"What in the hell is that for?" I asked and my throat was full of gravel.
Vechi smiled as if I should know and I thought I did. But I was never more mistaken.
Then Vechi did a strange thing. He prodded Raeburn with his foot. It took a lot of prodding to wake him. When Raeburn's eyes opened he was looking straight down the blast channels of Vechi's weapon. It was a hell of a way to wake up. His Adam's apple froze half way through a convulsion of shock.
"Get up," Vechi said gently, "and get over there with our friend in the press box."
Raeburn was a little slow in comprehending and from the way Vechi urged him with the toe of his boot you could tell nobody loved Raeburn.
It didn't figure. The timing was off. Why the switch on Raeburn? Vechi was going to need help getting what he wanted in Ul. If there was going to be a double-cross, why now? Before Raeburn had been useful? Or was Raeburn in on it at all?
"Now, look, Vechi," I blustered, "this is a pretty dumb joke. What's it all about?"
He smiled. "It's no joke."
Raeburn, who was now sitting beside me, stared at his boss in amazement. "You're crazy," he bleated. "You can't pull this thing off by yourself!"