file:///F|/rah/L.%20E.%20Modesitt/Modesitt,%20L%20E%20-%20Forever%20Hero%2002%20-%20The%20Silent%20Warrior.txt
better than any single agent, possibly by a factor of two or three, and he has spent at least the
last fifty stans teaching himself virtually every single personal weapon known.
"He is adept at circuit design, is probably a goodjourneyman systems breaker, and is one of
the best pilots in Service history. We checked the drives of the Sanducar after she was returned.
Although they tested normally, indications were that the grav governors had been reset to a higher
tolerance, then returned to normal. Given any amount of time, he could do the same to any ship. We
do not know what level of acceleration he could tolerate and still function at peak efficiency,
but it is high enough to give him an insurmountable edge over any ship fast enough to pursue . .
."
The admiral nodded, not quite impatiently.
". . . also has contacts within the Court able to gain him an open portal to any
installation. With his skills, only access would be necessary."
"But the man sleeps, doesn't he?"
"He may. Remember there are at least eight other so called devilkids fully trained, most of
whom have similar skills, who remain within Recorps. All are fanatically loyal to him, and he has
charged them with carrying out the reclamation effort on Old Earth. That means that they are
effectively neutralized at this time."
Eye's hood lifted, and although the admiral could not see the man's eyes, he felt a chill
in spite of himself.
"Don't you see, Admiral," asked the Intelligence head, "where this all leads? Do you
understand why I am reluctant to take on a commission that could lead to eight totally
unrestrained fanatics declaring war on us? It could take a full battle group to catch and subdue
each. And for what? Because your subject made you look silly? His actions are centered on one
planet. Those actions are considered idealistic by the majority of the Imperial citizenry, by the
majority of the Court, and probably by the majority of the I.S.S. officer corps. Farther, he has
removed himself from the scene in order to prevent any reprisals at him from affecting the
reclamation effort. With all that, you ask that we stir up the mess by trying to remove him?"
"Yes. No individual should be bigger than the Empire. No individual should be able to
manipulate public sentiment to break Imperial laws with impunity."
"He didn't, Admiral," added Eye, his voice even softer. "He renounced any claim to return
to his planet, even in death. For someone that dedicated, that is punishment. Perhaps not what you
wish, but punishment nonetheless. More important, it is regarded as punishment by the majority of
the older devilkids. Some of the more recently commissioned officers, as you know, still opted for
the Service, and I seriously hope you rereview their records and expunge the Board of Inquiry
findings."
The last sentence was nearly a command, and the admiral stiffened. "Are you telling me what
to do?"
Eye shook his hooded head. "No. Just hoping you would understand all the factors
Intelligence must consider. The man wants to restore his planet. He used force only when necessary
and went to elaborate lengths to avoid injury to Imperial personnel. He willingly gave all tile
credit to the Emperor, and I might add that such news was worth a plus ten week rate for nearly a
month. The Emperor knows that and appreciates it."
"But he stood the Service on end."
"That I doubt. He did upset the High Command. The Service is alive and well." Eye cleared
his throat. "Do you want its to deal with the problem?"
"Yes."
Eye turned to the figure on his left.
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