TEN

« ^ »

Does anybody see a way to break it off in Cerberus?" Chas Goodnight demanded harshly.

M'chel Riss shook her head.

"One—or rather five—against a gazillion… that only works in the holos."

After that, there wasn't much to say—or, rather, there was a great deal to say, but the Star Risk operatives, being soldiers, weren't good with words or emotions.

Even Grok had learned human habits in that regard.

Jasmine gave each of them a thick envelope full of high-denomination bills, from her secret emergency fund.

They all made insincere promises to stay in touch.

Jasmine gave M'chel the alloy nameplate for her office, and Riss almost started crying.

Instead, she managed, "So, what now?"

Goodnight had seen the glisten in her eye, and added, hastily, a cheerful

"We'll just keep on keeping on."

Then he spoiled it by adding a very tentative "I guess."

With that, Star Risk, Ltd., was done.