f course--"

"He'd try for the Palace?" Davis interrupted. "He'd know better than
that. It's much too heavily defended, especially after Tarlac's
assassination."

Blades! Corina thought nervously. How to contradict the Emperor? Not
easily, not if you were a youngling with a strong desire to crawl under
the table and hide! Being teased about arguing with him was one thing,
actually having to do it something far different. She had no choice,
though. "Its guards, however numerous, are humans and unTalented
Irschchans, perhaps a few Traiti. They will be little or no defense
against Thark and the Seniors of the Prime Chapter, even if some few
have mind-screens or shields. Nor can you count on mechanical
defenses; they are operated by your Palace Guard, which renders them as
vulnerable as the guards themselves. If compelling a Guardswen is not
possible, controls can be operated by TK."

Davis frowned, while Medart sent her encouragement. *Good going. He
won't bite you. And don't think about hiding under the table; you're
doing fine.*

*I think otherwise,* she sent back, though she was grateful for his
support. *I am frightened!*

*So?* Medart replied. *You're functioning just fine anyway.*

"Aren't you perhaps overestimating their abilities?" the Emperor asked
quietly.

"No, sir, she's not," Medart answered for her. "You saw the tape of
yesterday's demonstration; if a young student could take out this
ship's top five Security people, including a mind-shielded Sandeman
warrior, I find it very easy to believe that a group, all of whom have
the degree of experienced Talent she describes, could take even the
Palace. She says her Talent is above average, but so are theirs."

"How would you rate them by comparison, Sir Corina?" Forrest asked.

"Thark is stronger, of course; the High Adept, by definition, has the
strongest Talent in the Order. The Seniors have approximately my
strength, but are better trained since they were raised in Order
schools and I was not. They also have far more experience than I do, as
Ranger Medart pointed out."

"You're the only expert we have on the Order," Davis said. "How would
you recommend we defend the Palace?"

"As it stands, Your Majesty, the Palace cannot be defended from such an
attack." Corina hesitated, unwilling to go on.

*Finish it,* Medart urged her.

*They will not like it,* Corina thought nervously, but she said, "My
recommendation, under these circum