Ungo clipped: "The screen-room—! The screen-room of Gundre's own fleet flagship, down on Vesta!"
Mute, Jarl Corvett nodded; focussed.
Now a new figure appeared before the screen ... the iron-backed, handsome figure of High Commissioner rey Gundre. Deep lines etched his lean face. His hair was mussed, his tunic-collar open. But he stood erect, and his eyes were cold as Pluto's ice-things.
His voice came, harsh and savage: "You starbos! If you've laid one finger on my daughter, I swear by every god from here to Arcturus that you'll die by inches!"
A spark of quick admiration touched Jarl Corvett; and with it came flooding a feeling that was almost pity.
But he held his face cold, and twisted his lips in a mocking, mirthless smile. "Brave talk, Commissioner!" And then: "You can have her back, you know ... in exchange for Ktar Wassreck!"
rey Gundre's mouth twisted. "You chitza! You know he's gone!"
"Then get him back."
"From the slan-chambers, the Venus headquarters?" rey Gundre cursed.