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Kochanski called. "He's unconscious." And he pointed to the ground where Jose was already covered with somebody's flight jacket. The pale moonlight made his face look deathly. Mark looked up, and gasped. There were two moons―very bright and set about twenty degrees apart."
    The men followed his gaze, and began shouting again.
    "Shut up, all of you!"
    The only thing that kept Mark from blind panic was the responsibility that by now was part of his nature. He had to get his people doing something―anything―to divert them from their fear.
    The orders rattled off.
    "Goldberg, see to Jose, and try to make him comfortable. Kraut, set up a defensive perimeter. I don't know where the hell we are, but we'd best be prepared."
    "Could be Mars," Kochanski ventured.
    Several of the men started to talk again. In the distance he could hear the same with the Japanese. Hell, there were still the Japs to deal with.
    "What do you mean, Mars?"
    "Ever read any Burroughs? Twin moons, Carter, Martian princess, and all that?"
    "Later, Kochanski, later. Just do what I've told you for now."
    Mark looked towards Ikawa and saw that he already had his men lined up and was speaking to them in a low voice.
    Several of them broke away and fanned out into the darkness.
    Mark turned back to his men.
    "Kochanski, Smith, Welsh," his voice lowered to a whisper. "Watch the Japs, especially Ikawa and that other officer, you know the bastard." He started to move but turned back. "And for god's sake, if they open up, knock out that machine gun first or we're all dead."
    The men nodded, their faces shining softly in the light.
    "On my command, and my command only, you're to take them out. Now that the Chinese are gone..." His voice trailed off. Gone. Gone to where? He forced himself to re-focus his attention.
    "Just keep a watch on them."
    "Captain Ikawa." Mark turned away from his men and prepared for the possible showdown with their captors.
    * * * *
    "Private Yoshida, control yourself!"
    Any other officer would have slapped Yoshida for the nearly hysterical display, but Ikawa could well understand it. He could barely control his own fear.
    "We are not dead, Yoshida! We are still alive." Ikawa forced a laugh, and gave Shigeru, the sumo wrestler, a sharp punch in the stomach.
    Shigeru grunted.
    "See: If old Shigeru here can still feel pain, then you know we are still in the realm of the living."
    He patted Shigeru on the shoulder and turned away. They had relaxed just a little and he took advantage of it.
    "Sergeant Nobuaki, pick five men and form a defensive perimeter. Sergeant Saito, come over here with me for a moment."
    He stepped back from his men so they couldn't hear.
    "Saito, take the rest of the men and deploy to face the Americans. Be ready to kill them if they make any move. Do you understand?"
    "Yes, Captain."
    Ikawa hesitated for a second. His words would be dangerous in the Empire―but they were far from the Empire now.
    "Sergeant, you are to answer only to me. If Lieutenant Mokaoto attempts to order you in any way regarding the Americans, you are to refer him to me."
    He could see the astonishment in Saito's eyes. Etiquette and discipline had just been broken, but he knew that Saito could be trusted. Ikawa turned and walked over to Mokaoto.
    "Who was killed by that blast of light?"
    "Superior Private Teruzo, Captain."
    "We have everyone else?"
    "Yes, and the Americans as well."
    "Yes, the Americans as well." Ikawa looked past Mokaoto to the twin moons on the horizon.
    "Captain Ikawa."
    He looked up and saw Phillips approaching him, his hands extended out to either side showing that his weapon was holstered.
    "Don't trust him. Captain," Mokaoto hissed.
    Ikawa ignored him and walked over to meet the American.
    At a cautious distance of several feet they both came to a stop.
    "Any idea of where the hell we are?" Phillips finally asked.
    Ikawa looked away from Mark. They stood upon a low cresting hill and Ikawa could see the broad, treeless valley