De la Vega was pleased. “I subscribe to the aesthetic of natural landscaping. You will see.”

The armed guard who emerged from the fake tree didn’t salute but simply nodded at his boss, who waved graciously in passing. A gate fashioned of logs decorated with moss, fungi, and epiphytes opened to admit them to a luxuriously landscaped courtyard, all of which would have appeared perfectly natural to any airborne observer.

The moss-encrusted stone wall gave way to a complex of interconnected pavilions, each roofed with its own camouflage netting. Several of the structures had rainforest trees growing through their roofs. Dirt and gravel surrendered to exquisite marquetry and tile work.

“No carpeting here, I’m afraid.” de la Vega explained. ‘be insects would have it for breakfast. Ah, here we are.”

After passing through a spacious open den cooled by concealed air-conditioning units, they reached a glass doorway which admitted them to the pool area. Shaded by its own camouflaged canopy, it appeared to have been tiled in mother-of-pearl. At the far end a landscaped artificial waterfall mimicked those in the surrounding jungle. A second green-swathed wall of river rock defined the enclosure.

Their host directed them to several high-backed planter’s chairs fashioned from imported rattan. A white-suited servant appeared briefly, vanished, and returned moments later with a tray of iced drinks. Despite his misgivings, Ross Ed gulped the contents of two glasses before finally taking it slower with a third. Caroline matched him drink for drink.

The unwalled side of the enclosure opened on an elaborate aviary alive with rainforest denizens, from sloths to quetzls. An expensive stereo system pumped Vivaldi through a network of hidden speakers. It was all very civilized and homespun, provided one ignored the guards and their automatic weapons.

Caroline could no longer contain her feelings. “This place is amazing!” She toyed with the little paper parasol which shaded her drink. “You have everything here.”

“Well, not quite everything,” confessed de la Vega modestly, “but I do have access to many modern conveniences.”

Ross Ed’s reaction was understated. “You must be one hell of a farmer.”

Their host pursed his lips. “My interests are extensive. Everyone wants what I have, you see. My contacts with the rebels, the police, and the local government ensure my safety, even from Colombians. I do well enough and my wants are simple.” He gestured with his glass.

“Well, I don’t know about your other visitors, but I’m impressed,” Caroline admitted. So was Ross Ed, if less effusively.

De la Vega leaned forward slightly. “And I am impressed by the attention you have attracted. Tell me truly now what it is that I have bought. What is a dead alien worth?”

“To tell you truly, I haven’t the faintest idea.” Ross had removed his backpack and set it down next to his chair. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter, because he isn’t for sale. I don’t know what you think you ‘bought’ from those rebels, but it wasn’t me, or Caroline, or Jed.”

“I see. I do not wish to appear the inconsiderate host, but I did spend a considerable sum to rescue you from your situation.”

“We weren’t in any danger,” Ross Ed shot back.

“You think not? Do you think the army’s long-range weapons can distinguish between a rebel indio and a visiting Texan? You cannot debate politics with an incoming rocket, and artillery shells are terribly egalitarian.

“But I wish for us to be friends. After you have bathed and rested we will talk more. I am sure we can resolve our differences and come to an understanding.”

Further conversation was cut off by a yelp from the far side of the pool, this apparently being the preagreed upon signal for All Hell to Break Loose.

The two guards instantly sprang into action, the staccato chatter of their automatic weapons threatening to drown out everything else. Alarms were going off all over the compound.

“The army!” Caroline had dropped her glass, which shattered on the tile floor.

“No.” De la Vega had moved instinctively to take her arm and was pulling her back toward the den. “Inside, quickly!”

Neither of them needed any further urging. As soon as the glass doors slammed shut behind them, a trio of impact cracks appeared in their wake.

“Bulletproof,” their host disclosed, “but not bomb-proof. I do not understand. I have never been attacked here.”

The invaders who swarmed over the back wail were clad entirely in black bodysuits camouflaged with swatches of light and dark green, save for narrow openings that revealed their eyes. In addition to guns they wielded swords, knives, and a wide assortment of rococo shuruken.

One of the guards went down with several protruding from his torso while the other began a slow retreat. Shouts and screams resounded throughout the compound. More of de la Vega’s men were starting to arrive. Despite the increased firepower being brought to bear on the attackers, two of them got within twenty feet of the den before being shot down.

An instant before, a sigh had emerged from the artificial larynx attached to Jed’s now gently glowing suit. “A fine world I chose! Am I never to have proper time for contemplation? I perceive the presence of numerous additional hostile individuals. In the absence of my ability to effectively influence the trajectory of assorted explosive projectiles, I believe we should seek more effective cover.”

“Good idea.” Ross Ed ‹dragged the backpack and its suddenly loquacious contents behind the polished purpleheart bar. Moments later something blew in both glass doors, sending a shower of sharp fragments flying through space only recently occupied.

“This is all very confusing,” the alien remarked. “Don’t you people ever cooperate with one another?”

“Not when there’s big money involved.” Ross kept his head down as an astonishing hodgepodge of shouts in English, Spanish, and Japanese echoed across the compound.

Elegant and composed, de la Vega scrunched back against the wall and managed to open the compact refrigerator beneath the bar without exposing himself to hostile fire. “We may as well make ourselves comfortable until my people have driven these pendejos away. What is your pleasure? Rum, Scotch, gin, RC?”

“I’ll have an RC.” Caroline was unaccountably cheerful. “I’m still thirsty.”

Though backed up in a corner, de la Vega somehow managed a bow. “My pleasure, señorita.” He poured himself a rum and clinked glasses with her.

“You are not thirsty, my friend?”

“Sorry. I can’t drink when I’m worried about dying.” Ross kept sneaking glimpses over the bar, trying to divine which way the battle was going. The den had taken several hits but thus far only the decor had suffered. Most of the fighting remained centered around the pool. A coffee table had been brutally mutilated. Occasionally the sweet, sick sound of a slug smacking into wall or furniture rose above the general cacophony.

“Where do you suppose these people came from?”

“I cannot imagine.” De la Vega eyed him speculatively. “Could it be that others besides the army were following you, hoping to relieve you of your alien friend? If the Japanese are aware, perhaps we may expect representatives of other countries and organizations to make similar attempts. I can see now that my investment may not have been a wise one.” He winced as shells shattered the big mirror behind the bar.

“We can’t stay here.” Slipping on the backpack, Ross poised on hands and knees. “We’re gonna have to make a run for it. Get ready, Caroline.”

“Uh, I don’t think so, Ross Ed.”

Their eyes met. “You don’t think so? What d’you mean, you don’t think so?”

Her expression fell. “You’re a nice guy, Ross Ed Hager, and I’m glad for the time we had together, and I’m glad I was able to help you out, but I don’t see much of a future with you. You’re running from too many people, and some of them aren’t even people. Eventually they’ll catch up with you, and I’m not sure anymore that I want to be part of the package.” She coughed delicately.

“While you were seeing to Jed, Armando here asked me to stay with him. He says I can have anything I want. Trips to Paris and Rome, clothes, jewelry, anything. He’s been very decent about it. Gallant, even. I mean, nothing against you, Ross, but you’re still quite the country boy, if you know what I mean. I always did see myself with someone a little more sophisticated.” Reaching out, she took their host’s hand and squeezed it gently.

“Now don’t be bitter. You can’t help it if you can’t give me the things I’ve always wanted.” Edging forward and carefully keeping her head below the level of frying slugs, she kissed him fondly. “I’ll always treasure our time together.”

All Ross Ed could do was stare. “You haven’t known this guy for a whole day yet and already you’re prepared to stay in the jungle with him?”

“I’m kind of the impulsive type, Ross Ed.” There was a twinkle in her eyes. “You of all people should know that. Besides, you have to confess that your immediate prospects are less than inviting.”

Both statements were true, he had to admit. Hell, he liked de la Vega himself. He suppressed a grin. Somewhere down the line, in Venice or Istanbul or Hong Kong, she might just as readily dump the pot farmer for someone else. Her impulsiveness, her flighty nature, was something he’d been aware of from the beginning. He knew he really shouldn’t be surprised, and it was hardly the first time he’d been dumped. But that didn’t make it feel better.

“Have it your way. I’ll move faster without you anyhow.”

She looked hurt. “Please, Ross Ed. It’s been a lot of fun, but all the variables are starting to catch up with me. First the army, then aliens, then rebel Indians, and now ninjas. Not to mention,” she added with a shudder of remembrance, “Hollywood types. You have to admit it doesn’t portend a very stable future for a simple girl from Nebraska. I’m ready to stop running, Ross Ed.”

That much he could understand. He was ready to stop running himself. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to be an available option in his immediate future.

“All right, Caroline. If you change your mind—”