"Do my choices hit you so hard you cannot speak?" sneered Reggar. "Surely the great Shane would not crawl like an _etavi_, even before he hears my third offer?" Shane folded his arms and met the creature's glare. His hand clenched on the hilt of the hidden knife. "There's been no groveling yet, Reggar. For my part, there'll be none. Get on with your babblings!" "I like this third choice best of all," the other said, and his voice now was almost silky. "It is so simple, too! You raid as a slaver under me; of your own free will, you do my bidding: that is all." "All--?" "Your word is good across the void, Earthman. I, too, trust it. Pledge me on your soul that you'll serve me as faithfully and well as you know how, take my interests as yours, and you shall leave here as free as any man who ever breathed." Again the hideous grin split Reggar's face. He rocked with harsh, horrible laughter. "Do it, Earthman! I beg you, do it! It would be the sweetest revenge of all--you, Shane, _gar_ of the asteroids, turning slaver to save your own worthless skin! You, the legend, the man without fear, crushing down your precious _Chonyas_ rather than walk the other paths I've offered! Your name linked with mine, your fate in my hands by your choice--" "One question, Reggar--" Shane broke in. Under cover of his folded arms, he drew the _Pervod_ knife half clear. His weight was on the balls of his feet, now; his muscles ready. "What--?" "Will your loot buy back your soul from hell when the maggots are eating through your brain?" "_What?_" * * * * * Shane's voice rose to sudden thunder: "Armor your heart, too, Reggar! The _kiavis'_ teeth are sharp, and I swear they'll feed on you and the scum that ride with you! I'll see you dead, and your head will rot on a pike at the gates of Ceresta--" The mottling on the mongrel's face turned livid. "You want chaos, Reggar? Cry chaos, then! Because if chaos comes, your death comes with it! The _Chonya_ war fleet will hunt you down--" "You _starbo_!" roared Reggar. He lunged at Shane. Talu, the slave girl, cried out. The guards rushed forward. Shane moved like a leaping tiger. The knife was out, his muscles flexing. A shout of wild triumph rose in his throat. Again Talu screamed. Something struck Shane behind the knees--a heavy impact, hard and low. He lurched--off balance, toppling. His blow went wild. The next instant Reggar smashed him in the face. The knife flew out of his hand. A guard sledged him from behind. Shane crashed to the floor. Desperately, he jerked up knees and elbows; twisted, trying to shield himself from Reggar's savage kicks. His hands slapped another body sprawled against his--the body that had knocked him down. His fingers knotted in silken hair. Spasmodically, he jerked. A woman's sharp cry of pain rang out in answer. It was Talu. CHAPTER V