"My name is Brinn," the gunwoman said. "Your mother's early work is greatly respected here."

In Tarclaver, Helen's mother had run a labware store room. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"I mean," said Brinn, "her work before. Before she elected to stay with you rather than join us here."

There was a silence. If Helen was surprised, she did not say so. What she said is "There will be predator machines on my trail."

"A few feet outside the hedge, there is a force field," Brinn replied.