enlarge that crack in the wall just inside the cave mouth, but that would be asking for trouble; the rebels couldn't possibly miss that kind of energy release. And he didn't dare waste his firepower on that; he didn't have much to begin with. He'd just have to hope the rebels didn't find them, and retreat to one of the side passages for shelter if they did.

He spent the next few anxious hours alternating between Tarlac and the cave entrance. The Ranger was doing as well as Dave had dared let himself hope, but rebel cars were moving by more often, and seemed to be centered closer to the cave. Once, he could have sworn he glimpsed an Imperial Marine troop lander, but decided that had to be wishful thinking; if the Marines were getting ready to land, the rebels should be running for cover, not continuing to search for escaped prisoners.

A little after noon, what he'd been dreading happened. Half a decade rebel aircars descended, and moments later he heard shouts and the sound of people forcing their way through brush. He checked the disruptor one last time, then moved back to the side passage he'd chosen. He wasn't as frightened as he'd thought he would be in such a situation, even though he was certain he'd be dead soon. He was more angry at the unfairness of the whole situation than anything else, and he intended to make the rebels pay as heavily as he could for their two lives.

Waiting for the rebels to get to the cave entrance, Dave had a vivid memory of his mother's amused disgust at war holos. "In combat, the idea isn't to play fair," she'd said more than once. "The idea is to stay alive while killing your enemy. You don't let yourself be seen if you can avoid it, and you certainly don't warn your enemy that you're going to shoot!" Well, he had the best cover he could get, and he didn't plan to issue any warnings. All he needed now was a target…

Light flooded the cave, and someone called out. "They're here! I see bloodstains—"

That was as far as he got; Dave fired toward the light. It went out, and there was a sharp "crack" as air imploded where the rebel had been.

There was a brief silence, then someone cursed, and half a decade blaster-bolts seared past Dave's hiding place, about chest-high. He dropped to the cave floor and fired back without looking.

The exchange of fire continued for several minutes, with the only result Dave could notice being that the cave was getting uncomfortably hot. Then he heard yelling, and the incoming fire stopped abruptly. Moments later, an amplified voice called out. "You in the cave—this is Captain Heidi Chiun, Imperial Marines. Come out with your hands up."

Dave started to obey, then hesitated. He thought he'd seen a troop lander, yes—but he wouldn't put it past the rebels to try tricking him, since they hadn't yet managed to kill him. "Send one of your people in here," he called back. "If you're really Marines, you'll be safe in power armor, and I wouldn't shoot anyway."

"Hold your fire, then." Dave heard crunching steps, like something massive moving, then the light from the cave entrance dimmed. "I'm inside," another voice said.

Dave risked a look around the corner, then stood with a sigh of relief. The person at the entrance was wearing power armor, which satisfied him that she was what she was supposed to be. "I'm tossing the gun out," he said, doing so. Then, raising his hands, he stepped out of cover. "Boy, am I glad to see you! Ranger Tarlac needs a medalert team, with a lifepod."

"He's here?"

"Yes, sir—I'll show you."

"Wait one." Dave couldn't hear what she said next, but what his mother's stories had led him to expect was confirmed when she said, "They're on the way. Let's go."

Dave led her to his patient, not at all surprised when she swore bitterly before picking up the unconscious man. "The team'll meet us outside—they'd never get a pod in here."

"Yes, sir." Dave led the way again, blinking as he emerged from the dimness into bright afternoon sun. A couple of decade Marines in power armor were guarding the perimeter of a new clearing, while several more in camouflage battledress held a number of rebel prisoners at gunpoint near one edge. The medalert team had obviously been in readiness nearby, because a lander with medical markings was already settling toward the clearing's center.

An armored Marine with captain's bars and "Chiun" stencilled on her helmet gestured the one carrying Tarlac toward the medical lander, then turned her attention to Dave and stood silently looking at him for several moments before she removed her helmet and smiled. "You'd be David Scanlon, then?"

When he nodded, surprised, she gave him a half-bow—people in power armor didn't offer to shake hands—and said, "Captain Heidi Chiun. Pleased to meet you. Now that we have Ranger Tarlac safe, an assault group will be hitting the main rebel camp. The Empire owes you some powerful thanks, young man."

"My pleasure," Dave replied, wanting to be polite though he wasn't quite sure which statement he was responding to. Then curiosity took over. "How did you know me? And why're you here now instead of tomorrow?"

"Two questions, one answer." Chiun frowned. "One of the rebels reported the torture and rescue to us, through the local IntelDiv office. Unfortunately, we couldn't get him out; he was killed while he was still on the screen. That's something we don't intend to have happen to you; His Majesty invites you to stay on the Empress Lindner until it's safe for you to go home, probably sometime after Ranger Tarlac recovers and holds a Tribunal on this mess."

The rebel who'd been killed had to be Theo, Dave thought. That was too bad—but right now, at least, he couldn't seem to feel much except mild regret. His own problems were more immediately interesting. He hadn't expected protective custody, although when Chiun mentioned it he realized he should have; it was common enough on the news as well as in holoshows. He'd never heard of it being phrased as an invitation from the Emperor before, though! The effect was the same, but it was nicer than being put under arrest. Even if he'd rather be going home… "I accept the invitation, of course. Can I call my folks and let them know?"

"As soon as we get to the ship," Chiun promised. "Ranger Tarlac will be taken up first, then we'll ride up with the prisoners."

"Okay." Not that he had any choice, Dave thought. And he admitted to himself that he didn't mind all that much; it would be pretty exciting, being His Majesty's guest aboard one of the tremendous Imperial Battle Cruisers. He'd have to get something to prove it, though, or the kids at school would be certain he was making it up. "Uh … he will be all right, won't he?"

Chiun gestured toward the lifepod, now being loaded aboard the lander. "He was alive when they got him in the pod, and an IBC has damn good medical facilities. I think it's safe to say he'll be fine, yes."

Her prediction was accurate, though Tarlac would carry scars from the beating for the rest of his life, and they were still an angry red when he held the Tribunal. Tarlac didn't mind; at least he was alive to have scars, thanks to Dave Scanlon. And it had been no problem deciding on a reward for the youngster; as Emperor Davis had pointed out, Imperial law made provision even for something so unusual.

Tarlac found himself looking forward to that part of this Tribunal. Punishing the guilty was necessary, but he didn't enjoy it; he much preferred to reward the outstanding, something he had less occasion to do than he liked. Especially to this degree, or with a subject whose fondness for holodramas would make it just plain fun—and even more especially with Dave's parents and the local newsies in attendance.

The expression of satisfaction on Dave's face as the convicted rebels were led away made Tarlac want to grin, though he managed to keep his own expression carefully solemn. "That concludes the unpleasantness, gentles. But don't leave; I have a