“Robots have no compassion. Or sense of loyalty. They’ll
do what is logical for them – and right now, that would be
hanging you and the rest of your backstabbing people out to
dry.”
The Senator hesitated, a little too long, and Taz
wrenched her head back again.
“The Panther has its cannons pointed at your planet,
Senator. Specifically, on the very government complex
where you seem to get such sick pleasure out of drugging
and torturing alien ambassadors. And I don’t see any robot
ships coming to stop us. What’ll it be?”
Up held his gaze steady until the Senator, still straining
away from Taz’s knife, seemed to deflate.
“All right!” she gasped. “I’ll tell you everything.”
Taz was practically bouncing in her seat as they flew
back to the Cazadora, still high from the success of their
mission. “You should have seen the look on your face, Up!
I swear it nearly made me cagar mis pantalones, it’s no
wonder she couldn’t wait to tell you all about her little
robot amigos.”
“I think that knife of yours may have had something to
do with it, too,” Up replied as he switched the controls of
the Arrow to autopilot. He was smiling.
“Arrow, this is the Panther.”
“Go ahead,” Up said to the radio as Taz put her feet up
on the control panel, pulling out her knife again and
polishing it with the bottom of her shirt.
“We’ve got the Senator secured here and the Graali have
agreed to sign a peace treaty for her safe return.”
“Good,” said Up. “I still don’t trust the bastards, but it’s
a start. Thanks for picking her up for us, by the way.”
“Anything for you, Commander. Panther out.”
“Anything for you, Commander,” Taz imitated, punching