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The tall one led the way, striding along the corridor like he owned the place, near enough to the truth They passed only a few other researchers, each under guarded escort Tania did everything she could toof a leader after the mutiny, and had been wholly unprepared for the counterattack She had let theuards had orders not to lay hands on anyone else

She’d heard nothing from her fellow mutineers since Blackfield and his troops had arrived They’d either fought back and failed, orin the lead said

Tania had been lost in thought They stood in front of the conference roouards took positions on both sides of the door, leaving Tania to open it for herself She turned the handle and stepped inside

"Tania!"

She felt an enormous relief to see Natalie, and ran to her They e now," Russell Blackfield said "This is a family-friendly environment"

The sound of his voice made Tania’s heart sink "I was so worried," Tania whispered, holding her assistant as tightly as she could "Why did you offer to--"

"Later," Natalie whispered

"Enough," Russell said "You’ll make me all weepy"

"Did he hurt you?" Tania asked

Russell threw his arht here, dammit Hello?"

Tania released her friend, and realized she was crying They both were She wiped the years away on her sleeve and turned to Russell "If you’ve hurt her …"

"She’s fine You’re fine Right?"

Natalie had kept hold of Tania’s hand, and squeezed it She nodded

"There, see? Everyone’s fine"

Tania stood her ground "What do you want?"

"A thank-you would be nice"

"Thank you?"

He gestured toward Natalie "Not s attached, of course"

Tania glanced briefly at Natalie, ore a sad smile and kept her eyes aimed at the table Lover? She aze on Russell again "What strings?"

"I thought that would be obvious," he replied "Your research I want it finished, now, and I want the results"

Before Tania could craft a response, Russell pulled a sinister-looking pistol from a holster inside his jacket

The room went deathly quiet as he pointed the business end at Natalie

"You two lovebirds have twenty-four hours," he said, "to tell reide at the revelation She really told hied the crucial piece of infor would be over

"Yes, that’s right Your girl here sang like a bird, when her mouth wasn’t otherwise occupied What a tireless little cha"

"You said you wouldn’t tell her, you son of a bitch," Natalie said, her words startlingly loud in the closed room

Russell kept his attention on Tania "No more delays, no more excuses In twenty-four hours I want the location where my new Builder ship has arrived, or your friend here dies"

Tania sed, and deep down cursed herself for doing so "Kill iveof your misery," Russell said

"And if we cooperate?"

He s whatever the hell it is you do There’s no reason that has to change in the neorld order Stay here, work, and enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company"

His constant allusions to their supposed roe of sarcasm Tania wondered if he really believed it, or if he just found it humorous She looked at Natalie Their eyes , tense moment Her friend then nodded to her, a nearly imperceptible motion that Tania returned

"Fine," she said to Russell Blackfield "Just, please, leave the rest of the crew alone"

"Agreed, for twenty-four hours Starting now"

They walked in silence, under escort, to the computer laboratory on Green Level

In the front roo close by, Tania re to the back roo seats on each side of the door

"It’s really not necessary," Tania said "There’s nowhere to go"

"Orders," caed and took a seat at the console, activating the three large monitors that spanned the back wall A number of smaller monitors on the desk also flickered to life

Tania turned to Natalie before she could sit "Would you diuard said He was seated next to the switch, and ratcheted it down to quarter strength

Natalie took the seat next to Tania, spreading out the folders Tania gave her "Where’d you leave off?" she asked The first words she’d spoken since they’d left Russell’s presence A genuine apology cah in the tone, unspoken but nonetheless welco the screens with a es in one of the folders until it was open to the lance off the at, and perhaps settle into position on its next pass, in a year or so But look here …"