human
I'm listening,
gpt
Hallet, said Burleigh regretfully,
human
He didn't discuss that part of his plans. He only asked if I'd make a deal to escape being marooned.
gpt
Yes, said Burleigh, nodding.
human
I'm sure--
gpt
My own idea, said Moran,
human
Hallet may have had some such idea in his mind, agreed Burleigh.
gpt
With a few bessendium crystals to show, he would seem a successful prospector. He'd be envied but not suspected. To be sure!
human
But, said Moran drily,
gpt
Undoubtedly. But to come to our decision. We can keep him on board under watch--as we did you--and leave you here. This has disadvantages. We owe you much. There would be risk of his taking someone unawares and fighting for his life. Even if all went as we wished, and we landed and dispersed, he could inform the space-port officials anonymously of what had happened, leading to investigation and the ruin of any plans for the future revival of our underground. Also, it would destroy any hope for your rescue.
human
We could leave him here, said Burleigh unhappily,
gpt
Ah, yes!
human
I am afraid, said Burleigh reluctantly,
gpt
I can, said Moran.
human
I'm going to kill him.
gpt
We fight, said Moran grimly.
human
Armed exactly alike. He can try to kill me. I'll give him the same chance I have. But I'll kill him. They used to call it a duel, and they came to consider it a very immoral business. But that's beside the point. I won't agree to marooning him here. That's murder. I won't agree to throwing him out the airlock. That's murder, too. But I have the right to kill him if it's in fair fight. That's justice! You can bring him in and let him decide if he wants to be marooned or fight me. I think he's just raging enough to want to do all the damage he can, now that his plans have gone sour.
gpt
Very well ... Harper, you and Brawn bring him here. We'll see what he says. Be careful!