Robert Asprin – Tambu

Laughter greeted this speech, and Tambu began to relax slightly.

“For the rest of it, they are not dissimilar to us. They finance their fleet with taxes from member planets, taxes which do not vary greatly from the monies paid us by our subscribers. Also, in their effort to form an impartial force, the ships each severed commitments with their planets of origin. As a result, like our fleet, the Defense Alliance answers only to itself-not to any planet or system.”

Tambu reviewed his captains on the screen and found them to be calmer and more settled than when he had begun speaking.

“Now that we all understand what we’re talking about, let’s continue the discussion. Cowboy? Do you have anything to add to what Pepe has already said?”

Tambu had expected that Cowboy would be caught off-balance and would have to flounder while trying to remember Pepe’s comments. Instead, the lank Captain surged immediately to his feet and launched into his comments.

“What the Boss sez sums up what we all know,” he declared. “We can whip the tar out of them Alliance ships, so what are we running fer? While we’re all together for the meeting, Ah think we should take a little extra time and do us some hunting. Ah don’t know what the bag limit is on angels an’ saints, but Ah bet we could fill it in no time atall!”

Tambu gritted his teeth and rubbed his forehead while the crowd cheered Cowboy. So much for slowing down the pace of the meeting.

“If I understand your logic, Cowboy,” he commented dryly after the noise had died down, “you feel that since we can attack and destroy the Alliance fleet, it automatically follows that we should. Is that correct?”