ody being sliced apart like the carcass of a

dead buffalo turned Steve's stomach over.

'Does she have to die?"

'Interesting question. But what alternatives are there?"

Steve chewed his lip and decided not to volunteer an answer until

Karlstrom revealed more of his hand.

'All right. Let's take this one step further - and by the way, this

conversation is completely off the record - '

'Of course .... '

'It must be clear from your present involvement with Commander

Franklynne that Clearwater's presence is a complicating factor. And,

given the choice, it's probably one you would prefer to be without."

'I can't deny it would make life easier, sir. But you sent me out to

bring her in, and that's what I did.

As for my relationship with Commander Franklynne, I responded to an

approach by her in the manner which seemed appropriate."

Karlstrom grinned. 'Yehh, sure. It was an offer you couldn't

refuse."

'Given her rank and position I certainly could not have taken the

initiative just as, in response to your question, it's not my place to

countermand directives issued by you."

Karlstrom gave one of his thin smiles. 'Very neat, brickman. Here you

are, dying to jump in at the deep end, but still frightened of getting

your feet wet. It wasn't me who wanted Clearwater and her friends

brought in, it was the President-General. I have to take orders just

like you do, but for reasons we don't need to go into, her presence

here is a problem I would like to dispose of.

'You're obviously suffering from a severe attack of discretion but if

it helps, you might as well know that Commander Franklynne can't wait

for the biopsy. She wants Clearwater out of the way, and I'm sure you

don't need me to tell you why."

'Does the President-General have a position on this?"

'He's been persuaded by the medics that it's the only way to go if they

want to get to the bottom of this earth-magic shit. As for me, well a

biopsy is one way of solving the problem but it leaves me with

another."

'Sir...?"

'You, Brickman. I'm concerned about the effect this may have on you.

If they cut her up and stick the pieces in a row of jars, I don't

think you're going to be able to live with yourself. In which case,

you're not going to be of any use to me or my organisation."

Steve banged some more logs in the firebox while he digested this. He

flipped the door shut with the stoking iron and straightened up to meet

Karlstrom's unwavering gaze. 'So where would that leave me?"

Karlstrom repolished some pipe-work. 'In Commander Franklynn's bed.

Not what I call a secure position." He held up a hand to quell Steve's

protest. 'Don't get me wrong. I gather she thinks very highly of

you.

You may even have worked yourself a winning ticket. But it's only fair

to warn you, she is notoriously fickle."

He watched his words sink home. It was going better than he

expected.

'Let's face it, Brickman. A young man with your intelligence and

resource shouldn't really allow himself to be manoeuvred into a

situation where his future depends on someone's passihg passion for his

dong."

'No, sir."

'So what's the solution?"

Steve knew if he wanted to be taken seriously, he couldn't dodge the

question any longer. 'Find a way of returning her to the

overground."

'Bravo! Now we're talking."

'But once she was set free, she would pose a new threat to the

Federation. Aiding and abetting her escape would be treason. A Code

One offence which would be impossible to justify."

'That would depend on how you define treason, Brick-man.

There are offences and offences. Some of our own internal operations

contravene the Federation legal codes. And I know you're not going to

try to tell me you've done everything by the Book."

Karlstrom took another look out of the window then throttled back to

reduce the drumming of the wheels on the track. 'I'm going to tell you

something. And this is strictly between you and me - okay."? I don't

regard Mute magic as a long-term threat to our survival. The greatest