uld
easily have been shot for attacking a trooper, not simply gotten
arrested. As it turned out, their modification should prove more
useful than her simple revenge, so she couldn't get too upset with
them--but she would definitely have to find out how it had been done!
"That's good, then. What help do you think you can give me?"

"To start with, I overheard them planning a raid. I don't think it's
the big one--nobody down at my level is supposed know anything about
that, except that it's going to happen--but maybe it'll help? Even
though I didn't hear much?"

Cortin leaned forward, not trying to hide her interest. "It will,
Charles. Tell me about it."

Powell frowned. "It's supposed to be on the main convent of the Blue
Sisters--you know the one, just south of Carthage Mountain?"

"I don't, but I can find someone who does. Go on."

"It's supposed to be on their main feast day--that'd be the
Annunciation, the 25th. But they're afraid the Service'll find out
somehow, so if you post troops--even watchers--they won't show."

Cortin scowled. The Blue Sisters--formally, the Order of Succor of the
Compassionate Mother, Piety's order--were dedicated to caring for the
seriously ill or wounded, especially Service troopers. So perhaps they
were a natural target--and they definitely needed protection. "The
most important part is keeping the Sisters and their patients safe,
even if it means the Brothers escaping. I personally hope that can be
done without alerting them, but--" she shrugged, "once I pass the
information along, I'm out of it unless they pick up some prisoners.
Do you know if one of the Shannons will be involved?"

"I'm afraid not--that I don't know, I mean. But I'd think one would;
it's the kind the Raidmaster would want to lead, either in person or by
proxy."

"Good enough; I'll report it as a possible, then." She smiled at the
young man. "I'm afraid I'm not as good at this type of questioning as
I should be, Charles; I'd like to call in a friend for it. Will you
talk to him as well as you have been to me?"

"Of course, if that's what you want."

"Good." Cortin went to her desk and picked up the black phone, asked
Brady to come escort a guest, then turned her attention back to Powell.
"You've been a lot of help already, Charles, and I'm sure you'll be a
lot more--but have you given any thought to what you'll do when you've
given us all the information you have?"

The young man shrugge