parently
so did what she called her undermind, and it agreed with him. "I'd
suggest a hearty meal and a good night's sleep," he said. "That was a
shock to both of us, and we'll solve our problems better in the
morning, when we've rested and steadied down."

Corina nodded agreement. "That sounds most reasonable. We do both
need time to integrate the . . . new experiences. I would say you in
particular; I at least knew of the possibility, though I never thought
it would happen to me."

Medart chuckled. "Don't be too sure who needs it more. I've been
through something similar--you studied the Sandeman Annexation, of
course."

"Of course," Corina agreed, puzzled.

"I needed to learn as much as I could about them, as quickly as
possible, and Gaelan DarShona, who had sworn personal fealty to Baron
Klaes, agreed to a mind-probe. You know about those?"

"I have heard of them," Corina said. "An artificial form of telepathy
the Order considers repugnant."

"Close enough. At any rate, I had Gaelan given a deep, full-experience
probe, with myself hooked up as the receiver. So I've already `been'
one other person. You haven't."

"That may indeed make a difference," Corina agreed. "I wonder if I
will experience that part, or if it was bypassed as unnecessary."

"I imagine you'll find out. If you do, I'm sure you'll find it both
interesting and different. For now, though, let's go eat."

Corina followed him to the shuttle, conscientiously trying not to think
about the rapport, but with only moderate success. It was less the
contents of the transfer that concerned her, than the reason for it.
Her undermind must be trying to tell her something, but what? And
. . . did she really want to know?

The shuttle, at Medart's instructions, took them to Mess Three. "With
Sunbeam assigned to you, she's probably staying on the day-shift
schedule, so she'd be going to eat about now. She should be able to
keep our minds off anything too serious, as long as we don't start
talking shop."

"Do you eat there often?" Corina asked, glad of the change of subject.

"Fairly often," Medart replied. "I like the relaxed atmosphere, even
if it is a bit on the noisy side occasionally. It was stiff the first
few times, right after I took over Chang, until they adapted. It
wouldn't be quite acceptable for me to join in the horseplay, but
nobody minds as long as I just watch and listen."

Sunbeam was indeed in the mess, standin