There was another long pause, and then the voice said, “Put your weapons on the ground and step away from them.”

“Do as he says,” said Woolf, bending down to place his rifle on the ground. Marcus did the same, and all around him the other soldiers followed suit, some more reluctantly than others. There were ten of them, plus Woolf and Marcus, but the three Partials who emerged and walked up the bridge to meet them seemed confident that they were more than a match for twelve humans. Marcus agreed with them. The lead Partial was a young man, Samm’s age, though Marcus realized that this was only natural: The Partial infantry were all the same age, frozen at eighteen years old. I guess we’ll meet the generals once we get into White Plains.

“My name is Vinci,” said the Partial, and Marcus recognized the voice as the man who’d been shouting to them a few minutes ago.

“We want to talk about a treaty,” said Woolf. “An alliance between our people and yours.”

If Vinci was surprised he didn’t show it, though Marcus had always found the Partials hard to read. The man glanced over their group, then looked back at Woolf. “I’m afraid we can’t help you.”

Marcus started in surprise.

“Just like that?” asked Woolf. “You’ll hear us, but you won’t even think about what we say?”

“It’s not my place to think about it,” said Vinci. “I’m a rearguard watchman, not a general or a diplomat.”

“Then take us to the generals and diplomats,” said Woolf. “Take us to someone who can hear us out.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that either,” said Vinci.

“Are you not allowed to let us into your territory?” asked Woolf. “Then send a messenger—we’ll camp here, we’ll camp on the bridge if that’s better for you—but tell someone in charge that we’re here, and what we’re offering. At least do that much.”

Vinci paused again, thinking, though Marcus couldn’t tell if he was thinking about agreeing or just trying to come up with another way of saying no.

“I’m sorry,” he said at last, “it’s simply too dangerous right now. The war with Morgan’s forces is . . .” He paused, as if looking for the right words. “Spiraling out of control.”

“We’re willing to risk it,” said Marcus.

“We’re not,” said Vinci.