by Ann Wilson
police, so that was a definite point inthe Count's favor. "I'll be glad to recommend construction of a base,then, my Lady."
"Excellent." The Count leaned forward, her expression serious. "Asyou have deduced, Captain, I was once a field agent, and I had this setup to give you the maximum amount of information in the minimum amountof time. I can see from your reactions that you also know I want morefrom you than a base, now that I have learned of your susceptibility."She smiled, showing those tempting fangs again. "And that you aretrying to avoid thinking about it, because you want it as well."
Thompson tried to keep his face impassive, even though he knewperfectly well that it was useless, with a field agent reading him.Dammit, a man was entitled to his privacy! "By my Lady Count's leave,I must remind her that my responsibilities to my team outweigh mypersonal desires."
Count Nilssun leaned back with a sigh. "Formality doesn't changethings, Captain. You want to feed a Kin, and I have to send a LiaisonOfficer to the Imperial Palace to represent Narvon System; a Kin whowas head of the team sent here to investigate us would be ideal, from apublic relations viewpoint. I can't force you, as you are wellaware--but I needn't be the one who introduces the virus, or who weakensyou so you will Change. I am perfectly capable of requesting that youand your team be stationed here indefinitely, then surrounding you withKins until you can no longer resist your own desires."
Thompson's jaw tightened. "My Lady Count may of course do as shethinks best--but I will, equally of course, protest any such orders."
The Count stood, and Thompson had to follow suit. "So be it, then,Captain, although I had hoped you would be more reasonable. You haveleave to use the Palace ultrawave for your protest--after I have madethe initial request." She smiled, this time almost sadly and withoutrevealing her fangs. "I can sense hidden depths within you, Captain,and I would like to be the one to bring them to the surface. Shouldyou ever decide you want to see me, I will grant you an audience assoon as I can."
Thompson was unwillingly impressed; an Imperial Count's time was worthconsiderably more than a Marine Captain's. That didn't make enoughdifference to change his mind, though. "By the Count's leave, I wouldlike to return to my people."
"Permission granted, Captain. But please remember, I am not doing thisout of hostility; I do what I do only because I think it best for myown people."
* * * * *
Returning to his assigned apartment, Thompson changed back into serviceblack. He wasn't sure whether to be angry or flattered at the Count'sintentions for him; at the moment, he felt a bit of both. She wastrying to take him away from his team, but on the other hand, shewanted him to become Liaison Officer for an entire system--which, beingprimarily ceremonial in nature, was a less responsible, but far moreprestigious, position. And, though he was reluctant to admit it evento himself, he was more than a little tempted by the prospect of--
Resolutely, he blanked out the inviting image of Kin fangs, and went toknock on King's door. She had evidently been going through thelibrary; when she let him in he saw tapes on the coffee table, and morein the delivery tray. "Research again, Audra?"
"Uh-huh. What's up, Cap?"
He described his conversation with the Count, then scowled, knowingAudra wouldn't take it as aimed at her. "I'd try to get back to theship, but she'd anticipate that. I'm afraid we're stuck here untileither she decides on someone else as liaison, or I let myself beturned into a Kin."
King looked thoughtful, hesitating before she spoke. "Cap . . . wecould all use a leave, and this isn't half bad."
Thompson chuckled, startled into real humor. "True, Audra. And wewon't get too many chances at living in a System Palace; pass the wordto take full advantage of it."
"Will do, Cap. Anything we should do when her Ladyship starts settingKins on you?"
"I don't think so," Thompson said, "unless you can arrange for someoneto be on hand to interrupt if things get touchy. They won't hurt me,or even try to; from what I've read and been told, they can't. But . . .Audra, I may need--well, protection from myself. I . . . it's hardfor me not to--"
King nodded understandingly. "They are tempting, aren't they? Cap, inyour position I wouldn't hesitate; I'd donate, and enjoy the hell outof myself, even if it meant I'd have to stay here." She gestured tothe tapes she'd been studying. "This system is in the beginning of amajor social change, one that ought to be absolutely fascinating."
"I'm sure it would, if I shared your interest in sociology," Thompsonsaid drily. Audra was the team's socio spec, and kept trying to getthe rest as interested as she was. "But I'll be damned if I'llvoluntarily do anything to take myself off this team, or out of theservice."
"If you're given the choice, no. But--" King raised a cautionaryhand--"if the Count's as determined as you say, it may not be your choice.They have something called projective empathy, according to thesetapes, and they can use it to make you feel anything they want you tofeel. Especially if it reinforces something you already feel a little."
"And I already want to donate. Yeah, I see what you mean. HerLadyship could have taken me already--and made me like it. I wonderwhy she didn't." Another thought struck him, and he looked sharply athis second-in-command. "Our hostess was a field agent, Audra. Were anyof these tapes waiting for you?"
King looked startled, then nodded. "Two of them, yes. And one answersyour question--they don't know how long the effects of the projectiveempathy last. Which may mean they won't use it to infect or change youfor fear it'll backfire on them."
That made sense, Thompson thought. Her Ladyship had to know that aMarine who realized @'d been coerced into a decision, even gently,would rebel against both the decision and the coercer. "Then I'd saythey won't go beyond persuasion and the temptation her Ladyshippromised--or threatened me with."
King nodded, her expression troubled. "There's another aspect, Cap,one you may not be thinking about. At least it's something I've neverknown you to be concerned with--but these tapes make it pretty clearthat feeding is . . . well--"
"That's enough," Thompson interrupted shortly. He'd been trying toavoid thinking about that aspect; what had made Audra bring it up? Itwas a personal problem, a reason as important as what he'd spokenopenly about for his reluctance to donate--the reason he had opted outof his original assignment selection when he'd found out what itinvolved. The idea of casual liaisons left him cold; the only peoplehe felt close enough to want intimacy with were the members of histeam--and regulations forbade that. So although he certainly didn'tlack it, he'd never shown any outward interest in sex.
"No offense intended, Cap. Sorry."
"None taken, Audra; you just pushed the wrong button." Thompson took adeep breath. "And you haven't mentioned one factor that's damned hardfor me to resist." He couldn't help thinking about the detective chiefhe'd seen on holo. "Some of these Kins, at least, aren't much morethan skin and bones. I could provide a meal for one of them, yes--andI would, gladly, if it wouldn't change me into one of them. Hell, if Icould, I'd feed 'em as often as my body would tolerate the blood loss!"
* * * * *
The Count didn't waste any time acting on her intention; she hadThompson summoned to the Palace communications section, where shecalled HQMC and requested the E-Team's indefinite assignment to NarvonSystem. Thompson filed his protest immediately, but it had no moreeffect than he'd expected; he and his team were assigned to the Count'scommand.
She turned to him when the tech broke contact. "I don't think you willfind my first commands too unpleasant, Captain. I would like you andyour people to consider yourselves my guests; you are welcome to fulluse of all Palace facilities. I would also like you to attend aget-acquainted party tomorrow night."
Thompson had resigned himself to spending at least several weeks inthis system; he found himself grateful that the Count was making it aspleasant as possible for them. "Thank you, my Lady. We'll be there;should we wear blues or civvies?
"
"Whichever you choose, Captain. It will be semi-formal."
* * * * *
Thompson wore blues, more for the illusory protection of the dressuniform's high collar than for any other reason; the rest of his teamopted for civilian wear. He thought King looked particularly sharp inthe shimmer-cloth culotte outfit she'd had the fabricator make, andalmost as soon as their group entered the