will not turn the rest of my team into
special targets without their consent."

Bradford looked incredulous. "You're not a target? I find that hard
to believe."

"One of the Brother casualties lived long enough to talk." She
explained, including Chang's conviction about Shannon's
identity--leaving out only Degas' youthful indiscretion--watching the
Colonel's face.

After a brief silence, Bradford nodded. "I've heard similar opinions,
though I'm not sure I believe them either. In that case, your team may
choose."

"Anyone else with an Inquisitor's badge is automatically at the top of
the Brothers' target list," Bain pointed out. "Me, I'll take any
advantage I can get to balance that. Though if we keep on at this
rate, we may all go broke buying gloves."

"Requisition them as team equipment," Bradford said. "Team Flame has
already put one in for candles."

"I like the idea," Odeon said thoughtfully. "Anyone on a Strike Team,
not just the Inquisitors, is going to be a prime target as soon as we
go public. So I agree with Dave--we might as well take the advantages
with the dangers."

"I didn't join Special Ops or the Strike Force for safety and
security," Degas agreed. "I'm for it."

"Same here," "And I also," came simultaneously from Pritchett and Chang.

"I'd say that settles that," Cortin said, gratified. "Shall we eat,
gentles?"

That suggestion got hearty approval, and the men served themselves
while Cortin gave her mug of broth a disgruntled look.

"Looking forward to some solid food?" Bradford asked, grinning. "Oh,
I've cleared Ivan for this experiment, since I could see how close you
two got while he was training you."

"Um." Cortin looked from him to Illyanov, whose attempt at an innocent
look might possibly have fooled a two-year-old, then back. So Ivan
wanted in too, did he? Well, she certainly didn't have any objection!
"Yes, I am," she said. "Right now, I'm not sure whether I'm looking
forward more to that, or to being able to have sex again. I suppose
I'll find out when I'm able to have both."

That got chuckles, and Chang smiled. "I will make sure you are
nourished well enough that you can make your choice without concern for
your strength."

Cortin bowed in her direction. "Thanks, Sis. That should make it fair
enough . . . as long as I'm not asked to choose between a chocolate
eclair and one of you ready for action. In that case, I'd probably try
for both at once."