feeding problem, if you need mostly fresh blood, so that's not it
either. Oh!" He nodded, realizing. "You can't deliberately hurt
anyone, which means you'd have a hard time defending yourselves from
anything, criminals to a full-scale invasion. You need an Imperial
military presence, probably a Sub-Sector or Sector-level base. Maybe
police, too, though Narvonese who aren't Kins may be able to handle
that."

The Count looked pleased. "Exactly, Captain. I do need a full-scale
base, and the Empire has none in this Sector as yet. Debate on where
to place one is evenly balanced between this system and Argyros; your
report on our limitation will swing that debate in our favor."

It sure would, Thompson thought. Given equal merit, the Empire
preferred to site bases and jobs where the need was greatest, and a
completely vulnerable system needed a base far more than one like
Argyros, which could defend itself at least until reinforcements could
arrive.

"As for police," the Count went on, "yes, non-Kins can handle most of
what Kins cannot--but I have already begun trying to recruit Security
Division veterans. Non-susceptible ones, of course."

Thompson grinned appreciation. Former SecuDiv Marines made the best
police available, if you were willing to let them do the job you paid
them for; if you didn't, they'd probably consider it a breach of
contract and leave. Not too many people were willing to deal with
someone who'd alienated such police, so that was a definite point in
the Count's favor. "I'll be glad to recommend construction of a base,
then, my Lady."

"Excellent." The Count leaned forward, her expression serious. "As
you have deduced, Captain, I was once a field agent, and I had this set
up to give you the maximum amount of information in the minimum amount
of time. I can see from your reactions that you also know I want more
from you than a base, now that I have learned of your susceptibility."
She smiled, showing those tempting fangs again. "And that you are
trying to avoid thinking about it, because you want it as well."

Thompson tried to keep his face impassive, even though he knew
perfectly well that it was useless, with a field agent reading him.
Dammit, a man was entitled to his privacy! "By my Lady Count's leave,
I must remind her that my responsibilities to my team outweigh my
personal desires."

Count Nilssun leaned back with a sigh. "Formality doesn't change
things, Captain. You