Astra visited me several times over the next few days, displaying considerable knowledge about the inner workings of HQ. And surprisingly, of my previous assignments and exploits.

"I knew who you were as soon as I saw the fight in Senshen Square, you know." Her girlish smile was in deep contrast to her grown-up demeanour. "That was the whole point of that fight - to verify that we had an Agent. There are subtle bleed-overs from the Agent style, and Tasha is skilled enough at Ka Te to force it out.

"I'm really quite happy that they sent you, of all the candidates. You've been many people over the years, but always you've fulfilled your missions with flair and bloody brilliance.

"I've got great hopes for you."

And in a later visit...

"Your diplomatic work during the Verilan uprising of 2153 was inspired," Astra said, as if it were open knowledge in any textbook. "No one knew the governor had been replaced until he'd delivered a request for a truce, and by then it was too late to recant."

I just stared back at her. The Verilan uprising had been over two hundred years ago, a country that no longer even existed. I had to smile though. It had been a fine piece of work.

Another day, she came with awful jokes.

"How many Agents does it take to change a light bulb?"

I stared at her in disbelief.

"Two! The first transforms into a ladder. The second reaches up to take the old bulb out and transform to become the new bulb for the glory of Casilan!"

A giggle snorted out of my nose before I could remember that I was supposed to be a surly prisoner.

Astra rose to open the door, but spun around as if she'd had an afterthought, her skirt flaring briefly.

"How are you feeling lately, Keia? Little interesting, isn't it, the effect the absence of the BPG has on you?"

She put a finger to her lips, as if feigning confusion.

As she closed the door, I realized for the first time that I'd felt no desire to hurt Astra. If anything, I felt the sadness that an older sister might at seeing her favourite sibling misguided. I missed the relatively easy closeness I'd had in the group, during the caravan, but I still missed my comrades at HQ even more.

My strange and lengthy headache had finally faded. I knew they were softening me up for the final blow, but by then, I found it hard to care.

It was time to accept my fate.