StarCraft II: Devils' Due by Christie Golden

respect
    more?” He waited.
    The man gave an exaggerated sigh. “No, Mr.
    Findlay. What do you respect more?”
    “Money.”
    Cadaver nodded. “Mr. O’Banon understands that
    sort of respect. He intends to give you quite a bit of
    money. Quite a bit.”
    “How much?”
    “As I’m sure you can understand, I cannot reveal
    figures, because we do not know what sort of
    assignments Mr. O’Banon wil have for you. Let me
    put it this way.” He pointed at the girls, who were lazily
    listening to the exchange. “You could buy and sel
    these … floozies … two dozen times over.”
    The pretty faces were marred with frowns as the
    girls, sleepy as they were, realized they had just been
    insulted. Tychus patted Daisy’s head and chuckled.
    “Wel , that sounds right fine, but I’l need to discuss
    it with my business partner before making any kind of
    commitment. I’m sure Mr. O’Banon wil understand
    that. Now, you got about three seconds to get out.”
    The man looked confused. “I wil relay your
    response, but why three seconds?”
    “’Cause I need to pee about a liter’s worth, Son.”
    Tychus made as if to move the sheet.
    “Oh … of course. Please excuse me.” Cadaver, his
    lips turned down in disgust and his pale cheeks
    coloring in embarrassment, turned and hastened for
    the door, Tychus’s booming laughter fol owing him
    down the hal .

    * * *
Raynor was in a foul mood when he stomped up
    the stairs to Wicked Wayne’s. He needed a drink, a
    woman, and entertainment, not necessarily in that
    order. The daytime bartender, Keifer Riley, glanced
    up and saw Jim’s expression. A wise man, Keifer
    didn’t even try to engage Raynor in conversation, just
    slid him a beer across the bar. Jim expressed his
    appreciation with a grunt and chugged half the beer
    immediately.
    The place was oddly darker during the day than at
    night. Once the sun went down, spotlights on the
    dancers and the il umination of the several video
    games provided quite a bit of light. During the day the
    windows were shuttered, and the only light came
    through the thin slits in the blinds and from the smal
    lamps at the gambling tables. Over in a corner,
    though, he saw movement, and a smal glowing
    orange-red dot, and he knew before his friend spoke
    that Tychus had taken up residence there.
    “Grab me one while you’re up,” Tychus said. Jim
    did so and plunked the amber bottle down in front of
    Findlay. Three dead soldiers were lined up beside the
    remains of a meal that would have fed any two other
    men. Tychus pushed the plate and the empty bottles
    aside when Jim sat down.
    He blew out a long stream of smoke, then eyed
    Raynor. “Where you been?”
    Jim scowled. “Personal business.”
    Tychus nodded and chewed on the stogie for a
    moment before continuing. “I had some business
    come my way this morning.”
    Jim had a dim memory of Tychus leading—could it
    real y have been four?—women upstairs sometime
    last night. “Personal business?”
    “Wel , one might say it was, considering the man
    came into my room while I was surrounded by
    lovelies,” Tychus said, feigning thoughtfulness.
    “Holy shit, real y?”
    “Yep.” Tychus took another drag, and the ember
    glowed like an orange eye. “Man’s got bal s, that’s for
    sure.”
    Jim was forced to agree. “So, what did he want?”
    Tychus’s eyes crinkled in a grin. “Us, Jimmy boy.
    Apparently our fame is beginning to spread. Not that
    that surprises me none. You knew somebody’d be
    hol ering like a little girl after we liberated those
    creds.”
    Jim grinned, remembering the rabbity Woodley.
    “Have a lead on a job for us?”
    “Not … exactly. Fel ow didn’t give his name, but he
    told me who he works for. Says his boss is mighty
    interested
    in
    forming
    a
    mutual y
    beneficial
    relationship. Promised it’d pay wel . Very wel .”
    Jim’s eyes narrowed. “Tychus, after the day I’ve
    had, I’m real y not interested in hearing about