us already have it . . ." She turned her head away briefly, then
went on. "You could say he has the mind of a newborn child in an adult
body. Who was the first person he saw after he . . . blanked out?"

"He has no one seen."

"I can guess why." She grimaced. "Damn. Okay, who was the first one
he heard? If he can still hear."

"He can, ka'naya. And I the first was."

She gave him a mocking grin. "Hi, Daddy. If the psychs were right,
he's fixated on you, now. How do you feel about taking care of
babies?"

In spite of the dismay he felt at her confirmation of his worst
suspicion, Joste couldn't help a smile. "Ka'naya Marine, I have only
once the joy had, of sharing young. Say you he will truly me as
es'chaya see? Male parent?"

"Father?" The Marine's grin softened into an answering smile at his
obvious sincerity. "Not exactly. That, yes, but more. He's your
child--yours alone--unless he heard someone else about the same time he
heard you."

"There no one was, ka'naya. He in my arms asleep was, before another
spoke. I your leave to go must ask; I should Ka'ruchaya Jarna call."

She looked worried. "Okay, I guess you will take care of Major
Marguerre. But what'll happen to me? So far I've been treated all
right, but I'm afraid that won't--"

"Ka'naya!" Joste interrupted, horrified by what she was implying. "You
need nothing fear. You will guarded be, of course, but no harm will to
you come! We not like humans twisted are, a female to hurt without
great need."

As her expression began to show relief, Joste gave her a courteous
salute and left for the Communications section. Sedni wasn't the only
one waiting there for him; so was his commander, Senior Group-Leader
Kunnos.

"Sedni briefed me," Kunnos said. "May I listen to your call?"

"Of course, Group-Leader." It wasn't usually 'of course,' but Joste
had served under Kunnos for a long time, long enough to trust his
discretion even in N'chark's clan matters.

Clan priority traffic got the same treatment as military
communications, so it didn't take long for the operator to make
ultrawave contact with N'chark clanhome, then leave to join Sedni. Nor
did it take long, once contact was made, for Ka'ruchaya Jarna to appear
on the comscreen. Joste greeted her formally, crossing arms over his
chest and inclining his head. Kunnos followed suit, bowing more deeply
as befit an out-clan male.

Jarna acknowledged the greeting, then looked