Megan waggled the fingers of one hand. Then give it to me.

Are you sure? said Gabrielle. You look like youve been hurt

Just give me the goddamn rifle, she snapped. Now.

Gabrielle unslung the rifle and passed it over. Megan lifted it up to study a reading on one side of the barrel. Its only half charged, she said. The guard you killed. Did he have any spare battery units on him?

Gabrielle opened her mouth, then closed it again. She clearly hadnt thought of that. I dont know what they even look like.

Well, this is only good for a couple of shots anyway, said Megan, sounding doubtful. Damn things so primitive it doesnt even have active sighting.

Whats active sight?

Forget it, said Megan dismissively, slinging the rifle over her own shoulder. Now I want to be absolutely clear about this: when you say Bash sent you, do you mean he actually spoke to you?

Gabrielle frowned. Yes, she said. Well, I mean I heard a voice through my implants. And he said his name was Bash.

Megan stared at her once again. I dont like being lied to, she said quietly. So tell me again. What did he say his name was?

Bash.

Gabrielle was dumbfounded to see tears glistening in the corners of the other womans eyes. And he told you to find me?

But who is he? asked Gabrielle.

A friend of mine, said Megan. We need to look for him.

But I dont know even know where to start.

Megan regarded her dubiously. You didnt seem to have much trouble finding me.

Yes, but that was different, said Gabrielle.

How?

Look . . . I dont know how I knew where you were, but I just knew.

Like the knowledge had just been dropped into your head, like something youd always known? Was that what it felt like?

I . . . yes, said Gabrielle. How . . . ?

Youre a machine-head, said Megan quietly, which means youre supposed to know about these things. But Im beginning to think you must have led a pretty sheltered existence. She nodded towards one of the neighbouring buildings. Best place to start is the last place I saw him.

Megan led the way with quick, determined strides. What happens if we manage to get out of here? asked Gabrielle, following her inside. Were thousands of miles from anywhere.

Whatever happens, whispered Megan, its got to be better than what theyve already got planned for us.

Megan unslung the rifle and signalled for silence as they came to one particular door, before nudging it open with the toe of her boot.

There was a sharp exclamation from within, and Megan quickly stepped inside.

Gabrielle waited outside. After a moment there was a single flash of light from within, followed by a strained grunt.

Get in here, Megan yelled.