"Well, yeah," the faun said helplessly. "They make a buck and get rid of us beasts in the process."

Teige ran a hand through his hair, brow knit. "Jesus," he mumbled, seeming practically winded by the information. The grey-skinned woman waved her hand in Hawk's direction irritably.

"Welcome to six months ago, dude," she said. "What smelly riverbed have you two been hanging out in?"

Hawk, who had been watching the goings-on below thoughtfully, suddenly said aloud, "How come they ain't just overrun the humans yet?"

Teige glanced over uneasily. "These're just average folks there, sunshine," he said, looking worried, "Most've 'em probably never use their powers, aside from making themselves look human."

"Seriously?" the grey-skinned woman said, glaring at Hawk, "Not everyone's got the power to smash a tank or three anyway. We can't all be Grendel, or Orochi, or whoever."

"No wonder the Order's having trouble," Hawk said, half to himself, and pointed. "Look. The Order could get a foothold if it weren't for the middle tank, I bet. But if they drop their shields and move, an awful lotta people are goin' to get shelled."