Megan shook her head. No, it didnt attack them, and I still dont know why. But theres no way we can proceed without knowing exactly what were going to be dealing with not if theres any chance the Wanderer might try and attack us as it did the Kelvin.

Youre getting this all wrong, said Tarrant. Of course there are some inherent risks in an expedition like this, the same as there are in any such, and weve already assessed those risks. But youre talking as if were going out there without any game plan whatsoever. Besides, he continued, last time I looked, I was the one in charge around here.

Maybe, said Megan through clenched teeth, we should put that to a vote.

All right. He raised both hands in a conciliatory gesture. The fact is that we were going to have to tell you the truth about the Wanderer soon enough.

Bash moved closer to him. What the hell was the point of keeping us in the dark in the first place?

As Megan says, the records show that different species had different experiences when they approached the Wanderer. Sometimes it reacted aggressively, sometimes it didnt. The way he was talking, he sounded almost reasonable. Were not clear on the reasons for this discrepancy, Tarrant continued, but weve made reasonable preparations, given what happened to the Kelvin. That much you must understand.

Bash drew in a sharp breath, his eyes full of betrayal. You still havent answered my question.

Maybe its because Bash and I wouldnt have wanted to come out on this trip if wed known is that it? asked Megan. Were just one ship up against something that sent even the Shoal running, so what the hell do you imagine is going to happen to us?

We have, Tarrant ground the words out one by one, certain advantages that the Kelvin didnt possess.

Megan nodded as if he had answered a question. The anti-matter weapons in the cargo, is that what you mean? The ones that came on board with that final shipment just before we left Kjregrnnested?

Sifra finally stood up, uncoiling rapidly from where he sat. He made no move towards her, but something in his expression sent a shiver through her.

All right, said Tarrant, also standing, maybe we should have been more straight with you, and Im truly sorry we werent. But we were in one hell of a hurry to get away before we lost our chance to take command of the Beauregard. Our mission objective still hasnt changed, and theres just as much at stake as there ever was. We werent sure how youd react if you knew the whole truth so, yes, we held some details back. He let out a sigh and fixed his gaze on Megan. We should have told you sooner than this, he said. Im sorry we didnt.