Part 17 (2/2)

There're a couple of other choices. One of them has an angle you won't like much either. On the other hand, it would give you a sporting chance to take off if you're really wild about it. And it's entirely in line with my instructions. I warned them you're tricky.”

Trigger stopped eating. ”Let's hear that one.”

Mihul tilted the chair back a little farther and studied her a moment.

”Pretty much like I said before. Everything friendly and casual. Gun a bit, swim a bit. Go for a ride or soar. Lie around in the sun. But because of those notions of yours, there'd be one thing added. An un-incentive.”

”An un-incentive?” Trigger repeated.

”Exactly,” said Mihul. ”_That_ isn't at all in line with my instructions. But you're a pretty dignified little character, and I think it should work.”

”Just what does this un-incentive consist of?” Trigger inquired warily.

”If you make a break and get away,” Mihul said, ”that's one thing.

Something's eating you, and I'm not sure I like the way this matter's been handled. In fact, I don't like it. So I'll try to stop you from leaving, but if it turns out I couldn't, I won't hold any grudges. Even if I wake up with lumps.”

She paused. ”On the other hand,” she said, ”there we are--together for three-four days. I don't want to spend them fighting off attempts to clobber me every thirty seconds. So any time you try and miss, Comteen, mama is going to pin you down fast, and hot up your seat with whatever is handiest.”

Trigger stared at her.

She cleared her throat.

”While I'm carrying a gun?” she said shakily. ”Don't be ridiculous, Mihul!”

”You're not going to gun me for keeps to get out of a licking,” Mihul said. ”And that's all the Yool can do. How else will you stop me?”

Trigger's fingernails drummed the table top briefly. She wet her lips.

”I don't know,” she admitted.

”Of course,” said Mihul, ”all this unpleasantness can be avoided very easily. There's always the fourth method.”

”What's that?”

”Just give parole.”

”No parole,” Trigger said thinly.

”All right. Which of the other ways will it be?”

Trigger didn't hesitate. ”The sporting chance,” she said. ”The others aren't choices.”

”Fair enough,” said Mihul. She stood up and went over to the wall. She selected a holster belt from the pair hanging there and fastened it around her. ”I rather thought you'd pick it,” she said. She gave Trigger a brief grin. ”Just make sure it's a good opening!”

”I will,” Trigger said.

Mihul moved to the side table, took up the Denton, looked at it, and slid it into her holster. She turned to gaze out the window. ”Nice country!” she said. ”If you're done with breakfast, how about going out right now for a first try at the birds?”

Trigger hefted the coffee pot gently. It was about the right weight at that. But the range was a little more than she liked, considering the un-incentive.

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