there, then
defeated in single combat the Warleader who wanted to take the world,
obliging him to protect it instead. That probe verified Medart's
deductions and gave him enough more information on the Sandeman culture
that he persuaded the Baron to declare Mjolnir a neutral zone, invited
the Sandeman leaders to a conference--and called in the other four
Rangers, also with battle fleets, to provide a show of force.

"He made no threats, simply had the leaders given tours of the fleets,
and let them realize the alternatives: they could continue fighting, in
which case the Empire would have no choice but to destroy them, or they
could accept Imperial citizenship, in which case they would have to pay
for the damage they had caused, but there would be no other penalty
since they were doing what Terran engineers had created them to do.
Instead, they would be offered a chance for combat for the Empire,
using the ships and weapons they would otherwise have to fight. Being
as intelligent as they are combat-loving, the Sandemans chose the
second alternative.

"Again, you see, an economical solution of considerable benefit to the
Empire. The brief use of four other Rangers and a total of five battle
fleets saved months if not years of fighting, along with millions of
lives."

"And gained them the willing service of the most dangerous fighters in
the known universe," Thark added. "All right, those examples
demonstrate the intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving--but
surely such qualities are not as rare as the low number of Rangers
indicates!"

"In themselves, no," Kainor admitted. "But those are only the most
obvious of the qualifications. Another is that they must have no close
personal ties, including family; that eliminates many possible
candidates. All have applied for and been accepted by the main Imperial
Military Academy at the Palace Complex, though none has remained there
much beyond Test Week. And all, needless to say, are intensely loyal."
His ears twitched, this time in irritation. "I am positive there are
other qualifications; as I said, I have been unable to discover the
actual criteria, which are known perhaps only to the Sovereign and
Rangers themselves."

Thark held back a growl. "I understand that--still, can you deduce
from what data you do have why there are no Irschchan Rangers?"

Kainor shook his head slowly. "Not with any degree of confidence," he
said. "The only possibility I find