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The guards, jolted out of their laxity, swung back and faced the salvage crew, their weapons aiain

"My compliments, dear lady" Prevlov bowed "Your little display of theatrics very nearly worked A clever, clever deception"

There was a curious clinical satisfaction in Prevlov's expression; a functional chill as if his cunning had been called and he had easily won the hand

He watched Dana, appraising her fractional show of defeat The grin had reh painted there, and her shoulders huddled in a slight shiver, but she shook it off and straightened once again, proud and self-assured

"I don't knohat you're talking about"

"Of course not" Prevlov sighed He stared at her for a uards The man nodded, pulled out a knife and slowly advanced toward Dana

Dana stiffened and paled, as though turned to salt "What are you going to do?"

"I ordered him to cut off your left breast," Prevlov said conversationally

Spencer stared open for the admiral to back down

"Good God!" Sandecker uttered desperately "You can't allow-you promised, no cruelty or torture-"

"I aery," Prevlov said "But you leave me no choice It is the only solution to your obstinacy"

Sandecker sidestepped around the nearest guard "You'll have to kill me first-"

The guard jammed his machine pistol muzzle into Sandecker's kidney, and the adony, his breath co noises

Dana clenched her hands at her sides until they turned ivory She had played her hand down to the last card, and now she looked lost; those beautiful coffee-brown eyes were sick in abhorrence when she saw the guard's eyes suddenly reflect a look of confusion as a steel hand fell on her shoulder and pushed her aside Pitt wal

ked slowly into the light