I have ever been insulted before, but you also dare to oppose my election. It will give me great pleasure to challenge you to a duel which must be held before the election. You are challenged to meet me tonight in the central Arena."

"I accept," said Manning, disentangling his hand from the tentacle which still grasped it. "As the challenged party, I believe I have the right to name the method by which the duel will be fought."

"That is correct," the Acruxian said. He waved his tentacles angrily. "But understand, Terran, in regard to the political aspects of our duel, almost any of the legal tests of Regulus will do, but since a personal insult is also involved I warn you that the duel must be such as to satisfy my honor."

"I'll satisfy your honor," Manning said dryly. "I suggest a duel by tri-blast." He indicated the three-barrelled weapon in the holster attached to the Acruxian's skirt as the surrounding Regulusians gasped. "I trust you have a spare weapon with you so that I may be accommodated in the duel?"

"I have a spare tri-blast," Dtilla said. There was speculation mixed with the anger in his eyes.

"I trust this will satisfy your honor," Manning said formally.

"As you must know, the tri-blast is the best method of satisfying honor," Dtilla said. "Are you familiar with the weapon?"

"No, but I imagine I can become so. Sufficiently for the purpose. Shall we say at eight o'clock tonight?"

The Acruxian nodded. Both the speculation and the anger had melted before the pleasure of his anticipation. It was evident in his eye-stalks and the slight trembling of his tentacles. "That will be fine," he said. "You understand that should you survive, defeat still forces you to withdraw as a candidate?"

"Oh, I understand it," Manning said cheerfully. "Do you?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned on his heel and marched toward the house. Xelia joined him when he was about half way across the garden. Out of the corner of his eye, Manning saw Velmar Shonda leave the group she was with.

"Can you walk a little faster?" he said to Xelia in an undertone. "I don't feel up to facing that wench just now."

They reached the elevator ahead of her and as the door closed Manning saw that she was giving up the chase.

 Prev. P 40/50 next