“I suppose it is always better for criminals to be seen to face the Republic’s justice,” Tanax said. “But I don’t know if it’s likely. I suspect they’ll flee once they realize who they’re facing.”

“I know. If it comes to that …” Maya shook her head. “Just promise you’ll give me a chance to talk.”

“We’ll see,” Tanax said. “But I will do my best.”

The darkness grew deeper, the fans of sunlight that slipped in between the boards of the wagon disappearing. Tanax sat up straighter.

“We’re in the tunnel,” he said. He brought up his panoply field, and Maya did the same, pressing a finger against her haken. Her other hand went to the Thing. She could feel her heartbeat through it, fast but strong.

Seconds passed in tense silence.

“How long—” Maya began in a whisper, before the snap-hiss of a crossbow cut her off. It was followed by an inhuman squeal, then another shot.

“Stand down,” a woman’s voice said. “Go for that sword and you’re a dead man.”

“This is Auxiliary property,” the driver said. He sounded frightened.

“We know.” Another woman, and this one Maya recognized. Sarah. “That’s why we’re taking it.”

“I’m going out,” Maya hissed. “Remember, just let me speak to them.”

“Until someone makes a move,” Tanax muttered, one hand on his haken. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Maya was already kicking the back door open. She waited for a moment to see if the motion would draw a shot, and when it didn’t she hopped down.

“I’m coming around the wagon,” she said aloud. “I’d like to talk.”

The first woman spoke again. “Move slowly.”

“There are two of us,” Maya said. She edged out to the side of the wagon, her hand on her haken.

They were in a long, wide tunnel. There were no buildings here, just the road. Ahead, it curved, so there was no sign of the tunnel exit, but the glowing arch of the entrance was visible a hundred meters behind them.

The two loadbirds were dead, sprawled in their harness, crossbow bolts jutting from their sides. The driver, a young man in an Auxie uniform, sat on the box with his hands raised, showing no inclination to go for the weapon at his side.

Beyond the wagon, spread in a rough semicircle, were a dozen men and women. They wore scavenged armor, bits of steel and fragments of unmetal over leather. Most carried crossbows, though Maya saw at least a couple of blaster pistols, and some wore swords or short spears. Sarah was in the first line, a blaster pistol in one hand, looking bulky under mismatched unmetal plate armor. Beside her was a tall, slim woman with long metallic-gold hair and an unmetal spear.