An Exchange of Hostages by Susan R. Matthews

the powerful reverberation of authority that she could hear there. It was the hint of gloating that turned her stomach.
    “There is always room for improvement, of course. As an example — very quickly — Student Koscuisko, you still don’t appear to be taking this quite seriously; Student Noycannir, you need to relax, the prisoner cannot strike back at you. These minor details aside, however, the Administrator is very pleased. And he’s empowered me to make a tangible gesture of that appreciation.”
    It was a trick, she knew it, her belly was tense and cold with it. A trick like the last one had been, to push them out into unknown territory before they’d really had a chance to master the material. A cheap manipulative trick.
    “There will therefore be an extra study-day in which to prepare for the beginning instruction for the Intermediate Levels. After your apt handling of the first three exercises, it is anticipated that you’ll not need extensive preparation . . . ”
    Mergau glanced to her left across the table, surreptitiously. Koscuisko was frowning. So he was suspicious, too.
    “ . . . therefore there’s no lesson plan for this extra day. Student Koscuisko, you might enjoy a tour of the Infirmary; Curran has been instructed to obtain a copy of the pharmaceutical library for your use.”
    Koscuisko’s scowl deepened. For herself she knew better than to display such a reaction in front of her betters — but Koscuisko didn’t seem to think he had any. “We didn’t do much with the Jurisdiction’s Controlled List on Mayon, Tutor Chonis. Few of the drugs have positive medical applications.”
    The “pharmaceutical library” confused her, but “the Jurisdiction’s Controlled List” made all plain. Tutor Chonis was talking about the speak-sera, the enforcers, the pain-maintenance drugs. She couldn’t blame Koscuisko for disliking the idea. Where she’d come from, people feared the Controlled List even more than even the Ship’s Inquisitor.
    “But your skill, dare I say flair, with psychoactive applications is well documented as your subspecialty, Andrej. Perhaps the Controlled List will be made richer by your investigations.”
    Yes, it was gloating in Tutor Chonis’s voice. Very small and very subtle, but none of his mockery and taunts escaped her. Tutor Chonis was almost too pleased with the potential he felt he had identified to conceal his pleasure. Koscuisko glared down at his left hand, which he had closed into the fist he hadn’t dared clench upon the table. For no particular reason, Mergau found herself noticing that there was an odd crease in the skin at the base of his middle finger. “I will browse the library, Tutor, at your instruction. Permit me to observe that I would prefer not to add to a resource that has such potential for being misused, and which is of so little positive benefit to anybody.”
    Koscuisko would be damned before he had anything to do with the Controlled List, was what he meant. Noycannir shot a glance of shocked amusement at Tutor Chonis to make it clear that she disapproved of Koscuisko’s near-insolence and disrespect as much as Chonis himself surely did. Tutor Chonis’s face revealed no secrets, though.
    “And, Student Noycannir . . . ”
    She blinked at Tutor Chonis’s beard, demurely.
    “The First Secretary has requested periodic reports from us to be forwarded every three Levels. You and I both understand how much he has invested in your training here.”
    She knew how to behave in front of people who outranked her, even if Koscuisko did not. Koscuisko would learn. She’d love to have the opportunity to teach him. For now she would be content to benefit from the contrast between his attitude and hers.
    “Am I to be present during review, Tutor Chonis, or shall I merely assist in preparing the report?”
    Making her voice meek and submissive, Noycannir projected her understanding of her subordinate position, her earnest desire to please. It wasn’t