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him superior endurance and strength.  His brain is connected to sensors beneath his skin, so that he can sense the proximity of life forms and electronic signals.  He also has a separate set of sensors that can generate a force field around his body.”
    “A cyborg ,” said Langhorne.
    “Yes,” said Aiko .  “A prototype, but very efficient.   Many others are being created for our army.”
    Langhorne paused, looking at both Cho and Aiko .  “So why did you ask the Incredible Hulk over there to fetch me, Commander?”
    Aiko didn’t smile at Langhorne’s sarcasm. 
    “Because,” she said, “I require your aid.”
    “I magnanimously tipped off Li Soo Yang,” he said, shrugging innocently.  “I’m now a humble treasure hunter.  I don’t have a dog in this fight.”  Smiling, he bowed from the waist to indicate his service to the Chinese, waving his hand in a mock flourish.
    “On the contrary,” Aiko said.  “You will do whatever we ask until our mission here is completed.  You will help us find the Americans.”
    “To what purpose?”
    “So that we may kill them.   Except for the operative named Hawkeye.  He is returning to our base in China .”
    “And how will I accomplish this?  Why not just have Robo-Cho round up these people?”
    “You can minimize our casualties if we can position our forces correctly.”
    “So I’m the bait,” said Langhorne.
    “Yes,” said Aiko .  “Cooperate fully, and we will show you where your treasure can be found.  It’s everywhere — if you know where to look.”
    Langhorne nodded.  If he were going to be a mercenary, he would make sure that he would be richly compensated.
     

Titan Six
Temple of Ashtak
     
    “Do you read, Titan Six?” asked Touchdown.
    “We’re here,” said Hawkeye.  “I have a broken leg.  Hairline fracture, according to Christian.”
    “Releasing calcium and phosphorous into your bloodstream,” Touchdown said.  “Also some anti-inflammatory agents to prevent swelling.   A few endorphins for the pain.”
    “I’m wrapping the leg to provide the muscles with support,” said Madison .
    Hawkeye stood tentatively and took several deep breaths.  “It’s a little sore, but nothing I can’t handle.  We’re moving on to the temple.”
    “We’ve lost contact with Gator and Tank,” said Touchdown.  “I believe they’re beneath a temple in the southern half of the crater.”
    “We have to go after them!” said Hawkeye.
    “Negative,” said Caine .  “I require intel on that crater ASAP.  Our readings indicate that it might be destabilizing very quickly, but I need some firsthand info.  Tank and Gator know how to take care of themselves.  Their life signs are stable.”
    “Very well,” said Hawkeye with exasperation.  “You’re the boss.”
    “This is Quiz breaking in.  I’m at the Temple of the High Priest.  Name was Ixmilan , if anyone’s interested.  These people called themselves the Nizia , and this city was called Raj Kithune .  Hawkeye, you’re headed for the Temple of Kalpur-Az .  He was the sun god.”
    “How did you get separated from Gator and Tank?” asked Caine .
    “They were scouting our position.  I began to pick up a strange energy reading and pursued it.”
    “You should have waited,” said Mrs. Caine sternly.
    “I found the source of the energy flux,” said Quiz.  “Believe me, you wouldn’t want the Chinese to find it.”
    “Return to the EFV,” Caine ordered.
    “Commandoes approaching you!” Touchdown warned.
    The sound of gunfire filled the Ops Center .
     

Aft Cargo Hold 6
Aboard the Alamiranta
     
    Pyro had disconnected a dozen wires inside the torpedo.  The ship had completed its turn, leaving the cargo hold level once again.
    Pyro deftly placed his right hand on a yellow wire leading to one of the torpedo’s many batteries.  Tugging gently, he disconnected it from the power source.
    “Shit!” he cried.
    “What happened?” asked a member of the bomb