"Ken Rand - Bad News from Orbit" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rand Ken)

“But with me, you're talking."

The reb tossed the deck on the ground before Horiuchi. “We watched you. None of the others had
cards. You come in here with nothing but a deck of cards. You sit and play solitaire for three days. You
tried to ambush one of our people using his missing card as bait. You're either crazy or something else."

“Know thine enemy."

“Right. What're you up to?"

“So you didn't talk to the others."

“Not much. Sounds like Berenson is ready to surrender, give us what we want, but you appreciate our
suspicion."

Horiuchi slowly reached for his cards—no sudden moves—and began shuffling.

“So what's your story?” the reb demanded.

“I come to play poker."

The reb and at least six others in the cavern laughed. Horiuchi's face remained solid as the rock around
him. The laughter died.

“I don't get it,” the reb said.

“Simple.” Horiuchi shuffled as he spoke. “We play poker, straight five-card draw, nothing wild. One
hand. Me and you. I win, you listen. You win, name your pot."

Another laugh formed on the reb's face but quickly died. The others shifted, moving closer, shadows
dancing on cave walls.

“Why?” the reb said. “Why should I?"

“Cause you like playing poker. All you miners do. It's your preferred form of recreation. Traditional.
And it beats war hands down any day."

A long silence hung in the cavern, like stale air. Horiuchi could hear breathing behind him and on either
side.

“Okay,” the reb said. “I win, I kill you."

“You could have already done that if you wanted. Something else."

“How about if I win, I get your ear?"
Long silence. Finally, Horiuchi said, “You got a deal."

“You're kidding, right?"

“Nope. You win, you get it. Agreed?"