Earth 266/Greenworld
Joe West had stated his terms and Stein had instantly agreed. In Joe's book, that meant he was either honest or very devious - Joe hadn't quite made up his mind about that yet. He glanced over to where two guards stood outside the store shed in which Stein's companions were confined. They'd handed over their weapons - which were now stashed away safely, particularly the high-tech side-arm which its owner had warned them not to mess with.
''So, what now?''' Joe asked.
''I suggest the others put some distance between us'' Stein replied.
The small group of Joe's neighbours shuffled a couple of feet away - half of them didn't believe anything was going to happen at all. Most of the others wanted to see what did. Stein noticed that all of them did back off when the portal appeared.
''Now we go'' Stein said, then stepped into the glowing oval of light.
Joe took a deep breath and followed him, despite the inner voice telling him he was crazy to do this. The sensation of disorientation was exactly as Stein had described - it wasn't pleasant, but it only lasted a few seconds. Then he appeared to be standing on solid ground once more.
''I suggest you open your eyes'' Stein's voice came from close at hand.
Joe did so, barely aware that he'd closed them. For long moments, he did nothing but stare at the scene in front of him. They'd emerged into the midst of a forest - and what a forest! Tall straight trees surrounded them on every side. Joe could hear birdsong, see the rapid motion of wings as they flitted between branches. A low buzz indicated that there were insects as well. Something scurried across the forest floor.
''Is that a mouse?'' Joe asked.
''Not quire. The species here are a bit different to those on other Earths. Evolution took a slightly different path here.''
''Without us to mess things up'' Joe commented.
He wasn't entirely accurate, but there were other things that Martin wanted to show him. He led the other man through the forest to a flower-decked glade, then on to a view of a waterfall cascading down into a river.
''What do you think?''
Joe was silent for long moments. When he did speak, he sounded almost broken. ''We don't deserve this. We don't deserve a second chance.''
''Do your children?'' Martin cut straight to the chase. ''Don't they deserve a better life? Not that this is a paradise. I've told you about the predators - you'll need to defend yourselves sometimes. You'll need to build homes grow food, decide what level of technology you need to have. It isn't going to be a picnic life.''
Joe stood and looked at the waterfall for long moments. Everything Stein had told him was true. There was the chance for a better life here - if people still had the strength and determination to make it happen, the good sense to avoid making humanity's previous mistakes. He wanted this new life for his children - for all the children of his home world.
Some sounds can be heard even through the roar of a nearby waterfall, Stein knew. The sound of a rifle being cocked turned out to be one of them. So did the accompanying voice.
''Neither of you move''
Joe felt something hard pressed against his spine - he was instantly furious with himself for having become so distracted. An unseen person removed his own rifle and its sling from his shoulders. Then his hands were pulled behind his back and cuffed. He stared at Stein, wondering for a second if the other man had led him into a trap, but saw that he was also a prisoner.
''Turn round.''
Three men stood close behind them, with another four a short distance away. They were all armed and all dressed in similar - albeit casual - colours, grey, brown khaki, camouflage colours. They looked paramilitary.
''We'll take them back to base'' the man who appeared to be the leader ordered. ''The Commander's going to want to interrogate them.''
Neither prisoner liked the sound of that.