Unfortunately, Sifra continued, the experience ultimately proved fatal for all of our test subjects. All, that is, except you. So why is that?

She stared at him mutely.

He kneeled until they were face to face, his pistol resting on one knee. All you have to do is tell me the truth, Megan. Or else Ill burn Bash.

What?

Sifra glanced over his shoulder at Luiz. Are you ready?

The Freeholders expression was uncertain. But dont we need him to?

For pitys sake, Sifra shouted. We talked about this already. Just do what youre told!

Luiz glared at him sullenly, then withdrew a torch gun from the pocket of his jacket a handheld plasma-arc cutter of a kind typically used for slicing through pipes and bulkheads in emergency situations.

Megan heard a click, and a steady blue flame emerged from the tip of the cutter, hissing loudly. She watched in mounting horror as Luiz lowered it towards Bashs face.

She started to push herself up and forward, but Sifra shoved her roughly back down.

Stay right there, he said harshly, standing up again and aiming the pistol at her head.

Luiz paused with the hissing flame just centimetres from Bashs face.

What the hell are you doing? Megan demanded. I thought you needed him!

We do, said Sifra. But how badly, really, does he need a face?

She stared at him, her bowels turning to liquid. Anil, please, dont do this . . .

Simple choice, he said. Luiz is an artist when it comes to this kind of thing. Hell carve off the nose, ears, maybe the lips. And, lets face it, Megan, given Bashirs current lack of a functioning intellect, does he really need his eyes?

Anil, she begged, for the love of God . . .

Five seconds, said Sifra. Either Luiz burns his face off, or you tell me the truth.

Megan hesitated just a moment too long. Sifra nodded to Luiz, and the Freeholder dipped the flame marginally closer to Bashs cheek.

Ill tell you! Megan yelled in panic. She could feel tears starting, but didnt care. Please . . . whatever you want, but just dont . . .

Just dont hurt him.

Sifra snapped his fingers at Luiz, who switched the torch gun off and stepped away from the cot. His sullen glare had not faded, and it was clear there had been a serious argument between the two men.

So now youll tell me? declared Sifra.

Do you know, began Megan, what a Maker Swarm is?

He thought for a moment. Something to do with the Maker caches? Like the one found in the Tierra system?

She nodded. The Swarms were created by the Makers, in order to construct the caches on their behalf.

He frowned. Go on.

The point is, the Swarms are still out there, or at least one of them is and its heading straight towards the Accord. Towards us.

What is it, exactly? A swarm of what?