Don changes over to video; with unforgiving clarity the tablet captures the rumpled state of his shirt, his stubbled cheeks, the general air of dishevelment that attends him.

"This is a city. It's called Taxon. Right now you are at its heart."

He presents his right arm to the screen and, with a bit of a grimace, draws back his sleeve to reveal the bracelet.

"They don't come off."