And Luk leaned forward to whisper: "Like helping you escape."
He clamped a flipper over my mouth before I could blurt out something which would give us away. I calmed down and said: "Can we do it?"
"We can try. We have to try."
"When?" I asked.
"Tonight, after I leave, after it's dark. I had to get special dispensation to visit you. They won't let me visit you again."
"But what ... how...." I'm no intriguer, boss. I felt like a pawn in this game—but a pawn who was about to be checkmated unless he did something about it.
"Here," said Lar Luk, thrusting something into my hand. "This is a Fomalhautian freezer, Sammy. You'll stop anybody dead in his tracks with it. When they come to your cell tonight and bring your meal...." Lar Luk didn't finish the sentence.
"You'll be waiting for me outside?"
"Yes. With a jetcopter, my friend. It won't be long now."
And Lar Luk was gone. I examined the weapon he had given me. It looked deadly, all right, with a dull metal finish and a wicked, funnel-like snout. I was ready, but I didn't see how I would get through the afternoon.