Kerk tested the barrel with a wet thumb, then let the gun slide back into its holster. ‘We are law-abiding citizens of a different system who
have committed no criminal acts. The savages of Cassylia are too barbarous for civilized company. Therefore we are going to Darkban-here are our tickets-in whose sovereign territory 1 believe we are at this moment” This last was added for the benefit of the Cassylian officer who had just stumbled to the top of the gangway and was raising his gun.
The soldier couldn’t be blamed. He saw these badly wanted criminals getting away. Aboard a Darkban ship as well. Anger got the best of him and he brought his gun up.
“Come out of there, you scum! You’re not escaping that easily. Come out slow with your hands up or I’ll blast you…”
It was a frozen moment of time that stretched and stretched without breaking. The pistol covered Kerk and Jason. Neither of them attempted to reach for their own guns.
The gun twitched a bit as the ship~s officer moved, then steadied back on the two men. The Darkhan spaceman hadn’t gone far, just a pace across the lock. This was enough to bring him next to a red box set flush with the wall. With a single, swift gesture, he flipped up the cover and poised his thumb over the button inside. When he smiled, his 11ps peeled back to show all of his teeth. He had made up his mind, and it was the arrogance of the Cassylian officer that had been the deciding factor.
“Fire a single shot into Darkhan territory and I press this button,” he shouted. “And you know what this button does-every one of your ships has them as well. Commit a hostile act against this ship and someone will press a button. Every control rod will be blown out of the ship~s pile at that instant and half your filthy city will go up in the explosion.” His smile was chiseled on his face and there was no doubt he would do what he said. “Go ahead, fire. I think I would enjoy pressing this.”
The takeoff siren was hooting now, the close lock light blinking an angry message from the bridge. Like four actors in a grim drama, they faced each other an instant more.
Then the Cassylian officer, growling with unvoicable, frustrated anger, turned and leaped back to the steps.
“All passengers board ship. Forty-five seconds to takeoff. Clear the port.”. The ship’s officer slammed shut the cover of the box and locked it as he talked. There was barely time to make the acceleration couches before the Pride of Darkkan cleared ground.