Robert Asprin – Tambu

Blackjack’s ear. He listened intently, a smile spreading slowly across his face.

“That’s a good question. Those weapons you’re after cost a lot of money. Do you have it with you, or is it on your ship?”

A sudden tension filled the air as the two forces surveyed each other.

“I don’t think I’ll answer that,” Tambu said.

“Why not? It’ll save us the trouble of finding out the hard way.”

“Because the person we were waiting for just showed up,” Tambu smiled, meeting the pirate’s eyes squarely.

“Really?” Blackjack jeered.

“Really!” Egor answered, looming behind the trio, gun in hand. “These three giving you trouble, captain?”

“Trouble?” Tambu smiled at the frozen trio. “There’s no trouble here. As a matter of fact, these three were about to put their weapons here, on the table, and go have themselves a drink. Isn’t that right, Blackjack?”

The pirate nodded, tight-lipped, and eased his gun from its holster, placing it carefully on the table. One by one, the other two followed suit.

Tambu pointed. “I think that table there will do, where we can see you-and do keep your hands above the table, hmmm?”

“I’ll remember this,” Blackjack growled, leading the group away to the table.

“What was that all about?” Egor asked.

“That was some of the opposition,” Whitey explained. “All of a sudden, I’m a lot more eager to see them through a set of gunsights.”

“Speaking of that, did you find your contact?” Tambu interrupted.

“Sure did,” Egor nodded. “He’s waiting outside. I left him there when I saw the crowd at your table. He seems to be the nervous sort.”