Starbuck knew he would need a decisive argument to overcome Horne's objective theory.
Starbuck slugged him.
Horne crumpled after a flashy right cross Starbuck had developed in his extreme youth, and Starbuck took a giant step over him, heading for the bridge.
The other crew members followed him.
Besides, Starbuck thought, he had always considered arguing by analogy to be sloppy thinking.
"Don't come in here!" Captain Birdsel yelled through the partly closed hatch to the bridge. "You'll regret it if you do."
Starbuck swallowed hard, and reached for the door handle.
Percy Kettleman vised his wrist. "I'll go first, little chum."
There wasn't much room for argument with Kettleman when it came to a matter of who could Indian wrestle the best. He stepped back and let Kettleman cross the threshold first.