She tried to scream, but by now had lost all sense of her physical body. The Ingersoll, Bash, Tarrant they were all gone, lost somewhere on the far side of the universe.

And just then, when she thought she might be about to lose all hope, she sensed a familiar presence close by. It floated in the chaos like a tiny flicker of light lost in an unending ocean of dark.

Somehow she knew it was Bash.

Gabrielle?

She came to with a start, every muscle in her body taut, her skin slippery with sweat. Her neck felt like shed twisted it badly, and she thought she could taste blood in her mouth. She coughed, trying to clear her throat, and tried to move, but she was still tied to the chair.

Here, said Tarrant, kneeling next to her and pushing something against her lips. Drink this.

She swallowed, tasting cool, clear water. The foul taste on her tongue diminished.

What happened? she managed to ask.

You were foaming at the mouth. Sifra sneered from across the room, with evident amusement.

Tarrant produced a cloth, and used it to mop her mouth and cheeks. He glared briefly at the other man.

Tell me what happened, he pressed. Tell me everything you saw and heard.

She did her best to describe everything she had experienced all, that is, except for that brief glimpse of something she was so sure had been Bash. Something held her back from saying anything about that.

And youre sure thats all? he asked. You were under for a good hour.

An hour? I thought it was just a couple of seconds, she said, genuinely shocked. Did anything happen?

She saw the three men exchange glances and guessed something had indeed happened.

So was your experiment successful or not? asked the old man from across the room, sounding impatient.

For a first time, yes, said Tarrant, standing up again. Shes come out of her experience better than anyone else but Megan . . . and you saw the way the bridge reacted.

We still havent got anything coherent out of the Wanderer, though, have we? insisted the old man, with a petulant edge to his voice. Its not talking to us now like it did when we still had Jacinth.

Not yet, agreed Tarrant. He was gazing down at Gabrielle, but his mind was clearly elsewhere. But give it time. It knows were on our way and, just as importantly, it knows why.

Well try again, decided the old man. I dont want to take any chance of it deciding to deal with that woman instead of with us.

Tarrant glanced down at Gabrielle and shrugged. Looks as if were not done with you yet.

She stared up at him sullenly. I hope to hell it tears you and your ship apart once we get there. I hope to hell I get to watch you all die.

Tarrant turned away and said nothing.

THIRTY-FOUR

Megan