“You are trying to hide your memories from me by substituting other memories,” Odal said. “We know that you met with certain other high-ranking army officers at your home three months ago. You claim it was a social occasion. I would like to see it.”
The older man, square-jawed, his hair an iron gray, was obviously fighting for self-control. Fear was in him, Odal knew, but he also sensed something else; anger, stubbornness, and pride.
“Inferior-grade officers were not invited to the … to the party. It was strictly for my old classmates. Major.” General Runstet accented the last word with as much venom as he could muster.
Odal felt a flash of anger, but replied calmly, “May I remind you that you are under arrest and therefore have no rank. And if you insist on refusing me access to your emories of this meeting, more stringent methods of interrogation will be used.” Fool! he thought. You’re a dead man and yet you refuse to admit it.
“You can do anything you want to,” Runstet said. “Drugs, torture … you’U get nothing from me. Use this damnable dueling machine for a hundred years and I’ll still tell you nothing!”
Unmoving, Odal said, “Shall I re-create the scene for you? I have visited your home in Mekhn, and I have a list of the officers who attended your meeting.”
“When Marshal Lugal learns how Kor and his trained assassins have treated a general officer, you’ll all be exterminated!” Runstet bellowed. “And you! An officer yourself. A disgrace to the uniform you wear!”
“I have my duty,” Odal said”And I am trying to spare you some of the more unpleasant methods of interrogation.”