Luhar said sharply, "There's no use in getting nasty, Stark. Past scores are past. We're on the same side now."
The Earthman spoke, then, with a peculiar gentleness.
"We were on the same side once before. Against Terro-Venus Metals. Remember?"
"I remember very well!" Luhar was speaking now not to Stark alone, but to everyone in the room. "I remember that your innocent barbarian friends had me tied to the block there in the swamps, and that you were watching the whole thing with honest pleasure. If the Company men hadn't come along, I'd be screaming there yet."
"You sold us out," Stark said. "You had it coming."
He continued to walk toward Luhar.
Delgaun spoke. He did not raise his voice, yet Stark felt the impact of his command.
"There will be no fighting here," Delgaun said. "You are both hired mercenaries, and while you take my pay you will forget your private quarrels. Do you understand?"
Luhar nodded and sat down, smiling out of the corner of his mouth at Stark, who stood looking with narrowed eyes at Delgaun.
He was still half blind with his anger against Luhar. His hands ached for the kill. But even so, he recognized the power in Delgaun.