Quest rose from the table in a sudden uncoiling of movement. He did not unbuckle his safety belt—he rose and it snapped like a string.
For a moment Trella thought he was going to meet Asrange's assault. But he fled in a long leap toward the companionway leading to the astrogation deck above. Landing feet-first in the middle of the table and rebounding, Asrange pursued with the stick upraised.
In his haste, Quest missed the companionway in his leap and was cornered against one of the bunks. Asrange descended on him like an avenging angel and, holding onto the bunk with one hand, rained savage blows on his head and shoulders with the heavy stick.
Quest made no effort to retaliate. He cowered under the attack, holding his hands in front of him as if to ward it off. In a moment, Jakdane and the other crewman had reached Asrange and pulled him off.
When they had Asrange in irons, Jakdane turned to Quest, who was now sitting unhappily at the table.
“Take it easy,” he advised. “I'll wake the psychosurgeon and have him look you over. Just stay there.”
Quest shook his head.
“Don't bother him,” he said. “It's nothing but a few bruises.”
“Bruises? Man, that club could have broken your skull! Or a couple of ribs, at the very least.”