crystals about their waists and wrists.
Mark's voice came from behind Ikawa. He hadn't even heard the American approach. "Pina says that it's Allic and his escort. He said they're flying over a ground force. I'm betting we see something come around the side of the hill very shortly."
Ikawa lowered his glasses for a moment and noticed that the other Americans had come over to watch.
"They're banking in," commented Lieutenant Goldberg.
Just then a force of mounted riders came into view.
"Looks like we are stuck in a pretty primitive society," Walker said. "If they use horses for cavalry instead of jeeps or tanks, then you can bet they've never heard of the internal combustion engine. Maybe we can strike it rich by selling a little modern technology."
Ikawa raised his binoculars again―and gasped. With his face a careful blank he handed the binoculars to Mark while remarking to Walker, "You may be right about the modern technology, sergeant, but not about the horses."
Mark focused in on the rapidly approaching party. "Jesus! These aren't horses. They look like..." He lowered the binoculars and turned to look at Ikawa.
Both men stared at each other, and Mark continued, "They are riding what appear to be giant Dobermans."
Silence. Then one of the Japanese said, "What is a Doberman?"
Mark, who hadn't taken his eyes from Ikawa's, answered, "It's a dog. Only what they've got is the size of a Clydesdale, and looks mean enough to kick the shit out of a pride of lions."
He shuddered and handed the binoculars to Ikawa. "And there is a guy flying in the center of the column that makes Pina look about as fearsome as a four-year-old."
Ikawa nodded. "We had better get ready. I think the next five minutes are going to be very important."
"My Lord Allic approaches," Pina announced, and he bent one knee to the ground. "Kneel as I do."
"Say, look," Goldberg interjected, "the Goldbergs haven't bent a knee to anyone since we left the cossacks behind. I'm an American, remember that."
There was a murmur of agreement from some of the others.
"Bend your knee to your lord," Pina commanded. And he looked toward the sky in the direction from which Allic was approaching.
Mark looked over to Ikawa. The Japanese had already followed Pina's command, but the Americans hadn't moved.
Ikawa gave Mark a beseeching look as the Americans gathered around their commander.
"Bend your knee!" Pina shouted.
Mark had to think quick. "All right, men, do you remember that asshole colonel back at the base?"
"Yeah, dipshit Guest," Welsh mumbled.
"Dipshit Guest," Mark agreed. " You had to salute him, I had to salute him―even though he was a stinking coward who pissed his way out of every combat mission we ever flew. But still we saluted him."
"I'd like to have saluted him with my foot up his ass," Giorgini replied.
"Right, Giorgini, so would I. Here in this place bending a knee is the same as a salute. Now, this Allic guy strikes me as a man with some balls. Just look at that guy fly." Mark quickly pointed towards Allic, who was already coming in for a landing.
"He's got Pina's respect; he's got mine. I'd rather salute him than that asshole Guest any day of the week." Mark went to one knee and looked reproachfully at his men.
One after another they followed his lead. Mark looked over to Ikawa, who wore a look of relief that was a reflection of Mark's own thoughts.
Allic landed by Pina's side and touched him lightly on the shoulder. Pina arose and gave a quick nod of respect.
"You have done well, my friend."
Pina started to go back down on one knee in response.
"No, stand by my side."
Ikawa was watching this closely. This one knew how to command men, and had a presence as well. He was half a foot taller than any of the others, with a full mane of golden hair pulled back and held in place by a crownlike thing that had glowing crystals in it. His face was dark, tanned as if accustomed to being in the field. This was no palace princeling. This was