What is it? asked Tarrant. Do you hear something?

Bash looked up at him uncertainly. I dont know, but maybe. Why dont you tell me what you?

Open it up as far as you can, Sifra interrupted him. Link him into the main tach-net array and lets see what happens.

Megan hated herself, in that moment, for not shouting at Bash to get to his feet, to make a run for it, to do anything he could to stop this happening. But she knew what would happen if she did, and nothing frightened her more than the thought of those gloves touching her again.

She watched, helpless and filled with self-loathing, as Bashs expression slowly changed to one of amazement. He grinned, then laughed, shaking his head from side to side.

Tell me what you see, said Tarrant.

I . . . dont know how to describe it, said Bash. Its as if I can hear a million voices all talking at once, but I cant make a single one of them out. I cant make any kind of sense out of any of it. I . . .

Bash jumped so suddenly that Tarrant stumbled back from him. Bashs eyes bulged in their sockets, his jaw clenching in a deathly grimace. Then he slumped against the couch and began to shake with a dreadful, high-pitched keening emerging from the depths of his throat. Megan watched in horror, her heart aching to see him in such terrible distress.

Watch he doesnt swallow his tongue, said Sifra, his tone calm and unaffected.

Hes wide open, said Tarrant, glancing at the virtual panel. His vitals are spiking all across the board.

Then ramp him down, for Gods sake, snapped Sifra. Lets not blow every circuit in his brain before weve even had a chance to talk to the damn thing.

Youre killing him, Megan rasped, her terror of Sifra and his gloves momentarily forgotten. Goddamn you, Gregor . . . youre killing him!

Tarrant made an adjustment and Bashs fit came to a sudden and spontaneous end. His chest heaved like that of a drowning man gasping for air, his eyes unfocused and staring wildly.

He looks as if hes trying to say something, said Sifra.

Bashs mouth opened wide, his tongue flicking around his teeth. His eyes rolled in their sockets in a way that sent a shiver up Megans spine; his head twisted from side to side, first slowly, then quickly, then slowly again.

When his gaze finally settled on her, it felt to Megan as if she was looking into the eyes of a complete stranger. As if he was possessed.

Bash began to thrash, twisting wildly as if again trying to break free of his plastic restraints.

Belles tits, said Tarrant, wrapping an arm around Bashs shoulder in an attempt to keep him still. Sifra pulled off his gloves and hurried over, struggling alongside Tarrant to keep Bash firmly on the couch.