The Bug Wars by Robert Asprin

“Would you list the weapons in your personal arsenal at this time?”

“I have a set of the weighted, spiked hand armor; a wedge-sword; an alter-mace; three steel balls, two and a half inches in diameter; two long knives and one short; and, dueling sticks.”

“What weapons, if any, would you be willing to make available for team use?”

She hesitated.

“I would be willing to surrender any of them, but would prefer not to. As you have noted, I am exceptionally effective in combat. This is because I have spent much time practicing with these specific weapons in a particular array. I can switch weapons in midcombat without motion loss because I do not have to pause to think. I fear that would be lost if I had to readjust my style. The only weapons I would release without hesitation would be the alter-mace and the dueling sticks. The alter-mace is my newest addition, and I am not yet at home with its use. The dueling sticks…well…I’ve already explained my willingness to part with them.”

“That answers all my questions, Kor. Unless you have any additional questions, pass the word for Mahz. “

She rose to leave, then hesitated.

“No further questions, Commander, but I do have an amendment to an earlier statement.”

“What is it?”

“I said I had no opinions on my teammates. Upon reflection I must change that. When you mentioned that Ssah and I were of the same new wave of Warriors, I experienced a rush of irritation and suppressed an impulse to request that you not classify her and me together. I realize now that is to some degree an attitude or opinion on my part. I cannot define it clearly or give adequate reasons, but I would rather not associate with her if given a choice.”