot better.*
*So do I. Ready for me to introduce you to His Majesty, so he can name
you one of us officially?*
*How-- Oh. Mentally, of course.* Odeon hesitated, shook his head.
*Jim, what's happened to me? I couldn't have figured that out
before--or at least not that fast.*
*I'd venture to guess it's the doubled intelligence,* Medart sent
drily. *You're the first person to be given Ranger-level abilities,
rather than growing up with them, so I can't be positive, but that's my
best guess. Don't worry, you'll have time to get used to it; the trip
to Terra will take us about three weeks, and even if you weren't very
adaptable before, you are now.*
*Getting used to the way my mind works now may be the hardest part of
this whole thing. But I've known everyone except Shayan that I've
mind-touched before, and he initiated that one; how do I contact His
Majesty?*
*You know me, and I know him, so you ride along, so to speak, when I
contact him. Just let me know when you're ready.*
*Any time you are.*
*Okay, let's go.*
Odeon felt Medart's mind reaching out, and strengthened his contact so
the illusory "movement" wouldn't lose him. Almost immediately he felt
another mind-touch, similar in general feel to Medart's but different
in detail, and Medart made the introductions: *His Majesty Emperor
Charles Davis, Ranger-candidate Captain Michael Odeon.* Then he
briefed Davis, in a series of rapid thoughts.
The Emperor sent a chuckle. *That's quite a background, Captain Odeon.
A unique way of qualifying as a Ranger, but I have no doubt you are
qualified, particularly with a Sandeman warrior making the necessary
changes. Jim didn't describe what being a Ranger involves, other than
being dangerous at times, so did that process inform you?*
*Yes, sire, it did. But it didn't intimidate me into changing my mind.*
*Glad to hear it. Welcome to Imperial service, then, Ranger Odeon.*
*Thank you, sir.* Odeon paused briefly, then continued. *I'm
qualified, yes, but I was given only the most basic information about
the Empire--not much more than I'd studied on my own. If I'm not
needed for immediate assignment, I think I should spend some time
learning about it.*
*We'll make that your first assignment, then. You can start on your
way to Terra, then do as much more here as you can till a more urgent
assignment comes up--which shouldn't take too long, there's never a
shortage of work for Rangers. Normally I'd have you work with Jim for
two or three years as OJT, but none of the others came from out-Empire,
so your suggestion is the most sensible--and the reason for putting a
Ranger on the job immediately is that most of the jobs you'll get are
unique; there isn't usually any real preparation possible.*
*Both my studies and Jim made that perfectly clear, sir--but the
Protector removed my allergy to teaching tapes, so I'll be able to cram
in a lot more information than I would've been able to earlier.*
*Understood, but there's still a tremendous amount of information for
you to absorb.* Davis sent another smile. *You know how much getting
a new Ranger means, and I'd like to spend more time with you, but I'm
getting ready for a Grand Audience I can't put off just to chat. So
I'll talk to you later.*
*Yes, sir.*
With that, contact broke, and Odeon's consciousness returned to the
common-room. "What now?" he asked Medart.
But it was Keith who answered, entering the room. "You change
uniforms, Your Highness. Don't worry about the change in your sidearm;
you know how to use a needler, and you're as accurate with it as I
am--a lot more so than you were with your slugthrower."
With that, Odeon was wearing comfortable forest green, rather than the
snug gray he was used to. "Thank you, Lord Protector. I don't care to
wear a uniform I'm no longer entitled to."
Cortin followed Keith into the common-room, looking to Odeon like she'd
been crying. "Mike--the Protector told me I should ask your advice, if
you were willing to give it."
Medart swore to himself. This didn't sound like a promising start for
his new colleague . . . *Mike, don't say yes unless you're willing to
face the consequences. This is part of the Empire now, you don't have
the option I gave you yesterday of answering as a private individual.*
Odeon's answering thought was grim. *I know, but I can't refuse her.
I can give her the same warning, though.* "Make sure you want the
advice, Joanie. As Jim told me last night when I asked him for some,
most people don't ask Rangers questions because they won't like our
answers."
"Keith told me the same thing. I'm still asking."
"In that case, I'll answer. What's the question?"
"What's the best way to handle your . . . change? You're still senior
spouse of Family Cortin and my heir, among other things."
Odeon thought about that briefly, then the answer was obvious--and as
unpleasant as Medart had suggested it might be. "We both know that,
even though I haven't changed much physically, I'm not the same person
I was at breakfast. The fastest and most economical way to handle my
change would be to have Captain Michael Patrick Cortin-Odeon declared
legally dead, a declaration Ranger Odeon will not contest."
Cortin winced, then nodded. "It makes sense, Mike--too damned much
sense. Okay, that's how I'll handle it . . . but in that case, it'd be
best if you weren't around."
"I won't be, for long; the Emperor wants me to go to Terra, and I need
to start learning a whole lot more about the Empire as soon as I can,
so I'll be going up to Jim's ship, probably within an hour or so. It
would probably be better if I don't come back to the Systems unless I
have to on assignment."
"Yeah." Cortin started forward as if to embrace him, then dropped her
arms and stepped back. "That wouldn't work, would it? Keith told me
about your detachment . . ."
"No, it wouldn't. I won't forget any of you--but I don't feel anything
beyond liking for you any longer, either. The kindest thing to do is
break off now." Odeon studied her for a moment, then decided it would
be best to make the break with no delay at all. He made the sign of
the cross in the air between them. "God bless you and Family Cortin,
Colonel."
She returned the gesture. "And you, Ranger Odeon. You will have our
prayers."
Odeon bowed, then turned to his colleague. "I'm going up to the ship,
Jim. See you later."