‘We all know what this is about, Commander. There’s more going on here than is immediately apparent.’

‘Do we?’

‘Well, I do and I’m certain you do, too. You cannot have been blind to certain . . . unrest.’

‘Let’s say I have been. What do you hope to achieve by this?’

‘Well, that’s the thing – I’m not really sure what’s going on at the moment. No one is. No one knows who stands where. Or with whom. We are divided and it makes us weak. People we’ve worked with for years – where do their loyalties lie? We don’t know. Well, I do. I know where I stand and at this precise moment there is only one single person in this bay that I trust, and that person is me. There are far too many people with something to hide for my peace of mind. But don’t mind me, Commander. You carry on.’

She looked him up and down for a moment and then, deliberately, she turned her back on him. It was a calculated insult.

‘Who shot Ellis, Grint?’

Grint nodded at the lifeless Anders. ‘He did. A member of my own team. And Major Ellis says there’s a test that will prove it.’

Hay contemplated Callen. ‘Is this testimony reliable enough for you?’

Inside the pod, Parrish looked at Ellis. ‘So what do we think? Callen – guilty or not guilty?’

Ellis shrugged. ‘I honestly don’t know. Has he just prevented a mutiny? Or has he silenced a possible witness? It’s not for me to say and it’s definitely above your pay grade. Help me up.’

Luke opened the door, shouting, ‘We’re coming out.’ He helped Ellis out of the pod. ‘He needs urgent medical help.’

Commander Hay sighed. ‘Get the medics in here, Charlie. I’m not sure even we can handle any more deaths today.’

They must have been waiting outside the door because the medteam was there within seconds. A dark and depressed doctor stood with his hands on his hips, surveying the scene.

‘Right, Major Ellis, sir. Let’s get you back to MedCen right now. You should never have left.’ His tone implied that if Ellis was stupid enough to discharge himself without authorisation then being shot was his own fault.

‘Who’s next? Yes, Farrell. You’re one of mine as well. Off you go.’

He moved on down the line. ‘Lt Grint. You’re not looking too good, either. MedCen for you.’

He paused in front of Jane and looked her up and down. ‘Well, why not you as well? I’m on a roll today. Join the queue.’

Finally, he pitched up in front of Luke. ‘You look comparatively undamaged.’ He turned to Commander Hay. ‘You can have this one to play with, ma’am.’

Luke winced. ‘Actually, I can feel a slight headache coming on.’

The doctor moved on to stand in front of Max. ‘You again.’