Est, she realized, must be the name of the Speaker-Elect the girl who had formerly occupied this body. And this man Malcolm, she guessed, had been her lover. Somehow, either one or both of them must have discovered the truth about what would happen to her once she became merged with the Magi ship.

Or rather, she suspected, they had uncovered part of the truth as it had been explained to her by Thijs. It was obvious that Malcolm had no idea that the process Est had undergone mere hours before had driven all of her thoughts and memories into oblivion.

She stared at Malcolm with a mixture of pity and horror, wondering how she could possibly tell him his sweetheart was gone forever, and that someone else entirely now resided within her skull.

But if she did, she reminded herself, he might not feel so committed to rescuing her.

Yes. I remember, she said, reaching out with one faltering hand to touch his cheek. Malcolm, its just . . . the things they did to me make it hard to think straight.

He stared at her for another long moment, then kneeled by his rucksack, pulling out clothes, a pair of boots and some breather masks.

Get dressed, he said, handing her the garments and one of the masks. We dont have much time.

The clothing proved to be a uniform similar to Malcolms own, and was clearly tailored for a male wearer. She tore off her paper smock and hurriedly pulled it on. The uniform hung loose on her, but it proved a great deal warmer than the smock.

She glanced up towards the girl standing shivering by the door, looking dejected and frightened.

Malcolm turned to the girl, too. Get on the table, he told her. And, remember, tell them nothing.

She nodded and stepped forward, taking care not to even look in Dakotas direction. She climbed wordlessly onto the table and lay back, as Malcolm secured her ankles and wrists with the same straps used before.

Whats going on? Dakota demanded. What the hell are you doing to her?

Shes our decoy, he replied. After securing the final strap, he grabbed hold of Dakotas wrist and pulled her towards the door. Theyve been sending guards to check on you every half-hour, so we need to go now, before they return.

Dakota reached up and touched her own scalp for the first time, only to discover, with a shock, that she was just as bald as the other girl.

My hair, she exclaimed, what happened to it?

They shaved it off, remember? he said. To facilitate the bonding process?

She studied the girl again, looking so young and so very frightened. We cant just leave her here like this, she said. They might

Her familys been very well compensated, interrupted Malcolm impatiently. Shes not here against her will.

But shes not even bruised or scarred, said Dakota. Surely theyll figure out what youve done, the moment they see her?