more profitable than the Service."

Cortin chuckled. "It would be, yes. But he seems to keep in pretty
close touch--normal news channels wouldn't have anything on how I'd
handled my subjects."

"He prides himself on it, true--and since we find it useful from time
to time, we help him."

"Useful how?"

"You're a good example," a young First Lieutenant said. "We all know
you're interested in that plaguer Shannon--those plaguers, I should
say--so we'll see to it you get anything about 'em we come across.
Can't do it through official channels, though--personal revenge isn't
frowned on, exactly, if it can be done in line of duty, but it isn't
exactly sanctioned, either. So we'll give it to Francis, and he'll get
it to you. You'll be expected to return the favor if you come across
anything that'll be of special interest to one of us, of course."

"Of course. Just let me know your interests; I'll be glad to ask about
them."

"No problem; we'll leave notes in your message box."

Cortin chuckled. "I hadn't expected this sort of mutual support when I
started my studies--but I'm glad to find it. Would it be proper to ask
Mr. Robbins to join us?"

"Francis," Illyanov corrected her. "Off duty and among ourselves, we
are less formal than others might think desirable. To answer your
question, however: yes, it would be perfectly proper to ask him to join
us. Christopher, would you mind?"

"Sure thing." The young Lieutenant rose, grinning at Cortin.
"Everyone but Ivan calls me Chris, though, okay?"

"Okay, Chris." As he left in search of the proprietor, Cortin turned
to Illyanov. "Ivan--" it seemed strange calling him that--"thanks."
She looked around. "Thank all of you, for joining me. It means a lot."

"It means much to us, as well." Illyanov touched her hand. "You are
new to our field, Joan, but already you must begin to feel our
isolation. An Inquisitor who is also a priest is most literally a gift
from God."

"I'm not the only one," she said, uncomfortable with his intensity.
"Colonel Bradford, uh . . ." She hesitated, realizing that the Bishop
was the only other Priest-Inquisitor she knew of.

"His Excellency's other committments do not normally permit him to
exercise his priestly functions on an individual basis, not true?"

"True." Most Bishops did have to be more concerned with administration
than with a chaplain's duties . . . "Okay, I guess you're right. What
can I do for you?"

"Hea