"Oh? Why not?"
"They cannot honorably do so," Corina replied, surprised. "The oath of the Order forbids such opposition to its leaders, though of course it cannot compel any to follow orders which would lead them to death, as the Crusade will."
"You're not actually a member of the Order, then?"
"No. I was to be initiated soon; however, for now I am bound by no oaths. I am still free to follow my own paths."
"Uh-huh," Medart agreed. "Good thing for the Empire." Not as free as she believed, he thought but didn't say. She had chosen sides, and it was up to him to make use of that choice. Then he went on. "I still need your help. As secretive as the Order is, we don't know much of anything about this Talent you say they have, much less how to combat it."
The intercom chimed before he could go further. Dawson answered, and Medart joined him, looking into the screen.
"Lieutenant Edmonds, Duty Officer of the Watch," the caller identified herself. "The head of the district Sanctioners is here. He has extradition papers for Ms. Losinj, who is accused of assaulting a Sanctioner officer. He also demands we release Entos."
"Send him in," Medart said, the casualness he'd assumed for Corina's benefit vanishing. "I'll handle this myself."
"Yes, sir." The viewscreen went blank.
Medart turned to Corina. "Did you assault a Sanctioner officer?"