David Brin

Loki’sdwarfrolleditseyesandmoanedpitifullyasthesubleveledoffatperiscopedepth.
Withstubbyfingersthegnarled,necklesscreaturepulleditsyellow-stainedbeardandstaredupat

thecreakingpipes.

Athingofdarkforestdepthsandhiddencaves,ChrisTuringthoughtashewatchedthedwarf.
Itwasn’tmeantforthisplace.
Onlymenwouldchoosesuchawaytodie,inaleakingsteelcoffin,onahopelessattempttoblowup

Valhalla.

Butthen,itwasn’tlikelythatLoki’sdwarfhadbeengivenmuchchoiceinbeinghere.
Why,Chriswonderedsuddenly—notforthefirsttime.
Whydosuchcreaturesexist?Wasn’tevildoingwellenoughintheworldbeforetheycametohelpit

along?

Thesubmarine’senginesrumbledandChrisshruggedasidethethought.Imaginingaworldwithout

Aesirandtheirservantsinitwasashardasrememberingatimewithoutwar.Hesatstrappedinacrash
seatlisteningtotheswishingoficyBalticwaterjustbehindatissue-thinbulkhead—andwatchedthe
gnomehuddleatopacrateofhydrogenbombparts.Itdrewitsclublikefeetupawayfromthesloshing
brineonthedeck,scrunchinghigherontheblackbox.

AnothermoanescapedthedwarfastheRazorfin’speriscopewentup,andmorewatergurgledin

throughpressurerelieflines.

MajorMarlowelookedupfromtheassaultriflehewasreassemblingforthethirtiethtime.
“What’seatingthedamndwarfnow?”themarineofficerasked.
Chrisshookhishead.
“Searchme.Thefactthathe’soutofhiselement,maybe?Afterall,theancientNorsethoughtofthe

deepasaplaceforsunkenboatsandfishes.”

“IthoughtyouweresomesortofexpertontheAesir.Andyouaren’tsurewhythethingisfoaming

atthemouth?”

“IsaidIdon’tknow.Whydon’tyougooverandaskhimyourself?”
MarlowegaveChrisasourglance.“SidleuptothatstenchandaskLoki’sdamndwarftoexplainits

feelings?Hmph.I’dratherspitinanAesir’seye.”

Fromtheleftsideofthecabin,ZapO’LearyleanedoutandgrinnedatMarlowe.
“Digit,daddyo.There’sanAesoverbythescope,dope.Bemyguest.Writehimrunesinhis

spitoon.”

TheeccentrictechniciangesturedtowardtheNavymenclusteredaroundthesub’speriscope.Next

totheSkipperstoodahulkingfigurecladinfursandleather,toweringoverthesubmariners.

MarloweblinkedbackatO’Learyinbewilderment.Themarineseemedlessoffendedthan

confused.“Whatdidhesay?”heaskedChris.

Chriswishedheweren’tseatedbetweenthetwo.
“ZapsuggeststhatyoutestitbyspittinginLoki‘seye.”
Marlowegrimaced.O’Learymightaswellhavesuggestedhestickhishandintoascram-jetengine.

Oneofthemarinescrammedintothepassagewaybehindthemmadethemistakeofdroppinga
cartridgeintothefoulwater.Marloweventedhisfrustrationonthepoorgruntwithrichprofanity.

Thedwarfmoanedagain,hugginghiskneesandpressingagainstthesealedcrate.
Whereverthey’refrom,theyaren’tusedtowater.Andtheseso-calleddwarfsdon’tlikesubmarines.
Chriswasn’texactlypartialtothisone,either.Butnowhereelseintheworldwasmuchsafer.Inlate

1962,verylittletimeremainedfortheAllianceAgainstNazism.Ifanythingcouldbedonethisautumn,

tostaveofftheinevitable,itwasworththegamble.

EvenLoki—bearlike,nearlyinvulnerable,andalwaysboomingforthlaughterthatsentchillsdown

humanspines—hadbetrayednervesearlier,astheRazorfindroppedfromthebellyofascreaming
bomber,sendingtheirstomachswhirlingasthearrow-subplummetedlikeagreatstoneintoNeptune’s
icyembrace.Thefallseemedendless.Thecrashandshriekoftorturedmetal,whentheyhitthesea,was
evenworse.

Andyet,almostanythingseemedanimprovementoverthelong,screechingtripoverthePole,

skirtingNazimissiles,skimmingmountainsandgraywatersinlurchingzigsandzags,helplessly
listening,strappedintoplace,astheairmenswoopedtheirflyingcoffinshitherandyon…prayingthe
enemy’sAesirmastersweren’tpatrollingthatsectionofthenorthtonight…

OftwentysubcarrierssentouttogetherfromBaffinIsland,onlysixmadeitallthewaytothe

watersbetweenSwedenandFinland.AndbothCetusandTigerfishbrokeuponimpact,tearinglike
rippedsardinecans,spillingtheirhaplesscrewsintofreezingdeath.

Justfoursubsleft,Christhought.Still,ourchancesmaybeslim,butthosepoorpilotsarethereal

heroes.

Hedoubtedanyofthecrewswouldmakeitacrossdark,deadlyEuropetoTehranandsafety.
“CaptainTuring!”
ChrislookedupastheSkippercalledhisname.CommanderLewishadloweredtheperiscopeand

movedovertothecharttable,makingabeckoningmotion.Chrisunstrappedandjumpedintothebrine.

“Telltheswabbieswe’resavinourhoochforourselves,”O’Learyadvisedhim,sottovoce.
“Goodpot’stooraretoshare.”
“Shutup,fool.”Marlowegrowled.Chrisignoredthembothashesloshedforward.TheSkipper

awaitedhim,standingbesidetheir“advisor,”thealiencreaturecallinghimselfLoki.

I’veknownLokiforyears,Christhought.I’vefoughtalongsidehimagainsthisAesirbrothers…and

stillhescaresthelivinghelloutofmeeachtimeIlookathim.

Toweringovereveryone,LokiregardedChriswithfierce,enigmaticeyes.The“godoftricks”looked

muchlikeaman,albeitanunnaturallylargeandpowerfulone.Butthoseblackeyesbeliedevery
impressionofhumanity.ChrishadspentenoughtimewithLoki,sincetherenegadeAesirdefectedto
theAlliedside,toknowheshouldavoidlookingintothemwheneverpossible.

“Sir,”hesaid,noddingtoCommanderLewisandthebeardedAesir.“Itakeitwe’reapproaching

pointY?”

“Correct.We’llbethereintenminutes,barringanythingunforeseen.”
Lewisseemedtohaveagedoverthelasttwentyhours.Theyoungsubcommanderknewhis

squadronwasn’ttheonlythingconsideredexpendableinthisoperation.Severalthousandmilestothe
west,thebetterpartofwhatremainedoftheUnitedStatesSurfaceNavywasengagedhopelesslyfor
onereasononly.TodistracttheKriegsmarine—andespeciallyacertain“godofthesea”—awayfrom
theBalticandOperationRagnarok.Loki’scousinTyrwasn’tverypotentagainstsubmarines,butunless
hisattentionwasdrawnelsewhere,hecouldmakelifeunbearablewhentheirtinyforcetriedtoland.

Sotonight,instead,hewouldbefarawaymakinghellforAmericanandCanadianandMexican

sailors.

Chrisshiedawayfromthinkingaboutit.ToomanyboysweregoingtotheirdeathsoffLabrador,

justtokeeponealiencreatureoccupiedwhilefoursubstriedtosneakinthroughthebackdoor.

“Thankyou.I’dbettertellMajorMarloweandmydemolitionteam.”
Heturnedtogo,butwasstoppedbyanoutsizehandonhisshoulder,holdinghimgentlybutwith

steelyadamancy.

“Thoumustknowsomethingmore,”thebeingcalledLokisaidinalow,resonantvoice.
Impossiblywhiteteethshoneinhisgleamingsmile.

“Thouwilthaveapassengeringoingashore.”
Chrisblinked.Theplanhadbeenforonlyhisteamandtheircommandoescort…Thenhesawthe

pallorofdreadonCommanderLewis’facedeeperthananymerefearofdeath.

Christurnedbacktostareatthefur-cladgiant.“You…”heexhaled.
Lokinodded.“Asmallchangeinplans.Iwillnotaccompanytheunderseavessels,astheyattempt

tobreakoutthroughtheSkagerrak.Iwillgoashorewiththee,instead,toGotland.”

Chriskepthisfaceblank.Inallhonesty,therewasnowaythissideofHeaventhatheorLewis

couldstopthiscreaturefromdoingwhateveritwanted.Onewayortheother,theAllieswereaboutto
losetheironlyAesirfriendinthelongwaragainsttheNaziplague.

Iftheword“friend”everreallydescribedLoki,whohadappearedonedayonthetarmacofa

ScottishairfieldduringthefinalevacuationofBritain,accompaniedbyeightsmall,beardedbeings
carryingboxes.Hehadledthemuptothenearestamazedofficerandimperiouslycommandeeredthe
primeminister’spersonalplanetotakehimtherestofthewaytoAmerica.

Perhapsanarmoredbattalionmighthavestoppedhim.CombatreportsprovedthatAesircouldbe

killed,ifyouwereverylucky,poundingonehardandfastenough.Butwhenthelocalcommander
realizedwhatwashappening,hedecidedtotakeachance.

Lokihadprovenhisworthmanytimes,sincethatdaytenyearsago.
Tillnow,thatis.
“Ifyouinsist.”HetoldtheAes.
“Ido.Itismywill.”
“ThenI’llgoexplainittoMarlowe.Excuseme,please.”
Hebackedawayafewmetersfirst,thenturnedtogo.
Ashesloshedaway,thatglitteringstareseemedtofollowhim,pastthemoaningdwarf,past

O’Leary’sever-sardonicsmile,downthenarrow,dankpassagewaylinedwithstrapped-inmarines,all
thewaytothesabotlaunchingtubes.

Voiceswerehushed.AlltheyoungmenspokeEnglish,butonlyhalfwereNorthAmericans.
Theirshoulderpatches—FreeFrench,FreeRussian,FreeIrish,GermanChristian—weremuted

inthedimlight,butthemixedaccentswereunmistakable,aswellasthewaytheystrokedtheir
weaponsandthegleamChriscaughtsightofinseveralpairsofeyes.

Thesewerethesortthatvolunteeredforsuicidemissions,thetypecommonintheworldafter

thirteenyearsofhorriblewar—thathadlittleornothinglefttolose.

MajorMarlowehadcomebacktosupervisetheloadingofthelandingboats.HedidnottakeChris’s

newswell.

“Lokiwantstocomealong?ToGotland?”Hespat.“Thebastard’saspy.Iknewitallthetime!”
Chrisshookhishead.“He’shelpedusahundredways,John.Why,justbyaccompanyingIketo

Tokyo,andconvincingtheJapanese—”

“Bigdeal!We’dalreadybeatentheJaps!”Thebigmarineclenchedhisfist,hard.“Likewe’dhave

crushedHitler,ifthesemonstershadn’tarrived,likeSatan’scurse,outofnowhere.

“Andnowhe’slivedamongusfortenyears,observingourmethods,ourtacticsandtechnology,the

onlyrealadvantagewehadleft!”

Chrisgrimaced.HowcouldheexplainittoMarlowe?ThemarineofficerhadnevervisitedTehran,

asChrisdidlastyear.MarlowehadneverseenthecapitalcityofIsrael-Iran,America’sgreatestand
moststalwartally,bulwarkoftheEast.

There,indozensofarmedsettlementsalongtheeastbankoftheEuphrates,Chrishadmetfierce

menandwomenwhoboreontheirarmstattooednumbersfromTreblinka,Dachau,Auschwitz.He
heardtheirstoryofhow,onehopelessnightunderbarbedwireandthestenchofchimneys,thestarving,
doomedmasseslookeduptoseeastrangevaporfallfromthesky.

Unbelieving,death-starkenedeyeshadstaredinwondermentasthemistgathered,coalescinginto

somethingalmostsolid.

Outofthateeriefog,abridgeofmanycolorsformed…arainbowarchclimbing,apparently

withoutend,outofthoseplacesofhorrorintoamoonlessnight.Andfromtheheights,eachdoomed
manandwomansawadark-eyedfigureonaflyinghorse.Theyfelthimwhisperinsidetheirminds.

Come,children,whileyourtormentersblinkandstammerinmywebofthemind.Come,all,overmy

bridgetosafety.Beforemycousinsdescriemytreason.

Whentheysanktotheirknees,orrockedinthankfulprayer,thefigureonlysnortedderisively.His

voicehissedwithintheirheads.

DonotmistakemeforyourGod,wholeftyouheretodie!IcannotexplainthatOne’sabsenceto

you,orHisplaninallthis.TheAll-FatherisamysteryeventoGreatOdin!

KnowonlythatIwilltakeyoutosafetynow,suchastheremaybeinthisworld.Butonlyhurry!Be

gratefullater,ifyoumust,butcome!

Downtothecamps,tobleakghettos,toacityundersiege,bridgesformedinasinglenight,and

vanishedwithdawnlikevapororadream.Twomillionpeople,theold,thelame,women,children,the
slavesofHitler’swarfactories,climbedthosepaths—fortherewasnootherchoice—andfound
themselvestransportedtoadesertland,bythebanksofanancientriver,arrivingjustintimetotakeup
hastyarmsandsaveaBritishArmyfleeingthewreckageofEgyptandPalestine.Theyfusedwiththe
astonishedPersians,andrefugeesfromcrippledRussia,tobuildanewnationoutofchaos.

Afterthatnightofmiracles,LokicouldnotreturntoEurope.ForthefuryofhisAesirkinwouldbe

savage.ReturningtoGotland,hewasinasmuchperilasthecommandos.

“No,Marlowe,you’rewrong.Ihaven’tanyideawhatonGod’sgreenEarthheis.ButI’dbetmy

lifeLoki’snotaspy.”

Thesabotsgurgledandrocked,shootingfreeofthesubmarineandthenbobbingtothesurfaceofa

frigidsea.Outershellsbrokeawayandsailorsdippedtheiroars.Mengratefullytooktheirfirstbreathof
cleanairinmorethanaday.

Thedwarfseemedlittlerelieved.Staringacrossdarkwaterstothewest,whereareddishlineof

sunsetoutlinedagreatBalticisland,thecreaturemutteredinagutturallanguagelikenothingEarthly.

Whichseemednatural.LikemostAmericans,Chriswasconvincedthatthesebeingswereasmuch

theancientNorsegods—recalledintothemodernworld—ashewasSandyKoufax,orthatthe
Dodgersdidn’tplayinBrooklyn.

Aliens—thatwastheofficialline.ThestorybroadcastbyAlliedRadioallthroughtheAmericas

andJapanandwhatremainedofFreeAsia.Creaturesfromthestarshadarrived,likeinthosestoriesby
ChesterNimitz,thefamoussciencefictionauthor.

Itwasn’thardtoimaginewhytheymightwanttobeseenasgods.Anditexplainedwhytheychose

tosidewiththeNazis.Therusewouldn’thaveworkedintheWest.Nomatterhowgreattheirguests’
powers,Euro-Americanscientistswouldhaveprobedandqueried.Peoplewouldhaveaskedquestions.

ButintheTeutonicmadnessofNazism,the“Aesir”foundfertileground.
ChrishadreadcapturedGermanSSdocuments.Evenbackinthethirtiesandearlyforties,before

thearrivaloftheAesir,theywerefilledwithmumbojumboandmysticism—stuffabouticemoons
fallingfromtheskyandtheromanticspiritoftheAryansuperrace.InaNazi-conqueredworldthe
Aesirwouldbegodsindeed.Likethelogicofaratorahyena,Chriscouldseethealiens’reasonsfor
choosingthatside,Goddamnthem.

Silhouettesofpinesoutlinedhilltops,serratingthewesternsky.Twoleadboatswerecrammedwith

marines,assignedtotakethebeachandmoveinland.Meanwhile,navyteamswouldpreparetheboats
foragetaway…asifanyonethoughtthatwouldreallyhappen.

ThelasttwocraftheldChris’sdemolitionteam.
LokikneltononekneeattheprowofChris’sboat,staringaheadwithglitteringeyes.Darkashe

was,helookedlikesomethingstraightoutofaVikingsaga.

Goodverisimilitude,Christhought.Ormaybecreaturesactuallybelievedtheywerewhotheysaid

were.AllChrisknewforcertainwasthattheyhadtobedefeated,orforhumanitytherewouldbe
nothingbutdarkness,fromnowon.

Hecheckedhiswatchandlookedupatthesky,scanningforstarryopeningsintheclouds.
Yes,thereitwas.Thesatellite.RidingNewton’swingsmorethantwohundredmilesup,circlingthe

globeeveryninetyminutes.

Whenitfirstappeared,theNazishadgoneintoparoxysms,proclaimingitanastrologicalportent.

Forsomeunknownbureaucraticreason,officialsinthePentagonsatonthesecretuntilhalftheworld
believedGoebbelspropaganda.Then,atlast,Washingtonrevealedthetruth.ThatAmericanspace-
argonautswerecirclingtheEarth.Fortwomonthstheworldhadseemedturnedaround.Thisnew
technologicalwonderwouldbemoreimportantthantheatombomb,manythought.

ThentheinvasionofCanadabegan.
Christurnedhismindawayfromwhatwashappeningnow,outintheAtlantic.Hewishedhehad

oneofthosenewlasercommunicators,sohecouldtellthemenupintheSatellitehowthingswere
progressingdownhere.Butthelightamplificationdevicesweresosecret,theChiefsofStaffhad
refusedtoallowanytobetakenintotheenemy’sheartland.

SurelytheNaziswereworkingonawaytoshootdowntheSatellite.Nooneknewwhy,withaliens

tohelpthem,theenemylettheirearlyleadinrocketryslipsobadly.

Perhapstheycan’toperateinspaceanymore…liketheyhaven’tbeenabletocrushoursubmarine

forces.

Butdoesthatmakesense?Howcouldalienslosetheabilitytodestroysuchacrudespacecraft?
Chrisshookhishead.
Notthatitmattersmuch.TonighttheAtlanticfleetisdying.Thiswinter,we’llbeforcedtouseour

biggestbombstoholdthelineinCanada…wreckingthecontinentevenifweslowthemdown.

Helookedatthefigureintheboat’sprow.
Howcanclevernessorindustryorcourageprevailagainstsuchpower?
Thosefur-coveredshoulderswerepassivenow.Lokihadadmittedtobeingoneoftheweakestof

these“gods.”ButChrishadseenhimteardownbuildingswithhisbarehands.

“Loki,”hesaidquietly.
Asoftenasnot,theAeswouldignoreanyhumanwhospoketohimwithoutleave.Butthistimethe

dark-hairedfigureturnedandregardedChris.Loki’sexpressionwasnotwarm,buthedidsmile.

“Thouarttroubled,youngling.Ispyitinthyheart.”
HeseemedtopeerintoChris.
“Itisnotfear,Iamgladtosee,butonlyagreatperplexity.”
FittingtheirassumedrolesasthefabledlordsofValhalla,couragewastheonehumanattributemost

honoredbytheAesir.Evenbythegodoftrickeryandtreachery.

“Thankyou,Loki.”Chrisnoddedrespectfully.Youcould’vefooledme.IthoughtIwasscared

spitless!

Loki’seyeswerepoolsglitteringwithstarlight.
“Onthisfatefuleve,itismeettograntabravewormaboon.ThereforeIwillfavorthee,mortal.

Askthreequestions.ThesewillLokianswertruthfully,byhisverylife.”

Chrisblinked,forthemomentstrickenspeechless.Hewasunpreparedforanythinglikethis!

EveryonefromPresidentMarshallandAdmiralHeinleinondowntothelowliestBraziliandrafteehad
hungeredforanswers.Imperiousandaloof,theironeAesirallyhaddoledouthintsandclues,had
helpedtofoilNazischemesandslowtheimplacableenemyadvance,buthenevermadeapromiselike
this.

ChrisfeltO’Learytensebehindhim,tryingtoseeminvisibleinordertobeallowedtostayand

listen.Foroncethebeatnik’smouthstayedfirmlyshut.

Pineforestsloomedabovethemastheboatenteredshallowsoutoftheeveningwind.Hecould

smellthedarkforest.Therewassolittletime!Chrisgropedforaquestion.

“I…Whoareyou,andwheredidyoucomefrom?”
Lokiclosedhiseyes.Whenheopenedthem,theblackorbswerefilledwithdarksadness.
“OutofthebodyofYmir,slainbyOdin,pouredtheSea.
“GrippingthebodyofYmir,Yggdrasil,thegreattree.
“Sprungfromsaltandfrost,theAesir,trembleEarth!
“BornofGiantandman,Loki,bringerofmirth.”
ThecreaturestaredatChris.
“Thishasalwaysbeenmyhome,hesaid.AndChrisknewthathemeanttheEarth.“Iremember

agesandeverythingspokenofinEddas—fromthechainingofFenristotheliesofSkrymnir.Andyet
…”

Loki’svoicewasfaintlypuzzled,evenhushed.
“Andyetthereissomethingaboutthosememories…somethinglaidover,aslichenliesuponthe

frost.”

Heshookhimself.“Intruth,IcannotsayforcertainthatIamolderthanthee,child-man.”
Loki’smassiveshouldersshrugged.

“Butmakehastewithyournextquestion.WeareapproachingtheGatheringPlace.Theywillbe

hereandwemuststopthemfromtheirscheming,ifitisnotalreadytoolate.”

Remindedsuddenlyofthepresent,Chrislookedupatthewildernessloomingallaroundthemon

theshadowedhillsides.

“Areyousureaboutthisplan—takingonsomanyoftheAesirinoneplace?”
Lokismiled.AndChrisrealizedatoncewhy.Likesomeidiotoutofafairytale,hehadsquandered

aquestioninasillyquestforcomfort!ButreassurancewasnotoneofLoki’sstrongsuits.

“No,Iamnotsure,impertinentmortal!”
Lokilaughedandtherowingsailorsbrieflylosttheirstrideastheylookedupattheironic,savage

sound.“Thinkthouthatonlymenmaywinhonorbydaringallagainstdeath?HeredoesLokishowhis
courage,tofaceOdin’sspearandThor’shammerifhemust,tonight!”Heturnedandshookaham-size
fisttowardthewest.Thedwarfwhimperedandcrouchedbesidehismaster.

Chrissawthatthemarineshadalreadylanded.MajorMarlowemadequickhandgestures,sending

thefirstskirmishersfanningoutintotheforest.Thesecondrowofboatsshippedoarsandwerecarried
bymomentumtowardthegravellyshore.

Hehurriedtotakeadvantageoftheremainingtime.
“Loki.WhatishappeninginAfrica?”
Since‘49theDarkContinenthadbeendarkindeed.FromTunistotheCapeofGoodHope,fires

burned,andrumorsofhorrorflowed.

Lokiwhisperedsoftly.
“Surturmustneedshaveahome,beforethetimeofraging.
“There,intorment,mencryout,screamingforanending.”
Thegiantshookhisgreathead.“InAfricaandonthegreatplainsofRussia,terriblemagicsare

beingmade,andterriblewoe.”

BackinIsrael-IranChrishadseensomeoftherefugees—Blacksandhigh-cheekedSlavs
—luckyescapeeswhohadfledthefiresintime.Eventheyhadnotbeenabletotellwhatwas

happeningintheinterior.Onlypeoplewhohadseentheearlierhorrors—whosearmsborestenciled
numbersfromthefirstwaveofchimneycampswouldimaginewhatwashappeninginthesilent
continents.Andthosefiercemenandwomenkepttheirsilence.

ItstruckChristhatLokididnotseemtospeakoutofpity,butmatter-of-factly,asifhethoughta

mistakewerebeingmade,butnotanyparticularevil.

“Terriblemagics…”Chrisrepeated.Andsuddenlyhehadathought.“Youmeanthepurposeisn’t

onlytoslaughterpeople?Thatsomethingelseisgoingon,aswell?Isitrelatedtothereasonwhyyou
savedthosepeoplefromthefirstcamps?Wassomethingbeingdonetothem?”

Chrishadasensethattherewassomethingimportanthere.Somethingultimatelycrucial.
ButLokismiled,holdingupthreefingers.
“Nomorequestions.Itistime.”
Theyscrapedbottom.Sailorsleaptoutintotheicywatertodragtheboatuptotherockyshore.

Shortly,Chriswasbusysupervisingtheunloadingoftheirsupplies,buthismindwasaturmoil.

Lokiwashidingsomething,laughingathimforhavingcomesocloseandyetmissingthetarget.

Therewasmoretothisventure,tonight,thananattempttokillafewaliengods.

Highinthedarkforestcanopy,acrowcawedscratchily.Thedwarf,ladenunderenoughboxesto

crushaman,rolleditseyesandmoanedsoftly,butLokiseemednottonotice.

“Reetfreakinghideaway,daddyo,”O’LearymutteredashehelpedChrisshoulderthebomb’sfuse

mechanism.“Aheavy-dutyscene.“

“Right,”Chrisanswered,feelingsureheunderstoodthebeatnikthistime.“Aheavy-dutyscene.”
Theysetout,followingthefaintblazingslaidbytheirmarinescouts.

Astheyclimbedanarrowtrailfromthebeach,Chrisfeltagrowingsenseofanticipation…
afeelingofbeing,rightthen,atthenaveloftheworld.Forwellorill,thisplacewaswherethefate

oftheworldhung.Hecouldthinkofnobetterendthantosearthisislandcleanofalllife.Ifthatmeant
standingbesidethebombandtriggeringithimself,well,fewmeneverhadachancetotradetheirlives
sowell.

Theyweredeepundertheforestcanopynow.Chriscaughtsightofflickeringmovementsunderthe

trees,marineflankersguardingthemandtheirpreciouscargo.Accordingtoprewarmaps,theyhadonly
totoponerise,thenanother.Fromthatprominence,anyplacetoplantthebombwoulddoquitenicely.
Valhallawouldevaporateinflame.

Chrisstartedtoturn,tolookbackatLoki…butatthatmomentthenighteruptedwithlight.Flares

poppedandfittedandfloatedslowlythroughthebranchesontinyparachutes.

Mendoveforcoverastracerbulletssenttheirshadowsfleeing.Therewasasuddengunfireup

ahead,andloudconcussions.Menscreamed.

Chrissoughtcoverbehindatoweringfireasmortarsbeganpoundingtheforestaroundhim.From

highupthehillside—evenovertheexplosions—theyheardboominglaughter.

Clutchingtherootsofatree,Chrislookedback.Adozenyardsaway,thedwarflayflatonhisback,

asmokingruinwhereamortarroundmusthavelandedsquarely.

Butthenhefeltahandonhisshoulder.O’Learypointedupthehillandwhispered,goggle-eyed.
“Digit,man.”
Christurnedandstaredupslopeatahuge,manlikebeingstridingdownthehillside,followedby

dark-cloaked,heavilyarmedmen.Thegiantfigurecarriedanenormousbludgeonwhichscreamed
wheneverhethrewit,crushingtreesandmarineswithoutprejudice,explodingmassiveconifersinto
kindlingandmenintojam.Then,asifbyawillofitsown,theweaponsweptbackintothered-bearded
Aesir’shand.

Notmortars,Chrisrealized.Thor’shammer.
OfLoki,therewasnosignatall.

“There,there,Hugin.FearnotthedarkAmericans.Theyshallnothurtthee.”
Theone-eyedbeingcalledOdinsatuponathroneofebony,bearingonhisupraisedhandaraventhe

samecolorasnight.Ajewelsetinthegiant’seyepatchglitteredlikeanorbmorefar-seeingthantheone
hehadlost.Acrosshislaplayashiningspear.

Onbothsidesstoodfur-cladbeingsjustasimposing,oneblond,withagreataxelaidarrogantly

overhisshoulder.Theother,red-bearded,leanedlazilyonahammerthesizeofanormalman.

Guardsinblackleather,twinlightningstrokesontheircollars,stoodatattentionaroundthe

immensehallofhewntimbercolumns.Eventheirrifleswerepolishedblack.Theonlyspotofcoloron
eachSSuniformwasaredswastikaarmband.

Odingazeddownattheprisoners,chainedinaheaponthefloorofthegreat.hall.
“Alas.PoorHuginhasnotforgivenyouAmericans.Hisbrother,Munin,waslostwhenBerlinboiled

underyourHellfirebombs.”

TheAesirchief’sremainingeyegleamedferally.“Andwhocanblamemypoorwatch-bird,orfail

tounderstandafather’sgrief,whenthatsameflamedelugeconsumedmybrightboy,myfar-seeing
Heimdallr.”

Survivorsoftheill-fatedraidingpartylayexhaustedonthecoldstonefloor.Unconsciousanddying,

MajorMarlowewasinnoconditiontoanswer,butoneoftheFreeBritishvolunteersstood,rattlinghis
chains,andspatinfrontofthemassivethrone.

“Pearson!”O’Learytriedtopullontheman’sarm,butwasshruggedoffastheBritonshookhisfist.
“Yeah,theygotyourpreciousboyinBerlin.LikeyoukilledeveryoneinLondonan’Paris!Isaythe

Yanksweretoosoft,stoppingthere.Theyshouldagoneaheadan’friedeverylastAryanbitchan’
cub…”

HisdefiancewascutoffasanSSofficerknockedhimdown.Troopersbroughttheirriflebutts

down,againandagain.Finally,Odinwavedthemback.

“TakethebodytothecenteroftheGreatCircle,tobegivenfullrites.”
Theofficerlookedupsharply,butOdinrumbledinatonethatassumedobedience.“Wevalue

courage,eveninourfoes.Iwantthatbravemanwithme,whenFimbul-Winterblows.”

Black-uniformedguardscutthelimpformfreeasthechiefAesirchuckedhisravenunderthebeak,

offeringamorselofmeat.Hespoketothehugeredheadstandingbesidehim.

“Thor,myson.Theseothercreaturesarethine.Poorprizes,Iadmit,buttheydidshowsome

prowessinfollowingtheLiarthisfar.Whatwillthoudowiththem?”

Thegiantstrokedhishammerwithgauntletsthesizeofsmalldogs.HemadeevenLokiseemsmall.

Steppingforwardtoscantheprisoners,Thorseemedtobesearchingforsomething.Whenhisgaze
lightedonChris,itseemedtoshimmer.Thor’svoicewasasdeepasthegrowlingofearthquakes.

“Iwilldeigntospeakwithoneortwo,Father.”
Odinnodded.
“Havethemcastinapitsomewhere,”hetoldanSSgeneralnearby,whoclickedheelsandbowed

low.“Awaitmyson’spleasure.”

TheNazishauledChrisandtheothersurvivorsaway,butnotbeforeChrisoverheardtheelderAesir

tellhisoffspring,“Findoutwhatyoucanaboutthatwolf-spawn,Loki.Thengivethemoverforritual
sacrifice.”

PoorMajorMarlowehadbeenrightaboutonething.TheNaziswouldneverhavewonwithoutthe

Aesir,orsomethinglikethem.Hitlerandhisgangmusthavebelievedfromthestartthattheycould
somehowcallforththeancient“gods,”ortheywouldsurelyneverhavedaredwagesuchawar,one
certaintobringinAmerica.

Indeed,byearly1944ithadseemedallbutover.Therewashellyettopay,ofcourse,butnobody

backhomefeareddefeatanymore.TheRussianswerepushinginfromtheeast.

Romewasalmosttaken,andtheMediterraneanwasanAlliedlake.TheJapanesewerecrumbling

—pushedbackorbottledupinislandafterisland.Meanwhilethegreatestarmadainhistorygatheredin
England,preparingtocrosstheChannelandlancetheNaziboilforgoodandall.

InfactoriesandshipyardsacrossAmerica,theArsenalofDemocracypouredforthmorewar

materielinamonththantheThirdReichproducedinitsbestyear.Shipsrolledoffthewaysatintervals
ofhours.Planeseveryfewminutes.

Mostimportantofall,inItaly,AfricaandthePacific,arabbleoffarmersandcityboyshadbeen

tempered,becomingwarriorsinagreatarmy.Mantoman,theywereamatchfortheirexperiencedfoe,
andoutnumberedthemaswell.

Alreadytherewastalkofthepostwarrecovery,ofplanstohelpintherebuilding,anda
“UnitedNations”tokeepthepeaceforever.
In‘44Chrishadbeenjustachildinkneepants,devouringChetNimitznovelsandprayingwithall

hismightthattherewouldbesomethinghalfasglorioustodoinhisadulthoodaswhathisuncleswere
achievingoverseasrightthen.Maybetherewouldbeadventuresinspace,hehoped.Forafterthis,the
horrorofwarwouldsurelyneverbeallowedagain.

Thencametherumors…talesofsetbacksontheEasternfront…ofreelingSovietarmiessentinto

sudden,unexpectedretreat.Thereasonswereunclear…mostly,whatcamebackweresuperstitious
rumblingsthatnomodernpersoncredited.

Voicesonastreetcorner:
DamnRusskies…Iknewallalongtheydidn’havenostayin’power…Allatimeyammerin
‘bouta“secondfront”…Well,we’llgive‘emasecondfront.Savetheirhash.Don’tfret,lvan.
UncleSam’scoming…
ThenitwasJune,andtheNormanskywasfilledwithplanes.ShipscoveredtheChannel,asfaras

anyeyecouldsee.Thegreatestarmadaoffreemeneverassembled…

Sittingagainstacoldstonewallinanundergroundcell,Chrispinchedhiseyesshutandtriedto

crushawaythememoryofgrainyblackandwhitefilmshehadbeenshown.

Photographsneverseenbythepublic.
D-Day…
Dfordisaster.
Cyclones,hundredsofthem,spinninglikehorribletops,risingoutofthedawnmists.
Theygrewandclimbedtilldarkfunnelsseemedtostretchbeyondthesky.Approachingtheships,

onecouldmakeoutterriblefiguresridingthosewhirlingwinds,drivingthestormsfasterandfaster
withbeatingwings…

“Marlowe’scomeupacesandeights,man.”O’Learysighedheavilyashesaggeddownnextto

Chris.“You’rethebigcheesenow,dad.”

Chrisclosedhiseyes.Allmendie,hethought,remindinghimselfthathehadn’treallylikedthedour

marineallthatmuch,anyway.

Hemournednonetheless,iffornootherreasonthanthatMarlowehadbeenhisinsulation,

protectinghimfromthatbitchcalledcommand.

“Sowhatgivesnow,chief?”
ChrislookedatO’Leary.Themanwasreallytoooldtobeplayingkids’games.Therewerelinesat

theedgesofthosedoelikeeyes,andbabyfatwasturningintoadoublechin.TheArmyrecognized
genius,andputupwithalotfromitscivilianexperts.ButChriswondered—

notforthefirsttime—howthisescapeefromGreenwichVillageevercametoapositionof

responsibility.

Lokichosehim.Thatwastherealanswer.Likehechoseme.
Somuchforthegodofcleverness.
“Whatgivesisthatyoudampdownthebeat-rap,O’Leary.Makingonlyeverythirdsentence

incomprehensibleshouldbeenoughtoprovideyouremotionalcrutch.”

Thebeatniktechnicianwinced,andChrisatonceregrettedtheoutburst.
“Oh,nevermind.”Hechangedthesubject.“Howaretherestofthemendoing?”
“Copacetic,Iguess…Imean,they’reokay,forguysslatedforritualshorteninginafewhours.

Theyallknewthiswasasuicidemission.Justwantedtotakeafewofthebastardswiththem,isall.”

Chrisnodded.Ifwehadanotheryearortwo…
Bythenthemissilescientistswouldhavehadrocketsaccurateenoughtogoforasurgicalstrike,

makingthisattempttosneakinbombsundertheenemy’snosesunnecessary.TheSatellitewasjustthe
beginning,iftheyhadtime.

“Pearsonwasright,man,”O’LearymutteredashecollapsedagainstthewallnexttoChris.
“Weshouldapastedthemwitheverythingwehad.MeltedEuropetoslag,ifthat’swhatittook.”
“Bythetimewehadenoughbombs,theyhadatomicweapons,too,”Chrispointedout.
“So?AfterwefriedPeenemunde,theirdeliverysystemsstagnated.Andtheyhaven’tgotacluehow

togothermonuclear!Why,eveniftheydidmanagetodisassembleourbomb…”

“Godforbid!”Chrisblinked.Hisheartraced,evenconsideringthepossibility.IftheNazismanaged

tomaketheleapfromA-bombtofusionweapons…

Thetechshookhisheadvigorously.“Iscoped—ImeanIcheckedoutthedestructtriggersmyself,

Chris.AnyonepokesaroundtotrytoseehowaU.S.ofA.typeH-bombworkswillbeinforanasty
surprise.”

Thathad,ofcourse,beenaminimumrequirementbeforebeingallowedtoattemptthismission.Had

theybeenabletoassembletheweaponnearthe“GreatCircle”ofAesgard,thecourseofwarmight
havechanged.Now,alltheycouldhopewasthattheseparatecomponentswouldmelttoslagasthey
weresupposedtowhentheirtimersexpired.

O’Learypersisted.“Istillthinkweshouldhavelaunchedeverythingwehadbackin‘52.”
Chrisknewhowthemanfelt.MostAmericansbelievedtheexchangewouldbeworthit.Afull-

scalestrikeatHitler’shomelandwouldhavesearedtheheartoutofit.Themonster’sretaliation,with
cruderrocketsandfissionbombs,mighthavebeenapriceworthpaying.

Whenhehadlearnedtherealreason,atfirstChrisrefusedtobelieveit.HehadassumedthatLoki

waslying…thatitwasanAesirtrick.Butsincethenhehadseenthetruth.

America’sarsenalwasatwo-edgedsword.Unlessusedcarefullyitwouldcutbothways.
Therewasarattlingofkeys.ThreeSSguardssteppedin,lookingdowntheirnosesatthedejected

Alliedraiders.

“GreatThorwouldspeakvit’yourleader,”theofficersaidinthicklyaccentedEnglish.
Whennoonemoved,hisgazefellonChris.“Thisone.Ourlordwantshimespecially.”
GuardsseizedChrisbythearms,liftinghimbodily.
“Coolasglass,dad,”O’Learysaid.“Driveemcrazy,baby.”
Chrisglancedbackfromthedoor.“Youtoo,O’Leary.”

Thedungeongateslammedshutbehindhim.
“YouareaDane,areyounot?”
Chrisstoodtiedtoapillarinfrontofacracklingfireplace.TheGestapoofficialpeeredatChris

fromseveralanglesbeforeaskinghisquestion.

“Danishbyancestry.Whatofit?”Chrisshruggedunderhisbonds.
TheNaziclucked.“Oh,nothinginparticular.ItisjustthatIneverceasetobeamazedwhenIfind

specimensofclearlysuperiorstockfightingagainsttheirowndivineheritage.”

Chrisliftedaneyebrow.“Doyouinterrogatealotofprisoners?”
“Oh,yes,verymany.”
“Well,thenyoumustbeamazedallthetime.”
TheGestapomanblinked,thensmiledsourly.Hesteppedbacktolightacigarette,andChrisnoticed

thathishandsweretrembling.

“Butdoesn’tyourverybloodcryoutwhenyoufindyourselfworkingwith,goingintobattle

alongside,racialscum,mongrels…?”

Chrislaughed.HeturnedhisheadandregardedtheNaziicily.
“Whyareyouhere?”
Thefellowblinkedagain.“Seehere.Iaminchargeofintelligenceandpartydoctrinal—“
“You’reajailor.ThepriestsoftheAesirruneverythingnow.ThemysticsintheSScontrolthe

Reich.Hitler’satotteringoldsyphyllitictheywon’tletoutofBerchtesgaden.Andyouold-fashioned
Nazisarebarelytoleratedanymore.”

Theofficersuckedathiscigarette.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Imeanthatallthatracialclaptrapwasjustwindowdressing.Anexcusetosetupthedeathcamps.

ButtheSSwould’vebeenjustashappytouseAryansinthem,ifthatwastheonlywayto…”

“Yes?”TheGestapomansteppedforward.“Todowhat?Ifthepurposeofthecampswasnotthe

eliminationofimpureraces,thenwhat,smartman?What?”

Therewasabrittle,high-pitchededgetotheman’slaughter.“Youdonotknow,doyou?
EvenLokididnottellyou!”
Chriscouldhaveswornthattherewasdisappointmentintheofficer’seyes…asifhehadhopedto

learnsomethingfromChris,andfeltletdowntofindouthisprisonerwasjustasmuchinthedark.

No,Iwastedaquestion.Lokididn’ttellmeaboutthereasonforthecamps.
Chrisglancedattheotherman’stremblinghands,thathaddoubtlesswreakedmorehellonbroken

bodiesthanborecontemplating.Allinacausethatwasnolongerevenrelevanttothewinningside.

“PoorobsoleteNationalSocialist,”Chrissaid.“Yourdreams,madastheywere,werehumanones.

Howdoesitfeeltohaveitalltakenoverbyaliens?Towatchitchangebeyondrecognition?”

TheGestapomanreddened.Fumbling,hepluckedatruncheonfromthewallandsmackeditinhis

glovedlefthand.

“Iwillchangesomethingelsebeyondrecognition,”hegrowled.“AndifI’mobsolete,atleastIam

stillallowedthepleasureofmycraft.”

Heapproached,smiling,athinfilmonhislips.Chrisbracedhimselfasthearmswungback.
Butthentheleathercurtainsparted.Alargeshadowfellacrosstherug.Theofficerpaledand

snappedtoattention.

Red-beardedThornoddedbriefly,shruggingoutofhisfurcloak.
“Youmaygo,”herumbled.
ChrisdidnotevenlookattheNaziastheinterrogatortriedtomeethiseyeforthelasttime.Chris

watchedcoalsinthefireplaceuntilthecurtainsswishedagainandhewasalonewiththealien.

Thorsatcross-legged,joiningChrisincontemplatingtheflames.Whenheusedhishammertoprod

thelogs,heatbroughtoutfine,glowingdesignsinthemassiveironhead.

“FrosendswordfromVineland…fromtheseathoucallestLabrador.Therehasbeenaslaughterof

manybravemen.Thosecowardstools—‘submarines’—didfrightfulharmtoourfleet.Butintheend,
Fro’stempestsweremasterful.Thelandingissecured.

Chriscontrolledasinkingfeelinginhisstomach.Thiswasexpected.Worsewouldcomethiswinter.
Thorshookhishead.“Thisisabadwar.Whereisthehonor,whenthousandsdieunableevento

showvalor?”

ChrishadmoreexperiencethanmostAmericansinholdingconversationwithgods.Still,hetooka

chancebyspeakingwithoutpermission.

“Iagree,GreatOne.Butyoucan’tblameusforthat.”
Thor’seyesglitteredasheinspectedChris.
“No,braveworm.Idonotblameyou.Thatyouhaveusedyourflameweaponsaslittleasyouhave

speakswellfortheprideofthyleaders.Orperhapstheyknowwhatourwrathwouldbe,iftheywere
spentwantonly.”

Inevershouldhavebeenallowedonthismission.Iknowtoomuch,Chrisrealized.Lokihadbeen

theonetooverruleHighCommandandinsistthatChriscomealong.Butthatmadehimtheonlyone
herewhoknewtherealreasontheH-bombshadbeenkeptleashed.

Dustfromatomblasts,andsootfromburningcities—thosewerewhatAlliedHighCommand

feared,morethanradiationorNaziretaliation.Already,fromlimiteduseofnuclearweaponssofar,the
weatherhadchilledmeasurably.

AndAesirweremuchstrongerinwinter!ScientistsverifiedLoki’sstory,thatcarelessuseofthe

Alliednuclearadvantagewouldleadtocatastrophe,nomatterhowbadlytheysearedtheotherside.

“Wetoopreferamorepersonalapproach,”Chrissaid,hopingtokeeptheAesbelievinghisown

explanation.“Nomanwantstobekilledbypowersbeyondhisunderstanding,impossibletoresistor
fightbackagainst.”

Thor’srumble,thistime,waslowlaughter.
“Wellsaid,worm.ThoudostchastizeasFreyrdoes,withwordsthatreap,evenastheysow.”
TheAesleanedforwardalittle.“Youwouldearnmerit,smallone,ifyoutoldmehowtofindthe

BrotherofLies.”

Thosegrayeyeswerelikecoldclouds,andChrisfelthissenseofrealitywaverashelookedinto

them.Ittookaneffortofwilltotearhisgazeaway,replyingwithadrymouth.

“I…don’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”
Therumblingchangedtone,deepening.ChrisfeltaroughtouchasThorbrushedhischeekwiththe

leather-boundhaftofhisgreatwarhammer.

“Loki,youngling.TellmewheretheTrickstermaybefound,andyoumayyetescapeyourdoom,

youmayevenfindaplacebymyside.Intheworldtocome,therewillbenogreaterplaceforaman.

ThistimeChrissteeledhimselftomeetthehypnoticpools.Thor’seyesseemedtoreachhungrilyfor

hissoul,asamagnetmightcalltonativeiron.Chrisfoughtbackwithasavageheatofhatred.

“Not…foralltheValkyriesinyourpatheticalienpantheon,”hewhispered,halfbreathless.
“I’dratherrunwithwolves.”
Thesmilevanished.Thorblinked,andforamomentChristhoughthesawtheAesir’simagewaver

justalittle,asif…asifChriswerelookingthroughaman-shapedfoldinspace.

“Couragewillnotsavetheefromthewagesofdisrespect,worm,”theshapewarned,andsolidified

againintoafur-cladgiant.

Allatonce,ChriswasgladtohaveknownO’Leary.
“Don’tyoudigityet,daddyo?Idon’tfuckingbelieveinyou!Whereveryou’refrom,baby,they

probablykickedyouout!

“YouAesirmaybemeanenoughtowreckourworld,buteverythingaboutyouscreamsthatyou’re

thedregs,man.Leakysquares.Probablyburnedoutpapa’sstolensaucerjustgettin’here!”

Heshookhishead.“Ijustrefusetobelieveinyou,man.”
Theicygrayeyesblinkedonce.ThenThor’ssurprisedexpressionfadedintoadeathlycoolsmile.
“Ididnotkenyourotherinsults.Butforcallingmeaman,youshalldieasyouseemtowish,before

themorningsun.”

HestoodandplacedahandonChris’sshoulder,asifempartingafriendlybenediction,buteventhat

casualtouchfeltviselike.

“Ionlyaddthis,smallone.WeAesirhavecomeinvited,andwearrivednotinships—
evenshipsbetweenthestars—butinsteaduponthewingsofDeathitself.Thismuch,thisboonof

knowledgeIgrantthee,inhonorofyourdefiance.”

Then,inaswirloffursanddisplacedair,thecreaturewasgone,leavingChrisaloneagaintowatch

coalsflickerslowlyandturnintoashes.

TheTeutonicpriestswereresplendentinredandblack,theirrobestracedingoldandsilver.

Platinumeagles’wingsrosefromtop-heavyhelmetsastheymarchedaroundagreatcircleofstanding
stones,chantinginatonguethatsoundedvaguelyGermanic,butwhichChrisknewwasmuch,much
older.

Analtar,carvedwithgapingdragons’mouths,stoodbesidearagingbonfire.Smokeroseina

turbulentfunnel,carryingbrightsparksuptowardafullmoon.Heatblazedattheringofprisoners,each
chainedtohisownobeliskofrough-hewnrock.

Theyfacedsouthward,lookingfromaGotlandprominenceacrosstheBaltictowardashorethathad

oncebeenPoland,andforalittlewhileafterthathadbeenthe

“Thousand-YearReich.”
Thewaterswereunnaturallycalm,almostglassy,reflectinganearlyperfectimageofthebonfire

alongsidetheMoon’sripplingtwin.

“FromustbebackfromLabrador,”O’LearycommentedloudlyenoughforChristohearhimover

thechantingandthepoundingdrums.“That’dexplaintheclearnight.He’sthegodoftempests.”

Chrisglancedatthemansourly,andO’Learygrinnedbackapologetically.“Sorry,man.Imeanhe’s

th’littlegreenalienwho’sinchargeofweathercontrol.Makeyoufeelanybetter?”

Ihadthatcoming,Christhought.Hesmileddrylyandshrugged.“Idon’tsupposeitmattersmuch

now.”

O’LearywatchedtheAryanBrothersmarchbyagain,carryingagiantswastikaalongsideagreat

dragonliketotem.Thetechnicianstartedtosaysomething,butthenheblinkedandseemedtomumble
tohimself,asiftryingtocatchadriftingthought.Whentheprocessionhadpassed,heturnedtoChris,a
mystifiedexpressiononhisface.“Ijustrememberedsomething.”

Chrissighed.“Whatisitnow,O’Leary?”
Thebeatnikfrownedinpuzzlement.“Ican’tfigurewhyitslippedmyminduntilnow.Butback

whenwewereonthebeach,unloadingthebombparts,OldLokipulledmeaside.Itwasallsohectic,
butIcouldswearIsawhimpalmth’H-bombtriggermechanism,Chris.Thatmeans…”

Chrisnodded.
“Thatmeansheknewweweregoingtobecaptured.Ialreadyfiguredthatout,O’Leary.
AtleasttheNaziswon’tgetthetrigger.”
“Yeah.Butthat’snotallIjustremembered,Chris.Lokitoldmetotellyousomethingforhim.He

saidyou’daskedhimaquestion,andhetoldmetorelayananswerhesaidyoumightunderstand.”

O’Learyshookhishead.
“Can’tfigurewhyIforgottotellyoutillnow.”
Chrislaughed.OfcoursetherenegadeAeshadputthemanunderapost-hypnoticcommandto

recallthemessagelater…perhapsonlyinasituationlikethisone.

“Whatisit,O’Leary?Whatdidhesaytotellme?”
“Itwasjustoneword,Chris.Hesaidtotellyou—necromancy.Thenheclammedup.Itwasn’t

muchlaterthattheSSjumpedus.

“What’ahemeanbythat,Captain?Whatwasyourquestion,anyway?Whatdoestheanswer

mean?”

ChrisstaredatthefunnelofsparksclimbingtowardtheMoon,andpondered.Withhislastquestion

hehadaskedLokiaboutthecamps—abouttheawesome,horrible,concentratedeffortofdeaththat
hadbeenperpetrated,firstinEuropeandtheninRussiaandAfrica.Whatweretheyfor?Therehadto
bemoretoitthanaplantoeliminatesomebothersomeminorities.

Moreover,whyhadLoki,whonormallyseemedsooblivioustohumanlife,actedtorescuesomany

fromthedeathfactories,atsogreatarisktohimself?

Necromancy.ThatwasLoki’sdelayedreplytohisfinalquestion—toldinsuchawaythatChris

mightneverbeabletotellanyonewhomattered.

Necromancy…
Thewordstoodfortheperformanceofmagic.Aspecial,terriblekind.Inlegend,anecromancerwas

anevilwizardwhousedtheconcentratedfieldcreatedbythedeathagonyofhumanbeingstodrivehis
spells.

Butthatwasjustsuperstitiousnonsense!
Light-headed,ChrislookedoutacrossthesandatthehulkingAesirseatedontheirgildedthrones,

heardthechantingofthepriests,andwishedhecoulddismisstheideaaseasilyasheoncewouldhave.

WasthatthereasontheNazishaddaredtowageawartheyotherwisecouldneverwin?
Becausetheybelievedtheycouldcreatesuchconcentrated,distilledhorrorthatancientspellswould

actuallywork?

Itexplainedmuch.Othernationshadgoneinsane.Othermovementshadbeenevil.Butnone

perpetratedcrimeswithsuchdedicationandefficiency.Thehorrormusthavebeendirectednotsomuch
atdeathitself,butatsomehideousgoalbeyonddeath!

“They…made…theAesir.That’swhatLokimeantbythinkingthat,maybe,hisownmemories

werefalse.Whenhesuspectedhewasactuallynoolderthan…”

“Whatwasthat,Cap’n?”O’Learyleanedasfarashischainswouldallow.“Icouldn’tfollow…”
Theprocessionstopped.TheHighPriest,carryingagoldensword,helditbeforeOdin’sthrone.The

fatherofthe“gods”toucheditandtheAesir’srumblingchantcouldbeheard,lowerthanhuman
singing,ahungrysoundlikeagrowlthattrembledwithintheEarth.

OneofthechainedAllies—aFreeBriton—wasdragged,numbedwithdread,fromhisobelisk

towardthefireandthedragonaltar.

Chrisshuthiseyes,asiftoholdoutthescreams.
“Jesus!”O’Learyhissed.
Yes,Christhought.InvokeJesus.OrAllah,orGodofAbraham.Wakeup,Brahma!Foryourdream

hasturnedintoanightmare.

HeunderstoodnowwhyLokihadnottoldhimhisanswerwhiletherewasevenachancehemight

makeithomealive.

Thankyou,Loki.
BetterAmericaandtheLastAllianceshouldgodownhonorablythanbetemptedbythis

knowledge…bythishorriblewayout.ForiftheAllieseveradoptedtheenemy’smethods,therewould
benothingleftinthesoulofhumanitytofightfor.

Whowouldweconjure?Chriswondered.Ifweeverusedthosespells?Superman?CaptainMarvel?

Oh,they’dbemorethanamatchfortheAesir!Ourmythswereboundless.

Helaughed,andthesoundturnedintoasobasanotherscreamofagonypiercedthenight.
Thankyou,Loki,forsparingusthattestofoursouls.
Hehadnoideawheretherenegade“trickstergod”hadgone,orwhetherthisdebaclewasonlya

cloakforsomedeeper,moresecretmission.

Couldthatbe?Chriswondered.Soldiersseldomsawthebigpicture,andPresidentMarshalldidn’t

havetotellhisOSScaptainseverything.Thismissioncouldhavebeenafeint,aminorployinagreater
scheme.

Lasersandsatellites…theymaybejustpartofit.Theymighthaveasilverbullet…asprigof

mistletoe,still.

Chainsrattledtohisright.HeheardavoicecursinginPortugueseandfootstepsdraggingthelatest

prisoneroff.

Chrislookedupatthesky,andathoughtsuddenlyoccurredtohim,asifoutofnowhere.
Legendsbegininstrangeways,herealized.
Someday—eveniftherewasnosilverbullet—thehorrorwouldhavetoebbatlast.
PerhapswhenhumansgrewscarceandtheAesirwerelesswellfedonthedeathmannatheysupped

onfromcharnelhouses.

Thenatimemightcomewhenhumanheroeswouldcountforsomethingagain.Insecret

laboratories,orinexileontheMoon,oratthebottomofthesea,freemenandwomenwouldtoilto
buildarmor,weapons,maybetheheroesthemselves…

Thistimethescreamwaschoked,astheBrazilianrangertriedtodefyhisenemies,onlybreakingto

showhisagonyatthelast.

Footstepsapproached.Tohisamazement,Chrisfeltfeather-light,asifgravitywerebarelyenoughto

keephimontheground.

“Solong,O’Leary,”hesaiddistantly.
“Yeah,man.Staycool.”
Chrisnodded.Heofferedtheblack-and-silver-cladSShiswristsastheyunchainedhim,andspoke

tothemsoftly,inafriendlytoneofvoice.

“Youknow,thosecostumesmakeyoulookprettysillyforgrownmen.”
Theyblinkedathiminsurprise.Chrissmiledandsteppedbetweenthem,leadingthewaytowardthe

altarandthewaitingAesir.

Somedaymenwillchallengethesemonsters,hethought,knowingthatthenumb,light-headed

feelingmeanthewouldn’tscream…thatnothingtheycoulddowouldmakehimtakemorethancasual
notice.

Lokihadmadecertainofthis.ItwaswhytheTricksterhadspentsomuchtimewithChris,thislast

year.WhyheinsistedthatChriscomealongthistime.

Ourdaywillcome.Revengewilldriveourdescendants.Sciencewillarmorthem.Butthoseheroes

willneedonemorething,herealized.

Heroesneedinspiration.Theyneedlegends.
ApproachingthehummingAesir,theypassedbeforearowofhuman“dignitaries”fromtheReich.

AfewoftheagingNazisworefacesglazedinexcitement,butotherssatnumbly,asiflost.Hefelthe
couldalmostreadthedespairinthosedarkened,madeyes.Theyknewthatsomethingtheyhadwrought
hadgonefaroutoftheircontrol.

ThorfrownedasChrisflashedhimasmile.“Hi.How’yadoin’?”hesaidtotheAesir,interrupting

theirrumblingmusic.Wherecursesandscreamshadonlyresonatedwiththechant,good-natured
sarcasmbrokeuptheritualinamutterofsurprise.

“Move,swine!”
AnSSguardpushedChris,ortriedto,butstumbledinsteadonemptyairwheretheAmericanhad

been.Chrisduckedunderneaththejangling,cumbersomeuniform,betweentheNazi’slegs,andswatted
thefellow’sbehindwiththeflatofhishand,sendinghimsprawling.

Theotherguardreachedforhim,butcrumpledopenmouthedasChrisbenthisfingersbackand

snappedthem.Thethirdguardheliftedbyabeltbuckleandtossedintothebonfire,tobellowinsudden
horrorandpain.

Hystericalstrength,ofcourse,Chrisrealized,knowingwhatLokihaddonetohim.Inrapid

succession,fouronrushingunderpriestswentdownwithsnappednecksorspines.Ofcoursenohuman
coulddothesethingswithoutbeingusedup,Chrisknewdistantly.Butwhatdiditmatter?Thiswas
morefunthanhehadexpectedtobehaving,atthismoment.

Agoldenflashwarnedhim.Chriswhirledandducked,siezingOdin’sspearwithasuddensnatch.

“Coward,”hewhisperedatthehot-faced“fatherofthegods.”
Flippingtheheavy,gleamingweaponaround,Chrishelditintwohandsbeforehim.
God,helpme…
Withacryhebrokethelegendaryspearoverhisknee.Piecesfelltothesand.
Nobodymoved.EvenThor’swhirlinghammerslowedandthendropped.Inthesuddensilence,

Chrisdistantlyrealizedhisfemurwasshattered—alongwithmostofthebonesinhishands—leaving
himperchedprecariouslyononeleg.

Yethisonlyregretwasthathecouldn’temulateanagedJewhehadheardoffromoneofthe

concentrationcampsurvivors.Standinginfront-ofthegravehehadbeenforcedtodigforhimself,the
oldmandidnotbeg,ortrytoreasonwiththeSS.Nordidheslumpindespair.

Instead,theprisonerhadturnedawayfromhismurderers,droppedhispants,andsaidaloudin

Yiddishashebentover—

“Kishmirimtoches…”
“Kissmyass,”ChristoldThorasmoreguardsfinallyranupandgrabbedhisarms.Astheydragged

himtothealtar,hekepthisgazeonthered-bearded“god.”

Theprieststiedhimdown,butChrismettheAesir’sgrayeyes.
“Idon’tbelieveinyou,”hesaid.
Thorblinked,andthegiantsuddenlyturnedaway.
Chrislaughedoutloudthen,knowingthatnothingintheworldwouldsuppressthisstory.
Itwouldspread,atfirstinwhispers,thenrumorsandtales.Therewouldbenostoppingit.
Thedeath-mannafromtonight’sceremonywouldnotnourishmonsters.Itwouldbeapoison.A

medicine.

Loki,youbastard.Youusedme,andIsupposeIshouldthankyou.
Butrestassured,Loki,somedaywe’llgetyou,too.
HelaughedagainashewatchedthedismayedHighpriestfumblewiththeknife.Awide-eyed

assistantjiggledanddroppedhisswastikabanner.Chrisroared.

Behindhim,heheardO’Leary’shigh-pitchedgiggle.Then,anotheroftheprisonersbarked,and

another.Itwasunstoppable.

AcrossthechillyBaltic,anuncertainwindbegantorise.Andoverhead,anewstarsailedswiftly

whereolderonesmerelydriftedacrossthesky.

AfterwordbyDavidBrin

Theparallel-worldstoryisanothermainstayofSF.Itexplorestheoldquestion:“Whatwouldhave

happenedif…?”

Ifaflybuzzingaboveabowlofsouphaddippedtoolow,gettingcaught,disgustingaRoman

centurion,whotookhiswrathoutonanunderling,sendinghimoutonanextrapatrol,whichdetected
Hannibal’sarmyintheAlpsearlyenoughtocatchitfarfromRome…Youseethepoint.

Sometimesweliketofrightenourselves.Themostfrequent“whatif’seemstodealwithalternate

realitiesinwhichtheNaziswonWorldWarII.Somethingaboutthatloathsomepossibilityjustinvitesa
horrorstory.

Troubleis,Inevercouldbelieveit.Mindyou,PhilipK.Dick’sTheManintheHighCastleisa

classic,agreatwork.Butitspremise—thatanearlyassassinationofFranklinRooseveltwouldhave
ledtoaninevitableAxisvictory—ishardtoswallow.

Theywerejustsuchschmucks!
Imean,it’shardtothinkofanywayasinglealteredeventwouldhavelettheNaziswintheirwar.

Theywouldhaveneededanentirechainofflukeseventohaveachance.Infact,ittookquiteafew
luckybreaksforthemtolastaslongastheydid,andtohavethetimetocommitsuchatrocities.

IsaidasmuchtoGregoryBenfordwhenheinvitedmetowriteapieceforhisupcominganthology

ofparallelworldstories,HitlerVictorious.Greg’sreply?Adare.

“I’llbetyoucouldthinkofsomepremisethat’dwork,David.
Howunlikelycanitbe?”
Itcanbepreposterous,aslongasitsings.
Gregwasmycollaboratoronafarlargerlargenovel.Itrustedhim.Butoncethestorywasstarted,it

tookoffindirectionsIneverexpected.Idon’tknowifthestory“sings,”butitdoestietogetherseveral
curiousthingsabouttheNazicult.

WhyweretheNazissoevil?Whydidtheydosomanyhorrible,pointlessthings?Whatwasbehind

theirincrediblestreakofromanticmysticism?

Maybethebastardsreallybelievedsomethinglikethiswaspossible.

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