"Hell, Kochanski. Who was it who gave that assistant of Colonel Guest's back in China a hard time for being such an asskisser?" added Walker.

Kochanski's face started to flush and Mark interrupted smoothly, "In case you clowns don't remember, it was Kochanski who discovered the existence of Sarnak's tunnels and saved our collective butts."

Walker winked at Mark and continued, "Sure, Captain. But what's he done since then except lay around here, chase women, and pull soft duty?"

There was a roar of laughter which even Kochanski joined.

"Damn, I missed you guys," Kochanski choked. "How about we go get a drink?"

Then all eyes were on Sara as she entered the room, earning an appreciative whistle from Walker.

Sara gave the others a casual nod, but all her attention was on Kochanski.

Eyes filling with tears, she burst out, "Jartan won't let me go with you. I've told him that I was the best one to mindmesh with you during the recon, but he says I'm too young and he's going to give the job to Leti."

Kochanski was horrified at the mere thought of Sara going into danger. Thank heavens Jartan felt the same way. He looked at her appreciatively. There was only a six-year age difference between them, but that was a hell of a gulf when it was the difference between seventeen and twenty-three. Still, in another year or two... He pushed the thought aside. In another day or two he might not even be alive, let alone a year or so. Their eyes held for a second, and then he resumed his gruff attitude towards her.

"Good. Because no way would I risk your life like that."

At this Sara burst into tears. "Kochanski, what if I never see you again?"

He patted her shoulder clumsily.

"Hell, don't worry about me. Didn't you once say that the gods seem to protect the ignorant, or something like that?"

Tears still flowed over her cheeks, but Sara regained her composure somewhat.

"Jartan had agreed to let me have part of my dowry early. And I am giving this to you." Handing Kochanski the large portal crystal they had been working with, she continued, "This crystal is already attuned to both our Essences, and I have lowered the detection ratio to as small as possible. Wearing this, you should be almost impossible to be found and... and..."

Breaking into tears again, she gave Kochanski a hug that damn near broke some ribs, then ran from the hall.

Kochanski stared after her a moment, glanced down at the crystal in his hand, shook his head, and turned around.

Facing him was a sea of broad grins. His face immediately turned bright scarlet, and the grins widened even more.

"I'm going to beat the shit out of the first one of you filthy minded idiots that says something," he grated.

"Hell, Kochanski, none of us here would dream of saying a word. Would we, guys?" responded Walker.

The overdone chorus ofNoooooos frustrated him even more.

The old druid had never relaxed his vigilance. He who had opposed Caius Julius Caesar for so many years was aware of the almost superhuman competence of the man. When the druid had talked the various nations of Gaul into supporting Vercingetorix's revolt against Rome, he had assured them of Caesar's defeat. That Caesar had won after being outnumbered by over ten to one was beyond belief.

With the price that Caesar had put on his head, he had fled to the western isle to try and stir up support for their Celtic brothers in Gaul.

While there he had heard reports that Caesar was preparing an army and an invasion fleet to folow him.

It was while performing a ritual at the ancient, sacred temple of the old ones called Stonehenge that he had been transported here.

The old sorcerer who had brought him to Haven had been delighted at his catch, since he had been merely fishing, as he called it, in his exploration of the various universes.

They had taught each other much over the years, and the druid had quickly become a master sorcerer.

When his friend eventually died, the druid used his talents, knowledge, and love to create a realm of forest and water. Within a few years he had built the kind of enchanted kingdom that was his version of the Blessed Isle.

But, always aware of Caesar's undying enmity, he had suspected that Caesar would petition the very gods themselves to follow him. Apparently the bastard had finally found him.

Calling in his descendants and the tribes of his nation, he informed them that Caesar had come at last.

War was coming, and all those who were prepared as spies and informers knew their assignments. The moment any strangers arrived on the Isle, he was to be informed.

"I believe they will not come openly as assassins, so do not be taken in by any stories they might tell. All know what a deathtrap our forests are to those who fly above, so look for them to infiltrate by land."

"I have promised that they shall die the sacred wicker death, so great care must be taken to capture them alive. Their blackened skulls will serve as a token of the greatness of the true faith!"

And the assembled nation rose to cheer their Messiah.

"All right, let's take this from the top of the list."

Jen Valenta, Jartan's master armorer, stood before the reconnaisance team. Though a sorcerer of less than fifty years of age, she had a remarkable skill with weapons and phenomena! memory for detail, combined with a beautiful physique, wavy dark hair, catlike eyes, and a stunning ivory complexion.

"Let's start with defensive crystals." So saying, she lifted her left hand.

The group followed suit and snapped their shields up to full intensity. A half dozen of Jen's assistants walked down the double line of offworlders. One fired a quick shot at Kraut's shield, intently studying the flash of light and its dissipation.

Motioning for Kraut to shut his shielding off, he reached into a pouch and quickly replaced Kraut's gem.

Stepping back he motioned for him to power up again. There was another shot, the assistant nodded with satisfaction, then continued down the line.

"Next, offensive crystals."

One by one, the group stepped up to a firing line to one side of the vast armaments hall and fired off a rapid series of shots, ending with Allic and Leti disintegrating the stone target which the offworlders had merely chipped.

"Now check that your communications crystals are properly linked."

One by one the group patched into Allic, who had stepped to the far end of the room while Jen watched intently.

"All your primary weapons check out satisfactory. Next, check that your emergency backup crystals, offensive, defensive, and communication, are securely hidden and tied."

Ikawa bent over, and slipped his hand inside his right boot. Pressed up against either side of his Achilles tendon he felt the small learner pouches which held the precious reserves.

"Your medical emergency kit, locator beacon crystal, emergency rations, and survival blanket should all be secured to your backpack harness. Please check your combat partner."

Ikawa turned to Mark, who gave him a grim smile.

"It's almost like the old days, just before a raid," Mark said, as Ikawa opened the backpack and checked to make sure all items were in place and secured. Mark in turn reviewed Ikawa's equipment.

"Team leaders and section leaders should have destination maps secured to their belts. All members should have escape rendezvous maps, wrapped around an acid vial. If you fear capture, be sure to strike the vial. Remember the vial will also shatter if your shielding goes down and you are hit by an energy bolt."

Ikawa reached into the pouch about his waist, drew out and checked the small leather bundles, and gently resecured it.

"Finally, all of you have a poison pellet attached to a left upper molar."

Nervously, Ikawa let his tongue run against the projection.

"I know it must make all of you nervous to have it there. Believe me, it is secure--no amount of chewing, or any type of normal mouth movement, will disturb it."

"If you're wrong, lady, I'm coming back and filing a complaint," Walker retorted, but his humor fell flat, so tense was the group at the prospect of what was ahead.

Jen smiled at Walker's bravado. "To activate the pellet you must stick a finger into your mouth and scratch it as hard as you can with your fingernail. Two seconds after you do that, a highly potent poison gas will be released. If an enemy is close by, you can take him with you by simply exhaling. The poison is quick and painless. Ten seconds after you activate it, you will be gone."

The group looked nervously at each other.

"This is not normal procedure. Quarter is usually given and sorcerer prisoners accorded some rights, since guild laws are so strong, and not even a demigod would want a guild to blacklist him. But believe me, you do not want to be taken alive by the demon lords."

Her words were sharp and forceful. The demon lords could kill your body, of course--and death would be a blessing. But if their hatred for you was strong, they would work their incantations over you as you died, then capture your soul before it fled to the Sea of Chaos and hold you in their torment for eternity.

It was a power that even the gods of Haven had not mastered--nor desired to control.

"If all equipment is in place," Jen continued, "you should now don your cold weather gear."

Going over to a long rack of clothing, Ikawa pulled down the fur-lined parka, hood, boots, and leggings, all of which were camouflage white, that had been tailor-made for him only hours before. He found it unusual to be in heavy clothing again, for with his shield he could go out in any type of weather. Yet it might be necessary to hide from a sweep, and shielding could reveal their position.

Suited up, he went back to stand before his men and give them a final check-through. Then he turned about and came to attention, his men following suit, with Mark's contingent falling in alongside.

Jen made a final inspection, nodding her approval, and then, with a salute to Allic, Storm, and Leti, she stepped back to the corner of the room.

"We will depart as soon as Kochanski arrives with the God-chair. You've all been through a portal before, so you will remember the sensation."

Several of the men grimaced at the memory and Allic smiled.

"You'll get used to it. Remember,we jump through. I'll go first and Storm will bring up the rear. We will be landing at a hidden outpost on Uye, the only moon of the world under attack. The air there is breathable, but the temperature will be cold enough to freeze off certain of your appendages. Once we have secured the base, Kochanski and Leti will depart, via the Godchair for a reconnaisance of the battle zone. If the demons are gone, we'll jump down after them. If the demons are there, a full evacuation will be made. If they are detected, we either go in to get them out, or they fall back to Uye."

There was a stir at the far end of the room as Kochanski floated in, astride a magnificent throne that was carved in a stunning and intricate display of crystals and polished wood.

"We're ready to go. Let's move to the portal." Allic strode down the length of the armory, his sorcerers marching behind him in a double column, Americans and Japanese mingled together, with Kochanski bringing up the rear.

Ikawa felt a swelling of pride as he looked over his shoulder. The soldiers behind him, though nervous, were tough and proud, bonded together in a comradeship undreamed of only a year ago.

Following Allic's lead, the party passed through the armory and then into a vast colonnaded staircase that descended into the subterranean corridors of Jartan's command center. The area had been sealed off hours earlier as a security measure, and the once bustling section was cloaked in an eerie silence. Allic went up to what looked like an ornately paneled wall, which slid back at his approach.

In the center of the vast room there was a pulsing white glow, which immediately sent a prickly feeling down Ikawa's back. It had the exact same appearance as the portal opening in the Chinese temple, which they had fallen through what seemed like a lifetime ago.

Allic turned and looked back at the offworlders.

"Don't hesitate, just step briskly through. On the other side, quickly move out of the opening to make way for the next man."

It has been known for a person to materialize on the other side in the exact same space as another--with, I might add, unpleasant consequences for both.

"You all know the drill. There is a chance we might be jumping straight into a fight, so have your shields up, and deploy at once into a defensive perimeter."

"Now take a final minute to recheck your equipment, then let's move out."

Ikawa felt a certain reassurance in Allic's tone. There were times when the demigod could appear to be nothing more than a good drinking partner in a bar, but at moments like this he projected the command presence of a seasoned combat veteran.

Ikawa turned to Mark. "This time we go through the portal as comrades, a prospect that is a pleasant change," he said calmly. Ever since the incident in Sarnak's chamber, Ikawa had sensed the fear eating at his friend's soul. He had already resolved to stay close to Mark at all times. If Mark should break, no matter how understanding the men would be as to the cause, he would be finished as a combat commander.

It was a situation Ikawa knew would destroy his friend forever.

Mark smiled wanly and extended his hand, which Ikawa gripped firmly, focusing his thoughts as if to communicate inwardly that Mark could rely upon him no matter what happened.

"Ikawa."

Looking over his shoulder, he saw Leti and Storm standing behind them.

Without a word Leti reached into a pouch hanging on the outside of her parka and drew forth a black leather belt, in the center of which was the sparkling glory of the Crystal of the Sun. She slid the belt around Ikawa's waist and cinched it tight.

Her eyes glowing with love, she kissed him on the cheek and drew back. "It will serve as a protector for you and your friends."

Storm stepped past the couple and reached into her tunic to produce another belt of leather, this of supple whiteness into the center of which was set a large crystal of lightning. With a light kiss she handed it to Mark.

"Just burn their damn hides off with it," she said with a smile.

"Well, as I always said," Goldberg interjected, breaking the embarrassed silence, "It's good to have friends in high places."

Smiling, Storm shot a gentle bolt at Goldberg, who staggered backward in a mock display of pain.

"It's time," Allic said quietly, nodding to the circle of sorcerers around the pentagram.

The men fell silent, except for the sing-song murmuring of the portal weavers.

The room started to pulse with light that shifted through a wild kaleidoscope of colors, twisting and turning upon each other. A shower of hot white sparks soared to the ceiling and hovered above the group, to be joined an instant later by tendrils of forest green, which changed in a moment to an icy polar white. The white held, absorbing, washing out the other colors, dropping downward, becoming a glaring intensity that seemed to hold before them as a solid wall.

One of the sorcerers around the pentagram looked over to Allic and nodded.

"Follow me," Allic shouted, and with a wild cry of delight he leaped into the pentagram and disappeared.

The head sorcerer pointed at the next man in line.

"Go!"

Kraut leaped into the void.

"Go!"