been an agent of
yours is you welcoming him to Team Azrael."

"I'll do that next time I see him." Cortin sighed. "Pritchett saying
last night that he's in love with me, Powell conditioned into
devotion--what next? No, don't answer that; I don't think I want to
know." She paused, then changed the subject. "So Ivan's experiment
was successful--but how useful will it be?"

"Practically, very little or none. It worked, yes, but the drug's
expensive and scarce, and the procedures take too many people too long,
to be worth using in normal circumstances. It may be done again, but
it'll have to be a pretty special case."

"Too bad; I can see where it could've been useful." Cortin dismissed
the subject with that, hesitated, then picked up the red phone that
almost had to link her interrogation suite directly with the Palace.
According to Brady, His Majesty wanted any significant results she got,
as soon as she got them. The phone rang once, then a half-familiar
voice said, "Yes, Colonel?"

It was a direct link, then. "His Majesty wanted immediate reports,"
Cortin said. "Are you authorized to take them?"

"Anyone who answers this phone is so authorized, Colonel. Go ahead;
your report is being recorded."

"Good." Cortin gave a concise but complete report of what she'd gotten
from Powell, pleased at the quick response. Too bad not everything in
the Kingdom went this smoothly!

"Excellent," the voice said when she was done. "I had, of course,
hoped for quick and substantial results from you, but this exceeds my
expectations. Good work, Colonel."

Cortin swallowed hard, finally placing the half-familiar voice. Of
course he was authorized to answer his own phone! "Th . . . thank you,
Your Majesty. This was an easy one."

"Easy or not, it was effective. Keep up the good work, Colonel; we
have to crush these terrorists, especially the Brothers of Freedom."

"Of course, Your Majesty--I'll do my best."

"I would expect no less, Colonel." The line went dead.

Cortin stared at the handpiece for several seconds before replacing it
carefully in the cradle. It was hard to believe she'd just spoken to
High King Mark--but she knew his voice, she had to believe. "I'll get
you more, Sire," she said unneccessarily, then she stood. "Okay,
Mike--I suppose we ought to get supper, then I'm going to start another
subject." She grinned. "I really shouldn't say this, but even though
he gave me some good information