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appeared before them only when they were at its edge. The first sign of its presence was in fact the sky above it. It was clear. Sunlight was breaking through the cloud cover. The first clear rays of sunshine any of them had seen in over two months. It was a majestic sight that stood out in a world of destruction. Though their spirit was taxed, their hearts were energized by the promise ahead.
    The long train of people, and the supplies they were able to bring with them, continued in their ranks until they all came to a stop to take in the now overwhelming view. It was a valley unnatural in appearance, especially considering the surroundings. The valley walls rose to a thousand feet on both sides. It was lush and wide. There were both deciduous and evergreen trees standing tall on its floor. A waterfall came out of one side of the valley, with a narrow river running through its middle. Birds were in the air, and animals were seen moving in the grassy fields below. The only way in was where they were standing now. Nobody could say a word as they were consumed by the grandeur of the scenery surrounded by a world of death and destruction. Some people even began to cry.
    After some time had passed, they moved on to the floor of the valley. They set up camp that evening and enjoyed clean water and star filled skies.
    One of the university staff, a Mr. Bayek, who had joined them, was a natural science professor. He spent the evening discussing with Commander Weston, and his officers, the likely causes of this unnatural valley. “Actually,” he said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if there were other areas such as this.”
    “What makes this possible,” Sasha asked.
    “I think a number of conditions have to be met. This is probably an area affected by a magnetic shifting of the poles. If the ground conditions are just right, this valley is most likely operating as a natural electromagnetic field of sorts. That would explain the sky as well,” Mr. Bayek explained.   
    From what little his audience understood about such things, it sounded reasonable to them. The fact was, there was life in this valley and it was much more appealing than what they had just traveled through.
    “I’d like to take some readings with the equipment I have and see what more I can learn. But, I’d bet this is as good a place as we can hope to find,” Bayek offered.
    “Sure,” Weston said, “I don’t see any reason why we can’t spend a day or so right here and recuperate while we see what we have here. In fact, I’d like to send along some of my men with you, just in case, and when you are finished, we’ll go over your findings and decide on our next course of action.”
    Mr. Bayek nodded his head in agreement and said, “We will go first thing in the morning. You can send whomever you like, and I’ll bring some of my students as well.”
    As their meeting came to an end, Weston invited Sasha, whom he had become rather fond of in the past few weeks and his former executive officer, Lt. Emil Gonzalez, to remain behind. When they were alone, Weston explained what he wanted. “I think it’s safe to say that we have an opportunity here. I don’t believe we will find what we had hoped to find. I intend to make a go of it here. How do you two feel about that?”
    “Sounds fine with me skipper,” Emil said. It was an easy decision for him. The Navy was his family. His mother had died when he was young, and he never really got along well with his father. He doubted that he was still alive and he had no real intention of trying to find out. He did not feel bad about that, and when he took the time to think it over, he never did come up with an answer as to what that said about him.
    “Yes. I think it is good idea,” Sasha said in his heavily accented English. It was a little different circumstance for the Russians. They were far from their homeland, and knew the realities of trying to return.
    “Okay then. I want the two of you to select ten