He moved his hand and pulled at her gown near her hips. 'Don't you wish to be immortal? Certainly you don't want to die. I understand that. It's what makes us so alike. Our will to live. Do you understand?'

Janier shook her head. She tried slowly backing away. The crowd giggled. Kratine still had hold of her gown. He slowly pulled her back to him and patted her leg.

'You will understand,' he said. He stood and removed his cloak. 'I'm so proud of you. You have come so far. In your land you were only a Princess. Here, right now, you will become a Queen.'

Still, Janier did not understand what he meant. 'You said you were going to send me home,' she whispered.

Kratine ignored her for the moment and stepped to where he had deposited the eggsh.e.l.l. Taking the sh.e.l.l in his hands, he raised it to his lips and sipped the sickly green embryonic fluid. He swallowed with satisfaction, and returned to stand over her. He kept the eggsh.e.l.l in his hand.

'I'm glad you decided to join me, Janier. For a while there I didn't know what I was going to do with the restrictions Rankar placed on my original plan.'

'Rankar?'

'Don't worry about him. The dead are dead. Besides, he isn't your King anymore. You forsook his protection, remember? I am your King. It's a good thing, too, for the Asurian future.' He sat by her side. 'Janier, are you aware of the pa.s.sion you arouse in my royal blood?'

Janier shook her head timidly. Now she understood. 'No,' she whispered.

'Well, then let me show you.' He grabbed her gown and ripped it across the top. The cloth tumbled from her shoulders. Kratine licked his lips as he stared at her naked b.r.e.a.s.t.s. 'Excellent,' he said.

She wept. 'Why are you doing this?'

'It's necessary, and I enjoy it,' Kratine replied. I always enjoy my duty. But I could never explain to you the importance of my taking you as a bride, the profound significance of what we've done here today. The young can never understand the pains of old age: the loss of one's vitality and power. The young can never understand death. To them it always seems so far away. But for me, for too long, it has been close at hand. I'm not one to complain, though. I'm not concerned with problems. I'm concerned with solutions. Yes, even with the solution to old age and death. I a.s.sure you, I have discovered such a solution.' He shook his head sadly. 'Unfortunately, there are now too few Sastra left alive to carry out the full scope of my plan. Too many died in the war. You might be surprised to hear I didn't even want to go to war with your people. Be that as it may, there's no sense complaining about what has happened. The day may be lost but tomorrow looks bright. The future is full of promise. Chaneen's children will survive the blow I have dealt them. They will flourish over their lands, forgetting much of their ancestry, and losing many of their powers. But they will learn new ways of accomplishing what they want, and one day, one great day, they will come here. And on that day, they will be mine. Do you understand?'

'No, 'Janier whispered.

'It doesn't matter.' He stood and motioned to his aides. Instantly a dozen Asurian b.i.t.c.hes emerged from the shadows and pinned her to the floor. They stripped her naked and yanked her legs apart. Kratine tipped the eggsh.e.l.l above her, ready to pour the embryonic fluid over her bare flesh.

'You can't do this!' she screamed.

Kratine snickered. I can't? Even at this late stage in the game you fail to guess what I can do. You would have fared better, Princess, to have jumped in the pit when you had the chance.'

Janier struggled with what strength was left in her body against his brides, to no avail. 'Stop,' she cried.

Kratine stared down at her. 'You are the scourge of your kind, Janier. You are the mother of the curse I now lay upon the Sastra. In time Chaneen's children will come to hate you, and I will triumph. My seed will bear fruit. I shall be immortal.' Kratine began to unbuckle his gold girdle with the hand that was not holding the eggsh.e.l.l.

'Don't touch me!' Janier yanked her head from side to side. 'Chaneen! Chaneen, save me!'

Kratine regarded her sympathetically. 'You were tricked, Janier. From the very beginning, you have been a fool. This has all been an elaborate ritual. There were worshipers present. I was the priest. You are the sacrifice. Now we will consecrate the sacrament.' Kratine tossed aside his girdle and his illusion of human form began to dissolve.

Janier twisted her body off the floor, but was thrown back down. The shouts from the audience grew louder. 'But you said you would send me home,' she said, sobbing. I want to go home.' 'I lied,' Kratine said. 'Are you going to rape me?'

I am going to love you,' he said with a grin. I am going to plant my seed, and then I'm going to make you take your bath.'

Kratine's human flesh vanished. A hideous monster stood in its place. He was scaled, and coated with mucus. He had claws for hands and horns for ears. A roving black snake uncoiled between his legs as it searched for the place to enter her. Kratine tilted the broken eggsh.e.l.l and the embryonic fluid splashed over her body. Immediately her skin seethed with pain as it began to rot on her bones. The crowd began to chant a one-line prayer that echoed in her shaking head like a curse that would go to the end of time.

Then Kratine climbed on top of her, and entered her, and nothing could have been worse.

'It's me, my love,' he said in a voice that belonged to her late husband. 'Only me.'

Janier opened her eyes and saw Kratine had put on an illusion of Tier's face. Quickly she shut her eyes, but he forced open her mouth and bit her tongue and sucked on her blood. Then the stagnant cold sprayed inside her, and the blood in her mouth cracked into ice. A numb wave of a million piercing needles crawled through her limbs and into her head.

Janier began to die.

Kratine suddenly pulled away, and kicked her, and spat on her. Perhaps he had not enjoyed his lovemaking as much as he had hoped. He spoke with disgust. 'Hang this witch for her bath!'

Janier could not breathe. She was cold, so cold.

Kratine's aides snapped the clamps on her wrists and went to hoist her above the lava. Only now she was heavy as stone and she slipped from their grasp and crashed back onto the black altar. It was then she felt Chaneen's ring pressing into her shivering flesh. Somehow, blocking the move from Kratine's eyes, she managed to slip the ring back onto her finger.

Now if only she could die, she thought, and stop the cold.

They yanked her into the air again. Her arms were twisted behind her back and she heard the bones snap inside. The huge dark chamber spun around her. The boiling mud now bubbled beneath her feet.

Then her eyes fell on Kratine for the last time. He had returned to his black throne and reclothed himself in human form - down to the last detail. He had human eyes now, blue eyes like hers.

'The future will be ours,' he said. He gestured to his a.s.sistants. 'Lower her slowly.'

The lava hissed as it touched her skin. Her feet fused into blackened stumps. Her shins disintegrated as her knees smoked. Yet still the terrible cold remained, the cold of Kratine's seed, the curse that he said would one day awaken. Nothing seemed able to stop the cold.

All was not lost, however. Kratine had also been fooled. A spark of life remained with janier. In the last instant before the red mud closed over her, Princess Janier held aloft her sister's ring and said, 'Remember me, Chaneen.'

TWENTY-SIX.

In the bas.e.m.e.nt of the Hawk, on a cold Martian morning, Dr Lauren Wagner watched impatiently as Major Gary Wheeler worked a fine blue torch over the edge of the steel case that housed a thermonuclear warhead.

The pa.s.sing minutes were hard on Lauren. Dazed and confused, Jessica had left with her husband forty minutes earlier. Lauren herself had just returned from the Karamazov with the laser.

'What's taking you so long?' she demanded. 'Is that all you've done?'

'If I don't go slow,' Gary growled, 'I might trigger the d.a.m.n thing.'

'If we don't get going, it won't matter if you do.'

'I'm terribly sorry, but this bomb wasn't fitted for quick removal.'

'Just leave it,' Lauren said. 'I told you, it will only slow us down.'

Gary readjusted his dark goggles. 'I'm going to burn the heart out of this b.a.s.t.a.r.d planet and nothing's going to stop me.'

'But what about Jessie?'

'I'm going as fast as I can!'

'That isn't good enough! I just can't stand here while she's down there with that monster.'

'Then do something else, and get out of my hair,' Gary said. 'Decipher Dmitri's diary. I don't know why you haven't done so already.'

'Well, I had to bury a dear friend. Or have you forgotten that already?'

'Just do it,' Gary ordered. 'We don't have time for self-pity.'

Mars gave a sudden sharp lurch. Lauren was almost thrown from her feet. The hull of the Hawk groaned loudly.

Earthquake. Marsquake.

The tremor ended as quickly as it began. Gary had turned off his torch and pushed up his goggles. There were lines on his face Lauren couldn't have imagined a few days ago.

'Jim said that Olympus Mons was active,' Gary said.

'You think it's about to erupt?'

'Maybe.'

'Just because we're here?'

'Maybe.'

Lauren sighed. 'I'm sorry. I know you're doing the best you can. I know you don't need a nag to listen to.'

Gary wiped at the salt that had crusted his cracked lips. 'You're doing OK, Doc. Did you have a bad night?'

Lauren leaned her aching head against the wall, feeling pressure inside and out. Her thirst was becoming as pressing as her need to breathe. 'I had a real winner,' she said. 'But I suppose it's going to get worse before it gets better. I'll work on Dmitri's diary.'

'Good. Friend's tongue has been bitten off, but Bill hasn't totally sabotaged his brain - probably because he needs the computer to take off. Punch in a basic program and see if you can get a translation on the screen.'

'All right.' She stepped to the ladder.

'And keep an eye to the east,' Gary said. 'For the wicked witches. Yeah, I know.' Lauren sat in the control room in front of one of Friend's consoles, with Dmitri's diary resting in her lap. The Hawk's portholes were open, and out of the corner of her eye she could just see the opening to the cave that led deep into the mountain. She thumbed through the pages of the book. Fortunately Dmitri's handwriting was precise; most of the letters were actually printed. She decided to start translating from October 28, 2002. That was when the cosmonauts had landed on Mars. Hoping a part of Friend still lived up to his name, she typed: Clear for new programming. Level A. [Level A clear.]

Translate input from Russian to English. [Programmed.]

She read the blue word of acceptance with relief. The screen split into two halves, with a top and bottom. Each Russian word she put in at the top would appear at the bottom in English.

Lauren picked up the scanner and began to scan the pages into the computer, reading the translation as she went along.

10,28:1 am afraid my first entry on this new world must be brief. Perhaps all my notes will be sketchy for we have much work to do. I am excited as I write this. We are on Mars! The landing was accomplished without difficulty. The Katarina consumed more fuel than we would have preferred, but we are still in fine shape for when we leave. I couldn't have hoped for fewer problems. This is truly a great day for mankind. As I sit here, my eyes are constantly drawn to the pink sky, and to Olympus Mons. The mountain is unlike any I have seen on Earth. Its size is incredible, and its wide circular summit looks almost as if it were built. I am reminded of our purpose in coming here, but would still be surprised if we find any signs of life. I have always felt Moscow overreacted to the red lights the Inspector spotted from orbit on this plateau. Nicholas is still of the opinion that the lights were volcanic flares and nothing else. Yet if the flares only served to bring us here, then I am content.

I received a special note from Anna today. She says there is great celebration at home. Alex has become a hero at school for having me as a father. Katherine is also getting much attention. Here we have been too busy to properly celebrate our accomplishment, although Ivan did say before he went to bed tonight that we ought to have a toast. To my surprise, he said that he has smuggled two bottles of vodka aboard for the occasion. I can't reprimand him. I still have my bottle of 'eighty-nine French wine. Perhaps we can have a toast of wine and vodka when we have successfully completed our exploration.

10, 29: Today we spent the bulk of our time unfolding and setting up our solar panels. They are working as well as our scientists promised. It is a relief not to have to depend solely upon our fuel for power.

This landscape often reminds me of my days at Uralski Khrebet, where I did my geological training. The ruggedness is similar. The sunset this evening was beautiful, a deep red sky cut with tunnels of purple and gold. Anna says we are the most popular show on TV.

We made an exciting discovery today. There is a cave at the eastern end of the plateau that has remarkably smooth walls. It appears to go back a long way. Tomorrow Ivan will head an exploration to see where it leads.

I slept poorly last night. I am feeling tired now. I must go to bed.

10, 30: Ivan has found that the cave goes down into the mountain for a great distance. Nicholas reports that its walls are remarkably smooth. Naturally he refuses even to consider that the cave is the work of intelligence. Ivan had to cut short his exploration - we had begun to lose his radio signal. Tomorrow we plan a more intensive exploration of the place using relay beacons and the tractor. There appears to be room for the vehicle, if we can but overcome a small hill that stands at the mouth of the cave.

I visited the Karamazov today. Alyosha had reported feeling ill, and I went with Gregory to have him examined. Gregory says Alyosha appears only fatigued. He prescribed sleeping pills. 1 may take a pill tonight, myself. I have been having an unusual amount of bad dreams. But I can never remember them when I wake up.

Carl called several times today. He says he is lonely, which made me smile. Carl seldom spoke on the journey here, and appeared anxious to have privacy.

I find myself missing Anna tonight. I will tape another message for her before I go to bed.

10, 31: There are ca.n.a.ls on Mars! Ivan and Nicholas took the tractor three miles into the cave and discovered a tunnel full of water.

I was surprised at first when they told me what they had discovered. I thought they were joking. Nicholas explained that the atmospheric pressure had mounted steadily the deeper they went. The pressure is approximately one-tenth Earth's where the cave ends above the ca.n.a.l.

Moscow has ordered us to explore the cave using one or both of our hovercraft. I just returned from the Karamazov after inspecting the vehicles. I am not pleased with the order. I feel it is dangerous - I want to move more slowly. Since Moscow will not allow me personally to explore the ca.n.a.l, Ivan will go in my stead. I will choose his partner tomorrow.

Despite our exciting discovery, the morale of the men is low. We are all having trouble sleeping. Tensions are increasing. Twice today I had to break up arguments. My men are clinging to each other, and at the same time pushing each other away. I reported the trouble to Moscow, but they did not seem interested.

I find myself longing to see blue sky again, or even the starry black of s.p.a.ce. The Martian scenery, although still beautiful, has begun to depress me for reasons I don't understand.

Thankfully Alyosha is feeling better. Perhaps I will send him with Ivan tomorrow.

11, 1: I spent the day supervising the fueling of the hovercraft at the end of the cave, beside the ca.n.a.l. This was my first direct experience with the watery tunnel. It is ma.s.sive, and I had trouble believing it was really there.

I have been wondering if our solar panels were working properly. I have been cold lately, even though our thermostats report a normal range of temperature. Several of the men have also reported a chill. I discussed the matter with Gregory, and he is worried we might have caught an infection. This has given me cause for anxiety. We also seem unreasonably thirsty, although we drink more liquids than we need. I have ordered Gregory to examine everyone closely. At present he is in the laboratory below me, conducting his tests.

I had a strange hallucination just now. I glanced up from my diary, out the porthole, and thought I saw something walking in the dark. It appeared a foot shorter than a man, but with a wide snouted face and eyes that shone with a dull red light. I was on the verge of calling for Ivan when it vanished. But I know it was a hallucination. There are no footprints in the sand outside my window, and the thing I saw reminds me of the creatures in the nightmares that have been bothering me since we landed. So I know it was only in my mind.

11, 2: Today is very sad for all of us. Ivan and Alyosha went up the ca.n.a.l in the hovercraft and never returned. They * must be dead by now. Their air supply would have run out two hours ago.

After traveling for several miles over the water, they came to a huge cavern. I told them to stop and send up a flare. In the brief light we saw a land ma.s.s approximately two kilometers distant, surrounded by water. I had no choice but to follow my superiors' orders and send them forward. Somehow their communications jammed, and we were unable to reach them. Ivan should have turned back, but he was always the adventurous one. I sent the second hovercraft to look for them, but it was hours behind; it had to refuel at the end of the cave before it set out over the water. Nicholas led the second expedition, and he was able to find and retrieve the first hovercraft, but he discovered no bodies.

I can't help feeling bitter over what has happened. Had Moscow been in less of a hurry, we could have undertaken a more systematic exploration of the ca.n.a.l, and minimized our risks. Ivan was a good friend . Thankfully, he has no family. I doubt if the message I sent Alyosha's wife will be of much comfort. I doubt if she will even receive it.

I am exhausted. Today has been a great strain. I hope for once that I am able to sleep without nightmares.

11, 3: Ivan is alive! Nicholas found him while exploring the island today. Right now my dear friend is again sleeping on the bed beside the desk on which I write. My joy is great. If only Alyosha had survived, too. Ivan says Alyosha accidently fell into a volcanic fissure they had discovered. Ivan is anxious to show me the place where our comrade was lost. Of course, I won't be permitted to go for the time being, but I will send Nicholas with Ivan tomorrow. Ivan cannot stop talking about how amazing this place is. It is odd, though. He talks about it constantly but he doesn't seem to say anything. I can't understand how he can be so enthusiastic about a place where Alyosha lost his life.

Gregory also reminded me of something else that has been bothering me. Ivan's air supply should have run out. He should be dead. Gregory suggested that Alyosha sacrificed his oxygen for Ivan to live. But when I asked Ivan if this had been the case, he got angry, for a moment. Then he quickly smiled and said that Alyosha hadn't sacrificed a d.a.m.n thing.

11, 4: It is the middle of the night. Ivan and Nicholas explored the island today and returned safely near sunset. They hinted that they had found something remarkable, and I was excited. I quizzed them at length for my report to Moscow, but they were vague about what they had seen. They just kept saying I had to see the place for myself, when they know it is against my orders to go down there.

Yet Moscow seems pleased with the progress of our mission. They suggest that I send two teams to the island tomorrow. I discussed the idea with Ivan and Nicholas, but they were against it. They said it would be too risky. But they did suggest that they be allowed to continue with the exploration themselves, with the addition of one, maybe two, men. Since they are familiar with the island, I agreed.

I am tired now, but can't sleep. I don't want to sleep. Every time I doze off, I feel a weight on my chest and have difficulty breathing. Gregory says he can find no signs of infection in our blood. Nevertheless, everyone is complaining of chills and thirst. We have set the thermostat at eighty-five degrees and we are still cold.

Gregory asked if he can accompany Ivan and Nicholas tomorrow. He told me he suspects our problems may somehow be related to the ca.n.a.l water. That does not seem logical to me. We had a host of symptoms before we discovered the ca.n.a.l. Plus Ivan is the only one who is sleeping properly, and he has spent more time down there than anybody. Even as I write these words, he is fast asleep on the bed beside me. In fact, he doesn't even snore anymore.