She dropped in on Bash late one night, when she knew the rest of the outpost was asleep. Megan had put him in the quarters opposite hers and Gabrielles, to make it easier for them both to look after him. He needed to be fed, washed and regularly guided to the toilet.

She found him sitting on the edge of his bed, hands cupped in his lap, and wearing the fabricator-printed pyjamas she had dressed him in earlier. It was feeling slightly chilly, so she turned up the rooms thermostat, then tugged some of his blankets up around his shoulders.

Next she returned to the door and locked it, since the last thing she wanted during the next couple of hours was to be disturbed.

She sat beside Bash, placing a hand against the side of his head, feeling the rough furrows and bumps just beneath his hair. Okay, Bash, she said, her voice barely above a whisper, you and I are going to see if we can talk to the Wanderer.

She closed her eyes, cleared her thoughts and prepared to open a mind-to-mind link with him.

Youre going away, arent you? said Gabrielle, a few days later, after easing herself on to a stool next to Megan in the refectory and absentmindedly rubbing at the back of her neck. Megan had made good on her promise to herself to see that Gabys inhibitor was removed from her neck and destroyed. Over just the last few days, the girls belly had started to round out at a speed Megan found terrifying.

Megan stared at her, startled, before glancing around the room. There was no one else within earshot. What the hell makes you think that? she hissed.

I can read people better than you think, replied Gabrielle. You just look . . . furtive, the way you creep around, as if youre trying to find a door you can escape through.

That doesnt mean

I saw you, said Gabrielle, sneaking out of the garage the other day. The one where they keep all the trucks.

Okay, fine. I was going to tell you, said Megan.

Does Martha know about this? asked Gabrielle.

As long as youre not going to tell her, no, she doesnt, said Megan. Would you?

No. No, Im not. But you know shes going to be seriously pissed off if you steal one of her trucks.

I cant help that, said Megan. I have to do what I have to do.

But what about us me and Bash?

Youre safer here, said Megan. Especially given your condition. And as for Bash . . .