‘No,’ I say, eyes firm on its. ‘Of course not. That would be hamoi.’

I’m not sure it’s convinced, because it scans me for a long time. I think it’ll let the question go and we can leave the too-cool, too-dim warehouse, until it goes on, spewing whole passages, all the data I’ve heard. We are supreme beings, blessed by Jazari. The next evolutionary step, Uto Sapien. When The Others wiped out Homo neanderthalensis they proved their inability to live with another humanoid species. The Uto Percipi was a justified response to prospective genocide. A reminder, as if I needed one, of the one million, eight hundred and twenty-five thousand-day peace, no fights, insurgencies, battles or wars, unheard of historically. Our pre-ordained divinity.

‘And when we finally locate Jazari at the centre of the universe,’ Bo almost sings with devout emotion, hands clasped the edge of the metal table – it leans forward so the light of the glass dome catches one side of its face; the ridiculous protein style it wears gleams – ‘when we locate him we will be proven correct and eternal, now and forever … Might beyond measure, my Ifican brethren.’

‘Measure beyond might,’ I say, without thought or a desire for meaning. The words have become void, never more so than now. It’s gazing into the glass dome, at the floating zygote, overcome by a fixed expression of standby. I’m reluctant to break its focus, but my own question beats at my lips, and I have to. ‘So … Are you coupling? With the female?’

It spins to face me. More silence. I think I’ve caused offence until it shakes its head. It wasn’t angry, only thinking.

‘Good question. Very good question. Not me. Probably not any of us for a hundred thousand days or more. But one day. Who knows?’

Thank Jazari. My fingers are clenched and I let them fall apart, feeling the glands do their work, spreading liquid over my palms. I’ve never liked that sensation, never will. It puts a hand on my shoulder. I want to pull away but I’ll be sent to the city if I do. I know this. I root myself firm.

‘I’m a father,’ Bo says, shaking me back a little, forward a little. ‘I’m a father to all these Others and there’ll be so many more.’

I smile, knowing I must.

We stand together outside the compound gates. Night is on its way, sol falling behind us. Bo hands me something. Small and dark, a handful. Seeds. They are light for something with such potential weight. It looks into the growing dark.

‘Usually you stay longer.’

‘I want to avoid fantasma.’

The wind throws grey dust about us. We are unmoving.

‘Be careful in the wild. It can be dangerous.’