He laughed, not a phony, villian-type laugh, but a real laugh, so I knew I'd goofed.
"Boy, boy. Don't talk about the courts. I be doing you a favor. I be taking what I can use of your gear, but I be letting you go. You go to court and they'll take everything and lock you up besides. I be leaving you your freedom."
"Why would they be doing that?" I asked. I slipped my hand under my jacket.
"Every time you open your mouth you shout that you be off one of the Ships," Horst said. "That be enough. They already have one of you brats in jail in Forton."
I was about to bring my gun out when up came Jack leading Ninc, with all my stuff loaded on. I mentally thanked him.
He said, "The kid's got some good equipment. But I can't make out what this be for." He held out my pickup signal.
Horst looked at it, then handed it back. "Throw it away," he said.
I leveled my gun at them—Hell on Wheels strikes again! I said, "Hand that over to me."
Horst made a disgusted sound.
"Don't make any noise," I said, "or you'll fry. Now hand it over."