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  right down the line, and we'll sort it out later when we have the time. You agree?"

  Rissa thought about it. Then, "Yes, Tregare-fully. And in Welfare, those are among the persons least in need of early release."

  aircars came to remove the Committee's minions; Tregare's guards completed their shakedown. A number of cadets voluntarily surrendered weapons. One barracks refused to open to search; Tregare had the building sleepgassed. When the gas cleared he entered to check personally; after searching, he said, "Hell, the kids weren't even armed-just scared, is all. Let's get back to work."

  In his office he made final revisions to his new Academy Regulations. "The present ones don't look so bad on paper," he said. "It's the loopholes-the way they can be interpreted."

  Rissa looked over to him. She was calling selected fleet officers, offering them positions on the shorthanded Academy staff-but now, over the fleet broadcast circuit came Tregare's voice, loudly if not tunefully informing all concerned that there was "-only one latrine in all of U!E!T!" Smiling, she shook her head.

  "You don't think I sing pretty?" He was grinning.

  "Let us say, Bran-your rendition is spirited."

  "Okay, okay-how's the recruiting business?"

  "You did well to list many more than will be needed. Only about half-a little more-are accepting." "Have you reached Gowdy?''

  "Not yet."

  "Damn-I want her for Commandant."

  "She is a good choice-if she wishes to take the job."

  "Yeah. Well, keep trying."

  Finally Tregare called in a young staff member and held out his revised draft. "Have somebody do this up neat and run me off about a hundred copies-one for each barracks room and a few over. I want them as soon as possible."

  "Yes, sir." The aide made a rapid exit.

  Tregare said, "Time to talk to the whole outfit-I need to clear the air." He put his intercom on All-Points. "Now hear this-Tregare speaking. You know anybody, staff or cadets,

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  who's out of range, get them. Three minutes." When the time was up, he said, "I'm changing this place so you won't know it. You'll see the new Regs by evening; meanwhile, here's a summary.

  "Combat training: no more forced fights to death or disablement. Anybody gets killed, accident or not, the instructors answer for it. If it couldn't be helped, no penalty-but usually it can be.

  "Discipline: only for real offenses-disobedience, theft, unauthorized fighting-that sort of thing. And you'll get your chance to tell your side of it.

  "Punishment: mostly restricted to loss of privileges, confinement-and that's simple confinement, no more torture cells-or expulsion. If the offense is criminal under Outside law you stand trial as a civilian.

  "Sexual exploitation of cadets-male or female-by the staff or other cadets, is a criminal offense and will be so treated.

  "Duty hours: except for endurance training or emergencies, it's eight hours a day, six days a week.

  "Furloughs: Most likely you don't know the word. It means you get up to three weeks per year to go outside the Academy -home if you have one, or wherever you want-with a little expense money provided. Failure to return on time can get you confined or maybe expelled, depending-but nothing more than that.

  "Release from contract: When you've seen how the new system works here-say, a month from now-anybody wants out, can go. I-"

  Rissa tugged at his arm, "Bran! They will think that means Welfare!"

  "Oh-yeah-" Back to the intercom. "Release does not Welfare you. You'd be at least a basic-level free citizen- maybe better, depending on what you were before.

  "I think that sums it up. Read the new Regs tonight. If you have questions, get them together. Tomorrow I'll see one spokesman from each cadet squadron, and answer the best I can."

  He grinned and shook his head. "Don't get the idea you won't be working your tails off, still-because you will. Maybe even harder-since you won't have to waste so much energy being scared.

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  ''All right-Tregare out." To Rissa, "Did I get most of it?'' "I think so."

  "Then let's call it a day and go to the ship. I'm hungry- and I could use a drink, too."

  the first few cadet spokesmen, next day, seemed merely to need assurance that the new Regulations meant what they said. After the fourth, Tregare said, "The way these kids have been treated, they're a real mess. Rissa-you think more than half of them are worth training?"

  "Give them time, Tregare, to readjust. Do not expect too much from them, immediately."

  As the next cadet entered, he nodded. A girl, this one-tall and muscular. She would have been pretty, Rissa thought, save for the angry scar that split an eyebrow and crossed the forehead to disappear into short black hair. After paying official respects the girl said, "What the Regs say, about exploitation-is it just that we don't have to spread for anybody senior, any time they say? Or does it apply to the official stuff, too?"

  Tregare frowned. "Official stuff? Explain it a little."

  "I mean, taking our usual turns Friday nights for gang sex in some squadroom."

  Slowly, he shook his head. "Now that's new since my time." He looked at the girl. "The regulation means you don't have to do anything, in the way of sex, that you don't want to. If the Reg isn't clear, I'll amend it. Friday-night gang sex just now stopped being official."

  The girl grinned; she had lost a front tooth. "That's going to disappoint a friend of mine. Friday's her favorite night."

  Tregare's brows raised. Rissa said, "There is no intent to enforce celibacy. If your friend wishes to volunteer, no doubt she will be quite popular." But when the girl had gone, she said, "The friend does not sound suitable for this training. A person who wishes to be treated like an object..."

  "Yeah. Like I said-some of them, they're beaten down too much ever to grow back from it."

  the rest of the interviews were routine. At the end, Rissa took Tregare's notes to an aide for transcribing. When she re-

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  turned, he said, "Gowdy called; she's taking the job. Coming up in a scout tomorrow or next day, soon as she's squared away with Peralta squadron."

  "Who takes her place there?''

  "Hardekamp, for now-she vouches for him, and that's good enough."

  "But they-he and Hilaire-"

  "Not any more, it seems. Still get along, but not sharing quarters now. Could be-she didn't say-she's moved somebody else in."

  Rissa shrugged. "However it may be, Hilaire Gowdy does not allow her private life to interfere with her duties."

  "Right. Now then-I've got to do a memo. Designating Craistell and the two men working with her as Hilaire's deputies and department heads." He paused. "You don't think I'm setting up the command, here, too top-heavy with women?"

  "Your fleet-with Zelde, Ilse and Hilaire commanding three of the five squadrons-did well enough, I think."

  "Yeah. But-the funny part-how come I get so many topgrade females on my side?"

  Rissa thought, then said, "Because-except at Committee level itself, where ownership determines status-UET denies command to women. So capable women, more so than equally capable men, are predisposed toward rebellion. They have more to gain, by Escaping. Is that not so? "

  A sharp nod. "Makes sense, at that. I'll keep it in mind."

  "Good. Is the truth field equipment ready?"

  "By tomorrow it will be. If necessary, the techs'll work late-and that's their idea, not mine."

  So the next day Rissa and Tregare proofed the remaining Academy staff; on the average, a third failed the test and were removed. At midday Gowdy called. "Can't make it today- but tomorrow at the latest. And in the morning, with any luck."

  "Right," said Tregare. "We'll be looking for you. Tregare out."

  By mid-afternoon they had finished with the staff-the one-third average had held, almost exactly. The subject of proofing the entire cadet corps was tabled. "Might's well wait and

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  combine it with the month's deadline," said Tregare, "on who chooses to stay or go. Save time, not bothering with the drop-outs." "Good. Then we are free until Hilaire arrives tomorrow."

  gowdy landed before mid-morning, and came alone to join Rissa and Tregare aboard Committee's Fall. If any had accompanied her she did not say so, and no one asked.

  Over coffee she read the new Regulations. "They'll do the job." Then; "Tregare? Are you going to show me around the place? Or just introduce me to my top people and let them take it from there?"

  "Which would you rather?"

  "Either's all right. But if you're around for a while, at first, I figure a little of your authority will rub off on me better. You see?"

  He laughed. "Sure, Hilaire. I'll go call and set it up."

  He left; Gowdy said, "Rissa-you're wondering about El-rain."

  "I have not asked, and I will not."

  "Tell you anyway-it's a simple matter. He's a good man and competent to take over the squadron. But with me he's ready to settle down and be old-and I'm not." She laughed. "Surprise you?"

  "No." Rissa shook her head. "No, I am not surprised."

  "No? Then what are you?"

  "Hilaire, when we met-how many bio-years ago?-you were fat and cared nothing for your appearance. You look younger now, than then. You wasted time being old too soon -now you are making up for it, and I am totally in favor."

  Head thrown back, the older woman laughed. "I might've known. Rissa, you-no, here comes Tregare, and you know what I mean, anyway." Briefly she reached and clasped Rissa's hand, then turned and said, "Ready to go, are we?"

  Tregare sat. "Give them another cup of coffee's worth of time first; then we'll go. All right?"

  ten minutes later they went groundside and walked to Tre-gare's office. "... or rather, yours now, Hilaire." "Well, it's fancy enough." She sat at the desk. "These

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  cards-special input codes for the computer terminal?"

  "That's right," said Tregare. "Need any help, ask Arden Craistell-she's senior of your three chief assistants. And I didn't keep anybody in the upper echelons who hasn't lost a few objective years, traveling."

  Before Hilaire could answer, Craistell entered. "Sorry I'm late-and the other two are held up even longer, I'm afraid."

  "'sail right." Tregare introduced the two women.

  Craistell said, "I've heard of you, Gowdy. You were on the ship it's said Peralta took, Escaping."

  "With Tregare's help, he took it," Gowdy said. "And Peralta repaid him badly."

  "That's old lines," said Tregare. "You rightly named your squadron for him."

  Hilaire said, "You've been out yourself, Craistell? Tregare said as much."

  "Only twice-once to New Pittsburgh and once on extended patrol. I'm less than twenty years out of objective time."

  "You officered?"

  "Up to First when I was transferred here."

  "Good. Will you show me around the place now? Tregare -Rissa-you don't need to come along if you'd rather not. I think we can manage."

  Tregare volunteered to accompany them. Rissa said, "You go-I will return to the ship," and left them.

  aboard, restlessness overcame her. I have been too long in this backwater. She called Zelde M'tana. "What is happening? Is anything new there?"

  "We picked up another UET ship." Approaching, hearing on ships' frequencies that there was only one latrine in all of UET, the captain had turned to flee. "Before we could catch up, its drive went dead-mutiny. When Kickem boarded, there wasn't one person left alive that didn't pass truth field on our side."

  And otherwise? The captured fleet was wholly screened, cleared of UET partisans-and port personnel were now being checked, all the way down to menial job levels.

  "Very good," said Rissa. "Tregare will be pleased. Well-give Jamie my regards." M'tana smiled and cut the circuit.

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  Still at the console, fingers drumming, Rissa hesitated. What was it she wished to know-and who could most likely tell her? She sat, undecided, and then a screen lit.

  "Hagenau calling." Rissa activated transmission. "Rissa- I have word-the consignments Tregare mentioned the other evening. They're to be picked up tonight. Does he have any instructions for the scoutships?"

  "He has left orders, I know. I will ask-he is not here at present-if he wishes to add to them. If I do not return your call, tell the scout crews to go ahead with their present assignments."

  And when Tregare returned he said, "Tonight's job is nothing to talk about over a circuit. Let's go back to HQ-this end is wrapped up, for now."

  jevers garn flew the ship and landed it near Inconnu, almost on its previous site. Not once had he spoken, and neither Rissa nor Tregare had found reason to question him. Tregare gave orders to reverse the exchange of personnel between Fall and Inconnu, then said, "All right-let's go."

  Rissa said, "You fly the ship well, Garn. Good-bye." The man smiled as they left Control, to go downship and walk to Inconnu.

  Aboard, after conferring with Coryle Hagenau before she returned to her own ship, they listened to Markine's taped voice. Some plans for pickup of individual Committee members had been changed slightly; Tregare called his scoutship commanders and made the necessary rearrangements. "And remember-if possible, we want these people alive and kicking. But your lives come before theirs."

  An answer came. "That's the kind of orders I like to hear. Both ways, we'll do our best."

  waiting the outcome of Gameel's project, Rissa had expected to help stand night watch. But Tregare said, "They'll be doped or sleepgassed, most of them. We might as well get some rest." Knowing that Tregare kept standing orders to call him in emergencies, she agreed. And once in their quarters she was pleased to find that sleeping was not to be immediate.

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  Next morning Tregare woke her. "They did it! We've got all the Presiding Committee that's left alive-one was killed; it couldn't be helped. AH but the two that're off Earth, I mean-and Gameel brought in their representative."

  "Where are they now?" She got out of bed. "Shall we go to question them?"

  "After breakfast-they'll keep. Except maybe Forbisher- he tried to suicide, and I'm told that he may make it, yet. There's medics with him; we'll see. Anyway-they're in the conference room alongside my office, under guard. I'd halfway thought to question them separately-they're quartered apart-but somebody mixed up the orders and put them all in the room together. Nobody's fault, so the hell with it."

  Tregare left. A few minutes later Rissa joined him and they ate, saying little. Then they went downship and walked toward the Headquarters building.

  "Tregare! To see these creatures, face to face..."

  "To have them in our hands, Rissa. Yes!''

  the room had silver walls and a black ceiling. Guards flanked the doors and occupied two of the room's corners, watching the nine persons who sat around the central table.

  And I thought Forbisher was grotesque!

  Reminded, she looked and found the man lying on a stretcher; two medical aides attended him. She walked closer. In the tattooed, bejeweled face the mouth hung open. She saw the answer to what had puzzled her-a lower incisor had been ground down to accommodate the ring through its upper counterpart.

  Tregare took her arm. "Let's sit and get on with it." Seated, Rissa could only stare at the persons facing her-five men and three women who rivaled Forbisher's bizarre appearance, and one man whose unmarked visage seemed strangely inappropriate.

  She heard Tregare's first words. "I'm Tregare; you've called me pirate, but I'm the new boss. Now let's you all introduce yourselves." Then Rissa ceased hearing-the names meant nothing to her-and gazed at the members of the Presiding Committee.

  / would not have believed it!

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  . One man wore tattoos on every area of exposed skin; through his thinning hair she saw the designs covered even the scalp. Jewels ornamented his nostrils, and he wore a line of them around the edge of each ear.

  Gold rings pierced the webs between one woman's fingers; her exposed breasts were several times normal size. Beside her, another woman displayed multicolored gems for teeth, and over most of her face the tattoo of a stylized eagle-the head on her forehead, wings spread from eyebrows to cheekbones, body covering the nasal area with the tail moustaching her upper lip and ending on the lower, and legs curving to each side of her mouth.

  And the man with jewels inset in patterns all over his bald skull-and the one with the raised crest of scar tissue, gem-studded, from between his eyebrows up and over and down to his nape-and the woman who-

 

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