dprobed to learn his accomplices--and how he managed to smuggle even
an old-style gun into the Palace. What he did's on record, on Security
monitor tapes and probably the newscasters' gear as well. He'll be
shot."

The Major paused, then smiled. "I never thought I'd say this to a
Traiti, Lieutenant Hovan, but--well done. I could wish you were in my
command."

"I thank you, Major. But for now I am the only one of Ch'kara, here,
and I must hold my ruhar's death-watch." He remembered the wording
Steve had said was correct for requests. "By your leave, sir?"

"All right, Lieutenant, go to him."

Hovan knelt beside the inert form, his only emotion curiosity. His
mourning was done; Steve had died and joined the Lords days ago, and
Hovan had known he couldn't remain limited to his body--but why choose
to leave it this way, with the indignity of being attacked from behind?

Guards had surrounded Emperor Davis at the first sign of trouble, and
he motioned them back so he could look down at the scene: Hovan
kneeling over Tarlac's bloody form as medics moved in, the Supreme
shielding the First Speaker with his body, the courtiers milling around
in confusion. Yes, events were working out as Tarlac had predicted.

He seated himself again and called, "Cor'naya Hovan."

Hovan looked up. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Come here, please."

Hovan approached the Emperor and bowed. "Sire?"

Speaking too quietly for the newsies' mikes to pick up his words, Davis
said, "Steve asked me to give you a message after he left. I'll have
you brought to my working office when this Audience is over, and give
it to you there." He raised his voice to its previous level.
"Cor'naya Hovan, since Ranger Tarlac's mother is not present, you are
his closest available kin. We must ask if you wish to make funeral
arrangements yourself, or if you prefer Us to make them."

"The Lords have already accepted him, Sire. He should have the human
ceremony, whatever his rank deserves, and I do not know that."

"Very well, We will see to it. If you wish to accompany him, the
medics are ready to take him to the morgue. And, Lieutenant--you have
Our thanks for the way you captured that assassin. Please inform the
Supreme and First Speaker that they will be taken to guest apartments
until you are free to translate for Us."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

It was almost a tenthday later--two hours, Hovan reminded himself, in
human terms--when a young Marine