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‘No!’ cried Thales. He grabbed the sergeant’s arm but the guard discharged a stun into his side. He fell to the floor, quivering.

Mira heard shouts of condemnation. Saw the big woman, Fariss, run to Thales’s side.

The sergeant dragged Mira towards the door, wrenching her arms with unnecessary force. Cramps tore at her abdomen, and she felt a gush of wetness between her legs.

Insignia! Mira cried.

Tasy-al! said the Omniarch.

‘Wait!’ Lasper Farr’s voice drowned out the ones in Mira’s mind.

The sergeant stopped and allowed Mira to straighten. The wetness had spread down the legs of her borrowed pants, but no one noticed the embarrassing stain of body fluid. All eyes were back upon the hub-screen as a series of images began to project.

The Geni-carriers, as seen through the corduroy filter of Insignia’s vision; from the seeming, asteroid collection on the edge of the Post-Species shift sphere, to the more intimate vision of the ammunition carriers. Millions of them.

Lasper Farr leaned, white-knuckled, onto his comm-sole while JiHaigh fell back in her chair as if stabbed in the chest. Each of the summit participants was as aghast as the next.

All except one.

Landhurst’s expression was grim, but not surprised.

A terrifying thought entered Mira’s mind. Wanton had told her that there were Post-Species who still chose the humanesque form. And what was it that Insignia had said? Landhurst had offered his station as a venue for the summit; a noble gesture for an ignoble man.

Had he deliberately drawn all the OLOSS leaders to one place at one time?

Was Landhurst an Extro?

The summit meeting erupted into shouts and arguments, and guards poured through the door, recalled by their various leaders. Suddenly the crowded room was too congested to move in. The Sec sergeant let go of her and plunged into the melee.

Mira, there is a rumour that the Dowl station is operational again. The Omniline believes we may be under immediate threat. The anger and resentment had gone from Insignia’s tone. Mira heard only undisguised concern. You should return to me quickly.

How?

Ley-al has rerouted the transportation shuttle to me. The same one that brought you to the station. The Omniarch wishes that you hasten. As do I.

Which dock?

Sub-25. A level below the quarantine deck.

I’m coming. And there will be others.

Mira pressed through the throng of bodies to Thales. Fariss had lifted him to his feet and was holding him with one strong arm. With the other, she fended off the buffeting crowd.

There was drool on the young scholar’s face and his body trembled and jerked with the after-effects of the stun.

Mira grabbed his chin and stared into his eyes. ‘Come with me now,’ she said fiercely. Then, to Fariss, ‘Both of you.’

‘I can’t leave Sammy.’ Fariss’s response was clipped and automatic. Her eyes roved the chaotic milling. ‘There.’

Samuelle’s nano-suit stood out amongst the formal robes and uniforms. She was closer to the door than them.

‘Stay with me,’ said Fariss. Still holding onto Thales, she forced a path over to Sammy using her strong, wide body to push others aside.

Mira followed closely in her wake and found herself face to face with the old woman again.

Samuelle grimaced at her. ‘You made your point, Baronessa.’

Over Samuelle’s shoulder Mira saw the Station Sec sergeant trying to reach her.

‘There’s room on my ship,’ said Mira. ‘I’m leaving now.’

Samuelle shook her head. ‘I’ve got my own battles to fight. We all have now.’

‘Sammy, can I take Thales there?’ said Fariss.

Samuelle gave the big woman a keen stare then nodded. ‘It’s best. Macken was Lasper’s favourite. He won’t forget.’

‘Security’s coming,’ Mira said. ‘We have to—’

‘Go!’ said Samuelle. She turned her back on them and planted her body in a direct line to block the sergeant.

Fariss pushed on, but the guards in the doorway had their weapons out.

‘Stop. No one leaves,’ ordered one of them.

Fariss shoved her huge hand into his face and sent him sprawling with a