empty hook.

The cable and wristband led a new force into Marion's body, a force that left his refreshed, replenished. The worshipers around his straightened and their dulled eyes grew brighter. Even the nebulous image of Sassa within the Gateway glowed with a more vivid fire, as though she too had fed.

Then once more the power of Sassa flowed, bringing dreams. Alien dreams—dreams of vileness so deep it became enthrallingly beautiful—dreams of conquest, world after world—dreams of great and very precious rewards for those who were Of the Faith.

Again the form of Sassa bulged at the Gateway, and once more drew back. Angry, frustration entered the projected dreams—and yet the knowledge that an eternity of ageless tomorrows lay ahead.

Through his trance Marion sensed the grey and boneless form ofmalice, and she could become dangerous. Syn had been pleased by her thought.

Wyr was silent until they were in the air.

'Soon—as soon as I am ready—the resistance of the Rebels will be crushed. Their forests can not protect them forever from the Forces that I, Wyr, command.' Her eyes were alert for the effect of her words.

'Why don't you wipe them out immediately then?' Marion asked, thinking of Sassa's coming through.

'For one thing, they are clever.'

Something in her words made his realize she meant more than she had said, that her motives were not as simple as they appeared.

'You mean-?'

Wyr looked at his searchingly. 'One person, or two of opposite sexes, will acquire supreme power when Sassa comes through. Syn thinks because he is so old in the