When he caught sight of her watching him, a great, white smile broke across his face. ‘What you lookin’ at?’ he asked mockingly.
‘I dunno,’ she said. ‘Label’s fallen off.’
There was a quiet bleep from Toshiko’s workstation and she swivelled around in her chair. ‘Rift’s back to normal.’
‘You mean after all that there’s nothing wrong with it?’ Owen asked.
‘No, I said it’s back to normal.’ Toshiko waved a hand across the displays. ‘All chronon discharge has vanished.’
‘No more sparks,’ said Jack.
‘Whatever was happening before, it must have been the result of the Strepto incursion,’ Toshiko nodded. ‘Saskia must have been trying to bring it all to a conclusion.’
‘She did that all right,’ said Owen.
‘With a bit of help from us.’
Another alarm rang, and the Rift monitors flashed. Toshiko whirled in her seat. ‘Uh oh. Energy spike in the Leckwith area. Something’s coming through …’
Owen joined her. ‘I recognise that energy signature. It’s the Hokrala lawyers. They’re sending another writ.’
‘Let’s go, everybody,’ Jack said loudly, clapping his hands for attention. ‘Welcoming party to the SUV now. Full kit. Let’s go!’
He headed for the exit, grabbing his coat as he left, long strides carrying him to the cog-wheel door. He didn’t even look back. He knew the others would be right behind him.