At the limit of the plasma tube in the first through fourth chambers, arrow-shaped craft patrolled back and forth. Other larger craft flew at will above the valley floors, and the double-barred crosses were everywhere.

In the fourth chamber zero compound, Hoffman realized that any attempt at defense would be useless. The technology and the force they were up against was insurmountable.

"There's no doubt they're from the corridor?" she asked Berenson in the middle of the compound as they stood by a truck prepared to evacuate them.

"No doubt," Berenson said, accent thick with nerves.

"Then we can hope for the best."

"And what would that be?" Polk asked. Her hair was wildly astray; for impeccable Janice Polk, that was a definite sign of frayed nerves.

"That they're human. Our descendants."

Rather than risk wholesale slaughter, she instructed Gerhardt to tell his soldiers not to fire unless directly assaulted. She could not, of course, instruct the Russians—they would have to figure out the situation on their own.

Wallace and Polk helped with the communications. They spoke with several Russians on the radio, but the Russians refused to provide any information on their situation—though, in all fairness, neither of the women were able to get in touch with an officer. Rimskaya stepped forward and offered to take a message to the Russian leaders, on foot if necessary. That was gallant, but Hoffman refused. By the time the Russians received the message, the situation would probably have changed.

Three crosses in a triangle formation flew over the compound. One broke away at the southern cap and returned to hover directly over the center, and over Hoffman. Bright flashes of light appeared between Berenson and Hoffman. Hoffman jerked and stumbled against Rimskaya; Berenson stood his ground with eyes wide and nostrils flared.

Then the cross spoke, its voice that of a woman.

"You are not in danger. Under no circumstances will you be harmed. You will also not be allowed to harm each other. All occupied chambers are under Axis City jurisdiction."

"So what do we do? Kowtow?" Beryl Wallace asked.

Gerhardt approached them slowly, one eye cocked toward the hovering cross. "Jesus, that's scary," he said to Hoffman in a whisper. "My people don't know whether to piss down their legs or bow in submission."

"Sorry I can't reassure them," Hoffman said.

"What in hell is 'Axis City?’" Berenson asked.

"I could hazard a guess," Hoffman said. "Where everybody lives down the corridor—on the axis."

Rimskaya nodded too eagerly. "Talk to it, then," he suggested.

Hoffman looked up and squinted. "We intend no harm. Please identify yourself."

"Are you the leader of this group?"

"Yes," Hoffman said. She pointed to Gerhardt. "He's a leader, too."

"Are you the leaders of all groups in the chambers?"

"No," Hoffman said. She didn't volunteer any more information, deciding a witness's approach to questioning would be best.