Some hours had now passed since Gabrielles brief and interrupted conversation with Megan. Tarrant meanwhile had not reacted well to the suggestion that they should stay clear of the Wanderer, nor had he believed Megans claim that it had refused to deal with her. As far as he was concerned, this was little more than a thinly veiled ruse designed to dissuade them.

I think it understands just fine, said Gabrielle, fighting to hide her irritation. General Schelling was, she had long since learned, a man used to getting his own way. I was very clear about the nova mine.

And what about the negotiations it promised? Schelling demanded peevishly.

I honestly dont know, replied Gabrielle. I didnt get anything that felt remotely like a straight answer or an answer at all.

Schellings face turned a fiery red. Tarrant stepped up beside him and put a restraining hand on his shoulder. Remember were dealing with something entirely alien, Tarrant said to him. You cant always make sense of how something like that might react.

So what do we do now? Schelling demanded. Just sit and wait?

Thats exactly what we do, Tarrant replied. Its not as if we have any other choice. But at the first sign that it might already be negotiating with Megan, well send it off to whatever hell it has waiting for it.

After they reached orbit above the moon a day later, she and Bash were returned to their quarters having spent some hours in acceleration couches. Entirely worn out, Gabrielle was soon fast asleep, until she felt a hand shaking her awake some time deep during the Ingersolls artificial night.

She opened her eyes to see Bash kneeling beside her bunk. At first she stared at him for long seconds, trying to absorb this new development. Finally she sat bolt upright.

Bash how can you . . . ? I mean, how did you . . . ? She tripped over her own words, unable to complete a full sentence.

Ive been waiting for the right time, he replied.

She rubbed at her face with one hand, still groggy from interrupted sleep and fatigue. Right time? Right time for what?

To kill the Wanderer, he said. If we can.

I dont understand. First youre dead to the world for months . . . and now youre here actually talking to me? What is going on?

He laid a hand over hers. Dont you remember what I told you? he said. Ive been fighting a war, but nows the time to end it. But first you have to understand some things.

What things? She was sobbing now, frightened and confused.

He reached out and gently took hold of her other hand as well. I only have a little time same as before. You just need to listen, he said, his face shadowy in the dim light of the cabin. And listen carefully.

To what?

In that moment, their quarters vanished from around her.