victims or their survivors--never to the punished, seldom to observers,
and only through God's Mercy was it satisfying to the punishers.

"Very well," she said at last. "You may have access to the films of my
interrogations, and observe any you think necessary from now on. But I
have to warn you, you won't find any of it enjoyable."

"I don't expect to," Blackfeather said. "My job's gotten me into
unpleasant situations before, though, and I can cope. I think I should
start with the one you and Mike have personal reasons to work on."

"You know our reasons?"

"I'm sure of yours--it was in the news enough--and I can guess at
Mike's, yes."

"As you wish, then," Cortin said. "It's too late to get started
tonight, though, and Brad and Ivan should be here any minute. Why not
get your stories filed, then we'll take the rest of the night off?"

* * * * *

Their guests arrived while Blackfeather was still working. The Family
adults greeted them warmly, but waited for more till Blackfeather was
finished and had rejoined them in the common-room. When she had,
Cortin pointed to the new insignia on both men's collars. "Ivan, I
know I told you to design a territorial emblem--but isn't that a bit
presumptuous? And Brad, how come you're wearing it?"

Illyanov smiled. "It is not presumptuous at all, beloved, nor is it
really territorial. I could think of nothing, so I prayed, and that
night dreamed of this. We are the Protector's, after all; what more
natural than that we should wear the sword and rose you and Michael
chose for our first altar?"

"And as he said," Bradford continued, "it isn't really territorial. It
didn't make much sense to us to have Sealed troopers limited to one
jurisdiction, and Their Highnesses agreed. So did His Majesty when
they approached him, and the other Sovereigns when King Mark approached
them--because we were informed shortly after my return to the Palace
that we are now extraterritorial. Not just Strike Force, but all
Sealed troopers--so all of you need new insigne, which we've brought."
He smiled, handing them out. "Ivan had several hundred made, for when
the Protector manifests, but these are all we need for now. I sent
some to Tony and Chuck, too, so they'll be in correct uniform when
Mother Gabriel releases them."

"That was thoughtful of you--thanks." Cortin smiled, then glared at
both of them. "One of you could have called me with a little ad