d been
taught, or this was a side effect of pattern rapport with a human.

She told herself to get on with it. She had accepted the job, why not
its symbol? But it did not seem appropriate, after Jim's memories, to
pin it on herself--not the first time. She returned to the living
area, held it out to Medart. "Would you mind?"

"Not at all. I'd be honored." Medart took the badge and pinned it to
the holder the fabricator had provided on her equipment belt.

To Corina's surprise--and Medart's satisfaction--her emotions when he
did so were a duplicate of his fifty-seven years earlier. Pride,
determination--and the confidence that others' belief in you could
create.

*Yes,* Corina sent. *I have heard of such boosts, but had never quite
believed in them. It is strange . . . I had always thought myself
unaffected by others' opinions, but it is clear I was wrong.*

*Sometimes it depends on who the others are,* Medart replied. *Someone
you don't care about can't have more than a surface impact, pro or con;
someone you do care about can have a disproportionate one. This is the
wrong time for philosophy, though. Is that knife the only weapon you
plan to carry? You might want to think about something with a little
more range.*

"I think not," Corina said aloud. "I am not familiar with distance
weapons, since I am not a Sanctioner; my darlas should be adequate for
anyone I cannot reach physically--after this mission, at least." She
indicated the weapon at his belt. "Nor, I would say, am I the only one
to prefer unconventional weapons; that does not appear to be a
blaster."

"It isn't," Medart said, drawing the weapon with a chuckle. "It's just
as effective, though, maybe more so. It's a replica of a Browning
Hi-Power 9mm automatic--a slugthrower. I had it made not long after I
was tapped, and I have a standing order for fresh ammunition; it goes bad
after a few years, even under shipboard conditions. It holds thirteen
rounds in the clip--" which slid out as he pressed the release button,
"and one in the chamber when I expect trouble. I can always carry more
clips if I expect a lot of trouble." He worked the action, then handed
her the empty weapon.

Corina examined it carefully. It was too large for her hand, which she
expected because it seemed to fit Jim's perfectly. She was impressed
by the precise workmanship, too; it made the gun, deadly as it was, a
thing of great beauty.

"Why a slugthrower