"If I have to tie you in myself, I might bend your head in the process."
Shluh crawled onto the couch, strapped in.
"Give it up," he said. "I will see that you are reinstated—with honor! I will guarantee a safe conduct."
"Countdown," Retief said. He threw in the autopilot.
"It is death!" Shluh screeched.
The gyros hummed; timers ticked; relays closed. Retief lay relaxed on the acceleration pad. Shluh breathed noisily, his mandibles clicking rapidly.
"That I had fled in time," Shluh said in a hoarse whisper. "This is not a good death...."
"No death is a good death," Retief said. "Not for a while yet." The red light flashed on in the center of the panel, and abruptly sound filled the universe. The ship trembled, lifted.
Retief could hear Shluh's whimpering even through the roar of the drive.