Morgan laughed and tucked sodden strands of long red hair behind his ears. "We decided that the way to beat you old codgers was to run through the complex and pick up points for time."

Ardan jerked a thumb toward his exhausted partner. "He decided neatness didn't count."

Quintus nodded knowingly. "Your hits per shot ratio dragged your score down." The spymaster turned toward the Prince. "I suppose us 'old codgers' could give them a lesson in marksmanship."

The Prince wrinkled his nose. "You know this younger generation. They never listen to anyone."

Ardan looked over at Morgan. "How long do we have to put up with this?"

Morgan's head sank back. "Six months."

"Ugh."

The four of them broke into laughter. Hanse and Quintus turned in their pistols and spent power packs to the range weapons officer, then headed toward the range cafeteria. They joined Morgan and Ardan at a back corner table and gratefully accepted the foaming mugs of beer that the losers poured out for them from a chilled pitcher.

Wiping foam from his upper lip, Morgan turned to Quintus. "I heard a rumor that someone tried to kill Andy Redburn on Kittery. Is it true?"

Quintus flicked a glance at Hanse, then nodded slowly. "It happened last November. Do you know Redburn?"

Morgan nodded. "We were classmates in my first two years at Warriors Hall on New Syrtis. I was transferred here to the New Avalon Military Academy for my last two years. We got together when he came to New Avalon for the trial."

Morgan saw Quintus stiffen at the mention of Justin's treason trial. "I heard that the 'hit' was quite a little showdown."

Quintus nodded. "The Maskirovka tried to have Captain Redburn assassinated, but he got away without a scratch."

"Is he still in danger?"

Quintus shook his head. "It appears to have been a rogue operation. The orders came directly from Sian, with high Maskirovka clearance."

Ardan traced a figure in the frost on his beer mug. "Justin's the connection there. Did he send the killers after Redburn?"

Quintus nodded sadly. "It looks that way, though we found another interesting bit of information as we broke down the Kittery network." Quintus managed a weak smile. "One of the killers wore a medallion we've tied in to an ancient death cult. The participants worship a Hindu goddess named Kali, and believe that it is their sacred duty to kill other Humans."

Morgan lowered his mug. "I seem to recall the British had trouble with such a sect a thousand years ago on Terra. They called them Thugees, right?"

Quintus nodded. "The cult has been wiped out a dozen times over—or so it is believed—but it always crops up again. Anyway, it seems that there are pockets of these individuals on various worlds, including Terra. One of the biggest enclaves, however, is on the Liao world of Highspire."

Hanse stiffened. "That's Romano Liao's main holding."

Quintus nodded silently, and Ardan Sortek vocalized the spy-master's thoughts. "Romano's a wild card. If she's hooked up with an assassin cult, there's no telling what sort of trouble she could cause."

Quintus poured more beer from the pitcher into his mug. "It is possible that the plot to kill Redburn originated with Romano, but the connection is weak. She's got no motive to want him dead."

Ardan shook his head. "If she's half as mad as her father, she doesn't need a motive."

Morgan glanced at his chronometer. "As much as I would like to linger here with you aces of the robot range, I've got to run." Color flushed his cheeks. "It's St. Valentine's Day, gentlemen, in case you've forgotten. I've got a lady waiting for me, and she's not going to appreciate me in smelly fatigues."

Hanse smiled at his nephew. You're serious about her, aren't you? Good. I want you to trust her."Enjoy yourself, Morgan."

Morgan nodded, then looked at Quintus. "I don't know how to ask this, Minister." He hesitated, then seemed to find the right words. "I feel close to Kym Sorenson, but I'd not want her used against me to embarrass the Federated Suns. Could you run a check on her?" He held up his hands. "I don't want to read the file. After all, if she wants to keep something in her past hidden from me, that's her business. I just want you to tell me if she has a clean bill of health, so to speak." Quintus nodded. "Consider it done."

Morgan laughed. "Knowing you, I suspect it's already been done." He looked over at Hanse. "I'd like to have her as my guest at your wedding, Uncle, and I don't want any surprises."

Hanse nodded solemnly. "Your concern means more to me, Morgan, than you will ever know."

19

Sian

Sian Commonality, Capellan Confederation

29 February 3028

Justin closed the folder and looked across his desk into Alexi Malenkov's gray eyes. "Excellent work, Alexi." Justin dropped the report onto his desk and tapped the cream-colored folder. "I did not realize Romano had her own little corps of assassins." The analyst from Tikonov nodded solemnly. "The rumors, as you can see, are incredibly vague, yet a consistent thread runs through all of them."

Malenkov stared down at his long-fingered hands and cupped them one over the other as though trying to capture an invisible bird. "Some elders in this cult apparently see her as a Kali avatar. Most reports have not treated the story seriously, but it may be at the core of the first connections made with her. Now, however, her power has made Highspire a safe haven where she has support."

Assassins at Romano's beck and call make her as dangerous as a child playing with a laser carbine.Justin frowned. "I don't like the indications that this cult may be connected with other enclaves in the Successor States. Can you get me anything more about the ties with the groups on Terra, Tikonov, or in the Capellan March?"

Alexi sighed heavily, shaking his head. "I don't think so." He leaned forward. "Getting what I did was difficult enough, Justin. I had a couple of very awkward moments dodging Tsen Shang's questions about what I was doing. I don't think he suspects you're keeping an eye on his paramour, but he'll not like it if he finds out." The analyst shrugged. "I'll see what I can do, of course, but I promise you nothing. These Thugees have their own secret language and an underground network that makes them virtually impossible to track."

Justin nodded and handed the report back to Malenkov. "I understand, Alexi, and I appreciate whatever you can get me. I'll not forget your help here." He pointed to the report. "You'd best burn it, though."

"Consider it done, Citizen Boss." Malenkov stretched and rose from the wing-back chair. "I can let myself out," he said.

Justin came around from behind the desk. "Not to worry. I have to leave anyway."

Malenkov glanced at his chronometer. "Oh, right. It's Monday." The analyst grinned. "I hear that some of the staff has been burning incense in your honor in the shrine because of the training you've been giving the Duchess. They say she's much calmer since she started working out with you."

Justin smiled, wondering if it were only the exercise that had such a calming effect. "T'ai chiis very restful. If you would care to join us ..."