mperials' arrival and His Majesty's
designation of you as the sole authority regarding them," the young man
called back. "He doesn't like the first, but he's in favor of the
latter, of course."

"Of course." Cortin chuckled. Spence was the only commentator who
supported her completely, so he was naturally Family Cortin's favorite.
But the fact that he'd gotten past the news to the analysis told her
what she needed to know: her authority in regard to the Imperials was
public knowledge. Odeon was done with the phone; she dialed the main
spaceport, told its commander the Imperial scoutship was being
transferred to Harmony Lodge, and asked him to connect her to its
Bridge.

When that was done, she turned the phone over to DeLayne and listened
as he gave the necessary orders for its move to her estate. She wasn't
sure that was the right move, but with the Brotherhood becoming
increasingly active, it seemed the safest one. Her team, the Imperial
Marines she knew better than to underestimate, and possibly-- "Mike,
did you get through to Brad?"

"Uh-huh. He'll be glad to lend us any local Strike Force troops not
otherwise occupied--though he warns you he may need to take 'em back if
the Brothers stage any more terror raids--and says to tell you he's
asking all the Strike Force priests to include you in their Mass
intentions until further notice. Which Dave and I, at least, will do
gladly."

Cortin grinned at him. "All of which I'm grateful for. I'll have to
thank him personally next time he comes over--did he give you any idea
how soon they'll start arriving?"

"About an hour," Odeon replied. "Shelters will be here about an hour
after that. I told Matthew to have the groundskeepers get things
ready."

"Good. That should be after the Columbus lands--or will she need more
time, Captain DeLayne?"

"Less, Colonel. She should be airborne by now, landing any minute.
Scouts sometimes have to lift off at almost no notice, so regulations
forbid a complete engine shutdown outside Imperial space."

"Sensible," Cortin agreed. "I seldom get to watch spacecraft land;
would it be safe to go out and watch yours?"

"I don't see why not, as long as we stay close to the house."

* * * * *

Even a small spacecraft was large--fitting hyperdrive in anything less
than a hundred meters long seemed to be impossible--and Cortin knew
this scout was one of the smallest of the Imperial ship classes.