For a time Erika did not answer; she faced the screen, one palm against the panel beside it. She shook her head. "Ah! Tregare-thanks for showing me this! Now then-for comparison with your trillion miles-what's the range of a real starship?"

  "You setting up in the business?" He laughed. "Well, sure you can-you own enough stock to swing a few ships your way, any time you want! Now-one-trip limit, you mean?" She nodded.

  "Okay-ships vary. A well-tuned drive, full tanks, theory says fifty light-years-maybe two years' subjective travel, a little more. Longest I ever heard of-and I got it thirdhand

  -was thirty-six. Answer your question?"

  "Yes, and thanks." A sigh. "Oh-Tregare-what a beautiful world we're all setting out to govern!"

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  by Tregare's decision they landed at Headquarters, near In-connu. Rissa thought Anders Kobolak was dropping the scout too fast, but when he began decel he brought it to max so smoothly that she did not feel the actual grounding; only the drive's scream rang in her ears. When it ebbed, she said, "Tregare? Will I ever be able to land a scout that well?"

  "Probably, if you practice. But I don't know when you'll find time for it."

  Then he asked Alina Rostadt where her quarters were. Before she could answer, young Kobolak said, "On Inconnu, please, Tregare? She's to be with me."

  Tregare looked at the two. "Paired up already?" He turned to Liesel. "You're the one dug her up-you need her for anything?" At his mother's headshake, he said, "Third Hat quarters don't hold two."

  "We can make do," said Anders. "We-"

  "You listen while I'm talking," said Tregare. "Now then- if you don't mind being quartered below your rank, Kobolak, there's some doubles vacant, downship. Ask Hain Deverel; tell him I okayed it. All right?" The boy nodded. "So get going."

  Anders turned to leave; Alina caught his hand. She said, "I don't know who's honored me the most-Anders now, or Tregare for approving, or you, Ms. Kerguelen, for letting me play your part for a while. I-"

  "All around," said Rissa, "you have done well. But-" She turned to Tregare. "Perhaps they might wish the ceremonies. Should you not offer?"

  "Oh, sure. Rostadt, Kobolak-you want anything official? Old-style, newstyle, freestyle-I've got it all in the files someplace, on Inconnu."

  "We'll talk it over," Kobolak said, "and when you have time-"

  "Well, whatever you want," said Tregare. "Oh-tell Hain you're authorized a groundcar, too-to get Alina's stuff brought over to Inconnu."

  "There's not that much," the girl said. "But thanks-it's a long walk."

  when the two had gone, Tregare said, "Well, we'd better scatter back to our own problems. Right?"

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  "Not so fast," said Liesel. "While we're here, just the lot of us, let's settle a few things."

  "Like what?"

  Liese! grabbed his shoulder and shook it. "Like putting a little structure into what we're doing. You're the conquering hero, Bran Tregare-and that's truth, for without you we wouldn't be here. But Erika and Hawkman and I know the dull job-except that it's not so dui!-of managing a going operation. So let's get it set up on a working basis."

  "What's to set up? You do it, I'll sign it."

  "Bran!" Rissa said it loudly. "If Liesel thinks it is important-"

  "All right-I guess we have time. What's the proposal?"

  Liesel said, "Let me ask you something. Do you intend to be the government, indefinitely?"

  "Course not. I said-you set something up, I'll sign it."

  "Then here's the main idea. You've put the Committee on ice-except for Zavole, working on a tight string-and I agree with you. But for a corporate system, a Committee structure is the best administrative apparatus."

  Tregare frowned. "You want us to be a new Committee?"

  "Plus others, of course. Oh, we call ourselves something different-Board of Directors, maybe, for whatever we decide to rename UET. Then-"

  Rissa said, "Certainly, United Energy and Transport is no fitting name for a world government. I prefer, simply- Earth."

  "Board of Directors of Earth?" said Erika.

  Hawkman said, "Not Directors, I think. Trustees? Because as I see it, we hold this power in trust, to use it well."

  "That's it," said Liesel. "So 1 hereby call the existing Board of Trustees of Earth to order in meeting, to elect a chairman." She grinned. "Tregare-you're it!"

  Backing away, hands extended, he shook his head. "Not me

  -not for that job. I run a pretty good war, I think-and kept Stronghold in shape fairly well-but designing a whole new society? I'll keep charge of the space end, if you don't mind- commerce-defense-whatever comes up. Chasing down remaining UET ships, freeing colonies-sure. But the policy end

  -you people set it up, I'll help on organizing and enforcing." Now he lost tenseness. "You want a Chairman? I nominate Rissa."

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  She said, "Bran-the functions will not be so separate."

  "I should hope not!"

  And Liesel said, "Tregare has resigned the chair in favor of Rissa. Ail in favor?"

  Seeing their hands raised, Rissa said, "I think I see why you want me for a figurehead-and that is all, for a !ong time, that I can be. My past-the Ail-Time Welfare Kid, Markine said-gives me a sympathetic image, with those who wait for freedom."

  She smiled. "Very well-but never did I think to see Hul-zeins vying to give away power!"

  Hawkman chuckled. "You don't know your Huizeins very well yet. They adapt."

  "I do not understand."

  He reached to pat her cheek. "Of course you do. Think a moment. In reshaping a world-dealing in total power rather than competition-individual power becomes meaningless. Lena showed us that, I think. And from now on, nothing counts for much except what we do together."

  She rubbed a palm across her forehead. "Yes-of course. Thank you, Hawkman-but how could 1 have failed, until you reminded me, to see this?"

  His vast chest expanded as he sighed. "You've been in the middle of it, Rissa, without time to think. I've been on the sidelines-observing, seeing it happen."

  While Rissa strove to find answer, Tregare said, "Just so it works, is all. I think we've got a working team. In a day or so we can talk it out. who we want to add to it. I've got a few in mind."

  "But not tomorrow," said Rissa. "For then Dacia lands the scout here, and we welcome Liesel Selene."

  after so short a separation, Rissa thought, she had been foolish to expect much difference in the child. But it had seemed long-so much had happened-and, in changing from ship's calendar to Earth's, her time sense had suffered a lapse. The little girl ran to her; Rissa said, "Welcome, Liesel Selene Moray!" The child paused, blinking. Carefully, clearly, Rissa pronounced the coded trigger words; at the last of them, Lieselene smiled and came forward again. Rissa lifted her to kiss and cuddle, murmuring love into a small ear. "Are you

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  glad to be back with Rissa, darling?"

  Laughing, bubbling with pleasure, Lieselene said, "Oh, yes! But Dacia's good!" Then Tregare took the child, and Rissa heard unspacemanlike endearments from her husband's lips.

  Now she turned to greet Dacia Kobolak, and here she found change. Not merely the curling red hair now tied severely back, a few shorter strands escaping to wave around her face

  -that face was leaner and more mature. Rissa hugged the girl and said, "Welcome back to Earth, and thank you for what you have done. Did you have many problems?"

  Dacia shook her head. "The scout operated perfectly and the people made a great team. Lisele got homesick for you both, of course-especially the second and third day, along in there. But she got over it-except for asking, every time she thought of it, 'How much longer?' Just as though she eould count!"

  ''And she has been healthy? She certainly looks it."

  "Oh, yes-no trouble there. She was a little choosy about her food at first, but Creis and Onya-you remember them?- just told her it was space rations, and she came around soon enough."

  Dacia grinned. "We had it nervous when we first spotted the ship that came out to meet us, not knowing who it might be. But when we had contact I recognized the woman on the screen-from Stronghold-and she had the right code words, so we all relaxed."

  "Right," said Tregare. "Well, we've got one quick job to do-let's get it out of the way."

  Dacia said, "What's that?"

  "Springing all those hypnotic triggers you won't be needing

  -yours and the rest of your crew's. Rissa's already cleared Lisele's, in greeting-but we'll check to be sure." Dacia nodded. "You know? I'd forgotten about those."

  quickly the job was done. Tregare did the talking, Rissa monitored the polygraph, and the truth field confirmed the results. Then the group went aboard Inconnu, where Dacia enjoyed reunion with her brother.

  "-and when I'm off watch, in a few minutes," he said, "I want you to come downship to my quarters and meet someone."

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  "Downship, Anders? Aren't you Third Hat any more?" He laughed. "Sure I am-but those quarters are a little cramped, for two." Rissa could see that Dacia wanted to know more, but Anders only shook his head and smiled. "You'll see, soon enough. I hope you like each other."

  the galley was crowded; while Lieselene napped, Rissa and Tregare lunched in their quarters. He said, "Who all's coming to the party tonight. You know yet?"

  "Besides the Board, Hain and Anse, and the Kobolaks?" She counted on her fingers. "Zelde, Hilaire, Kickem and Aedra, Kile Ressider-will there be tension if Zelde brings Jamie?-Terrell Ragan. Bran-we are leaving many key positions unmanned-"

  "Not really." Yawning, he stood and stretched. "Everyone of those people is backed by good staff, with instant circuit access here if necessary. Zeide's got the port under her thumb like a squashed ant, and-"

  "Very well. Oh-you did not tell me-why do you wish some of them here so early?"

  "To meet the Board. You said not today, I know-but it won't take long, and this is our best chance for a while,"

  "For what, Bran?"

  "Because if nobody objects, I want Zelde, Hilaire, Kickem, and Ressider on the Board."

  "But Kickem is your fleet commander. Soon he will be off Earth."

  "While he's here, I think he'll be valuable." He turned to go, then paused. "You didn't say about Ivan. He's coming, isn't he?"

  Rissa shrugged. "He does not know. If Use does, yes. Otherwise not-and he could not say, yet, what she will decide." She rubbed her cheek. "Bran-should not Ilse, also, be on the Board?"

  Tregare's fingers drummed the table. "Before, I'd have said, sure. Now I don't know-if her face is going to warp her thinking ..." He shook his head.

  "If she appears tonight, that should tell us much."

  "Yeah, I guess so. Well-I'm going to grab me a shower."

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  when they heard the scout land, they got up and dressed. Shortly, Tregare answered a knock and admitted Zelde M'tana.

  "Good job, wrapping up Argentina," she said. "And I just got word-I'll match you Hokkaido port, the whole complex. Like you said, Tregare-watched their scramble channels, waited until they had two ships coming in together and caught 'em just grounding. Instant surrender. And groundside, no resistance to speak of-which if I know my strike force commander, means he only had to kill a couple hundred or so."

  She looked around. "The baby's asleep, I guess? I hope the drinks aren't."

  Tregare grinned and poured her straight spirits, then added ice. The three sat, talking, until the intercom chimed in the next room. Rissa answered it and returned to say, "The others are arriving. I have said we will meet in your office, Bran. You two go ahead, while I find Dacia or another to stay with Lisele. Then I will follow."

  when she entered the large office, Tregare was speaking. He paused; she greeted the newcomers, then said to him, "The young couple Dacia mentioned-Creis and Onya Kohler- Lisele is with them." Rissa smiled. "She greets them as uncle and aunt."

  "The kind of work schedules we can expect," said Tregare, "she can use some extra family."

  "Yes." She sat. "Since the meeting is begun, continue to preside. And I will not interrupt further."

  Liesel said, "Do we have any firm idea yet, just how big we want this Board to be? Tregare?"

  "I hadn't put a size on it, myself. I don't think the five of us-plus Gameel voting his four percent-is enough. What I'd like to suggest-okay, Zelde, Port Commander-Hilaire, the Academy and related activities-Kickem, fleet chief-Kile, running whatever we call the remodeled Police to take the stink off-I think those four jobs should have votes on the Board. I'm not crowding it-I'll go with a majority-but I am suggesting it."

  Zelde said, "Maybe you'd like us outside while you talk it over?"

  "That doesn't seem necessary," said Erika. "As Tregare

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  put it, it's jobs being represented, that we're voting on. When it comes to your personal abilities, three out of five of us are mostly taking Tregare's word-and glad to. All right?"

  Zelde grinned. "You're Tregare's aunt; right? You should have gone to space yourself. I mean, you have what they call the command mind."

  "I'd have iiked to-but I was on the wrong side. We Hul-zeins were trying to lay hands on a starship when UET blasted us out of North America. After that-too busy, for some years, just fighting for our lives."

  Tregare said, "Anybody have any points to make, for or against?" No one spoke. "All right-you want to vote all of it, or one at a time?"

  "One vote should do it," said Hawkman. "Each case has equal merit."

  "Good enough. All in favor, raise a hand." He looked around. "I guess unanimous is good enough. Now, what else is up for deciding?"

  "Nothing that I know of," said Liesel. "But while we're all here, I'd like to brief the Board-and welcome to the new members-on how it's going, the administrative setup to start closing down Welfare. We've begun releasing the easier cases, of course..."

  Liesel's report took longer than Rissa expected, but no one fidgeted.

  back on Inconnu, climbing upship, Rissa said, "Bran? Only one bio-year, a few days more, since we last held celebration on this ship. But that was back on Stronghold and seems a very long time ago."

  "By planet time," he said, "it's been ten years, maybe eleven."

  She opened the door and preceded him into their quarters. "Do you suppose somehow the mind, the body, knows what time has passed, that we have not lived?"

  excitement gripped Rissa. As the party began, she experienced it only in episodes, vignettes, flashes of vision and concentration ...

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  liesel selene laughed in delight as Tregare solemnly cut a centimeter from one of the candles on her small cake, then lit all three. "Because you're only two and three-quarters old, Lisele. We want to do this right, don't we?" The child puffed her cheeks out, blew, and the tiny flames died.

  seeing Erika red eyed but smiling, Rissa said, "Something has happened. For the good, I think?"

  Erika gripped her arm, "The dam busted. I cried my fool head off for a solid hour, at least. But now-poor Lena doesn't haunt me any more."

  "AND who'd have thought," he said after kissing her, "that Bernardez would be fleet commander for all Earth's outgoing ships? Mind, I've never denied the talent of the man-" He laughed. "You're looking exceptionally gorgeous tonight, Rissa. Can it be that Earth agrees with you?"

  And Aedra Leng smiled, saying, "It would be well advised to do so."

  will I ever blow out that last candle? But with a final, creaking exhalation, emptying her lungs to the point of hurt, she did it. And gasped while they sang, again, the ancient ritual.

  "A kiss goodnight, before you go with Aunt Dacia-and one for Bran, too." He was talking with Erika and did not hear. "Tregare! A moment for our daughter, please, before she retires."

  He turned and held the child, kissed her and nuzzled her neck, then let Dacia Kobolak take her. "You'll be back, Dacia?"

  "Oh, yes. But not before this one's safely tucked in."

  "-and when I get time," said Liesel, "I'm going to do a computer search. Those first two children of Heidele's-any living descendants would be at least part Hulzein. And maybe some of the talent survived."

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  "At the least," Rissa said, "to find such cousins would be of interest."

  "Sure. I could use a little more family."

  "I came alone a-purpose, Kile," said Zelde M'tana. Ressider spoke slowly. "What about young Pescadore?" "Jamie's not smallhearted-he knows and he agreed." Now Ressider smiled. "AH right. Later-and where?" "Your ship. I came in a scout."

 

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