Kendra and Nora had spent the morning working with Felicity, with whom they'd established something of a friendship. They had both come to respect the woman's dedication to helping the children, something that dated back to the time when she'd been held in one of Earth X's concentration camps.

''As someone told me once' she said - she had never forgotten that strange encounter. ''It's the duty of the strong to defend the weak.''

Now, as they headed back towards the Acheron, both their minds were occupied with the myriad of post-war problems this world faced. Although this was a relatively safe area, there were few people about now that it was time for the noon meal. The fact that half a dozen men appeared to be heading their way did not really register at first - they were dressed in a motley collection of well-worn clothes - no doubt a work team on their way to lunch.

Suddenly Nora stopped. 'Uh-oh'' she said.

Kendra looked closely at the men for the first time and realised that they did look distinctly unfriendly. They were also spreading out across the street.

''Told you we could catch these two on their own'' one man crowed.

''It's the flying one'' another man was looking at Kendra in a way that suggested he was less certain about this encounter.

''So what - hey!'' A third man had stepped forward, holding a hefty metal bar. He'd had the same shock as Rip, Nora had simply pulled it out of his hands and sent it flying over the roof of the nearest building.

Kendra used their momentary distraction to attack the man closest to her - using her combat skills rather than her wings - and broke his arm. She was vaguely aware that two other men had collided with these other - no doubt Nora's doing - and that other woman was also attacking.

There was a pause for a few moments. The leader of the men was re-evaluating the situation. One of his men was unconscious and another was holding his arm and moaning. The odds had shifted.

''Shut up'' he growled at his colleague, his eyes narrowing.

Briefly Kendra considered grabbing hold of Nora and flying out of this - but that went against her warrior instincts. Then she realised that more men were approaching them from the rear- at a signal from their leader - the men were converging on Nora and they had knives. Kendra steeled herself - knowing that Nora must be afraid - and what meant -.

For all that, she ended up lying amongst rubble, feeling battered and bruised. There was a ringing sound in her head that would probably take some time to clear. She struggled to her feet and looked around. At least the fight's over, she thought, seeing that their attackers were all on the ground. It was less pleasant to notice that three of them were definitely dead. The others would probably make it. Then she realised that Nora was crying.

She hurried over to the younger woman, who was huddled on the ground, wrapping her arms about her. After a moment's resistance, Nora leant against her.

After a couple of minutes, Nora said ''I did it again.''

Kendra knew what she meant. Her fear had triggered a blast of psychokinetic energy, destructive energy - black magic energy. The very thing that Nora wanted to put behind her.

Nora freed herself and rubbed the back of her hand across her eyes.

''Len - lend me your hand''

Kendra did so, helping the younger woman get to her feet. It was then that they heard a shout.

''Nora!''

Ray had appeared and was now running towards his fiancée. Carter was following at a brisk walking pace. Leaving Nora with Ray, she went to meet her fellow-hawk.

''Disguised Nazis'' she informed him. ''They attacked us. Nora -''

''You and Nora took them out'' He looked pleased, and she remembered that Nora hadn't confided in all of them. ''Why's she upset?''

''We'll tell you later''she stalled him. ''We should get word of this to the to the others, there may be more groups.''