‘The research we stole made no mention of off-site backups,’ McCormick said. ‘Which means they either think New London’s secure enough by itself, or there’s something physically stopping them. In my opinion, it’s clearly the latter. But either way it’s good news for us. Everything’s in New London.’

‘And once we get there we’ve got… what, five targets?’ asked Ewan, who must have already known the answer but wanted the reassurance of knowing he was right.

‘Yes,’ replied McCormick, ‘five. The Central Research Headquarters on Floor F, for starters. Also the data servers on Floor P, since they’ll have all their internal backups, and the paper archive on Floor R. There’s also the experiment chamber, also on Floor F, which will hold their last physical traces of research. And… Iain Marshall’s computer. On Floor B.’

The silence that followed was painful. Kate could hear the soft wind blowing outside, and even that felt haunting.

‘And you chose this particular mission to be your first visit to New London since before Christmas?’ said Alex. ‘You didn’t even do much the other time you were there!’

‘I did more than you think.’

‘Oh,’ Alex continued, ‘and one really important bit of advice. Make sure you listen to this. If you come up against an enemy, don’t try to convert them, right? Don’t try to see the good in them or bring them under your wing or win them over with love or—’

‘Shut up, Alex,’ Kate said.

‘Nah, he needs to hear this. Everyone in the building, from Oliver Roth to clone number one-million-and-whatever, will be trying to kill you to death!’

‘Ah, Oliver Roth,’ muttered Ewan as he knelt down and prepared his own blanket. ‘Bumping into that ginger git will be the icing on the cake.’

‘Yeah, well wait until after we’ve won, OK? If you’re looking forward to getting killed, get the timing right.’

‘Oh, it’ll be me killing him. He’s got it coming. It’s karma.’

‘Ah yes, “karma”,’ said McCormick. ‘Lots of people say they believe in karma. Most of them just believe in revenge. Anyway, I think it’s time for a change of subject. Serious conversation please.’

Kate felt relief and concern at the same time. As much as she welcomed the change of subject, McCormick never used the word ‘serious’ unless he meant it.