I opened my mouth to try once more and beg him to stop, even knowing it was useless. I’d seen madness like this before, in Herschel and Marlon, before they murdered my own world. And I was going to have to watch it happen all over again.

I wondered if I had the strength to rush him, to throw myself at him and knock him over, smash the laptop or damage one of the field-pillars, maybe. But I knew he would most likely shoot me dead first, rather than risk my further interference. But then again, maybe that was preferable to sitting by and watching another world die when I had at least some kind of chance of stopping him.

Something made me look up at the top of the basement steps and I saw Rozalia, crouched down in the open doorway. She was looking down at me, a finger raised to her mouth. She looked shockingly pale, sweat making her hair cling to her face. It must have taken an enormous effort to follow me here, as badly wounded as she was. I wondered how she had avoided getting caught by the tripwires. Or had Haden been there to help her as well?

She sank back into the shadows, and I saw her raise her rifle, aiming it straight at Casey’s head. But I could see she was struggling to hold the rifle steady. If she managed to hit him, it’d be a miracle.

I glanced back over at Casey and saw him staring at me. He stood up quickly and stared up at the steps.

He saw Rozalia, her weapon wavering in her hands. He moved fast, reaching for his rifle and bringing it to bear on her.

There wasn’t time to think.

I stumbled upright and ran towards Casey. He fired at Rozalia just as I threw both wrists around his head, pulling the chain of the cuffs taut around his throat. I heard Rozalia cry out, and I dragged Casey across the basement and towards the cage in the middle of the transfer stage. I fought a sudden dizziness, the blood thundering in my ears.

Casey must have sensed my sudden weakness, for he slammed one elbow backwards into my chest. I slumped, but it only increased the pressure on his throat. He reached up in desperation to try and wriggle free, and I again pulled as hard as I could.

I glanced quickly towards Rozalia, seeing that she had tumbled down the steps and now lay bleeding on the dusty concrete. Her rifle lay nearby. I knew I didn’t have the strength to fight Casey for much longer.

By now, the air above the transfer stage had begun to shiver and twist. I had no more than seconds before it carried Greenbrooke and the cargo of bees back to the Authority.