ortunately,
had any trace of shield, which disappointed both Rangers. But Corina,
despite her misgivings about the mission she'd assumed, found the
forest eased her tension. She breathed deeply, savoring the smell of
growing things--and startled herself with a sneeze. That was odd, she
thought; she knew of no allergies. Perhaps it was the change of
environment.

The forest's calming effect didn't last. Much as she liked such
surroundings, she couldn't avoid the knowledge that it might be her
last time to enjoy them. She kept that thought carefully shielded from
the other Ranger; it wouldn't help for him to know just how much she
dreaded the coming encounter with Thark, or her certainty that it would
mean both their deaths.

Medart felt the shield and wondered at it, but decided to remain
silent. She must have a reason for concealing whatever it was, he was
certain, and although that pattern rapport had made them in some ways
closer than any married couple, she did deserve her privacy. If she
felt like sharing this later, she would.

He thought of a safe subject. "It almost slipped my mind, Rina.
You're entitled to an aide if you want one; what about it?"

Corina turned to him in surprise. "What would I need an aide for?"

"To run errands for you, make appointments, take care of anything you
don't want to or can't do yourself."

"I do not think I wish one. You seem to have no such need, and it
appears to be a waste of a person who could accomplish more useful
things elsewhere."

Medart nodded. "I've never used one for just those reasons. When we
run into Sunbeam, then, I'll tell her she can go back to her regular
duties."

"That will disappoint her, but she is much too able to be what I gather
is no more than a personal servant."

"Right. Well, we don't seem to be finding too much here; let's go on."

The two worked their way through the next several decks with equal lack
of result. There were a few screens here and there, but they found
nothing approaching the strength of a true shield, and Medart was
scowling.

Corina sensed beginning discouragement, and hastened to reassure him.
"Jim, we already know that Talent is even rarer among humans than it is
among Irschchans. We have encouraged and developed it for millennia,
and even to a certain extent bred for it. Humans have not, so I am
surprised to have found so many with even as limited a Talent as
shields. This ship has a crew of approxi