But even as it came, it died again. What good could any weapon do against so many? Even if he killed Bor Legat, there'd be the others.
The Mercurian said: "We're wasting time, Corvett. Give us Ylana—or we'll get to work on your own woman."
Sais choked, "Jarl, stand firm—! Let them have me; it doesn't matter...."
Her voice broke. Jarl held her tighter. Bitterly, he thought of Wassreck, her father, and of Horla.
What was loyalty now, when it made a man try to choose between Sais and the thin-drawn chance that he might somehow save Ceresta?
Of a sudden he felt as if he were being pulled apart by the conflicting claims of love and loyalty, torn asunder under the impact of a dozen different kinds of duty.
The proton bomb on the table would rend a man less.
The proton bomb....
Bor Legat straightened. He snapped to the crewmen, "Take the woman!"
Never had the basilisk eyes held more deadly malice.