He nodded, and they walked on. Albert noticed Colby glancing sidelong at him, as if trying to make up his mind about something. He had a fair idea what it might be too, and walked quicker, hoping he could get back to the tent before Colby came out with it. Just as they turned the corner and they saw the tent, Colby spoke. ‘So it’s true, then?’

Albert blinked. ‘Is what true?’

‘What people are saying about you. That you had to run away because you helped a machine.’

‘Yes,’ he said evenly. ‘It’s true.’

‘So a machine asked you to help it kill itself?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why did you agree?’

‘Because I had to. It knew I had Theo.’

Colby looked at him puzzled. Albert looked back at him and swiftly came to a decision.

‘This is how it was, Colby,’ he began. By the time he had finished, Colby was shaking his head in puzzlement.

‘Doesn’t make sense to me,’ he said finally. ‘Why would a machine want to die? And why would they care so much even if you did help it kill itself?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Albert. ‘But it’s what happened.’

‘Oh, I believe you! I’m just saying it doesn’t make sense. But anyway, it doesn’t matter. You’re far away from them now.’

‘True,’ said Albert, realizing as he said it that it was true, that no longer did he have to line up for the Department, or check the network, or read words on his screen and communicator that filled him with dread. It was a good feeling.

‘What is it, Albert?’ said Colby. ‘You’re smiling.’

‘You’re right,’ he answered, making no effort to stop. ‘I am.’

Colby grinned back at him. ‘Tell me something else?’

‘Ask me.’

‘Did you stick around after the fights?’

‘Yes,’ said Albert

Colby frowned. ‘So you heard Vail speak?’

‘Yes.’

‘How was it?’

Albert fell silent, the last vestiges of the warm glow he was feeling dissipating as he recalled the fury and frenzy of three hundred people screaming, while a smiling messiah with murder in his eye fed them aural gold. ‘Terrifying.’

Colby nodded, as if that was what he had been expecting. ‘I see. Thanks.’

They walked on quietly, and then, just as they reached the tent, he turned to Albert again. ‘I served under him, you know.’

Now it was Albert’s turn to do a double take. ‘He was a soldier?’

‘Yes. A captain. My first captain.’

‘How was it?’

‘It was a long time ago. When I first joined up. Must have been fifteen or sixteen then. And I was assigned to his unit. Vail’s Wonderboys we were called.’

‘Really? You mean he was a good soldier?’

‘Yes. He saved my life more than once.’

‘You sound like you still look up to him.’

‘I did then. We all did. He was the most inspiring leader I’ve ever had or seen.’