They had then repeated the experiment with the full pyramid, the covens being unaware of the cards being projected, but concentrating on feeding power to their respective delegates. The runs had only been short, because the camp was too busy to immobilize two-thirds of its population too often for too long – but the results had been startling. Tricia's success rate became almost complete, while that of the other two approximately doubled.

This was the stage the PAG had reached when Sam made his suggestion about the stone circle.

The sun was lifting clear of the forest behind them as the PAG reached the high ring of megaliths. They had left while it was still dark but they knew that by now all the covens would be up and assembled. The experiment was to take place between 8.00 and 8.30, with its climax timed for 8.30 exactly. Moira and Dan had reconnoitred the place two days before and decided what they intended to do, but had left the briefing of the PAG till they were in position in the stone circle. The covens' minds were to be uncluttered by any concepts other than power-feeding.

All the group were fully clothed. Moira and Dan much preferred to work skyclad or for special purposes ceremonially robed; but they had decided that the PAG must be as mobile – and, if necessary, inconspicuous – as a military unit, so they had trained in ordinary clothes, of a crosscountry serviceability, from their first meeting.

They arrived just after 7.30 and rested within the ring, getting the feeling of the great stones.

Just before 8.00, Moira told them: 'You see that wooden hut over there, about a hundred metres away? It's where the excavators used to keep their tools. Geraint said it'd still be here… We're going to set it alight, by psychic effort from inside the henge, at half-past eight exactly. Right – take your places, everybody and we'll cast the Circle.'

For the next half hour, they welded themselves together mentally, flexing the psychic muscles they had trained, building up the power to a higher pitch than they had ever reached before. After a while they began to feel the henge responding, the ageless currents which its builders had understood so well, stirring and resonating with their own group mind. The thought came to Moira as the perspiration beaded on her brow: We've been learning to walk, then run – now we're riding a stallion. She could feel, too, that other confluence of currents, the tide of supporting power from Camp Cerridwen in the heart of the forest

It was going to succeed. She knew it.

At half past eight, she cried: 'Go! Go! Go!', pointing the ritual sword straight at the wooden hut.

Her whole body shook and it was as though a white-hot flame surged through the veins of her arm. In the distance – it seemed leagues away, yet impaled on her sword-point – the wooden hut began to smoulder; she knew the surge of extra confidence in the group behind her and gasped again as it swept through her.

The hut burst into flames.. Moira did not move till it was burning fiercely and the immense tide flowing through her spirit and body had begun to ebb. Then she turned. Several of them lay panting and exhausted, their eyes closed. Others sat gazing at the flame-wrapped hut, still hardly believing it.

Dan put his arm round her, lowering her gently to the ground as she slipped into grateful unconsciousness.

25

'Don't misunderstand me, Harley,' General Mullard said. 'I am not saying that Operation Skylight will be a failure. It has to succeed, because it will be the end product of Beehive's very existence. We came underground to preserve a governmental and military machine which could survive while Surface was in chaos and emerge to take charge when the time was ripe.'

'I am aware of that,' Harley said, with the complacency the general found increasingly hard to put up with these days. 'Also that the time is ripe and that Operation Skylight will therefore take place on 21 June. Three weeks gives us plenty of time to prepare. What is your point?'

'My point,' the general said patiently, 'is that we shall be mounting Operation Skylight with about one half of the forces we originally envisaged. The virtual destruction of the hives at Birmingham and Bristol by the earthquake and the losses at other hives depleted the Army badly. And I know Davidson's lot were only a handful but they were in key positions, so that didn't help… Operation Skylight will take control of the country for you, as ordered. But we shall be thinner on the ground than I should like. There will be local reverses, guerilla activity from uncooperative elements and so on. Some of these Surface communities have had plenty of practice, dealing with the Madmen and with bandit groups.'

'A disciplined Army is rather a different proposition from stray lunatics and bandits.'

'Of course it is. But there are thousands of these communities, scattered over nearly a quarter of a million square kilometres of Britain. The population is estimated at just over 500,000. To control them, I have fewer than 6000 men. One infantry brigade plus supporting arms. I'd have been happier with a division. So don't expect instant miracles.'

'You have been training Beehive civilians as military reserves. I'll authorize you to call up two thousand of them.'

'But good God, man…' General Mullard took a deep breath to control himself and then went on with deliberate calm: 'In the first place, there is a limit to the amount of effective military training one can give to civilians in a concrete rabbit-warren. They will have their uses but not as reliable assault troops in a guerilla situation. And in the second place, what is Beehive for? To provide an effective administration which can start getting what's left of the country back on its feet as an organized State. To establish the King's peace…'

'Don't mention that man!' Harley snapped – his first show of real feeling since the interview began.

'All right, the State's peace. To provide services, a uniform system of law, meaningful currency – all of it very makeshift at first, of course, but beginning to work, and showing that it can work right from the start. The first days and weeks will be vital for establishing confidence in the Government. Vital. And if you give me two thousand of your five thousand skilled administrators, how are you going to manage that?'

'I suggest, General Milliard, that you deal with your side of the problem and leave me to deal with mine. The administration has some aces up its sleeve of which you may be unaware.'

Exasperation made the General indiscreet. 'Such as the Black Mamba and her little brood?'

Now it was Harley's turn to control himself. After a moment he said icily: 'Do not underestimate them. They have demonstrated their effectiveness in ways of which you certainly are unaware.'

'Oh, I'm sure they have. But I'm just a soldier. I stick to the old motto – "Trust God and keep your powder dry, in reverse order of priority". God being on the side of the big battalions. How many battalions the Devil is worth, remains to be seen.'

Harley stood up from his chair, 'Since you have mentioned priorities, General, let us get ours clear. Beehive's first task is to control Britain – swiftly, completely and ruthlessly. Civilian resistance will not be tolerated and your orders to the Army will make that quite plain. Where necessary, for example, hostages will be taken to ensure obedience and shot if it is not forthcoming. You have stated the problem yourself: our forces are small and our territory large. To establish control, therefore, they must be feared. What you so vaguely describe as "confidence" can wait. Instil fear, General, and you will have played your part in Britain's rebirth. And my two thousand administrators will be better employed helping you to instil it. They can return to their desks once our hold on the country is secure. And now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do.'