"The family business, apparently," he returned, his dry lip twisting. For much was only too painfully clear. Her eyes narrowed, but she did not move.
"In a way. But I branch out."
"What's the deal?" he asked roughly. He had recovered full use of his faculties moments after the first paralyzing shock, but to her he seemed as immobile as all who lay sprawled unconscious about the saloon. If she had prepared for his partial resistance to the effects of the ray, due to the unusual condition of his t'ang-soaked nerves, she had fatally underestimated his powers of recovery. But he remained motionless. At the moment, helpless under her Blandarc, he could see the pirate vessel swinging along-side.
"Your friends?" he added, glancing through the door at the growing bulk of the raider. She smiled.
"My partners, rather."
"How do you work it, Senator?"
"As my father did, Captain Thorne. Years ago the outlaws banded together and made up an annual purse for the member of the appropriation committee who controlled the funds of the Planet Patrol. To obstruct and cut down the bill was his only duty. My father took it over from Senator Denton and I managed to take over from him after his death."
It was so simple. And had been so effective, hamstringing the Planet Patrol in its own bases.
"And now, open piracy. You destroy yourself, Senator. What does it get you?" He watched her, brows knit. She shrugged.
"You, Captain Thorne. Just you."