Without replying Pelter opened the door and got out. He was still angry at Stanton’s disobedience, but was moving OK now. The saline infusion and the drugs had given him an energy Stanton knew Pelter would pay for later. Stanton got out and followed him.

The booth for auto transactions protruded from the side of the Norver Bank building like a Victorian conservatory. The building itself was a domed affair, much like a mosque, at the edge of one of the arcology parks. Pelter walked through the sliding door and straight up to one of the cash machines. Stanton stayed by the entrance and watched as Pelter placed his hand on the palm-reader and put his remaining eye up against the retinal scanner.

‘Identified. What do you require, Arian Pelter?’ the machine asked him in its silky voice.

‘I wish to make a cash withdrawal,’ Pelter replied.

Stanton noted other customers casting glances in both his and Pelter’s directions. It didn’t surprise him. He would have noticed the pair of them too.

‘Please key in the required amount and confirm,’ the machine instructed.

Pelter tapped away for a moment, then placed his palm and his eye again. A low note sounded in the air, and Stanton could see Pelter speaking, but could not hear him. A sound-field had come on and the bank machine was no doubt asking Pelter if he required the services of bank security. Stanton looked up and saw the eye in the ceiling swivelling to observe him. He heard the door lock itself behind him. Pelter continued talking. After a moment the door lock clicked off again. Pelter stepped back as a hatch slid open in the base of the cash machine. He reached in and took up the briefcase the bank had provided him for his withdrawal, probably at no extra charge. Pelter and Stanton quickly exited the building.

‘How much?’ Stanton asked once they were airborne again. Pelter opened the briefcase and exposed its contents. Stanton whistled at the little eyes that glittered back at him from black velvet.

‘That’s four million New Carth shillings in a hundred thousand units,’ said Pelter.

‘What kind?’

‘Etched sapphires, scan-enabled. They’re redeemable anywhere, even Out-Polity. Stay with me, John, and ten of them are yours. Try to take them from me and I’ll kill you.’

‘I don’t work like that,’ said Stanton. ‘You know that.’

‘Yes . . . now get us to Sylac.’

‘As you say, Arian.’

* * *