The Swarms are programmed to prevent the rise of any advanced interstellar civilizations. If theyd ever discovered that the Shoal Hegemony had bucked the trend for as long as it did, theyd have tried to destroy them, too. But the Hegemony is gone, and now its the Accord which is growing into a true interstellar civilization. Unfortunately that makes us a target, and thats why I need to fly out to the Wanderer and negotiate with it. I believe it knows something that could help us stop the Swarm before it arrives.

How can you be sure the Wanderer will help you, after what it did before?

I cant. But Im pretty sure it isnt going to turn me down once it knows what I have to offer.

And whats that? asked Gabrielle.

Megan hesitated, and realized she had been on the verge of telling her the truth of what she intended. But before she could say anything more, Gabrielle looked past Megan, her eyes growing suddenly wide. She scrambled to her feet.

Look, she pointed. Over there, coming this way.

Megan stood up, realizing she could hear a faint rumble somewhere far off in the distance. She looked in the same direction as Gabrielle, and saw multiple pairs of headlights coming their way. She could even hear the sound of heavy treads crunching across ice and rock.

She glanced at Gabrielle and thought about telling her to run, but knew it was already too late.

Whoever had found them whether it was Tarrant, or someone else there was nowhere left for them to hide.

A high-built truck pulled to a halt just a short distance away, looking far newer than anything Megan had seen in the Montos de Frenezo. Gabrielle stepped up beside her, taking a tight grip of her hand.

Light played across them, almost blinding them.

Hey there! a voice shouted in an accent that didnt sound at all as if it came from Redstone. We saw that dropship going down. Were you on it?

Yes, we were, Megan called back, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the brilliant light. Who are you people?

Thank God, said the owner of the voice, coming closer. Megan saw it was a woman, short and round and swaddled in brightly coloured survival gear. We were pretty sure there werent any survivors, but then we saw your tracks heading this way. How many of you are there?

Just three, replied Megan as the woman stepped up close to her.

Hey, Lloyd! the woman shouted, turning towards the trucks behind her. Kill those goddamn lights. Youre blinding them!

The lights dimmed. Martha Stiles, announced the woman, holding out a gloved hand towards Megan. Were based fourteen or so klicks from here, and you guys look like you could really use a hot meal.

More than you could even begin to imagine, was Megans heartfelt reply.

TWENTY-NINE