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The captain placed his hand on Mira’s shoulder. She wanted to shrug it off but forced herself to stay still. Any reaction on her part could be misinterpreted, and tip the balance of favour.

‘We shall vote on her right to be heard,’ intervened Commander Farr. He gave Mira a penetrating look that sent a clear warning. She must be careful how she portrayed him or he would affect the outcome. Somehow he had known she had been arrested by Landhurst and he wanted her here to . . .?

Thales stood close to her while the vote occurred silently.

Hordes of thoughts swarmed through Mira’s mind. She wanted to thank Thales for speaking up for her, and berate him for confiding the truth of the murder to Samuelle. Why had Ley-al spoken in her favour? And the skierans? What was Lasper Farr planning? If he was as sinister as Thales believed him to be then his motives could be anything.

‘The vote is cast,’ droned the translator. ‘Baronessa Fedor will be heard.’

The captain released his grip on her shoulder and stepped away.

‘Baronessa?’ said Lasper Farr.

Mira drew a deep breath. Insignia.?

Yes, Mira.

I am at the summit meeting.

I can see you on the ‘cast. As can the rest of Orion.

What shall I tell them?

You do not appear to need or value my counsel.

Lasper Farr is dangerous. And the information I have will send panic throughout OLOSS.

They are all dangerous. You have taken this action of your own accord. Now you must see through the consequences of it.

You are angry, still.

‘Mira Fedor!’ Lasper’s voice was sharp. Urgent.

‘Sophos Mianos is correct. I did flee from him and the OLOSS ship. He wanted to impound my ship and keep me in containment. You must understand’ - she turned a pleading face to the summit- ‘I was desperate.’ She told them the unadorned truth of the Saqr invasion and her escape from Araldis.

‘What took you to Rho Junction, Baronessa?’ asked the uuli Convenor.

She was careful not to look at Farr. ‘I was promised help for my world, in return for a favour. That required that I travel to the Saiph system. Upon our arrival, there appeared to be much Post-Species activity around the station.’

‘Our reports have also said so,’ agreed the Convenor.

‘I was abducted from the docks by host Siphonophores.’ As she spoke an image of them appeared on the central screen. Her mouth dried at the vivid reminder. She licked her lips, plunging on with a recount of her time on the Hue world.

‘All very fascinating, Baronessa,’ said President Gan. ‘And it would seem that the Post-Species are responsible for the Saqr adaptation. But what is the significance?’

‘I have sought to build a picture, President Gan, so that you understand the gravity of what I am about to tell you next. As Insignia approached the shift sphere leaving Post-Species space, we came across a terrifying sight. Millions of Geni-carriers. Shifting.’

The room buzzed with reaction.

‘Millions, Baronessa?’ Even Lasper Farr had paled. ‘An exaggeration surely. There were only three in the Stain War. Manufacturing on such a large scale in the time since then is impossible.’

‘My biozoon can verify this.’

‘Then instruct it to do so,’ said JiHaigh.

‘I do not instruct my biozoon,’ said Mira quietly. ‘But I will request.’

Mira heard Thales exhale next to her as the OLOSS All-Prime frowned.

Insignia? Will you show them? Please.

Silence.

Insignia, so much is at risk. Don’t let your anger at me prevent us from warning our species.

You have warned mine. Perhaps we would be better off without humanesques. They are untrustworthy.

Do you think the Post-Species would spare you in a mass invasion?

Your Innate speaks the truth, Tasy-al.

Ley-al? The Omniarch’s voice was almost as strong as Insignia’s.

Yes, Mira Fedor. Tasy-al, the Omniline wishes that you support your Innate and reveal the images you have stored.

But you don’t wish to be associated—

We have reconsidered.

‘It appears that the Baronessa has no evidence to substantiate her wild claims.’ Landhurst was standing again. ‘Sergeant, arrest her.’

The