ThorMeetsCaptainAmerica
anovellabyDavidBrin
Copyright©1986(revised12/98),byDavidBrin.Allrightsreserved.Noduplicationorresale
withoutpermission.
1.
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.”
2.
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.
3.
“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.”
4.
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.
6.
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.
THEEND
Caretoseethisepictalecontinued?Formanyyearspeoplewroteinabout“ThorMeets
CaptainAmerica,”whichwasaHugoAwardfinalistandhasbeentranslatedintomanyother
languages.
Finally,in2003,DCComicsandWildstormcommissionedmetowritethescriptforafullsaga
basedonthisstory,andhiredthegreatartistScottHamptontohand-paintillustrations.The
resultwasTheLifeEaters,alavish144pagegraphicnovel.(InFrance,homeofthe”bande
dessinee”traditionofgraphicnovels,alargeformateditionwasahugehitunderthetitle”
D-Day,LeJourduDesastre.”)
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.