He jerked his head out and jammed his right foot into the back of the big Arab’s knee, followed by a knee to the coccyx, breaking the Arab’s balance. At the same time he spread his fingers and yanked his right arm sideways in the same direction the Arab had been pushing him, their combined forces knocking the big Arab into the cauldron, which tipped over, splashing the acid on to the major’s feet. As the big Arab lost balance, pulling the Scorpion with him, the Scorpion kicked the other Arab in the knee, tripping him into the spreading acid puddle.

The major was howling as he hopped around the room in a bizarre jig, jerking his burning feet like a marionette. The Arab he had kicked was flopping on the wet floor like a fish and screaming as the Scorpion struggled with the big Arab underneath him who, despite the acid, still managed to jam his massive forearm against the Scorpion’s throat and hang on. The Scorpion pushed with everything he had at the big Arab’s arm, but this second choke-hold was solid. The Scorpion’s breath was gone and his eyes began to fill with light as he felt consciousness trickling away. With a last effort, he jammed his right elbow into the big Arab’s ribs. The Arab just grunted and held on. It was like hitting a solid wall. He tried it again, at the same time slicing with his left hand into the Arab’s groin. The big Arab screamed and he sliced again with the left, as he brought his right forearm around and smashed a back fist into the big Arab’s temple.

The Scorpion rolled free and grabbed at the table, knocking it over as the Arab by the door began to fire. He felt something stab his neck as he grabbed the dagger from the floor and whirling, threw it at the Arab with the gun. Then his balance was gone, as the big Arab grabbed at his leg. He fell in a heap, kicking wildly and rolled towards the door, where the Arab with the gun still stood, stupidly staring at the handle of the dagger sticking out of his belly.