An entire section of the outer wall lifts.

I wonder how long the Earth Current will last once we begin to tap its force and send it hurtling across the plain?

The Night Land comes into view.

Our only hope is that the Cannon can overwhelm all the creatures of the Outer Darkness before it runs out of energy. . The Earth Current will not sustain us for long. . .

If humanity wants peace now is the time to fight for it, now, before this world finally dies.

A red light pulses on the communication console. The Watch Deck is calling down to us. We ignore them

Cowards

"It is listening," I reply. "For once, it is listening."

We stand, listening to the silence of the Land.

"There is no laughter," one of the Watchmen says.

© Sean McLachlan, Martin Isitt, Mike Horsefield 2004