An up-armored Humvee weighs twelve thousand pounds. The vehicle skids wildly, throwing up great breakers of sand and stone. It stops. Manning springs from the cab. I toss him the Zombie Killer. He cocks it and pumps two shells point-blank into Instancer’s back.

I see Ben-David crab-scurry clear.

Manning slings the shotgun away.

He flings himself onto Instancer.

The two grapple and merge into a single form. For a moment it seems as if Manning has gained command.

Instancer hurls Manning powerfully off his back.

Something makes me turn toward the Humvee. Rachel emerges from its right-hand door.

She sees her brother.

Ben-David has gotten to his feet. His eyes find Rachel’s. I have never seen a look like the one that passes between them in this moment.

Has Rachel come to stand by him or to kill him? Clearly Ben-David can’t tell.

His glance seeks Dana and the other paratroopers.

Without a command the soldiers race for their weapons.

Instancer stands, untouched, unhurt.

He turns first to Rachel, then to Manning, then to Ben-David.

INSTANCER

Thirty-six.

The lugs of Ben-David’s boots churn the grit and grime. He bolts for the entry to Gehenna.

We’re at the summit of the excavation site. A temporary structure, blown half to shreds by the gale, protects the entrance and the passageways to the levels below. Ben-David lurches into this, tottering from heat and fatigue. He vanishes from sight down an incline.

Lightning continues to boom across the valley of Megiddo. A keening sound, from the wind and the thrumming of the underground, makes the marrow vibrate inside my bones.

Instancer, absent all haste, turns toward the summit entry. He starts after Ben-David.

Manning is on his feet. He tugs the 226 from his shoulder holster. The Zombie Killer lies in the dirt beside Ben-David’s truck, where Manning had flung it when he leapt to grapple with Instancer.

MANNING

(to me)

Bring the gun.

Manning’s face is the color of ash. His arms hang, limp from exhaustion and dehydration. He lingers a moment only, to gather himself and to be sure I have heard him and will do what he said.

MANNING

And bring her.

Manning’s last glance is to Rachel. Then he turns and stalks toward the summit entry.

I pick up the shotgun. I grab Rachel.

Manning disappears into the excavation.

Instancer has plunged below, pursuing Ben-David.

I glance back to the army trucks. The soldiers are hastily arming the three tunnel-busters. Dana issues orders.

I feel Rachel resisting me. My right hand holds the shotgun. My left clutches her by the elbow.

ME

Try anything and I’ll kill you.

I drag her forward.

Into the archaeological mound.

Diesel generators thrum. High-power construction-type lamps light the interior. The place is like a construction site, only going down instead of up.

LEVEL ONE

I know Rachel knows the layout. I order her to tell me which way to go.

RACHEL