Whether because of the sonic weapon or because of the sudden concentration of people all in one spot – or maybe a combination of both – the ice was cracking.
I’d never heard of any Frost Fairs crashing through the ice, but this wasn’t my world. Maybe this was the world that had suffered the dreadful Frost Fair Catastrophe of 1683 when the ice had given way and the entire fair fell into the Thames with massive loss of life. It was more than possible. That these people would be prepared to run that risk rather than let us get away was not a good sign. I remembered Leon telling me they would do anything to get the job done, whatever the cost. They were ruthless and professional and they would get what they wanted. And they wanted me.
Someone caught me from behind and lifted me off my feet.
They had me.
I tried to struggle, kicking out, and flailing with my arms.
People were still clutching their heads or their chests. I could still hear screaming. Was it me? It usually was.
Someone shouted, ‘Door.’
I flew through the air and hit the floor hard. The universe kicked me hard in my already damaged chest and everything went black.
Chapter Three
I lay on the sleeping module, spread-eagled like a stunned starfish under the weight of blankets. So much of me hurt that it was probably easier to list the parts that didn’t.
No, that wasn’t going to work. There weren’t any.
My face throbbed with the pain of returning blood. And my feet. And my hands. My head pounded. Even my ears hurt. My chest was just a red-hot ball of heart-squeezing pain. I was certain something important had been dislodged. I felt sick, disoriented, and confused as to who and where I was. Was I still on the ice? Did they get us?
I turned my head and immediately wished I hadn’t.
And, with apologies to all the purveyors of romantic fiction – bronzed, muscle-rippling heroes who can go all night like a crazed rhino are all very well – indeed, every woman should have at least one – but sometimes, what you need – what you really, really need – is a quiet man with his own basin.
Afterwards, when he’d wiped my face and given me a sip of water, I said, ‘Sorry.’
‘Not a problem. Have another sip.’
‘You really should get yourself a more delightful travelling companion.’
‘Just what I was thinking. I’ll drop you off at the next stop and look around for someone with a little more fragrance and a lot more dress sense.’
I looked down at myself and groaned. ‘Help me sit up.’
‘No. This basin’s not big enough for that manoeuvre. Stay where you are for the moment.’
I clutched his arm.
‘Leon, please tell me no one went through the ice.’
‘No one went through the ice.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
He wouldn’t lie.
‘You got us away safely?’
‘I did. Man of the hour.’
Man of every hour as far as I was concerned.
‘Where and when are we?’
‘Central Asian steppes.’
My anxieties returned. Thousands and thousands of fierce men thundering across the steppes on thousands and thousands of fierce horses were not what we needed at the moment.
‘Keep your eyes peeled for the Mongol hordes.’
He leaned sideways so I could see. He’d split the screen to show all camera angles and I was worrying unnecessarily, because there was nothing out there. Nothing but windswept grass in every direction, stretching all the way to the horizon. And silver, sheeting rain. A whole reservoir was emptying itself on the empty landscape outside. I could hear it pounding on the roof. Suddenly, it felt good to be inside.
‘I’ve set the proximity alerts for one hundred, fifty, and ten yards. We’ll see anything long before they see us. We’re camouflaged. I think we’ll be safe for a little while. We can rest a while and then be off.’
‘Somewhere warm.’
‘Definitely somewhere warm, but not straight away. Try and sleep.’
‘What about you?’
‘I’m fine. I’ll wake you in a couple of hours. Sleep now.’
When I awoke, the screen was on night vision. An eerie green light filled the pod. Apart from the background hum or the occasional muted beep, everything was very quiet.
Leon sat motionless at the console, arms folded, and his chin resting on his chest. Even given that green isn’t the most flattering colour, he looked tired and cold. He’d turned the heating down. The lights were out. He was conserving power.
I struggled out from my blanket cocoon.
He came over to assist. ‘What’s the problem? Bathroom break?’
‘No. Well yes, actually. But it’s my watch now.’
‘I don’t think …’
‘Well, of course you don’t – you’re from the Technical section. But the historian, who does this for a living, says you split these things equally. Help me up.’
Once upright and once my head stopped spinning, I actually felt a little better. ‘Go on. Get your head down for a bit.’
‘I’m not sure …’