'I am not permitted to disclose the required healing substance.

'Then how can I help you?

'I will tell you when and how.

Mira let out an exasperated breath. 'Now who is being obtuse?

Mira, interrupted Insignia, Thales is ready to contact Scolar.

Mira pressed her hand down into the bed to ensure that the mycose blisters rolled as close to Wanton as possible.

Im coming.

BELLE-MONDE.

The tyros filled the menage lounge with chatter and the smell of fruit c.o.c.ktails. Chief Balbao seated himself, stiff-backed, in a lounge chair in the centre of the small bar and waited for them to a.s.semble around him: Miranda Seeward, Javid Javiddat, Labile Connit, Lawmon Jise, Ra of Lostol and the uuli pair whose names he could never remember.

'What is so important, Chief, that you would brave us in our den? warbled Miranda Seeward.

The eminent dieter was perhaps the most irritating and repulsive of all the tyros, her rolls of loose flesh and superior att.i.tude a counterpoint to each other, as though one gave the other credence. Unfortunately, she was thick with Lawmon Jise, who Chief Balbao had a great and wary respect for-the man who had sculpted the new OLOSS charter and was known for his diamond-cut intellect. Labile Connit was the other one that made the chief nervous. Rumours had risen around Belle-Monde that the geneer had dubious and powerful connections. Jividdat was less of a concern and kept to himself, and Ra was simply weird. Tekton, thank Sole, had gone on practical absence leave-something about overseeing the manufacturing of a construction-and not returned. On the one hand, the chief hoped that something terrible had befallen the tight-skinned hairless fop. On the other, he wished the greedy back-biter was here. He had one enormous problem, and these idiot G.o.dheads were his best hope of a solution.

'I have an announcement to make. Something unsettling and perplexing. I have... his Balol pride made it a struggle to get the words out '... need of your expertise and opinion.

That set off another round of chatter and calls for more drinks.

By the time the bartender arrived with another tray of deadly concoctions, the chiefs neck frill was stiff with anger. All the years of scientific training and devotion to perpetuating the betterment and longevity of the sentients of Orion, all that learning and civility, began to disappear underneath an unholy rush of pure Balol aggression.

'Sit down and shut up, he roared, 'before I rip your heads off! He bared his teeth for good measure.

The open-mouthed G.o.dheads switched to playing meek children in a trice, each sipping their drink as carefully as if it were their last.

The chief opened his mouth to explain his terrible dilemma, but shut it again as the holo-field near the bar flared into life. They all swivelled their attention towards it. What was so important as to cause an impromptu feed?

'Its the OLOSS summit, groaned Miranda almost immediately. 'How tedious. Turn it off!

'Quiet, Miranda, said Jise, picking up on something that the rest hadnt. 'Switch to maximum function, he told the station moud.

Suddenly it was as if they were all at the summit meeting, albeit off to one side, seated behind the untidy skieran contingent.

The chief recognised a number of highly important dignitaries, including Warrior Butnik, President Gan, JiHaigh the OLOSS all prime, and the most infamous of all 'esques, Commander Lasper Farr.

A thin young woman stood at the open end of the U-shaped meeting table. Her head was bent, eyes to the floor, shoulders tense as though she bore the greatest of weights upon them.

All attention seemed to be directed her way.

'I know her! said Connit. 'At least Ive seen her. Shes the Latino woman who escaped from that horrible little backward planet when it was invaded.

'Oh yes, said Miranda Seeward. 'Some type of coup there by those ghastly primitive Saqr. Tekton knew of it. And I think... maybe, that I had relatives in the area.

'Shh! hissed Jise again. 'Were missing it. Listen.

The tyros fell silent again.

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

'Goodness! Miranda Seeward exclaimed. 'Those d.a.m.nable Extros.

The Baronessa replied. '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 s.p.a.ce, we came across a terrifying sight. Millions of Geni- carriers. Shifting.

At the summit meeting a buzz of reaction broke out from the attendees, but in the melange lounge the silence was exquisite, and uncharacteristic.

The chief did not like the anxious expressions on the tyros faces.

'Millions, Baronessa? Commander Farr finally spoke up, quieting the chatter in the Summit room. 'An exaggeration surely? There were only three in the Stain Wars. Manufacturing on such a large scale in the time thats elapsed since then is impossible.

'My biozoon can verify this, said the thin woman.

'Then instruct it to do so, ordered the OLOSS prime, JiHaigh.

'I do not instruct my biozoon, she said quietly. 'But I will request.

After a protracted silence in which nothing happened, the convener of the summit began shouting accusations.

Chief Balbao didnt recognise him, but one of the tyros did.

'Landhurst, said Labile Connit. 'Hes the station master at Intel.

A guard stepped forward and seized the Latino woman and a commotion started, Commander Farr among the many voicing their displeasure. It was the Commander, in the end, who drowned the others out.

'Wait! he bellowed.

His imperative caught everyones attention, including the tyros of Belle-Monde, who gravitated closer together, as if proximity to each other would help them digest the situation better.

Focus in the summit room altered as a projection appeared on the hub-screen. It became difficult to see over the skierans, who almost doubled their size as they swelled with concentration, blocking the lower edge of the images.

Even so, there was no mistaking what was happening at the top half of the projection.

'Geni-carriers, gasped Javid. It was the first time hed spoken since entering the room.

'How many? moaned Labile Connit. 'How G.o.dd.a.m.ned many?

The chief continued to stare at the images, his mind processing what hed just seen. What did that mean? Why was it happening? And did it bear any relation to... 'Kill the feed, he subvocalised to the station moud.

The tyros blinked at each other, and then at him.

'There is something else you should know, he said without further pause. 'The Ent.i.ty has gone.

SOLE.

Time to getm Soakm up Letm burn all Push push push Make all change Luscious THALES.

'You took the blame for me, said Thales.

Fariss had lounged on the bed while he bathed, and now she watched him while he searched among the shelves for a robe that would fit. He found a plain fellalo and slipped it over his head, pressing the seals together with weak fingers. Though the biozoon had healed the worst of his facial scars, Thales felt his strength was a long way from returning.

Fariss whistled with disappointment at his vanishing nakedness. 'You getting dressed already? she teased, ignoring his question.

Thaless body warmed as she leered. He couldnt quite explain his feelings for this semi-literate Consilience soldier. Shed broken a mans neck on Edo to save him, and risked much to bring him aboard Lasper Farrs ship as her consort-booty, shed called him. Then, when hed stabbed the mercenary Macken who was trying to rape him, shed broken this mans neck too and smuggled Thales off the ship. Taken a murder charge for him.

Theyd only known each other a few weeks, but her impact on his life was beyond measure. On the trip to Intel station for the summit meeting shed instructed him on when and how she would like s.e.x, and slapped him if he offended her. Her behaviour made a mockery of the way hed been socialised-sensibilities, etiquette, appet.i.tes all turned inside out. And yet as he stood before her, as shy as a young boy, a deep-seated longing beset him. He was in love with Fariss ODea in a way he hadnt known to be possible.

His time with Bethany Ionil-Lasper Farrs sister-had been comforting and educational, but never once had he experienced such powerful, overwhelming emotions.

Only one woman had made him ache with longing before, and he had to speak to her soon, tell her what had befallen him in the months since he had fled his home. His wife.

'I have to speak to... someone who may be able to help the Baronessa. The biozoon hasnt been able to stop the birthing process that has begun, only slow it down. She will have the baby soon-a day, or maybe even hours.

'Well, Im all for getting her off here then. Pregnant women make me angry. She laughed, then squeezed one of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s into a lewd shape. 'Might give us some alone time. Ive been pretty bored while youve been sleeping. Time you entertained me.

Thaless skin heated with desire, but he shook his head. 'Farris, there are things I want to do here. Would-would you help me?

Fariss had come with him of her own free will. Her time and interest was not his to command.

'Like?

'When I left Scolar, I was running away from the Sophos. The things that have happened to me since then have been ugly... sordid. Im not sure what Ive learned exactly, other than to know that this is important. Truly. I must warn the Sophos of the virus that has been loosed on our people. I cannot let our society lose the one thing that gives it meaning-its intellect. Gutnee Paraburd must be brought to account for what he has done, and so must the ones who devised such an insidious agent.

'Brought to account, repeated Fariss. 'I like the sound of that. She grinned. 'Im with you as long as I get to play with you first.

Thales moved over to her and sat down. Her big muscular body took up most of the bunk. He stared at her fingers, which were laced together across her stomach. He would never forget her choking the life from Laspers man. 'Farris, the person I would speak to shortly, to help Mira Fedor, is my wife.

He stole a glance at her face.

Her expression didnt change. 'And that would mean?

He felt relief and disappointment. What had he hoped for? Jealousy? Possessiveness?

Fariss saw his expression and laughed. 'My rules are simple, pretty one. When I want your attention, I get it. And dont you ever lie to me. Lying gets people dead. She poked him with her toe. 'Got it?

He nodded slowly. 'So you dont mind that Im married.

She shrugged and pressed her foot against his groin. 'Nope. Do what you have to do, Thales. If it gets to the stage where we need to be exclusive, youll know. She grinned, and her face lit with magnificent energy. 'Ill make sure you do.

Mixed reactions caught him again. He didnt know how he felt about his wife any more, yet he knew he didnt want to share Fariss with anyone. 'Does the same apply for me?

His question threw her off balance for the merest blink. Then she laughed again. 'Make your own rules, but be sure to tell me what they are. Id like to know when Im breaking them.

He smiled at her. 'I have to go to the buccal and talk to Rene. Ill come back here then.

Fariss pushed him playfully off the bunk. 'Hurry up. Ill be waiting.

Mira Fedor was in Primo vein when he reached the buccal. 'Give Insignia the contact protocols, she instructed.

The pair sat in silence while the biozoon attempted to make contact with Rene Mianos.

'Would you prefer privacy? Mira asked eventually.

Thales hesitated. 'Perhaps, at the end. If you would be so kind.

'Of course. Insignia tells me that Rene Mianos has accepted your 'cast request.

Thales sat straighter and touched his scarred face. Would his wife even recognise him? 'Visual display, please.

The s.p.a.ce above Primo resolved into the head and shoulders of a beautiful but languid woman.

'Rene?

She stared so long at him without recognition that Thales feared she would cancel the 'cast.

'Rene, its Thales.

'You dont look much like my husband, she said carefully. Quietly. 'How would I know its you?

'So much has happened to me since I left Scolar. I would be pleased to tell you all of it, if you were disposed to meet me. But first, I have a matter of urgency. Im travelling with a woman who has gone into premature labour and needs urgent medical attention.

Rene seemed distant. 'Even if you are my husband, why would you come to me with such a problem? Take the woman to a medic. Is the child yours?

'No. He struggled to keep the agitation from his voice. This subdued almost dull woman was not his sharp-minded wife. 'Her circ.u.mstance... her condition... is complex and unusual. I believe she needs to go to the Mount Clement clinic.

Rene frowned as if the conversation was an effort. 'But the clinic is for specialised genetic research. It is not an antenatal facility.

'I know, Rene. You did some of your post-doctoral research there. You told me that they can accelerate cell growth. I believe they are the only ones who can save this womans baby.

His knowledge of her past seemed to make her more alert. 'Thales? Is it really you? The clarity of Insignias 'cast-imaging showed that her lips trembled.

Tears burned the back of his eyes. 'Yes, dearest. Did you not see me speak at the summit meeting on Intel?

'I-Ive been on retreat. Ive heard things about the Post-Species and Consilience. But so much is rumour. The Sophos have instructed us not to heed the farcasts.

'Rene, please watch the feeds from the summit meeting. Verify that I spoke to the a.s.sembled leaders, including your father. We believe that a Post-Species invasion of OLOSS territories is imminent. Scolar must disengage its shift spheres soon or face annihilation. I must speak to the Sophos.

She frowned. 'But they will arrest you if you land.

'Will you help me convince them to give me an audience?

Her pale fingers strayed to her lips in a familiar absent-minded mannerism. 'I will review the summit feed. Please wait.