things; a reputation can be most useful to
an Inquisitor. Since the situation's changed, I can let the truth be
known." She grimaced. "And since I've found out myself what the truth
is, which was a shock at times."

"I can sympathize," Blackfeather said with feeling. "All these years
I've thought I was free . . ."

"And I thought I was immune to love--free in a different way. But I'm
glad I was wrong." Cortin looked around the table at her Family,
smiling. "In my admittedly biased opinion, you won't find a better
group of people in the entire Kingdom Systems, and I couldn't be more
delighted that they adopted me. I'm sorry Mike had to break your
conditioning so abruptly, but I hope that having it broken will let you
enjoy your stay here."

"It'll make it possible, at least," Blackfeather said. "What I'm sorry
about is what he had to go through to help me."

"I was simply doing my duty, Miss Blackfeather," Odeon said, startling
her. "I had no choice, and given the same circumstances, I'd have to
try doing it again. Though I'm not sure I'd be able to, a second time."

"Since I don't think I could have done it the first time," Blackfeather
said, "I certainly couldn't fault you for that! And duty or not, I am
grateful, and I feel I owe you a debt."

"No debt," Odeon said. "You don't owe me--us--any more than you owe
anyone else you write about. All we ask for is objective observation
and reporting, in spite of the fact that most of us are Enforcement."

"My word on it," Blackfeather said. "I can't promise favorable
reports, but they'll be as honest as I can make them."

* * * * *
Monday afternoon, 23 March 2572

Cortin grinned as Odeon entered her room and took one of the armchairs,
his lap immediately occupied by the kitten who'd become his
almost-inseparable companion whenever he was available. "I know it's a
day earlier than the deadline I gave you, but--"

Odeon chuckled. "I'm fine, Joanie, between Tanj here and the
studying." He rubbed the kitten's ears, smiling at her loud purr.
"She's a little darling, and I'm almost afraid to say I'm really
enjoying my research, as much as I got teased for it in school. I
don't think that's what you called me in for, though."

"To find out exactly how you're doing, yes; the details of your
research, no. And I hadn't expected you to bring your little friend
along."

"Who brought her? I can't keep her away! Don't worry, tho