<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000'><DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><BR> < Kell makes mention that sharing with the crew is a good plan.<BR> He knows hirelings are best loyal when they are well paid. Since<BR> days ago the crew would barely break even now they will have some<BR> extra coin in their pocket. That makes them more loyal than<BR> ever before.<BR><BR> hearing this Farseeker asks Kiet, "still want the ship to leave<BR> us or stay in case we need a fast getaway?"></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Kiet says, "Yes. Now more than ever. The more money they have, the greater drink they will consume. Also, they are loyal to thei Captain, not us. It doesn't change the conclusion."</DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> < They might be worth<BR> a few silver at best." He raises the dagger up to show Kiet. "Go<BR> ahead take it. Do as you wish. But do it with the blindfold<BR> off so you can look at them when you take them out. They are<BR> mere boys with mothers, fathers and siblings. Look to who<BR> you kill. Then sleep knowing that our hides are safe and justice<BR> is done." He reaches down and gets Kiet's hand and palms him the<BR> dagger. Caladan then turns around and walks a few feet away.</DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"Just clean up when your done. I will not help in that." He<BR> looks over his shoulder. "Of course there are always alternatives.<BR> If you know magic to wipe their brains that might work but is<BR> that better than a simple and fast death?" He then continues<BR> on and climbs down the stairs.></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Kiet looks at Caladan and says back "I would no more shed a tear for these pirates than I would for wolves taking my livestock. Nor would I turn my head like a little schoolgirl while I administer their final fate. I don't enjoy it, but I don't shirk it either. Besides..." Kiet holds the weapon close as if inspecting it, "...I think my own blades are a lot sharper than this!"</DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"So, what do you think will be their fate in the hands of the Katai authority? Hmmm? I somehow don't see them being thrown into a soft cushy prison...I see them being executed almost as soon as their pirate status becomes known. What difference does it make if they die here, or on land? If they die here, then there is ZERO chance of them causing us trouble in the future. Let them live and what chances do you take with all of our lives?"</DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"I won't do anything outside the will of the majority in this group, but I will not stand silently by while bad decisions are made."</DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"AND, finally, what exactly are authorities in Katai supposed to think of a MERCHANT ship surviving a pirate attack without any casualties whatsoever?"</DIV>
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