Space politics sends The Protector on a mission, the failure of which could result in mass destruction. When her mission is sabotaged, the man bred from birth to be a Protector must leave his lover in order to carry out his duty. However, before he leaves, he promises to meet the white-haired H’asean at Asphodel’s Pit, one of the most dangerous dives in all the known universes, sending him off with Protector’s Brachi friend.<br><br>Meanwhile, at Asphodel’s Pit, inhabitants of other planets are going about their business. Sloff runs the dive, along with his old friend Rinig sa Bre, who provides security. Both men are unaware all hell in on the verge of breaking loose, as a Protector is about to arrive, looking for his young sir.

I Will Meet You at Asphodel's Pit

Surprisingly, he found he was handy and inventive at mixing drinks, and he had a talent for listening.


Bouncers, on the other hand, were another story. They didn’t last very long at all, and Sloff was getting tired of calling in dregs to clean up the mess.


“Lost another bouncer last night, boss,” Sloff told the Ventruvian when he came in to collect the previous night’s credits.


“Damfool.” the Ventruvian grumbled. “How many is this now? Eight? Nine?”


“Twelve.” Sloff poured him a glass of grappa. He would have given him the more expensive stuff he kept behind a locked grill, but his boss had a fondness for the harsh bite of the wine that was brought up from Fortis 4.


“Damall.” The Ventruvian took a sip and looked around. “Well, at least you got the place cleaned up.”


“Yeah, I got some dregs in to mop up the blood.”


“Nah. Got his ass pounded on. Called the med techs in. They took him to infirmary.”


Chapter 5