Megan stared off into a corner of the room, as if dismissing him.

Schelling shook his head and sighed as if washing his hands of her. I think this is where you come in, Anil.

With pleasure, said Sifra, pulling on his gloves and stepping towards her.

Megan jumped up from her chair, but Sifra caught her by the arm, drawing her in close as if embracing her. She tried to scream as the pain hit, but the sound stalled in her throat.

She blacked out for a few seconds. When she came to, she was slumped on the floor, dazed and sick, her heart pounding. Sifra stood over her, his heavy-lidded eyes full of anticipation.

Anil can keep this up indefinitely until you decide to cooperate, said Schelling, staring down at her. Theres too much at stake here to waste on niceties. Do we have an understanding?

Yes, she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Schelling nodded. The Three Star Alliance, Miss Jacinth, has been reduced to little more than a vassal state of the Accord thanks largely to you. Conquered, with barely a shot fired. We could have turned things around if wed succeeded in dealing with the Wanderer. This, then, is your opportunity to make up for your past crimes.

The floor felt cold and hard beneath Megans splayed fingers. The Wanderer attacked us, she said, twisting her head round to stare up at him. It was never going to deal with us. All I did was take advantage of what was already inevitable. All it cared about was acquiring the Beauregards nova drive. Dont you understand that?

Indeed I do. Which is why the next time we go out there, things will be different. For one, were taking along one of those nova mines you mentioned a moment ago. The Wanderer might be able to survive an anti-matter detonation, but I suspect the same couldnt be said as regards an exploding star.

Schelling gave her a supercilious grin. Not to mention, he continued, that we have remote probes in place showing the Wanderer is still engaged in a process of self-repair that began immediately following your last encounter, making it especially vulnerable. I suppose its a sign of just how badly we hurt it that its still hiding in the same star system, instead of fleeing into interstellar space.

What do you think the Accord is going to do to you and the Freehold, she asked, once it figures out that you helped the Freehold commit genocide against the Demarchy? Do you really think its going to just stand by while you fly off on yet another expedition?