as fascinating, seeing what they'd left . . . and
they'd been thriving, not declining . . . She forced that thought
aside, not for the first time. It was for Kings and Popes to concern
themselves with the fact that humanity in the Systems was dying out,
not for Enforcement officers.

As the plane droned westward, though, she discovered she couldn't
dismiss it any longer. Whatever she'd experienced during her drugged
recovery wouldn't let her. Like it or not, if she believed the vision
or hallucination or whatever--and it didn't seem to be leaving her much
choice in the matter--she'd been saddled with responsibility for
reversing the decline.

It wasn't fair, she protested to herself. She was an Enforcement
officer, not a secular or Church noble; she didn't have the kind of
power or backing it would take to make the tremendous changes she'd
been shown were necessary. Though, she admitted grudgingly, she'd also
been promised help getting the power and people she'd need to do the
job--and a Strike Team Leader/Inquisitor just promoted to High King's
Inquisitor wasn't exactly powerless. Not popular, which she'd have to
be to gain widespread support for the changes she'd be trying to make,
but certainly not powerless.

Odeon's voice broke into her thoughts. "You look disturbed, Colonel.
Is it anything we can help with?"

Cortin wanted to say no, but nodded instead. She couldn't accomplish
either of her objectives alone, and who better for her closest helpers
than the team she and Mike had hand-picked? "I'm afraid so. See if we
can use the conference cabin, please, so I can brief all of you at
once."

"Right away." Odeon stood, then hesitated. "What about Colonel
Bradford and Major Illyanov?"

"Fine. And civilian input wouldn't hurt, either, so see if Their
Highnesses would care to join us."

* * * * *

Even on an aircraft of the Royal Fleet, space was limited; the
conference cabin was full when Cortin began the briefing. "Your
Highnesses, gentles--thank you for coming. This is difficult for me to
talk about, and it will be difficult for you to hear--but it not only
has to be said, it has to be acted on."

She paused, scanning the group's faces. Yes, she had their full
attention, though both Odeon and Chang looked apprehensive as well as
attentive. That was all right; everyone here would feel the same
before she got through. "While I was recovering from Lieutenant
Chang