Retief heard the panel open beside him.
"Here you go, Mister," Chip said. Retief darted a glance; a well-honed french knife lay on the sill.
"Thanks, Chip," Retief said. "I won't need it for these punks."
Thick-neck lunged and Retief hit him square in the face, knocking him under the table. The other man stepped back, fumbling a power pistol from his shoulder holster.
"Aim that at me, and I'll kill you," Retief said.
"Go on, burn him!" Mr. Tony shouted. Behind him, the captain appeared, white-faced.
"Put that away, you!" he yelled. "What kind of—"
"Shut up," Mr. Tony said. "Put it away, Hoany. We'll fix this bum later."
"Not on this vessel, you won't," the captain said shakily. "I got my charter to consider."
"Ram your charter," Hoany said harshly. "You won't be needing it long."