Travis broke into three quick steps to join Eric. He was an inch or two shorter than Eric’s six-foot height and of a stockier build, with a dark handsomeness and a quick smile that had sent every unmarried female over twelve years of age into flights of hopeful, tittering anticipation. But he had quickly proven to be a valuable addition to the village and had been accepted as one of them. As he caught up and matched strides with Eric, he asked, “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Cliff and Dad were right. They were automobile lights. A whole column of men and vehicles is moving toward us. They killed Cliff.”

Travis stopped abruptly, stunned. “What?”

“Yes.” Eric went striding on, once again making Travis hasten to catch up with him. “It’s a whole army of men.” Eric looked around, suddenly noticing the lack of activity in the village. “Where is everybody?”

Travis was startled momentarily by the question. “Uh—they’re in the schoolhouse. We were—uh—they’re having a meeting, trying to keep the kids occupied.”

“Good,” Eric said, oblivious to the sudden change in Travis. “That will save time getting everybody together. We may have to evacuate the village.” He pulled up short, causing Travis to bump against his arm. “Listen!” he commanded, raising his hand.

They both cocked their heads as the faint echo of rifle fire rolled up the valley toward them.

“It’s started!” Eric said, grabbing Travis by the elbow. “They’ve reached the bridge already. We’ve got to hurry.”

“What is going on?” Travis demanded. “There shouldn’t be shooting. What if they come in peace?”

“Cliffs dead!” Eric snapped angrily. “They don’t come in peace.” He dragged Travis into motion, talking quickly, outlining what had to be done, then answering Travis’s rapid-fire questions about the events of the past few hours.

As they rounded the corner and started up the street that ended at the white frame schoolhouse, Travis was shaking his head. “It’s all wrong,” he muttered. “Those stupid, blundering idiots!”

Eric spun around angrily. “You think it’s stupid to protect ourselves?”

That pulled Travis out of his thoughts, and he shook his head. “I don’t mean the villagers. I mean those idiot fools in the blue and orange uniforms.”

“Oh.” Eric took two more steps, then stopped short again, staring at Travis. “How did you know they were wearing blue and orange uniforms?”

Travis looked past Eric, then jerked his thumb behind him. “Did they look like that?” he asked softly.

Eric turned in time to see two men step out from behind a nearby building. They were clad in bright orange and blue onepiece uniforms and orange helmets. Each pointed a stubby, longbarreled pistol directly at Eric. Instinctively, Eric started to whirl, bringing up his rifle, but Travis was quicker; he snatched the rifle out of Eric’s grasp, jumping back from him.