He led the way to one of the lean-tos they’d seen on the PlAK. “They’re decoys,” he explained. Of course, Sorrel thought. No one would have been able to shelter in the day under a lean-to, no matter how high in the mountains they were, nor would they be any use in a rain bomb or hurricane.

Kes ducked into one of the shelters, made with long sticks fastened to a frame. “These are things we can afford to lose,” he said, kicking at a pile of tool handles.

“We made those into weapons,” Sorrel said. You’re wasteful, she wanted to add.

‘I saw that,” he said.

“Where d’you all live then?”

“You’ll see.”

Kes whistled and the sound was shocking in the silent valley. A male walked out of the shadows, carrying a gun. “Where is everybody?” he said, looking around. Then: “Guata. Females? Did something happen?”

“We found a female band in the cave under the sinkhole…”

“You did not find us. We were there already,” Caroni snapped.

“Fine,” Kes said. “We met. Encountered. Whatever. This is Sandstorm.” He gestured. “Caroni and Sorrel.”

“How many of them are there?”

“Sixteen. Go get Arc. Can I bring everyone in now?”

“Better not,” said Sandstorm. “Wait until Arc is here.”

Sorrel felt like sitting in the grass but didn’t want to appear weak. Sandstorm returned with another man, also carrying a gun. “What’s all this?” he said. “What have you got us into, Kes? You had simple orders –”

“The first thing you could all do is put down the guatan guns,” Caroni said. The Zorah rarely swore.

“They were in the cave,” Kes said. “The one the sinkhole leads to. They had to leave the ravine; they said there was no food there anymore. They have a PlAK and this woman here –” he pointed to Sorrel, “can hack into real time. Level 1. They’re starving too. There’s a dust storm coming. And an invasion. I brought them back with us because maybe we’d be better together. Kes gestured at the second man, who looked bewildered. “This is Arc, our leader.”

The male leader was nearly two metres tall but stood hunched over as if trying to hide his height. He wore a thin T-shirt and Sorrel could see his ribs.

“Greetings,” he said to the two females. “That’s a lot to take in. An invasion, you said?”

“Well, take it in,” Caroni said. “We’re here. We can go and talk alone about the invasion and everything else, or we can go to wherever you all shelter and get some rest until the morning. Please decide.”

Arc lowered his eyes and his face was in shadow. “Alright,” he said. “Sandstorm will take you to a cave where you can spend the night. Rest for a few hours. The camp rises at 0400 hours. You mount a guard and we’ll do the same, until we’ve had a chance to talk.”