No, were not. Megan shook her head. Sifra obtained this dropship from the Freehold. Its fuelled with anti-matter, held inside a containment system which is supposed to be just about indestructible, but in fact this things a heap of junk. And damn Sifra for taking one of their dropships, she thought. We could all have been killed before we even got to Redstone. At least he hadnt left his damn bead-zombies on board for her to have to deal with. You saw how rundown and broken everything back there was, right?

Gabrielle nodded.

I think that maybe some of that shooting at us pushed the core containment systems towards a possible breach, Megan continued. We need to get off this ship as fast as we can, and as far away as we can, before it gives out entirely. Now, get a hold of Bash and be ready to move quickly, okay? There should be an emergency escape hatch just outside the cockpit, so we can climb out from there.

Gabrielle nodded mutely, her expression still dazed.

It seemed to take them much too long to free Bash from his restraints and drag him out of his couch. The steep angle of the floor, plus the fact that the dropship rolled slightly from time to time, made the job far harder than it should have been. But they finally managed to half lift him over to the cockpit hatch.

After only a couple of minutes, both women were panting with exertion. Im pretty sure, said Gabrielle, in between gasps, this isnt the activity recommended for expectant mothers.

With a lot of cursing and muttering, they managed to guide Bash out through the hatch and into the cramped passageway beyond. Megan next located the escape hatch just about where shed expected to find it.

Gabrielle disappeared back inside, returning with a bag stuffed full of the rations and with some cold-weather gear for Bash. They both dressed hurriedly, then worked together to get him dressed suitably and a mask over his face. By the time they were done, Megans skin was slicked with perspiration.

She tapped a code into a panel next to the emergency hatch, and a small red light began to blink: slowly at first, then more rapidly.

Stand well back, warned Megan. Cover your eyes and his, too.

Gabrielle did as she was told, tugging Bash back away from the hatch. They crouched a few metres back along down the passageway, feet braced expectantly against the sloping deck.

Explosive bolts blew the hatch loose, filling the air with acrid-smelling smoke and leaving their ears ringing. Freezing cold air rushed in even as the pressure equalized.

Megan was first out through the hatch. She crouched on the broad curving surface of the hull, feeling the ship roll very slightly beneath her, then leaned back in.

Get one of his arms up to me, she called down.