Gentlemen, said Schelling, turning to the others and raising his glass. To a job exceedingly well done. I almost cant believe it went as well as it did.

They drank, but Tarrant still looked troubled. Sir . . .

I know Ive kept some things from you while youve been stuck here on Redstone, Gregor, Schelling interrupted him, but there were good reasons for it. If wed told you we were intending to bring Jacinth here to Redstone, you might have tried to stop us.

Schelling next turned to Megan, raising his glass to her too. Although I must say it was very kind of you, Miss Jacinth, to deliver yourself to the exact place we were intending to bring you anyway.

The muscles in Tarrants jaw worked noticeably for a moment before he replied. Sir, myself and Anil were stuck on that goddamn wreck for two years two fucking years before rescue came. All because of her, he said, jabbing his glass in Megans direction. You cannot expect me to ignore that fact.

Gregor, said Schelling, youve been a sterling example to us all, but you need to put some things behind you. You have to see our goals clearly. Its what lies ahead of us that matters now.

He turned again to Megan. A while back, I initiated a research programme to try and re-establish communications with the Wanderer through Mr Bashir, once it became clear he was still linked to it in some way. He shook his head. Unfortunately, the results were less than positive.

So Anil told me already. You murdered a bunch of machine-heads in the process.

Schelling ignored that remark. All of which makes your own ability to communicate with the Wanderer via Bashir, without losing either your mind or your life, somewhat unique for reasons we do not as yet understand. The question for us now is, can you repeat the trick?

What we really need to know, said Sifra, his eyes bright and cruel and alert, is what the hell makes her so different from the rest?

The last thing I want, said Megan, is to do anything to help a bunch of genocidal murderers.

Anil seems to believe you were planning on paying a visit to the Wanderer yourself, said Schelling.

Anil is a delusional psychopath who threatened to burn Bashs face and limbs off if I didnt tell him exactly what he wanted to hear, she retorted sharply. Ill bet he didnt mention that.

Schellings face remained impassive, but she saw the fury in his gaze as he turned to look at Sifra, who struggled to remain silent.

Sir said Sifra.

Well talk later, the General interrupted sharply. For now, shut the hell up. He turned back to Megan. Your job will be to negotiate with the Wanderer on our behalf, via Bashir.

Go to hell, said Megan.

Schelling smiled thinly. Its not that we require your cooperation, Miss Jacinth. Its just that it would make life easier.