Alternative? Sifra hissed. Dont waste any more of my time. He stabbed a finger towards Stiles and her staff, still kneeling at the far end of the refectory. I want you to take care of them while I fetch Bashir back to the dropship. He turned to the Freeholder still gripping Gabrielles arm. Think you and your men can handle that?

The man nodded. No problem.

Ill see you shortly, Gregor, said Sifra. As soon as youve settled matters here. He signalled to the guard left in charge of Bash. Bring him along.

The guard nodded, and led Bash back out of the refectory in Sifras wake.

The one in charge of Gabrielle turned to Tarrant, and nodded towards the prisoners. Should we . . . ? he asked, in a low voice.

Tarrant nodded stiffly. Do it, he murmured quietly. Dont give them any warning theres a lot more of them than us, and I dont want to take the chance they might try and rush us. But leave Stiles alive. I still want to talk to her.

Gabrielle tried to pull free of the guards grip. No, she protested, you cant. They havent done anything. You

Tarrant responded by first unclipping his own pistol, then pulling Gabrielle close to him, covering her mouth with one hand while pushing the barrel of his gun against her cheek with the other.

Shut up, Tarrant snapped at her, his expression furious. For once in your fucking life, just shut up.

She continued struggling as the guard stepped away from them to join the other one covering the research staff with his rifle. They conferred briefly, then both raised their weapons to unleash a volley of shots before their prisoners could have a chance to react.

Gabrielle finally tore herself free of Tarrants grasp and swept Evie up from the table. She then pressed her face against the wall as the sound of killing filled the air.

Finally the noise abated, leaving only a terrible silence that clawed at her innards.

Sir? she heard one of the guards say.

Bring Stiles over here, said Tarrant. Gabrielle, turn around now. You and me and Miss Stiles are going to have a little talk before we leave here.

When she didnt respond, Tarrant grabbed her by the arm and yanked her round to face him. She saw Martha, looking dazed and bruised and pale with shock, standing between the two remaining soldiers.

Sir, said one of the two men, my understanding was that we shouldnt leave any of them alive.

Ill take care of it, said Tarrant, indicating his pistol. He jerked his head towards the door. Now go.

The two men regarded him uncertainly.

I said go, Tarrant repeated, in the same voice she had heard him use to his troops back in Port Gabriel.

As soon as they had departed, Tarrant turned his attention back to Stiles. Youre in charge here, right?