She couldn't bring herself to say "sir."

The troop ship jets on the side began to fire, the blue flames almost invisible in the humid air.

The ship's massive wheels had been tucked into the undercarriage of the gun-filled ship. Now the giant wheels lowered, the noise massive even inside the sealed compartment of the SRV.

A few troopers sat in turrets on either side, ready for anything once they went through.

The whole thing ... something to see.

Then, almost as if the troop ship was some impossibly enormous truck, it began rolling along the entrance ramp.

The same ramp they had entered, but now they would be climbing up curves, swooping down, watching their speed the whole time, making sure they hit the swirling vortex that was the portal at exactly the right speed and deflection angle.

With the troop ship moving, it was time for SRV-66 to roll.

"Here we go," Annie said, pulling back on her wheel. She keyed the intercom. "All passengers. Please make sure your seat belts are properly fastened."

She did the same and, although there was no need, checked to see that Jordan had. The SRV was like a mosquito compared to the giant troop ship leading the way.

Annie kept well back as the troop ship fired more engines and, with surprising deftness, navigated the twists and turns of the ramp. Within seconds, it was gaining speed.

Down to a screen-and she could see Way Station One disappearing behind them in a blue haze.

Now the SRV was traveling over trees the size of city buildings, and then down into gullies, past walls of stone and vegetation, to finally hit a flat straightaway before making the fuel-hungry charge straight up the final section of the portal ramp.

Annie checked half a dozen screens all at once.

All looking good.

"Whoa," Jordan said, tapping the cockpit window. "Take a look."

Flying things-Annie didn't know what they were called-glided along beside the ramp. Their multicolored wings shimmered in the rays of sunlight that broke through the clouds.

"Got some friends," she said A few of the winged creatures ahead flew beside the troop ship, kicking hard with what had to be ten-foot wingspans to keep up with it.

Then they fell back, flying beside the SRV.

Close enough so that Annie could see the eyeballs of the one on her right. Filmy, huge ... with a big black marble at its center. The leathery skin around the beak and eyes was reddish but also streaked with faint shades of green and gold.

The beak, like a cormorant's but striped black and white, was closed tightly.

This fun for them?

Or are they just curious?

But in seconds, as Annie left the last section and followed the troop ship up the last incline, the alien birds couldn't keep up and fell behind, gliding over the treetops.

Ahead, she saw nothing.

But the screen directly below the wheel showed the swirling portal.

Like a multicolored washing-machine basin, sending off ribbony slices of whatever unknown energy powered it.

She'd love to watch it as they entered.

But concentrating here was vital.

"Ready for entry?" Lahti said, his voice clear and strong over the commlink. That would change once they were on the Road, where communications had a habit of breaking off.

"Roger that." She wondered if he caught the sarcasm.

Hands tightened on the wheel.

In an instant, the troop ship disappeared between blinks.

One moment there, the next ... not.

Safely through the portal.

Or one had to assume.

Then: SRV-66's nose tipped into the portal, the front disappearing, the shaking rumbling toward her even before the cockpit was engulfed.

And then, like the troop ship, SRV-66 disappeared.

13.

STORMY WEATHER.

Sinjira watched the Road station guy, Nahara, get up, leave his seat, and head to the back of the SRV.

To the toilet, she guessed.

And: He's so edgy.

Maybe rattled by the portal crossing? Roadsick?

Whatever-he looked more than just green. He was sweating. Haludon Fever, maybe?

Eyes looking around. Snapping back and forth. Guy has something going on, she thought. Some secret.

Quiet ... edgy.

And for her ... interesting.

As soon as he passed by, Sinjira got up and followed him to the back of the SRV.

She touched his shoulder, and Nahara jumped and wheeled around fast.

Really wired.

"What?"

She leaned close. This little convo was for just the two of them.

"Gotta tell you, station master-I mean, that is what you are, right? A Road station guy?"

"I work for the company. Yes. But what does-"

Even closer. She could feel his breath-cold-on her cheek.

"Just wanted to tell you that you are giving off some serious ... what do they call 'em? Vibes? Yeah, vibes."

His eyes widened and were fixed past her, over her right shoulder.

"I guess I'm a little sick. The portal-"

But Sinjira shook her head. "No, man. Not that kind of vibe. As someone who makes chips, I can, like, see emotions and feelings. They're like colors to me. That's what makes my chips so good. And what I see coming off you..."

A whisper.

"Fear. Anxiety. Maybe just a little bit of ... paranoia?"

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about."

"I told you. It's a gift. But not to worry. Your secret's safe with me."

She turned an imaginary key in front of her lips and tossed it over her shoulder. "Totally safe. But one thing..."

Nahara looked directly at her now; she had his full attention.

Eyes on her eyes. Or maybe her lips as well.

This guy is still a guy, even if he is running scared.

"If you ever want to pop a chip in and share those feelings with me ... I can use them. All kinds of freaks in the chip world, looking for all kinds of thrills."

He held her gaze steadily.

And now she picked up something else coming off him.

Below the fear. Under the paranoia.

Something new.

Danger.

Maybe best not to push him too far.

"You're one sick lady. You know that?"

"Me? A lady? I think you got the wrong chippie. Just think about it. For tapping into that"-her finger touched his forehead-"even for a just a bit ... I'll bet I could find ways to make it worth your time and effort."

Nahara shook his head.

And yes, he had secrets.

But now she also felt a ripple of what he might do to protect whatever that secret was.

Nahara turned his back to her and walked into the lavatory, locking the door behind him.

As for Sinjira, she was glad she'd had a chip in during that little chat. Got the whole roller-coaster ride of her own feelings-real time-all recorded.

They say there's a market for everything.

Pleased with herself, she walked back to her seat.

Ivan looked over and saw Rodriguez staring at the young Chippie walking down the aisle, sitting down.

"Like what you see, Doc?" Ivan asked.

The man turned to him.

"And you don't?"

"Chippies-a little extreme for my tastes. Probably for you, too, I'm guessing."

Rodriguez pursed his lips and then turned away.

"I'm just looking."

Ivan smiled. Then he got to his real point of talking to Rodriguez.

"So, Doc, you're going to Omega Nine, too?"

Rodriguez nodded.

Another smile.