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Carrie watched as the physician placed his hand against Kusac's throat, checking his pulse while watching the bio-monitor readings on the screen above his bed.

"I told you I wanted him kept calm," said Vryalma angrily, glancing at her and Kaid. "Overstimulation now could cause another seizure."

"If he's going to have one, better he has it now," said Kaid. "He needed to be told what we know about his condition. Leaving it until later wouldn't have changed anything."

"He was a telepath. They're protected, aren't used to handling the harsher realities of life."

"He's a Brother and a Warrior now," said Carrie before Kaid could. "He wanted to know."

"That's debatable," said Vryalma, moving away from the bed, obviously satisfied with the readings. "I have my doubts as to how much of his early training you've actually affected. Deep down we remain what we were when we left childhood, and he was a telepath." He waved them toward the door. "You might as well leave. He'll sleep for the next five or six hours."

"I'm not leaving him alone," said Carrie.

"I'll stay," said T'Chebbi from the doorway. "Am here to relieve you for first meal anyway."

"This is the intensive care unit, not a gathering place," growled the physician. "There's no need for anyone to remain with him, and certainly no justification for more than one of you even when he's awake."

"We're a Triad," said Kaid. "When he's awake and I'm free, we'll both be here."

"That's enough, Physician Vryalma," said a new voice. "You've been briefed about their Triad, you know it's imperative they be together whenever possible."

Carrie went to greet L'Seuli as, muttering under his breath, the physician left.

"I'm still not used to your new rank," she said, touching the gold insignia on the Brother's uniform jacket.

"I'd hoped to find Kusac awake," said Commander L'Seuli. "What happened? Not a seizure, I hope."

"No. Kaid told him the full implications of the implant," sighed Carrie. "He got angry, wanted to leave the sick bay and see Chy'qui. Then he—" she nodded in the direction of the door Vryalma had gone out—"came in and sedated him."

"To be fair, it was needed," said Kaid. "Kusac's not himself, Carrie. He told me the implant had robbed him of every emotion but fear. Now all the others are rushing in on him as he realizes what's actually been done to him. It's not surprising he should be angry and want to see Chy'qui for himself."

"No one will be seeing Chy'qui, I'm afraid," said L'Seuli. "When I contacted Commander Q'ozoi about your request to have Chy'qui scanned, he told me that when they reached the Kz'adul last night, the counselor had been found dead in his cabin on the shuttle. He committed suicide, apparently."

"Very convenient," said Kaid dryly. "Now we'll never know exactly what he was up to. Why the delay in telling us?"

"Autopsy. They found poison in his stomach and bloodstream, and a capsule on the floor by his body. Commander Q'ozoi is bringing a copy of their findings for us."

Kaid grunted, nodding at T'Chebbi as they reached the door. "You've eaten?" he asked her.

She flicked her ears in an affirmative. "Take your time. I be fine here. Both of you look like you got little sleep last night. You need a break. Take it now while he's drugged. Maybe not get much chance later. Besides, you got treaty talks soon."

As they walked down the brightly lit corridor to the mess hall, L'Seuli handed Kaid a sealed document. "Father Lijou contacted Konis Aldatan to give him the news of your rescue and update him on the state of Kusac's health. He's agreed to work on the treaty with us. His amended copy of your proposals should be with us shortly. To give you an idea of his recommendations, here's a draft copy of what he's compiled."

"That's good news," said Kaid. "The nonaggression pact and basic trading agreements I put together are pretty standard, but the military issues need to be formalized by Master Konis and the Sholan High Command. I can