now.’
Langstrom obviously wanted to ask more but, grateful to still be alive, he quickly headed off, taking the repro Manuel with him.
‘Now you, Le Roque,’ Saul said, and the man immediately looked as if he expected the hammer to fall, ‘you’ve been receiving requests from the
‘We’ve said nothing to them,’ said Le Roque hurriedly.
‘Well, now it is time to talk,’ Saul replied.
‘Why?’ asked Hannah. ‘They want us all dead or captured, and this station back under their control.’
‘You will see shortly,’ Saul replied, as Le Roque turned to the console below the three big screens and punched in a command.
The screen just flickered for a moment, and then a tough Asiatic face appeared. It was the man Hannah recognized from the
‘So you have seen fit to reply at last,’ said the captain, then his eyes widened fractionally as he took in whatever was visible to him on his screen. ‘Who are you?’
‘I am Alan Saul.’ He stepped closer to the screens, and Hannah guessed that he had routed an image of himself, rather than the image the screens, with their integral cams, would be currently picking up of Le Roque.
‘So rumours of your demise have been exaggerated,’ said Scotonis.
‘Not entirely,’ Saul replied, ‘but then death has become a rather movable feast with me. Do you yourself have complete authority aboard the
The captain looked momentarily baffled, then said, ‘I’m handing you over to Political Officer Clay Ruger right now.’
The next image to come up on the screen was another that Hannah recognized from previous attempts at communication with them from the
‘Alan Saul,’ he said. ‘You have a great deal to answer for.’
‘Substantially less, perhaps, than your new leader Serene Galahad, since I did not send the signal to release the Scour from eight billion implant biochips.’ Saul paused for a second. ‘But I sense that this is old news to you.’
Ruger appeared momentarily fazed, but then continued smoothly, ‘That’s complete nonsense. Everyone on Earth knows how you inflicted the Scour on them.’
‘Whatever.’ Saul waved a dismissive hand. ‘I haven’t contacted you to waste time in such recriminations. And certainly I can’t apprise the people of Earth of the truth, since it seems that Galahad now has her own comlife guarding Govnet.’
Again Ruger took a moment to recover. ‘Then why have you called?’
‘To make you an offer,’ Saul replied. ‘Twenty minutes ago I began making a copy of all the Gene Bank data we have stored aboard Argus, so I can begin transmitting it to you at once.’
Again Ruger’s response was slow, but now Hannah realized that this was due in part to transmission delay, which seemed to emphasize his hesitancy. She studied Saul’s face. What was he doing?
‘And what would you want in return for that?’
‘Despite my demonization on ETV, I am not actually a nihilist. I would like to see that data used on Earth to try and restore its biosphere, and it is little enough trouble for me to send you a recording of it.’
‘What about the physical samples?’
‘Unfortunately, making copies of them would take months, if not years, since it would involve some lengthy biotech processes. I could, however, set such processes in motion should you be prepared to stand off and wait.’
‘I would have to put this to Chairman Galahad.’
‘I understand.’ Saul nodded. ‘I have now begun transmitting the data to you, and I do have one small thing to ask in return.’
‘And that is?’
‘Tell me, what is that object fixed around your neck?’
Ruger really did look put out this time. He unconsciously reached up to touch the metal ring, and seemed to be searching for the right words.
‘It ensures obedience,’ he said.
‘Strangulation,’ Saul replied. ‘Explosive collars are too messy, and inducer- and drug-administering versions are too complicated to manufacture in large numbers.’
Ruger just gave a tight nod.
‘Get back to me when you’ve received a reply from your chairman,’ Saul finished.
