Finally they strapped a breather mask on to her, then dragged her outside into the freezing cold of a Redstone night. She hardly needed the mask, since she barely drew a single breath in the short time it took them to load her inside a waiting dropship. Once on board, she was in no position to offer further resistance.

Instead of strapping them in acceleration couches, they zipped her and Bash into padded bags that immobilized them entirely. Gabrielle felt a flood of anger when she realized that these containers were of a type designed for carrying animals into orbit.

Not long after, they transferred to a ship high above Redstone, where a woman with dark hair and a severe expression took charge of placing her inside a medbox. She returned some hours later, explaining to Gabrielle, as she emerged dripping from the medbox, that she was now on board a vessel called the Damien Ingersoll.

The Ingersoll, Gabrielle quickly learned, was a starship carrying a crew of a dozen. There was gravity on board, which indicated that they must be accelerating towards the outer system, in preparation for a jump.

Tarrant strode into the medbay while Gabrielle was still getting dressed. She cowered away, moving quickly to cover her nakedness.

Shes healthy enough, said the woman supervising her, and her implants are functional. So if you want to start testing the bridge, its probably safe.

Tarrant nodded. Good work, Kathryn. He glanced over at Gabrielle. Finish getting yourself dressed, then youre coming with me.

Where to? Gabrielle demanded in a quavering voice. Meanwhile, Kathryn departed the medbay, leaving them alone. And what about Evie?

I thought youd have the good sense not to mention that name. Tarrant spoke in a harsh whisper. Or dont you understand the risk I took just to keep her safe? Stiles will take care of her.

Shes your daughter, said Gabrielle. Our daughter. Doesnt that mean anything to you?

He stepped forward and slapped her, hard. She drew in a sharp breath, and put out a hand against the wall to steady herself.

Fuck you, she snarled, through gritted teeth. I carried your child inside me. Does that really mean nothing to you?

She waited for another blow to descend, but it never came. He just stared at her, with eyes bright and angry.

Hurry up and finish getting dressed, he growled finally, picking up some of her clothes from the deck and throwing them at her. Were only wasting time.

A little while later, Tarrant led Gabrielle through the ship, to a room where they found Bash seated in a high-backed chair with some contraption resembling a squid made from black rubber carefully arranged on his head. Sifra was there as well, along with a third, older man she didnt recognize. This man glanced at her briefly, then motioned her towards a seat directly facing Bash.

Sit, he said.