Or, rather, facing down the centre of the hall. He stood still for a long moment; someone coughed and shuffled, at which he turned toward the group and faced them thereafter. "Good evening, gentlemen."
Seeing him, Matt was reminded strongly of Cadet Sabbatello's protest: "Not blind, Mr. Dodson!" Commodore Arkwright's eyes looked strange-the sockets were deep set and the eyelids drooped like a man in thought. Yet, as that sightless gaze rested on him, it seemed to Matt that the Commandant could not only see him but could peer inside his head.
"I welcome you to our fellowship. You come from many lands, some from other planets. You are of various colors and creeds. Yet you must and shall become a band of brothers.
"Some of you are homesick. You need not be. From this day on every part of this family of planets is your home, each place equally. Each living, thinking creature in this system is your neighbor-and your responsibility.
"You are about to take an oath, by your own choice, as a member of the Patrol of this our System. In time, you expect to become an officer of that Patrol. It is necessary that you understand the burden you assume. You expect to spend long hours studying your new profession, acquiring the skills of the spaceman and the arts of the professional soldier. These skills and arts you must have, but they will not make you an officer of the Patrol."
He paused, then went on, "An officer in command of a ship of the Patrol, away from base, is the last of the absolute monarchs, for there is none but himself to restrain him. Many places where he must go no other authority reaches. He himself must embody law, and the rule of reason, justice and mercy.
"More than that, to the members of the Patrol singly and together is entrusted such awful force as may compel or destroy, all other force we know of-and with this trust is laid on them the charge to keep the peace of the System and to protect the liberties of its peoples. They are soldiers of freedom.
"It is not enough that you be skillful, clever, brave- The trustees of this awful power must each possess a meticulous sense of honor, self-discipline beyond all ambition, conceit, or avarice, respect for the liberties and dignity of all creatures, and an unyielding will to do justice and give mercy. He must be a true and gentle knight."
He stopped and there was no sound at all in the huge room. Then he said, "Let those who are prepared to take the oath be mustered."
The cadet who had been acting as adjutant stepped forward briskly. "Adams!"