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“Six,” Bobbie said

“Six guards at the doors,” Holden said, nota beat “If you just look at the hundred or so , we’re totally outnuunned But if you expand that to half a klick out, I have a gunship My gunship has PDCs It has a rail gun It has twenty torpedoes Hell, it’s got an Epstein drive that can put out a plulass this whole settlele”

“So force,” Houston said, shaking his head “Taxation always coun”

“I thought of ita back to our ship Twelve hours after we get there, we’re taking off If we have Governor Houston here on board, you can start scheduling ships with the union again If not, we’ll send someone back in three years to check in”

Holden stood up, Bobbie following his lead so closely that she was on her feet before him Houston leaned forward, his left hand on the table and his right at his side like it was resting on the butt of a gun Before the governor could say anything, Holden started for the door The guards watched hi from him to Bobbie, then up to Houston In Holden’s peripheral vision, Bobbie settled a little deeper into her legs, her center of gravity solidifying She was hu softly, but he couldn’t quite pick out the melody

As they reached the door, the guards stood aside, and Holden started breathing again A short corridor to the anteroom, then out to the dirty street He eased his hand terminal out of his pocket as they walked Alex picked up the connection as soon as he put in the request

“How’s it going out there?” Alex asked

“We’re on our way back now,” Holden said “Make sure the airlock’s open e get there”

“You co in hot?” Alex asked

“Maybe,” Holden said

“Copy that I’ll have the welcome mat out and the PDCs warmed up”

“Thank you for that,” Holden said and dropped the connection

“You really think they’ll be duh to make a play?” Bobbie asked

“I don’t want to betsmart,” Holden said

“Voice of experience?”