“The Buddhist Republic of Tibet hereby informs you of the seizure of this property, following our takeover of the criminal DIANIMA enterprise and all of its subsidiaries. As trespassers in the Con Dao Global Conservation Park, now under our stewardship, you are under arrest, subject to the jurisdiction of the Buddhist Republic.”

Altantsetseg looked at Evrim. “Congratulations. You are a free being now. Unlike DIANIMA, we own no slaves. But you are also under arrest.”

“How long?” Evrim said. “How long have you been betraying DIANIMA for?”

“Always. Since before I even worked for DIANIMA. Since just after the Winter War. Since before the war, perhaps. It was my time as a nun there in a lamasery that saved me from falling apart—from becoming what you think I am. They saved me. Since then, I have always been with them.”

“You have no idea how important this place is,” Evrim said. “You have no idea how vital this moment is. How it will change everything.”

“We have every idea,” Altantsetseg said. “We are the only ones who know how important this place is. How important this moment is. And that is precisely why we are taking this place from DIANIMA.”

“And what happens to us?” Ha watched as an eighth drone descended. It was a cargo and transport module. Its central wheel rotated, petal-angled thrusters tilting as it descended, the glazed depictions of abstract, interlocking waves on its surface undulating in the dawn light.

The Shapesinger, singing its stream of forms in the sea.

All I have ever wanted is to be allowed to speak with you. And now all of this will be taken from me.

“I kill you all and bury you at sea,” said Altantsetseg.

The drone settled onto the terrace surface soundlessly, on the far side of the pool.

“Or,” Altantsetseg continued, “if you prefer, you can just get back to work.”

Ha and Evrim both saw it at once: the shape in the algae-choked pool, rising from the surface of the water, discarding its slick green disguise. It slid out over the coping onto the tiles of the terrace. Altantsetseg made a motion as if to reach for the machine pistol. Ha raised a hand.

I know you. Formless, you may be. But I know you. The barracuda watching me as I laid the symbol out in the sand. The stone that became a living being again. The Shapesinger herself.

The octopus made a circle around Altantsetseg, as if there were a field of violence surrounding the security officer. Evrim was between it and Ha—it hesitated a moment, then pushed past Evrim, aimed at Ha, farthest from the pool. It surged across the tile now, accelerating toward Ha. Ha’s hand was still raised. Please. Please do not destroy this fragile moment.