Free Trullion: Alastor 2262 by Jack Vance

championships.”
    “That sounds interesting. Why dont you try out with us?”
    “I might just do so, but first I’ve got a problem you might help me work out.”
    Lord Gensifer blinked cautiously. “Ill be glad to, if I can. What’s the problem?”
    “As you probably know, my brother Glay sold Ambal Isle out from under me. He won’t return the money; in fact, it’s gone.”
    Lord Gensifer raised his eyebrows. “Fanscherade?”
    “Exactly.”
    Lord Gensiter shook his head. “Silly young fool.”
    “My problem is this. I have three thousand ozols of my own. I need another nine thousand to pay off Lute Casagave and break the contract”
    Lord Gensifer pursed his lips and fluttered his fingers. “If Glay had no right to sell, then Casagave had no right to buy. The matter would seem to be between Glay and Casagave, with you in legal possession.”
    “Unfortunately I have no legal possession unless I can prove Shira dead, which I can’t. I need cold hard cash.”
    “It’s a dilemma,” Lord Gensifer agreed.
    “Here is my proposal: suppose I were to play with you — * could you advance me nine thousand ozols against booty?”
    Lord Gensifer sat back in his chair. “That’s a very chancy investment.”
    “Not if you can put together a good team. Though frankly I don’t see where you’ll get the personnel.”
    “They’re on hand.” Lord Gensifer sat up in his seat, his pink face alive with boyish excitement “I’ve drawn up what I consider the strongest team that could be assembled from players of the region. Listen to this.” He read from a paper. “Wings: Tyran Lucho, Lightning Latken. Strikes: Yalden Wirp, Gold Ring Gonniksen. Rovers: Nilo Basgard, Wild Man Wilmer Guff. Guards: Splasher Maveldip, Bughead Holub, Carbo Gilweg, Holebert Hanigatz.” Lord Gensifer put down the paper and peered triumphantly at Glinnes. “What do you think of that team?”
    “I’ve been away too long,” said Glumes. “I only know about half the names. I’ve played with Gonniksen and Carbo, Gilweg, and against Guff and maybe one or two others. They were good ten years ago and they’re probably better now. Are all these men on your team?”
    “Well not officially. My strategy is this. I’ll talk to each man in turn. I’ll show him the team and ask how he’d like to be a part of it. How can I lose? Everyone wants to earn some big booty for a change. No one is going to turn me down. As a matter of fact, I’ve already made contact with two or three of the fellows and they’ve all shown great interest.”
    “Where would I fit in? And what about the nine thousand ozols?”
    Lord Gensifer said cautiously, “As to your first question, you must remember that I haven’t seen you play recently. For all I know, you’ve gone slow and spur… Where are you going?”
    “Thank you for the rum punch,” said Glumes.
    “Just a minute. No need to get temperamental. After all, I spoke only the plain truth. I haven’t seen you for ten years. Still, if you played with the sector champions, no doubt you’re in good shape. What is your position?”
    “Anything but sheirl. With the 93rd I played strike and rover.”
    Lord Gensifer poured Glinnes more punch. “No doubt something can be arranged. But you must understand my position. I’m going after the best. If you’re the best you’ll play for the Gorgons. If you’re not well, we’ll need substitutes. That’s sheer common sense-nothing to get excited about.”
    “Well then, what about the nine thousand ozols?” Lord Gensifer sipped his punch. “I should think that if all goes well, and if you are playing for the club, you should take nine thousand ozols in booty in a very short time.”
    “In other words-you won’t advance me the money?”
    Lord Gensifer held up his hands. “Do you imagine that ozols grow on trees? I need money as badly as anyone. In fact — well, I won’t go into details.”
    “If you’re all that short of money, how can you finance a