Stiles blew gently on her coffee, clearly gathering her thoughts. Lets get straight to the point, she said, as she looked up. Id swear on my left tit that girl you brought with you is the Speaker-Elect of the Demarchy. I wondered if maybe youd kidnapped her, but its clear shes not accompanying you under any kind of duress. And that whole story about your friend, the mute, wandering alone through the ruins . . . ? she snorted. Ill give her this, shes got imagination.

Megan studied the other womans expression and realized there was going to be no fooling her. Youre right, she said. I didnt kidnap her.

So Stiles regarded her candidly are you going to tell me who you really are, and how the hell all three of you wound up out here?

That depends, replied Megan. Are you going to send Gabrielle back to the Demarchy?

Thats her name? asked Stiles.

Megan nodded.

Well, see, thats the thing, said Stiles. Technically, sending her back is my legal duty. On the other hand, I dont much like the Demarchy, or all that bullshit about girls ascending to heaven after becoming one with that damn ship. I dont know what they do with them for real, whether its kill them or hide them away or just lock them in some deep hole somewhere but I dont approve, put it that way.

So youre saying youll help us?

That depends on what it is you want help with, doesnt it? Stiles remarked drily. Whatever your story really is, Im betting its a damn sight more interesting than that little tale the pair of you concocted last night.

What I said about her not being kidnapped is only half the truth, admitted Megan. The reality is, she was kidnapped by the Freehold . . . and so was I, and so was Bash.

She noticed Stiless blank expression. Thats his name, Megan explained, the one who cant speak.

Just to be clear, asked Stiles, your name really is Megan?

It is, yes.

Okay, go on then.

To cut a long story short, Megan continued, we managed to steal a dropship and make our escape, but the ship was already damaged when we took off from the Montos de Frenezo. Thats when we had to take it down towards the lake.

So why did they kidnap you?

In Gabrielles case, its because shes extremely valuable to them.

They want to ransom her back to the Demarchy? Is that it?

Not exactly, said Megan, then surprised herself by telling something like the truth. They want her because shes a key to information stored inside the Ship of the Covenants memory banks, and theres no other way to get hold of it.

She watched Stiles absorb this.

And you? asked Stiles. Where do you and your other friend fit into all this?