​     Goldbody was halfway​ between Earth and the Skymaster when he hit the com-link leading to the casino.

     "Sir?" someone responded immediately.

​     "Are you the associate I spoke to before?"

​     "No sir. That man left shortly after your last communication."

     "Smart. There's an instruction I forgot to give before I left. I'm giving it now."

​     "I'm listening, sir."

​     "Do you know where Adam Forwarder's compound is?"

​     "Yes. It is within five hundred miles of our own. It is well fortified." 

     "Attack it." 

​     "Sir?"

     "Attack it. Send our biggest sky cruiser. Wipe if off the face of the Earth."

     "You want me to send the...the Abraxas, sir?"

     "The man's a nuisance the likes of which cannot be tolerated. I want him attacked in every possible manner. I want him killed. I want his friends, his family, if he has any..."

​     "He doesn't."

     "...killed. I want nothing left of him, and I want everything associated with him reduced to atoms and ashes. Do you understand?"

​     "Absolutely." A pause, then, "Valtair is aboard the Abraxas. You are aware of that, of course."

     "Good. Valtair can be counted on to get the job done. If there's nothing else..."

     "Actually, sir, there is. You're being contacted by a representative of the world's governments, sir." 

     "A representative…"

     "She..." 

     "She?"

     "Yes sir. She represents a coalition just formed within the last twenty-four​ hours, sir, in response to your demands."

     "I have no intention of...okay. Okay, put her on, then."  

     Goldbody recognized her instantly. "Madam Prime Minister," he said.

     "Mr. Goldbody."  

​     "What is it that you want?"

     "The five hundred billion, sir. The funds you requested. We have it. Give us your account number, and we can transfer the money immediately if you'd like."

     "Is that a fact?"

     "We do have some conditions, however."

​     "Of course you do. And what might those conditions be?"

     "We want the hostages brought back to Earth and released before the money can be transferred. I'm certain you..."

     Goldbody roared with laughter at the suggestion. 

     The Prime Minister recovered quickly. "Half then. Half go home. Return half the hostages, and then we'll..."

     "No. No. No. Don't be silly. Stop talking like that."

​     "There's nothing that cannot be negotiated."

     "Nothing that...Okay, you're not listening to a word I'm saying." He waved a sensor, then said to one of his associates on the Skymaster. "Associate, take any ten of our guests and throw them out the airlock."  

​     "Yes sir. It will be done." 

​     "No!" This from the Prime Minister. "You...You..."

​     "And throw out ten more every five minutes until the money has been transferred." 

​     "You...You..."

​     "I know. I'm a monster. Believe me, you're not the first person who's ever informed me of this hot news item. Associate, first ten, please."

​     "No!"

CONTINUE