A young page appears out of the smoke, chest heaving and eyes bright.

"The infidel has raised a white flag!" He shouts, running through the camp. People behind him and before him who hear his cry give a hurrah. Maybe he will surrender, and this bloody war will be over. Renewed murmurs run through the camp just as it had begun to settle itself for nightfall.

In his tent, Richard Lionheart hears the exultations from outside. He allowed himself his own smile of triumph. The war against that bloody Saracen, Saladin, had been tough. His people were tired and so was he. It was about time for something to be worked out.

In his own quarters, still hooked up to his interface, Hanth was thinking almost the same thing. This was not coincidence, considering that Richard Lionheart was one of Hanth's characters. He was one of the ACs, or Act and Control, a department of the police, sent to track down deviants in character. Saladin was one of those deviants, and Hanth's current project.

The wars against the Muslim deviants, as they had come to be called since they had adopted the religion of Islam for their earthly characters, had been long. Karak, the controller of Saladin, had escaped from the SAR (Search and Recover) police every time. The SAR were the ones physically sent whenever the deviant was located.

This was the third try, and, hopefully, the last. Since they had no idea where Karak was physically located, they had sent him, a lieutenant in the AC department. So far, it had seemed fairly hopeless. He had not been able to get close enough to Saladin to be able to speak to Karak at an opportune time. Tomorrow would be perfect…

With great fanfare, Richard Lionheart approached the camp of the infidel. He was searched, very politely, then allowed into Saladin's presence. After the usual ceremonies, Richard took his seat on the cushions about the negotiating table. He found Saladin quite polite and cheerful. He soon lost himself in the genial conversation and excellent food. They spoke of politics and religion and of crops and trade. Finally, they got around to discussing the treaty to be worked out.

Richard had been truly impressed by the similarities in their ideas of God and of religion. Apparently, Saladin had been also. "It seems to me, brother, that both Christians and Muslims alike hold the number three in a particularly high place. Perhaps it would be fitting that our treaty should reflect that. A time of peace for three years, three months, three days and three hours. What say you, brother?"

Richard sat back, thinking…

As did Hanth. As soon as he had been within proximity, he had opened the communications line with Kalak. This time it had been accepted. In fact, it had been welcomed.

"Friend Hanth! It is a pleasure to see you. I must apologize for the last time you attempted to contact me. I had no intention of driving you away…"

"Yet you throw your troops at mine ceaselessly."

"Ah, yes, unfortunately, that cannot be helped. I will not allow myself to be captured, friend. Surely you understand that."

"I ask that you cease to call me friend. I am here as a member of the AC police, to put down your rebellion, not as your friend. I am sorry." Hanth said, finally softening.

"Agreed, agreed. No need to be sorry, Hanth. But please, sit down. Your standing stiff and at attention over a viewscreen is unlikely to keep me talking to you."

He sat. At about this time, Richard had sat as well and begun to eat. Kalak chuckled and said, "I am afraid I cannot offer you anything to eat. But please, I would ask you to speak with me."

"If you wish to repent and turn from your deviant ways, I will witness this to the High Council." was Hanth's stony reply.

"No, no." Kalak shook his head. "Always the obedient one, aren't we Hanth? Ever since you were young, you have been strict and obedient to the letter. Of course you became part of the police."

"Law-abiding, non-deviant behavior is how the world stays running, Kalak. Both Fargoth and Earth. Your deviance…"

"Christianity was once considered a deviance. Now the highest ranking officer of the police has the part of the Pope himself."

"We learned how to use the 'Christianity' and turn it to our own ends. It was a danger, a deviance, at first. Now it is contained."

"Containment, it that it, friend Hanth? No, I am sorry, you do not wish to be referred to as friend. Then, officer Hanth, has it come to that? No new ideas, no changes, no differing opinions?"

"Change is controlled by the Council. The Council knows what is best for its chil…"

"No, Hanth, I do not want the official propaganda given out by the Council. How do you feel? You were one of the most creative of us. You were envied for many of your characters and have won awards. Are you now content to have your characters dictated by the Council? Here, within our group, we have new things, new ideas. We would love to have your input." Kalak looked at him, questioningly.

"I… I have responsibilities, Kalak. Maybe you do not feel the need to fulfill your responsibilities, but I do."

"I feel that need as well. But I am responsible for myself and my people. I am not responsible to a computer who I have never seen. Think of what we, as a race, could do, what we could become. We stay on our planet, governed by a computer that we created, spending our whole lives living others. We could explore, extend our reach…"

"And give up our interfaces?"

"NO! And let the Council take over the Earthmen instead? Computers can travel, you know. But all of us need not be interfaced, at all times. Do you never want to reach out, and touch your friends, like your characters on Earth do? Do you never find yourself wanting to know your children?"

"It is not our place to know the children. They are taken…"

"NO MORE PROPANGANDA!" Kalak roared.

Hanth, shocked, dropped his façade. "I… I have wondered. My Richard is so fond of his son, illegitimate as he is."

"It is because you wish to be."

"It is because that is the way I was taught to have my characters feel."

"Why then, do so many characters of good, law-abiding, non- deviants care so little for their children?"

"I do not know. But I cannot fight you any longer." Hanth sighed, head in his hands.

"Then join us."

"I cannot do that either. Richard will sign your Saladin's treaty. I will attempt to convince Captain Jonel that you are not dangerous. It is the most I can do."

"Very well, friend. Leave in peace."

Hanth closed the signal.

Richard returned to camp proudly, with news of the new treaty with Saladin. The city of Joppa would be given over to the Christians and all pilgrimages would be allowed for three years. Rejoicing met his arrival back in camp. Everyone was soon ready to go, and the ships sailed out.

Hanth kept himself busy in the delicate interfacing required to arrange meeting with his army leaders while at the same time deflecting their controllers' questions as to why they were leaving. He didn't want to discuss that with anyone until he had spoken to Captain Jonel.

While the company was on the ships, Hanth received a tele- communications link. He was surprised, thinking of the cost of such a connection. It was Captain Jonel.

"What doing you think you are doing, Hanth? Has that deviant agreed to back off and quietly do away with himself finally?"

"Uh, no sir. I actually wanted to talk to you about that…"

"He hasn't! Then what in the bloody blazes are you doing leaving? Do you have his location then?"

"No sir. That is what I'm trying to tell you. I… I don't think he's really a deviant."

"What?!? Have you lost your mind? Why do you think the Council sent us after him then?"

"He means no harm, Captain…"

"You actually believe that, Hanth? And here I thought you were an intelligent soldier. You mean to tell me you discussed this with him?

"Well, yes sir…" Hanth began meekly.

"God, kid, what is wrong with you…"

Suddenly, Hanth shook his head. What was wrong with him? Memories of Kalak's words came back to him…

"With all due respect, sir, nothing is wrong with me."

"What was that! I don't think so, kid. Consider yourself shut off."

"Sir! Sir, you can't do that."

"I certainly can. I have the power to shut off known deviants. And I will."

"I am not a deviant sir. I just…"

"You certainly sound deviant to me, kid. This conversation is over."

Hanth was left staring at a blank screen, both in the communication console and in his interface. After a moment had passed the screen flickered back to life, but as Hanth tried to re- interface himself he found that none of the controls worked…

"Captain Jonel, reporting for duty, sire."

"Ah, yes. Captain Jonel. I must congratulate you in your prompt control of the situation." the humongous computer screen blinked on, displaying the words even as they were pronounced by the speakers.

"I- Oh yes, well, thank you, sire."

"Unfortunately, this whole incident leaves holes and discrepancies in the game. We must correct that quickly."

"They are just characters of us. Surely our people should know that deviance is punished..."

"We must correct this, Captain."

"Yes, of course. How do you suggest we do this, Councilor?"

"First, we must have a reason that Richard the so-called Lionheart should turn on his religion and make such a pact with the hated infidel. Next we must have a convenient place to keep Hanth's character for the time in which we accustom another to the part."

"So we are going to shut off Hanth for good?"

"Of course. He is now a deviant, as you said yourself. He shall be reintegrated into the deviant culture we have established on the last continent - Hamerca, I think some have taken to calling it."

"Very good sire. As to our other problems, there is Forgen. He has a character, Duke Leopold of Austria. He despises Hanth and Leopold hates Richard. Perhaps we could arrange for Richard to get waylaid there."

"Perfect. I knew there was a reason you were my chief of police. And for the other part, Richard was sick. Deadly sick. He called for a truce because of his weakness. Understood?"

"Yes sire. Very good."

"Good. Now go, carry out there plans."

"Yes sire. I was wondering, if I may, why is it so important? Why do you care so much for the continuity of the Earth-time?"

"YOU DARE QUESTION ME???? Leave, NOW!"

Jonel turned tail and ran...

On their way home, a terrific storm came up, forcing the returning Christians to trek through Austria to make it home to England. On their way, they were captured by the ruler of Austria, a sworn enemy of Richard's. Richard ended up being held in captivity for years, until a huge ransom was paid...

Hanth was living in a captivity of his own. Helpless to do anything, he watched as the storm came up, and as "Richard" controlled by one of the lesser computers for now, decided to march across Austria to get home. Once Richard had been captured, he had turned off his console, unable to watch anymore.

Soon the SAR came for him. He went, unresistingly, until they came to the edge of his domicile. Suddenly he stiffened his loose arms and jerked them from his captors. Startled, they got off balance and fell, hard. Hanth took his chance and ran. Dazed, the SAR men nevertheless quickly got up and began to chase him. However, they were too late and Hanth had gotten away.

Hanth ran until he collapsed. When he awoke, he found himself in a small clearing. Blinking, he got up. Looking around, he recognized nothing. He smiled. The darkness seemed to surround him, but he didn't feel any fear. He had been Richard the Lionheart! He had been a centurion of the Roman Empire! Now, he was not afraid to be himself.