Chapter 16

Simon Tam strode confidently to the open bar at the Sapphire Ball. He was dressed in the finest tuxedo money could buy, interlaced with the most advanced gadgets ever invented.

The bartender, a 6 ft 4in balding mass of muscle, sized Simon up, as if assessing a serious threat before asking, "What can I get you?"

"Information," Simon Tam smoothly replied, "As I understand it, there is a fascinating device being presented at a private party. You're going to tell me where that is."

"I don't want no trouble," the bartender hastily answered, "I don't know where it is, but I can send over a man who does."

"See that you do," Simon responded coolly, "and I'll have a vodka martini, shaken not stirred while I am waiting."

"Yes sir, right away sir!" the bartender stammered, serving Simon's drink and cowering away.

As soon as the bartender retreated, four armed thugs took up positions surrounding Simon. The lead thug, who was wearing an eye patch, grabbed Simon's shoulder and roughly spun him around. He threatened Simon in a thick Russian accent, "You have been asking an awful lot of questions. Why don't we speak somewhere more private?"

"I have a proposition for you," Simon boldly countered, "You tell me what I need to know, and I'll let you live."

The thug tried to draw his weapon, but Simon was faster, grabbing the thug by his shoulders and slamming his head into the bar.

Two of the other thugs drew large combat knives and attacked Simon from opposite directions. Simon deftly dodged the thug on his right, causing him to inadvertently stab his partner to Simon's left. Before the right thug could recover, Simon causally slipped a miniature injector gun out of his left sleeve and sedated the thug while he grabbed his martini in his right hand and took a drink.

The final thug had extensive martial arts training, expertly matching Simon blow for blow as they engaged in intensive hand to hand combat. The thug landed a particularly solid blow on Simon's abdomen and he fell back against