“It does that,” Murdoch said. “It takes from some people and not from others.”

“Why from children?” Hali asked.

“Because they’re defenseless!” That was Andrit, fearful but still angry.

Waela felt energy charging every muscle in her body. “I’m not going groundside.”

Andrit started to get to his feet, but Usija restrained him. “What are you going to do?” Usija asked.

“I’ll move out to the Rim beyond one of the agraria. We’ll keep people, especially children, away from me while Hali studies this condition.” She looked at Hali, who nodded.

Murdoch did not want to accept this. “It would be far better if you came groundside where we’ve had experience with . . .”

“Would you try to force me?”

“No, oh no.”

“Perhaps if you sent us a supply of burst,” Usija said.

“We would not be able to justify shipment of such a precious food at this time,” Murdoch said.

“Tell us what you know about the phenomenon,” Hali said. “Can we develop an immunity? Does it recur or is it chronic? Does . . .”

“This is the first time we’ve seen it outside a lab. We know that Waela TaoLini conceived outside the breeding program and outside Colony’s protective barriers, but . . .”

“Why don’t I get answers from Colony?” Ferry asked. He had been sliding his chair slowly to one side while Murdoch spoke, and now he looked up at the man.

“That has nothing to do with . . .”

“You speak of not shipping burst at this time,” Ferry said. “What is special about this time?”

Waela heard desperation in the old man’s voice. What is Ferry doing? Something deep in him was driving these questions out.

“Your questions do not relate to this problem,” Murdoch said, and Waela heard death in his voice.

Ferry heard it, too, because he fell into abashed silence.

“What do you mean about the conception being outside of Colony’s barriers?” Usija asked. It was the scientist’s voice gnawing at an interesting question.

Murdoch appeared thankful for the interruption. “They were floating in a . . . in a kind of plaz bubble. It was in the sea, completely surrounded by the kelp. We don’t know all of the details, but some of our people have suggested that Waela and her child may no longer be humantype.”

“Don’t try to get me groundside!” Waela said.

Usija climbed to her feet. “Humans bred freely Earthside and anywhere they liked. We’re merely seeing it happen again . . . plus an unknown which must be studied.”

Murdoch directed his glare at her. “You said . . .”

“I said you could ask her. She has made her decision. Her plan is a sensible one. Isolate her from children, put her under constant monitoring . . .”

Usija’s voice droned on outlining specifics to implement Waela’s decision—a place with a shiptit, a rotation of Natali med-techs . . .

Waela tuned out the droning voice. The baby was turning again. Waela felt dizzy.