Greg nodded. "Even vultures don't kill their own," he said.
Later, when they were alone in their quarters again, Greg and Johnny stared at each other gloomily.
"Didn't you see anything that might help us?" Greg said.
"Not much. For an orbit-ship, this place is a fortress. I got a good look at that scout ship coming in ... it was armed to the teeth. Probably they all are. And they're keeping a guard now at every airlock."
"So we're sewed up tight," Greg said.
"Looks that way. They've got us, boy, and I think Tawney's patience is wearing thin, too. We're either going to have to produce or else."
"But what can we do?"
"Start bluffing."
"It seems to me we're just about bluffed out."