Day of Honor - Michael Jan Friedman [14]
"Kim bets," said Bandiers.
The ensign didn't want to chase anyone away. The idea was to reel the other players in slowly, getting them to increase their commitment each time, until, finally, they were too committed to turn back.
"Two replicator rations," he said. Removing two red chips from the stack in front of him, he added them to the pile in the center of the table.
Deep in contemplation of his cards, Neelix tapped his fingers on the table. Then he tapped them some more. And kept tapping them, much to the annoyance of everyone present.
"Neelix," Kim said at last.
The Talaxian looked up at him. "'Yes?"
"We're waiting," the ensign reminded him.
"Ah," Neelix replied. "Sorry. I didn't mean to take so much time." Then he tapped his fingers some more.
"Neelix," said the astrophycisisi.
"Hmmm?"
"We're not getting any younger."
The Talaxian glanced at him. "I'm just not sure
what to do." His eyes narrowing, he picked up ten chips, one after the other. Then he jiggled them in his hand.
"That's ten chips," Harry observed. "The maximum bet is five."
Neelix looked at him. "Is that true?"
"It is what we decided at the beginning of the game," Tuvok confirmed, skillfully containing whatever impatience he may have been experiencing.
The Talaxian took a breath, then slowly let it out. "I'm going to fold," he announced finally, then slapped his cards facedown on the table.
"You fold?" Bandiers echoed incredulously.
Neelix smiled at him. "It was either that or make a bet I didn't feel right about-if you know what I mean."
Bandiers shook his head. "No, as a matter of fact, I don't." He sighed and looked at Kim.
"Obviously," the ensign told Neelix, "you haven't quite mastered that part of the game. But we'll work on it. Later. " After all, Harry had three jacks and he was determined to make the most of them.
Bandiers turned to Tuvok. "It's up to you, sir."
The Vulcan frowned ever so slightly. ", too, will fold. Of all the possible combinations of five playing cards, nearly fifty-two percent of them would be superior to the hand I hold. Therefore, it would be imprudent to place additional chips at risk."
"Now that," said Neelix, "is an interesting insight."
Tuvok glanced at him almost disdainfully. "I am glad you approve."
Harry bit his lip. There were only two other players left. Please, he thought, let somebody take the bait.
"It's my bet?" asked Trayl, his large black eyes turning in Bandiero's direction.
"That it is," Bandiero told him.
"Very well," said the Mastikaan. "I bet five chips."
Separating them from his other chips with his long, slender fingers, he pushed five chips into the pot at the center of the table.
Inwardly, Harry smiled. Things were finally beginning to go his way.
Bandiers eyed Trayl the way a fisherman eyes a prize fish. "Tell you what. I'll see your five and raise you fivl,."
Harry took another look at the astrophysicist's expression. It was completely deadpan-as emotionless as Tuvok's. There was no way of telling whether the man had a good hand or was bluffing.
Still, the ensign had the courage of his convictions. He didn't know what his opponents had, but he doubted they could beat three jacks.
"I'll see that bet," he said, taking chips out of his pile, "and bump it five more." He moved the chips into the center, then turned to the Mastikaan. "That's ten to you."
Trayl didn't so much as flinch. He simply moved the requisite number of chips into the pot.
Bandiers chuckled and tossed his cards on the table. "So much for my bluff. I'll let you two guys fight it out."
The Mastikaan regarded Harry with his big black orbs. "I believe I've beaten you." He placed his cards on the table, face up. "I have two pair-queens and fives. And all you have is three jacks."
"Two pair doesn't beat three jacks," said the ensign.
Suddenly, he realized something. "Wait a minute. I haven't shown you my cards yet. How did you know I had three jacks?"
Trayl blinked.