Cobra hissed in frustration and circled, going to the left, keeping his slim body doubled at the waist and his legs tensed for a leap. If spitting didn't work then biting would.

  Grizzly kept his left hand high to ward off more venom and his right near his waist. He moved to the right, treading carefully, aware a misstep would result in his demise. Having seen Cobra in action in the arena, Grizzly knew how amazingly fast the snake-man could strike, and he didn't want to take any chances.

  For seconds that seemed to last an eternity, the two hybrids moved in a clockwise direction, maintaining the space between them. Nothing happened to break the stalemate until Cobra had his back to the left-hand bedroom, and then Grizzly's worst fear was realized.

  Athena appeared in the doorway, her hair tousled, tiredly rubbing her eyes, shuffling from the bedroom and blurting out, "Grizzly?"

  In a flash Cobra spun and grabbed for her arm, intending to seize her and use her to coerce the bear-man to move within reach of his fangs.

  At the same instant Grizzly sprang, the sight of his beloved in danger endowing him with the vaunted speed of Mercury. He vented a roar that would have done justice to a lion, causing Cobra to hesitate a fraction of a second and glance his way. By then Grizzly's left arm was on its downswing and his claws ripped into the snake-man's side.

  Cobra recoiled, his features contorted in the only agony he'd ever known. He felt his blood flow out of his wounds and knew that he'd been wrong, that Grizzly was as good as everyone claimed. Too damn good. He turned and ran.

  "Stay put," Grizzly barked at Athena. He raced after the snake-man, out onto the balcony and down the stairs, perceiving right away that Cobra was faster than he and fearing he would lose him.

  Up ahead, Cobra took a left, running up the avenue in a blur. He went 30 yards and looked over a shoulder, grinning when he saw the bear-man 15 yards behind. "We'll meet again," he said, preparing to go all out. Out of the corner of his eye he registered movement back on the balcony.

  Simmering in fury, Grizzly didn't understand the reason for the sudden shock crossing Cobra's face until he heard an M-16 blast three times. The reptilian assassin's feet left the ground, and he flew a half-dozen feet, thudding onto his back.

  Grizzly halted and turned. The second floor lights were on. Standing on the balcony was Blade, the M-16 still pressed to his shoulder. Athena stood behind the Warrior. Grizzly sheathed his claws and retraced his steps on the double, anxious to take Athena into his arms.

  The lights downstairs came on also and out rushed Eric, shotgun in hand. "What the hell is going on?" He glanced at Grizzly, then up at the balcony. "Why are you shooting?"

  "There was a snake in our apartment," Grizzly said to the gunner as he passed him.

  "There are no snakes in Mesaville."

  Grizzly stopped and pointed at the body."Check it out for yourself." He bounded up the stairs to Athena.

  "Are you okay?" she asked.

  "Fine," Grizzly said and hugged her. When he broke their embrace he faced the giant, who had knelt and placed a hand on Havoc's chest.

  "Not another one," Blade said softly.

  "The guy you just shot was called Cobra," Grizzly said. "Death Master sent him to kill all of us in our sleep." He paused. "Death Master knows you're the head of the Force."

  Blade didn't appear to hear. He leaned down and closed the officer's eyes. "I never should have brought him along."

  "Don't blame yourself," Athena said. "How were you to know?"

  "When will I learn?" Blade asked, but his question wasn't directed at either of his friends.

  "What are we going to do now? We certainly can't stay here," Grizzly said, his concern for Athena's safety apparent in his voice. Death Master would undoubtedly try to retaliate for Cobra's death, and Grizzly wanted to get Athena out of Mesaville right away.

  The Warrior didn't answer. Instead he placed his M-16 down and tenderly lifted Captain Havoc in his steely arms. His head bowed, he walked into the living room.

  "What's he doing?" Grizzly whispered.

  "I don't know," Athena said. "I've never seen him act like this before."

  "This is a fine time for him to go off the deep end."

  They moved inside and watched the giant gently lay the officer down in the very center of the room. Blade stripped Havoc of all weapons and ammo and added them to his own arsenal, sticking Havoc's pistol under his belt next to the buckle. Then he stood and walked to the sofa.

  "Can we help?" Grizzly said, thoroughly confused.

  Blade shook his head and removed the cushions. He proceeded to spread them out on top of Havoc.

  "I knew it. He's flipped," Grizzly whispered.

  Athena shut her eyes and sniffled. "I think it's beautiful."

  "What is?"

  The Warrior looked at them. "Athena, where's your rifle and backpack?"

  "In our room."

  "Get your gear. Hurry."

  Athena nodded and hastened to comply.

  Waiting until she was out of sight, Blade focused on the hybrid. "I have a favor to ask you."

  "What kind of favor?" Grizzly asked.

  "You're not a member of the Force, so I can't give you an order. But I'd like you to take Athena and leave Mesaville. You should be able to get her safely back to California."

  Grizzly nodded. His sentiments exactly. Then a thought struck him. "And what about you?"

  "I'm staying."

  "Do you have a death wish?"

  Blade frowned and gazed fondly at Havoc. "No, but I can't leave until I take care of Death Master. He's not going to get away with this. If it's the last thing I ever do, I'm taking him down."

  "I agree he's prime scuzz and deserves to have his jewels shoved down his throat, but one man can't do the job."

  "I've got to try."

  "What about your wife? Do you want her to be a widow?"

  The giant didn't respond.

  "Look, I've got a better idea," Grizzly said. "Why don't all three of us head for California? Once we're there you can form a small army and return to destroy this dump. What do you say?"

  "I have no choice. I must stay."

  "What kind of crap is that? Why? Just to avenge Havoc?"

  "To atone."

  Grizzly took a step and scowled. "You're making no damn sense. Let's get the hell out while we still can."

  "I'm staying," Blade reiterated quietly.

  Athena stepped from the bedroom. "I heard that. If you're staying so am I."

  "I want you to leave," Blade said.

  "That's strange. My ears suddenly went on the blink."

  "This isn't a laughing matter."

  "Do you see me laughing?" Athena said.

  "I'm giving you a direct order."

  "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not a member of the Force anymore. You don't have authority over me."

  Rumbling deep in his chest, Grizzly gestured angrily at both of them. "You're both crazy. If we stay we'll get ourselves killed. Athena, I'm taking you out of here."

  "No, you're not."

  The hybrid moved over to her. "I can throw you over my shoulder and leave, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it."

  "But you won't."

  "Oh? Why not?"

  Athena placed a hand on his arm. "Because you love me."

  "But this is stupid!" Grizzly protested. "The three of us can't possibly hope to beat Death Master by ourselves."

  "Since when did you become such a pessimist?" Athena said. "The Grizzly I knew back in California would never admit defeat."

  "This isn't your fight."

  "I'm here, aren't I?"

  Grizzly appealed to the Warrior. "Help me out, will you? Convince her to go."

  "Go," Blade said.

  "No."

  Glaring at the giant, Grizzly muttered, "Big help you are."

  "I want both of you to go," Blade said. He stared at the cushions for a moment, his broad shoulders sagging, then went into the bedroom he had used.

  "Please, Athena," Grizzly pleaded. "Let's leave. I don't want to lose you again—not when we have a chance to be happy again."

  She slung her M-16 over her right shoulder. "Blade went to a lot of trouble to track me down in San Francisco and to bring me to Mesaville to see you. I figure I owe him. So like it or not, I'm sticking with him until this is all over."

  "Or until we're all dead."

  Athena opened her mouth to say more when footsteps pounded on the steps; a moment later Eric appeared in the doorway. He gazed at the floor, then at them.

  "Cobra is dead!"

  "What was your first clue?" Grizzly cracked.

  "What went on up here? Why did the big son of a bitch shoot him?"

  "Go ask your boss."

  "I think I will. And the three of you had better stay right here," Eric said. He looked at the floor again. "Is he dead?"

  "No. He always sleeps with cushions piled on his body."

  The gunner advanced several strides, hefting his shotgun. "I don't like any of this. Death Master is bound to be ticked off, and you know what happens to those who give him bad news."

  "Yeah," Grizzly said and drew a finger across the base of his throat.

  "I hate this," Eric said. "I just hate this." He spun and hurried out.

  "Idiot," Grizzly said.

  Blade came out of the bedroom bearing sheets and a pair of pillows. He placed the former on top of the cushions, then pulled out his left Bowie and cut open each pillow, letting the soft stuffing inside spill over the top of the pile.

  At last Grizzly comprehended. "You're not."

  "I am."

  "Why?"

  "Because there's no place to bury him, and I won't let him wind up as pet food," Blade said. He reached into a pants pocket and pulled out a pack of matches. "I wish there was time to give you a proper funeral," he said to the corpse, his voice barely audible. "You deserve better than a hasty cremation in a rat-infested sewer. You were a brave man, a dedicated soldier misled by someone you trusted.

  "I never had the chance to tell you the reason I brought you along. It wasn't that I didn't trust you. I was concerned for your safety because you were the one man who could implicate General Gallagher in the various attempts to discredit the Force, and I wouldn't have put it past the good general to have you silenced. I'd hoped to have you fill in Governor Melnick on everything that happened. Now I must try a more direct approach.

  "You were a credit to your uniform, Captain Michael Havoc. I was proud to have you serve in the Force and to be my second-in-command," Blade concluded, his voice strained.

  Grizzly glanced at the doorway. "Don't take me wrong, but could you hurry this up? For all we know there might be more goons on their way to take care of us and I'd hate to be trapped up here."

  "I'm done," Blade said. He struck a match, crouched, and lit the stuffing. It caught readily and in moments flames were spreading across the pile.

  Grabbing Athena's hand, Grizzly moved to the balcony and surveyed the avenue. There was no one in sight. He turned and stared at Cobra's corpse, thankful for his heightened senses that had enabled him to hear the snake-man entering the apartment. "It's not too late to change your mind about leaving," he said to Athena.

  "My decision is final."

  "I was afraid you'd say that." Grizzly looked into the living room and saw the Warrior watching the fire grow. "Come on!" he urged.

  Blade came out slowly. He had his own M-16 over his right arm and Havoc's rifle over his left. "Do you know where Death Master lives?" he asked the hybrid.

  "Sure I do."

  "Are there a lot of guards?"

  "Heaps. Humans and mutations."

  "Take us there."

  "You're thinking of attacking his personal residence?"

  "Do you have a better idea?"

  Grizzly nodded. "Yeah. Why not find a rooftop somewhere and pop him from a distance? It would be a hell of a lot safer for—" he said and caught himself.

  "For me?" Athena said.

  "For all of us."

  "Don't treat me like a child," Athena said. "You should know better. I'm in this for the long haul, if need be, and I'll take the same risks as both of you."

  "We could save ourselves a lot of aggravation by just shooting the sucker," Grizzly declared gruffly.

  Blade slowly shook his head. "We can't do the job your way, Grizzly. I wish we could. But what's to prevent someone from spotting us and letting Death Master know? The best way to end this is by taking him out now, when he'll least expect it. The longer we delay, the more likely the prospect of our being captured."

  "I agree," Athena said. "Let's go for the gusto."

  Wishing he had the courage to knock her out and cart her off regardless of the consequences, Grizzly glowered from one to the other. "I've got another brainstorm."

  "What?" Blade asked.

  "You take Athena and leave. I'll snuff Death Master."

  Athena bristled. "Trying to protect me again? I thought you knew me better than that."

  "Don't you understand how much you mean to me?" Grizzly inquired, taking her hands in his. "Please, go with Blade and leave tall, ugly and wacko to me."

  "No."

  The Warrior motioned at the stairs. "Then it's settled. You two head out."

  Mumbling under his breath, Grizzly started down the steps with Athena in tow.

  The Warrior lingered to stare at the crackling flames. "I'm so sorry, Mike," he said softly, then pivoted and headed for his showdown with Death Master.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Four guards were on duty at the entrance to the tunnel connecting the main caverns that made up Mesaville. Since no one was permitted to enter the cavern where Death Master resided after midnight unless they were on official business, the night shift invariably bored the guards to tears. Not so on this night.

  First, much earlier, the hybrid known as Cobra had materialized out of the shadows, scaring three of them half to death, and hastened into the town proper. They wondered what he was doing abroad so late, but not one of them had the temerity to ask.

  Later came the second unusual event. They heard gunfire, and shortly thereafter Death Master's guard Eric appeared, running past them without a word, his countenance promising worse things to come.

  Then came the last incident of their shift.

  Rattled by the preceding occurrences, the four of them were exceptionally alert. They clustered at the middle of the tunnel entrance and compared notes and theories. One of them happened to glance at the town and gaped in shock at the column of smoke spiraling high over the stone structures.

  "Look!" he said.

  They all gawked, thoroughly confounded, and anxiously debated whether to investigate the fire or to notify their boss. Because leaving a guard post was punishable by agonizing torture, they mutually opted to send one of their number to inform Death Master.

  Off the chosen guard sped.

  The remaining trio walked a dozen yards from the tunnel to better view the town, trying to pinpoint the location of the blaze. On both sides of them were high boulders and stone spires to which they paid not the slightest attention.

  Their mistake.

  All three heard the guttural growl that emanated from their right. All three stiffened and spun, clawing for their weapons, but not one got off a shot.

  Grizzly vaulted from the top of an eight-foot-high boulder, his finger locked, his ten claws gleaming in the lantern light, his hairy form the embodiment of suppleness and power. His lips curved in a devilish grin and his eyes sparkled as he landed among them.

  To Athena, viewing the ambush from concealment, the hybrid was literal poetry in motion. She saw his arms fly, saw his claws gut one of the guards, rip wide another's throat, and nearly decapitate the third, and she smiled proudly. Here was the Grizzly she loved, the perfect assassin, the ultimate killing machine, yet someone who treated her tenderly, who regarded her as his greatest blessing.

  Grizzly gazed at the convulsing guards, his nostrils quivering at the smell of their pulsing blood, his bestial instincts fully aroused, and resisted an urge to hack them to pieces. Instead, he threw back his head and roared.

  "What the hell was that?" Eric said. He stood outside the entrance to Death Master's palatial residence, waiting for the guard who had hastened upstairs to return. Five more gunners were with him, and they all gazed in the direction of the tunnel.

  "Had to be one of the mutations," said a skinny man.

  "What was your first clue?" joked another.

  Eric pivoted to study the tunnel mouth, which was several hundred yards away and only partly visible from his position. Scores of mounds, knobs, and columns, and unoccupied structures obscured his view. Only Death Master's immediate staff and his women were housed in this cavern, and they lived in his residence. To the north was the gigantic arena where the games were conducted.

  "What do you think, Eric?" asked another guard.

  "I think it's Grizzly."

  "Sounded like him," agreed the skinny one. "I heard him roar once in the arena after he killed three pukes armed with spears. He ripped 'em to shreds."

  "What the hell is going on?" asked someone else.

  "Yeah, Eric. What gives?" Skinny said.

  "I wish to hell I knew. But I don't like it."

  "That makes two of us."

  They waited in nervous dread until footsteps brought them around to face the ruler of Mesaville.

  "Cobra is dead?" Death Master demanded. He'd hurried from his bedroom when the guard brought the news, taking time only to throw on a pair of leather pants. He was annoyed at having his dalliance with Claire interrupted, but not too annoyed because she wasn't displaying as much enthusiasm as he'd hoped. Compared to his delicious Lolita, Claire possessed the sexual ability of a petrified lizard.

  "Yeah, boss," Eric answered. "I saw the body myself. That big son of a bitch Blade shot him. Grizzly was there too, but I don't know how he figures into it."

 

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