screen were replaced by Clan-chief
Hurley's face.

"Thank you all for your time," the Miklos clan-chief said. "This
conference was called at Alanna's request, concerning a situation for
which no custom exists, and for which Miklos agrees that one must be
established quickly."

He paused, then gave the background: Jason and Dana's vacation and the
Torrance interrogation reports, then he said, "The next part consists
of monitor tapes from the Shangri-La Continental Medcenter. At this
point, it still seemed that Jason's actions, peculiar as they were,
might have had some justification."

With that, the picture changed to show a hospital room, its only
patient a red-haired Terran woman. Dana recognized herself, wincing at
what the Sandemans must think, but she remained silent.

The hospital room was replaced by Hurley's face again. "That took
place this morning, medcenter time. Dana's situation has no precedent;
only clan-chiefs can decide the proper way to deal with it, with her,
and with Jason. Chiefs, Miklos awaits your responses."

As chief of the First Clan, Killian was entitled to speak this morning,
medcenter time. "Dana's situation has no precedent; only clan-chiefs can
decide the proper way to deal with it, with her, and with Jason. Chiefs,
Miklos awaits your responses."

As chief of the First Clan, Killian was entitled to speak first; he
used the coder combination that opened the conference for discussion.

"Killian of Alanna," Hurley recognized him.

"Is this 'cast going to the screen in Jason's suite?"

Hurley looked off-screen for a moment, then nodded. "It is. What is
Alanna's word?"

"None, yet; first, Alanna wishes Vader's opinion of what we have all
seen."

"As Alanna wishes. Donovan of Vader." Hurley recognized the chief of
the first clan founded after Sandeman overthrew the Shapers, named for
the figure in the Saga who had regained his and his family's honor by
overthrowing his oppressor. The most delicate questions of honor were
referred to Clan Vader, and their decisions were considered final.
"What is Vader's word?"

"Vader says this." Donovan's face held grim determination. "Dana
Manfredi has acted in full honor at all times. Although it has never
happened, Vader says the proper procedure for a thakur to release a 'na
without dishonor to either would be for the 'na's tattoo to be barred,
exactly as if honorable service had been ended by the thakur's death.
In attempting