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"Excellency," sputtered Telek. "The Shepherds are as far above us as we are above a kllhe! Much of their technology hinges upon what they themselves are, not what they can build. It would take us centuries, perhaps even millennia, before we can even grasp the basics of their technology!"

"Why then," said the Empress, a hint of a smile curving her full red lips, "you had best begin. With a larger, more advanced vessel, and as much support as you desire. I think this is the work of a lifetime, Dr. R'Mor."

Jekri understood what the Empress was saying, and so did Telek. Surprised pleasure filled his face. He saluted, and bowed. As he strode toward the door, Jekri called out, 'Telek!"

"Yes?" He turned. The iciness was still there between them, despite all they had been through together, but Jekri thought she knew how to melt it.

"Your family. They live."

He looked skeptical. "The chairman of the Tal Shiar did not execute her prisoners after all?"

She shook her head. "No. Things happened too quickly... I never got around to it."

"Consider them freed," the Empress said. "Speak with the Praetor, and he will reunite you with your family, Dr. R'Mor."

Slowly, his face softened. Joy glowed in his eyes. "Thank you," he said, and raced out the door.

"Excellency," said Jekri, after he had gone, "you cannot speak of what happened. It must be wiped from all our record banks. No one must know how close we came to almost destroying ourselves."

"You speak words I already know, Little Dagger. Do not worry. Our own embarrassment will hold tongues." The Empress lifted her head. "I was tricked, and behaved inexcusably. I would not have my people know that. The Senate, too, was duped, and they will not wish others to know how easily they were tricked. Stahl has seen enough, too, to know the value of silence. The troops never knew exactly what was going on; to them, this will be nothing more significant than another drill, forgotten once the technology is removed. If even Dr. R'Mor cannot duplicate this technology, then I feel we are safe. No, Kaleh. Shame begets silence."

She strode toward the smaller woman. "You have suffered the most, yet were perhaps the most loyal. I have wronged you. I would have you back as my trusted chairman, and will see that your name is cleared. Speak a boon, Jekri Kaleh, and whatever it is, if it lies within the power of your Empress, it is yours."

Jekri looked full into the face of this lovely woman, saw there mortification, and pride, and power. She thought about her life up until this moment: a series of scrabbling, and fighting, and killing, and climbing.

She had changed too much. She did not want any part of that old life again.

"I cannot resume my duties, Excellency. Too much has happened. I can best serve in another way."

"Name it."

"I wish... to disappear."

The Empress was silent for a long moment. "I trust that, wherever it is you disappear to, you will always serve me and the Empire loyally. You shall have your wish, Little Dagger." Her voice was tinged with sorrow. "I hope your choice brings you happiness."

Jekri was certain it would, save for one thing, one person whom she would miss more than she had expected. She turned to Verrak and began to search for the proper words to say goodbye.

He interrupted her. "You shall not disappear alone, unless you wish it."

Stunned, she stared at him. "Your career," she stammered. "Your advancement after this incident is certain. You could become the new chairman."

"What does that mean to me?" His voice was raw, and the power of his emotions humbled Jekri. "I have served at your side for years. I do not care where you go, only let me follow! Perhaps you do not-you cannot feel-but I would be content simply to be with you-"

She stopped his words with a small hand on his lips. "If you come with me," she said, her voice husky and trembling, "you shall not serve. You shall