This time Marcus inclined his head towards Albert, before looking back at her. ‘About him.’

‘How do you know what they’re saying?’ asked Albert, curiously.

‘They talk too loudly.’

‘And what about me?’

He shifted, turning to Albert, cold black eyes flicking over him unconcernedly. ‘They are deciding whether or not to kill you.’

June said nothing, but he could see her frowning. Theo, however, was not quite as reticent. ‘Oh yeah?’ she said. ‘Well, let ’em try! I’ll kill ’em first!’

She looked up at Albert, earnestness writ large all over her small face. ‘Don’t worry, Mac—I’ll protect you, I will!’ Then she swung round on Marcus. ‘What’s with them? Why?’

‘They will tell you themselves. Here they come.’

He looked down at Albert. ‘Can you stand?’

‘I think so,’ said Albert.

‘Then perhaps you should.’

Albert scrambled to his feet as Colby and the others marched over, their faces set and determined. Colby walked straight up to Albert. ‘Now look here mister, I want some answers and I want them now.’

Albert stared back at him, unflinching. ‘What do you want to know?’

‘Plenty, that’s what I want to know! Who the hell are you anyway?’

‘My name is Albert.’

‘What the hell does that mean? That doesn’t tell me anything! Why are you here?’

‘Isn’t it obvious?’ June said. ‘He’s trying to get away, just like everyone else who comes down here.’

‘All I know is that this has always been a safe zone and he shows up and people start dying. We never had any lawbots here before! Suddenly he arrives and so do they! Bit too much of a coincidence, if you ask me. Who’s to say he didn’t lead them here?’

‘Well, you’re not the one to say it,’ replied June. ‘And you’re certainly not the one to pronounce judgement on him. Only the Council can do that.’

‘I can and I will if I think everyone’s safety is compromised. And what’s more, I do!’

‘Then voice your concerns when we get back. But you don’t get to play judge, jury and executioner here.’

‘I’ll make up my own mind about that! And first things first, I want him to answer my questions.’

‘Well—’

‘Quiet, lass!’ said the man on Colby’s left brusquely, the short, squat one. ‘The Cap’n’s speakin’!’

Colby turned to Albert. ‘So, tell me again,’ he said, his voice dripping with false politeness, ‘how you just happened to decide to join us the very day the lawbots came to the same decision.’

Albert said nothing.

‘Well? Don’t you have a tongue?’