"The same holds for Miss Hall," the adjudicator went on. "Before, she constituted an excellent pawn. Now, she's only a dangerous witness."
Abruptly, he turned to the man with the paragun. "You, my friend! Take this injector"—he touched the aeroderm unit—"and two ampules from the black case. Spray one into each of our friends, here."
Ross went rigid. A horrified cry burst from Veta's throat.
Tightly, Ross said, "Look, Mawson, it's all right to kill me if you want to; I signed on with Security because I had a taste for trouble.
"With Veta, it's different. She's done nothing, hurt no one. She'll keep quiet—"
"Hurry it up, gentlemen," Mawson ordered his aides. "I want no accidents to halt us now."
"Back, you!" snarled Corrack, covering Ross with his blaster.
His companion advanced on Veta.
Wild-eyed with panic, she retreated before him ... clear to the wall ... on around the room ... almost to the door now; almost to Corrack.
Whirling, then, she leaped at the blaster-man from behind—clutching at his arm, knocking up his weapon.