Viewing the images sent back by the probe had not really prepared them for this. Looking down from the jump ship was looking down on a world torn and scarred by three generations of war and oppression. None of them could think of anything to say - although more than one of them silently prayed that the probe's images had been right, and this was also a world where hope had been reborn. They would soon know.

Eve forced herself to focus on the task in hand and landed the jump ship in a yard behind a derelict building. She shut the ship down and followed the others down the ramp into the yard. Sealing the hatch and cloaking the ship, she turned to look at Rip, who'd now become technically in charge. After a moment's hesitation, he pulled an infra-red detector out of his shoulder bag and scanned the area, turning in a slow circle.

''There are life-form readings in that direction'' he pointed with the detector. ''But we go carefully - we don't know whose side they're on.''

It was a grim scene that they walked through - an area that had seen heavy fighting and then been abandoned. Debris from half-ruined buildings littered the ground. A few windows had been boarded up, but most were empty, the interior open to the elements, doorways were like open mouths. What looked like a shopping mall had been stripped of goods.

And then they began to hear gunfire in the distance.

X

Carter came back from his rooftop scouting of the area ahead of the group and reported ''There's a group of resistance fighters directly below the building, facing off with what looks like an equal number of Nazis. Both sides have some cover, and it appears to be stalemate.''

''We should skirt around them'' was Eve's opinion. Rip nodded agreement and took a few paces in what seemed like a suitable direction, then he stopped, realising that Eve was the only one following him.

''We should help the Resistance'' Martin said, before Rip had a chance to speak. ''Establish our credentials as allies.'' Beside him, Jax was nodding enthusiastically.

Carter looked at Kendra, who hesitated for a moment and then nodded. Ray looked poised for action.

''Granted most of you can sprout wings or merge and hurl fire or compressed light bolts but what about - hey!'' Rip argument ended abruptly as the infra-red detector jerked itself out of his hands, flew through the air and landed neatly in Nora's.

''What about me?'' she asked, with mock-sweetness. He'd forgotten about her Telekinetic ability.

'She can fight too'' Ray said proudly.

X

Sergeant Ralph Dibney leaned to one side, firing off a quick round, and then ducked back behind the concrete block he was using for cover. Inside he was cursing - the Captain had been killed before they had even known the Nazis were there. Now both sides were bogged down, neither having the advantage in ground or numbers. He could only hope -

''What the hell is that -''

It sounded like some kind of explosion coming from the enemy position. He leaned out from cover again and couldn't believe his eyes. He knew about the Ray - everyone did - but this was something completely different. The one hurling light energy at the Nazis was encased in some kind of metal suit. The other was not only hurling fire but also seemed to be on fire. Add to which there seemed to be gunfire coming from three places behind the enemy lines. Some of Nazis were firing back at the airborne attackers - uselessly because they were moving too fast to hit.

Then the enemy patrol was breaking and running for it - he didn't blame them for an instant - considering what they had suddenly found themselves up against.

''Go!'' he shouted to his group and broke cover himself, firing towards the few Nazis who seemed less inclined to retreat. Two of them dived for cover, looking like they were going to be trouble. Then his mouth dropped open. Two winged figures plummeted down out of the sky, grabbed the luckless pair and carried them above the height of the buildings. That had to qualify as the weirdest thing Ralph had ever seen.

''You can shoot us'' Carter informed his wriggling captive ''but what's going to get you, at this height above the ground?'' Fortunately for her, the woman stopped struggling.