Farradyne snapped his mike-switch and said, "I resent the accusation, and demand an explanation!"
"There is no accusation, Farradyne. We have an anonymous tip-off. You are not accused of illegal operations, only suspect. Will you permit inspection?"
"No!" snapped Farradyne. "Deny!"
"Code Watchung: intercept Six-Eight-Three! Prepare to fire."
"Fire and be damned," said Farradyne in a growl. His hand reached for the toggle and shoved it home for ten seconds. When he turned the ultradrive off, they were far a-space and the radio was silent.
"Give it up, Charles," said Carolyn from below.
"Go to hell!"
Brenner said, "You might as well, Farradyne. No matter how you figure it, you'll either be grabbed by your own people or get picked up by ours. We can't lose."
Going below, Farradyne faced them. "And what happens if I dump you out of the spacelock and your cargo of hellflowers with you?"