What’s your name?’ ‘John Franklin, Sergeant John Franklin, USMC. I was assistant supervisor for the CCC reforestation project here in the territ...ry until just a while ago.’ ‘Was?’ ‘No more money, so it all got shut down. Listen, I need to look after my wife and sister-in-law.’ It was at that point that he fully understood the meaning of John’s words. A white man related to… married to? a colored woman? Jesus Christ! He shook his head in disbelief. What kind of insane place was this? ‘How do I. However, Sureyssa wasn’t here because of the humans. They died or they didn’t, and if they didn’t, they soon would fight another war. She was here because of the other parties involved in this particular war. The Gods of Atyseos, their banished children and the trinity of fate was amongst them. Their reasons to fight were as confusing as their roles within this war. Who was friend and who was foe was clouded by hidden agendas and veiled conspiracies. Was it a war fought for freedom against. The man didn't respond. He sagged in my grip. A faint scent reached my nose: slightly spicy, unusual but not unpleasant. I released his arm and spun the man around."Larry?"The boy stared into some empty space that floated a few feet behind and to the left of my shoulder. A thin rivulet of blood trickled from a cut on his forehead. I momentarily toyed with the idea that he'd been somehow contacted by Steele but dismissed the thought. Cindy's inane conversations over the last week had picked up. .. God knows what they were up to. Boys come here" they had walked down the hall away from their parents and me. I could only imagine what they were thinking. Dad said " Hi , I am Ben Moreno and this is my wife Sandy. My boys Andy and Sam" We are here for the sales and retail seminar." I extended my hand to shake and said " It is a pleasure. I am Victor Paine, I too am here for the convention but just to meet some contacts and vendors. And , no I was not bothered by the boys last.