Sifra was inside, along with Tarrant, and also two others manning consoles whom she didnt recognize, but one was the blond-haired man shed spotted earlier.

She took a quick glance past them towards the astrogation chair, and saw its petals were still folded up, concealing Szymurski from view.

All four of them froze on the spot as she trained the gun on each of them in turn, from her position by the door. She was conscious of breathing hard, her hands shaking with sheer terror and adrenalin.

Gabrielle. Tarrant spoke slowly and carefully, Id like you to put that thing down before you hurt yourself.

I told you we should just have shoved her in a medbox, muttered Sifra. He stood up with his hands still hovering over a console.

Manning, said Tarrant, go over and take that gun away from her.

With a nod, the blond-haired man stepped away from his console and began moving towards her.

Adjusting her grip on her weapon, she backed away. Then she squeezed the trigger, but nothing happened.

Sifra snorted with laughter. Shes got no idea how to even use the thing. I swear, Gregor, I

She squeezed again, paying more attention to the guns control interfaces this time.

There was a bright flash accompanied by a hissing sound. Manning stumbled to his knees, one hand clasping his shoulder, his face white and his teeth clenched.

God damn it, Gabrielle, Tarrant shouted, what the hell do you think youre playing at?

Dont come any closer, she said. I mean it.

She hasnt got it in her, sneered Sifra.

Go and ask Travis that question, she said quietly.

Tarrant looked towards the remaining crew member. Rohloff, go and help Manning to the medbay. Myself and Mr Sifra will handle things here.

Rohloff helped Manning upright, before leading him out of the command deck.

Perhaps I underestimated you, began Tarrant, as the door closed behind her.

The Wanderer, she said, has launched an attack on us.

Tarrant frowned, before glancing towards a display. Theres no sign of it attacking anything, he said. As far as I can tell, its in orbit exactly where we last saw it.

As far as you can tell, she repeated, nodding towards the astrogation chair. Just ask Szymurski, she said. Ask him if were under attack.

Tarrants mask of outward calm began to slip. Gabrielle, nothing youre saying makes the least damn bit of sense.

Hes dead, she snapped. Hes been dead almost since the moment we entered this system.

Tarrants face darkened. What the hell are you talking about?

Szymurski or what used to be Szymurski has been altering the external sensor feeds to keep you from finding out about the attack until its too late.

And you know this how?