he did . . ." The Castellan was silent
for a moment, then he went on. "He didn't seem to be in any pain, and
Doctor Warren says it was simple heart failure. I've delayed making
the public announcement until I could speak to you, get authorization
to call a Conclave at the same time." He bowed as deeply as he could
and still remain on-screen. "By Your Majesty's leave?"

"You have authorization," Ranger--now Empress--Susan Lindner said. She
had known this was inevitable since her own election as Crown Princess
at the first Conclave; establishing a precedent of peaceful, orderly
transfer of Imperial power was absolutely vital. "I'll need transport,
and from the terrain I crossed, it'd better be something on the order
of a lander. I'm at the MacGregor farmstead, Isle of Skye; you should
be able to pinpoint me from this call."

"Done, Majesty," Gordon said after a couple of seconds. "A lander will
be on its way as soon as I'm dismissed, with Ranger Grissom and a squad
of Palace Guards. Naturally, I'll give them a head start before I
inform the news media. Is there anything else?"

The Empress glanced around at the people near her, the ones who'd
shared her surprise--and, in varying degrees, shock--at the news of
Emperor Chang's death. "I think so. A squad--no, better make it a
platoon--of Security Division Marines. The MacGregors can't be used to
publicity, especially the kind my accession is going to bring."

"Of course, Majesty."

"Thank you, Castellan. Dismissed."

Gordon bowed again. His image disappeared, was replaced momentarily by
the Imperial Seal before Susan hung up and turned to the three with
her. They looked as stunned as she felt, and uncertain as well. She
could understand that; it would be unsettling enough to have an
Imperial Ranger turn up on your doorstep, without having her turn into
the Empress on you. At least they knew enough about Imperial protocol
not to kneel to her, though Donal looked tempted.

"This wasn't what I'd planned, you know," Susan said. "I was only
calling to arrange a pickup, then later I'd have seen that you got the
reward you're entitled to for aiding a Ranger."

Donal shook his head. "Nay, lass--I mean, Majesty. A man needs no
reward for helping as the Good Book says."

"No," Susan said, smiling slightly. "I know you're taught that your
reward comes later. But the Empire tries for justice in this life, as
much as we can; we punish actions that hurt