d now Losinj a Ranger? "No!"

"It is true, Thark. I am placing you under arrest for treason against
the Empire."

Thark started to answer, was interrupted by gunfire. The Sanctioner
holding Kennard had let the human fall to go for his blaster; Nevan
dropped him, Valla, and three others while Medart shot Kainor and the
remaining Sanctioner. His demoralization was completed when the
Sandeman said, "Good shooting, Ranger Medart. Do you want that last
one, or may I take him?"

"Neither," Medart replied. "He's hers--give me a hand with Kennard."

"Yes, sir." Nevan holstered his blaster, and the two men went to kneel
by the fallen Ranger.

Corina stopped in front of her former teacher. "You have seen and felt
the truth, Thark. Will you continue to deny it and fight, or will you
do as you taught me honor requires?"

Thark gestured at the carnage around them. "All this has been for
nothing?"

"I would not say that," Corina said. "Your Crusade is the reason I was
able to become a Ranger and to discover and train--or begin training--
Ranger Medart's Talent." She gestured to where Nevan was now standing
guard while Medart still knelt, his hands on Kennard's forehead and
chest. "He is now using an aspect we never developed. This human is a
healer, as well as having considerable darlas."

Thark shook his head. "I cannot dispute your word, but it is difficult
to accept an idea that seemed impossible even an hour ago. May I have
a demonstration of a human Talent I can understand?"

"If he is willing." Corina called to her fellow Ranger. "Jim!"

Medart looked up, anger plain in his face. "What is it?"

"Thark wishes proof of your Talent."

"He'll get it," Medart promised. Then Corina felt a blast of darlas
against her own shield. Most of it, she knew, was directed at Thark,
but Medart's lack of control let her feel the fringes. The power of
that blast was immense, as if the Ranger was releasing years of pent-up
energy at once, but it didn't last long; Thark was shaken, not hurt.

"That satisfy you?" Medart demanded.

"It does," Thark replied formally. "Such proof cannot be denied." He
turned back to Corina, feeling empty. It had all come to nothing. All
those lives wasted, all that blood on his hands--all for his mistakes.
"I have committed grave dishonor as well as treason, Ranger. May I be
permitted to salvage what I can of my honor before I pay the other
penalty?"

Corina sheathed her da