Yria laughed. It was a bitter mirthless sound, like glass shattering. The music thrummed conclusively and the zero gravity dance above grew more intense. Sayeeda watched as items, dropped drinks and personal items floated to the sides of the zero g bubble and slipped efficiently into disguised collection tubes. Presumably they were stored somewhere and those foolish enough not to secure their belongings could collect them.

“Believe it or not there is little profit in double crossing you,” Yria said as she tapped her fingernail on a glass of some sort of fizzy liquor. The woman’s tone was slightly regretful. It was probably true, after the way they had marched into Gnorlaac’s lair and declared what they were offering. It had been a risky move, to let people know the treasure they carried, but it also meant Gnorlaac had to be careful about simply murdering them out of hand. It would be bad for business. There was no honor among thieves, but a certain ruthless practicality did prevail.

“We are willing to make the transfer provided you have the merchandise with you?” In lieu of a response Sayeeda hefted the case onto the table between them and cracked the lid. The precious mineral shone its soft glow. Yria lifted the lid slightly with a fingertip, revealing shaped explosive packed into the roof of the case. She arched and eyebrow at the pair of mercenaries.

“One can never be too careful,” Sayeeda said, her tone a touch defensive. Yria snorted and waved to one of her thugs who took out a datapad and began to type. Sayeeda felt a slight thrill imagining the money that was about to be deposited.

“The account number please…” Yria’s forehead exploded in a spray of blood and brains. A piece of bone traced a bloody line across Sayeeda’s cheek. The boom of a large calibre gun was deafening and people began to scream. One of the guards leapt to his feet upending the table in a spray of spilled liquor. Another grabbed for his pistol, pulling it free of the holster with a snap. Sayeeda swung the case by the handle, slamming into the temple of the would be gunmen. The thug collapsed to the floor a half a heart beat before three more booming shots ricocheted off the metalized floor nearby. Screaming panic spread through the crowd. A half dozen other concealed guns appeared from nearby guests. It wasn’t a coordinated ambush just other low lives who were able to beat the scanners. 

“What the fuck is going on!” Sayeeda screamed at Neil as she pulled her own pistol from the bottom of the case. With a flick of the wrist she tossed the second weapon to Neil and dove sideways behind the low bar to seek cover.