“What you doing?” The voice came from one of the garuda in the front row. The others looked to him when he spoke. This, thought Lin, is the boss man.

Isaac looked at him carefully.

“What am I doing? You mean . . .”

“I mean what for d’you need pics? What you up to?”

“It’s . . . uh . . . research into the nature of flight. See, I’m a scientist and . . .”

“Horsecrap. How we know you don’t kill us?”

Isaac started in surprise. The congregated garuda nodded and cawed in agreement.

“Why by damn would I want to kill you . . . ?”

“Just fuck off, mister. No one here wants to help you.”

There were a few mutterings of unease. It was clear that a few of the assembled might, in fact, have been prepared to take part. But none of them challenged the speaker, a tall garuda with a long scar linking his nipples.

Lin watched as Isaac opened his mouth slowly. He was trying to turn the situation round. She saw his hand go to his pocket and come away again. If he flashed money on the spot, he could seem like a spiv or a wide-boy.

“Listen . . .” he said hesitantly. “I really didn’t realize there’d be a problem with this . . .”

“No, well, see, that may or may not be true, mister. Might be you’re militia.” Isaac snorted derisorily, but the big garuda continued in his sneering tone. “Might be that the murder squads’ve found a way to get to us bird-boys. ‘Just come along to do research . . .’ Well, none of us is interested, ta.”

“You know,” said Isaac, “I understand that you’re concerned at my motives. I mean, you don’t know me from Jabber and . . .”

“Ain’t none of us going with you, mister. Simple.”

“Look. I can pay well. I’m prepared to pay a shekel a day for anyone prepared to come to my lab.”

The big garuda stepped forward and prodded Isaac aggressively in the chest.

“Want us to come to your lab to cut us open, see what makes us tick?” The other garuda stepped back as he circled Lin and Isaac. “You and your bugger friend want to cut me into pieces?”

Isaac was expostulating and trying to deny the charge. He turned slightly away and looked over at the surrounding crowd.

“So am I to understand that this gent speaks for all of you, or would someone here like to earn a shekel a day?”

There were a few mutterings. Garuda looked shiftily and uneasily at each other. The big garuda facing Isaac threw up his hands and shook them as he spoke. He was incensed.

“I speak for all!” He turned and stared slowly at his kin. “Any dissenters?”

There was a pause, and a young male stepped forward slightly.