Thijs looked genuinely relieved by the interruption. What is it, Pater Abramovic? he asked.

Abramovic gestured in the air to summon his Tabernacle link. He kept it private, however, so only he could see what information lay there. He then shot upright in his seat, and looked at those sitting around the table with terrified eyes.

We need to abandon the barge, he said, in a voice suddenly husky. We need to get the hell out of here right now!

The guard hurried back out of the room and, as the door opened, Gabrielle could hear a murmur of voices from beyond, and what might have been shouting from up on the main deck.

What in hell is going on? demanded Thijs.

Now, thought Gabrielle in a panic, suddenly sure that she and Karl had been uncovered.

She took hold of his activation device and pressed the button set into it, with a satisfying click.

At first, nothing happened. No one was even paying any attention to her now, because they were all busy staring at Abramovic.

There has been an attack on the Demarchy, announced Abramovic. From off-world.

The banqueters broke into a hubbub of questions and demands. From the Accord? asked one voice.

I dont know, Abramovic replied. Theres only limited data coming through at the moment, but it appears there has been a . . . an impact of some kind in the ocean several hundred kilometres south of Dios. All I know is that something just landed there something big. It might be a comet or a meteor . . .

Someone at the far end of the table coughed violently.

Thats impossible! cried Thijs. We have planetary defences for such things not to mention the Accord forces in orbit. How could this possibly . . . ?

How isnt important, Abramovic yelled, and then himself coughed violently. The point is that theres a tidal wave coming towards us. We have fast-launch flyers on the aft upper deck, enough for all of us. We must evacuate the ship immediately if the Demarchy is to . . . is to . . .

He stopped then, a perplexed look on his face. His chest heaved, and he again coughed explosively into one hand.

Gabrielle watched in horrified fascination as he peered down at the specks of blood on his palm. I dont understand, he said, looking over at Thijs before slumping forward.

One of the other banqueters half-stood before vomiting violently into his neighbours lap. Then his face twisted in a grimace, and he collapsed right across the table. Over the next few seconds, the rest followed, their bodies contorting as they stumbled up from their chairs or tumbled to the floor.

Thijs stared at Gabrielle with a horrified expression, as if he realized what she had done. He tried to push his chair back, but instead fell to his knees, continuing to stare up at her with hatred.

I used to dream of a moment like this, said Gabrielle, gazing down at him. Ever since that night.

You . . . Thijs managed to gasp.