Again his hand came over the mike, and Nicole leaned forward, straining to hear what he said as a low murmur of disappointment rippled through the crowd. “Travis, get on your radio and patch us in to Central Control. I want a direct radio link with the Monitoring Room.”

The Monitoring Room! Nicole stared, the first glimmer of horror pushing against her stomach.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the Major said smoothly, even as Travis, obviously caught off guard, unhooked his radio and began speaking into it. “It appears that while Dr. Cameron has confessed his guilt, he has exhibited no real remorse. And it may even be that some of you are thinking that his punishment is not all that bad. Confinement for life is a depressing thought, but considering that he tried to overthrow our entire society, the magnitude of the crime seems to demand a more severe punishment.”

He glanced over at Travis, who nodded. Up came the hand, and once again the microphone was covered so the crowd did not hear the exchange. But Nicole and those around her heard it clearly. “Tell them to stand by on Dr. Cameron’s frequency. I want them prepared to give me ten percent increments of his Punishment Mode on my signal.”

Several members of the press corps and the television crew audibly gasped, and next to her, Clayne Robertson started in his chair. Nicole stared numbly, knowing better than any of them what the Major was up to.

“Travis! That’s an order!” The Major’s voice snapped out like a rifle shot, and Travis flinched. Then slowly, he lifted the radio to his mouth.

“Under no circumstances are they to exceed eighty percent of the maximum. I don’t want him killed. Tell them that!”

“Yes, sir!”

The Major swung back to the microphone, and his eyes scanned the rows of faces staring down at him. “Some of you may think that Dr. Cameron has gotten off easily, but that is only because you do not fully understand what Stage Three implantation entails. Few people in Shalev have it, and so relatively few of you have seen its effects. Perhaps a demonstration is in order. Travis, if you’d hand me the radio, please.”

The walkie-talkie changed hands slowly. “Now, will you go up and stand by Dr. Cameron. Hold the microphone for him. I wish the people to hear whatever he has to say.”

As Travis moved back onto the platform, Cliff stood up slowly. He licked his lips once, then straightened and squared his shoulders. His right hand came up slowly until it touched his forehead, and with dignity he saluted the crowd.

“Ten percent!” the Major said quickly into the radio.

Cliff gave an involuntary gasp, and his arm jerked away from his forehead, but he forced it back, biting his lip to stop the violent trembling of his upper body.

“Twenty!”