The writer gives life to a story, the reader keeps it alive.
Helga Ritter stands alone in the cloning laboratory, onboard her Floating Asylum ship. She had ordered three agents to capture Heyem Merek, so that she could conduct more intense experiments into the bioweapon’s technology in the Merek twin’s DNA.
Anya watches the angry Alexand Merek stomp away, leaving her in the company of her old friend and saviour, Inajda Rekaya. (This is for you, Dad.)
Anya wakes up in her parents’ bed, with her hands tied up, and two women sitting, arguing with each other about her (in a dead language, Russian.)
Anya’s memories have been triggered by her return to Moscow. She has been awarded two hours leave, by Helga Ritter, for presenting the American president with the Bad Thing Box. Fully aware that there is a tracking device in her wrist, she is compelled to visit her parent’s old home, to return to a place full of good memories.
Inajda and Alexand, in the guise of two Amanojuko candidates, watch from the Auditorium as the vice president of Mongolia is offered eternal life by Lady Helga Ritter.
Helga Ritter returns to the Floating Asylum to give news to Lord Anderson about the death of Eric Mehmed.
Filius Anderson has placed a bug into Colonel Merek’s mechanical index finger and has been monitoring her conversations. He is pleasantly surprised to learn that her prodigal mother, Inajda Rekaya has re appeared, and is in fact an undercover enemy agent.
Heyem has stopped going out at night and rarely socialises. She has thrown herself into her work, and every night, after her lectures have finished, she studies the list of Amanojuko agents given to her by Alexand. Helga Ritter is the only one on the list she has recognised, but she is becoming increasingly paranoid and suspects practically everyone.
Helga Ritter is introduced to Sister Ancille, who was present at the time of Eric Mehmed’s death. (Stay safe everyone. Keep inside if you can. This story is dedicated to all the key workers across the world, who are in the front line.)
