Kelly thought about his statements, her expression going from intent to disbelief to revulsion. "They came from Terra!"
"They sure did," Medart said. "Which makes you Terrans, too. An improved version, so changed my Empire classes you as human variant rather than standard human—but Terrans. And that makes you Imperial citizens by right of birth."
"That's obscene!" Haley burst out.
"Matter of opinion," Medart said calmly. "Both personally and as a Prince of the Empire, I think it's great—as long as you're not fighting the Empire you're rightfully part of."
"Ryan has to know about this," Kelly said. "Haley, would you please inform him and ask him to join us?"
"Yes, lady." Haley stood and bowed to her, then left.
"Is it really that bad?" Medart asked the w'woman as soon as the young warrior was out of hearing. "It doesn't change what you are, how you live, or have any other bad effects; what it does is give you new opportunities." He grinned. "I'm biased, of course—have been since I first met Sandemans. I've liked you even when I couldn't identify the reasons, and that grew when I could. Your absolute integrity is one, and it's also one of the most valuable things you've brought to our Empire."
"Put that way," Kelly said slowly, "it sounds almost reasonable. But you didn't grow up hating the Shapers and everything about them."
"You can't hate everything about them," Medart pointed out. "They did manage to engineer your race, after all. I personally think they were absolute, unmitigated idiots for thinking they could create and then control a race of the most deadly warriors in the known universes—but from my own experiences with Sandemans, I can't help but be grateful to them at the same time."
"Grateful to whom?" Ryan asked as he entered the room. "The Shapers, if I interpret what I heard correctly."