Tarrants face twisted into a deaths head grimace, then he crumpled to the floor, while a thin, high-pitched whine emerged from his throat. His legs and arms twitched violently as Sifra bent over him.

Sifra finally let go of him and stood up again, breathing heavily. He then looked over towards Gabrielle, who still clasped the gun in both hands. Her arms were starting to ache mightily.

She swallowed hard as Sifra stepped closer. You, he stabbed one gloved finger towards her, how long have you and Jacinth been plotting all this?

Stay back, said Gabrielle, aware of a tremor in her voice.

Why? asked Sifra, bringing his gloved hands up as he advanced. Because you might shoot me?

Yes.

Youre lucky you didnt hurt yourself the first time you fired that thing. Your second shot was just beginners luck. He nodded towards the weapon in her hands. Believe me, I can see just by looking at it that youre a lot more likely to kill yourself if you pull that trigger.

Dont try bluffing me, Anil. Just stay back.

He had closed the gap between them, swinging his gloved hands from side to side so that the silver filaments glittered under the multiple lights of the command deck. Her arms were now so weary that their nerve endings felt alive with pain.

Thats far enough, Anil, she said, forcing a little more determination into her voice.

To her surprise, he came to a halt. She had moved so far back that she was now almost up against the wall.

Sifra glanced towards the door, with an expression of relief. You took your time, he said.

Gabrielle made the mistake of glancing round. It didnt even occur to her that she hadnt heard the door sliding open.

Sifra crossed the remaining gap between them in an instant.

The pain was just as dreadful as the last time he had used his gloves on her. She screamed as Sifra snatched the gun away from her.

He gazed down at her, panting and grinning. You know, he said, if we really are under attack from the Wanderer, theres really no more point in keeping you alive.

He aimed the gun at her, his finger already tightening on the trigger.

There was a flash of light, and Sifra jerked suddenly to one side. Gabrielle saw his hair was on fire. Then there was another flash, and flames erupted from his mouth and nostrils.

Gabrielle scrambled away from the burning corpse, before turning to look over at Tarrant. He still lay where Sifra had left him, but with a gun gripped in his right hand.

He let the weapon clatter to the deck, then clamped his hand over his left shoulder. Theres a manual override for the astrogation chair, he gasped. You need to throw it.

She came to kneel by him. What happened to the rest of the crew? she asked.