THE collapse of Symbion and Healthscope's "plan B" quasi-merger leaves Symbion isolated, and ripe for dismemberment. Before the Australian Taxation Office sank plan B by denying it capital gains tax rollover relief, Symbion's hostile 20% shareholder, Ed Bateman, was battling Symbion and its proposed merger partner. Now, Healthscope is also a Symbion predator, and a potential ally of Bateman's in a break-up. Healthscope put its foot on 9.9% of Symbion yesterday, but in a way designed to help it argue for a slice of Symbion. The shares were acquired by Goldman Sachs JBWere, which then wrote a swap contract with Healthscope, keeping the shares at a distance (at Healthscope's command), and giving it the option of issuing shares for assets if a deal emerges. If Healthscope keeps its interest below 10%, a Symbion shareholder meeting would also not be required.