"Mike could carry me," I pointed out.
Chon laid a delicate hand on my back. "But, buddy, Mike outranks you."
I shook my head. "Not that way, he doesn't."
"We may be going to a lot of trouble for nothing," Mike said. "That gang may jump us as soon as we decant and try to have us for dinner."
"There's always that risk," Chon agreed solemnly, "but naturally I will remain on duty at the controls of the stun cannon."
"Securely inside," Ellik added.
"Always on duty," Chon said.
"Always inside," Ellik said.
"It's in the records, Ellik. I took the last one." Lee said it a little too sharp and it cut the kidding.
"Go soak your soft head in brine," Ellik said, disgruntled.