[Sticks]

Prologue

Note contains spoilers from previous seasons and tales

This follows on from Tales From and Around the Mystical Realms Volume Three

As humans looked out into their universe, some saw that the universe appeared to be expanding, but was this real?

Then along came Edwin Hubble

Edwin discovered the existence of other galaxies besides our own galaxy which we call the Milky Way. He also discovered that the degree of redshift observed in light coming from a galaxy increased in proportion to the distance of that galaxy from our galaxy. This became known as Hubble's law.

This discovery was the first observational support for theory of the origin of the universe known as the “Big Bang Theory”, which had been proposed by Georges Lemaître in 1927.

The astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle hated this theory about the origin of our universe, as it stated that the universe had a beginning unlike his Steady State Model which said the universe had always existed. In fact it was Sir Fred Hoyle who invented the term “Big Bang”, in a derogatory sense, on a radio programme in 1949.

As more observations came in over time, it was confirmed. We live in an expanding universe. This how ever prompted the question, if you wound this back what would you have?

Some said that the universe came from what they called a singularity right at the beginning of time. But some asked what if you went back further before this “Big Bang”?

Many astrophysicists and cosmologists pondered this question of anything coming before the “Big Bang” and most said the question was a nonsense question. How could you have time before the beginning of time?

Some were not so ready to dismiss this question and proposed an “oscillating” model with “Big Bangs” going on before

Youtube video

Later observations would show, even with the alleged Dark Matter, there was not enough matter in the universe to cause it to collapse again. So maybe the Oscillating Universe model was false.

However all this speculation effectively stopped when Earth fell to the power of a troll from the tribe of the long thought extinct Ghetto clan on the world of the Mystical Realms. For so bloody and so total was her victory they pondered questions like “how may we not incur any more of her wrath?” or “How can we serve our new over lords”, the drow under their leader, Consort Vabalavich. It was these dark elves known as the drow who governed the Earth on behalf of this troll who had conquered the humans.

The troll who had vanquished all the governments of Earth, including the once mighty super powers was Brameana. After her victory over the humans she called herself “The Lady High Troll” and claimed to be the legitimate daughter of the former tyrant, the “Lord Low Troll.”

Brameana’s victory over Earth was achieved using stolen nuclear weapons from the Russians and dark magic that could replicate as many as she needed, provided by her drow lover, Consort Vabalavich. Also to assist her in victory was the former deputy clan chief of the troll Clan of the Manjura who had usurped his own clan chief and given to Brameana the use of all the dimension jump orbs she needed to deliver these deadly nuclear weapons to Earth.

But it was not only Earth she conquered, for with her victory complete over the humans, by an ancient troll law the trolls were forced to swear total allegiance to her, and they governed the world of the Mystical Realms.

Her reign over both worlds was brutal and severe, and she claimed that she had avenged her father’s humiliation and death and taken what was rightfully hers.

For the humans with the Lady High Troll in power, if there was the slightest danger of displease her imperial majesty and bringing yet more nuclear attacks, what was the point in pondering if anything came before the beginning of time? The survival of the human race and life on Earth was at stake, for it was pointed out to them, her victory over Earth would still be assured if she wiped every living thing from the planet. Humans only continued to live at her discretion, advised by her drow consort.

And anyway, as some of the cosmologists and astrophysicists had argued before, how could there be anything from before the beginning of time…

[Sticks]

Episode I –Invidious Deals

Washington DC
United States of America



22 October 1962

The middle aged forty five year old man wearing a black suit and tie sat down at his desk. On the desk in front of him was a small angled lectern equipped with two microphones. On the lectern was what could be the most important speech of his life.

Across on the other side of his desk in his office were a number of television cameras waiting for him to begin his speech.

The man waited, and then was given the cue to speak. Then, with both hands on the paper of his speech, he began.

“Good evening my fellow citizens. This Government, as promised, has maintained the closest surveillance of the Soviet Military build up on the island of Cuba. Within the past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of offensive missile sites is now in preparation on that imprisoned island. The purpose of these bases can be none other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the Western Hemisphere.”

The man then briefly looked at his notes and continued, “Upon receiving the first preliminary hard information of this nature last Tuesday morning at nine ay em., I directed that our surveillance be stepped up. And having now confirmed and completed our evaluation of the evidence and our decision on a course of action, this Government feels obliged to report this new crisis to you in fullest detail. The characteristics of these new missile sites indicate two distinct types of installations. Several of them include medium range ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead for a distance of more than one thousand nautical miles. Each of these missiles, in short, is capable of striking Washington, D.C., the Panama Canal, Cape Canaveral, Mexico City, or any other city in the south eastern part of the United States, in Central America, or in the Caribbean area.”

The man then continued through his speech as the television cameras filmed his every word. The atmosphere in the room was grave.

Then the man began to conclude his speech, “Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right- -not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this hemisphere, and, we hope, around the world. God willing, that goal will be achieved. Thank you and good night.

The world was now holding it’s breath.

+ + +

Aboard the B-59 Soviet Submarine
The quarantine area in the waters off of Cuba



26 October 1962

The conditions in the Foxtrot class submarine were deteriorating as they were running out of air. Above them on the surface were the warships of the US Navy.

Somehow the surface ships of their enemy had tracked them, and now they were dropping some kind of depth charges. They were not causing any damage, but they were loud and reverberated throughout the submarine.

Captain Valentin Savitsky was tired and angry at the Americans.

This was a soviet nuclear submarine, so why should they put up with this?

What the captain did not realise, that standing next to him was an invisible human like figure with a dark complexion and eyes that glowed red. All the while this figure was whispering to the captain. The captain of course could not hear him on a conscious level but the whispering increased the captain’s level of anger.

“A captain of real integrity would take action wouldn’t he” the dark figure whispered, “You have the means to teach those Americans a lesson they will never forget especially as it seems the war has started”

Captain Valentin Savitsky was now furious with Americans as yet another depth charge detonated. He grabbed the microphone to give his order, “Get one of our nuclear torpedoes ready and get Vasili and Ivan up here”

“That’s the spirit” the dark figure beside him whispered, “Fire it at those miserable Americans. Do your duty” he added.

Oh how the dark figure wished he could fire the torpedo himself and bring countless death to the humans he so despised, but alas all he was able to do at this time was whisper into the ears of humans to tempt them to do his bidding. It was frustrating, hoping that the humans might take the path of destruction out of their own free will.

+

Ivan Semonovich Maslennikov the political officer and chief of staff of the submarine flotilla who had by chance chosen to sail on the B-59 heard the order and rushed to the bridge. On his way he ran into Commander Vasiliy Arkhipov.

“What does the captain think he is doing” Vasiliy asked Ivan
“Isn’t it obvious” Ivan replied, “It looks like we are going to war at last comrade”
“I can not believe the Americans would be so stupid” Vasiliy replied
“Believe it comrade” Ivan retorted, “Why else would they have sited those missiles in Turkey, they are itching for war against us”
The two men reached the bridge just as another small depth charge sounded through the hull

“That’s enough” yelled Captain Valentin, “Is that torpedo ready?”

“Ready sir” came the confirmation of a rating.
“Prepare to fire” Captain Valentin shouted angrily.

“Captain the three of us need to be in agreement before we fire a nuclear torpedo” Vasiliy said firmly
“And I agree with the captain” Ivan chimed in and inserted his firing key next to the captain’s key and turned it to the firing position.

All they were waiting for was for Commander Vasiliy to insert his key into the firing mechanism, but for some reason as the commander fingered his key he was hesitant and put it away.

“What’s your commander doing, is he too afraid to do his duty” the invisible dark figure whispered into the captain’s ear, ”Order him to agree, after all you’re the captain” the invisible dark figure prompted.

“Commander” Captain Valentin growled back, “You will consent to the torpedo launch or I will take action against you for anti-soviet dissent”

Vasiliy shook his head, “I’m afraid it would be you who should be reported if you proceed with this action.” He said quietly, “You were instructed not to provoke the Americans at this time”

Another depth charge sounded.

“Provoke the Americans” screamed the captain, “What do you call that? War has already started”

“We don’t know that captain” Vasiliy replied standing his ground, “They do not sound like proper depth charges to me; they sound like training signal charges”

“No!” growled Captain Valentin, “War has started and you will do your duty and teach those Americans a lesson they will never forget”

”You tell him” the invisible dark figure beside the captain whispered, ”You don’t need that coward so get on and launch that torpedo”

The Captain reached for his side arm, “If you do not consent to the launch of the torpedo I can have you arrested and shot” the captain said angrily
“I agree with the captain” Ivan chimed in, “They are trying to locate us so they can destroy us. This is an act of war”
“I disagree” Vasiliy insisted, “They are not using proper depth charges in order to destroy us. Our hull is not yet breached”

“Irrelevant Commander, we must launch that torpedo” the captain shouted, “Now insert your key and be done with it”

“And if we retaliate as you say we must, what will that achieve Captain” Vasiliy asked him forcefully, “We would still end up dead as well at this range”.
“Why do you not insert your key comrade” Ivan pressed, “The Americans have probably already launched their Jupiter missiles from their bases in Turkey and now they are hunting us. Even if we die we take them with us”

“Ivan is right” the captain shouted at his commander, “We have the means to go out with honour. I will not allow you to deny us from doing what we have been prepared to do.” Then the captain again ordered the commander to insert his key

“No!” insisted Vasiliy, “I do not believe you are thinking rationally because you are tired. Those are not proper depth charges or we would be dead. If necessary I will relieve you of command on grounds of incapacity”. Then Vasiliy turned to Ivan, “I do not know how much experience you have in submarines, but I know the difference between signal depth charges and proper depth charges”
“Vasiliy” Ivan insisted, “Do as the captain says, and insert your key so we may give the Americans a bloody nose”
“With all due respect comrade Maslennikov” Vasiliy said angrily, “You do not know what you are talking about. A captain is not always right this is why we have this safeguard”

The captain pointed his side arm at the commander and cocked it ready to fire, “I am still captain on this vessel now insert your key or give it to Ivan and he can insert it”

Vasiliy shook his head as another depth charge sounded, “I can not agree to this madness captain. I will not let you take us to nuclear war when we have no proof the Americans have started hostilities”

”Shoot him!” the dark invisible figure shouted in exasperation into the captain’s ear, ”Shoot him now and be done with it”

Suddenly all the humans froze

“Now what?” the dark figure screamed in a voice that sounded like rushing waters, “Things were just getting interesting”.

Just then there was the crackle of electricity and another dark figure appeared on the submarine bridge.

This dark figure was not like the first one. This dark figure was what they sometimes called a dark elf or more properly, a drow.

“I thought I would find you here” the drow said in a matter of fact manner.
“If you will release this time stop spell and let me finish” the dark figure went on, “I will be able to make these disgusting half breeds of mud and clay destroy each other and it will be out of their own free will” the figure added with a touch of smugness.

“Well done you” the drow retorted sarcastically, “Now desist from this action”
“What!!!” screeched the dark figure, “These are stinking half breeds and this is the best opportunity to have them wiped from creation”
“Never the less” the drow continued, “You are ordered to stop this course of action”

The dark figure was incensed and went to grab this drow by the throat. The drow side stepped him and the dark figure glowered at the drow with his red fiery eyes.
“Who are you to order me” the dark figure hissed in his characteristic rushing waters sounding voice, “Our kind came before even those wretched half breeds of mud and clay. You may be of smokeless fire like us, but you were formed by those things” he added pointing to the humans frozen in time. “I set this up” the dark figure pressed, “I even whispered into an American captain where to look for this submarine”

The drow ignoring this protestation produced a roll of parchment, “I thought you might be sceptical so I brought you this” he told the dark figure and then unrolled it and handed it to the dark figure

“What is this treachery” the dark figure screeched.
“It is a treaty” the drow said calmly, “Signed by your leader and one of your former compatriots on behalf of Metatron”

The dark figure glowered at the drow and then looked at the parchment. The signatures were genuine and true. It had been agreed that this dark figure would be ordered to stop and reverse his actions by his leader; in return the other side would reframe from intervening in human affairs and stand aside forced to watch from the sidelines.

“You should be proud” the drow sneered, “you forced you enemy’s hand with you actions here today”

“But these are stinking half breeds of mud and clay, and we are of smokeless fire, they should be purged from creation” the dark figure protested pointing at the humans frozen in time.

“Never the less” the drow persisted, “Your orders from your own leader are clear, you are not to make this human fire that missile. They are not to go to nuclear war at this time”

“But this is such an opportunity” the dark figure continued to protest.
“Your master has agreed to other priorities with regards to the humans” the drow reinforced.
“And what’s in it for the drow” the dark figure sneered
“We have an interest in this world, let’s just put it at that and we would hate to see such a resource squandered because of some petty feud between two groups of former colleagues”
“Once these mongrel half breeds are wiped from creation” the dark figure went on, “You could still plunder the natural resources of this world for yours”
“Except we do not wish them to be contaminated by an uncontrolled nuclear conflict that you are trying to provoke” the drow countered and then added, “Besides such a disturbance in the collective unconsciousness might have severe repercussions for us”
“So you are doing this to save your own miserable skins” the dark figure sneered.

“Maybe” replied the drow, “but you have your orders. I have an orb of holding if need be, so please don’t make me use it”

The dark figure glowered in silence

“Come on” the drow pressed, “You are a hero amongst your own kind because thanks to you those you have been fighting by proxy all this time have effectively been neutralised. You have a clear field as do we”

The dark figure shook his head and then shook his fists. It was unfair, he was so close to obliterating the humans, the original cause of a civil war that had waged for millennia amongst his own people, and now a race created by those very humans had brokered a selfish deal.

“Agreed”, the dark figure reluctantly said in his voice that sounded like a torrent of rushing waters.

“Whisper into his ear the new instructions” the drow pressed pointing at the frozen figure of Captain Valentin.
“Don’t push it” the dark figure retorted
“Do it” the drow ordered forcefully.

The dark figure walked up to the captain, still frozen in time. ”Change of plan human, your commander is right stand down the torpedo”

“That wasn’t so hard was it?” the drow sneered.

The dark figure sneered, “You may have won this one drow, but without the intervention of our former master’s loyal minions, these humans will annihilate one another in a year or so”

“We shall see” the drow retorted, “We shall see”, and with that both the drow and the dark figure vanished from the submarine bridge.

Immediately time returned to normal.

Captain Valentin lowered his side arm and put it away, “Disarm the torpedo and prepare to surface” the captain ordered, “You are right Commander. Those are not real depth charges or we would be dead already. I am tired that is why I did not recognise them like you did” he muttered. With that the captain removed his key from the firing mechanism.

“And if war has started” Ivan asked.
“Then anything we do here will not make a difference” Vasiliy Arkhipovreplied.

+ + +

Grytviken
South Georgia
Earth


The present day

Marine Colonel Samuel Peters continued to stare out to sea as he sat on his seat on the jetty beside the two rotting hulks of old whaling seal boats., still haunted by handing Earth over to the forces of a troll and a drow.

He was doing what he could to bring food to the colony of remnants from the Inter dimensional Entity Control organisation by trying to fish, although to tell the truth he was not that successful at it.

He heard footsteps come up behind him, but he did not turn round, for he could recognise them. They were those of Captain Sandra Philips, another marine from the former United States of America.

Samuel continued to stare out to sea. What was the point in doing anything else? He had “retired” because of some of the decisions he had made just before Earth fell.

“Sir” Sandra said.

Samuel continued to stare out to sea in silence.

“It’s time sir” Sandra pressed

“Mrs O’Kerry or Mrs Andrews” Samuel asked without turning his head.
“Mr’s O’Kerry” Sandra replied, “Mrs Andrews is still a few weeks off sir”

Samuel looked up into the sky, “Really, I loose track of time here Captain”
“Are you ok sir?” Sandra asked sensing that the colonel’s mood was darker than the normal it had become.

“Andrea would have been twenty three today” Samuel answered cryptically
“Sir?” Sandra questioned

The colonel put his head in his hands and then looked out to sea again. “She was my daughter Captain” Samuel replied, “She was killed by a DUI back in ninety eight along with her mother”

At this Sandra wished that the ground would swallow her up. “I’m sorry sir”, she apologised, “I didn’t know”
“Why should you Captain, it’s not something I like to talk about” Samuel asked, “Anyway” he added, “maybe it’s better this way, them not having to live with a husband and father who sold out his own people”

“You did not sir” Sandra retorted with passion in her voice.
“I told them to surrender” Samuel answered in a quiet voice
“We were out numbered and out gunned sir” Sandra protested, “You said it your self they had unlimited nuclear weapons, a means of delivery and no way we could hit back”
“It still doesn’t make me feel any better captain” Samuel went on, “We couldn’t stop them. Bottom line, I let everyone down”

Sandra came round to face the colonel, “That’s not true sir” she said with emotion choking her words, “I studied your record before I was deployed to the Mystical Realms sir; I considered it required reading sir. If anyone let us down it was me for showing weakness because I went native out there

Colonel Samuel Peters looked up at the female Marine captain, “Going topless Captain to avoid offending a few trolls did not cause Earth to fall to those b*****ds”
“Neither did being put in an impossible position by others sir” Sandra replied, “With all due respect sir, those so called world leaders just wanted someone else to blame for taking the only decision they could take to save lives sir. You were a great leader sir”

At this Sandra had to stop, because she found herself getting emotional. The colonel was a man she respected and without realising it she carried a torch for. He was so much like her own father who she had been close to, and like the colonel her own father had also been in the marines, but he had died when she was eighteen in a training accident. In one sense she had developed a crush on the colonel but she could not admit that, not even to herself, for he was a lot older than her and it would be considered inappropriate.

Samuel looked back out to sea and then at his fishing line which suddenly started to indicate he had caught a fish.

Quickly the colonel started to reel in the fish, but it seemed quite heavy or the fish was putting up a fight.

Without thinking Sandra moved into help by holding onto the rod, while Samuel swore at the fish and started to reel it in.

For two tense minutes the pair of them struggled to land the fish, and then finally it broke surface and then Sandra let go of the rod so Samuel could place it in the previously empty box he reserved for any fish he might catch.

It was only a Southern flounder, but it was a fish all the same

In the excitement of catching the fish Sandra forgot herself and hugged the colonel and yelled “You did it, you did it, you got a fish” she squealed with glee

“Yep” Samuel replied with sadness in his voice.

Sandra let go immediately, “I’m sorry sir. That was unprofessional of me”

Samuel looked down into Sandra’s eyes.

In that moment if Samuel had wanted to have Sandra, she probably would have gone all the way, willingly just to please him

“Thanks captain” Samuel said to her, “You better get back to the O’Kerry’s since we are going to have a leprechaun baby anytime soon”

Just then Sandra found herself wishing she was having the colonel’s baby which seemed so wrong when she realised what she was doing

Sandra looked down at the jetty, ashamed at having such feelings, especially for an older man who was obviously still grieving for his family long dead and also wracked with guilt.

Sandra looked up, “You’re right sir” she said to the Colonel and saluted, “I better go. Enjoy your fish sir you earned it”

With that Sandra headed back to the Grytviken settlement cursing herself that she had let her feelings for the colonel slip.

The Colonel watched her walk back and sighed and shook his head, “Ok Celeste I know you’re here” he announced, “show yourself” he ordered.

Suddenly teenager, sixteen going on seventeen appeared as if out of thin air. She was violently shivering in the cold South Georgia air because she was naked.

Samuel quickly removed his coat and made sure Celeste was properly wrapped up and the coat securely fastened and put his arms around her to try and help her get warm.

“I’m sorry” Celeste was only just able to get out before she collapsed as she momentarily passed out in his arms

Samuel picked the teenager up and held her in his arms, “What happened to those exercises you were doing with Major Bolak” Samuel whispered, “I thought they were supposed to allow you to use those powers without destroying your clothes”

“Captain” Samuel yelled

Sandra heard the colonel and turned around, and saw the colonel holding Celeste wrapped in his coat in his arms “What’s she doing here?” Sandra muttered and turned back towards the colonel and the teenager.

“Can you get my fish please” Samuel asked Sandra, “I’ll take her back to her cabin”

“Sure sir, but what’s she doing out here” Sandra asked, “And where are her clothes” she added with venom as she glowered at the teenager, suddenly jealous that Celeste was in the colonel’s arms she was not. Then Sandra felt ashamed for feeling this. “I’ll drop this outside your cabin sir and then I need to get to Mrs O’Kerry” Sandra told the colonel, picked up the box with the fish and headed off the jetty and back to the settlement.

The colonel stood there holding Celeste in his arms watching as Sandra walked back to the settlement.

Slowly Celeste started to come round in the colonel’s arms. She was in an emotional state as she kept apologising because she thought she had failed yet another exercise she had been ordered to do and was therefore useless.

“What were you thinking Celeste” Samuel asked
“Major Bolak told me to.”
“He told you to follow the captain invisible and naked in this weather?” Samuel asked
“No sir” Celeste said tearfully, “He said I was to practice following someone while invisible and not make a sound. How did I screw this up?” Celeste asked weakly
“Your teeth were chattering Celeste” Samuel told her “They gave you away”
“I tried sir, I tried” Celeste wept, “But I was so cold”.
“You would be in this weather without clothes on” Samuel remarked

Samuel then headed back off of the jetty carrying Celeste in his arms, thinking how he would have to have words with the major for ordering Celeste to go like this, so close to the Antarctic

As the pair of them came off the jetty Celeste was just recovered enough to be able to stand, so Samuel let her for a moment, but the ground was cold and hurt her bare feet. Celeste tried to endure the pain, which d felt she deserved anyway.

Samuel saw this however and in spite of her protestations, he picked her up in his arms again.

Just then they were met by Major Bolak, the drow who had formally worked as liaison with the Russian government, but had had to seek asylum with theses humans when Vabalavich made his move.

“She was trying to follow Captain Phillips invisible and naked because you ordered her to” Samuel said with anger to the drow major

“I told her to practice tailing someone, but I did not tell her to do it unclothed” Bolak retorted, “What would be the point after teaching her the special exercises so her clothes are protected?” Major Bolak then looked at Celeste and shook his head in disappointment, “Celeste have I wasted all my time with you, if you are going to do things like this. I told you those exercises I have been teaching you also allows you to go invisible without risking your clothes”

“I’m sorry sir” Celeste replied softly, “But the exercises hurt and it’s hard to keep the concentration up with the pain. You said I had to work on invisibly following someone today without them noticing, so I thought I better just practice on the captain to get that right before trying it with those exercises again”

Major Bolak frowned, “This pain” the drow asked, “Can you describe it”
“It’s as if something inside is burning” Celeste sniffed

Major Bolak thought for a moment, “I wonder if this could this have something to do with that human soul of yours?” the drow asked
“I don’t know sir” Celeste replied
“Why did you not mention this before after all this time I have been teaching you?” the drow asked.
“I thought you would hit me because I wasn’t doing it right or something like that” Celeste sobbed as she broke down in tears, “I tried sir but it hurts”.

“You wouldn’t do that Major” Samuel asked, “hit her I mean?”
“Absolutely not” the drow retorted, “It would serve no purpose, and I have tutored many a pupil in these exercises before and I could tell, unlike some of them, she was trying.”
“I’ll take her back to her quarters” Samuel offered, “Then she can get dressed again”
“I’m so sorry” Celeste apologised tearfully, “I tried, I’m useless”
“Don’t be sorry” the drow replied softly, “It is not you who are not useless. As a teacher I should have spotted this during our sessions. I will give you a day’s rest from the training, which I dare say you will find enjoyable in the company of Young Mr Hargreaves”

At this Celeste turned red, “Yeah” she sniffed, “He’s so hot, I just wish I could get him to be a little bit more intermit but those family values as you call them just seem to get in the way even though I can tell he so wants to”

“Too much information as the humans put it” the drow interrupted
“Plus you’re too young for that Celeste” Samuel interjected
“Sorry sir, I forgot” Celeste replied and looked away, ashamed
“I will try and work out with Shamus how we can modify the exercises to cope with this soul of yours and allow you to use your powers without having to disrobe every time you use them”
“Celeste, you are not to work naked” Samuel reiterated, “How many more times do we have to tell you? Especially here. You could have died of hyperthermia out there”
“I agree with the colonel” Bolak added, “I would never expect it of any drow under my command and I do not expect it of you. In fact as your teacher I forbid it”

Celeste just nodded, but this just put her more into feeling between a rock and a hard place. How could she do those exercises so her clothes would be protected, if they caused her so much pain, and if she did not work naked how could she use her powers such as they were to pull her weight and help the rest of the team when it came time to take back Earth.

Major Bolak then offered to carry Celeste which Samuel reluctantly agreed to, even though Celeste offered to try and walk in bare feet.

The drow carrying Celeste and the colonel walked over to the cabin which Celeste shared with Doctor Charlene Henshaw. Major Bolak then placed Celeste on the ground in front of the door to the cabin

“Are you going to be ok” Samuel asked Celeste as he opened the door to the cabin.

“Yes sir” Celeste replied, “My clothes are in here” and then she started to undo the colonel’s coat, “I better give you this back”
Samuel grabbed her hand, “You go in, get dressed and then get it back to me”
“Yes sir, sorry sir” Celeste apologised, then she added, “I think Captain Philips has the hots for you sir”
“I know” Samuel said quietly
“Ok then” Celeste said nervously, opened the door to the cabin entered it and closed the door.

“She’s trying Bolak” Samuel said to the Major Bolak
“I know” Bolak replied, “She is one of my more diligent pupils. This escapade I should have expected as she is so eager to please because she still feels the need to atone.”
“I know” Samuel remarked, “When she first came to work for us she offered to work naked because she had initially worked for a dirt-bag in England and thought she was no longer entitled to wear clothes”
“Why would she think that?” a confused Bolak asked
“Something to do with the halfing village she was raised in” Samuel explained

A look of recognition came across Major Bolak’s face, “Oh that village, where offenders against the community forfeit the right to wear clothing and have to go unclothed”
Samuel replied briefly in the affirmative
“I’m familiar with that village Colonel” Major Bolak went on, “even for Halflings they had some very odd ideas, but they seemed to work. Anyway, this need of hers to be eager to please, you will need to watch that Colonel” Bolak warned, “it will lead to more trouble”
“Changing the subject has she worked out” Samuel began to ask
Bolak anticipated the question, “No, she still does not know she can teleport yet, and according to Shamus, we need to keep it that way”
Samuel just nodded and muttered “ok”

Just then Celeste opened the door wearing a bathrobe and holding Samuel’s coat. “Your coat sir, Charlene thankfully is still in the town with Simon and the other techs otherwise she would be mean about this. Is there no way I can share with someone else?”
Samuel took the coat off of Celeste and told her that she would have to take that up with someone else and thanked her for the coat.
Celeste sensing awkwardness retreated back inside and closed the door. She needed to get dressed and make sure the cabin was tidy, so Charlene did not have an excuse to criticise her.

Then both Major Bolak and Colonel Samuel started to walk away from the cabin.
“One other observation” Major Bolak began as Samuel put his coat back on, “From what she said earlier she comes across as being sexually aggressive and mature plus she looks older than she really is, but I believe it is just bravado and she has no real experience of such activities.”
“I’m inclined to agree” Samuel agreed.
“Her motivation is to please others” Major Bolak went on, “so she acts how she believes males would like her to act”
“Like a lot of teenagers” Samuel replied, “That’s what makes them more vulnerable to predators”
“Like that, as you put it, dirt bag, Sir Sidney Gerald” Major Bolak asked
“Yeah” Samuel nodded, “Just like that dirt bag”. Then he sighed. “I have a fish to cook” made to leave for his assigned cabin.

“Oh I nearly forgot to tell you Colonel” Major Bolak announced
Samuel turned around, “What?”
“According to Shamus we may be getting a visitor either tomorrow or the next day with the next supply run” Major Bolak informed Samuel

“Tell that to Mark” Samuel responded, “He’s in charge now, not me. I’m retired remember” and with that Samuel left for his own cabin.

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor

Brameana ordered the cart to stop just outside the doors of the citadel, “So this is the place my father despised” she said as she crawled forward in the cart from her seat next to her consort.

“Yes my love” Vabalavich her drow lover replied, “Your father preferred the city to this place, even though by rights he could have been emperor here”

Brameana turned back to look at her drow lover, “And is it true that human” At the word human, she scrunched her face up in disgust, “was declared emperor here” Brameana continued.
“I am afraid so my love” Vabalavich replied, “But he is now dead and gone, killed in our attack on the Earth city of Dublin so they tell us”
“A pity” Brameana sneered, “I would dearly have loved to seen his legs kicking in the air as he hung by his neck”
“I believe his family perished with him along with two former minor spirits of virtue” Vabalavich added
“I would have loved to have seen them dance in the wind too” Brameana sneered

Brameana then returned to her seat beside her drow lover. Vabalavich put a loving arm around her as the cart started up again and then went through the giant doors.

“Tell me my love” Vabalavich asked softly, “As you hated your father so, why did you want the human who helped humiliate him executed so.”

Brameana grinned, “Vabalavich I am surprised. You grew up with me while your father served as a consulate general to the Far Islands and you still do not understand all our ways”
“Troll honour?” Vabalavich asked
“Exactly” Brameana replied, “What kind of daughter would I be if I were not seen to be avenging my father’s humiliation, even if he did deserve it for what he did to me and my mother”

The cart rolled through the streets of the citadel until they reached the old imperial quarters, now repaired since the attack by the Magnus Timor cult.

“They stayed here!” Brameana said with disgust as they got out.
“It has been cleaned since then” Vabalavich told her, “You will not smell the humans. Even the stench from those human soldiers who were billeted here has been removed”
“I hope so” Brameana replied.

Brameana then looked out at the mountains, “Why could they not have built this citadel nearer the city”

“It was neutral territory at the time” Vabalavich replied
“So was the city” Braemeana answered back
“But this was more easily defended” explained Vabalavich, “They all thought the troll emperors would be safe in this citadel”
“So they thought” Brameana muttered
“But then your Ghetto clan at that time were yet to assassinate an emperor and his family
“An emperor who was weak and giving away territory to the orcs and a family who were corrupt” Brameana snapped back
Vabalavich raised both his arms in submission, “I apologise if I offended you my love, and what they did would have been done by the drow without a moment’s hesitation”
Brameana grinned, “So that was why the drow offered our clan safe passage during the treachery of the other troll clans”

“We better go in my love” Vabalavich said, changing the subject abruptly, “I believe they have prepared our end of day meal and our bed”

Brameana walked round and took Vabalavich’s arm as they both went through the front door into the imperial apartment.

The two then dined on the finest troll faire that the citadel had to offer. They had specially acquired new scullion slaves to replace the ones that had once been freed under the former regime.

Then they retired to bed and enjoyed a period of passion, where Vabalavich showed he was more than equal in pleasing his troll lover than any troll could.

Soon Brameana became fatigued and passed out into a delightful sleep.

Vabalavich watched her drop off and then got up and got dressed. The special sleep potion he had administered while he was passionately kissing Brameana had been effective. She would be out for hours and in the morning would feel wonderful and refreshed, just like natural sleep. It was one of Vabalavich’s own concoctions, it left no trace and Brameana never suspected a thing.

Vabalavich quietly closed the door quietly of the imperial apartment as he left his troll lover asleep in their bed.

“My liege” a drow messenger who had just arrived addressed him
“Jaigon is it?” Vabalavich asked in drow tongue so the troll guards did not understand it
“Yes my liege” the other drow replied also in the drow tongue
“I knew your father” Vabalavich said to make conversation
“He spoke of you highly my liege” Jaigon beamed, “He always said that you were a true Hadreth, tutored by your father from the day you were born”

“Jaigon” Vabalavich said in a more serious tone, “Flattery will only raise suspicions, so use it sparingly”
“I’m sorry my liege” Jaigon apologised, “I just wanted to say it was an honour to serve under you, especially here at Karam Tag Chou, even if it is a troll citadel”

“We serve where we serve” Vabalavich remarked “But you have a question I sense by your tone of voice” he went on

The drow looked down almost ashamed and at the same time afraid.
“Speak up Jaigon” Vabalavich ordered

Jaigon looked Vabalavich in the eye, “You are senior in the Hadreth”
“Yes”
“So why do you pollute yourself with that troll?” Jaigon asked, “You are worthy of our finest of drow princesses rather than a possibly illegitimate troll from a disgraced clan”

Vabalavich walked up to Jaigon and looked at him square in the eyes.
“I apologise if I spoke out of turn my liege” Jaigon said quietly
Vabalavich then said quietly, “You are not long initiated into the Hadreth are you?”
“No my liege” Jaigon replied, “Maybe for questioning you about your personal affairs I am not worthy, I did not mean to cause offence”
“Nonsense” Vabalavich retorted, “A true Hadreth will question everyone and everything and if they are offended then they will have something to hide which you must root out”
“My liege?”
“My lovely Brameana, is a means to an end” Vabalavich replied, “She really does have feelings for me. Feelings I promoted in her so she does exactly what I wish her to do without her realising it. And if that means physical intimacy to get the job done then so be it”

“So my liege those feelings are not reciprocal?”

Vabalavich shook his head

“Then how?” Jaigon began

“A Hadreth will do whatever it takes” Vabalavich told the young drow, “It was a job my father groomed me for and like a good Hadreth I did my duty and excelled like all Hadreth drow should”

“And now you are consort and governor of Earth” Jaigon ventured
“Precisely” Vabalavich smiled.

“But do we need her” Jaigon persisted, “She is a troll, we are drow and more powerful especially with our magics. It should be us ruling both worlds from Brack Haven not this stinking troll citadel”
“Careful Jaigon” Vabalavich warned, “A Hadreth drow always guards his thoughts and never should be seen to be grabbing power openly. We make others believe we are exercising it on their behalf”

“Once again I apologise My Liege” Jaigon apologised, “I have let my ambition for the order get the better of me”
“You are young Jaigon, we expect these mistakes due to the immaturity youth” Vabalavich reassured him, “but suppose we did it as you thought” Vabalavich pressed, “To be ultimate ruler whom would you really trust?”
“You my liege?” Jaigon ventured, “You are head of the order after all”

Vabalavich laughed and shook his head, “I am but a lowly consort in the humble service of the Lady High Troll. It is true for a time I head the order, but that will only be for a season and for show to the other drow who are not of the Hadreth. But suppose you were ultimate leader, whom could you really trust, who would not seek to stab you in the back”

Jaigon was silent

“Exactly” Vabalavich said answering Jaigon’s silence, “We do not have great leaders who must watch for the next doppelganger assassin. When we control others, we use proxy leaders, and it is they who attract the anger of the ruled while we operate from the shadows”

“I see my liege, I think” Jaigon replied, “That troll is very good and drawing attention from us”
“She does that exquisitely so” Vabalavich beamed, “We could have teleported her, but she insisted that others should see her and fear her as she made her way here by cart. This was why my father told me all those years ago on the Far Islands to cultivate a relationship with her” Vabalavich told the young drow, “He saw how much she resembled that other troll who was leader at the time and saw there could be an opportunity not only for our order, but for wider drow kind should the Lord Low Troll be removed from office”

“Your father was very wise my liege” Jaigon told his leader
“As was yours” Vabalavich reciprocated, “But you have not come to discuss the Lady High Troll”
“No my liege” Jaigon admitted, “I was asked if you would be interested in seeing the prisoner before we put her to death”
“Prisoner?” Vabalavich queried

“She is being kept in the main dungeon my liege” Jaigon explained, “we would have executed her sooner, but when we were told of your plans to visit we thought you or the lady high troll would wish to see her final agonies as we put her to death and she might wish to choose the means of execution. If you wish to see her, I will escort you to see her” Jaigon offered
“Very noble I’m sure” Vabalavich replied, “But if you don’t mind I will go there on my own, you are dismissed”
“You do not trust me” Jaigon asked

Vabalavich smiled at the young drow, “We will make a Hadreth of you yet”

Vabalavich now in common tongue ordered one of the troll sentries to accompany him down to the dungeon. Trolls were least likely to plant a dagger between his shoulder blades, as to a troll that would not be honourable, the fools that they were

After a while they reached the dungeon to be met by a troll general of the Manjura clan who was loyal to the new clan chief of the Manjura by family connections.

“You have a prisoner I understand” Vabalavich asked
“Yes Consort” the troll general replied, “We have kept her alive just long enough so you could see her before her execution. It is scheduled for tomorrow”
Vabalavich looked in to the cell and saw a female human, naked and in chains looking despondent. Her head had been shaved and there were bruises all over her body.
“Explain” Vabalavich demanded

“I can my liege” Another drow responded
“Then do so” Vabalavich demanded.
“I was tasked with delivering the first of the nuclear devices to that city called Washington DC” the other drow explained, “Given the nature of the target I thought it would be expedient if we captured the head of the human’s Inter Dimensional Entity Control organisation for later interrogation concerning the location of any other bases”

“OK” Vabalavich responded, “That sounds like a reasonable idea, but why did you not inform me and I could have been here earlier”
“I thought that you were busy my liege” the other drow answered back, “I believed that I could handle it”

“So” Vabalavich went on in a sneering tone, “you could get all the glory and prestige all for your self”
“No my liege” The drow countered, “I would never do that”
“Of course not” Vabalavich mocked

“Tell him” the troll interrupted
“SILENCE” The other drow interrupted

“Oh no” Vabalavich said to the troll, “Do go on, what should I be told?”

The other drow looked at the floor suspiciously, “She may still be of some value, if nothing else but to please her imperial highness over the manner of her execution”
“Tell me what” Vabalavich insisted

“This female is not the head of that organisation” the troll said contemptuously, “She is but a minion and should have been hanged ages ago rather than waste your time on the worthless wretch”

“But I am intrigued” Vabalavich responded
“She says she is something called a Pee Ay” the other drow admitted

“You have a PA and you did not realise her value in terms of intelligence?” Vabalavich questioned
“She is but a minion” the troll insisted.

“From my time in Russia” Vabalavich went on, “Pee Ays or Personal Assistants sometimes had more knowledge of their organisation than their so called designated leaders”
“I did not know that” the other drow conceded.
“So you stopped interrogating her once you established that she was not the head of the human’s IDEC” Vabalavich asked
“There seemed little point at the time” the other drow admitted, “But with what you say, I will interrogate her further”

“No you will not” Vabalavich insisted, “I will do this personally. Now what is her name?”

“Sophie Mitchell she said” the troll cut in, much to the annoyance of the other drow
“Thank you” Vabalavich said to the troll, “You may leave us”
“Yes my liege” the troll replied
“Not you” Vabalavich snapped back
“Oh right” the other drow said looking confused
“You my friend are to leave Karam Tag Chou and return home” Vabalavich said with anger in his voice, “You have obviously proved that you need more training in dealing with prisoners”
“I apologise my Liege” the drow replied, saluted and left

“Open up” Vabalavich ordered

The troll took the keys and opened the door to the cell.

Sophie looked up, shivering with cold and in terror at the face of yet another drow come to physically assault her for not giving “the correct answers”. “Please” she pleaded. “I’m just a PA I don’t know of any other bases or the location of any resistance”

Vabalavich stared at her with his piercing dark eyes which seemed to sear Sophie from inside. She wanted to look away, but was unable to. This drow was obviously using some kind of psychic powers the other drow did not possess or even think of using.

“Troll” Vabalavich ordered, “Bring our guest clothing and undo that chain, with such a pathetic creature shackles are not required”

The troll leant over and removed the shackles, revealing the sores around Sophie’s neck, wrists and ankles.

“I will go and bring the female a skirt then” the troll grunted
“You will bring her a tunic as well” Vabalavich ordered
“But she is not a married female” the troll objected.
“This may be a troll citadel sergeant” Vabalavich said with force, “but this is a drow operation, now do it”
“As you wish Consort” the troll replied, bowed and left.

“As for you my dear” Vabalavich said to Sophie as he took out a small vial, “This will take care of those injuries from that other drow’s incompetent interrogation”

Sophie recognised the vial from descriptions she half remembered, it was a healing potion. Carefully she took it and drank the potion in one go. Immediately all the physical injuries she had sustained vanished.

“Now tell me dear” Vabalavich asked in a menacing tone, “Why did that other incompetent drow think you were the enigmatic Kathryn cooper?”

Sophie looked up, terrified at this other drow who had come to torment her, the only way to avoid a beating or worse was to tell the truth. After all this time, did it matter now, since they had told her everyone she knew had died? “My computer was down” Sophie began and the technician who was due to fix it was taken to see a friend in hospital. Miss Cooper said she had to attend a meeting so she said I could use hers”

“That would explain why that stupid drow thought you were your superior” Vabalavich said softly, “But it seems odd that a critical person like a technician would be given time off work when they were needed to repair such important items”

Sophie looked into the darkness of the cell, “Miss Cooper could not trust him that day”

“Was he an untrustworthy person” Vabalavich asked, “For such a secret organisation it would be bizarre to employ someone considered unworthy to repair the computer of a personal assistant”

“He wanted to save his girlfriend” Sophie said too shell shocked to realise what she was revealing, “He had a condition that made him get obsessions”
“So what had happened to this technician’s mate then?” Vabalavich probed
“She was reported arrested in South America”

Something then struck Vabalavich as being familiar, so he knelt down hand grabbed Sophie’s head in both hands and closed his eyes.

Sophie was speechless in terror; this drow had only healed her so he could start beating her afresh.

But no, he let go and grinned, “So his little girlfriend was Celeste and she stayed with you”

“She was only sixteen” Sophie protested, “There was nobody else”

Just then the troll arrived with clothing, “Here are the garments you requested” the troll said to Vabalavich, “Including the tunic, which as a single female she is not entitled to”

“Put them on” Vabalavich ordered Sophie
Quickly Sophie complied, it felt strange to be wearing clothes after all this time such as they were, but they felt good, even if they did scratch.

“So you wanted to look her best for the gallows” The troll remarked, “Shall I order a trap door are will you be hanging her slowly. Slowly is better as I hear our imperial”

Sophie cried out in terror and started pleading for her life.

Vabalavich interrupted, “There will be no hangings tonight or tomorrow Troll”

“Consort?” the troll queried
“This human is far too valuable to put to death just yet” Vabalavich answered back, “She could be the key to locating and eradicating the so called resistance on the Realm of Humans”
“But I don’t know where they are” Sophie whimpered
“But my dear” Vabalavich whispered, “You have no idea what a true drow of the Hadreth order can do”

+ + +

The dockside at Grytviken
South Georgia
Earth

Commander Mark Johnston another former US Marine, stood at the dock alongside Shamus McTuckle the leprechaun from the former Irish special Diplomatic service and Padow, the former Clan Chief of the Manjura troll clan.

A secret supply boat had arrived from the Falkland Islands. Ostensibly it was out fishing in the waters of the south Atlantic, but in reality they had landed at Gytvicken in South Georgia to drop off badly needed supplies such as food, clothing and equipment. Luckily the distraction spell over the island had held and the eye of the drow was elsewhere. The spell even seemed to work against satellites.

The master of the boat started using his crane to unload the boat while other members of the crew assisted with unloading.

A pixie came up on deck and mad his way across the gangplank to the dock side.
“I can’t see why I can not teleport off this boat” the pixie complained

“You know why” Shamus retorted
“Oh yes” the pixie replied sarcastically, “They might spot me doing so”
“Exactly” Shamus replied

“Any news from the outside world” Padow enquired

The pixie shook his head, “Not really Clan chief of the Manjura, just the usual rounds of executions of enemies of Brameana” the pixie replied.

“I appreciate the sentiment with regards to my name pixie” Padow told the pixie, “But as my position as head of the clan has been stolen from me I am forced to use the name my mother gave me”

“My mistake” the pixie replied, “But I’m glad someone appreciates us Cornish Pixies” the pixie added. It was of course a barbed comment aimed at Shamus. Leprechauns and pixies do not usually get on

“We appreciate all that you have done” Mark cut in, “I realise what a risk you run just speaking to us”

“That’s ok” the pixie replied.

“You do know the usual procedure when you leave” Shamus pressed
“Wipe their memories of this mission once we get into international waters” the pixie replied with a tired sarcastic tone.

“I hope you don’t do that to me” said the voice of an elderly man as he emerged from below decks carrying a holdall.

“You” was all Mark could say on seeing this elderly man, “Come to gloat?” Mark asked, “Come to say we told you so” he added.

The elderly man skilfully disembarked from the boat and adjusted his coat and hat. “That is unfair commander” the elderly man replied once he was on the dockside. “I’ll have you know that quite a number of my compatriots who shall we say, were of a sceptical persuasion were caught in that first blast in DC”

“So what brings you here Mr Vee” Shamus opened with, “We are working on a plan to try and fight back and retake this world”

“So I see” Mr Vee replied, “You’ve not been very successful at it have you”

“Now that’s not fair sir” Mark cut in, “Your daughter, Charlene and Simon have been working their socks offto try and find a way to use the artificial wormhole generators without triggering sky-guard, but it’s hard without the official specs”

“Maybe this will help” Mr Vee said as he pulled from his pocket a flash drive, “Full specifications of sky guard and the various frequencies they monitor if you must try and do this the hard way”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Mark asked as he took the flash drive

Mr Vee ignored the question and went over to the troll offering his right hand.

The troll glared at him ignoring the gesture of friendship. “I heard you were the one who appointed that Mr Blue to the Facility” he said with venom

“That was not just me” Mr Vee replied as he took his arm back, “A number of us made the recommendation, but that’s ancient history now”
“Is that how you absolve yourself of what happened there before they had that change of management” Padow answered back, “declare it ancient history and forget about it”

“We don’t have time for this” Shamus interrupted, “Why have you come here” he asked, “Do you not realise how much risk you put us all at, just by coming here”
“I do” Mr Vee replied, “But with what I have heard and seen, I felt I had to make this journey to see you all”

“Ok” Mark cut in, “I’ll bite, what have you heard?”

Mr Vee turned back to the troll, “Well first I have good news for you”
“What news could you bring me Mr Vee that I would consider good?” Padow growled.
“Your father is alive” Mr Vee said in a matter of fact manner

“You’re wrong!” Padow exclaimed as he shook his head, “Everyone knows he was killed by the orcs when the Spirit of Lust started that civil war. I saw his remains”

“That was your uncle” Mr Vee replied
“Uncle” Padow replied in disbelief, “My Uncle died cycles before I was even conceived, slain by a doppelganger assassin. My father killed it before they could find out who hired it”

“That’s where you are wrong” Mr Vee insisted, “Your father had another brother by the name of Midah. He was his twin brother. Your father kept his existence secret to all but a trusted few”
“Why would he do that” Padow said accusingly, “Why would he not tell me, his own son if this were so. What lies are these you are peddling?”

“I thought would not believe this” Mr Vee muttered and then pulled from his pocket a large band of metal. It was a troll signet ring. “Do you recognise this?”

Padow snatched the ring from Mr Vee, “Where did you steal this?”
“I did not steal it” Mr Vee insisted, “Your father gave it to me to prove he is very much alive”

“What is it?” Mark asked
“It is his signet ring of office” Padow growled, “After he was assassinated by the orcs the original was never found, only a cheap forgery that was found on my father’s body. It was believed he kept the original in a hidden place known only to him”
“Your uncle’s body” Mr Vee corrected

“Ok” Shamus interrupted, “You didn’t risk our exposure coming here just to declare that that other tyrant, the Lord Low Troll, No offence Padow”

“None taken Mr McTuckle” Padow added, “I too disagreed with some of the things that my father did while he was in office, that was why I was on the snatch squads, to get as far from him as…”

“If you don’t mind” Shamus cut in on Padow, and then he turned back to Mr Vee, “As I was saying, you have not come here just to pass on news that the Lord Low Troll is still with us”

“You’re right as ever Mr McTuckle” Mr Vee replied, “I met with the Lord Low Troll personally on the Mystical Realms.”

“Why you” Mark asked, “and how did you get there without triggering Sky-guard”
“Because we are old friends” Mr Vee replied, “ and I used the Lord Low Troll’s own dimension jump orb that he sent via a messenger”.

“What!” Padow angrily exclaimed, “That would make sense I suppose” Padow growled, “My father the tyrant in league with the architect of incarcerate, interrogate exterminate”

Mr Vee shook his head, “Your father and I wanted the same thing, to limit the interference in each other’s affairs, which for a long time we were good at. He with the snatch squads, which may I remind you, you were part of”

“And you with Mr Blue and The Facility” Mark said finishing his sentence.
“Yes” Mr Vee confirmed, “As for the old policy, my associates thought that some of the items from the Mystical Realms could be reversed engineered and used by us”
“For a profit” Mark interrupted..

“This is all very well” Shamus cut back in, “But what has that tyrant got to say for himself”

“Well” Mr Vee started, “The Lord Low Troll wishes to make a deal”

“No deals” Mark interrupted
“You haven’t heard it yet” Mr Vee countered
“I’m not sure we want to” Mark spat back

“What is it?” Shamus asked impatiently

“The Lord Low Troll has a plan to defeat the Lady High Troll and free Earth from her forces” Mr Vee explained

Padow fixed Mr Vee with a steely gaze, “I know my father” he growled, “If he is offering you the ability to take back your world from my alleged half-sister, then he will be demanding a high price in return for his assistance. So Mr Vee, what’s in it for him?”

To be continued

[Sticks]

Episode II – Daughters and Fathers

Ever been confronted by a door to door sales person? Maybe a cold caller?

They always offer a great deal that you must go for right now!

For the unwary these are not really good deals, but they will sign up to them because of the forceful and bullying personality of the sales person.

Unfortunately many people fail to remember the old mantra; if an offer is too good to be true, then perhaps it’s not.

For financial deals the UK government many years ago brought in legislation for a cooling off period, so people could have a chance to cancel if they were unduly pressured into something that was not really for them.

The last remnants of the organisations that policed affairs between Earth and the Mystical Realms before the Earth fell to the Lady High Troll, have been given news that a former tyrant is not dead. This tyrant is none other than the Lord Low Troll and he is offering to help free Earth. However this likely offer of assistance whatever it is, is expected to come with a price, with no cooling off period. What ever the price is, the question is, will it be a price too high to pay or an offer they can’t refuse?

+ + +

A hidden cave on the Mystical Realms

(Seventeen Years Ago)

The middle aged looking female figure screamed in agony at another contraction. It seemed like she had been in labour forever. In the cave with her was a male figure, the father of her child and what looked like a very old woman who was her sister.

It was not the best place to be giving birth, but this was a forbidden child and the woman’s pregnancy had had to be kept secret from the troll authorities.

The female about to give birth was Lachesis, one of so called fates from ancient Greek mythology. It was usually her job to allocate how much life a being would have and what would be their approximate destiny. The other female was Atropos, the fate who cut the thread of a being’s life at their end. The father was the Spirit of Death, who also cut threads of those who were to pass from life.

This was a forbidden child, because it was law on the Mystical Realms, that if two major spirits of virtue, vice or necessity had a child, either the child or one of the parents was to be put to death. This harsh law had been enacted by none other than the great tyrant himself, The Lord Low Troll.

All three were classed as major spirits of necessity.

“Breathe Lachesis” The Spirit of Death said to Lachesis as he mopped her forehead.

“Almost there” Atropos reassured her sister, “Just push”
“I can’t” Lachesis screamed
“Ok, just rest for a moment” The Spirit of Death told Lachesis.

Lachesis took a number of deep breaths, but suddenly there was another wave of contractions and the pain was intense. She could not help screaming as she started bearing down to give birth.

“I see the head!” Atropos exclaimed, “I see the head” she repeated”
“Get it out of me” Lachesis kept repeating
“I’m so proud of you” The Spirit of Death said in reassurance to Lachesis.

There was another wave of contractions and Atropos took hold of the emerging infant as it was born.

All the wile the Spirit of Death was holding his beloved Lachesis hand and wiping her forehead and kissing it.

Atropos held the baby, in her lap and got ready to cut the umbilical chord.

Lachesis had another contraction and out came the afterbirth.

Atropos calmly cut the umbilical chord and tied it off. Although she was skilled in this kind of thing, it was not usual for her to be acting at the beginning of life. That job was usually Clotho’s, the youngest of the three who was absent.

Atropos took a rag and from a basin of warm water she washed the crying infant and then handed it to her sister, “You have a beautiful baby girl” she told her sister

Lachesis took her daughter in her arms and pulled open the front of her dress exposing her breasts, so her new baby could feed if she needed to, and so she could hold her to her skin. Lachesis kissed the head of her baby, “Hello sweetie” she cried, overcome with emotion at the birth of her first child.

Then a thought struck her. Lachesis looked up at the Spirit of Death, “I’m sorry” she sobbed, “I know you probably wanted a son”
“It does not matter my love” The Spirit of Death reassured her, “I just wanted our child to be born alive and be strong like she is. A daughter is worth any son in my books my love. She is the most beautiful child I have ever seen”

The Spirit of Death put a loving arm around Lachesis and hugged her, “I love you and my new daughter with every fibre of my being”

Atropos coughed.

“Atropos?” Lachesis asked as she cradled her baby as it started to feed.

“Should we tell Clotho?” Atropos asked, “All I have told her is that you have been unwell with some disease that we did not want her catching. She has been asking to see you and I think she is becoming suspicious”

Lachesis looked down at her daughter suckling away and then looked up, “I suppose we could tell her”
“If you think that’s wise, given the law” Atropos replied.
“She knows how to keep a secret” Lachesis answered
“But you know the old saying from the Realm of Mortal Humans, how can three keep a secret” Atropos asked
“Only if the other two are dead” The Spirit of Death chipped in
“And there would then be four of us to keep a secret” Atropos went on, “As the eldest I believe it would be best for all of us if she continued to be kept in the dark. Then if this ever came to light, she could not be held to account”
“But what about my daughter?” Lachesis asked, “I can’t hide her from my own sister, can I?”

“But there is the law” Atropos insisted, “If the Lord Low Troll found out, one of you would have to die, and he has spies everywhere”
“I will not allow him to kill my child” Lachesis insisted, “We should take this edict of his to the courts”
“And if they were to rule in his favour?” Atropos questioned

Lachesis could not answer this, for it was a possibility, since the Lord Low Troll was skilled in law and oratory, for the most part, the courts allowed him his indulgences. Some had said, they did this for fear of the troll death squads should they give a ruling he did not care for.

“One of you must be seen to be no more to comply with the law” Atropos went on, “And since we three sisters are meant to do our work with mortal humans together as we are allowed by ancient statute, it can not be you my sister”

“It can not be me either” The Spirit of Death cut in, “I am needed as well”

“I know” Atropos sighed, “There is only one alternative, much though it grieves me, perhaps we should”

Lachesis could tell what her elder sister was going to suggest. “NO” she shouted, “You are not touching my baby”
“Be reasonable sister” Atropos pleaded, “The law states either the child or a parent must die, and both you and the Spirit of Death are indispensible. Perhaps it would be kinder if the child were to die here. Nobody, especially The Lord Low Troll would never need to know. Let me cut her thread”

At this Atropos produced her shears used for cutting the thread of a being’s life

“No” The Spirit of Death said sternly, “I will not allow my daughter to be harmed either
“I could kill the infant in a painless manner” Atropos insisted, “It is the law. How can you go on defying the Lord Low Troll” Atropos objected
“I said no. There has to be another way” The Spirit of Death countered
“You’re not killing my baby” Lacheis wailed

“But the law” Atropos protested.
“Will be seen to be obeyed” The Spirit of Death said firmly

Lachesis shook her head, “Please no, not my baby” she pleaded

“Don’t worry my love” The Spirit of Death said reassuringly, “I would not want to give that troll upstart the satisfaction of killing my daughter. What I propose is that the child is raised up with me, but we will put out that the child’s mother was the Spirit of Destiny and that she is dead, the victim of drowning, and that I was not able to save her”

“Is there such a Spirit?” Atropos asked as she put away her shears
“No” The Spirit of Death replied, “Lachesis existence meant that spirit was never really formed. If you had not been required to take up spirit names, I dare say Lachesis would have been called The Spirit of Destiny, so it is not a complete lie”

Lachesis looked at the father of her child, “Will she ever be told the truth?” she asked as she cradled her baby.
“It would be best if she never finds out” Atropos told her, “Children are poor liars and she will want to see her mother if she knows she is alive”

“If that is what you think is the best course” Lachesis sighed looking down as her daughter clutched at her breast.

“You may give her, her, her name since I’m afraid it looks like this cave will be the last place you are to be together” The Spirit of Death said to Lachesis
“If her father will be known as the Spirit of Death, then it has to be Celeste”

“That’s a very pretty name” Atropos chimed in, “Do you know what the future holds”
“Come on” Lachesis cried out, “I’m not going to do that to my own child”

Suddenly, in spite of her protestations she fell into a trance and her mind was filled with visions and horrors from the future. After a short while Lachesis broke out of the trance and gasped in horror. “Oh my poor child” she gasped.

“What did you see my sister” Atropos asked with concern in her voice
“When she gets older” Lachesis gasped, “Her hearts desire will make her call for a human soul”
“How awful” Atropos said with disgust
Lachesis shook her head “Oh no Atropos, if what I felt is true, she will need it” Lachesis replied, “I’m not sure why, for that was shrouded and I don’t know how it could be shrouded from me but I got the clear impression she will one day need it”
“These things are never set in stone my sister” Atropos whispered, “Sometimes a destiny can be changed”
“I know Atropos, but I really thought I saw her, almost an adult with a human soul descending upon her and then”
“You have just given birth my sister” Atropos interrupted, “and you must be parted from you child your mind may be projecting your own fears and memories” Atropos ventured
“I don’t think so, some evil presence will come into my daughters life” Lachesis said, voice barely holding back her emotions, “When my mind went forward to that time it saw me and tried to come back through time and strike me in this very cave, but it was distracted and I broke the link so it could not follow me here”

Atropos shook her head in confusion, “What creature could do such a thing?”
“I don’t know Atropos” Lachesis sobbed, “I just hope you are right and it was not a true vision I saw. All I know is if it is true, Celeste here is supposed to one day gain a human soul and become human”
“You say that is when our daughter is almost grown” The Spirit of Death cut in
Lachesis nodded
“Even if your vision is true, that is yet a long way off” The Spirit of Death continued, “And things could change”

Lachesis nodded and then spoke in a soft voice, “That’s not all”
“What is it my love?” The Spirit if Death asked
“Our daughter is a major spirit of virtue” Lachesis whispered, “The first one since we were all formed at the beginning of the Mystical Realms”
“How can that happen?” Atropos asked “And which virtue is she?”
“The Spirit of Second Chances” Lachesis said looking up, “She represents the time when a person faces certain death and yet, if you excuse the expression, fate allows them to live”.

“Hmm” The Spirit of Death pondered, “Probably best to keep that from Celeste as well, given that the Lord Low Troll despises them as much as us and the major spirits of vice. Let her just be known as Celeste the daughter of the Spirit of Death. If she develops any powers let it be known that they are inherited from me”

“But” Atropos asked, “How will you raise an infant with your duties?”
“I know a Halfling village who owe me a few favours. I know a wet nurse there and she can nurse our daughter through the early years.”

Celeste the baby then gurgled, oblivious to what was being discussed

Then for a moment all the adult spirits of necessity gazed at the young infant Celeste, the brand new Major Spirit of Second Chances.

+ + +

Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth


The Present Day

Celeste lay on her bunk staring upwards at the ceiling clad in her nightdress and a white bathrobe. She had been crying as she considered her self so useless. Doctor Henshaw had heard just that morning from Captain Sandra Philips about Celeste’s failed attempt the previous day to follow Captain Sandra Philips invisibly without being discovered. Doctor Henshaw and the captain jogged around Grytviken to keep fit, and that was when the captain had revealed what had happened. When Doctor Henshaw had come back from her run she had laid into Celeste about it as well as how Celeste did not get up early enough for her liking and how she hardly did any housework, which was a lie.

The only place Celeste wanted to be was in the arms of Simon Henshaw, the lab technician with what the long dead Sophie had said was autism. It made him different and he saw things from a different view point. True Simon usually seemed awkward in company, but with her it was a different matter. They seemed made for each other and they were so into each other. Celeste had been promised a day off of training to spend with Simon, but Doctor Henshaw out of spite said she would make sure Simon was kept busy all day and away from “her grubby little claws” So Celeste was to spend the day alone, so what was the point in getting up?

As Celeste lay on the bed she thought back to her failure the previous day. The colonel of all people had said he heard her teeth chattering in the cold. Celeste had been so cold because in spite of previous injunctions not to work naked, that was what she had done.

But in Celeste’s mind she had a reason for doing that. Going invisible, phasing through solid objects and when she had been able to, teleporting with clothes on meant when she tried to take them off to wash them say, they would disintegrate. The drow major, Major Bolak had been teaching her special exercises to avoid this from happening, but when she tried them, there was a searing pain inside her. The drow major had suggested this pain might be linked to the human soul she gained when her Simon had passed her some kind of magic crystal as she was unconscious in the infirmary of some giant ship. Celeste did not know about that, she was convinced she must be doing it wrong, even though she copied the drow major’s instructions to the letter.

Now she had been given direct orders, not to work naked both by the colonel and the drow, to add to the instructions given by Shamus McTuckle the leprechaun. But if she was to be part of the team, as it were, how could she operate effectively and therefore justify her place here on this almost barren rock near the bottom of this world if she did not work naked?

Oh why could she not share a cabin with Simon instead of Doctor Henshaw? Simon thought it was because she and Simon were not married

It was unfair.

Commander Johnson shared a cabin with Miss Jenny Green and they weren’t married. Even Sue-Lim Wang and Pete Smith shared a cabin, although they pointed out, “not a bed yet” and they weren’t married, so why could she not share a cabin with her beloved Simon?

Celeste had to share this cabin with Doctor Charlene Henshaw, who hated her, because Celeste had at one time worked for an evil man who had tricked Celeste into taking Sue-Lim a cursed scarf which made Sue-Lim try and hang herself.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

Celeste remained silent as she heard the knocking on the door. What would anyone want with a pathetic wretch like her?

The knocking persisted.

Celeste dragged herself off of her bunk. Maybe doctor Henshaw had forgotten her keys or wanted to give another reason why Celeste had no right to exist. Celeste went to the door and opened it.

It was Caer O’Docherty, who used to be the minor spirit of fancying before she gave that up to be come a normal human with a human soul. Minor spirits of virtue when given the right talisman had that option, except unlike Celeste, on gaining a human soul they lost all powers they possessed, such as they were. Caer was unusual in that whilst she was a minor spirit of virtue, she had never once used them. Caer was one of twin sisters, the other one was called Fidelity and was once the Spirit of Fidelity, another minor spirit of virtue, until she too gave that up on the same day as her sister did.

“Yes?” Celeste asked

“Commander Johnston asked me come by” Caer explained, “He would like you to join the others at museum building”
“Why me?” Celeste asked, “What can I do?”
“You’ve got powers” Caer ventured
“Yeah, I can heal, move things with my mind and other tricks, like vaporise anything I’m wearing, but I can’t teleport anymore and if I have to go invisible or phase through objects I have to take my clothes of first or destroy what I have on and they’ve told me I’m not to do that.”
“That’s more than I can do” Caer said curtly
“That’s not fair Caer” Celeste objected, “You had powers but you gave them up, remember?”

“Yes I do Celeste” Caer rebuffed, “And it was the best thing I ever did. Now get dressed, they’re waiting for you.”
“And what are you doing today?” Celeste retorted
“Fidelity and I are helping out at the O’Kerry’s, they had a baby boy leprechaun last night”
“Am I needed there?” Celeste asked
“If you were, they would have sent for you” Caer replied
“That’s rich”, Celeste snapped “healings all I can effectively do now and they don’t even want me for that” and at that Celeste broke down in tears.
Caer gave Celeste a hug, “I’m sorry Celeste that came out wrong” she apologised
“Why can’t I do anything right Caer?” Celeste questioned, “Major Bolak told me yesterday to follow someone invisibly without getting discovered and I screwed it up”
“How did you manage that?” Caer asked quietly.
“Those exercises that I’m supposed to do so my clothes are protected, they hurt”

Caer was able to guess the rest, “So you did it naked”
Celeste nodded, “I was so cold I was passing out Caer” Celeste sobbed
“I bet you were” Caer chimed in
“The colonel sussed I was there.” Celeste went on “What kind of secret special agent am I if I can’t do something simple like that?”
“I don’t know Celeste” Caer replied, “Maybe you could ask if you could help us out with the young children at the Andrews place where Fid and I are”
“I’d probably screw that up as well” Celeste retorted.
“No you won’t” Caer told Celeste assertively, “Your great with the children, Paul and Sarah love you. Now fix you face Celeste, get dressed and get over there”
“Will Simon be there” Celeste asked wistfully
“I believe I saw him going over there with Pete and Sue-Lim” Caer confirmed

Celeste returned to her room, while Caer who invited herself in waited in the living room of the cabin, and got dressed. She pulled out her mixture of a brown suede jacket and slacks and green satin blouse, a combination she liked and totally different to the all in black she used to wear.

Just then Celeste had a cheeky thought. At first Simon had been uptight because of his family values, but Celeste was convinced they were beginning to melt away as they spent more time together, Doctor Henshaw permitting. She decided to go braless, just like Doctor Henshaw did, that would give her Simon a nice treat.

“Are you wearing a bra?” Caer asked as Celeste emerged from the bedroom, “It doesn’t look it”
“That’s a bit personal” Celeste objected.
“I know you Celeste” Caer replied as she stood there with her arms folded looking stern.

“But Doctor Henshaw doesn’t wear one, and I’m certain that Simon likes it when I don’t”
“Go back and put one on” Caer interrupted
“But..”
“Go!”

Celeste sighed and returned to the bedroom to put on the item of underwear and re-emerged with her blouse open displaying it to Caer, “Happy now?” Celeste asked sarcastically.
“That’ll do, just do yourself up and get over there, they’re waiting for you Celeste” Caer said again in an assertive tone.
“Who appointed you to be my mother” Celeste whispered under her breath as both girls left the cabin and Celeste locked up

Celeste then watched as Caer headed off towards the Andrews cabin where she was staying with her sister. With the Andrews children there, plus the one on the way, that cabin was becoming like a nursery in there.

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor
The Mystical Realms

Brameana awoke from her sleep in the imperial palace. As ever she never wore any night ware, just like her lover Vabalavich

But she was in the bed alone

“Vabalavich?” she called out

“Over here my love” her drow consort called out, “I awoke early so I thought I would let you sleep in”
“Thank you my love” Brameana replied and then in an alluring way, “I’m awake now, would you like to come back to bed with me so we can be intermit”

Vabalavich re-entered the bed chamber, also as unclothed as her, “So you do not want me to order break of day meal just yet then my love”
“Not quite my love” as she flung back the sheet revealing her naked body and patted the bed, beckoning her lover for a period of passion.

“I have a meeting with an important ally” Vabalavich sighed, and then grinned, “but he can wait”
“It’s good to make them wait” Brameana grinned, “Your father back on the Far Islands taught me that”
“It shows them that you are more important than they” Vabalavich completed as he climbed in to bed with his troll lover.

Soon the lovers were in a passionate embrace as Vabalavich attended to Brameana’s needs.

+ + +

South Georgia Museum,
Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth

Celeste trudged over to the South Georgia Museum, originally the Grytviken residence of the old whaling base manager.

The museum had now been turned into a headquarters for the so called resistance. Not that they did much resisting, but then they had little options as to what they could do against the tyrannical rule of the Lady High Troll through her loyal drow administrators and the loyal foot soldiers of orcs, bugbears and Ghetto trolls.

Celeste entered the museum and wandered through past the exhibits to the Jarvis Room

Celeste nervously entered the room. An extra table and chairs had been found. Inside sitting around the tables were Commander Mark Johnston, the technicians Pete Smith, Sue-Lim Wang, Doctor Henshaw and her beloved Simon Hargreaves. Also around the table were Shamus McTuckle, the troll she had rescued who now referred to himself as Padow, (he was standing against the wall near the window) and Major Bolak her drow tutor.

Standing in the room was an elderly man in a shirt and tie. Celeste recognised him and the colour drained from her face. She had met him briefly when she had been working for the industrialist Sir Sidney Gerald as his fixer. This elderly man had been called James by the industrialist, although others had told Celeste that he went by the name of Mr Vee

“Are Celeste we meet again” the elderly man said to her, “So glad you’re on our side now and that you come and could join us”

Celeste found a chair and began to sit down, very visibly shaken by the shock of seeing Mr Vee again.

“Forgive me” Mr Vee spoke up addressing Celeste, “When we first met I did not see you quite clearly in Sir Sidney’s office. He thought you were quite old and merely looked like a young girl trying to look older if that makes any sense. How old are you exactly?”
“In Mystical Realms time or Realm of Mortals, I mean Earth years Sir?” Celeste asked, unsettled by the question
“Earth years” Mr Vee clarified
“Apparently I’m sixteen going on seventeen Sir” Celeste answered. Celeste wanted to apologise to this man but was interrupted before she could utter another word

“Do not be fooled by her youth Mr Vee” Major Bolak interjected, “she has the potential to be a powerful asset to the resistance”
“I don’t see how” Celeste whispered as she rested her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands and looked at the table, still deeply ashamed at her involvement with Sir Sidney who had got her associating with killers and had even made her think she had killed a human and a major spirit of virtue.

“You at least got that right” Doctor Henshaw interrupted angrily, “Commander why is she even here?” Doctor Henshaw then asked with venom, “It’s enough I have to share a cabin with this murderer let alone call her a member of this team” Doctor Henshaw added making the classic “quotes” gesture with her hand at the word team
“Charlene” Sue-Lim interjected, “That’s a bit unfair, she hasn’t killed anyone”
Doctor Henshaw had a look of incredulity, “What about the former IDEC head before Miss Cooper and the Spirit of Friendship”
“That wasn’t her” Sue-Lim responded, “that was Sir Sidney, Celeste was set up”
Doctor Henshaw shook her head in disbelief that her best friend was defending Celeste, “Sue-Lim this entity almost killed you or had you forgotten” she went on
“That wasn’t her fault either” Sue-Lim protested, “That was Sir Sidney’s doing”
“Whom that minx was working for at the time” Doctor Henshaw countered, “Why can’t you all see that?” Doctor Henshaw addressed the room

Celeste stood up, “I’m sorry, I better go” she was barely able to utter, walked out of the room through the museum and out the front door where she sat down on the ground outside the door and burst into tears.

Doctor Henshaw was right; Celeste had no right to be there because of what she had done when working for Sir Sidney Gerald. Even if she had not killed those two that Doctor Henshaw had mention, Celeste had been there when they died and she had really thought she had somehow killed them for her then boss as he had told her they were a threat to his making the world a better place.

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor
The Mystical Realms

Vabalavich entered the great hall where they inaugurated troll emperors. A troll commandant from the Manjura clan was there along side another drow of the Hadreth order.

“We have been waiting for ages” the troll complained

“Our leader the Lady High Troll required my presence a while longer” Vabalvich said with no inflection of any apology, “would you have me scorn her so when she issues a summons?”

“My apologies Consort” the troll replied, “We all serve the Lady High Troll” he added with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.
Vabalavich decided to let that one slide, there were more pressing matters than a surly troll to deal with. “That is ok commandant” Vabalavich said to the troll, “There was no way to inform you of the change of schedule” he added before telling the troll “You may leave us and wait outside”

“Yes Consort” the troll replied, bowed and then started to leave.
“Make sure we are not disturbed” Vabalavich called out
“Yes Consort” the troll answered, irritation dripping from every word.

Vabalavich waited until the troll was out of earshot before speaking to the other drow, “You had better go and make sure we do not have any curious trolls, I do not trust that one”
“As you wish my liege” the drow replied
“I would prefer it, if the trolls did not find out who our guest is” Vabalavich whispered.
“What about the Ghetto trolls?” the other drow inquired
“Especially the Ghetto trolls” Vabalavich said in a forceful tone.
“You word shall be actioned my liege” the other drow responded. He then saluted and left the chamber.

Vabalavich then pulled out an amulet and placed it over his neck, just to make sure in case their guest forgot his manners and that Vabalavich was head of the Hadreth, the most feared order of the drow. Even other drow feared them, and that was how the Hadreth liked it.

Vabalavich then said a brief incantation. Suddenly there was a smell of burning as a red light appeared in the chamber. Vabalavich watched it impassively as it grew and became the image of some kind of humanoid made entirely of fire.

The fiery figure was half the height of the great hall, but Vabalavich was in no way intimidated by his size Vabalavich was Hadreth, and Hadreth are never intimidated.

“At last” the fiery figure boomed out in a voice that sounded like rolling thunder claps

Vabalavich stood his ground.

“Why have I been kept waiting” the fiery figure complained.
“It could not be helped lord Samael” Vabalavich said firmly, again no hint of regret or apology.
“Why the delay?” the fiery figure demanded to know
“If you must know The Lady High Troll was in a state of arousal and wanted me to satisfy her physical lusts”
“So I was kept waiting because of her carnal needs?” the fiery figure said with an air of disdain
“If she is not to suspect lord Samael” Vabalavich went on, “I need to attend to her physical needs from time to time. To use a human expression it keeps her sweet and under our control”
“I bet you enjoyed it all the same” the fiery figure said with a laugh in his voice
“A Hadreth drow learns to use their body and certain functions they perform whether they pleasure or pain them to achieve the task at hand” Vabalavich said with a note of defiance
“I’ll take that as a yes” the fiery figure laughed
“Take it any way you like lord Samael” Vabalavich responded with a touch of arrogance, “You did not come here to find out how I have been keeping our troll puppet happy”

“No I did not” the fiery figure responded, “I came to see how progress was being made for our mutual objectives concerning the half breeds”
“That depends, lord Samael, on what you consider our mutual objectives” Vabalavich answered back
“Why the subjugation of the half breeds and turning them by force if need be from worship of my enemy to that of us” the fiery figure said in an unconvincing tone
“Well who they worship is of no concern to us lord Samael” Vabalavich retorted, “So long as they remain obedient to her imperial highness and through her to us”
“So you may plunder their world” the fiery figure retorted.
“I prefer to say exploit certain resources” Vabalavich answered back
“You say who the half breeds worship is of no concern to you, is that the reason why you have not stamped out the religion of our enemy? I had hoped you would as I supplied the improved replication spells you used for those atomic weapons”

“Maybe lord Samael” Vabalavich went on, “But it seems to me that you have not read the history of the humans concerning that religion”
“What do you mean?” the fiery figure said angrily, “How dare you talk to me of the history of the half breeds, we were there before them. We were there before you even existed in their pathetic minds. How dare you insult me. We know more of their history than you. We remember how our enemy we once served told us to do obeisance to the first of these half breeds even though they are but mud and clay, and we are fire without smoke”

“I’ve heard this all before lord Samael” Vabalavich interrupted, “It gets as the humans put it, it gets boring”

At this a fireball leapt from the fiery figure towards Vabalavich, but the drow s stood unflinching as it dissipated harmlessly off of an invisible shield

“Did we, as the humans put it” Vabalavich sneered “Get out on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”
“You mock me” the fiery figure said angrily
Vabalavich ignored this complaint and went on, “Before you interrupted, I was going to say that the ancient Roman Empire on their world tried to crush that religion, but in the end one of their own emperors adopted it for their empire as a binding force. If you had bothered to look at what we have done, we have cultivated a specific individual who is foolish enough to believe that our victory over the humans was punishment for sins against his religion. He is spreading this message and unwittingly helping us maintain control over a greater part of the humans in areas of their world where we would have expected more resistance. The persistence of this religion serves our purposes, so why should we destroy it?”

“I am sorry” The fiery figure apologised, “I keep forgetting that you drow of your particular order are governed by pragmatism”
“Apology accepted lord Samael” Vabalavich told the fiery figure, “We will in time allow a religion of your choosing to flourish so long as it helps us keep control of the humans.”

“What of this resistance and this voice of hope” the fiery figure asked changing the subject, “any news of them”
“As you already know lord Samael” Vabalavich went on, “When the small group left the USS Bataan in some kind of craft they headed for an island but the craft sank before reaching it. A deception of course on their part as the bodies we found had been dead long before the craft left that ship”
“And you let them believe they had deceived you” the fiery figure asked
“Yes lord Samael” Vabalavich confirmed, “We expected them to show up, on this world or theirs, but their location is somehow shrouded from us”

“So are you any further forward in hunting them down?” the fiery figure asked

Vabalavich grinned, “Indeed we are now” he said with pleasure, “I discovered that a human who knew those who may be amongst them and one in particular of interest has been captured and held here at this very citadel”
“So does this disgusting half breed know of their location?” the fiery figure asked
“Sadly no or we would have dealt with them by now” Vabalavich replied
“Then why do you keep this abomination of a half breed alive?” the fiery figure asked further
“Because my lord Samael” Vabalavich went on, “We drow have various ways of eliciting information by use of such creatures”

+ + +

South Georgia Museum,
Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth

Celeste looked up and fingered the sleeve of her jacket. It was one that Sophie had bought for her when Celeste was living with her. She didn’t deserve it. She didn’t deserve to wear any clothes, not if Doctor Henshaw still held her responsible for almost costing the life of her friend Sue-Lim.

Celeste could vividly remember that affair. Celeste had been tricked into delivering to Sue-Lim an enchanted scarf while the technician was in the custody of the FBI on some trumped up charge. The scarf was cursed to make any human who touched it to loose all hope and use it to kill themselves, and Sue-Lim had tried to hang herself with it. When Celeste was prevented from intervening directly by some force field, she had had to blast a door in the FBI building, become visible and scream for help so someone else could come and save Sue-Lim before she asphyxiated.

In normal times Celeste would just disintegrate her clothes leaving her completely naked if she considered she had messed up, but she wondered if that would be right as this garment was one of the last things she had to remember those who had died when the IDEC headquarters in Washington DC was destroyed in the first of the nuclear blasts, especially Sophie Mitchell who had put her up in her own home.

Maybe the jacket could be spared; Celeste started thinking, so she stood up and unbuttoned it, took it off and laid it on the grass. Whatever Shamus and the others had said, the halfling village where she was brought up were adamant about the rules. Anyone offending against the community or other individuals forfeited the right to wear clothing. If Celeste were there, she would be made to go naked until the elders had deemed she had made amends for her crimes.

The chill wind coming from the Antarctic played on her through her blouse, but that could not be helped, Celeste had caused deep offense. Celeste closed her eyes, ready to use her powers to disintegrate everything she wore. Maybe they would see how penitent and remorseful she really was. Maybe that would help.

“Don’t you dare destroy your clothes” Came Shamus’ voice from behind interrupted her before she could start the disintegration process, “and put your jacket back on” Shamus said with a hint of anger in his voice.

Celeste turned around with tears streaming down her face, “I don’t deserve them Mr McTuckle” Celeste squeaked out, “I obviously have not made amends”
“Rubbish!” Shamus exclaimed, “You not in that Halfling village now”
“But she’s right Mr McTuckle” Celeste sobbed, “I shouldn’t be here, I worked for an evil man. I was sent to kill or help killers”

Shamus came across and took Celeste’s right hand, “And Doctor Henshaw’s worked under a supervisor at CERN who was in collusion with the Magnus Timor cult who tried to destroy both our worlds. I had to remind her of that fact as she brought up your involvement with Sir Sidney Gerald”

“But I’m useless Mr McTuckle” Celeste wept, “Those exercises the major taught me hurt and I can no longer teleport. You and the Major have got better powers than me now”

“Don’t worry about that my dear” Shamus reassured her, “We will try and figure something else out”
“And if you can’t?” Celeste asked
“Well we will get by without those powers that are a problem, now clean you face up and let’s go back inside to see what the Lord Low Troll has to offer” Shamus said sternly offering Celeste a handkerchief.

Celeste took the handkerchief and wiped her eyes then asked, “I though the Lord Low Troll was dead?”
“So did we all” Shamus replied.

Celeste picked up her jacket stood up, put it on and re-entered the Museum to be met by her Simon. Simon Wrapped his loving arms around her gave her a big hug. “Are you ok?” he asked in his cute monotone.

Celeste put her arms around him, “Oh Simon” she sobbed quietly, “I don’t deserve you and they all hate me”
“I don’t care what anyone thinks” Simon whispered, “I love you and I want to …”

Cough, Cough

“Can we get back inside” Shamus demanded.

Both Celeste and Simon offered words of apology and then Simon lead Celeste by the hand back towards the Jarvis room.

Just outside the room was Mr Vee, “Did you know that Sue-Lim is my daughter” he asked Celeste dryly

Celeste let go of Simon’s hand and started shaking her head, “I’m so sorry” she wept, “I swear I didn’t know. I would never have given her that” was all she could get out before breaking into uncontrolled sobbing.

Mr Vee swiftly walked up to Celeste and put his arms around her, “I know, my old friend hurt and mislead you just like he did to a lot of other people, including me”
“But she almost died because of me” Celeste sobbed.
“But you got help” Mr Vee said quietly, “You helped save my daughter, for which I will be eternally grateful”
“You don’t hate me like Doctor Henshaw does?” Celeste asked
“No” Mr Vee replied, “Doctor Henshaw is probably displacing a lot of self anger for her own supervisors treachery. What ever the case, she is not running the show, the commander and Shamus are”
“And we have a hundred percent confidence in you my dear” Shamus chipped in

Mr Vee released Celeste from his hold and walked back into the Jarvis Room. Celeste, Shamus and Simon then re-entered the room and sat down. This time Celeste was sitting next to her beloved Simon and the two linked their little fingers under the table.

Dr Henshaw just glowered at her and sat with folded arms.

“Before the interruption” Mr Vee began, “I was about to debrief you on my discussions with the Lord Low Troll. First of all I’m sorry I have kept you waiting overnight, it was a long voyage and I never did learn to get my sea legs”
“Plus some of you were away at one of the caverns on this island testing equipment or helping out with the O’kerry’s when little Hogan was born last night” Shamus added, “So I thought it was best if we had the briefing this morning”

“Quite so” Mr Vee added, “Anyway the Lord Low Troll tells me he has the means to deal with this invasion of our world and free our planet from the Lady High Troll”

“For a price I bet” Padow the troll and the Lord Low Troll’s son muttered.

“Indeed as our troll friend says” Mr Vee continued, “The Lord Low Troll has certain terms and conditions attached to the help he offers”
“Like what?” Padow interrupted again
Mr Vee sighed and then continued “The first condition is that should we succeed, he does not want the Lady High Troll harmed in any way”
“What?” Pete interjected, “That b***h murdered thousands and she’s not to be held to account for that”

Mr Vee was silent for a moment before carrying on, “The Lady High Troll is the daughter of the Lord Low Troll”
“So it is not a lie” Padow interrupted, incredulity very obvious in his tone of voice
“No it’s not a lie” Mr Vee confirmed, “The Lord Low Troll does not believe that his daughter would have done what she did were it not for her drow consort. He believes she has been manipulated by the drow of the Hadreth order”

There was a cough. It was Major Bolak

“You have something to add Major?” Mr Vee asked
“Only to say that a drow of the Hadreth order as Vabalavich is is perfectly capable of swaying another and making that individual do whatever they want them to do and making the individual think it was their idea all along. That was what they did as intelligence agents for the Drow High Council; they were masters of deceit, guile and manipulation”

“But aren’t all drow like that?” Pete asked

“Not so Mr Smith, that is elven propaganda. Now the Hadreth may be that, but please let’s not assume all drow are like them” Major Bolak answered, “However I would have to agree with the assessment of the Lord Low Troll, knowing Vabalavich as I do”

Mr Vee was silent for a moment and then continued, “Indeed and like any father he would do anything” At this, Mr Vee looked at Sue-Lim, “And I mean anything” he went on, “for his daughter” he said in a quiet voice

Mr Vee looked up and continued in his normal crisp voice, “So that was his first condition, we are to make every possible effort to take the Lady High Troll alive and deliver her to him. As for her consort, he was quite clear that if he was to be terminated, that would be fine with him, in fact he would actually welcome it if he was taken down”

“And the second I bet is that he wants to be restored to power” Padow interrupted, “growing up I heard all sorts of rumours of how my father murdered his way to the position of Lord Low Troll and how many political opponents who disappeared under his rule”

“Actually” Mr Vee went on, “That is where you are wrong”

“What!” Padow exclaimed, “I would have thought after the way he clung to power that would be the first item on his list”

“You father” Mr Vee said to Padow, “Says he has developed a taste for the life of a hermit and now wishes to end his days there in retirement. What he wanted is immunity from any sort of prosecution, either from the authorities on the Mystical Realms or from our world”

“Well technically” Mark spoke out, “From Earths view point we have no interest in him, this would be a purely internal matter for those authorities on the Mystical Realms”

“Quite so” Mr Vee said in agreement

“That would be very difficult to deliver” Padow replied, “There are many who were upset that they could not put my father on trial. At one point they tried to put me on trial, but I had made sure I was distant enough from him so they could not find any charges to bring against me”

“But you managed to be made chief of the Manjura clan” Major Bolak challenged
“Because I had earned it on my own merit and from how I fought in the civil war after Mr Andrews and I dispatched the Spirit of Lust” Padow snapped back, “Plus my backers could not stomach the treachery of the orcs who mounted the initial coup de tat and saw my elevation to that role as the only counter to that treachery”

“Was there anything else?” Mark inquired

“I’m afraid there is commander” Mr Vee replied with a deep sigh, “There is a reason why I did not invite Mr Andrews to this meeting”

“Well he wants to have no more to do with our world” Shamus cut in
“Yeah and at the Facility Sam and I were only too happy for him to retire as it were” Mark cut in.

“That was not the reason” Mr Vee said curtly, “The Lord Low Troll wants Mr Andrews extradited back to the Mystical Realms to face trial on a new charge of unlawful collusion with an entity from the Mystical Realms. This law is to be equivalent to the charge of interfering in the affairs of mortal humans but one that can be levelled at humans”

“What?” Mark asked
“That’s my father for you” Padow interrupted, “Mr Andrews was always the one whom my father claimed had got away and he always resented that. As for this new charge, knowing him as I do, if my father wants Mr Andrews on trial, he will want him convicted of a capital crime and the death penalty handed down. My father always lamented how the death of the Spirit of True Love robbed him of a show execution. He had great plans back then to build a gallows for all three, The Spirit of True Love, Lachesis and Mr Andrews. He wanted to send a message that the Sacred Law as he called it was sacrosanct”

Mr Vee coughed, and then spoke to Padow“I did challenge your father on that and told him that we would be reluctant to hand one of our own over if there was a possible death sentence”

“Why not” interjected Major Bolak, “This is one life against billions, a fair trade in my book”

“The Lord Low troll said he may press for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty this time” Mr Vee continued, “In recognition for what he did when he served as emperor of the trolls”
“Ha!” Padow exclaimed sarcastically
“That’s magnanimous of him” Mark commented, “He just want one of ours to rot in a dungeon on his world”
“Better that than a whole world enslaved to the Hadreth through a puppet ruler” Major Bolak retorted.

“Is there anyway we can give him his nominal conviction and have banishment from the Mystical Realms as the punishment” Sue-Lim asked, “We’ve all met Mr Andrews and to think of handing him over to be possibly executed just because he did some PR work for the Spirit of True Love is horrific”

“I’m afraid there is no alternative” Major Bolak insisted, “I have met Mr Andrews as well, and if he is the man of honour you all say he is, he will willingly go to his execution to save the rest of his people”
“But he has a family” Sue-Lim objected, “His wife is due to give birth next month”
“That is not relevant” Major Bolak countered, “sometimes we have sacrifice people we know and care about for a greater good”

“We’re assuming he will be executed” Mark interrupted.

At this Sue-Lim made another intervention, “You’re not seriously considering handing him over Commander are you? If you are I want no part of this” Sue-Lim then stood up to leave, “Are you coming?” she asked Pete

“SIT” Major Bolak commanded
“And who made you leader” Sue-Lim shouted angrily at the drow

Celeste just looked at them and shook her head. Here they were on a remote outcrop of rock near this world’s southern pole, fighting one another. She too hated the idea of handing over someone she knew and cared about for execution, but with her record and still being considered a child, it was not for her to say anything.

“We are not going to get anywhere if we are fight amongst ourselves” Shamus said angrily

“You tell them” Sue-Lim replied pointing at the commander and the drow , “They’re the ones who want to hand one of the kindest and gentlest persons we’ve met to a blood thirsty tyrant to be executed”

“Just because he stand’s trial does not mean he will be convicted” Shamus answered back.
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this” Sue-Lim went on, then she turned to Mr Vee, “Dad just tell that monster to shove it, we’ll take back Earth ourselves we don’t need him”.

Suddenly Sue-Lim started to dissolve in tears of anger. Pete stood up and held her in his arms.
“I’ll take her back to the cabin” Pete offered

“No you won’t” Sue-Lim snapped back, “I can make my own way back” and she tried to push Pete away.

“SUE-LIM” Mr Vee said in a sharp tone, “This is not about Mr Andrews is it, it’s about me”

Sue-Lim stopped and glowered at her father.

“You’re still angry at me and your mother for what you went through when you were a child and how I fixed things in Miami” Mr Vee said sternly
“You were never there dad” Sue-Lim shouted, “You say you watched us from the shadows but you were never there and even after you left us you got my mother to risk everything we had in England just for you pathetic cold war spying games. I hate you, I hate you” she said before rushing out of the room.

“I better go after her” Pete said.
“No Mr Smith” Mr Vee ordered, “she needs to be alone”

Celeste stood up, “I’ll go” she offered, “I’m not much use as some kind of agent anyway so I won’t miss much”

“No you won’t” Came an unexpected voice from outside the Jarvis room. It was Colonel Samuel Peters.

“But I’m useless here” Celeste protested

Samuel leaned over her, “You’re not going after her because Jenny is with her”
“You brought her along Sam?” Mark asked with a hint of concern in his voice.
“Why not?” Samuel asked
“I asked her to stay with the O’Kerry’s” Mark replied
“Everything’s fine with them and baby Hogan” Samuel replied, “She said you had a visitor when I dropped by and we were curious to see why he was here” he added pointing at Mr Vee, then adding, “Plus she said she never got to thank him for halting her execution back at the Annexe in England”

“I suspect” Major Bolak interrupted, “Commander Johnston did not want his espoused upset in her condition as she once worked with Mr Andrews wife”
“I did not know about that demand” Mark insisted, “She’s pregnant so I just didn’t want her needlessly exerting herself while she is carrying our son”

“That is so sexist” Charlene said snidely

“What demand is this?” Samuel asked ignoring Charlene’s remark

“The Lord Low Troll wants as one of his conditions for helping us that we turn Mr Graeme Andrews over to be tried on the new charge of unlawful collusion with an entity from the Mystical Realms”
“Of which he will certainly be found guilty of and executed” Padow the troll added.

Samuel sighed, “This is because of that ruling by a Griffin Judge back in two thousand one”
“Of Course” Padow responded, “The Spirit of True Love is dead and Lachesis was acquitted on a technicality which even he can’t over turn. My Father considered that case a festering sore and he wants closure by getting at least one conviction”
“Mr Vee” Samuel said authoritatively “you tell that scum bag Lord Low Troll, all he’s going to get if anything is a signed confession and a sentence of banishment to Earth for Mr Andrews or there’s no deal”

“We are hardly in a position to make demands” the drow interrupted, “Your technicians have still not been able to adjust the artificial wormhole generators to work without betraying our location to your skyguard system”

“We’re working on it” Pete interjected
“Not fast enough” Major Bolak retorted,
“Now we have the specs on Skyguard from Mr Vee” Pete insisted, “We can make more headway”
Major Bolak gave a contemptuous sigh, “Anyway we are digressing. What has that troll got to offer?”

Mr Vee coughed, “The Lord Low Troll has access to magic’s that can neutralise the effects of the replication spell that they use to produce the nuclear weapons they used against us. He also has means to disable for a time all orbs of dimension jumping”

“The Magnus Timor cult used something similar on us” Mark chipped in, “But they don’t affect our artificial wormhole generators”

“So what he’s offering us is a way of blocking their nuclear attacks and cutting off their supply lines so we can send in a team and destroy the original atomic weapons he stole” Samuel suggested

“With that gone we can have a true resistance to fight the invaders” Padow exclaimed, “And I think I can persuade a few of my Manjura clan to switch sides to the cause”

Mr Vee coughed again, “He’s offering a bit more than that”

The room went quiet

“He claims he has the ability to roll back time to before the initial nuclear attacks, so a team could stop the Lady High Troll and Vabalavich before they even sent the first nuclear warhead to DC”

“Well that’s a load of bull” Charlene spoke out, “Anyone heard of the Grandfather Paradox or a whole other heap of paradoxes not to mention causality”
“Let’s not forget” Pete added, “The Chronology Protection conjecture and there are some that say, if you could travel back in time, all you will succeed in doing is create a branching universe, meaning that what you’re trying to fix in this universe doesn’t happen”
“Exactly” Charlene jumped in, “Plus the major view in the physics community is, or was that if you could create a time machine, you could only go back to when it was switched on”.

While Pete and Doctor Henshaw started referring to various other things that Celeste could not quite understand, one thing occurred to her if it were possible to roll back time. It would roll back past the time she got her human soul.

Without realising what she was doing, Celeste muttered nervously “This would mean I loose my human soul”

Doctor Henshaw heard Celeste, “That’s it, always thinking of yourself, you selfish brat” she snapped at the teenage entity, “That shows just how much you actually care about Mr Andrews”

“Don’t be so mean” Simon spoke up as he put a loving arm around Celeste, “She’s my girlfriend and I love her”
“Simon” Doctor Henshaw spoke back to him, “With all due respect, you don’t know her or what she did. Can’t you see she’s using you? Am I the only one to be able to see right through her”
“I’m sorry” Celeste squeaked out, got up and pushed passed the colonel
“That’s it” Doctor Henshaw shouted after her, “Run away from the truth”

Celeste ran through the museum in tears and out into the open where she kept running down to the docks

“Why do you let her get to you” Shamus suddenly said as he materialised in front of her.
“Because she’s right” Celeste said, her voice cracking with emotion, “They were talking about Mr Andrews being executed and all I could think of was my human soul”

Shamus sighed, “Celeste, we have all been cooped up on this island listening to how this world of the humans is suffering under the oppression of the Lady High Troll, everyone’s bound to start getting on everyone’s nerves. That human soul is a gift and is precious to you, you’re bound to want to protect it. It makes you both a human and like one of us at the same time. It allows you to belong to both worlds.”

“But I was selfish Mr McTuckle” Celeste said as tears again flowed down her face
“No more than anyone else would be my dear” Shamus replied, “And no more than she indulges in her mean unforgiving spirit from that chip on her shoulder. She laid into the Commander back there or hadn’t you noticed. Doctor Henshaw has no right to go on at you continuously like she keeps doing. She did herself no favours back there”

“But I can’t do anything right Mr McTuckle” Celeste protested, “She hates the fact she has to share the same cabin as me. She won’t even talk to me in there except to tell me off and say how I should have been sent to prison or worse”

“That was a mistake” Shamus replied, “We thought she had managed to as the humans say bury the hatchet and work with you when you went to Mexico and then on to Caracas. We thought she had put that nonsense behind her and that it was ok for you to put together, clearly we were wrong”

“Why can’t I stay with Simon” Celeste pleaded
“Because you are not yet an adult under the laws and customs of the humans” Shamus explained, “And besides, there is barely enough room in that cabin for Mr Hargreaves, Miss Wang and Mr Smith”

“What about Captain Philips?” Celeste asked
“I’m not sure that would be a good idea” Shamus replied, “especially after that incident yesterday when you followed her naked and invisible”
“I don’t understand” Celeste said, confused by the reply
“You told the colonel that she has the hots for him” Shamus asked
“Yeah it’s kind of obvious” Celeste retorted
“So when the colonel carries you naked, wrapped in his coat” Shamus went on
“She’s jealous?” Celeste asked
Shamus nodded

“So I’m stuck with her” Celeste complained
“Not any more” Shamus replied, “The Major and I can create space for you my dear, you’re bunking with us. Captain Philips is moving in with Doctor Henshaw while Mr Vee uses her cabin until the next fishing boat arrives to take him to the South Sandwich Islands where he can open a wormhole back to our world”

“Shamus?” Celeste asked
“Yes my dear”
“Will we be handing over Mr Andrews to be executed by the Lord Low Troll?”
“I don’t know” Shamus replied, “Some of their objections about this rolling back time issue makes my head spin”
“Me too” Celeste answered with a weak smile
“I can explain it” Simon’s almost breathless voice came. He had followed Celeste down to the docks.

“Master Hargreaves” Shamus asked, “Kindly take Celeste back to her cabin and help her pack, she’s moving out of there”

“Can she stay with me” Simon asked
“Sorry that would not be appropriate” Shamus answered
“We could get married” Simon said trying to be assertive, “Then it would be ok”
“Yes please” Celeste instinctively answered, “I’d marry you today if I could Simon” and then Celeste and Simon embraced and kissed”

“Break it up” Shamus interrupted, “That’s not possible and you both know why” the leprechaun said with irritation.
“Does she have to be eighteen” Simon asked
“I don’t know” Shamus answered in exasperation, “All I know is that there is nobody authorised to conduct weddings here”

“But I so want to marry her” Simon insisted
“That’s not going to happen at this time Mr Hargreaves” Shamus responded with irritation in his voice.

Celeste removed her jacket, dropped it to the ground and pulled off her blouse and went to unclip her bra.
“STOP! What are you doing?” Shamus then asked Celeste, “What have we told you?” he added.
“I thought if there were no priests we could get married troll style Mr McTuckle” Celeste explained, “I remove my top and then Simon gives me his shirt to put on”
“And what would Simon do in this climate?” Shamus asked

Celeste stopped and then swore, she had been thinking of her self again.

Shamus could sense her thoughts, “Look Celeste, I know you mean well and want to help and all that, but even our troll friend will tell you, that form of wedding ceremony only applies to trolls on their world. It would not be valid here.” He said in a kinder voice, “Allow me to help you get dressed” he added. Then there was a glint in his eye and suddenly Celeste’s blouse and jacket were back on her.

“Aw” complained Simon, “I wouldn’t have minded if it meant I could marry Celeste”
“But it would be for nothing” Shamus told Simon, “I know you two love each other and to my mind you two are a perfect match, but we have other things we need to do right now, so help her move into my cabin” Shamus ordered, “and no hanky panky”
“What’s hanky pank” Simon asked
“Maybe I should come along as chaperone” Shamus sighed as the three of them left for the settlement

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor
The Mystical Realms

Vabalvich emerged from the hall where he had been meeting the fiery figure to be met by Jaigon the young Hadreth drow and the Manjura troll he had met earlier in the citadel’s dungeon.

Also with Jaigon and the troll was Sophie Mitchell, the former personal assistant to Kathryn cooper of the old Inter Dimensional Entity Control. Sophie had leg irons on, her hands manacled behind her back, she was dragged by a chain around her neck and she was blind folded and gagged and stripped naked.

“I see you got my orders Jaigon” Vabalavich said with his usual smarmy voice, “But why is this prisoner shackled and stripped when I ordered that she be clothed?” he asked
“Standard procedures” the troll barked, “restrained and humiliated”

“A Hadreth drow seldom has need to shackle a prisoner” Vabalavich went on, “and I do not want this wretched creature freezing to death before I can make use of her” he added angrily

“This is a troll citadel” the troll insisted, “I answer to our Clan Chief and not to you. My clan chief is an ardent traditionalist unlike his predecessor who counted nothing for our traditions”

“And your clan chief answers to the Lady High Troll” Vabalavich interrupted, “And I am her Consort and second in command.”

“She is of the Ghetto” the troll countered.

Just then the troll found he could not speak, and then he could not breathe as the air around him was removed as he was trapped in a force field. The troll sunk to his knees, gasping for air that was not there as he suffocated in a localised vacuum.

“A suffocation spell” Jaigon grinned, “I was only starting to learn that one. Shall I get a new troll after you dispatch this one?”

Vabalavich held the troll with the spell until he could see the troll was almost unconscious and then released him. “You will show your supreme leader the respect she deserves” Vabalavich said with venom to the troll as he lay gasping on the floor, “Jaigon how is you telekinetic ability” Vabalavich asked the young drow
“Coming on my liege” Jaigon answered back.
“See if you can release her” Vabalavich ordered.

Jaigon looked at the simpering female and concentrated, but nothing happened. “I’m sorry my liege” he whispered, “I must be unworthy”

Vabalavich pointed a finger at Sophie and the shackles dropped from her feet and the manacles around her wrists fell off and the chain around her neck fell off. Sophie then just stood there not daring to remove the blindfold or the gag and shivering in the cold.

“You are still young Jaigon” Vabalavich said quietly, “Stick with me and I will train you in the ways of the Hadreth as your father was trained”
“That would be an honour my liege” Jaigon
“Now give her your cloak” Vabalavich ordered

Immediately Jaigon removed his cloak and wrapped it around Sophie’s naked body. Slowly Sophie moved her arms so she could hold the cloak around her.

Jaigon stepped back and looked at Sophie, suddenly the blindfold lifted up from her eyes. Then the gag loosened and fell off. Jaigon stumbled a bit and then shook his head and regained his senses.

“Like I said” Vabalavich went on, “You are young, locks and shackles are harder than mere blindfolds, you will need to study many locks to do what I can do with my mind, and you will need to practice so that it does not affect you as much as it just did”

Vabalavich looked at the troll, “As for you Troll” he went on, “Next time I will hold the spell, or get my apprentice to hold it until we are certain you are dead”

“I apologise if I spoke out of turn” the troll growled insincerely.

“Do you have the orb?” Vabalavich demanded

The troll pulled from a pouch a blue orb.

Vabalavich took the orb from the troll and then ordered the troll to leave them and inform the Lady High Troll that he was making a surprise visit to the Realm of Humans to root out the resistance once and for all.

“Please” Pleaded Sophie, “I don’t know anything.”

“But you don’t need to” Vabalavich replied.
“What are you going to do with her my liege?” Jaigon asked

Vabalavich chanted an incantation and in front of them a blue dot appeared that grew into a swirling vortex. “Bring her” Vabalavich ordered

Jaigon grabbed Sophie by the arm and dragged her through into the vortex after Vabalavich.

After a few moments, they had arrived in the foyer of some large office building.

“Welcome to Dallas Texas” Vabalavich said to Jaigon and Sophie.

In front of them was another drow, of the rank of major and two bugbears.

“My liege” the drow major said as he saluted, “This is indeed an honour”

Vabalavich saluted back. “Do I have quarters in this building?” he asked
“Yes my liege” the drow major responded, “We will take you to them” he added before asking, “Why have you brought this human”

“Ah” Vabalavich sighed, “I am going to show this Hadreth apprentice the art of the dark space and how they can be used in hunting others down” then Vabalavich turned to Jaigon, “You see this human lived with what our intelligence told us was a new recruit to the human’s former IDEC organisation, which means she has the special bond we need for a dark space spell. They say this new recruit drowned with others but I do not believe that she did.”

“Who is this new recruit which this human will lead us too my liege?” Jaigon asked
“Why” Vabalavich grinned, “It is none other than that wretched daughter of the Spirit of Death”
“You mean our target is Celeste?” Jaigon asked
“Exactly” Vabalavich grinned, “If I am right and Celeste is alive, where she is, there will be that troublesome voice of hope and the resistance. This human with the aid of the dark space spell is going to help us find Celeste by invading her dreams and through locating Celeste we will locate the others who have eluded us so we can crush all resistance to our rule once and for all”

Sophie stood there utterly terrified and sick to the stomach that somehow these invaders were going to make her betray possible former colleagues of her and hence the last hope of humanity.

To be continued

[Sticks]

Episode III – Eternal Antagonists

Ever felt like you were being used?

We use people every day whether we realise it or not. Not always on a grand scale, but we get others to achieve our objectives.

But what if you were to be used to betray your own kind, whether you wanted to or not?

The Lord Low Troll always resented the fact that a certain human eluded him in the courts when a griffin judge threw out charges against this human. Now the Lord Low Troll wants to use the remnants of the Inter Dimensional Entity Control agency and their allies to bring this human back to be put on trial yet again, in return for his help to free Earth from his daughter the Lady High Troll.

Elsewhere on Earth, a certain personal secretary to the former chairman of the Inter Dimensional Entity Control agency is to be used by the drow consort Vabalavich to locate the remnants of this agency so they can be located and destroyed.

+ + +

Dallas
Texas
Earth

Sophie stood there shell shocked and clutching at the drow cloak which was all she had to wear. She had spent so long a prisoner at Karam Tag Chou on the Mystical Realms that her spirit had just about been broken. It seemed several lifetimes since she had been the self confident resourceful and long suffering PA to Kathryn Cooper. She had served faithfully on the side of her country and for the cause of humanity in the face of the existence of this other world with all sorts of creatures from the imagination of people world wide.

Now she was to be the vessel where by the last hope of freedom for humanity was to be extinguished.

“We will take this human up to the quarters to prepare her for the dark space magic” Vabalvich said to the drow major, “before that” Vabalavich added. Vabalavich then pulled away the drow cloak leaving Sophie completely naked.

Sophie instinctively tried to cover herself with her hands as best she could, but Jaigon the Drow apprentice on a nod from his master used his telekinesis to stop her from doing so and her arms were held by her sides in a vice like grip, displaying her naked body in full to the others in the lobby.

“I know that you are not Hadreth but you should be able to see what size she is major” Vabalavich went on, “Now get her clothing that will fit her from one of these clothing stores they have in this city and bring them. Nothing too fancy for I have not decided if she will be executed after we have used her to crush the resistance since she once worked for those declared enemies of Brameana”

The drow major saluted, said, “You word will be actioned consort” and left.

Vablalavich then passed back the cloak to Sophie, “You may cover yourself with this again human if you wish”

Sophie took the cloak and obediently wrapped it around herself. Even though she was back on Earth the over active air-conditioning of the building left her bitterly cold.

A human female nervously approached Vabalavich. She was dressed as was expected of any female executive; however she wore a strange collar around her neck and was carrying an identical one in her hand.

“Here is a collar of strangulation consort and here are the details of your quarters my lord” the woman said as she handed the collar and a plastic card with a room number on over to Vabalavich, “The collar is for her my lord” the woman added pointing at Sophie

Vabalavich looked up at one of the bugbears quizzically

“Our drow major insists all humans wear them, it ensures obedience” a bugbear explained
“And can you all operate them or is that just the major?” Vabalavich asked
“Yes “replied the bugbear, “We can all trigger them, allow me to demonstrate on this one”

The woman turned around in terror, “But I have a daughter” she pleaded

Her pleas were to no avail as the bugbear with the typical streak of cruelty common to all bugbears shook as small talisman and grinned as he triggered the woman’s collar of strangulation.

Instantly the woman clutched at the collar as it started to contract, choking her to death. She then collapsed on the floor dying
“Don’t worry there are plenty more where this one came from” the bugbear said as he watched the woman die.

Vabalavich suddenly chanted an incantation and waved his hand. The collar flew off and the woman started spluttering and coughing. Vabalavich went over to the woman and helped her to her feet. Then he took out a small vial

“Drink this” Vabalavich instructed the woman, “It will counter any ill effects of the collar”

The woman, still terrified did exactly as she was told and drank the potion.

Vabalavich sniffed the air, “Now go and clean yourself up and get a janitor to clean this floor”

The woman squeaked out a “Yes my lord” before heading away to obey the drow’s command in tears

The bugbear looked aghast

“Why did you stop it” the bugbear asked with disappointment in his voice, “I was so looking forward to seeing one of these humans die”
Vabalavich walked up to the bugbear menacingly. Even though the drow was half it’s size, there was something about this drow that made him more terrifying. “When you execute a slave bugbear, you do it for better reasons than to demonstrate the means” Vabalavich said to the bugbear in an angry tone, “I already know what a collar of strangulation can do, I do not need you to show me”
“Aw she’s only a slave” whined the bugbear, “I said we can find more of them”
“You may have more slaves lined up” Vabalavich went on, “But if you are seen as too brutal then all you do is make them more likely to fight you to the death as they have nothing to lose and they will be harder to control. Plus you run the risk of engendering vendettas against us and creating martyrs.”

The bugbear glowered at the drow in silence

“I want all collars removed immediately” Vabalavich ordered, and then he held up the one the woman gave him and instantly it burst into flames and soon was ash. “I will be speaking to the major as he is obviously incapable of controlling slaves if he has to resort to such devices”

Vabalavich then ordered Jaigon the apprentice Hadreth drow to bring Sophie to the elevator. Vabalavich pressed the elevator button. Fortunately it was already at their floor and so the three of them entered the lift.

As soon as the lift doors closed Vabalavich sighed, “I am not sure who is worse, bug bears or orcs. At least trolls have a sense of honour”

“What you said to the bugbear my liege, I would never have thought of” Jaigon said in a manner that indicated that he was ashamed at what he was admitting “I would have let the woman perish. I am sorry my liege, sometimes think I will never be a full Hadreth”

“Have you ever worked with bugbears before Jaigon” Vabalavich asked
“No my liege, only trolls and they are big enough”
“You must learn Jaigon not to let species that are bigger than you physically intimidate you. A drow versed in our magics can easily over come them”
“Like you did with that insolent troll?” Jaigon asked
“Exactly” Vabalavich replied
“I only hope I can live up to my father’s expectations of me my liege”

“Tut, tut” Vabalavich grinned, “Why do you have so little ambition?”

The elevator bell rang and the two drow took a terrified Sophie to their assigned room. Vabalavich took the card he had been given and swiped it through the door’s electronic lock.

The door open and Sophie was brought inside.

It was a hotel room, just like the countless number of them in downtown Dallas

Where they had landed was a hotel in downtown Dallas, and this ordinary looking place was to be the place that Sophie would be made to sell out the human race.

+ + +

Another plane of existence
Away from Earth or the Mystical realms

The humanoid figure in white, between two others, also in white, who were acting as guards, approached a large bench.

Behind the bench sat another figure in white, on his right and left sat two other figures.

The figure in white seated, in the middle behind the bench took up a gavel in front of him and brought it down on an obsidian disc.

The sound was like that of thunder.

Then the seated figure in the middle spoke in a voice that sounded like the rushing of many rivers, “Karael you stand charged with breaching the treaty we have with the fallen ones”

“Which treaty would that be my lord Adonael” The figure standing between the two guards asked defiantly.

The figure known as Adonael took his gavel and once again hit the disc of obsidian. There was yet another sound of thunder.
“Insolence” Adonael yelled, “You know very well which treaty”

“You mean the one that forbids us from doing what was our duty for millennia, assisting mankind and acting as their guardians” Karael replied still with atone of defiance.

Adonael leaned forward, “Yes that one” he growled, “Do you not realise if we are seen to violate that treaty it could mean the destruction of mankind”

“I did not violate the treaty my lord Adonael” Karael insisted, “And I will claim that before lord Metatron himself”

“Did you not create the illusion of a human’s truck driving on a road he was not?” Adonael said accusingly

“No my lord Adonael” Karael replied, “That was done by creatures known as faeries with no prompting from me. I also believe that a drow was aware of the deception but supposed that the real driver of that vehicle would be listening into police broadcasts and did not want them to know they had seen through it”

The figure to Adonael’s left whispered into Adonael’s ear and Adonael then leaned forward, “My apologies Karael I was misinformed on that one”

“So you recognise I did not violate the treaty?” Karael asked
“No I do not” Adonael replied in a quieter voice, “You still assisted and therefore violated the treaty”

“How?” Karael demanded

“Did you or did not intervene to limit the effects of a force blast from a drow of the Hadreth order” Adonael pressed.

“I did my lord Adonael” Karael admitted
“And yet you claim you did not violate the treaty?” Adonael replied
“I did not” Karael insisted
“How can you claim that Karael” Adonael pressed, “You limited a blast from a drow so that it was not immediately lethal”
“So I am brought to tribunal because I saved a life when an agent of the fallen ones unjustly tried to take it?” Karael questioned indignantly, “This tribunal is clearly doing the works of the fallen if that is the case”.

Adonael brought his gavel down on the obsidian disc and there was another sound of thunder

“This tribunal is not under judgement” Adonael said angrily, “By your actions on Earth you are. Do you not know how close the fallen ones came to rewriting history to ensure the destruction of mankind because of your intervention?” Adonael asked and then added, “They still might if we are not seen to take severe action against violators of the treaty”

“A treaty that was brought about due to their deceptions and use of a third party who aligned themselves with the fallen ones” Karael spat back.

“It matters not now how the treaty came about” Adonael insisted, “The treaty stands and we must abide by it and stand aside”

“While the fallen ones through their agents have free range to do as they wish” Karael challenged, “Did you not see the devastation their agents, the drow of the Hadreth order, have wrought against mankind with their magics and stolen weapons. If anything my lord Adonael, it was the fallen ones who violated the treaty”

“They did not Karael” Adonael replied, “None of the fallen ones were involved in the attack on Earth. The fallen ones have not violated the treaty, you have”
“Oh come on, with all due respect my lord” Karael insisted angrily,” the drow of the Hadreth are known to be agents of the fallen ones, it was they who forced us into that treaty in the first place”

“Hearsay is not proof” Adonael answered back, “And even if they did we are still bound by the treaty”

“My lord, I did not violate the treaty” Karael repeated

“But you have admitted to limiting the effect a blast from a drow so that it was not immediately lethal” Adonael countered.

“I saved the life of a kobold my lord, not a human” Karael said in a quiet determined voice, “They are not covered by the treaty”

“Semantics” Adonael replied, “The fallen ones say this Kobold was on a mission to aid mankind and so was covered by the treaty”

“I disagree my lord” Karael replied, “The fallen ones are trying it on as always. The treaty does not prevent us from intervening in the affairs of those not of Earth and not of mankind. It was a drow trying to kill a kobold, not a human”
“A kobold who was working for mankind” Adonael interrupted in frustration.
“Who was working for a troll” Karael persisted. “If the fallen ones are accusing me of violating a treaty they forced on us, then I say I did not. I did not intervene in the affairs of any human that we are not entitled to. I admit I also escorted the soul of a human to be with the souls of his slain family, but the treaty allows us to do that. What ever the fallen ones say, my conscience is clear, I did not violate that treaty”

There was an uneasy silence as Adonael and Karael stared at each other across the tribunal bench.

“Karael” Adonael said in a quiet voice, “You put us in a very awkward position”
“And so like before, you just cave in to the demands of the fallen ones” Karael asked with incredulity in his voice, before adding a barbed, “yet again?”

Adonael leaned forward and put his hands together, “My dear Karael, when we were entrusted with our sacred duties we made a solemn oath not to put mankind at risk and yet allow them free will. Renegade actions such as yours put them at risk”

“Who do we serve my lord” Karael answered softly, “HIM or the fallen ones?”

Adonael shook his head and then conferred with the figures seated beside him. After about five minutes Adonael spoke, “It is the decision of this tribunal, that whilst the strict letter of the treaty was not violated, the spirit of it may have been. You are confined until a full trial can be convened”

“And in the mean time the agents of the fallen ones can do as they please while they make us look like fools” Kerael said with anger, “I will appeal to Metatron himself over this refusal to stand up to the fallen ones”

“That is your prerogative” Adonael replied, “Earth may be under the rule of those not of that world and mankind maybe enslaved but the treaty is clear, we can not intervene. We agreed that we would stand aside to prevent the destruction of mankind, and while I am dealing with these tribunals I will not jeopardize mankind by sanctioning the violation of the treaty” Adonael then picked up his gavel and once again brought it down on the obsidian disk. “Take him down” Adonael’s voice boomed

At this the two guards took hold of Kerael’s arms.

“But what if I bring proof of the collusion between the Hadreth and the fallen ones” Karael shouted.

“You have caused enough trouble” Adonael replied, “I am not going to allow you to cause anymore”

With that the two guards and Kerael vanished.

Adonael put his head in his hands.

“You are troubled by this lord Adonael?” asked the figure to his left.

Adonael nodded, “Kerael maybe right but our hands are tied by the treaty”
“If only that meteorite had never landed on Earth” the figure on the right complained, “We would never have had that other world with it’s creatures interfering with mankind”.
“I know” Adonael replied, “But what’s done is done and we shall abide by the treaty as we agreed”

“Those from that other world are not all bad” the figure to the left of Adonael interrupted “Remember there is that prophecy from that other world” they added.
“What prophecy is this? Remind me” Adonael asked.
“The prophecy from that world that the humans gave form to, it speaks of a child of fate and death that shall also be found with a soul of man. It is said they will play some role in the affairs and condition of mankind”
“That is a myth” Adonael replied, “The ravings if memory serves me correctly of what mankind called a dryad many years ago”
“I remember that one” the figure on the right interjected, “It was also spoken of by a mystic on Earth three thousand years ago”.
“Still a myth” Adonael insisted, “Only this time by a false prophet long dead and long forgotten by mankind”
“But if such a child were to exist” the figure on the right pressed
“Then they would have no business being with mankind” the figure on the left said as if finishing the other figure’s sentence
“I agree, as they have parentage of those who are believed to be of us, such a child should belong with us and subject to the same laws we abide by” the figure on the right added
Adonael shook his head again, “My colleagues, we are not here to discuss myths and ravings of others long departed, about hypothetical children born to those most likely formed by the beliefs and fantasies of mankind” he insisted “Even were such a child to exist, they have no bearing on the case we have just heard. This case was about one of our own violating that infernal treaty by which we are bound.”
“You are right lord Adonael” the figure on the right responded
“As always my lord” agreed the figure on the left

“However lord Adonael” the figure on the right interrupted, “in recent times a soul was created for which no human child was to be born”

Adonael turned to look at the figure on his right, “Are you seriously saying that there maybe truth in this prophecy”

“I do not know my lord Adonael” the figure to the right replied
“Oh come on” the figure on the left interrupted, “Maybe it was a soul destined for a child to die before birth”
“I know those types of soul” the figure on the right insisted, “The others said it did not feel like that”

“This is all very well” Adonael butted in, “There is still no relevance to this case”
“But maybe we should investigate my lord” the figure on the right suggested
“As long as the treaty is not violated” Adonael replied
“It will not be my lord Adonael” the figure on the right replied
“Then this tribunal is adjourned” Adonael declared and once more hit his gavel on the obsidian disk. With that all three figures vanished.

+ + +

A Lava flow
The Hawaiian volcano Kilauea
Earth

The dark brooding fiery figure watched as the volcano continued to erupt. He was in a foul mood

Another dark and fiery figure materialised in front of him causing the first figure to look up.

“I thought I would find you here lord Samael” the second figure said with a voice that sounded like rolling thunder.

“Those disgusting half breeds think we live in areas like this” the first figure said to the second.

“Indeed those disgusting wretches do” the second figure agreed, “what of it?”.
“I like to come to places like this to reflect Bernael” the first fiery figure said in a melancholic tone
“Oh that we had the power to make the entire surface of this world like this” the second fiery figure mused, “We could wipe out the half breeds once and for all ourselves”
“Why have you come Bernael?” the first fiery figure asked

“I heard you had gone to see the drow in that other world” the second figure replied
“If you are hoping that they would at least wipe out that detestable religion of our enemy you are sadly mistaken Bernael” the first fiery figure said with a touch of anger, “They are using it to tighten their grip over the half breeds”

“What do you expect of the drow?” the second fiery figure replied in an angry tone, “They are opportunists at best”
“Indeed Bernael the drow are the masters of pragmatism and the eschewers of those wretched ethics our enemies so prize. This Hadreth clan doubly so”

“Why do we put up with them lord Samael” the second fiery figure asked, “We could over come their magics, obliterate them and take over”
“I admire your ambition for the cause against the hated half breeds Bernael” the first fiery figure went on, “but you should not underestimate the power of certain elements of the drow, especially this order of the Hadreth”
“Even so” the second fire figure protested

“Like the other races in that other world, they were formed by the collective unconscious of the half breeds and they gave them power to challenge us” the first fiery figure explained, “annihilating them will not be that easy”

“My lord Samael” the second fiery figure then asked, “May I ask you a personal question”
“That depends” the first fiery figure replied
“Do you regret diverting that creation remnant to hit this world?” the second fiery figure asked, “You said it might lead to the demise of the half breeds but it failed”

The first fiery figure thought for a moment as he continued to watch the eruption
“I regret” he began “that the so called Magnus Timor that resulted proved such a disappointment, that was why it failed Bernael”
“The creation of that other world did not help either” the second fiery figure interjected, “Unless you include how the drow subjugated the half breeds”
“You are right it did not help until now, that is true” Samael admitted

“My lord Samael” the second fiery figure went on, “We must find a way to overcome the magics of the drow”
“Patience Bernael” the first fiery figure went on, “The drow I spoke to believes he can crush all resistance to his rule by proxy”
“And that helps us how?” the second fiery figure asked

“The drow are arrogant and will over reach themselves” the first fiery figure said to the second, “We must be seen by them to be their allies while we wait for them to make a mistake and then we can move. Those foolish drow will make us an opening so we can do more than just whisper temptations into the ears of the half breeds”

“I look forward to the day my lord Samael” the second fiery figure enthused “I can not wait until the last stinking half breeds is exterminated and our enemies’ prize creation is no more” Then the second fiery figure said with anger, “How dare we be told that they were the pinnacle of creation when we are. To add an immortal soul to a mere beast is plain wrong,”

“I agree Berneal and I too look forward to that day” first fiery figure agreed, “but we must be patient. Ever since the drow brokered that treaty we have been playing the long game”

“Oh yes the treaty” the second fiery figure laughed, “The drow did have their uses, oh the look on Metatron’s face when he had to concede”

“You should not gloat so Berneal” the first fiery figure reproved, “Many a mortal has fallen to our clutches because they went down that path”
“Sorry my lord Samael” the second fiery figure responded.

“I think” the first fiery figure then said, “It is time I went and spoke with the rest of our brethren about the meeting I had with that loathsome drow”

And then the two fiery figures were gone as the eruption continued.

+ + +

Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth

“Do I need to disinfect the room before you move in Sandra?” Charlene said to Captain Sandra Philips

Sandra carried her kit bag into Celeste’s old room and dropped it on the floor
“Not Really”, Sandra replied, “Celeste may be a teenager but I always thought it was the boys who smelled worse”
“That’s not what I was thinking of” Charlene replied, “I’m just so glad she’s gone from here, I mean it was bad enough when I had to go to South America with her”
“I heard you two didn’t get along” Sandra casually mentioned
“That’s an understatement” Charlene replied, “Everybody else seems to have forgotten what she did and who she worked for”
“But I thought you worked together in South America” Sandra asked
“Only because I was ordered to” Charlene retorted, “And that was bad enough, but why put me in the same cabin with her?”
“Well she’s gone now” Sandra commented “and I’m here”
“Well good riddance to her is all I can say” Charlene remarked, “I just wished that they would keep her grubby little mitts off of Simon, I mean that b***h almost killed Sue-Lim, Simon deserves a lot better than that tramp”

“You’re close, you and Sue-Lim” Sandra probed
“Well I thought so until today” Charlene replied, “She was the first person who had an understanding of my work on M-Theory and parallel universes when I first joined up. We both went to the Mystical Realms when we went up against the Magnus Timor.”
“Were you the one who went into space?” Sandra asked
“No that was Sue Lim” Charlene answered, “Since then we seemed close friends. It was me that she finally opened up to about how she was raped in an immigration detention centre in Miami.”
“There’s a but there” Sandra observed
“Sandra, I couldn’t believe her defending that so called Spirit of Second Chances. I mean Celeste a major spirit of virtue that has to be some kind of joke!” Charlene protested

“Wasn’t Celeste involved in some kind of assassination attempt on our colonel?” Sandra asked
“Absolutely but luckily it seems she botched that up because she went to see the assassin carry it out and ended up tipping the Colonel off somehow” Charlene confirmed, “She does that, working for a man who had the aim of bringing down the IDEC and when she allegedly switches sides, that’s forgotten about too”

Sandra shook her head in disbelief, “Well the colonel’s more forgiving than I could be Charlene” she uttered, “I wouldn’t be wrapping her in my coat and carrying her in my arms if she had done that to me”
“That’s what I like about you Sandra” Charlene smiled, “You’re not taken in by her act either”
Sandra took her jacket off and hung it up carefully on a coat hanger by the front door of the cabin.
“I heard that Celeste has regained her teleport ability but they haven’t told her yet” Sandra told Charlene
“I heard that as well” Charlene remarked
“But what about when she teleported herself and the troll to the Bataan?” Sandra asked, “Doesn’t she remember that?
“That was apparently such a shock to her delicate little system” Charlene went on sarcastically, “that she has no memory of it. Shamus told her that the GPS locater managed to work after all and he and the major teleported in and pulled both of them out”

“Changing the subject, Sandra went on “Can I ask you something Charlene?”
“Depends on what you’re asking Sandra” Charlene replied
“I heard that they will be handing Mr Andrews over to the Lord Low Troll so we can roll time back and stop those bombs hitting the US”
“Ours was hit as well” Charlene reminded Sandra
“I forgot sorry” Sandra apologised
“They hit a lot of places” Charlene said wistfully, “I remember when the bombs went off and I heard that Bethesda had survived the attack on Washington I was so relieved that Sue-Lim, Pete and Simon were all right” Charlene added with emotions welling up in her voice.

“Now what about this time travel business?” Sandra pressed, “Could he really roll back time?”

Charlene shook her head and in a contemptuous tone retorted, “Well that part has to be the biggest load of bull.”
“You mean because of the Grandfather paradox” Sandra ventured
“Plus a load of other paradoxes” Charlene answered, “Even if he could produce a working time machine, it wouldn’t do any good”
“Time Loops?” Sandra asked
“Not quite” Charlene explained, “First of all according to some, they say that the implication of quantum mechanic is that every time you have to decide something one way, another universe is created where you decided the other way”

“That’s a weird idea” Sandra commented, “I thought Schrödinger’s cat was bad enough”
“Well I ‘m not sure I buy into that interpretation of quantum mechanics and the many worlds hypothesis, mainly because of the energy issues involved in creating all those new universes and plus the fact we never bumped into them with the artificial wormhole generators, which we would do if it was correct. That said Sandra, there is another related school of thought that says if you were to go back in time to fix a mistake” Charlene went on, “All you do is create another universe branching off, and you end up only affecting that one, where as you don’t fix the mistake in this universe, you just vanish from it forever”

“So we’re not going along with it?” Sandra then asked
“Not if we can help it, Pete’s finally got the specs of Sky Guard, with Sue-Lim’s help, if she’s still talking to me, plus if we can prise Simon away from Celeste’s grubby little claws I believe we can rig something up with out having to deal with the Lord Low Troll”
“What have you got planned?” Sandra asked
“If we can open a wormhole up without being detected, we can get you guys in to try and take out the supply of nukes they have on The Mystical Realms and then…”

KNOCK KNOCK

Charlene looked at the door, “I hope Celeste hasn’t forgotten anything” Charlene growled

Sandra went over and opened the door.

Outside was the demure figure of Jenny Green, once a former coffee shop assistant manager and then manager in Newcastle upon Tyne. She was only just starting to show signs of her pregnancy with her and Commander Mark Johnston’s child.

“Sorry I thought Doctor Henshaw stayed here” Jenny stated in a confused tone

“I’m here” Charlene said suspiciously, “Have you come to sing the praises of that entity as well?”
“You mean Celeste?” Jenny asked
“Who else is the so called golden girl at the moment?” Charlene said with an irritated tone
“Not really” Jenny replied, “I heard that you were rude about my fiancé today” she added dryly

“Yeah, you should have heard him talk about you Jenny, just like all men sexist to the core” Charlene protested, “Saying he had asked you not to come to the meeting because of your condition. I could not believe it Jenny; he’s just like all men, a sexist pig”.
“He was protecting me and the baby Charlene” Jenny said with determination in her voice, “And I love Mark and I found it quite touching how he wants me and the baby kept safe. If it were up to Mark, I would be on a couch being waited on hand and foot through out the whole of my pregnancy, so what’s wrong with that Charlene?”
“Excuse me?” Charlene asked with incredulity “Is this the Jenny Green who stuck doppelganger assassin all on her own? Listen to yourself Jenny. This is what some of our kind fought against though out the nineteen seventies right through to just before Earth fell. This is the out dated and sexist idea that wives are to be kept chained to the kitchen sink, bare foot and pregnant”

Jenny glowered at Charlene and the atmosphere between them could be cut with a knife.

“I’m sure you will make a fine Marine Wife Miss Green” Sandra nervously interrupted.
“Thank you Captain Philips” Jenny replied back to the marine captain, “And Charlene if we can free Earth, I would like to have many more babies with Mark”
“Is that what you aspire to Jenny” Charlene cut in, “A baby factory when you could be pursuing a career like I did or Sandra here?”
Jenny looked daggers at Charlene and slowly but deliberately said “Charlene if I want to be as you crudely put it, a baby factory for Mark, what’s it to you?”

Before Charlene could respond, Jenny went on “By the way, since you mentioned Celeste, when I first met her she came across to me as a frightened and confused little girl. You weren’t there when she discovered that her mother was still alive, it was heartbreaking”
“Oh please” Charlene retorted, “Not you too singing the praises of Saint Celeste are you?”
Jenny was determined to finish, “You weren’t there when she discovered she had been used as well.”
“That b***h almost caused the death of my friend Sue-Lim” Charlene protested
“I met Sue-Lim before you did Charlene” Jenny retorted. “You don’t have a monopoly on being her friend; I mean we were almost deep clean executed together at the Annexe in Kent”

Suddenly Jenny could not continue as the emotion of that day when she and Sue-Lim were seconds from death due to strangulation by an IDEC clean up squad on the orders of a rouge aid to Mr Vee.

“You ok Miss Green?” Sandra asked as she made sure she got in between Jenny and Charlene in case this confrontation became physical.

Jenny waved Sandra away, for she was still determined to give Charlene a piece of her mind, “Charlene Unlike you, I have looked into the face of more than one killer, including Timothy Zachary” Jenny went, “Celeste is not a killer, as far as I’m concerned, she is a normal teenager who was rebelling against her father at the time and was manipulated by an evil man”

“I hear what you say Jenny” Charlene countered, “but this so called scared little brat of yours has form”
“What’s you problem Charlene” Jenny snapped back, “You go on at my Mark for being concerned about mine and my baby’s health, you go on at Celeste when to people she allegedly tried to kill have forgiven her. Shamus is right you have some kind of chip on you shoulder Charlene. What are you trying to prove?”

Charlene shook her head in disbelief; here she was being lectured by someone who had once been a good female role model as a special operations agent for the IDEC, now wanting to just keep popping babies out at the whim of some sexist pig.

“Do you know how hard it was for me as a woman to get my position at CERN?” Charlene went on

“So that’s it” Jenny spat back, “Your chip is to do with glass ceilings then. Oh Look at me I’m a victim of sex discrimination! Look around Charlene, we are stuck here on South Georgia and we need every ally we can get, so just lay off of Celeste she’s already going overboard trying to atone for what that man made her do and what she thought she did, and to be frank we could all do with less of your sniping at her. It’s affecting everyone here and you are not helping matters”

“Huh!” Charlene retorted, “You come to my cabin to tell me how I should feel about someone?”

“I think you better both calm down” Sandra interrupted as things were getting heated

“Don’t worry Sandra. I’m going” Jenny then told them, “And Charlene don’t go on at my Mark for looking out for me either” she added in a parting shot as she left.

Sandra closed the door as Jenny left

“Do I really have a chip on my shoulder?” Charlene asked Sandra
“No more than I do” Sandra replied, “Us girls always have to work harder to show we’re just as capable as the men, and sometimes that gets misinterpreted”
“But I thought Jenny was on our side, I mean she was a special operations agent at the Facility before it was bombed”
“She’s pregnant Charlene” Sandra said in as kinder voice as she could
“So?” Charlene contested, “What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Whether we like it or not Charlene that changes some women” Sandra went on, “In Idaho where I came from I’ve seen ladies who were once real firebrands, as soon as they popped positive on the pregnancy test completely changed and all they wanted to do was stay at home and just keep having babies for their man”
“But I’ve known some heavily pregnant go on marches, and after they gave birth they took their babies on demos” Charlene protested
“Maybe, but not everyone’s the same Charlene. I mean if me and the colonel got together say and say I was having his child, I’m not sure how I would feel”

“But Sandra” Charlene went on, “What happened to the feminist movement, what happened to girl power? Attitudes like Jenny’s take us back to the Stone Age Sandra when it was considered ok for a husband to beat her wife until she was almost…”

Suddenly Charlene found herself unable to continue and breaking down in tears, which was not really her.

“Is that what your father did to your mother” Sandra asked as she put an arm around a suddenly weeping Charlene.
“Until she couldn’t take any more and hanged herself with a scarf I had given her for a birthday present when I was nine” Charlene sobbed

Sandra gave Charlene a hug and sighed; this animosity with Celeste was starting to make sense now, as it seemed Charlene at an unconscious level was obviously blaming herself for her own mother’s suicide and the anger at Celeste was obviously displacement anger.

“You weren’t responsible for your mother’s death” Sandra said quietly
“But I gave her the scarf” Charlene wept
“It wasn’t your fault” Sandra went on as she kissed Charlene on the top of her head, “You couldn’t have known Charlene”. Sandra considered whether she should mention how Shamus had told her of what had happened that day with Celeste and Sue-Lim, but now was not the right time.

“Who’s cooking dinner since we can’t order out for pizza” Sandra then asked, trying to change the subject

Charlene wiped her eyes and apologised for breaking down. Sandra told her that it was ok and she didn’t mind and that it was best that Charlene had let it out after bottling up the guilt all these years.

“I do my own cooking here” Charlene said as she managed to recover, “I wouldn’t trust that Celeste not to give me food poisoning”

+ + +

Another plane of existence
Away from Earth or the Mystical Realms

The figure in white approached another figure in white who was seated at a writing-desk writing with a quill pen in an old ledger.

The figure in white coughed who had arrived coughed and the figure writing looked up. “My lord Pravuil I wanted you speak with you about a serious matter” the figure who had arrived broached

“My lord Raguel” the seated figure said with concern in their voice, “I know you watch over our dealings and keep us in line, so what have I done to warrant you attention”
“Nothing my lord Pravuil your conduct has been an example to us all” the standing figure replied, “I believe there is one amongst the mortals who should be with us”

“A fallen one?” Pravuil asked
“No” Raguel replied, “One who was born of two, believed to be of us, who may have received a mortal soul through means unknown”
“So how may I be of assistance my lord Raguel?”
“This mortal soul that came into being” Raguel replied, “it is a soul that does not correspond with a human birth or a child destined to die in infancy”
“I had heard something along those lines lord Raguel” Pravuil said as he put his quill down
“And have you been able to do anything along the lines of investigating this?” Raguel asked, “

“It is not for me to do anything but record my lord Raguel” Pravuil said, now worried that he had broken the rules, “Was I meant to my lord Raguel?” he then nervously asked

“My apologies lord Pravuil” Raguel said as he put both his hands up, “You speak truly, you are here to record, it is for me to investigate. So what can you tell us?”

“In human terms my lord Raguel” Pravuil went on, “It was about two months ago, this human soul came into being, not of any means I am familiar with and not by normal channels. It was not by the intimacy of two people or by that modern method involving people of medicine called in vitro fertilisation. My lord Raguel it was as if some creative force just created it, and there was a strong feeling of love and longing when it happened, even more so when two people longing for a child manage to get the woman to conceive whichever way it happens”
“Do you know where this happened lord Pravuil” Raguel asked

“I will need to look it up as I made a note of it at the time” Pravuil responded. Pravuil then faded away while Raguil stood by waiting.

After a while Pravuil reappeared carrying a large book, “Here it is my lord Raguil” Pravuil spoke up, “It was in what the people of Earth call the South Atlantic Ocean” Pravuil then looked up from the book, “But that does not make sense?”

“Maybe this soul came into being on a ship?” Raguil suggested

“You may be right” Pravuil replied, “There was a large ship near there at the time, because a human on board that ship was dispatched from life by one of those creatures from the world that humans formed.”

“Could the new soul created have killed the human?” Raguel asked

Pravuil shook his head, “No my lord Raguel, they happened at separate times”

Raguel pondered for a moment, “What was the name of the ship?”
“The USS Bataan” Pravuil replied, “It’s captain was executed along with his family for allowing humans and non humans to leave it”

“Why so harsh and who ordered these executions?” Raguel asked, confused by this news
“They were not ordered by a human” Pravuil explained, “They were ordered by one of those creatures from that other world when they conquered Earth”

“I wonder if Karael had a point?” Ragauel muttered.
“The one who you found guilty of breaking the treaty?” Pravuil asked

“Forgive me my lord Pravuil” Raguel said quickly, “I should not have discussed that case”
“That is quite alright my lord Raguel” Pravuil replied, “As for the matter in hand, I can give you a name ascribed to this soul which arose from nowhere”

“Male or female?” Raguel enquired
“Female” Pravuil replied as a leaf in the book he was holding flipped back, “This too does not make sense”
“What?” Raguel asked
“There is a first name only and a title that seems to be from that other world” Pravuil said with a frown
“Tell me?” Raguel insisted
“The first name is Celeste and the title is Spirit of Second Chances?” Pravuil looked up, “May be it was what the humans called a minor spirit of virtue or vice. The half breeds of a human parent and one of those thought to be one of us from that other world”

Raguel shook his head, “No lord Pravuil, in those cases the soul came into being when the child would be conceived like those of fully human parents, but the soul is withheld as the child’s powers supplants the soul. They only receive their soul when out of free will the minor spirit renounces their spirit-hood to embrace their humanity. The creation of this soul was still different”

“With the information I can glean my lord Raguel, I may be able to locate her, but what do you want with her?”
“She must be brought here as one of us.” Raguel insisted
“But what if she does not wish to come my lord Raguel?” Pravuil asked, “She appears to be involved in the affairs of mankind”

“She has no choice.” Raguel insisted, “If the prophecy is true, she is the child of two beings, thought to be of us. This human soul of hers is a mere complication, which we can resolve once she is brought here, but a child of two spirit beings comes under our jurisdiction”

+ + +

Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth

Celeste had finished unpacking her things with Simon’s help and the two were sitting in the living room with Major Bolak the dissident drow and Shamus McTuckle the leprechaun. It seemed the drow and the leprechaun were both playing gooseberry as Celeste felt, stopping them becoming more intermit than Celeste wanted and believed that Simon secretly wanted to be. Simon and Celeste had to be content with sitting on a couch, holding hands in the cabin’s living room.

Shamus looked at the clock on the wall, “I know the sun may still be up here, but it still quite late, and Master Henshaw has work tomorrow”

“Aw” Celeste protested.
“Shamus is quite right” Major Bolak agreed, “And we need to resume your training tomorrow”
“What about the pain Celeste gets” Simon butted in as he gave Celeste a hug, “I don’t like the idea of my fiancé being in pain”
“Fiancé?” Major Bolak inquired as he raised an eyebrow.

“Simon said he wanted to marry me and I said yes” Celeste beamed and hugged Simon back, “I just wish we could get married here on this island, I did suggest troll style but Shamus said that was not allowed”

“I said it was not valid” Shamus retorted, “You two are not trolls or surrogate trolls as Mr and Mrs Andrews were deemed one time, and this is Earth not the Mystical Realms”
“Plus” Major Bolak interrupted, “Even if we still had the appropriate human authorities, you Celeste are still too young and with all due respect to you Mr Hargreaves, some would say you would not be allowed to marry anyone because of your disability”
“I have an autistic spectrum disorder, I’m not mentally ill” Simon said angrily as he stood up, “I was cleared to work at Inter Dimensional Entity Control. How can you say that to my face?”

Major Bolak remained seated “I only said some would say that” he said with his characteristic determination and arrogance typical of a drow, “I know you are a capable young man and I have seen you improve as you have been with Celeste here. From what I have seen of the pair of you, you are probably well matched, but I have to call things as I see them”
“Please” Interrupted Shamus, “This talk of marriage is neither here nor there for anyone at the moment, given that we are still under occupation by that Lady High Troll”
“Who is a mere puppet of her consort” Major Bolak interjected
“Whatever?” shamus replied contemptuously, “As to Master Hargreaves’s concerns, we will be trying to see if there is something we can do to modify the exercises the major has been instructing Celeste in so they won’t hurt her”
“I want to come and make sure she’s ok” Simon insisted

“I’m sorry Master Hargreaves” Shamus replied, “It would not be appropriate, anyway I’ve asked Miss Caer O’Docherty and Miss Jenny Green to come by instead”

“Why?” Simon asked
“Because I have to be naked don’t I” Celeste piped up, “And you want other females with me to keep things on the level because I’m still a child in your eyes”
“I thought you said she would not have to” Simon interrupted as he sat down and put both his arms around Celeste
“It’s ok Simon love” Celeste said in a sad voice, “I knew all along I would have to work naked”

Shamus sighed and shook his head, “No you won’t!” Shamus exclaimed in exasperation, “How many more times do we have to keep saying this? We have found some old sheets we can use as makeshift clothes for testing purposes and Miss Green and Miss O’Docherty have sewing skills. They need to fit you for them and then you change out of your clothes into the makeshift ones while we try any modified exercises. Although as you say Miss Green will be here to make sure everything has the look of propriety”

Shamus then walked to the door and opened it, “Now if you don’t mind, we all need to retire”

“Oh” Was all Simon could say. Celeste and Simon Stood up and rested their heads against each other, “I just can’t wait to be married to you and having your babies” Celeste said with a cheeky grin.
Simon briefly blushed and then reciprocated “I want to give you as many babies as you want” he said as he was caught up in what Celeste told him without thinking exactly what he was saying.

Shamus let out another sigh and shook his head, these too love birds had it really bad, especially if they were talking about marriage and having babies.

Simon then left to go back to the cabin he shared with Sue-Lim and Pete Smith.

“You better get to bed my dear” Shamus instructed Celeste, “And make sure you put on a night dress”

“Oh please” Celeste said with irritation in her voice, “In this part of the world, do you think I would sleep naked. It’s cold down here”

“Mr McTuckle” Major Bolak interjected, “Celeste may still be classed in the eyes of the law of this world as a child, but she is almost what the humans would say is a grown woman, credit her with some intelligence please”
“I’m sorry Celeste” Shamus grumpily admitted, “That was uncalled for from me”

“Yeah right” Celeste grunted and left for her own bedroom, slamming the door shut.

“I have to agree with you Major on one thing” Shamus said quietly, “Master Simon has as the humans put it, come more out of his shell since he paired up with Celeste and moved in with Pete and Su-Lim. I hate to speak ill of the dead, but his parents did tend to be over protective, whereas Pete especially as been getting Master Simon to be more independent”

“He makes a fine young man even with his disability” Major Bolak admitted, “Anyone who challenges me like he did on the Bataan is worthy of someone like Celeste in my book”
“You know what Celeste asked me today?” Shamus went on
“To move in with Mr Hargreaves?” Major Bolak asked.
“Apart from that” Shamus said quietly
“What?”
“Caer suggested she moved over to working with the Andrew’s and their children” Shamus went on, “Celeste does not think she is of any use as a so called special operations agent and wants to work with the children”
“It would be such a waste Shamus” Major Bolak sighed, “She has so many other powers that do not require her to alter her form”
“Perhaps” Shamus sighed, “But she has been so despondent recently, and it might help lift her mood”
“And keep the peace with Doctor Henshaw and Captain Philips?” Major Bolak asked
“Captain Phillips I can work with, we just need to convince her that Celeste is not interested in the Colonel”
“We need to get the colonel to tell Captain Philips that he’s not interested in her” Major Bolak cut in.
“That’s bye the bye” Shamus continued, “As for Doctor Henshaw, I just don’t know what we can do about her. She just can not get past the fact that Celeste was used like lots of other people and when she saw what an evil man that Sir Sidney Gerald really was she switched sides”
“This is ridiculous Shamus” Major Bolak said as he stood up and stretched, “A drow would not allow himself to be governed by such vendettas”
“A vendetta that should not be hers” Shamus said in agreement.
“I sometimes wonder if the humans deserved to be conquered” Major Bolak said, “With all the fighting amongst themselves, even down here amongst ourselves” Major Bolak then turned to Shamus, “Sometimes I wonder if we should not just accept what has happened and sue for peace. Maybe throwing off the drow over lords at this stage would be a bad idea”
“Why do you say that?” Shamus retorted
“Simple, given the history of the humans” Major Bolak went on, “When a leadership is removed, as the Hadreth did with the former leaders of the humans, these creatures turn on one another. What would be the point in freeing Earth, only for the humans to destroy each other in a world war caused by a power vacuum?”

“It’s not really for us to moralise on the humans Major” Shamus countered, “I try to be optimistic Major” Shamus replied, “I have to hope that after this wake up call the humans would learn to live with one another in a better fashion. Plus your forgetting our world is under siege as well”

“It was a black day for the drow when Vabalavich executed his coup-de-tat as the humans put it” Major Bolak mused
“It was a black day for all of us” Shamus reciprocated.

+

Celeste drifted off to a troubled sleep.

Suddenly she was on a black plane stretching out into infinity in every direction.

“Oh s**t” Celeste thought as she recognised where she was, “This is a drow dark space”

Celeste turned around to see what she could, but so far there was nothing. Was this Major Bolak putting her through her training while she was a sleep? But why would he when he said they were restarting the training in the morning?

Suddenly in the distance came a voice Celeste had not heard for a long time. A voice that she assumed belonged to someone long dead, incinerated in one of the atomic blasts that hit the world of humans.

It couldn’t be?

Celeste turned in the direction of the voice, and in the distance was a light as a figure was approaching. Celeste strained to hear what the figure was saying. Without realising it she found herself walking and then running towards this figure and the voice.

It definitely sounded like Sophie Mitchell, the personal assistant to the late Kathryn Cooper. It was Sophie who had put Celeste up in her own home when she came to work for the human’s Inter Dimensional Control organisation. It was Sophie who had helped her change her look from black to green and brown and even taught her how to bleach and dye her hair. It was Sophie who stood up for her against Doctor Henshaw.

For a brief moment as Celeste was caught up in the memories of the short time she had spent with the IDEC organisation in the city they called Washington DC, she forgot the danger of where she was.

“Sophie?” Celeste yelled

Suddenly the figure approached Celeste at a higher speed, only then could Celeste hear what Sophie was saying, over and over again, “Celeste, wake up please, it’s a trap”

Celeste suddenly felt a cold chill, beside the figure of Sophie appeared another figure she recognised from that one time in Caracas when she was trying to rescue the troll now called Padow, it was the drow called Vabalavich

Celeste tried use her fingernails to dig into her arms to wake herself up, but it was to know avail. Sophie and Vabalavich were now next to her.
“I’m so sorry” Sophie wept, “I couldn’t stop him”
“Indeed” sneered Vabalavich, “Nobody can resist the mind of a Hadreth master’s dark space”

Vabalavich reached out an arm and placed his hand over Celeste’s face. Celeste wanted to flee but she could not. She tried to use her own psychic shield, but Vabalavich was too powerful. Somehow he had more power than other drow she had encountered, including Major Bolak, as if someone else was lending him their power.

Images of the island of South Georgia appeared in the air as it were as Vabalavich ripped through Celeste’s own psychic defences and accessed her memories.

“So that is where you are hiding” Vabalavich crowed

Vabalavich pulled out a dagger from his belt, “You my dear” he said to Sophie, “have been most helpful, I will let you live for the moment as you may yet still be of use to us”

Then Sophie was gone from the dark space.

Celeste stood there rooted to the spot, terrified of this drow as he held up his dagger, “As for you my dear” he said to Celeste, “It will take a short while to deal with your friends on that island and we can’t have you warning them”

Vabalavich raised his arm, Celeste looked at it in terror, it was a psychic dagger, and if he killed Celeste here on the dark-space she would be killed in the real world.

“I’m so sorry I have to do this” Vabalavich said in smarmy voice, and then with all his might, he brought down the dagger.

To be continued

[GypsyGoth]

Just finished Invidious Deals, it's enjoyable, intricate and well paced.

[Sticks]

Episode IV – Invasion and Betrayals

Ever felt like a real chump?

Ever been conned into buying something you did not need or want?

Well join the club, it has probably happened to all of us to some extent.

Sometimes it is embarrassment at being caught out, or most likely the financial loss.

If you ever think of those emails people get from relatives of dead dictators or from some lottery people can not remember entering, people do get caught by them and loose thousands.

Sometimes a con can be potentially fatal, for Celeste has been tricked into being caught on a drow dark-space, by Consort Vabalavich, who through her has discovered the location of the last free humans on Earth, and is in the process of stabbing Celeste’s projection on the dark space which will kill her in the real world to maintain his element of surprise…

+ + +

The Drow dark space of Consort Vabalavich

Vabalavich brought the dagger down with all his psychic might to plant it in the projection on to the dark space projection of Celeste.

Just as the dagger was about to hit Celeste, suddenly she was gone and so, if there had been any, Vabalavich stabbed at thin air.

Outrageous

Vabalavich kept the dark space going, maybe Celeste had somehow teleported with in the dark space, after all she was rumoured to have had that ability like her father the Spirit of Death, but somehow that disappearance did feel like teleportation.

“Think you can hide little girl?” Vabalavich shouted.

Suddenly he spun around firing deadly psychic force blasts, in case Celeste had gone invisible.

Nothing!

Vabalavich played through some of the stolen memories from Celeste, there was only one particular explanation for Celeste’s removal from a dark space, another drow master, it had to be, and not only any drow master, but the one enemy amongst the drow he had not been able to liquidate in his putsch against those loyal to the former Drow High Council.

“So Major Bolak” Vabalavich called out, “I look forward to seeing your execution”

Vabalavich chanted an incantation.

+ + +

A hotel Room in Downtown Dallas
Earth

Vabalavich opened his eyes. There was his apprentice Jaigon holding Sophie Mitchell the personal assistant to the former chair of the old Inter Dimensional Entity Control organisation tightly by her upper arm. Sophie’s hands were handcuffed behind her back and she was sobbing.

“Is she dead?” Jaigon asked

Vabalavich shook his head, “Someone got her out before I could dispatch her” he said angrily, “I suspect an old colleague of mine who allegedly drowned a hundred miles short of Saint Helena”

“Shall we execute this one now my liege?” Jaigon asked, “I would be willing to do it as it would be my first kill in the service of the Hadreth”

Sophie just looked at the floor and then closed her eyes wondering how much it would hurt being put to death.

“I’m sorry Jaigon” Vabalavich replied, “But while Celeste lives she may still be of use, besides why execute her and make a martyr of her when we can use Hadreth mind control tricks I can show you later to present her to this world as a repentant sinner who has loyally assisted our glorious leader the Lady High Troll in crushing the resistance”

“Yes my liege” Jaigon sighed, “I still have so much to learn”
“Indeed you do” Vabalavich replied, “As did I when I was your age”

Sophie just continued to sob and wished they would kill her, because she was so ashamed at selling out the rest of humanity.

“But enough of this” Vabalavich then said, “Once I have dealt with that oaf who thought to use collars of strangulation I need to return to Karam Tag Chou to assemble our invasion force so we can wipe out the resistance once and for all, although I suspect thanks to the Major we may have lost the element of surprise”

“What do I do with her?” Jaigon asked pointing to Sophie
“Have her taken into custody of the Ghetto Trolls, I trust them slightly more than the bugbears and the other drow” Vabalavich answered
“My Liege?” Jaigon then asked

“Yes?” Vabalavich responded
“Will we be sending more nuclear devices to wipe out the resistance?” Jaigon pressed

“It is a very tempting shortcut Jaigon and at first look an excellent solution” Vabalavich answered
“But I have missed something yet again” Jaigon sighed
“You are becoming more Hadreth day by day Jaigon, just like your father did” Vabalavich smiled, “But you are right, wiping them out with a nuclear device could be arranged swiftly and it would do the job, but what you are missing is that sometimes when a resistance is crushed, the rebels must be seen by those who may have been inclined to follow them, to be punished in some kind of spectacle. To merely hear that they have been vaporised is not nearly as satisfying as a populace being made to see them either burn alive at a stake, drowned in a large glass tank or hanged slowly as they kick their feet in the air. Their deaths must be made to be agonising and slow to drive home the message, if you do not obey us, you and your children will suffer the same fate” Vabalavich added with venom.

“I see what you mean my liege, it was exactly what the orcs did when they placed the Lord Low Troll’s head on a pike at the beginning of their civil war”

“Almost” Vabalavich replied, “But his death was a little too quick, but anyway we are wasting time, I have an invasion to arrange, take our guest and make her secure, let the trolls know, she is to be kept alive as she is worth more to us in that condition. Even now she is thinking how best to commit suicide, I’m sorry Miss Mitchell” Vabalavich then addressed Sophie, “But I can not allow you to do that to yourself”

+ + +

A white space
Location Unknown

Celeste fell backwards and landed in what seemed like soft snow, but somehow it wasn’t.
Celeste then noticed that unlike in the dark space projection, she was completely naked in this white space

Where was she?

One moment she was in a drow dark space about to be stabbed to death there with a psychic dagger, the next she was here, where ever here was.

Carefully she stood up and looked around; it seemed as if there was white as far as the eye could see. She looked up and although the sky appeared blue, there were lots of clouds crossing it faster than any clouds she had ever seen.

Had she been dreaming she was on a dark space?

“I could not allow that drow to kill you” a voice came from behind her. It was unlike any voice she had ever heard, for it sounded like rushing water down a water fall.

Slowly and nervously Celeste turned around.

Coming towards her was a man in some kind of white toga whose brilliance hurt her eyes.

Celeste, uncharacteristically tried to use her arms to cover her modesty, she had learned this habit from her extended time with humans especially Simon. Then a though struck Celeste, maybe she was supposed to appear like this, given the way this creature had an aura of authority about him, so gave up trying, but at the same time felt very self conscious.

“You saved me?” Celeste nervously said as she put her arms by her side

The man in white did not answer the question but still kept approaching. The man then waved his right arm. Suddenly Celeste was very modestly dressed in a white toga that covered her completely, and it felt like it was made of some kind of silk, yet it was opaque.

Something felt wrong, so nervously Celeste started to back away, “Who are you” she asked in terror

“I am Raguel” the man said in his terrifying voice, “I am here to collect you, you do not belong with the humans”.

“But they’re my friends” Celeste protested; “My fiancé is one of them” she pleaded.

“You are a child of death and fate and yet you have a soul” the man in white said firmly, “Your place is not with them but with us,”

“No” Celeste pleaded, “Please I have to go back and warn them” she went on
“We can not allow that” the man in white insisted, “We are forbidden from helping humanity, you must stand aside and let what will be, will be”

Celeste turned and tried to run, but just like in the dark space her feet would not move.

“I’m sorry” the man in white with his voice of many rushing waters went on, “This is not an option for you, you have no choice in the matter”

Suddenly a fire ball appeared in the distance in front of her heading right for her.

Celeste threw herself to the ground as it raced towards her, but the fireball seemed to be deflected harmlessly upwards.

Celeste looked up at where the fireball had come from.

There in front of her stood an almost identical figure, but this one was made of fire.

What is the meaning of this interference fallen one” the man in white shouted with such volume that it hurt Celeste’s ears.

“Us, interfere?” the fiery figure said in a voice that sounded like rolling thunder, “It is you who are violating the treaty by speaking openly with this mortal human”

“Bernael is it?” the man in white retorted, “She is no human, her parents are not of the world of humans but believed by humans to be one of us”

“This half breed has a soul of a human and the form of a human” the fiery figure went on, “She seems human to me, you had no right deflecting my fireball”

Just then Celeste heard a whispering voice she did recognise telling her they had found her, it was Shamus McTuckle the leprechaun from the former Irish special diplomatic service.

“We do not know why she has a human soul” the figure in white continued to protest behind her, “She belongs with us and not the humans, I am merely collecting her as is our right”

Suddenly Celeste was gone from this white space

“What have you done with her Bernael?” The man in white demanded

“I have not done anything with her Raguel” the fiery figure insisted, “I thought it was you who made her vanish”

“She must have returned back to mankind” the man in white said quietly.

“I will speak to Samael about what you have done” the fiery figure shouted, “And how you spared a mortal in violation of treaty”

“And I will speak to Metatron about how you Bernael interfered with my task of collecting one who belongs with us. The treaty Bernael does not allow you to interfere in our internal affairs” the figure in white replied, “And if you had taken time to check your facts you would see that neither of her parents are human” the man in white went on, “And Bernael, if she was human you are in violation because you fallen ones are only allowed to whisper temptations to the humans, not throw fireballs at them. By your own actions you showed that you knew she was not human. You will not catch me out Bernael in a treaty violation”

“We will discuss this another time Raguel” the fiery figure said angrily, “You would do well not to repeat the error of Karael, the other of you so called loyal ones, we heard that he was under arrest on charge of treaty violation”

“I know Bernael” the man in white went on, “Or had you forgotten what my role is”

“How could we not, for you were the one who betrayed us when we were voicing our disquiet about those revolting half breeds”
“You mean your rebellion” the man in white shouted accusingly
“Call it what you will Raguel” the fiery figure reciprocated, “The moment I can prove you loyal ones have been violating the terms of our treaty will be the moment we will be able to deal with these stinking half-breeds once and for all and then your kind will have no purpose”

“That moment will never happen Bernael” the man in white replied, “I will collect that one who should be of us, and we will abide by your infernal treaty”

“We shall see” the fiery figure sneered, and then vanished from the white space.

“I will find you Celeste” the man in white whispered, “You will come with me whether you want to or not” he added with renewed determination, before he too vanished and the white space dissolved into nothingness.

+ + +

Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth

Celeste woke up gasping and sat up. She was back in the cabin in her own night clothes. There in her room were both Shamus McTuckle and Major Bolak. Shamus was sitting on the bed while Major Bolak stood in the corner.

“You were on a drow space” Major Bolak said sternly, “I felt it as you drifted off to sleep”
“But then you were somewhere else” Shamus chipped in, “It was as if they were holding on to you and suddenly they let you go”
“As soon as they let go, I brought you back” Major Bolak added

Celeste closed her eyes and put her hands to her face, “I’m so sorry” she sobbed, “Doctor Henshaw was right, I’ve betrayed everyone”

“What do you mean?” Shamus asked

Celeste brought her hands down, “It was Consort Vabalavich, Mr McTuckle, he caught me in the dark space and thanks to me he’s discovered where we are”

“I should have guessed he would have tried that, although I wonder why he took so long” Major Bolak said sternly before adding, “Celeste, in order to find you he had to have had some kind of psychic link to you”

“Probably himself, from when they briefly met in that Venezuelan prison cell” Shamus interrupted

“No Mr McTuckle” Celeste sobbed, “it was Sophie, Sophie Mitchell. Shamus, he’s got Sophie”
“It was probably an illusion my dear” Shamus replied in as kindly manner as possible, “She was incinerated in the nuclear attack on the IDEC headquarters. He probably started coming after us because I was stupid enough to use my teleportation on this forsaken island, and you were just handy”

“No!” Major Bolak cut in firmly, “A drow can not disguise who they are in a dark space, they can only hide, just as I did when I took you onto one the other week to speak with that kobold”
“Yes I remember” Shamus replied in an irritated tone, “He kept accusing me of being a blasted gnome!”
“Anyway” Major Bolak interrupted, “Who is this Sophie Mitchell that they appear to have captured?”
“Just the PA to the late Kathryn Cooper” Shamus answered, “Celeste stayed at her house for just over a week or so”
“Well if they have had her all this time” Major Bolak went on, “what intelligence they would have got from her will have been useless to them, but her involvement with Celeste would have made her valuable for a dark-space trap which is what he used on Celeste. I’m afraid Celeste it was not a case that you were handy as Mr McTuckle suggests, but that you were deliberately targeted”

“Oh no” Celeste whimpered, “I’m so sorry, they’re coming and it’s all my fault”

Shamus closed his eyes and shook his head in disbelief, “But as you said Bolak, why did they wait so long?” he muttered and then he turned back to Celeste, “You said he caught you”

Celeste nodded, “He’s going to be sending one of those bombs they used before, isn’t he?” she sobbed, “and it’s all my fault”
Shamus looked her in the eye, “That’s rubbish my dear” he went on, “A drow dark space is hard to resist and can take anyone unaware of them. Only one being I know of managed to resist one, and that was only one time he managed it”

“I doubt he would send in a nuclear device” Major Bolak interrupted, “It would rob them of a show trial, they will want to show the remaining members of the human’s organisation that should have dealt with him all executed, most likely by hanging as a message to other humans, a quick capitation blow would just give us martyrdom and some would try and say that some of us survived. The Hadreth operate by crushing hope”

“What ever method they will be using against us, we have to warn the others now” Shamus then said as he jumped down from Celeste’s bed
“Yes” Major Bolak agreed, “I’m glad Mr Smith advised us to have cases packed for this eventuality”

“She’s going to say I told you so” Celeste squeaked out, but nobody heard her as the others were too preoccupied with warning the others

Celeste got out of bed and changed out of her night clothes into her normal clothes, even though she did not feel she deserved to wear anything, all the while thinking how even Simon might be turned against her for bringing the eye of the drow to Grytviken in South Georgia

Celeste located her emergency case and picked it up, it contained the bare essentials and as Pete had suggested when they first landed on this island, it was ready to grab in less than fifteen minutes. Pete had told everyone that he had read about this from some of the spy stories he used to read and they all needed to be ready in case they had to evacuate in a hurry. Little did anyone realise this would have to be the case.

Celeste carried her emergency case in to the main room. Both Shamus and Major Bolak had gone, out to warn the others that they had to escape, but to where?

The technicians Pete, Sue-Lim, Doctor Henshaw and her beloved Simon were trying to work out how to make the artificial wormhole generators invisible to this satellite system they went on about called Sky-Guard. The whole irony of that system Pete had told them was that it was originally part of the IDEC, but it had fallen into the hands of the forces of the Lady high Troll and was now used by them to maintain control.

If they started up a wormhole generator up or used a dimension jump orb, then the satellites would home in on it in seconds, which was now, thanks to Celeste’s stupidity so she thought probably irrelevant as they now had their location anyway.

She kept expecting anytime now to be vaporised by a nuclear blast, or for a drow, troll or orc invasion force. It was too cold for bugbears, which was the only small mercy they had.

Celeste also found herself nervously looking around for that man in white, according to that other figure made out of fire, the man in white’s name was Raguel and he was trying to take Celeste away from the man she loved, although Simon would probably hate her as well now Celeste suspected

Celeste wandered out of her front door carrying her emergency case in to the cold night air

Celeste considered herself worse than useless, “Oh daddy I screwed up big time” she wailed

“Evening Celeste” a voice came from behind her.

Celeste almost jumped out of her skin.

She turned around.

It was Padow, the former clan chief of the Manjura troll clan

“I came to see Major Bolak and Mr McTuckle” Padow told Celeste, “Are they in?”

Celeste looked into the eyes of the troll and shook her head.

“You’ve been crying” Padow observed, “Something is wrong”

“I should never have come here” Celeste went on, “I’ve ruined everything” she wept
“What’s happened” Padow asked with concern now in his voice.

“I was in a drow dark space” Celeste went on, “The drow who shot you, he had Sophie and like an idiot I ran to her and the drow caught me and has found out we’re here”

“Have the major and Mr McTuckle gone to inform everyone?” Padow asked

Celeste nodded, “I’m so sorry I let you down” Celeste sobbed, “Doctor Henshaw was right all the time, I’m useless”

Padow shook his head, “But you healed me and teleported me to the ship Celeste, I hardly call that being useless, I just wish I had remembered to thank you, but with the evacuation it went clean out of my head until now.”

Suddenly it felt like a thunderbolt had hit Celeste at this news. She had been told that the GPS locator had started to work and Major Bolak and Mr McTuckle had had to come in and rescue them.

“But they said Major Bolak and Mr McTuckle pulled us out of there after I had some kind of seizure because I tried to teleport and I was still unable to”

Padow groaned and put his head in his hands, “I did not realise, you did not know”
“Why would they tell me that” Celeste asked the troll
“Maybe they wanted to protect you” the troll guessed, “If you knew you had that ability what would you have done?”
“I would have done something to help Padow sir” Celeste replied
“Exactly and probably ended up being captured Celeste” Padow told her
“Maybe I should see if I can teleport” Celeste suggested, “I have to save Sophie if I can after what she did for me, maybe I could find her and rescue her”

Padow shook his head, “And that would be a mistake especially with the drow of the Hadreth order”
“What are you saying?” Celeste asked, suddenly feeling annoyed, “We give up without even trying?”
“As hard as it seems Celeste, I would resist even trying” Padow went on, “When we arrived at the Bataan that day, you passed out and ended up in the infirmary there, who is to say that by bringing me to the Bataan that you once again over taxed your teleport ability and it is still lost to you.”
“Maybe I should try” Celeste suggested, “But I better get undressed first” she added without thinking
Padow clasped both his hands on her arms to stop her from taking any clothing off, “But if you try to teleport, you could bring the attention of the drow even quicker.” He warned her

“Too late I already have” Celeste replied, “All because I got caught out by a dark space, Doctor Henshaw is going to have a field day with that one”

Padow sighed, “I suppose we better get going to the Andrews, they will need help with the children during the evacuation”
“Where too?” Celeste asked
“I don’t know” Padow responded, “There is one thing I need you to do”
“What?” Celeste asked suspiciously
“I would prefer it if you did not let Mr McTuckle or the major know that I told you what really happened that day, I would rather not have a lecture from either of them. They can get quite sanctimonious at times”
“Right” Celeste said nervously

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor

Vabalavich stepped out to review the assembled shock troops of drow, and Ghetto trolls as they were assembling in the great hall, normally used for the inauguration of troll emperors.

Then in front of him a figure he had not totally expected to see entered the great hall, but being Hadreth, he did not show his surprise one bit. It was his supposed lover, Brameana, the Lady High Troll in full battle dress.

Vabalavich kneeled before her and kissed her hand, “We are so glad you could make it on this great day your highness” he said out loud, mostly for show

Then Vabalavich quietly said, “Brameana your presence is a joy to see you down from the imperial palace, but do you not run the risk of dignifying this runt of a pathetic resistance by going into final battle against them?”

“I want to make it clear” Braemeana told Vabalavich, “If my half brother still lives, I want them to make sure he is kept alive to see all the others either dance in the wind at the end of a rope, or my favourite, I want him to see them breathe water as they are held under by the chains in the drowning tank”

Vabalavich smiled, “If only you had been a drow, you would have made a good Hadreth queen”
“If only you were a Ghetto troll” Brameana reciprocated with a cheeky smile
“Quite so your imperial majesty” Vabalavich replied, “I plan to use your trolls as the main shock troops assisted by drow to defend against magic” he explained
“So my warriors will be in the front line” Brameana said with pride in her voice, “But why no orcs or bugbears?”
“Simply because where the fugitives are is a very cold place” Vabalavich went on, “They chose well as trolls and drow are the only ones who can stand those temperatures”

“Do we have the element of surprise?” Brameana asked furtively
Vabalavich shook his head, “I fear not my lady, I was in the process of dispatching that urchin Celeste when somehow she was removed from my dark space. I suspect by a former Major still loyal to the old Drow High Council”
“Then what are we waiting for” Brameana said impatiently and then turned to face the assembled troops, then she turned back, “Do we know if they are still on the island?”
“I have heard word from my apprentice Jaigon who has just returned from the world of Humans and he tells me that there had been no report from Sky-guard control to indicate any wormholes, either by orb or the human device that creates them” Vabalavich replied
“And how reliable is this Sky-Guard?” Brameana asked
“Totally, ever since we managed to find that hidden programme that sent it into a maintenance cycle over a week ago” Vabalavich replied. “I am hoping that the human who did this will not realise he no longer has the ability to shut it down like he did before”
“I trust Manjura trolls will have orbs” Brameana asserted.
“Not this time, the drow are operating them” Vabalavich answered, “It was Qwi-chong’s idea”

Brameana shook her head in disgust, “What kind of clan chief is he if he can not trust his own Manjura trolls”
“A clan chief who has not forgotten he is a usurper and that some may be secretly loyal to his predecessor” Vabalavich replied.
“Why do we still put up with him?” Brameana complained, “You said we could dispose of him”
“We will” Vabalavich said to Brameana with a smile, “And I will dispose of you Brameana at the right time also” Vabalavich thought to himself.

Brameana turned back to the troops, “Today Victory is ours” she shouted

The trolls let out a massive roar of approval

“We will smite the last of the human resistance who have eluded us for so long”

Another roar of approval

“Before we go and take the island of our enemies I have one thing I need to tell you” Brameana went on, “If you find a certain troll, who was once the Clan Chief of the Manjura, I want him alive. He is my half brother and I want him to see as many of the others you are able to capture, put to death before that usurper is put to death at my hand”

“We obey our Lady High Troll” the trolls roared back in unison.

Brameana stood there drinking in the adulation, while Vabalavich stood at her side looking impassive as was his style.

Then Vabalavich stepped forward, “Hadreth open the gates” he yelled in drow tongue.

Immediately multiple blue vortices started up

“I want to lead my troops into battle” Brameana announced and then pulled out a sword she was carrying
“Very noble I’m sure” Vabalavich told her, “But what if the first action of the humans and their allies is to put a bullet into you”
“I am not a coward Vabalavich” Brameana retorted

Vabalavich put up his hands, “I would never imply that my lady” he replied, “I am merely being selfish in wanting to protect the love of my life”
“That’s why I love you so Vabalavich” Brameana whispered, “You are always thinking of me”
“You are never far from my thoughts” Vabalavich replied, “Your troops are professionals, they have trained for war, you are trained to rule. Let them do their job and let us keep out of their way” he then suggested.

Brameana sheathed her sword, “As you say my love” she whispered, “I always value your advice as well as how you please me in bed”

+ + +

Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth

The four former IDEC technicians, Simon Hargreaves, Charlene Henshaw, Pete Smith and Sue-Lim Wang frantically worked on one of the artificial wormhole generators

“I told you that b***h” was trouble Charlene grumbled
“It’s not her fault” Whined Simon as he put his screw driver down, “Shamus said it was his fault for teleporting on the island”
“Well she was the one who gave us away in that dark space” Charlene countered, “And Shamus only teleported because that melodramatic drama queen ran out after I called her out for showing she cared more about her own selfish interests than the Andrews family”
“And what about the way you went on when we called you out for going on at her all the time” Sue-Lim responded, “I really don’t understand why you’re the only one with a problem with her”
“I’m not the only one Sue-Lim” Charlene countered “Captain Philips…”

“Can we get on with the matter in hand” Pete interrupted, “The invasion force will be here anytime soon, if they’re not sending a nuke, and we need to boost the power on this one if we are to evacuate everyone on time”

“I’m here to let you know that the Andrews, the O’Kerry’s, the twins, the Commander and Jenny have just left in the fishing boat over to Stromness.” The voice of Shamus came as he entered the cabin,

Shamus was accompanied by four figures, about a foot tall, wearing green hats and little else. They were Cornish pixies and they stood quietly just inside the door

“That old thing?” Charlene asked, “I wouldn’t have thought it was sea worthy” she added.
“It was all we had Doctor Henshaw, there was no way we could get to Stromness over the mountains with the children” Shamus protested, “I’m so glad that the colonel and Mr Andrews spent the time they did restoring it. Mitch O’Kerry and his wife are trying to maintain a distraction spell along with a couple of Cornish pixies to try and conceal it in case there is a sea attack”
“Once they drop them off are they coming for us?” Simon asked
“I suspect the invasion will be started by then” Pete replied
“Quite so” Shamus replied, “Anyway in case we have to get off of this island totally I came to see how you are getting on”.

“Well we would be making better progress if this lot were not bickering about Celeste” Pete said in exasperation
“That’s unfair Pete” Sue-Lim complained, “its Charlene”

“Enough” Shamus butted in, “Whatever that child did or did not do is not relevant, we have to get off this island before whatever response that drow is going to send”

“I only pointed out” Charlene tried to speak up, but Shamus was having none of it.
“If you had been in that dark space Doctor Henshaw you would have been caught out exactly the same, so let’s not get on your high horse, we don’t have the time” Shamus spat back, “Now what progress have you made”

“Sorry Mr McTuckle” Simon said quietly, “The isotope we used to power it is not powerful enough to keep the wormhole on long enough or big enough.”

“What about that trick you did to get us off that LCAC?” Shamus asked as he walked over to Simon.
“Still the same issue Shamus” Pete spoke up, “The isotope is also badly decayed, and we could probably only get one use out of this if that, apparently Timothy Zachary had a similar problem on IDW02 according to Jenny”
“If we were at IDEC headquarters we could have swapped it for a more powerful isotope” Sue-Lim explained, “But then if we had our headquarters we would not be in this position”

Simon put his hand up

“What is it my lad” Shamus asked.
“Miss Green said Timothy Zachary used some amulet to power the one he had” Simon piped up
“Those were amulets of empathic protection” Shamus explained, “And then they needed the Spirit of Lust to transfer the magic from them to that isotope thingy of yours”
“My Celeste is a major spirit of virtue” Simon spoke up
“Nice try Simon” Charlene interrupted, “But we don’t have any such amulets”

“My father has one” Sue-Lim said quietly
“As does the colonel” Pete added
“Oh come on” Charlene complained, “even with those there is no guarantee that that creature you call a spirit of virtue can transfer the power”
“She’s my fiancée” Simon insisted

“I SAID ENOUGH” Shamus shouted, and then in a quieter voice, “I will get the amulets, Sue-Lim you find Celeste, this has to be worth a shot if it’s all we have”

With that Shamus teleported out

“I thought they weren’t supposed to do that on the island” Sue-Lim commented as she watched the leprechaun vanish”

“Well thanks to you know who they already know we are here” Charlene snapped back

Cough, Cough

One of the pixies stepped towards Sue-Lim, “I can help you find Celeste” he told the technician, “My friends here are here to teleport you out should it come to that”

“Where to?” Charlene asked
“We know of another island that the trolls have not bothered with, but we will let you know if need be”
“Yeah right” Charlene retorted, “Do you want us to strip off now or do you do that when you teleport us?”
“Why would we want you to do that?” the lead pixie asked
“Because you can’t teleport a being with their clothes on?” Charlene ventured
“That’s fairies” The Pixie retorted, “We can teleport you fully clothed as you will see” The pixie then grabbed Sue-Lim’s hand and then she and the pixie vanished.

+

Sue-Lim found herself down by one of the abandoned whaling huts near the harbour where Celeste and Padow the troll were sitting waiting.

Celeste looked as white as a sheet, her face red from where she had been crying, the troll had an arm around her shoulders.

“Miss Wang!” Padow exclaimed as he stood up, “Why the honour, do you have news of where we are to evacuate to?” the troll then asked.

“Oh dear” squeaked the pixie, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise you were with the Spirit of Second Chances your eminence”

Suddenly Sue-Lim’s clothes above her waist dissolved into nothingness.

Sue-Lim was caught by the sudden cold and gasped for breath as she quickly folded her arms to preserve her modesty.
“Put your arms down” the pixie angrily told Sue-Lim, “You in the presence of a clan chief”
“What?” Sue-Lim said in shock to the pixie
“He needs to see your assets or he will be offended” the pixie growled back.
“What?” Sue-Lim repeated, but it was no use arguing as the pixie used it’s telekinesis to force Sue-Lim to uncross her arms and forced them by her sides

Padow shook his head in disbelieve and closed his eyes, “I do not need to see your assets” he told Sue-Lim as she was almost on the verge of tears as memories of her rape back in Miami filled her mind.

The pixie then pointed at Celeste, “Do you want me to attend to the Spirit of Second Chances as well your eminence and remove her top clothes” the pixie then asked.

“NO!” Padow retorted as he opened his eyes to give the pixie a cold hard stare, “Leave her alone. Now why did you do this to poor Miss Wang? Release her and bring her clothes back immediately” he ordered
“But she’s not yet married” the pixie answered as if the troll had asked a stupid question.
“She’s human not a troll” Padow reprimanded the pixie, “Release her and bring her clothes back now”
Sue-Lim felt her arms become free of the vice like grip by the pixie and then crossed her arms in front of her again.
“Her clothes?” Padow growled
“That power is beyond me your eminence” The pixie replied, crest fallen, “I only wanted to make sure you were not offended by a single female with a top as is your custom”
“That is an out of date troll custom you buffoon” Padow growled as he removed his cloak, “And I was never offended by fully clothed females, troll or otherwise”.

“Are you marrying her?” The Pixie asked pointing to the troll’s cloak

Padow stopped and looked at Sue-Lim standing there, topless and shivering in the cold, closed his eyes again and shook his head”

“You better put this on Miss Wang” Celeste said to Sue-Lim as she got up and removed her jacket and offered it to Sue-Lim

“Are you marrying her?” The pixie asked Celeste quizzically

“That is not how non trolls do things” Padow insisted, “And anyway this is my cloak, not my tunic you idiot”. The troll waved Celeste away and placed his cloak around Sue-Lim’s bare shoulders. “Put your garment back on Celeste” Padow then said to Celeste

The cloak was scratchy yet warm as Sue-Lim pulled it around herself.

“Why did you bring her” Padow then asked the pixie.
“We need Celeste” Sue-Lim nervously spoke up as she fought back her emotions that were overwhelming her, “One of the artificial wormhole generators is low on power, we thought Celeste maybe able to help”

Celeste looked up, confused, “How?”
“You’re a major Spirit of virtue” Sue-Lim
“Yeah but how?” Celeste replied
“The others think you may be able to transfer magic from some amulets to recharge the isotope which powers it” Sue-Lim explained
“Where did you get that idea?” Celeste asked, still confused.
“The Spirit of Lust was able to do it, so they thought you might be able to do it as well” Sue-Lim explained further.

“That is quite an assumption Miss Wang” Padow interrupted, “Some powers are common to the major and the minor spirits but by no means all of them”
“We don’t have much of an option” Sue-Lim insisted

“We better get going” Celeste nervously agreed
“Can you teleport?” the pixie asked Celeste

Celeste looked up at Padow, should she reveal what he had told her? Should she even try? Celeste looked back at the pixie, “I’m not sure”

“I can only take one human or human size creature” the pixie insisted
“You take Celeste” Sue-Lim told the pixie, “The others can get by without me”

“I will walk Miss Wang back to her cabin” Padow told the others, “So she can find more clothes”

“Ok” replied the pixie as he took hold of Celeste’s hand and tried to concentrate.

Nothing

“I can’t teleport” the pixie replied, “I’m being blocked”

“And I think I know why” Padow exclaimed as he pointed to part of the bay where numerous blue vortices were appearing, spilling out drow and trolls

“My cabin” Sue-Lim shouted at Celeste, “Run”

Celeste started running as fast as she could up towards the settlement, in the distance she could hear the sound of the assembling army, behind her was Sue-Lim, Padow and the pixie trying to run as well.

In the distance was the rushing sound of a fireball as it headed towards the running figures. Celeste turned to look. It was coming straight for them.

“Why are you stopping” Screamed Sue-Lim as she caught up, clutching at the troll’s cloak.

Celeste stared in terror up into the sky.

Sue-Lim turned and saw the massive fireball heading for them as Padow caught up and let out a scream in terror.

Instinctively Celeste put up her right hand just as the fireball was about to hit, it deflected off of an invisible force field.

Suddenly felt momentarily weak as if she had been drained.

Sue-Lim gave up holding onto the cloak and let it fall as she rushed to help Celeste walk.

“Allow me” Padow instructed as he insisted he was going to be carrying Celeste in his arms

“I’m ok” Celeste insisted as she started back running to the settlement
Sue-Lim hesitated a moment about picking up the cloak, and then made the decision it was hard to run while clutching it, she would have to run topless using her arms to cover her modesty.

Suddenly another fireball hit one of the cabins destroying it in seconds. It was the one where until that morning she had been staying.

+ + +

Aboard an old fishing boat
In the waters off of South Georgia

Jenny heard an explosion in the distance as she stood on deck and looked back along the coast they had been sailing close to since their emergency departure from Grytviken to see if she could see anything, but the failing light and the weather obscured things, which in one sense was a blessing.

She was just about to join Mark in the wheel house when a very heavily pregnant Angela came up from down below.
“Why are you up here in your condition” Jenny asked her former boss
“I could ask you the same question Jenny” Angela retorted
“I’m not as far gone as you Angela” Jenny replied. Jenny then noticed that Angela had been crying, which was not typical of the former ever resourceful coffee shop manager she first met when they both lived on Tyneside in England. “you’ve been crying?” Jenny asked
“Graeme just told me what that b*****d the Lord Low Troll wants in return for his help” Angela replied
“That” Jenny responded
“You mean you knew as well?” Angela accused
“Mark told me” Jenny replied, “I thought you knew as well Angela”
“No I didn’t” Angela went on, “He’ll be executed” Angela said before breaking down in tears.
“It won’t come to that” Jenny said trying to be reassuring, “Sue-Lim told me that the time rolling back time stuff is not possible and hopefully we won’t need him”
“What if they nuke the island” Angela pressed, “They should have come with us”
“There wasn’t room” Jenny answered back, “The only other place left was for Celeste but we couldn’t find her in time”

“Mummy” a voice came from below, “Daddy wants’ you to come back down”
“You better go” Jenny told Angela
“I wanted him to see his other son or daughter grow up” Angela protested, “I wanted to have more children with him, he’s been such a great father to Sarah and Paul”
“I know” Jenny replied
“I don’t want to loose him” Angela said and then turned around and headed back down into the below deck part of the fishing boat.

In the distance there sounded like another explosion

Jenny rushed into the wheel house where Mark was steering the boat as best he could.

“How are we doing?” Jenny asked
“I would be happier if we were further along than this” Mark answered, “We still don’t have enough cover if they send in a tactical nuke, let alone a hydrogen bomb”
“I think they’ve started already” Jenny remarked

Mark shook his head slightly as he concentrated on piloting the boat, “I just hope that distraction spell Mitch and Cherry are working on keeps them away from this boat”

“I saw them down below” Jenny remarked, “They seem to be quite intense doing it, they had one of the pixies working on it while Cherry was giving her baby a feed”

Mark gave another sigh and then pointed to a box on the floor, “I know you’re not supposed to handle heavy objects in your condition, but please could you take the contents of that below, you know how to operate it just in case”

Jenny opened the box; it was an artificial wormhole generator

“It has two more goes before it exhausts Jenny. The destination co-ordinates are set for some place on the Mystical Realms called the Way-Long Mountains. Mr Vee said we should be safe there if we have to leave Earth”
“That’s where the Lord Low Troll is, isn’t it” Jenny challenged
“Yeah” Mark conceded, “But if they make a move on us we don’t have much option since everywhere else is under the control of the Lady High Troll.”

“What about you?” Jenny asked
“I have to pilot this boat” Mark replied

+ + +

Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth

The settlement was now in flames from the continuous fireballs being hurled by drow using their magic, no where was safe.

The pixie had lagged behind and had dropped out of sight. Padow the troll was now at the rear, with Celeste and Sue-Lim up front running for their lives and trying to dodge the hail of fireballs as they passed the settlement and were climbing up one of the hills following the river upstream from where it had forked.

The trolls had landed and were now racing up to the settlement brandishing swords and seemed to be gaining ground.

Colonel Samuel Peters along with Captain Sandra Philips met up with Celeste, Sue-Lim and the troll. The two marines were at least armed with M16 rifles, “borrowed” from the USS Bataan, but against such odds it did not seem much.

“What happened to you?” Samuel asked Sue-Lim
“A Pixie did this” she replied breathlessly “Have they hit our cabin” Sue-Lim then asled
“Afraid so” Sandra replied as she pointed to the cabin in the distance now in flames

“Pete?” Sue-Lim asked with a look of utter devastation

“Over here” Came Shamus voice above the noise. Celeste looked at where it was coming from, and there with him was Mr Vee and Pete Smith waving their arms.

“Over there” Celeste shouted as she pointed to a rise away from the small river valley. The group headed in the direction Celeste had pointed as they raced to meet up with the leprechaun.

Suddenly Celeste heard a sickening sound coming up from behind, it was another fire ball, headed in the direction of Shamus. “No!” Celeste screamed.

Suddenly Celeste vanished in front of Sue-Lim’s eyes

+ + +

A white space
Location Unknown

Celeste found herself back in this strange field of white emptiness, this time she was still in her normal clothes

“Send me back” She screamed, “I have to save my friends”

“I can not do that” a familiar voice that sounded like many rushing waters came from behind her

Celeste turned around; it was that strange man in a white suite she had seen earlier.

“I am Raguel” the figure in white introduced himself, “Your use of some kind of shield helped me find you”
“But my friends need me” Celeste pleaded
“That can not be helped” Rageul insisted, “You belong with us”
“What!” Celeste exclaimed, “Why?”
“You are a child of those who mankind believed are of us” Raguel said with irritation.

“I have to save my friends” Celeste sobbed, “I have to save my Simon” she added

Suddenly Celeste was gone

“How could she do that” the man in the white suit asked in astonishment
“You underestimate the power of love lord Raguel” a female voice came from behind him

“Bath-Kol” Raguel said in surprise as he turned to see the female figure in a brilliant white toga that shone as brilliantly as his own. “What brings you here?”

“I had wanted to see this child of an almost namesake of mine” the female figure replied.
“I had her and she left without my permission” the man in the white suit complained
“She is young lord Raguel” the female figure went on, “If she has been told, she is also a child of a prophecy so maybe we should allow that to play itself out”
“But she should be with us” the man in the white suit insisted, “and like us, she should not be interfering in the affairs of mankind”
“But she has a human soul” the female figure argued, “Are you sure she belongs with us”
“Absolutely, that soul is just a distraction” the man in the white suit countered, “When I bring her back, it will be dealt with”
“If we let her help her friends, and if need be fulfil her prophecy, what harm will it do lord Raguel” the female figure asked
“The treaty?” the man in the white suit replied
“I do not believe she is covered by it lord Raguel” The female figure insisted, “She came to be well after we were bound by it”

In the distance, unbeknown to the two a figure of fire lurked listening in.

“Hmm” the fiery figure mused, “Raguel believes that offspring from that other world with a human soul is covered by our treaty. I’m sure lord Samael will be interested in that”

And then the fiery figure disappeared back to his realm.

+ + +

Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth

Celeste found herself alongside Shamus and Mr Vee, with the fireball almost upon them.

She raised her right hand instinctively and instantly the fireball deflected off of an invisible shield.

Celeste turned around to see just down from the rise that her beloved Simon was safe alongside Major Bolak and Doctor Henshaw who was carrying one of those artificial wormhole generators and a number of emergency suitcases and three Cornish pixies. Celeste felt weak from the energy drain of the shield she had produced, and then momentarily passed out.
“Celeste” yelled Simon as he saw his girlfriend go down and tried to run towards her, but was grabbed by Major Bolak
“Let me go” Simon insisted, “She needs me”
“You don’t feel it then” Major Bolak said cryptically
“I have to get to Celeste” Simon pleaded as he tried to struggle to get free.
“It’s ok Simon” Charlene started to say.

Then in front of them a blue dot appeared in mid air as another vortex was opening up.

“Her little trip has drawn their attention” Major Bolak shouted, “Mr Vee” he then yelled, “Use your orb here”

Simon stopped struggling and saw Mr Vee pull out a blue orb, within seconds in the enlarging blue vortex another blue dot appeared, and then there was a sudden release of energy as the blue vortex collapsed knocking Simon, Charlene and Major Bolak to the ground.

+

“A vortex in a vortex is seldom a good idea except in this case” Mr Vee remarked before he turned his attention to Shamus who was attending to Celeste on the ground.

Sue-Lim finally caught up and ran into Pete’s arms; “I thought you were dead” she sobbed
“As soon as we saw the first building go, I knew we would be sitting ducks if we stayed in side” Pete replied, and then he looked down at her naked breasts, “What happened to you?” he asked, “mind you I must say you have a beautiful body as well as a wonderful mind and personality Sue-Lim”.
“Thanks Pete” Sue-Lim replied to the man she adored. The pixie disintegrated my clothes” Sue-Lim quickly explained, “But if you want me like this, like the trolls do, I’ll do it for you, because I’m so glad you’re alive” she forced out before breaking down in tears of relief.

If one day they were to be married, she would have to put behind her what happened in Miami and increase her intimacy with her Pete, and she wanted to show him she was trying. Indeed if Pete wanted her to go naked, at this moment she would comply, so grateful she was that he was still alive

“Maybe on our own at another time” Pete replied, then he quickly took off his coat and placed it around Sue-Lim and did it up, to prove to the love of his life, he was a gentleman and worthy of her.

Pete’s jacket felt really warm and this act of gallantry made her one hundred percent sure, this was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, should they be able to, raising a family with him.

The colonel and the Captain caught up with Padow the former Clan Chief of the Manjura troll clan only just following behind.

Samuel fired a burst from his machine gun in the direction of the invading trolls, but it was not much use, there would be too many of them if they were in range, which would be soon. There was no way they could out run them.

Sandra lifted up her machine gun to fire, but gave out a scream as a crossbow bolt sank itself into her chest and sank to the ground.

“Sandra” Sue-Lim Screamed, but Pete dragged her down the rise

Samuel spotted the lead drow who had fired it and returned fire. Instantly the drow burst into flame as the burst of gunfire made short work of him.

Celeste came to as Shamus was shaking her, she glance round to see the captain lying on the ground. Then Celeste saw the captain’s life thread which appeared only to Celeste, being the daughter of the Spirit of Death. Such a sight indicated the thread was about to break from the captain meaning she was dying of a mortal injury, namely the crossbow bolt in her chest.

“Oh no you don’t” Celeste shouted and without realising she could do it, fired a green bolt at the female marine captain.

The crossbow bolt dissolved into nothingness and Sandra began to roll on her side, “what happened” she asked

Samuel saw what had happened and rushed over and pulled her to her feet and the two marines headed down the rise a short way so they could take a firing position.

Celeste suddenly felt a strange surge of power course through her, as if the resuscitation of the captain had energised her somehow.

“Come on” Shamus shouted at Celeste, so she scrambled to her feet as they headed down the rise

As the two of them got to where the others apart from the two marines had congregated, Shamus then produced the two amulets of empathic protection and showed them to Celeste
“We need you to transfer the magic from these to the isotope thingy that powers their device, now hurry”

“What?” Celeste asked

“Shamus, why don’t we just use this” Mr Vee interrupted showing them a blue orb.

“Why didn’t I think of that” Shamus said as he slapped himself on the head
“That was our fault dad” Sue-Lim cut in, “We were so focused on trying to get the wormhole generator working”

“Let’s get out of here” Mr Vee said in his unflappable manner and chanted an incantation.

Immediately a blue dot appeared in the air, swirling as it grew
“Can they intercept this” Pete asked
“Not that I’m aware of Padow replied, then with a suspicious tone, “Pray where did you get this”
“Your father” Mr Vee replied

Suddenly the sound of gunfire rang through the night as both the Colonel and the Captain started firing desperately at the advance trolls who were almost coming up the rise

“Come on” Mr Vee shouted as the wormhole reached it’s maximum size

Pete and Sue-Lim jumped through first carrying as many cases as they could followed by Shamus also carrying an emergency case

The pixies then passed through the wormhole

Charlene jumped through next.

Simon grabbed Celeste’s hand,”Come on my love” Simon said to Celeste
Celeste was momentarily taken aback, “I thought you would hate me for all this” she said to Simon as she waved towards the rise where the colonel and the captain were defending to give them time to escape, “I’m the moron who gave you away in that dark space”.
“Shamus said it could have happened to anyone” Simon replied, “Now come on” he added in a new but to Celeste a pleasing masterly manner as he pulled Celeste through the wormhole

“You next my troll friend” Mr Vee said to Padow, who seemed hesitant.
“But I will not run like a coward!” Padow protested as he looked at the wormhole, “My place is here”

Mr Vee gave a brief nod at Major Bolak
“That’s not an option troll” the drow major said to the troll and suddenly a blue bolt of light flew from his hands and hit the troll, knocking him through the wormhole.

“Have you told them where they are going” Major Bolak asked Mr Vee quietly
“They’ll find out soon enough” Mr Vee replied
“I better collect our soldier friends” Major Bolak said as he pointed at the Colonel and the Captain.

+

“There’s too many of them sir” Sandra shouted to Samuel, “I’m almost out of ammo”
“We fight until we can’t fight any more” Samuel shouted back, “That’s what we signed up for when we joined the corps”

The trolls were almost upon them.

Samuel’s gun stopped. He was out of ammo.

Then up the hill came several trolls with battle axes waiting to bear down on them. There was no way they would survive this one. Defending the rise so the others could get away had turned out to be a suicide mission.

Suddenly the trolls froze

“What?” Samuel asked
“I don’t understand” Sandra chipped in

“Don’t lie there” Major Bolak shouted at them, “I can not keep this time stop for too long, the other drow will detect it and use counter measures, so get down to that wormhole now”

Samuel and Sandra rapidly got up and ran down the hill followed by the drow major. The wormhole and Mr Vee were frozen in time as well

“Don’t try and enter it yet” Major Bolak shouted

Samuel grabbed Sandra’s hand to prevent her from entering the wormhole just in time.

A few seconds later Major Bolak caught up

“I am about to start time up again” Major Bolak said hurriedly, “As soon as I do, jump”

“What about you and Mr Vee” Samuel asked
“They may have dampened everyone else’s ability to teleport” Major Bolak smiled, “But I know how the Hadreth do it, so I know how to get around it”

Suddenly there was the sound of the trolls shouting.
“JUMP” Major Bolak yelled

Samuel yanked Sandra though the wormhole

Major Bolak grabbed Mr Vee by the shoulder as the wormhole evaporated.

To the disappointment of the trolls rushing down the rise, Mr Vee and Major Bolak vanished into thin air

+

Consort Vabalavich stepped onto the beach and looked up at the Grytviken settlement as it burned through the night.

A drow officer came to greet him. He kneeled before Vabalavich and gave him his sword
“I surrender my life my liege for my failure” he said to his drow master

“Why do you say this is a failure” Vabalavich asked as he took the sword, “We have cleared this settlement of this so called resistance”
“But we did not get to kill any of the humans or capture them” the drow officer responded, “They escaped through a wormhole”
“One of theirs?” Vabalavich asked
“No my liege, one of ours, a troll reported it was blue not green”
“So they had help then” Vabalavich answered
“That still does not excuse my failure” the drow officer replied
“Oh come it is not all yours, for I was the one who lost us the element of surprise, for that I spare your life this time.” Vabalavich continued.
“That is most merciful my liege” the officer replied
“Did you capture anyone” Vabalavich asked

“We captured this creature” A troll interrupted as it held up a struggling pixie, “Shall I snap it’s neck now?”
“No!” Vabalavich insisted, “Bring him here”

The troll carried the struggling pixie to Vabalavich
“You won’t get anything from me” the pixie squealed
“Oh won’t I?” Vabalavich smiled as he placed his hand on the pixie’s head, “You see pixies are so scattered in their thoughts and not at all disciplined like a drow of the Hadreth order”

The pixie screamed as Vabalavich overcame the pixies psychic shield

Vabalavich stepped back, looking a little shocked. “Now you can dispatch it” he said to the troll.

The troll took the pixies head in his other giant hand and twisted it until there was a cracking sound, followed by the sudden incineration of the pixies body.

The drow officer looked up, “My liege”

“Get up” Vabalavich ordered

The drow officer stood up, looking confused.

“Some of us need to return home” Vabalavich told him
“And I am to be sent home in disgrace” the drow officer replied
“No, you still have work on this island” Vabalavich growled, “Some of the humans escaped by sea and are heading for some other settlement on this island, a place called Stromness. As soon as it is located I want you to welcome our sea travellers with a welcome they will never forget” he added handing back the sword
“Will you be joining us in rooting out these remaining humans?” the drow officer asked
“No” Vabalavich answered, “It appears our leader the Lady High Troll’s father is very much alive”
“And you are going to tell her this happy news?”
“You know what?” Vabalavich smiled, “I’m not sure I will”
“As you wish my liege”
“Carry on” Vabalavich replied as he then gave a hand gesture to another drow with an orb.

Soon there was a swirling blue dot, building to a vortex and within a minute, Vabalavich had left for the Mystical Realms

+ + +

Deep inside a lava tube
Location unknown

“Where the Sam Hill is this place” Samuel asked as the wormhole collapsed as he and Captain Sandra Philips were the last through
“I think I know Colonel” Pete spoke up and then pointed to the out side, “Those are stinger fans”
Samuel turned around and looked into the distance at the strange plants in the distance, “Those are strange trees” he remarked

“Those are not trees Colonel, they’re animals” Pete went on, “From your commander’s report and that from Jenny, this looks like that world Timothy Zachary managed to create, he called it Aurelia”
“What!” Captain Philips exclaimed
“Yeah” Pete replied, “and I wouldn’t go out, there is some kind of solar storm outside bathing the planet here with radiation lethal to us but not to the stinger fans. We are safe inside this lava tube for now”

Sue-Lim came up behind Pete, still wearing his jacket, “You’re right Pete” she said to Pete, “My father has been here before, he left us supplies”

“I don’t understand” Sandra replied, “What’s going on, I thought we were going to somewhere on the Mystical Realms”
Samuel shook his head, “Since he or Major Bolak didn’t come with us, it’s obvious what he’s done”
“He sold us out, hasn’t he” Sue-Lim said angrily, “My own father and that Major Bolak have been working for the Lady High Troll all along”
“Nope” Samuel contradicted, “They’re not in league with her, or we would have been delivered to Karam Tag Chou”
“Then who are they working for” Sue-Lim Asked
“His father I suspect” Samuel said pointing at a bewildered Padow who was coming up to meet the colonel.
“He’s after Graeme Andrews I believe” Padow suggested, “After all this Mr Vee of yours and my father were friends for many years”
“You knew that all along and you never told us?” Samuel asked with incredulity
“I apologise” Padow replied, “I never felt it relevant until now”

+ + +

Aboard an old fishing boat
In the waters off of South Georgia

Major Bolak and Mr Vee appeard on the deck of the fishing boat. They had the element of surprise. So far the commander in the wheelhouse had not noticed their arrival.
“Will they be alright in that cave you sent them to?” Major Bolak asked
“We left enough supplies on IDW02” Mr Vee replied, “They have Celeste, the amulets and a generator if we can not get back to them. Pete and Sue-Lim should eventually be able to make their way back to Earth in due course”
“Doesn’t time pass slower in that realm?” Major Bolak asked
“I believe there was a mismatch, but then since wormholes to that world were opened, it seems to be in lockstep with our world” Mr Vee answered
“OK let’s do what we came to do” Major Bolak said as he looked up at the wheelhouse.
“Agreed” Mr Vee replied, “The sooner we act the sooner we can get rid of our more immediate problem namely this blasted invasion”

“Mr Vee?” a female voice came. It was Jenny Green, “Major Bolak, what are you doing here”
“I’m so sorry” Mr Vee replied, “But you have someone on this boat we need”

Suddenly Jenny was looking at a blue vortex as it was collapsing.

There was a scream from below, so Jenny raced down to find Angela, Sarah and baby Paul in tears.

Both the twins, Caer and Fidelity were sitting in shock at something that had happened

“He’s gone” Angela wailed, “My husband has just vanished”
“It was Mr Vee and Major Bolak” Jenny exclaimed in realisation, and then she noticed to her horror that the two adult leprechauns were unconscious, and no longer performing the distraction spell. A pixie was recovering, “We were attacked by Major Bolak it whined, “He said they needed a diversion and we were it”

“Oh No” Jenny thought and she raced up on deck to see her Mark, only to see another blue dot hovering above the deck between her and the wheel house and the dot was growing..

To be continued

[GypsyGoth]

So far I'm down to Schrödinger's Cat, not sure I fully understand that idea.

Anyway the story is still entertaining, it's like The 10th Kingdom but more adult.

[Sticks]

Episode V – Internal Conflicts

It is said that in Hell there is one place that is worse than any other of the nine circles of hell, and that place is reserved for one Judas Iscariot.

For centuries the name has been synonymous with betrayal, even without the Iscariot part. For the record the Iscariots were an extreme nationalistic group and were known to carry knives in secret before striking at their target. Judas was therefore an extreme nationalist, but his betrayal was not out of principle, but out of money, thirty pieces of it.

To be called a Judas is a heinous insult. Nobody likes a traitor even those sides that the person betrays another to.

Betrayal is such a harsh crime that people find most difficult to come to terms with when it happens to them.

And now it seems that that is exactly what has happened to the survivors forced to flee from their refuge in Grytviken when the drow discovered it. One group has been tricked into going to a completely different world from Earth and the Mystical Realms, and the others who were fleeing by boat have been betrayed and one of their number, Graeme Andrews has been abducted by none other than Mr Vee and Major Bolak. And now Major Bolak has left them to the mercy of the forces of the Lady High Troll and her drow consort, Vabalavich.

+ + +

Aboard an old fishing boat
In the waters off of South Georgia

Jenny did not have much time and raced as fast as she could past the growing vortex just above the deck to the wheel house screaming for Commander Mark Johnston.

Mark heard Jenny’s scream and turned round to see Jenny come in to the wheel house, and then he noticed over the deck the fully formed wormhole.

“What happened to the distraction spell” Mark demanded to know
“We’ve been betrayed Mark” Jenny shouted, “By Mr Vee and Major Bolak”

Before Mark could say any more, four trolls accompanied by two drow came through the wormhole. The Trolls were armed with repeating cross bows.

One of the drow was carrying bull horn. He put it to his lips, “Everyone on this boat is to surrender or we will deny everyone of you air”

“We’ve got to do something Mark” Jenny pressed
“Like what” Mark replied as he shut down the engine of the boat and picked up the microphone for the boat’s public address system.

One of the trolls rushed into the wheelhouse and pointed his crossbow at Mark and then Jenny, “Give me an excuse human scum” it growled

Jenny put her hands up, as there was nothing she could do.

“I was just giving the order to surrender” Mark said to the troll
“Pity” the troll replied, “I want to see my troll friends, the other humans slaughtered avenged”

“You will Captain Olain” said one of the drow who had followed the troll into the wheel house, “But first this human is to give the order to surrender and that all prisoners are to come up on deck”

Mark reluctantly keyed the microphone, “I’m sorry guys, we have no choice but to surrender” he said into the microphone, “You are all to report to the deck, and please no heroics”

Mark and Jenny left the wheelhouse and then as they were directed, knelt down on the deck with their hands behind their heads.

Slowly, under the watch of the two drow and the trolls, the two pixies; the two leprechauns Mitch and Cherry, carrying their baby son; the twins with Caer carrying the toddler Paul Andrews came up on deck. Then Angela came up on deck holding Sarah’s hand.

As directed all of them were ordered to kneel down with their hands behind their heads.

Caer was ordered to lay Paul on the deck. The leprechauns were told to lay their baby on the deck as well.

A troll poked Angela with his cross bow ordering her to kneel
“I can’t she protested, “I’m pregnant”

“I can easily rip that baby from belly and feed you both to the sharks, now kneel scum” the troll shouted at the top of its voice.

In terror Angela lowered her self down next to Jenny and put her hands behind her heads.

The children Sarah and Paul and the baby leprechaun were all crying, a troll came up to the young girl, “Stop that noise or you will be tossed overboard” it shouted.

“They’re just Children” Angela objected, but this brought a swift and brutal slap round her face, knocking her into Jenny and giving Angela a nose bleed and a black eye.

“I know how to shut them up” the troll then replied and grabbed Paul and Sarah in his hands and held them over the rail of the boat to drop them into the sea. “One of you get that baby leprechaun” it shouted, “They are of little value so let’s dispose of them now”

“NO!” The drow that had been carrying the bull horn shouted, “Captain Orlain bring the younglings here now” he ordered, “Vabalavich wants everyone aboard this vessel including them”.

Sarah froze in terror as she looked down at the dark swirling waters below. These trolls were not like the other trolls she remembered from her time at Karam Tag Chou, they were nastier and now they were going to kill her and her baby brother.

“And who made you or him our leader” the troll objected as he held the children over the side of the boat, “I am just going to get rid of these worthless”

Suddenly the troll stopped, while the other drow was chanting some kind of spell, he was unable to release his grip to drop the two children into the cold waters of the South Atlantic.

“After my colleague releases you from the holding spell, if you drop them, you will be ash” The first drow ordered, “Brameana has given Consort Vabalavich total authority over all forces here on this world, and Vabalavich has appointed us drow as your commanders, so you will obey us, is that clear?”

The other drow stopped the chant and reluctantly the troll brought the children back over the rail and threw Sarah onto the deck so she landed on her back. She screamed out in pain and continued crying. Then the troll threw her brother at her. Even though she was seven, Sarah only just managed to catch her brother, and he too was crying at the rough treatment metered out by the troll.

The drow walked up to the troll, “When we get back I will be reporting this insubordination”
“When we get back” the troll growled, “I will be complaining to the Lady High Troll as well at how the drow interfere with the operation of my squad and prevented me from doing what I saw fit”
“That is your prerogative Captain Orlain, but until such time as the Lady High Trolls rules in your favour you will obey your drow leaders, now because of your insolence I am relieving you of command, Sergeant Tragon you are lead troll”
“Yes sir” one of the other trolls replied

Jenny wanted to help a weeping Angela try and kneel up, but the trolls were barking orders at how they were not to move. Somehow Angela was just able to return to the kneeling position, blood running down from her nose and the bruise on the side of her head starting to show

Then the other drow chanted an incantation and immediately Jenny was unable to see.

“Mummy I can’t see” Jenny heard Sarah scream, so it seemed this blindness was magical and affected everyone who had been captured on the boat.

The first drow then used his bull horn to speak above the sound of the sea, “We have now placed a blindness spell on all of you. This is how we control prisoners of the Hadreth. You will be blind right up to and through out your trial. When convicted as you definitely will be, you will remain blind through to your sentence and during it. The last sight you saw a moment ago was the last sight you saw of your wretched lives.” The drow went on “You are all charged with being enemies of Brameana the Lady High Troll, the punishment for this crime is death by hanging or drowning in the drowning tank. In a moment my colleague will open up the gate to Central City where you will be held pending your trial. You will be guided through the gate by the trolls. Any attempts at escape will be futile. Is that Clear”

The drow waited for a second and then asked, “I said is that clear?” he bellowed through the bull horn”

“Yes” the human and leprechaun adults including the twins replied in unison

Jenny heard the footsteps of a troll walk up behind her, it was Captain Orlain, and then she heard him speak to Angela, “I’m so looking forward to see a pregnant human hanged or drowned, it’s more than you vermin deserve” it growled.

+ + +

A Place of Eternal Fire
Location Unknown

The large fiery figure pondered what he heard as he sat on a large boulder between the endless flows of what appeared to be lava. “And you say you overheard that so called loyal one Raguel discuss this with Bath-Kol”
“Yes my lord Samael” a slightly smaller figure, also made of fire replied.
“So why is this of interest to us Bernael?” the larger fiery figure demanded to know
“Simple my lord Samael” the second fiery figure went on, “This Celeste entity by their own rules it seems should be one of them, but if she is with those revolting half breeds and interacting with them, we can claim by their own beliefs about this entity that they have violated the treaty my lord Samael”
“Meaning” the large fiery figure asked
“We will be free to go back to that submarine in nineteen sixty two and make that captain launch that torpedo like we should have done”
“You were so disappointed back then Bernael” the large fiery figure mused
“Yes my lord Samael” the smaller fiery figure replied, “I was so close to annihilating the half-breeds by their own hand when we were out manoeuvred by an entity that was created and formed by those wretched half breeds”

The large fiery figure sighed, “Bernael, I am aware of what happened then, as I told you at the time, there was no guarantee that a nuclear war at that time would have successfully wiped out all the half breeds with no survivors, plus the drow gave us the chance to gain a victory of sorts over the so called loyal ones. It was an offer I could not pass up lightly”
“But the so called loyal ones are clearly in breach” the second fiery figure went on, “We are entitled to re-write history”
“No Bernael” the large fiery figure replied
“Why not?” the smaller fiery figure protested, “We are not restricted by causality, all that has been can have just been a prediction of what shall happen if we listen to that entity”

“Do not be so sure about this causality issue” the large fiery figure went on, “These are complex issues and any change to what has been will also be detected by the so called loyal one and they may not feel so bound by the treaty, besides think of all the souls that have been collected by us since that day on the submarine, we would loose them if we changed history”
“But they have violated the treaty” the smaller fiery figure insisted, “We have the right to act against the stinking half breeds and those entities known as the drow who have shackled us for so long”
“Bernael” The fiery figure replied forcefully, “I too want the half breeds exterminated, but what you propose could take us in to direct conflict with those who did not join our rebellion and you of all of us should remember what happened last time we were in direct conflict”
“And you my lord Samael are growing weak and ineffective” the smaller fiery figure spat back, “The others of our brethren who were loyal to the cause are questioning your leadership. We have the perfect opportunity to act to wipe out those half breeds the so called loyal ones call mankind, and you do nothing”

The first fiery figure stood up and angrily looked down at the smaller fiery figure, “You are welcome to challenge me any time Bernael, since you have been sniping at me ever since we signed that treaty, but like a coward you refuse to do so”

The second fiery figure knelt down in front of the larger fiery figure, “My apologies my lord Samael I have no desire to challenge your leadership” he grudgingly said, “It is because we all grow frustrated that the half breeds did not wipe themselves out as we expected they would without the intervention of their guardians the so called loyal ones” then the smaller fiery figure looked up, “But the fact remains, they are in breach of the treaty on account that the entity called Celeste who they say should be one of them intervened in the affairs of the half breeds, even to the point of saving their miserable lives one time in a place they called Belfast”
“I remember that Bernael” the large fiery figure conceded, “I had such high hopes for mass carnage, but it was not to be thanks to her”
“Then you must agree my lord that they are in breach” the smaller fiery figure replied
“I am not convinced we could make that case Bernael, after all this seems tenuous and she did not come into existence when we did, that may yet be a loophole the drow could point to. The drow could also contend that this is an erroneous interpretation of Raguel”

The smaller fiery figure was silent for a moment and then spoke up, “But that Raguel, he abducted her briefly from a group of those half breeds, if she is not really one of the loyal ones, then that means they interfered directly with the half breeds and still are in violation” he grinned
“That charge is more likely to stand if she was aiding the half breeds and by removing her that was seen as interference in that aid” the larger fiery figure conceded, “But we need to be more circumspect Bernael, they could say her removal is not aiding the half breeds but hindering then”
“My lord?”

“Find this entity Celeste and shadow her” the larger fiery figure instructed, “And if Raguel tries to collect her again, summon me and I will see if we have a case of treaty violation”
“And if we do my lord Samael?” the smaller fiery figure asked
“Then we will be free to dispense with the meddlesome drow and wreak wholesale slaughter of the half breeds instead of being limited to whispering temptations into their ears”
“But if the so called loyal ones try to intervene since you said we could not fight them directly what is the plan?” the smaller fiery figure asked
“Well” smiled the larger fiery figure “As I supplied the drow with the replication magics, we will are already well capable of mass replication of the hydrogen bombs they used. And as we have the element of surprise, we will have blanketed the world of the half breeds with exploding hydrogen bombs before they can even decide if they can act against us”
“And if the drow intervene?” the smaller fiery figure asked, “They made it quite clear they did not want to see these half breeds exterminated so they could exploit them”
“I have the power to obliterate any entity from that other world, including drow of that jumped up Hadreth order” the larger fiery figure replied, “I so long to have an excuse to use it against that so called Hadreth leader, Consort Vabalavich”

+ + +

A wilderness cave
The Walong Mountains
The Mystical Realms

“It’s always a pleasure doing business with you my old friend” The Lord Low Troll said to Mr Vee as he took possession of what looked like a large pearl.
“Mr Andrews delivered to you as requested Madron” Mr Vee replied, “I presume you need this back he then said as he produced a blue orb

The Lord Low Troll took it for a moment and was lost in thought. “Do you want me to open a gateway to Earth?”

“Not just yet” Major Bolak chipped in, “but after you send us back in time, I will need to use it to return to Moscow to move against Vabalavich before he moved against me”
“I thought you were unable to do that Major because you lacked proof at the time” Mr Vee said to the drow.
“This time I will not be hampered by such niceties” Major Bolak said with a sneer, “If need be I will answer to the Drow High Council, and as you will be with me I do not think they will be a problem”

The Lord Low Troll handed Mr Vee back the orb, “I trust you to look after it my old friend, and after all I am long past my days when I went gallivanting all over the place, I mean the Targon Berries will need to be harvested if a few days time. I am hoping for a good crop this season”

“We look forward to sampling them” Major Bolak replied
“Before we sort out my part of this bargain” The Lord Low Troll then said, as if to change subject, “I believe Mazy should be taken home back to her world”
“Has she been a problem?” Mr Vee asked
“Oh no” The Lord Low Troll replied, “There was a brief misunderstanding at first when she thought she had to go as single troll females should do”
“That was my fault” Mr Vee smiled, “I told her all about troll customs and I suppose like all former minor spirits of virtue would, she felt compelled to comply”
“Quite so Mr Vee” The Lord Low Troll smiled back, “I just feel she should be back with her own kind, even though she and Meetal get on quite well”
“Well fortunately” Mr Vee went on, “They didn’t send a nuclear weapon to that town I brought her from”
“That Vabalavich” must be slipping the Lord Low Troll said with an air of disdain, “I mean a drow was killed in that town, I would have expected some form of reprisal against it”
“Mr Vee told me about it” Major Bolak cut in, “The drow tried to take Meetal and his travelling companion on alone, hardly the Hadreth way”
“Yes” The Lord Low Troll agreed, “They usually bring others with them”
“Most likely the town was spared because Vabalavich considered that drow reckless and not worthy of such a response”
“Whatever” Mr Vee replied, “I would like to get on before the others managed to interfere in our deal”
“Where are they” The Lord Low Troll asked
“I sent one lot to another world we discovered” Mr Vee replied, “And the other lot were on an old whaling boat heading for another part of that island they were staying on, that was where we picked Mr Andrews up from”
The Lord Low Troll then asked, “Did you have any problems capturing this criminal?”

Mr Vee shook his head, “We teleported in thanks to the Major, he stopped time and I collected Mr Andrews and started up the orb to bring us here”
“And I made sure the other drow had another target to go for instead of following us by disrupting the distraction spell the leprechauns were doing” Major Bolak admitted in a matter of fact manner.
“You did what?” Mr Vee asked turning to Major Bolak, “We were there just to collect Mr Andrews. Do you know what they will do to them” Mr Vee asked
“Probably have them executed publicly if they have not killed them already” Major Bolak replied, “But what does it matter?”

Mr Vee gave Major Bolak a cold hard stare

“Come on” Major Bolak protested, “If we succeed using this time travel the Lord Low Troll here is offering, this will never have happened, and even if we succeed without the time travel, then it is acceptable losses”

“You drow are so cold” the Lord Low Troll remarked
“Thank you” the drow replied, “We do try, and if I say so my self, during your prime you could have been one of us with the way you ruled”
“I did what I did because I had to” The Lord Low Troll replied
“And so did we” Bolak replied, “But we are wasting time” the major added, “I want to get back in time and deal with Vabalavich before he can do the damage he did”
“Oh yes” The Lord Low Troll replied, “We need to work out a time you need to go back to”

“Be fore we do this” Mr Vee asked, “What happens to our younger selves should we manage to change the past?”
“I’m not sure my old friend” The Lord Low Troll replied, “This magic is from the very beginning and is considered one of the darkest. Some thought that those who went back, replaced their younger selves, or it was their consciousness and memories that went back to their younger selves, it has been a while since I studied the ancient magics, so I forget which.”

“You said you had means to defeat the Lady High Troll without the need for time travel” Mr Vee asked,
“Yes I do” The Lord Low Troll answered, “But I am offering you the chance to reset things, to prevent those bombs that destroyed your cities from ever happening, why would you not want to do that?”
“There was some discussion as to whether it was possible to change the past” Mr Vee answered
“From mere theoreticians” Major Bolak interrupted, “And anyway those theoreticians are safe on that other world you called IDW02”

“But the commander was on that boat” Mr Vee pointed out, “That very boat you handed over to the forces of Vabalavich”
“As I said, so they would concentrate on them and not on us” Major Bolak replied, “And as I pointed out, if we use the time travel option, their possible capture and executions will never have happened, and if we do not use time travel, well as your Napoleon Bonaparte said, You can not make an omelette without breaking a few eggs”

“If it is not too late” Mr Vee went on, “We need to go back and undo what you did Major” he said sternly
“I don’t see why” Major Bolak retorted, “It’s probably already too late so why bother”
“Humour me” Mr Vee replied.

“You want to take on several drow and who knows how many trolls be my guest” Major Bolak remarked with incredulity, and then told Mr Vee “But suppose we are not too late, we would lead their forces right back here”

“Your concern is touching drow” The Lord Low Troll interrupted, “But I know a few tricks and I am coming round to my old friend’s view point here because if the minions of that Vabalavich who has so led my daughter astray can suffer a minor humiliation before we try and take him out, then that would not displease me”

“This is pointless foolishness and so unnecessary” Major Bolak complained
“We would not be doing this if you had not left the boat defenceless Major” Mr Vee told him slowly and deliberately, “We only needed to collect Mr Andrews, with your time stop spell Sky Guard would not have picked us up”
“I was only doing what I thought would prevent the Hadreth from discovering the Lord Low Trolls hiding place” Major Bolak pressed

“They would not have found me Major” The Lord Low troll replied, then turning to Mr Vee added, “I will get you some magics, but first I must put this imprisoning crystal safe until I can arrange for Mr Andrews trial”
“And if you want to execute him” Major Bolak interjected, “I for one would have no objections as unlike the humans, we drow are never squeamish when it comes to doing whatever it takes to get the job done”
“You sound like you could have been a Hadreth” the Lord Low Troll remarked
“Except I was loyal to the Drow High Council, not some splinter order out for their own self interests”
“Apart from that you seem like two of a kind at times to me” Mr Vee added dryly

+ + +

Deep inside a lava tube
Inter Dimensional World 02

Down in a small side tunnel away from the rest of the group Sue-Lim and Pete Smith stood in front of each other.
“Pete the reason I asked to speak to you in private,” she began, “I thought I better return your jacket since it’s warmer in here than at Grytviken I don’t need it anymore” she said as she unzipped Pete’s Jacket and slowly started to removed it in front of him

Pete put both hands on her shoulders to stop her removing the jacket any further as she had nothing on underneath it, “You don’t have to do this for me” he told her
“I need to Pete” Sue-Lim nervously insisted, “Honestly Pete I won’t mind going without a top in front of you so as the trolls put it, you can see my assets. I want you to see them”

Sue-Lim then swallowed and continued “I should have done this long ago Pete and I want to do this one thing for you, I also wanted to say I’m sorry I was so cold to you all this time” she forced out”
“I understand Sue-Lim love” Pete jumped in, “But you don’t have to go like that in front of me or for that matter the others as well”
“But” Sue-Lim tried to say, but Pete was determined to continue
“I can see it in your eyes Sue-Lim you’re not comfortable with doing that” Pete continued, “This is not you, the prim and proper Sue-Lim I know and love”

“But I have to” Sue-Lim insisted and then backed away slightly, took the jacket right off and then she offered it back to Pete, “I have learn to put what happened to me in Miami behind me Pete and if I have to go like this because of that pixie” she then said pointing to the bare upper part of her body, “then I’ll get used to it Pete, you’ve all seen it anyway on the Bataan” she said softly.

Although Pete could see Sue-Lim had a beautiful body which at an animal level he liked, it just did not seem right. Pete could tell that his precious Sue-Lim was trying to be brave, trying to force from her mind, by some strange form of aversion therapy the brutal rape she sustained all those months ago in Miami and then the further humiliation when she, like him was forced to strip naked on the flight deck of the USS Bataan. But that was because the captain had refused to believe that they were human. Now it seemed to Pete that the pixie disintegrating her clothes above her waist because it thought, Sue-Lim as technically an unmarried female would offend Padow the troll if she was wearing a top seemed to have given Sue-Lim the crazy idea she had to go like that.

“Sue-Lim you don’t have to go like that” Pete insisted as he tried to drape his jacket over Sue-Lim’s shoulders, but she backed away.
“I don’t deserve it Pete or you” Sue-Lim said quietly as tears rolled down her face and she turned her back on Pete, “I must endure my humiliation as that is what I deserve” she whispered, “And I will understand if you wish to have nothing more to do with me”
“That’s rubbish Sue-Lim and you know it” Pete replied, “You don’t deserve humiliation Sue-Lim and as far as I’m concerned, we were made for each other”

Sue-Lim looked at the ground and for the moment did not know what to say, and then looked up with tears still streaming down her face and turned back to face Pete, “But we’re trapped here thanks to my father” she managed to get out.
“And you’re not responsible for that” Pete told her. As he put his hands on her bare shoulders and hugged her close to his chest
“But why do I feel that way” Sue-Lim said as she broke down into tears.

Pete held Sue-Lim in his arms and kissed the top of her head. He was not convinced she had fully recovered from her nervous breakdown before Earth fell. She was not being rational thinking her would not want her any more and even crazier thinking she would have to go topless in front of everyone else because of what that pixie had done to her. There was no need for any of this as Pete was devoted to her and as for her clothes she had lost, well her emergency case was here with clothes to replace those disintegrated by the pixie.

Then Pete had a sudden thought, sure this was not strictly valid here or any where, but Pete let Sue-Lim go and pulled off his tee-shirt and offered it to Sue-Lim. Sue-Lim shook her head slightly.
“Please” Pete said quietly, “We may not be trolls, but this is how I feel about you. I want you to be my wife, I want to have kids with you and grow old with you.”

For a moment Sue-Lim was stunned, but as Pete stood there being firm and yet loving and a gentleman as he always was, Sue-Lim reluctantly took the shirt and put it on. It had Pete’s smell on it, which she really liked. Pete wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. Then told her, “I refuse to concede that we are trapped here Sue-Lim, we just have to convince Celeste she can transfer the magic from those amulets into the isotope”

“Are you guys ok” interrupted a female voice, it was Captain Sandra Philips. She eyed Pete’s now naked torso and spotted Sue-Lim wearing his shirt, “If you were trolls I could say congratulations you two” she said nervously
“I wish we were trolls” Pete replied, “Sue-Lim is the one for me” he added as he gave her a hug with one arm

Sue-Lim blushed and wiped her face with her hand.
“I’m so sorry to but in on this private moment you two” Sandra went on, “But because Celeste saved my life back there on Earth, I owe her”

“And?” Pete asked
“It’s about why I believe Charlene has such a problem with Celeste and goes on about that time she gave you that cursed scarf Sue-Lim” Sandra replied.

+ + +

A white space
Location: Unknown

The female figure in white approached the male figure in white, “You look perplexed my lord Raguel” she said
“Never before Bath-Kol has another one of our brethren, apart from the fallen ones has defied me” he replied
“So you are troubled my lord that this Celeste child was able to travel back to her world?” the female figure asked
“I am appointed to watch over the affairs of us all” the male figure replied, “I keep you all in line so this defiance undermines my authority and makes it impossible for me to do my job”
“Really my lord” The female figure asked, “And who keeps you in line?”
“What to you mean by that Bath Kol” the male figure in white asked angrily, “I keep myself above reproach, even that fallen one could not trap me into breaking the treaty”
The female figure in white gave the male figure in white a cold hard stare and then slowly and deliberately asked “Does not the good book say, wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

“You are quoting scripture at me?” the male figure in white retorted.
“You are so focused on taking that child from the world of mankind my lord because you maintain she should be with us” the female figure went on undeterred, “that you will not see that perhaps she may have a destiny with mankind at this time”
“No Bath-Kol, she is a child of those thought to be of us, including one as you. She is to be one of us” the male figure insisted, “She has no purpose being with mankind, her place is here”
“My lord” the female figure in white pressed, “I came to ask you to leave her alone. You may watch over us, but I am to watch over what may yet come to pass and she features in that possible future, especially with how mankind is now enslaved.”
“No Bath-Kol she should not be involved in helping mankind in any way shape or form” The male figure in white replied, “We are bound by the treaty no longer to intervene on pain of the destruction of mankind and as she should be with us, she likewise is so bound”
“Oh how I tire of that excuse” the female figure in white replied with an air of irritation, “We can not do anything for those we were appointed guardians of because of that infernal treaty”
“But that is the situation and we must abide by what we agreed to” the male figure in white insisted
“So you will not relent and leave the child with mankind?” the female figure in white asked
“Absolutely not” the male figure in white answered, “The moment I find her, I will take her, by force if required and she will be held here so she can not interfere with man kind in violation of the treaty”

“So my lord Raguel we are at an impasse my lord” the female figure in white answered back, “You leave me no choice but to appeal to Metatron himself on this matter”
“You will not disturb our leader over this matter” the male figure in white ordered, “It is not up for discussion” he added as he forcefully grabbed the female figures right arm. “Don’t make me confine you like we did to Kerael”
The female figure tried to pull her arm away from the male figure in white and looked angrily at him “My lord Raguel” the female figure in white said in a determined tone, “If I am violating our laws then deal with me as is your duty dictates, but last time I checked my lord Raguel, speaking with our leader was not against any of them”
“Bath Kol” the male figure in white replied in an equally angry tone, “You leave me no option”

Suddenly two other figures in white appeared

“She is to be confined pending trial” The male figure said to the two new figures.
The two figures in white promptly grabbed the arms of the female figure in white as the male figure in white let go of her arm

“On what charge are you holding me” the female figure asked angrily
“I will decide that at your trial” he replied. “Hold her incommunicado” the male figure in white instructed to two new figures in white, “I have to visit the world of mankind to retrieve one of our own”

With that all the figures in white vanished.

+ + +

Aboard an old fishing boat
In the waters off of South Georgia

Jenny heard the tell tale swirling as the vortex to the Mystical Realms got to full size, soon the trolls would be man handling them all through to what ever dungeon would await, there to wait for their execution. All blind thanks to the drow magic.

Suddenly there was a strange sound from the vortex and then it was no more

“What happened to the gate?” asked the drow with the bull horn
“It was collapsed” the second drow answered
“Deliberately?” Jenny heard the first drow ask

The other drow must have nodded because Jenny did not hear a reply but she heard the drow walk across to where she guessed the leprechauns and the pixie were kneeling on the deck of the boat. “This your doing?” the first drow asked

“No sir” Jenny heard Mitch O’Kerry answer
“What about her” the first drow asked angrily
“I don’t have that power sir” Jenny heard Cherry answer
“So it was one of you Pixies” The drow said in a menacing tone
“It wasn’t me” Jenny heard a pixie squeal
“It wasn’t me either” squealed the other pixie.

“What about the leprechaun infant?” Jenny heard one of the trolls ask
“They do not exhibit any powers so young” the first drow replied
“I say we toss the leprechauns and the pixies over board” Jenny heard the troll called Orlain growl.
“When I want your opinion I will give it to you” the first Drow replied

“It wasn’t any of them Takrel” the second drow then spoke up, “It was me” he added in a deliberate manner

“Asgerd What is the meaning of this” Jenny heard the first drow demand in an angry tone.

Suddenly there was the sound of electricity arcing all around them and the sound made when an entity from the Mystical Realms incinerated upon death and the smell given off when an entity died in this world.

“What is the meaning of this treachery?” Jenny heard the first drow ask
“You a Hadreth drow ask me about treachery” the second drow spat back with a sound of incredulity, “And I am not Asgerd” it added
“A doppelganger assassin” Jenny heard the first drow sneer.

This brought back painful memories to Jenny Green, of how she first entered the murky world of the Mystical Realms and the secret government agency that dealt with entities from that world. It was all because one cold winter’s day she had been attacked and brutally beaten and left for dead by what she thought was a human but had turned out to be one of those shape shifting creatures. To make matters worse, a former customer had been manipulated into hiring it for a mere thirty pounds so he could play the hero and beat off Jenny’s “attacker” The whole thing had been a ruse by a corrupt technician from the old Inter Dimensional Entity Control UK organisation to get one of those creatures into the former UK base known as the facility. But by now, that was, or should have been water under the bridge, especially with the death of that technician.

Jenny quietly shook her head and wondered what was going on.

“I am no doppelganger assassin” the second retorted, “I am Jaheel Son of Golpin”
“The former head of the Drow High Council” the first drow said in a voice that gave no hint of astonishment, but some how Jenny could tell that this revelation was a blow.
“So it is not just us Hadreth who know how to do subterfuge” the first drow snapped back, “I will enjoy seeing you executed by Vabalavich himself just like we put your father and your sister to death”

Suddenly a gun shot rang out across the boat and there was the sound of more incineration.

But who had fired the fatal shot?

There was the sound of chanting, and it seemed that it was the voice of the second drow.

Suddenly Jenny’s vision cleared up and she could see.

“You may get up” came the voice of the second drow, “Your compatriot requires clothing” he added.

Slowly the group got to their feet, and Jenny and the drow helped Angela to her feet.

“I apologise for your treatment” Jaheel the drow apologised to Angela, “I could not move until I had brought in my partner from the resistance, thanks to the fairies”

“I don’t understand, what’s going on” Angela replied as she wept openly, her face now bloodied and swelling up thanks to the troll who had hit her.
Jaheel took out small vial and handed it to Angela, “Drink this” he instructed.

Jenny noticed it was just like the potion that she had once been given by the late Captain Strang of the Manjura troll clan, it was a healing potion.

Then on the other side of the deck Jenny caught sight of someone she had not seen for ages, and then the last time she saw her was when they said goodbye at Luton airport.

It was a former corporal in the US army, Tania McCaskey, standing there stark naked and shivering in the cold holding a nine millimetre automatic. Above her fluttering around were two fairies, equally naked but unlike Tania they were not affected by the cold

Mark took off his coat and rushed to the corporal and placed it around her. Jenny left Angela with the drow and rushed over to Tania as well.

As the others went down below at the instruction of the drow, the drow came over to talk with Mark, Jenny and Tania.

“I believe you have met” Jaheel opened with
“I worked together with the commander a while back” Tania was able to get out through her chattering teeth.
“What’s going on?” Mark asked Jaheel in a stern voice.
“Take my partner below and find her clothing” Jaheel replied, “Then I will talk”

“I’ll take her” Jenny volunteered and then put an arm around the corporal and escorted her down below deck as the fairies fluttered behind.
“What happened to your clothes” Jenny asked as they went down the steps.
“The fairies said they could not transport me if I was wearing them” Tania replied, “My gun had to come with the other one” she added

“We had to wait for Jaheel to open that second wormhole” squeaked one of the fairies who had been following.
“It was the only way to hide our entry with Jaheel’s lover” squeaked the other fairy

“Lover?” Jenny questioned
“We met a year or so ago when I had a chance to visit their central city” Tania replied, “We kept it secret from everyone here, especially as drow have a bad press especially among the elves who worked with the trolls on our side and on his side some drow don’t like other drow having affairs with other races”

Jenny shook her head in disbelief, “You kept it secret form the Colonel?” she asked
“Especially him” Tania replied, “And please don’t tell anyone” she said, addressing the fairies in particular, “Jaheel had his own orb and somehow found away to avoid detection by Sky-Guard”

Jenny found her emergency case and opened it and passed spare panties, a top and spare pair of jeans to Tania. “I hope these fit” she told Tania, “I’m afraid I don’t have a bra that will fit you”
“That’s ok Jenny” Tania replied, “These will be fine.” Then with a smile Tania added, “Jaheel says you’re having Mark’s baby”

Jenny patted her abdomen, “Yeah” she confirmed, “I’m just starting to show it now”
“I want you to know Jenny” Tania said as she started to get dressed, “There was never anything between Mark and I when we worked at the Facility”
“He told me” Jenny said as the conversation seemed to get awkward.
“When this is over what do you and Jaheel plan to do” Jenny asked trying to make conversation

Tania stopped and sighed, “Earth fell before my latest appeal against my court marshal could be heard” she said with some emotion in her voice, “If we ever get Earth back and we liberate the US, I will have to turn myself in for going AWOL from the stockade”
“But that’s unfair” Jenny protested, “Mark told me how Sir Sidney had rigged your first court marshal”
“We still have to go through due process Jenny, and I didn’t” Tania replied and then continued “when Earth Fell, Jaheel sent the fairies to break me out in case the Hadreth decided we were to be executed. I have lived on the Mystical Realms since then in hiding while Jaheel infiltrated the Hadreth with a face change spell. He said he owed it to his father and sister to avenge their deaths when the drow”

Just then Tania noticed a shortened skirt and picked it up from Jenny’s case, “Who shortened this?” she asked

Jenny blushed as she remembered how a former troll chamberlain had once disintegrated all her clothes except this skirt which was then shortened. For a time Jenny had gone just wearing the remnant of the skirt and carrying a short bow and quiver in what had been coined the “Amazon look”. She had still kept the skirt as sometimes, she liked to put it on with nothing else to recreate the Amazon look with her Mark in private, before moving on to other intermit acts.

“It was a troll who was a bit old fashioned” she quickly explained, “he left me wearing just that and nothing else, we called it the Amazon look” she admitted
“I’m glad I was not with the trolls” Tania replied and returned to getting dressed, “Why do you keep it Jenny” she asked, “I would have got rid of it”
Jenny decided not to answer the question and left Tania and wandered over to where Angela was sitting with Cherry O’Kerry and the baby leprechaun.

Even though Angela was healed of her physical injuries, thanks to the drow’s potion she was still in tears.

The twins were looking after Sarah and Paul, while Mitch O’Kerry and the Pixies were casting another distraction spell.

“I want my husband back” Angela sobbed.
Jenny rubbed Angela’s back, she did not know what to say
“We’ll get him back” Cherry spoke up, “There is no way that Mr Vee, Major Bolak or Lord Low Troll himself is going to get away with this”

“Some one mention us” came the sound of a familiar but unwelcome voice, it was Major Bolak, accompanied by Mr Vee
“I told you coming back was pointless” Major Bolak said to Mr Vee, “They didn’t need our help after all, so can we go?”

Angela looked up at the pair who had just arrived from nowhere, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY HUSBAND” she screamed, “WHERE’S MY GRAEME”

Angela tried to get up, but Jenny held her down along with Cherry, they could tell that in Angela’s state of mind she would probably try and attack either Mr Vee or Major bolak

“We did what was necessary” Major Bolak replied in a matter of fact manner, “to raise support to overthrow the Lady High Troll and return this world to you. That’s worth one life in anyone’s book”

“YOU B*****D” Angela screamed
“Calm down” Jenny pleaded, “He’s not worth it”
“I won’t calm down” Angela replied, “Those b*****ds” have taken my husband”

“You’re right, we’d better go” Mr Vee said to Major Bolak

There was a sudden clicking sound of metal as a gun was cocked; “You’re not going anywhere, Major” the voice of Tania came from behind him, “My Jaheel wants a word with you” she added as she held the nine millimetre to the drow’s head.

+ + +

Deep inside a lava tube
Inter Dimensional World 02

Pete and Sue-Lim walked hand in hand into the main part of the cave where the others were. Ahead of them was Captain Sandra Philips.

“Charlene” Sue-Lim said softly. “We need to talk”

Charlene looked up from where she had been sitting by herself, next to the depleted artificial wormhole generator. “Sure Sue-Lim” Charlene said, and then she noticed the serious expression on Sue-Lim’s face, “What’s this all about?” she asked

Sue-Lim knelt down in front of Charlene, “Sandra told me about what happened to your mother when you were a child”

Charlene’s expression went to anger, “She had no right to tell you that” Charlene shouted, “That’s private” then she looked up at Sandra with hate in her eyes, “I thought you were my friend Sandra”
“I am Charlene” Sandra said forcefully and then she put her hand up when Charlene tried to interrupt, “But I owe Celeste my life, and to some extent so do a lot of people”

“That b***h” Charlene interrupted angrily pointing at a shocked Celeste, “Is a criminal. She worked for a criminal and she almost killed you Sue-Lim or hadn’t you forgotten”

“This was never about me Charlene was it?” Sue-Lim countered, “It’s really about your mother and how she died”
“How dare you” Charlene replied shaking her head, “You’re not bringing her into this” she shouted, “It’s about that murderer over there” she shouted
“NO” Sue-Lim insisted, “Celeste is not the issue here, she never was, wasshe, this is about what happened when you were a child”
Charlene shook her head, “I’m not going to listen to this” and made to try and get up
Sue-Lim placed her left hand on Charlene’s shoulder, preventing her from rising
“Get your hand off of me” Charlene snapped at Sue-Lim
Sue-Lim quickly withdrew her hand to prevent this situation getting physical. “You didn’t kill her” Sue-Lim said softly
“What?” Charlene said with incredulity
Sue-Lim continued in a soft tone of voice, “Charlene you’ve been blaming yourself for your mother’s death, because just like Celeste over there, you gave a scarf to your mother who then used it to hang herself, just the way I ended up trying to hang myself with the one Celeste brought me”

“It’s not the same” Charlene countered as tears welled up in her eyes, “I did not give her an enchanted item like she did”

“But I never knew it was cursed Doctor Henshaw” Celeste butted in, “I promise I would never have delivered it if I had known what that man had wanted” she added as tears filled her eyes.

Charlene just looked at Celeste with hate in her eyes and then she looked back at Sue-Lim.

“Just like you didn’t know what your mother would do with the scarf you gave her as a child” Sue-Lim pressed.

“But she died” Charlene shouted, “Just like you almost did”
“But I didn’t” Sue-Lim went on, as a tear rolled down her cheek as she gently took hold of Charlene’s hands, “Because Celeste got me help”
“But I wasn’t able to” Charlene protested, “I was at school when she hung her self with that wretched scarf I gave her”. Charlene then broke down sobbing, saying how she had killed her mother just by giving her the means to kill herself.

“I’m so sorry” Celeste forced out went to another part of the main cavern and instinctively she started to undo the buttons on her jacket.
“Celeste, stop that right now” Shamus McTuckle interrupted as he came up to her, “You are not to blame for something that happened before you were born” he added with an air of irritation in his voice

“But I hurt them” Celeste said as tears rolled down her face, “I don’t deserve to wear clothes”
“Keep them on” Shamus insisted, “You’re not in that Halfling village now Celeste, and they had some strange ideas anyhow”

Colonel Samuel Peters came across, “Don’t forget Celeste, you switched sides when you found out about that scum bag and remember the lives you saved in Belfast Celeste” he told her and then he went over to Charlene and Sue-Lim

Sandra came over and gave Celeste a hug, “You saved my life Celeste I and I can never forget that” she whispered into Celeste’s ear
“But I feel so awful” Celeste wept
“Honey it wasn’t your fault” Sandra whispered as she held Celeste, “It wasn’t you fault” she repeated, and then she motioned for Simon to come over and hold Celeste in his arms.

“I know you are a good person with a good heart” Simon whispered to Celeste, “That’s why I want to marry you”

Samuel knelt down beside Charlene and Sue-Lim and sighed. “My wife and daughter were killed in ninety eight” he said softly to the two female technicians, “I never really talk about it but every day I wonder, if only I had not gone hunting with some buddies of mine that weekend and taken our car, they would not have been walking to a bus stop to go to ballet class when a DUI rammed his car into them. I was told my daughter Andrea survived for just about an hour before she died, while I was out in the woods with my marine buddies drinking beers. I always wish if only I had been there when she died”

“How do you live with that Colonel?” Sue-Lim asked

“I try and focus on the here and now” Samuel replied unconvincingly before he paused and then went on, “The truth of the matter is that no matter how much we say if only we had done this or that or not done this or that, we can’t change what happened. The other truth is that sometimes we just don’t know how things will turn out. I had no idea that some b*****d would drink half a bottle of bourbon and drive his pick up in to my wife and daughter, likewise Charlene, you had no idea your mother would kill herself with that scarf and Celeste over there had no idea that Sir Sidney had enchanted the scarf she was asked to take to Sue-Lim”

“Yeah right” Charlene remarked sarcastically at the mention of Celeste
“No Charlene she didn’t, I saw on a monitor her reaction when she found out what had happened, there is no way she was faking it” Samuel said softly, “And Shamus over there will vouch for her as well. Now I met Sir Sidney, I saw him cut the life thread of one of his own henchmen and threaten to cut the life threads of an innocent family to get me to co-operate with him. He may have used Celeste as an IDE henchman, but he only trusted humans. He and Mr Blue could have been cut from the same cloth”

“Mr Blue?” Charlene asked, confused by the reference
“He used to run the Facility in London before it was bombed” Sue-Lim cut in, “He ran the policy of incarcerate interrogate exterminate. Over at the Annexe we didn’t come into contact with him that much”

“Well” Samuel cut back in, “I had the chance to look into his eyes and they were ice cold like many killers I’ve met both during my time at the IDEC and during my tours in Iraq. Celeste is no killer and neither are you.”

“Thank you Colonel” Sue-Lim interrupted, “Charlene if anyone should have a problem with her by rights it should have been me and I don’t”
“But she” Charlene tried to speak, but Samuel interrupted
“She did something very similar to what you did Charlene” Samuel went on, “Both of you gave someone a scarf in all innocence and both scarves were used as means of suicide or attempted suicide, unfortunately in your case your mother succeeded in killing herself, but with Sue-Lim”

“Are you trying to tell me what I feel about that Celeste” a sobbing Charlene interrupted as she shook her head, “is just some kind of transference of my feelings from when my mother killed herself using a scarf I gave her, on to her” she added pointing at Celeste

“Maybe” Samuel pressed, “But what you’ve got is something called Survivor Guilt, I have had men under my command get it when we lost people in action and because of what happened to my family Charlene I have had to live with it every day since ninety eight”

“There was nothing you could have done Charlene” Sue-Lim said to Charlene, “What happened to me must have reminded you of what happened when you were a girl Charlene. You need to stop blaming yourself because you couldn’t do what Celeste was able to do”

Charlene then swore and then said “I shouldn’t be like this, crying in front of everyone. It just adds to the stereotype men have of us of being weak”
“You’re not weak” Samuel told her, “You’re just human like the rest of us and you’ve carried this with you since you were a child, and like Sue-Lim says, what happened in DC has just brought it back up”

“I always felt I was responsible” Charlene sniffed, “Because I gave it to her and she used it to hang herself”
“It was your father if anything who bears any responsibility” Sue-Lim told Charlene, “He was the one abusing you and your mother. He was the one who drove her to it, not you Charlene”
“Charlene” Pete spoke up, “If you hadn’t have given her that scarf, like Celeste over there brought my Sue-Lim that scarf, your mother would have found something else, like pills or a razor or something else to hang herself with.” Pete paused for a moment, “I know it’s not the same, but when we went up against the Magnus Timor both Sue-Lim and I lost a very dear friend we grew up together with, Jason Turner. The Colonel here was there when he was killed in an ambush. These things happen. We feel guilty like the Colonel said, because we lived and someone else didn’t, but it’s not rational”

Suddenly at the remembrance of his friend, Pete stopped for a moment, “Let’s just say we all remember losing people we cared about, but this may sound harsh, but blaming ourselves or others like the way you have done, the way I do, because we got to stay behind and were safe, doesn’t achieve anything. Well that’s how I see it”

“I miss her” Charlene cried, “It’s been years and I still miss her”
“We always do” Samuel said in a quiet voice. “You weren’t to blame Charlene. As for Celeste, well she was used but when it came to it, she risked her life to save thousands. You need to cut both you and her some slack Charlene. As Pete says we don’t achieve anything by beating ourselves up over things we were not responsible for”

Charlene nodded and uttered the one word “right” and made to get up. Sue-Lim and Pete helped Charlene to her feet; Charlene then waved them away and slowly walked over to Simon and Celeste. Simon continued to hold a weeping Celeste in his arms protectively.

“I’m so sorry” Charlene whispered
“I didn’t know about the scarf I swear” Celeste pleaded.
“I know” Charlene said quietly with tears streaming down her face, “And I didn’t realise how guilty I still felt about the scarf I gave my mother. I think that was why I’ve been so horrid to you, what happened to you and Sue-Lim was too close to what happened to me and my mother, and you did what I couldn’t”

Charlene then held her arms out, and instinctively Celeste left Simon’s hold an approached Charlene.

And then the two embraced and wept in each other’s arms

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor
The Mystical Realms

“How did it go my love?” Brameana asked as she met up with her consort Vabalavich

“I am afraid my love” Vabalavich replied, “That it was as I feared, we did not have the element of surprise thanks to that drow traitor Major Bolak. It seems the humans, leprechauns and your half brother fled like cowards through a wormhole. We are instituting a search for them on this world”

“That is so annoying” Brameana shouted angrily, “I wanted to have another spectacle of open executions. Vabalavich did you not capture anyone?”

“Only a pixie my lady” Vabalavich replied, “But he had little information of value so I let one of the trolls dispatch him”
“Why did you not bring him back for trial and execution here” Brameana asked
Even though he did not show it, Vabalavich somehow felt put out at this question. “We lost a drow and a number of trolls to human weapons” Vabalavich replied, “As the trolls wanted to see blood, I had to let them or there would have been a breakdown of order”

“If I had been there” Brameana went on, “They would have been better behaved, and we could have had at least one execution in the drowning tank I have commissioned”

Vabalavich smiled, “Most likely my lady, but the thought of losing you to a stray bullet from one of their guns would hardly bear thinking about”

For a moment it seemed that the Lady High Troll was showing some resentment at being kept from the action, but then she smiled, “I am touched my love that you are so concerned for my welfare Vabalavich” then after a moment’s pause asked “You said the pixie had little information, so he had some, what was it?”
“Only that some of the humans and leprechauns had left by sea to go to another part of that island they were on, I have found out where they are headed and sent them a welcoming committee in case they cannot track the boat down first”

“Well I suppose that is better than nothing” Brameana sighed
“Well the resistance is all but crushed my love” Vabalavich reassured her, “Your position as supreme ruler is assured”
“But I want executions as well. I expect your drow to deliver me that”
“Of course my lady, we will not fail this time”

Vabalavich was concerned, Why was Brameana trying to be more assertive? Had his trips away undermined the influence he had over her?

“I understand” Brameana then went on, “You found a former member of that human organisation who made a pact with my half brother”
“Indeed I did my lady” Vabalavich replied, “It was her that led us to their base at Grytviken”

“I want you to bring her back to our world” Brameana answered, “I want to see her in Central City as she dies in the drowning tank breathing in water. I want the humans to film it and to play it to that miserable world. I want them to see again what happens to those I have declared as enemies”

This was serious, Brameana was starting to have ideas, Vabalavich had been going away to the world of humans too often leaving her alone to come up with ideas of her own

“As you wish my love” Vabalavich replied, “But I had thought we could make more use of her if we turned her and got her to denounce her former organisation on their world media”
“You may do that Vabalavich” Brameana smiled, and then she frowned, “And after that I want her in the drowning tank, see if you can get your particular telepathic drow mind games I have heard about to get her to volunteer for her execution”

”Mind games?” How much did she know of some of Vabalavich’s other psychic abilities that he had been keeping from her?

Vabalavich gave a grin and bowed, “As you wish my love” he said, “Before I depart for the realm of humans where she is held do you wish me to supervise the hunt on this world for the resistance cell that came through that gateway they used”

“No” Brameana replied, “Let me do that, I find being cooped up here boring” she answered, “No wonder my father preferred the Central city of the Low Plains, I want to have some action”

“I look forward to hearing of your success” Vabalavich lied, “But I must depart back to the realm of humans”
“Oh” Brameana said in a hurt tone, “I was so looking forward to you pleasing me in the bed chamber”
“Oh how I long to do that my love” Vabalavich replied, “But I must attend to getting this human to do what I need so you can have her for the spectacle of her public execution in the drowning tank”

“Ok” Brameana replied with a disappointed tone, “Maybe when you get back”
“I look forward to it” Vabalavich lied again
“You are dismissed” she said with a cheeky grin

Vabalavich bowed and headed for the door of the audience room.

“Oh by the way” Brameana called out, “Qwi-Chong has told me that he has reached a deal with a clan of hobgoblins. We can scale back on the number of drow we require”
“Really my lady?” Vabalavich asked
“It is good news for your drow as it means less will be needed to help run the realm of Mortals”
“That will indeed be welcomed my lady” Vabalavich said with a fake smile, “I’m sure some of my drow would relish the chance to get back to their families”

“I know I mentioned some difficulties with that troll” Brameana went on, “But while you were away he has been mentioning ways he could help out”
“He does surprise me” Vabalavich admitted, “And to think we almost moved against him” he added
“You were right my love to wait on that” Brameana cooed, “He says with his help you and I can have more time together”
“He is very considerate for a Manjura clan chief” Vabalavich said with another fake smile. “And now with your leave” he added and then turned around and headed for the exit.

”This was bad” Vabalavich secretly thought, “why is she becoming more independent and not taking my lead, She was beginning to go out of control and maybe it was time she was dealt with”

Two trolls opened the doors and Vabalavich walked through.

On the other side of the door was Jaigon the Hadreth apprentice Vabalavich had taken under his wing.

So the trolls could not understand, Vabalavich spoke to Jaigon in a drow tongue as they walked along, “Have you learned how we use poison?” he asked
“Yes my liege” Jaigon replied, “Who do you wish me to poison?”
“You guess that because I ask a certain question?” Vabalavich asked in the drow tongue
“Did I guess right my liege?”
“Yes, you are becoming more Hadreth every day”
“Then who my liege” Jaigon asked
“The one whom I have just seen” Vabalavich said to make sure any intelligent troll did not pick up reference to Brameana in what he said in the drow tongue

Jaigon stopped, shocked at what he heard

Vabalavich turned around and walked up to the young drow, “You betray yourself to others by displaying surprise” Vabalavich said forcefully in the drow tongue, “A Hadreth must take surprise as if it were already old news”
Jaigon apologised and resumed walking by Vabalavich’s side

“I want it to seem as if that Manjura clan chief has done it” Vabalavich replied, “Then we can get rid of two problems at one go”
“Do I use a doppelganger?” Jaigon asked
“Do not ever use words like that even in drow” Vabalavich said as he turned to Jaigon again, “Some may know snatches of our language”.

“I apologise my liege” Jaigon replied
“I expect you to do this yourself” Vabalavich instructed Jaigon, “Take along a suicide vial just in case you get clumsy and get caught. I do not want this traced back to me”

“Yes my liege” Jaigon replied, “Your word will be actioned”
“When she is dead” Vabalavich went on, “Then we shall emerge from the shadows as the true rulers of both these worlds”

“But I thought you said” Jaigon began

“I know what I said earlier” Vabalavich said angrily, “But sometimes we are unable to use a proxy puppet leader. Sometimes we have to be seen to be doing the job ourselves”
“Yes my liege” Jaigon said hesitantly

“Do not under estimate your role my apprentice” Vabalavich went on, “When we succeed the time of the trolls and the elves will be at an end. It is time for the drow to step out of the shadows and take our rightful place as the true rulers of both worlds, and I will lead them to victory”

+ + +

A Place of Eternal Fire
Location Unknown

The large fiery figure sat on his stone chair when another smaller fiery figure approached

“Berith” the large fiery figure called out, “How did it go in that place they call the Mystical Realms”
“It is done lord Samael” the smaller fiery figure called out, “I have persuaded those two trolls to take a course of action that is now leading to that accursed drow to make a move before he wanted”
“Oh good” the large fiery figure smiled, “What precisely did you do over there”

The smaller fiery figure grinned, “I whispered into the ears of the trolls while that drow was visiting the world of the half breeds and got them to plan things without that drow”

The larger fiery figure gave a brief laugh, “He won’t like that, as those half breeds put it, he is such a control freak”

“Yes my lord Samael” the smaller fiery figure agreed, “Even now he has brought forward plans he had to assassinate the troll female and blame it on the other troll”
“Excellent” beamed the larger fiery figure, “You have done well to have that troika to be at each other’s throats”
“Do you want him to succeed in his plan my lord?” the smaller fiery figure asked

“I am not certain Berith” the larger fiery figure said in a ponderous tone, “I know the restrictions on what we currently can do, do not apply with that world, but it is satisfying when we can persuade others to do our bidding.” After a brief pause the larger fiery figure continued, “By getting the drow and the trolls fighting amongst themselves, our plans will be unhindered by drow interference. All we need now is Bernael to catch that so called loyal one, Raguel in a treaty violation and that will finally give us carte blanche under the treaty to forever to wipe those wretched half breeds from the whole of creation once and for all”

“I look forward to that day my lord Samael” the smaller fiery figure asked, “But if I may enquire how is our brother in the cause Bernael faring”

The larger fiery figure gave a huge smile, “Already I hear that Raguel is beginning to over reach himself. He has already incarcerated that meddlesome Bath-Kol and according to Bernael it is a matter of time before Raguel attempts to remove from the world of the half breeds some entity called Celeste. When he does, we can declare a non interference treaty violation and he will have handed us the half breeds on a silver platter”

To be continued

[Sticks]

Episode VI – Family Reunions and Revelations

It is said that the reason why weather in the British Isles is unpredictable and chaotic at times, is because we are the centre of four air masses. This parallels with the way events pan out, with many different people with different agendas. Sometimes when two sides are locked in combat, another side takes advantage for good or ill.

So it seems in the control of Earth by the forces of the Lady High Troll, as other forces are manipulating events between her and her consort to pursue their own agenda’s. This force now doing the running is the previously mentioned force known as “the fallen ones”

Meanwhile there seems to be no coherent force on the part of the remnants of the resistance, which for quite a while have been divided amongst them selves. They are yet hardly any force at all it seems.

+ + +

A Place of Eternal Fire
Location Unknown

The large fiery figure was pacing up and down and deep in thought, and impatient. He was due to meet up with the infernal drow called Vabalavich to get a periodic update on what the drow thought were mutual agendas.

“Oh Vabalvich if you only knew how you are playing into my hands” the fiery figure chuckled.

Just then there was the sound of a summoning spell and the fiery figure closed his eyes and concentrated. He opened them and found himself in what seemed like an empty auditorium.

There in front of him was the wretched Vabalavich, as arrogant as ever. “Just wait until we wipe that smug grin off your face” the fiery figure thought

“So glad you could join us lord Samael” Vabalavich said in a slightly distracted manner than normal for a drow.
“Progress?” the fiery figure asked
“Some” Vabalavich replied, “We have routed out the resistance from it’s base in a place called Grytviken”
“So you have exterminated them then?” the fiery figure asked

Vabalvich shook his head, “Alas no. We lost the element of surprise thanks to another drow intercepting my dark space spell. Some have gone to our world, others left by sea”

The fiery figure pondered for a moment, should he tell this wretched drow that his dark space was intercepted by that so called loyal one, Raguel? Should he reveal to Vabalavich this loyal one’s apparent obsession with the entity known as Celeste?

He thought better of it; he wanted to see this drow sweat before he obliterated him.

“That is unfortunate” the fiery figure just replied, “I assume that as you summoned me to the world of mankind, you are pursuing those who went by sea”

“Of course lord Samael, what do you take me for?” Vabalavich asked
“My apologies” the fiery figure said in an unconvincing manner, “How have you been getting on with that?” he asked.
“Somehow a squad that found the ship they left on has failed to report back, and we can no longer find the boat.” Vabalavich replied

The fiery figure thought for a moment and then concentrated to see if his mind could find this boat, but for some reason there seemed to be a strange fog obscuring their whereabouts.

“They are using a distraction spell” the fiery figure remarked
“Well I could have told you that” Vabalavich retorted
“It must be very infuriating” the fiery figure went on
“Extremely” Vabalavich replied, showing his irritation

“And who were these dangerous foes” the fiery figure asked, “mostly woman and children” he then chuckled
“With two leprechauns and two former members of that IDEC organisation” Vabalavich retorted, “So they are not the total innocents you would imply lord Samael”
“But mostly women and children” the fiery figure pressed, “And if the Lady high Troll’s loyal consort can not track down a boat with mostly women and children, how long do you think you will keep her under your control?” he added with mock concern in his voice. The fiery figure was so pleased that they were making sure that this drow turned on his partners. That way they would be diverted from preventing the fiery figure and his brothers in arms dong what had to be done, the complete extermination of all mankind.

“Your concern is most touching” Vabalavich replied, “I am addressing all concerns lord Samael, but as far as you are concerned, the world of mankind is secured and you will get your wish of followers to pander to your ego”

The fiery figure resisted the urge to fire another fireball at the insolent drow and thought it was best to play along with him for the moment. “What would please us would be the outlawing of the religion of our enemy” he pressed
“And I told you lord Samael, that is not going to happen, because we are using it to control the humans. Whatever you problem you had in the past, get over it, I just told you will get what you want, human worshipers”
“Indeed we shall get what we want” Samael mused to himself, “But it will not be what you think we want”

+ + +

Aboard an old fishing boat
In the waters off of South Georgia

The two figures of Major Bolak and Mr Vee stood in the wheel house while former US marine Commander Mark Johnston glowered at them while Corporal Tania McCaskey trained her gun on the pair. Also there in the crowded wheel house was another drow by the name of Jaheel.

“I’m surprised you dared to show your face here” Commander Mark Johnston said to Mr Vee and Major Bolak
“Well I wouldn’t have come back here if it were not for Mr Vee here insisting upon it” Major Bolak the drow remarked

“You mean you would have left them to be executed or worse?” Tania said in disbelief, “I thought we were on the same side”

Mr Vee remained silent

“At least he’s honest for a drow” Jaheel spoke up, “You always were governed by sheer pragmatism Bolak. I was surprised you never joined the Hadreth”
“I was from the wrong family and you know it Jaheel” Major Bolak replied, “Plus why would I want to join a rabble that blindly follows a single drow who has an enlarged ego”
“I can see why you were so loyal to the Drow High Council” Jaheel replied, “It was a pity you did not root out the Hadreth from the Russian Liaison team when you had the chance”
“Believe me, if I had been given the support I asked for fro m the likes of your father on the council that jumped up intelligence operative would have been ash long before…”

“Enough!” Mark interrupted, “I want to know what you have done with Mr Andrews”

“We handed him over like you should have done when we were first told what it would take” Major Bolak replied, “Now if you would let us be on our way we need to get back so we can actually do some resisting instead of telling others to do nothing like you and that miserable leprechaun have been doing for the last few months or so”

“You got nothing to say?” Mark said to Mr Vee
“Only that in my experience over the years, sometimes we had to make deals with not so pleasant regimes and individuals to get the job done” Mr Vee replied, “We were made an offer, the Major and I believe we can do what it takes to take back our worlds”

“You made an offer with one of the most hated tyrants from the Mystical Realms” Mark countered
“I think” Mr Vee began, “You will find that he is now second most hated as his daughter has proved to be more hated and feared than he ever was”
“Semantics” Mark replied, “We had not decided if we were going to take his offer up”
“Well the fact that the drow attacked us at Grytviken meant we did not have time for such niceties” Major Bolak cut in
“Exactly” Mr Vee agreed, “The time for discussion was over, our hand was forced”
“Now if you allow us to go back to him” Major Bolak began

“You’re not going anywhere” Tania interrupted

“We can go back in time and make sure this whole invasion never happened” Major Bolak continued with determination

“What makes you think you would get away with arresting a Hadreth drow without proof Bolak”, Jaheel asked, “You were moved against before you completed your slow lumbering investigation if I recall”
“And as a plant in the Hadreth you did not fare much better in alerting the High council to their plans to seize power either” Bolak countered.
“Well I did not leave a boat of women and children to their mercy like you did Bolak” Jaheel replied

“Look even if they had all been executed it would not have mattered if we went back in time and stopped it from happening in the first place” Major Bolak said in exasperation, “Why can’t you as an under cover drow not see that. I say you have grown too sentimental because of your unnatural liaisons with this human” he protested pointing at the corporal

“How dare you” Tania said to the Major
“See my point it made” Major Bolak interrupted, “These humans have corrupted you Jaheel”
Suddenly Tania slapped the major around the face.

“Enough!” Jaheel said firmly to Tania, “Do not give him the satisfaction”

“This is absurd” Mr Vee interrupted, “We are letting the drow and the Lady High Troll win because we are arguing amongst ourselves. Maybe you have a problem with us collecting Mr Andrews to get us this one opportunity to save countless lives from ever have dying in the first place and freeing both our worlds, but that was the price and we are where we are”

“So no matter who you use” Mark spoke out, “So long as the end justifies the means” he said angrily, “Is that it?. No wonder Sue-Lim was angry with you, the way you used her mother and her during the cold war”

“If it’s anything to do with you commander” Mr Vee asserted, “I never used Sue-Lim’s mother, she volunteered. In fact it was her mother’s idea to get pregnant with Sue-Lim as a cover. Somehow I don’t think her mother ever admitted that”

Mark shook his head, “When we get to Stromness you will be held”

“Commander” Jaheel interrupted, “I would not go there” he warned, “Vabalavich has sent a welcoming committee ahead in case our group were unable to find your vessel”
“Well where the Sam Hill can we go” Mark asked, “We don’t have much of a range on this ship and there is no way we could make it to land elsewhere.

“Let us go and you will never have been in this situation” Major Bolak replied

“And if Doctor Henshaw is right about you just creating another universe branching off from this one” Mark responded
“Mere speculation from theorists” Major Bolak countered, “They have no proof that will happen. We have given the Lord Low Troll the sacrificial lamb so let’s use this opportunity he is giving us”
“You have an artificial wormhole generator” Mr Vee spoke up,

“Artificial wormhole generator?” Jaheel enquired
“The humans managed to create a device to do the same thing as a dimension jump orb” Major Bolak explained, “I believe they used their version of magic or M-theory as they call it”

Me Vee then continued “I can give you the co-ordinates of a reasonably safe place on the Mystical Realms to go to, from there you can find someplace safe on Earth” he suggested

“And what about Sky-Guard, we would be tracked down the moment we returned to Earth” Mark snapped back, “Plus we don’t have much power left in it”
“I believe I still know a few people I can call a few favours in to ensure Sky-Guard will not be an issue” Mr Vee replied

“Commander” Jaheel interrupted, “I have my dimension jump orb. I know of one place where there is an enclave of free drow who have been in hiding since the High Council was slaughtered by the Hadreth. “You would be welcome to stay with our people”

“That might work as well.” Mr Vee went on “And if the theorists are right, you will be relatively safe”
“And you will have sent Mr Andrews to his execution for nothing” Mark replied.

“Oh please” Major Bolak retorted, “This is not necessary. You let us go. We go back to the Lord Low Troll and we roll back time and stop the invasion before it happened. You will not notice anything as you will be back to where you were at the place we roll history back to with no memory of any of these unpleasant events”

“Either way” Jaheel cut in” We have to move, “They will be questioning the delay in delivering prisoners for trial and they might send another party, especially if we do not show up at Stromness”

“He’s right Commander” Tania cut in, “We can’t stay on this boat sir, we have to leave”
“And you trust him” Mark asked, “I mean the drow do have a certain reputation”
“Oh please” Interjected Major Bolak, “You wound us Commander, remember it was not the drow who threw their lot in with the Magnus Timor”

“I trust Jaheel with my life” Tania replied with determination, “I have had no reason to doubt him”
“And drow do not kill their own just to commit a double cross” Major Bolak added.

Mark sighed, Major Bolak and Vee did have a point, if this time travel option were to work, then those killed in the nuclear attacks would never have died and Earth would never have fallen. It was a very seductive option, but what if the technicians were right about this merely creating another universe? Even if that did not happen, what about that Chronology Protection Conjecture they mentioned which would mean the attempt to stop this all coming about would fail and history would play out to where they were now. The technicians had made a pretty strong argument about causality and various temporal paradoxes as well, which was why they had wanted to discuss things further, even sending Mr Vee back to the Lord Low Troll to negotiate about the trial of Mr Andrews. But as had been pointed out by Major Bolak, events had unfolded the way they had and now he had been handed a fait accompli, the Lord Low Troll now had Mr Andrews, and there was yet a more pressing issue, they had to leave the boat, before more drow and trolls arrived.

“Stand down Corporal” Mark ordered
“Sir?” Tania queried
“I gave you an order corporal” Mark repeated, “You had better be right Mr Vee” he challenged, “I have been entrusted the lives of the people on this vessel as they are non combatants. Tania I will be handing command over to you”
“Sir?” Tania replied
“I’m going with Mr Vee and the Major”

“That would not be advisable” Major Bolak replied
“Why not?” Mark replied, “What are you hiding”

“This roll backing of time spell he has” Major Bolak explained, “It does not send us physically back, it rolls back time and only our consciousnesses and memories travel back.”
“You were in England at the time we have selected” Mr Vee replied, “I was in DC”
“I was in Moscow” Major Bolak replied.
“I will borrow from one of our labs at the IDEC an artificial wormhole generator to go to where I can get hold of troops to move on the Port of Faldon where his daughter made landfall and capture her”
“I will take Vabalavich out before he can steal those old tactical nuclear weapons, let alone the hydrogen bombs he later used” Major Bolak added.
“You see Commander” Mr Vee continued, “It has to be us”
“And what about the Colonel?” Mark asked.
“He may have been arriving in DC” Mr Vee replied, “but let’s say, he is in a safe and secure place well away from the action”
“Where?” Mark growled suspiciously
“That cave where you and Mr Zachery stayed on IDW02” Mr Vee answered, “And don’t worry, they should have the means to get back, if I am unable to retrieve them myself”
“And besides” Major Bolak interrupted, “When we succeed, that will never have happened”

Mark sucked air through his teeth, “I still want to meet that Lord Low Troll, even if I don’t get to go back”
“For what purpose” Major Bolak sneered

“Agreed” Mr Vee responded
“What?” Major Bolak asked indigently, “Why?, for what purpose”
“You want to make your submission about the penalty my old friend will impose on Mr Andrews, although as I mentioned back on Grytviken, he has said to me he will not actively seek the death penalty as he would have done in the past”.
“As if he will listen” Jaheel remarked, “When Mr Andrews had the case against him dismissed, there were calls at the time for the Lord Low Troll’s resignation. He lost a lot of face on that occasion”
“I have to try” Mark replied, “Jaheel, you take the others to somewhere safe”

+ + +

A white space
Location: Unknown

A figure in white appeared a second figure in white who was seated at a table. The figure at the table looked up. “What brings you my way lord Raguel” he asked the first figure
“I Need to speak with you lord Adonael concerning this Celeste entity” the first figure replied.
“I heard that you have arrested Bath-Kol” the seated figure at the table said to the first figure

“She was planning to bother high lord Metatron, especially when she had been told that the Celeste entity has no business being with mankind” the first figure replied in a matter of fact manner, “I would hate to think that you have been bothered my lord by this disloyal one. I asked that she be kept incommunicado”
“As far as I know, she still is” the seated figure reassured the first figure in white
“She even demanded I let this Celeste figure fulfil some unspecified destiny that might lead to assisting mankind” the first figure in white went on
“If you are right and she belongs with us as you say she does lord Raguel” the seated figure went on, “She should not be allowed to interfere with mankind or render aid to the humans”
“I’m glad you agree” the first figure in white smiled, “Which brings me to a request I feel must be made”
“What?” the seated figure asked
“A while ago so I am told by lord Pravuil there was a young child in the city they called London, who was destined to die”
“Go on” the seated figure in white replied
“This Celeste entity apparently intervened and saved his life” the first figure in white replied.
“Does the child still live?” the seated figure in white replied
“Yes lord Adonael” the first figure in white replied.
“And you raise this with me because?” the seated figure in white asked

“I request that Azrael or Rahab attend to this child and put it to death” the first figure in white demanded, “That Celeste had no business in saving lives, especially if it helps a single human”

The figure seated at the table sighed, and shook his head.

“I need you to ask this my lord” the first figure in white pleaded, “I am not of their rank but you are”
“You would have us kill an innocent child?” the seated figure in white asked with incredulity
“It is vital my lord” the first figure replied as he placed his hands on the table and leaned over the seated figure in white, “The treaty forbids us aiding in anyway shape or form a single human, and this Celeste child who belongs with us intervened and saved his life. It is of the utmost importance that we rectify that or we are in violation of the treaty and the fallen ones will feel they are at liberty to cause the extermination of mankind”
“But to take the life of an innocent child?” The seated figure questioned

“You must do this lord Adonael, you have no choice” the first figure in white growled, “Any refusal and I would have to question your fitness to be in your position like we have done with Karael and Bath-Kol”

“My lord Raguel” the seated figure said angrily, “You are threatening even me?”

“My lord Adonael” the first figure in white went on, “I have a sacred duty to watch over the behaviour of all of us who did not rebel as the fallen ones did, so where I see dissent from what must be done, I will stamp on that with utmost zeal. Now lord Adonael, will you send Azrael or Rahab to do what must be done, or do I have to question your loyalty?”

The seated figure stood up and walked away for a bit and then turned around and faced the first figure in white. “My lord Raguel, I ask you this question concerning this incident, was it before or after she got a human soul”
“It does not matter my lord Adonael” the first figure in white went on, “that boy must be put to death”

“You did not answer the question lord Raguel” the second figure in white replied
“As if it mattered it was before”
“As she came from that other world” the second figure in white responded, “And this was before she got her human soul by unknown means, she was not one of us at the time and at liberty to act”
“It does not work like that lord Adonael” the first figure in white spat back, “Her parents are believed to be like us, so she belongs with us. This nonsense about her human soul is a distraction. As soon as she is with us and in custody, I will have it removed, now do as you are commanded and order Azrael or Rahab to kill that child, or I will bring you down”

Suddenly two figures in white with swords appeared beside the first figure in white, “I’m waiting lord Adonael” the first figure said in a menacing tone

+ + +

Deep inside a lava tube
Inter Dimensional World 02

Pete Smith held out the two amulets in front of Celeste in his left hand as he knelt down in front of her, “According to the account by Jenny Green and the commander” Pete explained, “The Spirit of Lust managed to take the magic from amulets such as these and use it to recharge this” he added presenting a grey metal bar in his right hand.

“I’ve never done anything like that before” Celeste whined, “I don’t know how”

Padow the troll spoke in as kinder voice that he could for a troll, “Even though you have a human soul, you are still a major spirit of virtue, and transferring magic from one object to another is an inherent power in all major spirits, just like your magic shield”

“Exactly” Shamus McTuckle the leprechaun chipped in, “I believe you just imagine or will the magic power to flow from one hand to another, and that should do the trick”

Celeste looked at the amulets and the grey rod, apprehensively, being declared to be the Major Spirit of Second Chances had been a revelation and she had had a hard time getting her head around it. Sometimes, especially when she had been seeing her fiancé Simon Hargreaves, she had found herself secretly wishing she was completely human, although she was not sure if that desire was as strong as the desire by the minor spirits to be fully human.

She went to take the items from Pete’s hand when a though struck her, if she did so would she still have the same problem with her clothes she had if she turned invisible, tried to phase through objects, or when she was able to, teleport, i.e. if she took them off to wash say after using such powers, they would disintegrate. Major Bolak had tried to teach her special drow mental disciplines so that would not happen, but the presence of her human soul seemed to make the exercises cause her pain.

“Just a moment” Celeste told Pete and then she stood up, “Just to be on the safe side” she said and unbuttoned her brown suede jacket jacket”
“What are you doing” Shamus asked

Celeste ignored Shamus and pulled off her jacket and dropped it to the floor.

To her horror the jacket became transparent and then faded into nothingness, “No!” Celeste cried, “That was from Sophie” she cried

“When you vanished and then reappeared” at Grytviken Padow said as he shook his head, “You must have teleported”

“But I didn’t teleport away” Celeste said in a state of shock as she stared at the ground where her jacket had disintegrated.

“We’ll get you another one” Colonel Samuel Peters said impatiently, “Meanwhile we need to see if you can recharge that isotope thingy”
“Why did you take your jacket off anyway” Shamus asked

Celeste looked at Shamus with tears in her eyes, “I thought if I did that transferring of power the same thing would happen to my clothes as if I teleported”

Then Celeste thought for a few seconds as the realisation of what had happened hit her, “I can teleport?”
“Yes” Shamus admitted reluctantly, “We just didn’t want you to know or you would have gone and got yourself into trouble trying to fight the Lady High Troll”
“You lied to me” Celeste accused, “You never came to get me from that ship, I teleported”
“Yes” Shamus admitted again, “This was for your own good Celeste, you may be on our side now but you are still reckless and impulsive”
“Oh thanks” Celeste spat back, “Recharge that isotope your self” she shouted and headed deeper into the cave.

“No” Simon whined and started t go after her. Captain Sandra Phillips tried to restrain him.
“Let me go” Simon told the US Marine aggressively and pulled away and ran after Celeste

It was about a minute before he caught up with her

“I suppose you knew as well” Celeste barked at Simon

Simon rapidly shook his head, “No, no” he repeated softly, “I never knew” he then added “Please Celeste” he pleaded, “try and recharge that isotope. I want to get us home”
“I’m sorry” Celeste wept
Simon then held her in his loving arms, “I would have told you if I had known” he whispered
Instinctively Celeste knew that Simon was being truthful, mainly because she had been told that his high functioning autism made him more inclined to be truthful, even when it was probably not a wise thing to do.

“Are you ok?” came a voice from behind, it was Charlene
“She gave me that jacket” Celeste wept, “And she’s probably dead”
“Sophie was a good PA” Charlene said softly, “I could tell she treated you like a daughter and you managed to get on well”
“But I managed to destroy it” Celeste went on
“Given what happened” Charlene went on, “I don’t think she would have held it against you”
“I’ll buy you a new jacket” Simon interrupted

Celeste gave Simon a hug and then the two rested their heads together, “I love you so much” Celeste whispered
“I love you too” Simon responded, “And if you take you top off£ he then said, “I can give you my shirt and we will be married like Pete and Sue-Lim”

Celeste gave a small laugh and closed her eyes getting ready to concentrate on disintegrating the clothes above her waiste

“I wouldn’t do that just yet” Charlene interrupted.

Celeste stopped and looked at Charlene, “Why?” she asked

“You need all your power to get us out of here?” Charlene ventured

“I’m so sorry” Celeste replied
“I’m sorry too” Simon added, hanging his head in shame

“You just caught up in the moment Simon” Charlene said quietly as she put her arms around the two young love birds. Then Charlene led Celeste and Simon as the two of them walked back to the main part of the cave hand in hand.

Shamus was there to meet them; “I’m sorry Celeste” he spoke up, “I should have trusted you”
“You were probably right” Celeste admitted, “I would have tried to do something, just like I did when I went to this world’s moon to get rid of that talisman of disintegration”

“Can we get on?” Pete asked impatiently, “I was hoping that Sue-Lim and I would be able to have kids one day and even though this isotope is depleted, I’m not sure holding it for any length of time will do my chances of fatherhood any good.”

“Sorry” Celeste replied, “Do I need to perform healing on you”
“After you’ve transferred the magic” Samuel interrupted.
“What about the rest of my clothes” Celeste asked, “They’re ruined now, I might as well”
“Keep them on” Shamus interrupted, “We’ll get you some more later”
“No working naked” Samuel reiterated

“Yes Sir” Celeste replied and then took the two amulets in one hand and the grey metal rod in the other hand. Even though the rod was made of some kind of metal, it felt warm, probably because Pete had been holding it.

Celeste concentrated and tried to imagine magic flowing from the amulets to the metal rod.

Suddenly there was some electric feeling in her body as every part of her tingled giving her great waves of pleasure, which at the same time was disconcerting as she had no idea what it was and had never experienced such before. Then Celeste’s eyes glowed red, and the metal rod seemed to develop a blue grey glow. This went on for what seemed like an age as the waves of pleasure throbbed through Celeste’s body causing her to gasp for breath and scream out. Suddenly her whole body glowed with a strong white light as the rest of her clothes disintegrated leaving her naked

Then it was over and the amulets turned to ash and dust. Celeste felt very woozy and was only just able to hand back to Pete the metal rod before she started to collapse onto the cave floor. Immediately Simon caught her and knelt down and held her in his arms. “What’s happened to her” he panicked. Sandra came over covered her with her jacket and helped Simon lay an unconscious Celeste on the ground. Sandra then checked Celeste over.

“She has a pulse Colonel” she said to Samuel, “And she’s still breathing, she’s alive”
“But what’s wrong with her” Simon wailed and then holding one of her hands, “Please come back to me, I love you”

One of the pixies came over, “She will be ok, she experienced a certain form of pure pleasure transferring magic the way she did because she was not prepared for it” then he winked at Simon, “I’m afraid you won’t be able to satisfy her like that Mr Hargreaves” he grinned.
“What do you mean by that?” A confused Simon asked as he gently brushed Celeste’s hair.

“Never you mind Mr Hargreaves” Shamus answered, then he turned to the pixie, “and pixie don’t be so crude” Shamus admonished, turning back to Simon Shamus then explained “Mr Hargreaves your Celeste is just not used to the flow of magic from one object to another and her human soul just made it manifest in an unexpected way in her human physiology. As she was not expecting it she will be out for a while.”

Pete took the isotope and placed it back into the artificial wormhole generator,

Then he looked up at the colonel, “Where to?” Pete asked, “Earth or the Mystical Realms”
“That’s a tough one” Samuel replied.
“Sir” Sue-Lim spoke up, “If we go back to Earth the Sky-guard system will track us down within seconds of our arrival”
“That’s right Colonel” Pete agreed, “Even though Mr Vee gave us the specs on the system, we never had time to make any use of them”
“But if we go back to the Mystical Realms” Charlene objected, “We might be trapped there, plus where on that world is safe to go anyway. It’s under the rule of the Lady High Troll”

“She’s right, we can’t go to Karam Tag Chou or the central city sir” Captain Sandra spoke up, “Those two places were taken by that new Clan Chief of the Manjura on behalf of this Lady High Troll”

This elicited a hostile reaction from Padow, “I cannot wait to run that traitor through” he hissed

“If you have a better idea” Samuel replied to the troll
“The only place I can think of where it would be safe, assuming they do not detect our entry into my world is where my father is hiding” Padow said quietly, “But I have no idea where, it would be there”
“Any ideas” Samuel asked

Padow was silent for a moment and shook his head, “I have no idea Colonel. It would have to be in some out of the way place away from civilisation for those on our world to have believed him dead after all this time”

“Great you lumbering troll, there a lot of places on our world like that” one of the pixies replied contemptuously

“The Waylong Mountains” Shamus interjected

“It could be” Padow replied, “But what makes you so sure?”

“That blasted kobold servant of your father’s, Meetal” Shamus explained, “When I got him on a dark space he was contemplating a place of safety, and that was where he was thinking of. It is not the usual haunt of kobolds so; it has to be there, somewhere”

“Excuse me?” Pete asked, “You are suggesting we go to where this Lord Low Troll is?”

“As strange as it may seem Pete” Samuel replied, “One the Lord Low Troll is on our side this time and two, as we were tricked by Mr Vee into coming to here and he is an old friend of his, I suspect he has probably gone after Mr Andrews to make a deal”

“That would be my father alright” Sue-Lim interjected with venom, “He’s well known for doing whatever it takes no matter how many people he uses in the process”

“As I was saying” Samuel continued, “I want to make it quite clear that we expect any token punishment from his show trial he wants to hold will be exile from the Mystical realms”

“Good luck with that one” Padow replied, “Mt father always resented how Mr Andrews escaped his warped view of justice when that Griffin judge threw out the charges”

Samuel gave the troll a brief stare and then turned to Shamus, “Could you work out the coordinates Shamus if you worked with Pete, Charlene and Sue-Lim” Samuel asked
“Don’t forget me” Simon piped up.
“Sorry Simon” Samuel apologised

“You lot always do this” Simon complained, “Always ignore me because I have high functioning autism”

“That’s not true Simon” Sue-Lim objected, “If it weren’t for you we would never have got off that hovercraft to Grytviken”

“You didn’t want me to have Celeste here as my girl friend” Simon went on as he held Celeste’s hand as she lay on the ground.
“I’m sorry Simon” Charlene said gently to Simon as she came and knelt by Celeste, “I was wrong, Simon, I let something from my past get in the way and cloud my feelings about her. You’re lucky to have her and I know she loves you with all her heart”

“So Simon” Samuel interrupted, “Would you be able to assist Shamus work out the co-ordinates”

“Yes” Simon replied and pulled out his Iphone, “I made an Ap for that” he smiled as he held up the device.
Shamus came over to look at the device, “How does it work?” he asked Simon.
Simon pressed a few buttons on the screen, and a map appeared, “You find where you want to go and it gives the coordinates for the generator”
“I’ll have a go” Shamus told Simon, “While you look after your future wife”

Simon then had another thought and gently leaned over and kissed Celeste on the lips and drew back.
Celeste’s eyes flickered open.
“I love you” Simon said to Celeste
“Simon, did I get it right” Celeste asked weakly
“Yes” Simon answered in his characteristic abruptness.

Celeste started to try and get up as she did so the jacket from Sandra started slip down.

“Whoa there sweetheart” Sandra said as she held Celeste left shoulder and pulled up the jacket covering her with her other hand, “You lost your clothes”
“What?” Celeste uttered, still disorientated by the process of transferring the magic from the amulets to the isotope

Then Simon, without any warning pulled off his tee-shirt revealing his bare torso and presented it to Celeste, “I want to marry you” he told Celeste, “Here’s my top just like the trolls do it”

A dazed Celeste took the tee-shirt and then slipped it on. Simon then gave Celeste a hug and told her again how much he loved her and how under troll law they were now husband and wife like Pete and Sue-Lim. To Celeste in her groggy state, it seemed like a dream come true to be married to her beloved Simon, and for brief moment wished she was not wearing his shirt so she could feel his body next to hers.

“That’s not valid though” Pete whispered to Padow, “They aren’t really married. Even though for personal reasons, I wish it were” he added as he looked longingly at Sue-Lim. “And anyway if Celeste is only sixteen going on seventeen, I’m not sure if this would be allowed by our laws on Earth”

“I know” interrupted Shamus, “But we’ll allow their little fantasies for the moment, and as for the little detail about age, well if you’re right about this time travel malarkey I doubt Earth’s laws will be enforced and they do seem well suited I have to admit”
“I agree” Padow quietly chipped in, “Mr Smith, let Mr Hargreaves and the Spirit of Second Chances have their time together”, and then after a brief pause added, “And I know troll law does not really apply, but if you wish you and your mate can have yours minor fantasy as well well if you wish”

+ + +

Grytviken settlement
South Georgia
Earth

Vabalavich emerged from his teleportation spell alone and was greeted by a drow officer accompanied by two trolls of the Ghetto clan

“I wish to speak with my officer in private” Vabalavich told the trolls
“You word will be actioned” the trolls said, saluted and left.

The drow officer and Vabalavich then headed down to the shoreline at Vabalavich’s instistence so their words would be masked by the waves from any curious troll ear.

“Your apprentice is not with you my liege” the officer said in drow tongue
“He has his first mission of initiation” Vabalavich replied in drow tongue
“You wished my trolls not to understand us” the officer pressed
“Do they know our tongue?” Vabalavich asked
“I suspect they might know a few words, so you are right not to trust them” the officer admitted, “After all amongst the other trolls they are considered traitors”
“For doing what we would not hesitate to do” Vabalavich remarked
“Or what we did” the officer replied

Vabalavich smiled, “Yes we did, didn’t we”
“And it was a long time coming if I may say so my liege” the officer went on, “The high council were weak and decadent”
“I know, you do not have to demonstrate your loyalty to the Hadreth to me” Vabalavich gently rebuked the officer, “How loyal to the Lady High Troll are your Ghetto trolls”
“Fiercely” the drow officer answered, and then asked, “Is this initiation your apprentice on something to do with her”

Vabalavich looked around, specifically insure to make sure the trolls could not see his response, and then whispered in drow tongue, “He has been instructed to make it look like the action of the Manjura leader”

“Those two clans could end up at war with each other” The officer observed
“And we would need to bring in more drow foot soldiers to compensate” Vabalavich remarked.
“I am glad our time is coming” the officer said with quiet satisfaction.
“The humans have a quaint expression” Vabalavich said quietly as he looked out to sea, “Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched”
“Yes my liege” the officer replied, “I am sure the fall back plan will be fitting of a Hadreth leader”

Vabalavich smiled for a moment and then became more serious, “Any news about that vessel?”

“It has not put in at Stromness and last time we checked it was still surrounded by that distraction spell”
“Check again” Vabalavich ordered
“Your word will be actioned” the drow officer replied and then headed back up to the smouldering remains of the settlement

+ + +

A white space
Location: Unknown

The second figure in white looked at the first figure in white as he was flanked on either side by two other figures in white carrying swords.

“You would have me, one of your superiors detained because I do not sanction the death of a child?” The second figure said with incredulity
“Yes lord Adonael, I have brought down higher beings than you” the first figure answered, “I tire of waiting” the then added, “Enforcers do your duty Adonael has shown disloyalty by not doing what must be done to fulfil our treaty obligations”

The two figures carrying swords advanced on the second figure in white.

“Two questions” the second figure in white shouted

“What?” sneered the first figure in white.
“My first question, if I send Azrael or Rahab to take this child’s life, do I do the same with those people who live in that place called Northern Ireland? I mean she saved their lives too by taking a dangerous magic item from that other world to the moon that circles the world of mankind”

“Of course” the first figure in white answered, “She had no right to interfere in the affairs of mankind as she is bound by the treaty. And your second question?”

“What kind of fool do you take me for Bernael” the second figure in white asked with determination.

“What?” the first figure in white said angrily, “You are clearly incapable lord Adonael if you can not recognise who I am”

“The real Raguel” the second figure in white continued, ignoring the first figure’s response, “Went looking for that Celeste entity in the other world”
“I did lord Adonael” the first figure in white protested, “And now I am back. Now enforcers do your duty, lord Adonael must be confined”

The two figures with swords flanked the second figure in white and each one grabbed his arm.

“Make sure he can not communicate with anyone else” the first figure in white said in a menacing tone.

“This is not Raguel” the second figure in white insisted, “This is Bernael, one of the fallen ones”
“Nice try old man” the first figure in white sneered, then he spoke to the figures with swords, “After he is confined instruct on the authority of lord Raguel, overseer of the behaviour of the loyal brethren that Azrael and Rahab are to travel to Earth and slay all humans on the island of Ireland and report back to me.”

“You had no intention of slaying that child did you Bernael” the second figure in white accused,
“Oh I will get round to him eventually, you see the one thing about talismans of destruction, nobody knows what happens to the population of a world if they are triggered in the open as that one was” the first figure in white said menacingly. “Just think, because that Celeste entity intervened and therefore possibly violated the treat, the whole of humanity is under sentence of death”

“Can’t you fools tell that is not Raguel” the second figure in white screeched at the two figures in white with swords
“I’m sorry lord Adonael” replied one of the figures with swords, “We have no choice but to obey”

The second figure in white and the two enforcers vanished leaving the first figure in white alone.

The figure in white grinned, “Our so called chief will have to move over” he laughed, “Now I have got those so called loyal ones to do our bidding” At that the figure in white transformed into a figure of fire

And then left

+ + +

Aboard an old fishing boat
In the waters off of South Georgia

Jenny watched as the two twins carried their belongings through the swirling vortex from the wheelhouse of the boat.

The wormhole had been opened by the drow Jaheel as he was taking the civilians to a drow enclave that was loyal to the old drow high council.

She spotted that Caer was also carrying Paul the youngest child of Jenny’s former boss, Angela and Fidelity was carrying the leprechaun baby, Hogan O’Kerry.

“But Mummy” came the sound of Sarah, Angela’s adopted daughter, “We can’t leave without finding Daddy” she wept
“I’m sorry sweetheart” she heard her former boss reply tearfully, “We have to go or the nasty Ghetto trolls will get us”
“What about Daddy?” Sarah Wailed.
“He’s somewhere on the other world” Angela tearfully replied, before she and her daughter passed through the wormhole.

Mark came back into the wheel house, “Major Bolak is now maintaining the distractions spell so the O’Kerry’s and the pixie can leave”

“And then we go and see that b*****d that calls himself the Lord Low Troll” Jenny remarked.
“No” Mark said coldly, “I will but not you”
“What?” Jenny asked, “I’m still a member of the IDEC special operations team Mark”
“You were reassigned remember” Mark said softly has he gently placed his hands on Jenny’s shoulders, “Light duties only.”
“I never got those orders in person remember” Jenny objected, “Miss Cooper was going to give me the new assignment when we had got back to DC, which never happened”

“No love” Mark said firmly but gently, “We have no idea if this time travel stuff will work and I want you safe where you can have our son, even if it means I never get to see him”
“But I wanted us to be together” Jenny pleaded
“So did I” Mark said in a said voice. Then he paused as emotion welled up inside him, then he continued, “Ever since we first met at the Facility in London, I always felt there was a connection between you and I. The way you handled yourself that time, and the way you dealt with that doppelganger on your own. I knew you were something special”
“But your son needs a father” Jenny interrupted
“I know, but this has to be” Mark told her, “Now get down there and go through that wormhole and have a safe rest of your life with our son”

“I’ll always love you Mark” Jenny said as tears streamed down her face.
“I’ll never forget you” Mark replied, “If I can I will try and find you, but don’t wait too long for me. We don’t know if this time travel thing will work”

Jenny reluctantly left the wheelhouse and went to pick up her emergency case and her short bow and quiver, but one of the pixies held up his hand to stop her. “Not in your condition” he said and magically levitated all three items.

Jenny then had an idea, “Pixie, can you swap the clothes I’m wearing with items in my case?”
“Why would you want to do that?” the pixie asked quizzically

For a brief moment Jenny thought about asking the pixie to swap all her clothes she was wearing, including her underwear for that shortened skirt, so that the last time her Mark saw her, she was wearing what they both called, the Amazon look.

“Nah, forget it” Jenny said, “Lets get out of her” she added and then with the pixie entered the wormhole.

As she emerged on the other side she was greeted by a large forest in a deep valley, with mountains surrounding them, and high above her in the trees she saw dwelling places.

Waiting by the vortex was Corporal Tania McCaskey with the artificial wormhole generator.
“It’s like an ewok village” Jenny said in astonishment.
“Yeah it looks like that” Tania replied, “drow don’t normally live in trees, that’s why they have managed to keep under radar here”

Then behind her came Mitch and Cherry O’Kerry, the leprechauns. Finally Jaheel came through the wormhole and then spoke an incantation. The vortex behind her evaporated, cutting her off, perhaps forever from her beloved Mark and the father of the baby she was carrying.

“We need to find Miss Fidelity” Cherry said anxiously, it’s time for Hogan’s feed”

Jenny spotted the twins in the distance waiting to go up a large tree and pointed them out.
“Thank you my dear” Cherry told her and rushed off calling after Fidelity.

“What’s an ewok” the pixie asked
“It doesn’t matter” Jenny replied, “Let’s check in” she added as she choked back her tears.

“We got the idea for this village from one of your films” Jaheel told Jenny
“I think I can guess which one” Jenny replied quietly

Tania and Jaheel then embraced and passionately kissed each other, causing Jenny to feel like a spare part. “Oh Mark” Jenny sighed, “I’ll never forget you too” and a tear rolled down her right cheek

+

Mark left the wheel house and went below decks where Mr Vee was sitting while Major Bolak was chanting a distraction spell.

“So glad you could join us Commander” Mr Vee said in is emotionless matter of fact manner

“The non combatants are gone” Mark said sternly, “Let’s see what the Lord Low Troll has to say for himself”

Mr Vee took out a dimension jump orb and started the process of opening up a wormhole, “As soon as it is up to full strength, the major will discontinue the distraction spell and we will all go through”
“Suits me” Mark replied

A blue dot appeared in the cabin and grew in size, and then when it was filling the entire below decks, the major stopped his chanting and entered the vortex, followed by Mark and then Mr Vee.

The vortex then vanished.

About half a minute later, three drow appeared along with three trolls on the deck of the boat. One of the drow was Vabalavich

One of the drow rushed up to the wheelhouse and found it empty, so he left it and called out, “There is nobody piloting this boat”
“Check below” Vabalavich ordered one of the other trolls.

Within minutes the troll reported that there was nobody below. Vabalavich looked around the outside of the boat; none of the life rafts were missing. They had either all gone into the water or had left the ship by another vessel, teleported or transited to the Mystical Realms. One thing was certain, they were no longer here, nor were the first team that had gone to take the boat.

“Great” Vabalavich said angrily as it became clear that the boat was deserted, “We are too late and we have lost them”
“I apologise” said the drow officer, “I got us here as soon as the distraction spell had seemed to be dissipated, but that is inexcusable” The drow officer then handed Vabalavich his dagger and knelt down looking at the deck of the boat. “My life is forfeit and for you to take my liege” the drow officer said to Vabalavich

“I am not sure if this is a failure on your part” Vabalavich told the drow officer, “I seem to have under estimated my old rival from my days with the Russian Liaison task force. Major Bolak, it seems, is almost my equal in ability, assuming it was him” Vabalavich continued, “I give your life back to you to serve the Hadreth, now see if there are any clues on this boat as to where they might have gone” he instructed the drow officer handing back his dagger, “I will return to Karam Tag Chou to see how my apprentice has got on with his mission of initiation”

The drow officer stood up, bowed and saluted, “Your word will be actioned my liege”

Vabalavich pulled out a blue orb, recited an incantation causing a blue vortex to form. After it was fully formed Vabalavich stepped through.

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor

Vabalavich stepped through to be greeted by four trolls with crossbows aimed at him.

“What is the meaning of this?” Vabalavich asked
As if you didn’t know you traitor” a voice came from behind him, it was Brameana

Vabalavich turned around and saw the Lady High Troll in full armour for a Ghetto troll.

Then he saw his apprentice, Jaigon, dead, hanging by his neck from a gallows with his hands and feet bound.
“You sent your apprentice to have me assassinated” Brameana accused Vabalavich, “I had to have him hanged as we have no drowning tank like they do in the Central City. And now you will join him on the scaffold for your treachery”
“Brameana, where did you get this preposterous idea?” Vabalavich asked indignantly

“I told her” another familiar voice came from behind.

Vabalavich span round again, “You!” he said angrily as he looked up at a very familiar fiery figure
“Yes it was I” the fiery figure went on, “I could not let you cause the death of our new ally could I” the fiery figure grinned

+ + +

Deep inside a lava tube
Inter Dimensional World 02

Pete was now wearing a spare shirt from his emergency case, not because he really wanted to, but because he needed to persuade Simon to put on a spare shirt as well so Celeste was not distracted by Simon’s being bare chested.

Celeste’s emergency suitcase had got left behind at abandoned whaling station at Grytviken in the scramble to leave, so had no replacement clothes for the ones she had inadvertently disintegrated. Celeste had tried to say she did not mind and probably deserved such humiliation, and was prepared to work naked. Shamus and the Colonel were having none of it and forcefully reiterated his mantra that she would not be expected to work without clothing. Shamus had promised her she would have more clothes as soon as they could get them.

Sue-Lim helped out by giving Celeste a spare pair of her panties, and Simon insisted she wore his tee-shirt, because even though both had remembered that Shamus had said it was not valid, under troll law, as he had given it to her to put on, they could have been considered to be married under troll law. Even though both realised this was not the case and troll law did not apply, Celeste’s love for Simon meant she did exactly as her beloved had asked, and kept it on, as it was part of their private little “let’s pretend game.” Simon went on to suggest she could have all his tops and he would willingly go with out, for her sake, but Pete came in and put a stop to that. Simon after all, sometimes had to be protected from himself.

But now it was time to leave IDW02. Pete fired up the artificial wormhole generator and with Simon’s help inputted the new coordinates to take into account they were travelling from IDW02 instead of Earth.

As the green dot in the air started to grow, Simon noticed something odd in the readings as they headed for the general area of the Waylong Mountains. Then he guessed what it could be.
“Pete” Simon called out excitedly above the noise of the generator, “It’s another wormhole going to the Waylong Mountains”

“Ouch” Pete replied, “The drow must have found the Lord Low Troll!” he exclaimed

“And that tyrant’s our only ticket out of this mess” Samuel shouted
“What do you want me to do Colonel?” Yelled Pete
“See if you can land near where it’s landing and then Captain Phillips and I will go through first and see if we can take out any other drow.”
“Take Celeste” Shamus interjected
“Why Mr McTuckle” Sandra asked, “She’s a civilian and she has no weapons training”
“But she’s a major spirit and they can do shield spells in case the drow use any fireball spells against you” Shamus insisted in an irritated manner

Celeste gulped and stepped up to beside the colonel and the captain. The thought that she was going into the front line in a possible showdown with drow or trolls terrified her but she needed to make amends for what she had done when she had worked for Sir Sidney Gerald and so closed her eyes and just hoped she would come out of this alive.
“Do I need to take these off” Celeste asked as she fingered Simon’s tee-shirt and the bottom of the panties she had been given”
“I wouldn’t have thought so” Shamus answered back
“You don’t know” Celeste accused, “I’m going to take them off just in case” she shouted nervously, “I shouldn’t be wearing clothes anyway” she added quietly

“No!” Padow interrupted forcefully with more certainty than the leprechaun, “a shield spell does not affect the structure of your body so you may keep them on” Padow then turned to Shamus, “We studied about major and minor spirits too”
“Yes sir” Celeste responded to trolls injunction and again gulped.

Pete and Simon tweaked the controls and then Pete announced that the two wormholes would be 10 meters apart.

“How do I do this” Celeste whined as the two US marines made sure their assault rifles were armed and ready.
“It’s instinctive” Padow replied, “just focus on protecting yourself and them from any harm”

Within seconds the green vortex was at full size and ready to go through.

We are all going to have to go through if we want to leave this world” Pete shouted, “We don’t have any more power for another shot at anywhere else

Celeste went through the green vortex with the two marines on either side. She was utterly terrified as to what would be on the other side.

+ + +

A wilderness cave
The Walong Mountains
The Mystical Realms

After what seemed like an eternity travelling through the wormhole the three of them arrived in an arid dry landscape. In the distance Celeste spotted the other vortex, a blue one signifying it was generated, not by some strange device invented by the humans, but by a dimension jump orb powered by magic. The blue vortex had appeared near a cave entrance which seemed strangely to have some kind of garden nearby.

Samuel and Sandra pointed their weapons at the blue vortex as they spotted three figures emerge and the wormhole dissipate

One of the figures in the distance was a drow, the others looked like humans. As they had come from a darkened cavern, Celeste was finding it hard for her eyes to adjust as unlike the two marines she did not have any dark glasses.

Suddenly the Colonel shouted, “Mark?” then he told the Captain, “Get the others through now” and immediately the captain went back through the worm hole.

Celeste walked forward shielding her eyes from the two suns that were high in the sky looking at the three figures in the distance. Now she could tell who they were, Commander Mark Johnston, Major Bolak and Mr Vee.

What were they doing here?

Celeste looked back towards the green vortex and saw the rest of the group coming through. Simon came through first and ran up to Celeste and embraced her. The two of them then kissed passionately.
“You’re safe” Simon told her
“Welcome to my home world” Celeste whispered then with a grin, “As this is my world, if I were not wearing a top and you then gave me yours”
“It would still not be valid my dear” Shamus interrupted, “Sorry but I think that tradition only applies to trolls and not the other races”
“Spoil sport” Celeste whined

The green vortex collapsed as Pete and Sue-Lim were last to come through.

Most of the former resistance, such as it was were all together in this desolate wilderness

Doctor Henshaw, and Pete wanted to speak with Simon so Celeste reluctantly walked towards the colonel and those who had come via the blue vortex.

The colonel then walked up to the commander, “What happened to the others?” he asked his long time friend

“Another fifth columnist drow and Corporal McCaskey have taken them to some enclave of drow who are still loyal to their old drow high council” the commander replied,
“McCaskey?” the colonel said in a surprised tone
“Yeah Sam” The commander replied, “It seems our Tania was a dark horse and had a drow lover on the side who sprung her”
“Anything else I should know?” the colonel asked in a sarcastic tone
The commander pointed at Mr Vee and Major Bolak, “These two have kidnapped Mr Andrews and handed him over to him” at that the commander pointed towards the cave entrance

Celeste looked at the cave entrance and there coming out of it was one of the most feared trolls she had heard of, and one for a long time she had thought was dead

It was the Lord Low Troll

Celeste gulped at the sight of this tyrant. This troll once had the power to order summary executions and it was this troll who had passed the law which had meant for many years she had been lead to believe her mother was dead, because her father the Spirit of Death had let her die.

Quickly Celeste pulled off the tee-shirt she was wearing so she did not offend this vicious troll as she was according to the others unmarried and dropped it to the ground
“What are you doing?” Shamus said to her quietly as he picked the shirt up and offered it back to Celeste
Celeste shook her head, “Tell Doctor Henshaw, the Captain and Sue-Lim to do likewise” Celeste whispered nervously
“No I will not” Shamus retorted, “Now put this shirt back on” the leprechaun insisted
Simon came across, “Celeste why have you taken my shirt off?” he asked, confused by her action

“You don’t understand” Celeste whimpered and shook her head, “He’s the Lord Low Troll, we shouldn’t anger him, they need to remove their tops” she added and backed away from Shamus, leaving him holding the shirt while she raised her hands in surrender and kneeled on the ground, terrified of this infamous troll.

Simon looked up at the Lord Low Troll and in solidarity knelt beside his Celeste, if this Lord Low Troll made his love do this, he must be pretty nasty and powerful

“Father!” Celeste heard Padow the troll say with a mixture of disgust and contempt

“I see you brought the Prince Low Troll with you” the Lord Low Troll replied with equal disdain.
“I do not go by that name now father” Padow retorted, “As I was usurped from the roll of Clan Chief of the Manjura I have been using the name my mother gave me”
“That Delethon name” The Lord Low Troll replied, “I might have guess you would do something like that”

“This family reunion is all very well” the colonel interrupted. Then he pointed what to Celeste seemed to be his side arm at the Lord Low Troll, “I want Mr Andrews right here, right now”

The Lord Low Troll broke off from his fraught discussion with his son and approached the colonel, “I believe we had a deal”
“Not one we sanctioned” the commander chipped in, “Your friend Mr Vee did this with no authorisation from the rest of us”

The Lord Low Troll shook his head and grinned, “To use an expression from your world, TOUGH”

Mr Vee came up to the colonel and the commander, “I told you, my friend here has assured me that he will not be pressing for the death penalty for Mr Andrews”

The colonel then pointed his sidearm at Mr Vee, “You sold us out didn’t you”

“Oh don’t be so melodramatic, Colonel” Major Bolak interrupted, “Our troll friend here can free both our worlds, is that not worth one man?”

The colonel shook his head and pointed his sidearm at Major Bolak, “You had no right to do that, and we could have done this without the help of this blood thirsty tyrant”

The commander then gently put his hand on the hand the Colonel was holding the sidearm.
“Sam” the commander said quietly, “I don’t think we have much of an option now”

The colonel was visibly shocked that his once right hand man seemed to be going along with what Mr Vee and Major Bolak seemed to have done.
“I can’t believe this Mark” the colonel replied as he holstered his sidearm, “This is the Lord Low Troll here Mark, one of the most blood thirsty tyrants on this world who murdered and lied his way to the top”
“We don’t have much choice now Sam” the commander insisted in what to Celeste seemed like a sad voice.
“I would have to concur with the colonel Commander” Padow agreed, “I would not trust my father here more than I could spit him out of my mouth”

“Oh son, you know how to hurt your own father don’t you” the Lord Low Troll replied
“Oh, so now you recognise me as your son” Padow shouted as he walked up to the Lord Low Troll and pushed him back, “You had me for political expediency and you had no decency to marry my mother because you had married Ghetto scum”

The Lord Low Troll swung his right fist and knocked Padow to the ground. “Yes it was expediency you ungrateful runt” he shouted, “And yes I sired you to help cement an alliance with the Delethon which you squandered, but I loved my true wife, Geerol who gave me a beautiful daughter and I was made to send her into exile, so don’t talk to me about political expediency”

“I met your daughter” Padow growled, “And from what I hear she hates your guts just as much as I do”
“I know” The elderly troll said in a sad voice, “But I still love my daughter”

“We don’t have time for this” Major Bolak interrupted, “Like you said we have a deal. I will ensure you are not hunted down, we will capture Brameana and bring her to you like you wanted and you have that human to deal with as you wish. It is time for you to honour our deal Madron”
The Lord Low Troll looked down at the drow impassively, “You know my Majura name my mother gave me” he said, emphasising the word “Manjura” as a dig at his son.
“Well?” Major Bolak replied as he approached the Lord Low Troll
“You are right” the Lord Low Troll said to the drow.

Doctor Henshaw came up to the Colonel, “If he’s talking about time travel” Doctor Henshaw said with a touch of venom aimed at the troll, “it won’t work”
“I know you said” Mr Vee interrupted, “But we have to try it just in case it works”
“Quite so” the Lord Low Troll boomed out, “This wench of yours is a feisty one”

The colonel then caught sight of Celeste as she knelt, topless with her hands in the air next to Simon, while Shamus tried vainly to cover Celeste’s front with the tee-shirt

“If you’re expecting the other female members of my team to take their tops off, forget it” the colonel growled

The Lord Low Troll caught sight of Celeste and started to approach her, “Get away Shamus” Celeste pleaded, “he needs to see all of me”

“But I gave you my shirt, aren’t we married under his law?” Simon asked

“You are that child of the Spirit of Death and the so called long dead Spirit of Destiny” The Lord Low Troll growled
“Ye – Yes my lord” Celeste said weakly.

Celeste knew that her mother was really Lachesis, one of the fates who was very much alive, but according to law either one of her parents or Celeste herself had to be dead or put to death, so she kept the pretence hoping Simon with his total honesty would not give away her secret

“Is it true that you gave a top of yours to this wench when she wore none” The Lord Low Troll asked Simon
Totally awed, Simon nodded.
“Then put it back on” The Lord Low Troll Boomed at Celeste, “Your assets are for your husband alone now; I do not wish to see them”
Celeste obediently grabbed the tee-shirt and pulled it back on apologising to the Lord Low Troll, however he walked away ignoring her sobbing as she broke down in tears into Simon’s arms

The Lord Low Troll approached the Colonel. The colonel had again un-holstered his side arm and was pointing it at the Lord Low Troll. “So you the leader of this group” the Lord Low Troll said menacingly
“What if I am?” the colonel replied
“As the drow said” the Lord Low Troll Replied, “It is time for me to honour my side of the deal. I alone have the magics to roll back time for you and a number of others, so you can prevent the calamity that that accursed Vabalavich has made my daughter do to both our worlds, and I expect you to be successful in that mission or else…”

To be continued

[GypsyGoth]

Have finished part four, and was wondering is Aurelia like a real planet? Or did someone make it up?

[Sticks]

Episode VII –Ambivalent Guardians

Ever wished you could go back and relive certain events? Maybe change decisions you had made? Not spend money on something that turned out not to be worth it? Spend more time with someone before they died.
The list goes on as long as we have regrets in our lives, and many people live their lives trapped in the regrets of the past. They are haunted by things they cannot change.
But suppose you could, should you?
Should we not let the past be what it was?
This is now the situation the remnants of the IDEC are faced with as the Lord Low Troll is offering the chance to roll back time to before Brameana and Vabalavich successfully conquered Earth.

+ + +

A white space
Location: Unknown

Two figures in white materialised in front of a third one
“You summoned us lord Raguel” one of the figures in white who had just appeared addressed the third figure in white.

“Yes Azrael” the third figure in white replied, “The pair of you have a solemn duty to perform today”
“You wish our services” the first figure in white asked.
“Indeed Azrael” the third figure went on, “Some months ago an artefact from that other world the humans call the Mystical Realms was triggered in the open. This was a talisman of destruction and had the ability to kill all life for an indeterminate radius around it”

“I heard about that” replied the other figure in white who had not yet spoken, “I understand an entity from that world took it to the Moon and it detonated safely. Many lives were saved”

“Indeed it did and indeed they were Rahab” the third figure replied, “But the problem is that the entity who took it there is considered to be one of us on account of her parentage and that means that when she took it to the Moon out of harms way, it was considered interference by us”

“That would not be allowed by the treaty we were forced into” the first figure in white to appear commented

“Exactly Azrael” the third figure in white replied, “So that we are not in violation any longer, you are to rectify this situation”
“How shall we do that lord Raguel” the second figure to appear asked
“You are agents of death who serve HIM” the third figure in white went on, “You must go to the place they call Stormont as that was where this talisman was, and from there in ever widening circles, you must slay every single human you see, even if they belong to HIM”

“Yes lord Raguel” the first figure in white to appeared, said apprehensively, “But how far out must we go?”
“Are we to be limited to one country as we were once in that place they call Egypt?” the second figure in white to appear asked

“I do not know Rahab” the third figure in white replied, “The range of such a talisman in the open is not known, for all we know it could have a range over the entire Earth”

“But that would mean slaying the entire population of the Earth?” the first figure in white to appear replied.
“If that is what it takes to make sure we are compliant with the treaty, then so be it” the third figure in white said back to him, “If the job is too great for you two alone, you may call on the others to assist in this task. But first start with the whole island of Ireland and after that we will see. While you are doing that land mass I will consult with Metatron to see if we are required to slay the whole population of the Earth”

“May I ask one thing lord Raguel?” the second figure in white to appear asked.
“Yes”
“Normally we are delegated such a task by lord Adonael. Why is he not here to pass these orders on from Metatron”
The third figure in white glowered at the figure in white who had asked this question and then slowly and deliberately replied, “Adonael has been confined pending trial into his disloyalty and disobedience”

“We will obey” the first figure to appear, stated in a determined tone, “Rahab and I will be able to handle the island of Ireland but if we have to slay more, up to including the whole of Earth, we will need all of the loyal ones in such a task”
“That is understood” the third figure in white replied.

Then the two figures in white who had appeared faded away as they set off to do the bidding of the third figure in white.

The figure in white chuckled, “I can not believe that they have fallen for this” he said to himself

“Fallen for what” came a voice from behind sounding like thunder

The figure in white turned around to see a fiery figure standing, glowering at him
“Bernael” the figure in white sneered, “As late to the party as ever”

“You are not Raguel are you” the fiery figure spat back

The figure in white then transformed into another fiery figure, “Ok you got me there” he replied.

“Lahash” the first fiery figure replied, “I should have known”
“Indeed Bernael” the now second fiery figure sneered, “While you whined about how you were stopped from wiping out the half breeds, I have actually done something to see to their destruction”
“By impersonating a so called loyal one” the first fiery figure asked
“If that’s what it takes” the second fiery figure hissed, “Did you ever think you were the one to replace Samael?”
“And you think you will” the first fiery figure screamed back.

Who says anything about replacing him” the second fiery figure grinned, “By showing initiative at getting the loyal ones to do what we want them to do in opposition to the will of HIM who we tried to rebel against, I will show my worth to serve at Samael’s right hand”

“Is that so” boomed yet a third voice that sounded like many rushing waters.

+ + +

A wilderness cave
The Walong Mountains
The Mystical Realms

Colonel Samuel Peters followed the Lord Low troll into his cave.

Inside he spotted a small creature sitting next to a teenage girl that was a year or so younger than Celeste.

“I do not believe you two have actually met” The Lord Low Troll said to Samuel, “This is”
Samuel interrupted the Lord Low Troll “This is the former Spirit of Caring” Samuel said to the Lord Low Troll, “Also known as Mazy Schneider, she was an Irish operation if I recall”

Mazy stood up and looked up at the colonel, “Yes that’s correct Madron, but how did he know?”

“This man is Colonel Samuel Peters” The Lord Low Troll replied, “He used to work for the human organisation that liaised with the troll council.”

Mazy walked up to the colonel, “So you’re the one responsible for Rebecca getting her soul and being sent to America to live with her uncle and her family”
“Yes” Samuel confirmed, “She was my first minor spirit of virtue our unit humanely dealt with”

“As opposed to that daughter of the Spirit of True Love who was inhumanely dealt with by your Mr Blue” the Lord Low Troll smirked

“That was under a different management before my time” Samuel retorted, “And anyway, before you start she and her sister are no threat to you or your precious Sacred Law. Given how you went after their mother a few years back, I thought I ought to let you know that”
“Indeed” the Lord Low Troll confirmed, “For most of her life The Spirit of Fidelity was on our world with that drow traitor Yagel Penswift and as for the Spirit of Fancying, I don’t believe she used her power once among the humans before she became of no concern to us”
“Was I ever a concern Madron?” the teenage girl asked
“No my child” The Lord Low Troll said softly, “You never knew until those leprechauns told you, just like your friend the former Spirit of Kindness never knew. You weren’t like the Spirit of Tue Love who deliberately tried to interfere in the affairs of humans”
“I would never have willingly broken any law sir” Mazy insisted.
“We know that” Samuel reassured that, “That was why under our administration we developed the programme to help minor spirits such as you and Rebecca to get rid of those powers and become fully human like you are now”

“Do you need me to do anything for you Madron” Mazy asked
The Lord Low Troll shook his head, and then the Lord Low Troll turned to the small creature sitting by a small cooking pot, “Meetal my old friend”

“Yes master” the small creature replied
“Can you take Mazy outside to meet the other guests while the colonel and I discuss matters?”

“More visitors?” the small creature complained, “But the garden barely feeds the three of us”

“If things go according to plan my old friend” the Lord Low Troll replied, “It will not be a problem”
“We won’t be staying long” Samuel interjected

“As you wish master” the small creature replied as it looked up at the colonel suspiciously and then it took Mazy’s hand and lead her outside
“You just can’t get the staff these days” Samuel remarked as the small creature and the teenager left the cave.

“Meetal’s a kobold Colonel” the Lord Low Troll explained, “Very loyal to me and the Sacred Law, but he does tend to prefer the quiet life now, as do I”
“What about Mr Andrews?” Samuel asked
“Not up for discussion” The Lord Low Troll said abruptly, “I have him and he will be put on trial for his crimes and no Griffin judge is going to make me look like a laughing stock”
“I got that!” Samuel retorted, “You want a conviction in a show trial, we want him back with his family, why…”
“I said it is not open for discussion” The Lord Low Troll interrupted loudly. After a brief pause the Lord Low Troll lowered his voice, “I will now get the artefact which will roll back time to the period my Friend Mr Vee has suggested and then you and whoever you pick will be on their way”

“Tell me one thing” Samuel asked pointedly
“If it is about Mr Andrews” The Lord Low troll went on
“No it’s not” Samuel interrupted
“You mean why did I not use the artefact before do deal with those traitors who murdered my twin brother?”
“You read my mind” Samuel accused
“It was kind if an obvious question Colonel” The Lord Low Troll went on, “I did not need to resort to telepathy of any kind. And to answer the question, by the time I had discovered what they were doing it was too late, plus with the involvement of a major spirit of vice there was always the danger they may have sensed that the timeline had been reset. That plus such magics are dark and not for something so trivial as foiling a coup, even if it was against me”

“Liar” Samuel accused the Lord Low Troll, “You saw the writing on the wall and realised that there was no way you could have stopped the inevitable” Samuel said to the Lord Low Troll with a fair degree of venom
“I suppose there is some truth in that” the Lord Low Troll responded gruffly, “But now I think it is a time to use it. Stay here while I get the artefact”

Samuel stood in the cave while the large troll headed into another part of his cave that he kept private with a large curtain. This was where he kept his supply of magic items and records from the days when he was the most brutal tyrant on the Mystical Realms. Now, even though he was now no longer in power, he still had an aura of menace about him which he could turn on at a whim.

How a young girl like Mazy could tolerate him, Samuel could not fathom, as she had chosen to stay for a while with the Lord Low Troll and Meetal the loyal kobold servant. Maybe because she had been totally subservient to this former tyrant and eager to please, even to the point of attempting to adopt the troll custom for single females, she had not really got on his wrong side.

Commander Mark Johnston wandered in, “Before you say anything Sam, I know you told us to wait outside”
“If you’re wanting to put in a word for Mr Andrews” Samuel began
“He’s not budging then?” Mark asked
Samuel nodded.

+

Outside the cave the others waited. Mr Vee and Major Bolak were admiring the garden that the Lord Low Troll had been tending. Sue-Lim Wang, Pete Smith and Charlene sat down on part of the hill that the cave went into discussing temporal paradoxes and how time travel would not help free Earth from the forces.

The pixies had disappeared, saying that they were going back to their secret enclave on the Mystical Realms to see what help they could get. As they went, Shamus had not been complimentary about them, but then it was well known, leprechauns and pixies did not usually get on with one another, even when they fought on the same side.

Captain Sandra Phillips stood near the entrance to the cave, her automatic rifle ready in case it was needed. Padow, the Lord Low Troll’s estranged son stood with her.

Shamus, Simon and Celeste were near what appeared to be some kind of vine that the Lord Low Troll had been cultivating. Simon and Celeste were holding each other in a lover’s embrace just spending time with each other while they could. Shamus tried to act as gooseberry but was not entirely successful or even trying to be.

As Simon and Celeste held each other in their arms, Celeste spotted the teenage girl being led out of the cave entrance by a kobold.
“Who’s that?” Celeste asked Simon
Simon and Celeste let go of each other and Simon turned to look at who Celeste had spotted. Simon rapidly shook his head, “I don’t know” he replied

“That’s Mazy Schneider, Shamus commented, “With that stupid kobold who insisted I was a blasted gnome”
“Who?” Simon asked
“She was a minor spirit of virtue, caring to be precise” Shamus explained, “We helped her to get her soul and become fully human, she’s from New York”

“She’s quite pretty” Celeste murmured
“But you’re the one for me” Simon said softly as he took her hand and then he turned her to face him, and Celeste let him, “Especially” Simon went on, “As that troll said we were married” And then the two embraced again and kissed passionately and then rested their heads together.

Shamus meanwhile shook his head in disbelief, They were not really married either by Earth law or the laws of the Mystical Realms, s why had the Lord Low Troll told them something that was not true?

Celeste was then distracted as she heard the kobold shout “You!” with some venom in its voice, so Simon and Celeste turned to see what had annoyed this creature

Celeste watched as the kobold let go of Mazy’s hand and march up to Major Bolak.
“You were that drow who wanted to leave me in that dungeon” the kobold accused Major Bolak
“And you were the kobold who was so incompetent” Major Bolak retorted, “We had to get the fairies to bail you out if I remember”

Then the kobold stopped and looked up at Mr Vee and gulped. Then the kobold bowed down and kneeled before Mr Vee, “I owe you a life debt oh Mr Vee” Meetal said with his voice tinged with shame
“I owed you a life debt for Mazy” Mr Vee replied as he squatted down to speak with the kobold, “You took one for her so there was no way I could let you become ash”

“Any idea who that is?” Simon asked as he pointed at the kobold
“Sorry Simon” Celeste apologised, “I don’t know”

“I believe his name is Meetal” Shamus chipped in, “It was him that kept insisting I was some blasted gnome when I met him in that dark space”

Mazy walked over towards Shamus, “Hi long time no see Mr McTuckle” she said as she offered her hand in greeting, then turning to Celeste and Simon added, “This was the leprechaun who got me my human soul and allowed me to be come fully human”
“It must be nice to be fully human” Celeste said wistfully

Shamus took Mazy’s and shook it warmly, “It’s good to see you again Mazy, but I wish it were in other circumstances, but pray tell me, why are you staying with the Lord Low Troll?” Shamus asked

Mazy hesitated for a moment, “You know my human mother and my stepfather were killed in the New York attack”
“I didn’t” Shamus admitted, “I’m sorry to hear that”
“Mr Vee found me there and brought me to stay for a while with Rebecca Sands”
“Did he indeed” Shamus said quizzically
“Well the Sands family were for taking me in and Rebecca thought it was cool me coming to stay with her”
“There’s a but there isn’t there”
Mazy nodded, “That’s her family and they are great lovely people and that’s the best place for that kid”
“But not for you” Shamus replied
Mazy shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know Mr McTuckle, I was not sure and Mr Vee was going to leave me with them anyway, but then you told me about Meetal in that dark-space and when he arrived, he was almost killed saving my life so I had to come here and make sure he got better”

“Well” Shamus went on, “If you wish we can return you to Earth if this time travel stuff doesn’t workout”
“Yeah I suppose”

“I’m sorry to hear about your mother” Simon interrupted and then in a subdued voice, “I lost both my parents in the attack on DC”
“Oh I’m sorry” Mazy said guilt stricken

“For most of my life” Celeste then spoke up as she squeezed Simon’s hand, “I was told my mother had died shortly after I was born. It’s probably not the same”

“Well” Shamus interrupted, “If that time travel thing does work, none of that will need to have happened

“But it won’t work” Simon insisted, “What about the paradoxes”
“I don’t know Master Hargreaves” Shamus replied

“By the way” Mazy asked Simon and Celeste, “You are?”
“I’m Simon Hargreaves and this is my wife Celeste” Simon beamed as he gave Celeste a welcome hug with one arm.
Shamus just rolled his eyes and shook his head

Suddenly out of the clear blue sky came a sound as if of rushing waters over a mighty waterfall.

“Oh no” Celeste whimpered, “He’s found me”
“Who?” Shamus asked suspiciously

“It’s some guy in a white suit Mr McTuckle” a terrified Celeste told him, “He says I don’t belong here and he has tried to grab me twice”

The sound had come from the sky

“Incoming” Captain Sandra Philips yelled and fired a burst of gunfire into the air. Suddenly there was a column of fire heading down to where Sandra had stood. She stood no chance and was incinerated instantly, Padow barely escaped.

“What is that?” Shamus whispered as they saw the bright shining figure of a man coming out of the sky. “I have found you at last Celeste” the figure in white demanded in it’s terrifying voice.

+

“What the hell was that” Samuel swore at the sound of some kind of explosion just outside the cave.
“It’s killed Captain Philips” Mark shouted
“Dragons” Samuel suggested, “its just like at Karam Tag Chou”

The Lord Low Troll stormed out from behind the curtain to his private section carrying a ring like object, “You fools, who have you led here”

Samuel put his hands up in surrender, “I assure you; there was no way we could have been tracked from where we came”
“We took extra care when we came from Earth” Mark told the irate troll.

Both Samuel and Mark pulled out their side arms and crept towards the front of the cave entrance, “Stay back” Samuel yelled at the Lord Low Troll, but the troll had vanished deeper into his cave

Within half a minute they were at the cave mouth where they saw Padow lying on the ground on one side of the cave entrance and the incinerated remains of Sandra on the other side.

“What is that” Mark whispered as he looked up into the sky at the descending figure of a man. The figure was so bright it hurt his eyes, and it was descending near Shamus, Celeste and Simon

The Lord Low troll came up behind them wearing a helm and carrying a repeating cross bow.
“This is your world Madron” Samuel shouted, “What kind of creature is that?”

The Lord Low Troll shook his head, “That is not from our world” he growled, “I have never seen anything like it before”
“If it had wings” Mark remarked, “I would have said it looked like an angel”
“A what?” The Lord Low Troll asked
“Supernatural beings believed by some to carry message from God to man” Samuel explained, “And sometimes they would carry out the will of God by killing the enemies of his people”
“Then why did we not have angels?” the Lord Low Troll asked, “We have every other creature from your myths, fantasies and fables”
“I have no idea” Samuel replied, then he holstered his side arm “I think we better put our weapons away” Samuel suggested, “The captain fired a full clip at it and it didn’t do her any good”

Slowly Samuel and Mark holstered their side arms, but the Lord Low Troll held onto his crossbow for a few moments before dropping it.
“We better go out and talk to it” Samuel suggested
“And let it incinerate us?” The Lord Low Troll said incredulously
“It only killed the captain because she fired on it” Mark told the troll

“Exactly” Samuel remarked as he walked out of the cave mouth with his arms raised, “Mark you stay here and get the others into the cave” he ordered, “No sense in all of us being killed”

+

Simon held on to Celeste as she watched in terror at the brilliant figure in white descending from the sky.
“CELESTE YOU WILL COME WITH ME NOW” the voice of the figure in white boomed out in a sound like many rushing waters over a waterfall.

Simon tried to tighten his grip around Celeste, “She’s my wife” he objected.

The figure in white glared at Simon with eyes like the most brilliant sapphire and started to point at Simon

Having seen what this figure had done to the captain Celeste started pushing her way out of Simon’s arms, “Let me go Simon please, he’ll kill you”

Suddenly a ray of brilliant white light left from the figure in white’s finger directly at Simon, instinctively Celeste lifted a hand and the white ray deflected off of a shield into a distant outcrop of rocks shattering them instantly in a loud explosion

Celeste felt a severe pain run through her body as it seemed all her life force was draining from her and then every thing went black.

+

Simon felt Celeste collapse in his arms and quickly lowered her to the ground

“What is the meaning of this” Shamus shouted at the figure in white as he interposed himself between the figure in white and Simon and Celeste

The figure in white hurled a pillar of flame in the direction of Shamus, but the leprechaun teleported away at the last moment.

“Missed Me” Shamus shouted as he reappeared behind the figure in white.

“I HAVE THE POWER TO SLAY ALL LIVING BEINGS IN THIS AREA” the figure in white’s voice boomed

“Hay Gabriel” the sound of Samuel’s voice came as he arrived on the scene, “What do you want with this girl”

“WHO IS IT, THAT QUESTIONS ME?” the figure in white asked as he flicked his fingers.

Immediately a massive force knocked Samuel to the ground.

“I AM RAGUEL NOT GABRIEL” the figure in white boomed out as he gazed at the others as Mark ushered them into the cave.

The figure in white landed on the ground and approached Simon menacingly, it’s eyes blazing now like burnished brass.

Simon felt like scurrying away, but how could he leave Celeste the love of his life, he had to stay, even if it meant certain death. She was worth it.

“YOU SAY SHE IS YOUR WIFE” the figure in white boomed, “TELL ME MORTAL DID YOU DEFILE HER AND CONSUMATE THIS MAARIAGE?” it demanded to know.

“NO!” Yelled Shamus at the top of his voice “He only gave her a shirt because her top was destroyed”.

The figure in white turned to launch another pillar at flame in the direction of Shamus, but again Shamus was too quick and teleported away just in time.

“That means this couple are married in these parts” Shamus shouted as he reappeared next to Simon. Quickly Shamus grabbed Simon and teleported only just in time as another pillar of flame flew in their direction.

Now the only ones out in the open with this deadly figure in white were the colonel and Celeste.

The figure in white walked towards the unconscious Celeste “AT LAST” the figure in white boomed, “YOU ARE COMING WITH ME”

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor

The trolls led Vabalavich to the erected gallows where he saw the lifeless body of his apprentice hanging by his neck.

“If we must resort to hanging” Brameana went on angrily, “then I prefer it not be done as they do it in the Central City with the drop and the snap of the neck. That is too quick. I want to see you kicking in the air as you strangle to death” she added with venom. Then she spat out, “And I thought you loved me”

Vabalavich was placed under a vacant cross bar and a rope was thrown over by a troll.

“So this is the traitor that tried to frame me for you murder you imperial highness” a voice came from Vabalavich’s left. It was the new Clan Chief of the Manjura
“Those are lies” Vabalavich insisted, “Why do you take the word of this creature over mine?” he protested.

The fiery figure that was standing in the citadel court yard laughed, “You accuse me of falsehood?” he boomed out in a voice that sounded like thunder, “You drow would lie to your own mothers to get what you want”
“Your apprentice was found with poison and the clan chief’s signet ring” Brameana went on, “After this Samael being told us of your treachery”

“If he was going to kill you my lady” Vabalavich retorted, “He was not acting under my command, how can you even think such a thing when I handed you victory over the humans”

“With the replication magic I helped provide” the fiery figure interjected, “Without me you would have been arrested by your own kind long ago”

“You gave him the magic?” Brameana asked the fiery figure
“Yes your imperial highness” the fiery figure replied, “Without me you would have been still at that port town and most likely captured by the trolls if you survived the battle”

Brameana turned back to Vabalavich as a troll placed the noose over his head; “So much for fabled drow superior magic over the elves” she taunted and then spat in his face.

Brameana clapped her hands and an elf came out of one of the buildings and knelt before her, head bowed.
“How may we serve you your imperial highness” the elf asked
“Make sure he can not use his ability to teleport or levitate just like you did with that apprentice of his” Brameana ordered
“Your word is law your imperial highness” the elf replied and then stood up and pulled out an amulet and placed it around Vabalavich’s neck over the noose.

It was then that Vabalavich noticed just such another amulet around the neck of his dead apprentice as he swung in the wind from his gallows. Immediately Vabalavich could feel the dampening effect of the amulet. There was no way he could use any psychic powers or spells.

“Brameana Vabalavich pleaded, “Even if he did do as you say, how can you say he was doing it under my orders”

“Because one of my minions saw you tell him” the fiery figure replied, “And we have the power to show what has happened”

The fiery figure waved his hand and in the air in front of them was an apparition of Vabalavich and his apprentice as he gave him orders to kill Brameana.

“That is trickery” Vabalavich shouted, “You do not know these creatures like I do. They even rebelled against”

“We are wasting time” The fiery figure interupted
“I agree” Brameana then said, “Hoist up the traitor; I want to see his legs kick in the air as he dies!”

Immediately two trolls pulled the rope and Vabalavich was lifted up into the air and began strangling to death while his former lover watched on with hate in her eyes at the drow she had shared a bed with, and a drow who then sought to kill her and blame it on a fellow troll.

“Oh how I wish I could have seen him breathing water” she muttered, “but a slow hanging will have to suffice”

Together the Clan Chief of the Manjura and the Lady High Troll and the fiery figure watched as Vabalavich kicked his feet in the air in the air as he hung by his neck at the end of the rope, while he slowly suffocated.

After a while he kicked no more. Vabalavich was finally declared dead by the elf.

“And what of the other drow of the Hadreth order” The Clan Chief of the Manjura asked Brameana, “Will they not seek revenge for the execution of their leader”

“Fear not you imperial highness” the fiery figure boomed, “They will quickly disown him, but if not, and if they should try to take action, we will deal with them just like we exposed this traitor”

“And I thank you lord Samael” Brameana said to the fiery figure, “I owe you a life debt, so how shall I reward you?”

The fiery figure rubbed his chin, “Give me Earth to do as we wish”
“Why? What would you do with it?” The Clan Chief of the Manjura enquired
“CLEANSE IT” the fiery figure boomed as he raised his fists.
“You mean destroy every living thing on that world” the Clan Chief of the Manjura said in a shocked manner
“Well” Brameana interrupted, “When I went to conquer it so I could rule here, I was prepared to destroy it too.”
“Then we understand one another?” the fiery figure asked.
“It’s conquest was a means to an end lord Samael” Brameana went on, “It has served it’s purpose, I have no need of it, but tell me with your power, why did you not cleanse it before?”
“Because we were prohibited by the one we sought to replace a long time ago” The fiery figure replied, “We were limited to merely whispering in the ears of those half breeds they call mankind, but as you now own it, by right of conquest, you have now given us permission to wipe them from the whole of creation”

The fiery figure gave a fearsome laugh and then vanished.

+ + +

Outside the Lord Low Trolls cave
The Walong Mountains
The Mystical Realms

The figure in white stood over Celeste and held out his hands over her. Samuel managed to roll onto his side as this angel, if that what it was, was distracted by retrieving Celeste for reasons unknown.

Samuel so wanted to pull his side arm and try and take this guy out, but the death of Captain Sandra Philips showed that would be futile.

Suddenly a fireball hit the figure in white full on, only just missing Celeste

The figure in white was totally unharmed by the fireball as it seemed to have no effect; however he was distracted for the moment from Celeste as she lay helpless on the ground.

“Pick on someone your own size” Major Bolak yelled as he put up his hands to produce another fireball to the side of the entrance to the cave.

In the blink of an eye almost, a lightning bolt flew from the hands of the figure in white at the drow and hit him in the chest. Major Bolak was slammed against the cave and sank to the ground.

Celeste came round and saw Major Bolak as he collapsed mortally wounded, and then instinctively she teleported away and ended up by his side. She looked Major Bolak over and placed her hands on him, instantly her eyes glowed green and the drow was healed.

The figure in white looked outraged and lifted into the air and flew to where Celeste was, and grabbed her shoulder “ENOUGH” He boomed, “YOU SHALL COME WITH ME”

Celeste tried to teleport away, but somehow this being in white was powerful enough to stop her. His hand on her shoulder caused a searing pain as it felt like it was on fire.
“AS FOR YOU” the figure in white said in his voice that sounded like rushing waters to Major Bolak as he pointed the finger of his free hand at him.

The figure in white was interrupted by the loudest clap of thunder Celeste had ever heard. The figure in white while still holding onto Celeste’s shoulder turned to look in the direction of the thunder. Major Bolak saw his chance and teleported away, leaving Celeste alone with this powerful entity.

Samuel managed to get to his feet as he saw another figure in white descending from the sky, but this one was not as controlled as the other one, and this figure seemed to have been in some kind of battle as part of his attire was burned black as pitch.

“RAGUEL, RAGUEL” the second figure in white repeated in a similar voice that sounded like rushing waters.
“LAMECHIAL?” The first figure in white asked in his booming voice,

There was a small explosion as the second figure in white hit the ground.

The first figure looked at Celeste with eyes that pierced to her human soul and then at what seemed to be his fallen comrade.

“RAGUEL” the second figure in white called out as it lay on the ground

Samuel went to help the figure up who seemed in the image of man in brilliant white, even with the scorch marks from the battle it had been in, but it wave him away.
“Touch me not mortal” the second figure spoke to Samuel in a quieter voice, “Any mortals touching us for any reason are incinerated”
“I only wanted to help” Samuel replied
“I know” the second figure in white replied, “Which is why I wish you no harm”
Samuel backed off and watched as the first figure forced march Celeste over to the second figure in white.
“Raguel” the second figure in white called out again.

“What is it Lamechial?” the first figure said in a more human voice
“Lahash and Bernael, the fallen ones” the second figure in white replied, “They somehow infiltrated our realm and one of them posed as you my lord”
“WHAT, HOW?” the first figure in white boomed
“I don’t know?” the second figure in white answered, “I caught them there after they had tricked Azrael and Rahab to go and slay man kind starting in a place called Ireland, I tried to confront them, but they both attacked me. I was lucky to get away.”
“I am a fool” The first figure in white admitted as he shook his head, “When I first tried to get this child” he went on as he pointed to a whimpering Celeste, “Bernael, attacked me and I lost her. I should have questioned how a fallen one had got a foothold into our realm, but I was so focused on retrieving this one”

“Oh great” Samuel interrupted “Do I take it that fallen ones are fallen angels?”
“INSOLENCE MORTAL” the first figure in white boomed, “YOU WILL DIE”
“NO!” the second figure in white boomed out as he got up and got between the colonel and the first figure in white, “He came to help me up and I see no deception in this mortal”

The first figure in white glowered at the second figure in white, and then relented

“Well?” Samuel pressed, “Are you going to tell us what is going on”
“This one belongs with us” the first figure in white reiterated
“Why?” Samuel asked
“A MORTAL HAS NO RIGHT TO QUESTION THE OVERSEER OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE ANGELS” the first figure in white boomed out
“And who over sees you” Samuel shouted back

The second figure in white held up his hand to the first figure in white, “My lord Raguel” it went on, “What will it hurt to answer the question?”
“Very well” the first figure in white relented, “Celeste’s parents are death and fate, many mortals believed them to be as us and once worshiped them, so she belongs with us”
“And that is the most dumbest thing I have ever heard” Samuel answered back
“Please” Celeste pleaded, “They’ll kill you”
“Her parents are entities from this world” Samuel pressed, “Celeste here is no angel”
“But Colonel” Celeste whined, “I’ve tried to make amends for what I did, what more can I do?” she asked
Samuel seemed to ignore Celeste’s pleadings, “Before she swapped sides she worked for a scum bag” Samuel went on, “Does that sound like someone who belongs in the throne room of Heaven to you?”
“She gained a human soul” the first figure in white retorted, “That means something”
“Only that she wished for one on a wish crystal from this world” Samuel answered back.

“ENOUGH” boomed the second figure in white, “We are wasting time” it pleaded, “At this moment the angels of death Azrael and Rahab are slaughtering humanity, the very ones we were pledged to protect”
“We cannot intervene” The first figure replied instinctively, “You know the treaty”
“But they broke it” The second figure in white insisted, “Lahash disguised himself as you my lord and ordered the confinement of Bath Kol and Adonael.”

“What treaty is this?” Samuel interrupted
“Samuel” the second figure in white said turning to him, “Many years ago one of the fallen ones, or fallen angels as you say brought Earth to a nuclear war by whispering into the ear of a submarine captain during your Cuban missile crisis, but the drow of the Hadreth order stepped in and said they would stop him if we refrained from assisting mankind, otherwise the fallen ones would be free to actively wipe humanity from the face of the Earth”

“The Hadreth order” Samuel remarked, “That figures”
“And what is more” the second figure in white went on, “The fallen one Lahash in the guise of you, my lord Raguel, has used your belief that this child belongs with us to instruct the angels of death to slay mankind beginning with Ireland”

“Why Ireland?” Celeste spoke up
“Because you saved them by taking that talisman of destruction to the Moon” Samuel interject
“But I was trying to save lives?” Celeste pleaded
“And you did” Samuel answered back, “But this Lahash character has used this stupid belief of our friend here, that you belong with them, to say you shouldn’t have. It’s obvious that these angels of death are undoing what they have been told is a treaty violation”
“You are right Samuel, and they are slaying mankind as we speak” the second figure in white replied.

“I will go and stop them” the first figure in white stated, “Once I have brought this one home” he added referring to Celeste
“Look I know the book of Jude tells us not to slander celestial beings” Samuel burst out, “But you are behaving like an idiot”

The first figure in white began to look indignant and ready to slay the colonel but the second one put up both hands, “My lord Raguel, Bernael was only able to enter our realm when we confined Karael”

“It’s your obsession with Celeste that the fallen angels have used against you?” Samuel said to the first figure in white.
“He speaks truthfully my lord” the second figure in white said, “We have managed somehow to allow the fallen ones to manipulate us into doing what they have wanted to do since the rebellion, the destruction of humanity”

The first figure in white released Celeste from his grasp and then put both his hands on his head, “WHAT HAVE WE DONE” he boomed

“We can try and stop them, but by now thousands or millions may have already perished” the second figure in white said to Samuel.
“Why do the fallen ones want to kill the humans” Celeste asked
“Since the time humanity first began” the second figure in white began
“They could not stomach the existence of mankind because they were an animal with an immortal soul” Samuel interrupted
“Yes you are right again Samuel” the second figure in white said in surprise, “They referred to you as half breeds”
“And one third of the angels rebelled and were cast down” Samuel went on, “So I’m kind of guessing that they have been waiting for an opportunity to wipe us out”
“But sir” Celeste objected, “Even the drow would not want to wipe your people out, they were using them to plunder your world”
“Well its obvious that the drow thought they could control these fallen ones” Samuel answered and then asked the second figure in white, “This treaty you signed up to, what restrictions were placed on the fallen ones”
“If we keep our end then they could only whisper temptations into the ears of individual mortals like before” the second figure in white answered, “The Hadreth drow would not allow them to take direct action against mankind especially as our side has faithfully kept to the agreement since the start of the treaty”.
“And the Hadreth wanted the humans left alone so they could exploit them” Samuel commented

Celeste raised her hand.
“What is it my child?” the second figure in white asked
“What happened before this treaty?”
“The fallen ones were always restricted to whispering in the ears of individuals” the second figure in white explained, “Over the centuries fallen ones would walk the Earth hoping to cause as much slaughter of humans as possible and to draw them away from HIM, just by whispering”
“And given our history” Samuel interrupted, “They did a pretty good job on the slaughtering front”
“But not enough for them” the second figure in white answered back, “They long for total eradication of all humans”
“And what was your side doing?” Celeste asked in all innocence
“Anything we could to stop them” the second figure in white replied, “As well as our other duties as guardians of HIS creation”
“His?” Celeste asked
“I’ll fill you in on that later” Samuel interrupted, “But something’s changed hasn’t it?” Samuel said, “Your fallen ones have gone on the offensive, the Hadreth drow must have over reached them selves and these fallen angels have spotted an opening to take us out”
“If they kill everyone on Earth” Celeste asked, “What’s to stop them coming here and killing us too?”
“I do not think there is anything” the second figure in white answered, “There is no treaty protecting this world”
“I have an idea how to stop this slaughter” Samuel suggested, “But I will need Celeste”
“Agreed” the second figure in white replied, “I believe those fallen ones by this deception have broken their side of the treaty by their actions, and I will take Raguel to report to Metatron himself”
“That’s the chief of the angels isn’t it” Samuel asked, “He used to be Enoch if I recall”
The second figure nodded, “You seem very knowledgeable of us for a mortal”
“Let’s just say I paid attention in Sunday school” Samuel remarked.

“What is your idea, if I may enquire” the second figure in white asked
“One of those trolls in that cave over there has the ability to roll back in time” Samuel explained, “That way we can try and stop the initial fall of Earth, and hopefully the circumstances leading up to this slaughter”
“That may not work” the second figure in white told Samuel, “For we and they are outside of time. Both sides will register that time has been reset; it may not prevent Azrael and Rahab. In fact they may start their slaying of mankind in the past”
“Look” Samuel said pointedly, “You take Raguel and whoever you need to stop your angels of death and tell them you were played for fools by these fallen ones, and then we will we roll back time so we can stop Earth falling in the first place and undo what your angels of death have been tricked into doing, then we can deal with the fallen ones if necessary.”
“I will try mortal” The second figure in white replied, “But first I must return to our realm with Raguel”.
“One more thing” Samuel then said, “I want you lot to can that dumb idea that Celeste here is an angel just because her parents are what we term major spirits of necessity from this world. That is what got you into this mess and gave the fallen angels the excuse they needed.”
“I will put that to them” the second figure in white replied, “You get your device ready to roll back time and I will send word if we can stop our brethren” The second figure in white walked up to the first figure in white who had been sitting down with his head in his hands. He touched his hand upon him, and in a bright flash both were gone.

“Right” Samuel told Celeste, We need to sort out who is going back”
“You want me” Celeste asked
“Yup” Samuel replied as he headed for the cave

As Samuel reached the cave he called out to the rest of the group to let them know that for now it was safe, and then everyone came out of the cave and stood in a semicircle around the colonel.

“Listen up” Samuel shouted, “We have a bigger problem here” He began, “This is not just a war between a troll faction aided by bugbears and the Hadreth drow against Earth. There has been another war between two other realms which has gone on for centuries with Earth as the battle ground and us as their proxies. It seems one of those sides was allied with the drow from the Hadreth”

“That would figure” Major Bolak interrupted, “The Hadreth were always very good at playing one side off against another to get one over on both”

“Yeah” Samuel interrupted back, “Well the drow have under estimated them this time and this other faction has one objective the Hadreth don’t, the extermination of the human race”

At this there was some consternation from the other members of the group.

The Lord Low Troll coughed, “What is the name of this faction, I have never seen them here”

“Some refer to them as fallen angels” Samuel replied, “others call them demons”

“You’re kidding right” Charlene interrupted, “They don’t exist Colonel, they were an invention of state run religions to frighten the masses and every one knows those religions were invented by men to subjugate us women”
“Then what was that we met Doctor Henshaw?” Samuel asked, “What was it that killed Captain Philips there” Samuel pointed to the spot where Sandra had been incinerated by the first figure in white.

“Doctor Henshaw” Mark interrupted, “It doesn’t matter what you believe about religion” he told her, “The mere fact this world exists, formed by the human collective unconsciousness should be a big clue that these angels and demons might just exist”
“OK” Charlene objected, “We saw something but”

“They’re killing everyone on Earth now!” Celeste shouted, “Those beings that tried to grab me, they are slaughtering humans on Earth as we argue”
“What?” Pete asked
“She’s right” Samuel interrupted, “Now I know you scientists and technicians have reservations about time travel”
“Like it won’t work” Charlene interrupted
At this both Pete and Sue-Lim chimed in agreement with Charlene

“Well we don’t have much choice you guys” Samuel rebuked them, “We are going to try this option because that’s the best one on the table at the moment.”

Simon raised his hand

“Yes Mr Hargreaves” Samuel asked
“Who is going back?”

The commander raised his hand, “Count me out this time Sam” he told his long time friend, “They explained how it works and there is no way I would be of any use this time”

Samuel sighed, “I know Mark, but I sure could have used you though”
“I know Sam” Mark replied, “But if our technician friends are right and all we do is create this alternate universe branching off, I can try and lead some resistance in this universe”
“Those Fallen Angels will be hard to fight” Samuel told Mark, “If that is the case there is no way of saying how that will shake out”
“We faced down the Magnus Timor and won Sam” Mark assured Samuel

“Ok Samuel sighed, “As to who is going back, the first two are obvious, myself and Celeste”
“I want Simon as well” Celeste” interjected
“Why?” Samuel asked
“Because I love him” Celeste replied, “And if this works, I don’t want to be separated from him”
“He’s not a field agent Celeste” Samuel told her softly
“I can try” Simon interrupted, “I want to go back, I want to save my mom and pop” he insisted
“If Simon stays, I stay” Celeste insisted
“OK, he can come to” Samuel said in exasperation and then continued, “Major Bolak will go back to take out Vabalavich early, Shamus because he has teleportation ability and can countermand the order that led all the leprechauns to go to Dublin where that particular nuke went off and then they can get our troll friend out of Caracas. Mr Vee of course”

“And Me” The Lord Low Troll interrupted.

Samuel gave the troll a cold hard stare and after an uncomfortable silence agreed. It was his magic device after all

“And me” Charlene interrupted

“But I thought you did not believe this would work” Samuel objected
“Maybe it won’t” Charlene replied, “But if by some chance it does, Simon, no disrespect, does not have the clearance to get hold of the right equipment, I do. You will need a theoretical physicist not just a technician and let’s face it, Sue-Lim was in Bethesda and Pete was kind of distracted. Plus one other thing, I was a complete idiot with regards to Celeste and you don’t want my younger self giving her the grief I did”

“Ok” Samuel said, “You’re in”

“Except” the Lord Low Troll replied, “That is one person too many. One of those people has to drop out”
“I will” Mr Vee volunteered, “I will give the colonel certain information I have, that very few people know and will tell my younger self to believe him”

Mr Vee then walked up to the colonel and whispered into his ear. Celeste tried to listen in, but Mr Vee was too quiet for her. The colonel then gave Mr Vee an incredulous stare.

“We just need the go ahead from our angel friend and then we can go” Samuel then said.

“How long will that take?” Padow asked
“I have no idea” Samuel replied, “They have to find two of their own and stop them”

“I believe they have done so already” Major Bolak remarked, “Turn around slowly”

Samuel turned around to see yet another figure in white, bearing a flaming sword

“What kept you?” Samuel remarked sarcastically

“TAKE HEED HUMAN” the figure in white rebuked in a voice that sounded like many rushing waters, “WHEN YOU SPEAK WITH AZRAEL SHOW RESPECT”
“Sorry you’re right” Samuel responded, “And is it too much to ask the same in return”
“AND WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?” the figure in white replied
“Well first stop shouting” Samuel replied, “And second, even without your help since nineteen sixty two we managed not to destroy ourselves, that has to count for something”

The figure approached Samuel.

“Are you absolutely certain you did that all by yourselves” The figure in white said in a quieter yet menacing tone.
“Did you violate your treaty” Samuel asked in an equally menacing voice
“Let’s just say Samuel Peters” the figure in white went on, “The drow and the fallen ones are not omniscient. Now go and roll back time. See if you can fix that which has taken place, but remember, the fallen ones will know what you have done, and if they come after you, don’t expect us to intervene”
“We’ve seen your interventions” Samuel countered, “We won’t be missing much”
“You may regret what you are about to do mortal” the figure in white said in an intimidating tone, “The rolling back of time has consequences. Are you sure you really want to do this”
“Given what your lot have done to our world” Samuel countered, “I see no other option”

“Remember Mortal” The figure in white growled, “Consequences” he added menacingly. At that he faded away

“What do you think he means by consequences” Celeste nervously asked
“Probably one of those temporal paradoxes” Sue-Lim suggested

“Maybe Earth fell because we tried to go back and stop it falling” Pete added

“Oh you technicians make my head spin” Shamus interrupted, “Thousands, if not millions have died. It now seems we are facing a foe even more powerful than we have faced before, including the Magnus Timor. We have to give this one a shot, and if we just vanish, the commander and Mr Vee can lead whoever is left to sort things out back here”

“Then it is agreed” The Lord Low Troll spoke up.
“Let’s get on with it” Samuel said gruffly

The Lord Low Troll held up the ring like object.

“Those going back must hold onto this device” The Lord Low Troll told the group, “and then I will recite the spell, and time for us will roll back”

Samuel took hold of the ring opposite the Lord Low Troll. Celeste and Simon then took hold of the ring. The four of them then knelt down so Shamus could hold the ring

Then Charlene knelt down and held the ring, last to take hold was Major Bolak.

“Before we go back” Samuel told the group, “We all need to be aware of how this is going to be. It will be our consciousnesses and memories going back. What to everyone may be just a few moments ago will seem to us like another life time ago. We are all going to be disorientated”
“Assuming this works” Charlene interjected
“You still want in?” Major Bolak asked.
“I have to” Charlene responded.

“Can I ask one thing?” Celeste asked
“What?” Samuel asked
“I don’t mean to be selfish” Celeste began
“This is about your human soul” Charlene interrupted
“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have mentioned it” Celeste apologised
“That’s ok” Charlene replied, “It’s precious to you, I understand that”
“Celeste you got that from some wish crystal” Shamus told her, “And as it was your mother’s present to you, and when she sends it, it should still reach you as it did before. Just make sure you wish…”
“But her mother is dead?” the Lord Low Troll interrupted

Suddenly Celeste was terrified that her secret was out, and surprisingly it was the fault of Shamus, not Simon, and the leprechaun should have known better!!

Celeste knew the rules, either one of her parents or she had to be put to death. Major spirits, like her parents, were prohibited from having children together by a law passed by the Lord Low Troll himself.

“I swear my lord” Celeste bleated to the Lord Low Troll, I never knew she was still alive”

The Lord Low Troll shook his head and laughed, “I should never have let that dryad get to me so. I was told a child of two major spirits would destroy my dynasty and separate our two worlds. What with how my son never had any interest in a wife and my daughter being taken in by a drow, I have long given up the idea of a dynasty to last after me even without a creature such as you coming along”
“Er right” Celeste said hesitantly

Then the Lord Low Troll leaned over and growled menacingly, “Although I do expect you to hold up to your side of the deal and not to kill my daughter if that is what the prophecy meant”
Celeste shook her head, “I don’t want to kill any one my lord”
“Then we understand one another Celeste” The Lord Low Troll said icily
“Yes my lord” Celeste whimpered.
“Good, are we ready?” The Lord Low Troll asked the rest of the group.
Samuel nodded, as did every one.
“One last thing before we go” the Lord Low Troll said, “Meetal?” he called out

At this the Lord Low Troll’s former kobold servant came up to his former master.

“Yes Master” the kobold called out as it scurried across

“If these humans are right, and all we do, is start another universe, I am leaving everything to you in this one.”
“But master it should go to your son and heir” Meetal protested

“Meetal, you were more a son to me than my so called own son over there” The Lord Low Troll said nodding in the direction of Padow
“Maybe if you had been a better father” Padow retorted, “and married my mother”
“Enough!” Samuel shouted, “Lets go” he said with irritation

Slowly the Lord Low Troll started an incantation in a strange tongue that nobody else could identify.

The ring started to glow, and to Celeste it seemed to grow warm, and then hot. She wanted to release her hand from it, like they all seemed to want to do, but they were held stuck.

The pain became intense and agonising.

Were these the consequences that angel as the colonel had referred to the strange and wondrous figures that had tried to abduct her, had spoke of?

Then the world around them faded into blackness and there was just the seven of them, floating in empty space.

Now the ring was cold and painfully freezing.

All the while the Lord Low troll was chanting an incantation.

Then the ring began to spin with all of them holding on.

Again Celeste could not let go and the speed of the spinning seemed to be yanking her arm out of its socket.

Suddenly the ring shattered and the all flew apart from one another holding the ring and then everything for Celeste went black.

There was the sound of an alarm clock sounding

“Hey Celeste” Celeste heard Sophie yell as there was also the sound of banging on a door, “It’s time to get up Celeste, and make sure your decent, Kevin is staying with us for a few days” the sound of Sophie’s voice added

Celeste sat up, she looked around.

She was back in Sophie’s apartment, but how far back in time was she?

“I bet I no longer have my human soul” Celeste thought “I wonder what the exercises will feel like without it”. Celeste quickly pulled off the night clothes she was wearing so in case the exercises did not work, she would not destroy them. For a moment Celeste wondered if they would fade away as she had teleported away from that angel to the major instinctively.

After a few moments the night clothes were still there.

Had the last few months been some horrendous nightmare?

Celeste then knelt on the floor and concentrated; just had Major Bolak had taught her in what was either the other timeline or the strange nightmare.

There was that same pain as she had before, and then she realised, she had not been dreaming, she had gone back in time, it was not just her memories and consciousness that had made the trip, her human soul had also travelled back in time as well

+ + +

A Place of Eternal Fire
Location Unknown

The large fiery figure was screaming with rage when three other fiery figures materialised

“Did you feel it?” The large fiery figure demanded to know

“Yes” all three answered in unison”

“All we have accomplished has been undone” the large fiery figure screamed, “What kind of trickery is this from the so called loyal ones. This is so wrong, even for them”

“But my lord Samael” one of the smaller fiery figures spoke up, “I do not believe even they possess such power to roll back time”
“Or the authority” voiced one of the other fiery figures

“Well someone did” the large fiery figure retorted, “And we are going to either make sure time plays out again as it did before, or we destroy them once and for all here in this rolled back time. And as the so called loyal who ones stopped Azrael and Rahab before time was rolled back, I say that under their own interpretation of the treaty and how that Celeste creature fits in, they have violated it by intervening”

“That means we are free to act directly against the half breeds” one of the smaller fiery figures ventured.

The large fiery figure raised his fists, “I suppose it does” he said menacingly.

To be continued

[Sticks]

Episode VIII –A second time around

Again, if you were offered the chance to start all over again, would you?

Would you do anything different?

It is very tempting to say we would never repeat the mistakes of our past, but then 20-20 hind sight is a wonderful thing.

The truth has to be, that we might make the same mistakes or even worse if we did not know the outcomes, just like we did the first time around.

But suppose you could start over and zig when you previously zagged and so on.

It now seems that that is what some from the former Inter Dimensional Entity Control organisation have done, as their consciousnesses and memories have been sent back in time to try and prevent Earth falling. In the case of Celeste, the daughter of the Spirit of Death and Lachesis the Greek fate, her acquired human soul has also followed her back in time.

However things will not be plain sailing, because the Hadreth drow’s former allies, powerful entities known as “The fallen ones” have detected that time has been reset and are planning to use that as an excuse to finally exterminate humanity once and for all…

+ + +

A Place of Eternal Fire
Location Unknown

A large fiery figure sat on a large stone throne while three smaller fiery figures waited in attendance.

“I say we get all our brethren now and go to Earth now and start slaughtering the humans” one of the smaller fiery figures spoke up.

“It is so tempting Lahash” the large fiery figure agreed, “We could lay that world waste in fire and lava to destroy all life on that dismal rock”
“Then let’s do it my lord Samael” the smaller fiery figure said eagerly, “what are we waiting for?”

“And you know what will happen if we try” said one of the other smaller fiery figures with an air of contempt
“The humans die and we have our vengeance?” the first smaller fiery figure suggested
“No Lahash!” the other smaller fiery figure replied, “If we go to openly destroy them the so called loyal ones will no longer consider themselves bound by that treaty and come out in force to stop us. Let’s not forget that there are still two thirds of them against our one third and remember how they defeated us last time”
“You are just a jealous coward Bernael” the first smaller fiery figure retorted, “especially after I tricked the so called loyal ones to do our work for us before time was .”

“Enough!” the larger fiery figure interrupted loudly, “Bernael is right” he then added quietly, “we may have this opportunity but we must be wise.”

“Yes my lord Samael” the fiery figure who had not spoke replied, “The so called loyal ones will also be aware of this tampering with time and they will know we will not be happy that our plans against the stinking half breeds have been undone and will be watching for us”

“I still say take them on” the first of the smaller fiery figures persisted, “They have grown weak and decadent, and not all of them will fight for the humans as they are so wedded to that treaty”

“Patience Lahash” growled the large fiery figure, “I will decide when we strike, but only when we are assured of victory”
“And when will that be my lord” the fiery figure answered back.

The large fiery figure stood up, “You are welcome to try and challenge me for leadership any time Lahash” he said angrily

The smaller fiery figure put up his hands, “I would never challenge you my lord” he replied
At this one of the other smaller fiery figures remarked, “Who’s the coward now?”

+ + +

Sophie Mitchell’s apartment building
On the outskirts of Washington DC
United States Of America

Some time in the past

Celeste grabbed her bathrobe and wracked her brains trying to work out when she had gone back to. The colonel had been right, what to the Sophie in this time was just yesterday, was months ago for Celeste. The only thing she remembered was that Kevin left for his ship the day before she flew down to Mexico.

But when did Kevin arrive?

The way the Sophie of this time had mentioned him must have meant he mayt have arrived during the night, but when was that?

Celeste emerged from her room naked, carrying the bathrobe and headed for the shower.

Suddenly standing in the hall just outside the bathroom was a man. It was Kevin.

“Whoa there!” he exclaimed and turned around, “You must be Celeste. I think you better put something on before you come out of your room” he added.

Celeste was mortified, she could now vaguely remember the first time she met Sophie’s boyfriend. She had met him in this very hallway, but then she had been wearing the bathrobe, not carrying it, as the first time around she had been warned by Sophie that previous evening he might show up and she was not to emerge from her room going to the shower without wearing it, like she had the first day after she had reported for duty and the Venezuelans went public about Padow, or the Clan chief of the Manjura as he was known then.

This was the second day after then, and Celeste had given Kevin an eyeful this second time around, that he should not have seen.

Now in a minor way Celeste had changed history and what kind of knock on effects would that have? Would they be the consequences those figures in the white suits, the colonel referred to as angels spoke of?

“I’m sorry Mr Travers” Celeste hastily apologised and put the bathrobe on and tied it up.
“That’s ok” Kevin replied, “It was probably my fault, I should have confirmed I was going to be here last night, I wasn’t too sure” he added before telling Celeste the bathroom was all hers
“Please don’t tell Miss Mitchell” Celeste pleaded
“Just don’t do this again” Kevin replied.

Celeste entered the bathroom and closed the door. She could vaguely remember how the shower worked and was soon showering. She would have to be careful until she got to the IDEC headquarters not to cause anymore changes to history,

But why two days after the troll was paraded on their television?

+ + +

Offices of G2 Special Section

Dublin – The early hours of the morning

“You ok Shamus” Captain Gregory O’Doyle, the human head of the G2 special section asked the leprechaun as he appeared to have momentarily passed out, “You all of a sudden faded out there for a bit. Do you need a doctor?”

Shamus stood up and shook his head, “What were we just talking about?” he asked
“About what to do if the Venezuelans reveal our existence and your suggestion about contacting the drow in Moscow?” Gregory answered and then asked, “Are you sure you’re ok?”

“I’m fine” Shamus insisted, “I’m wondering about you though?”

“What do you mean Shamus” the captain asked, confused by the question.
“Were you planning to recall all leprechauns to Dublin?” Shamus asked
“And why would I do that?” Gregory asked, “Are you absolutely sure you’re ok, you look kind of peaky all of a sudden”

Shamus sighed, “Gregory how long have we known each other?”
“Quite sometime” Gregory replied, “Why?”
“What I have to tell you now will be hard to accept, even with what you know about our world” Shamus replied

“So this was some kind of special op our troll friend was on?” Gregory asked, “Is that what you’re suddenly getting at?”

Shamus sighed again and shook his head, “A moment ago when I seemed as you put it to pass out”
“Oh you have some kind of medical condition you don’t like to discuss and would rather keep” Gregory interrupted
“NO!” Shamus replied sharply, “There is nothing wrong with me” he insisted
“But I thought” Gregory tried to begin but Shamus put his hand up
“I appeared to pass out because in one sense I have just travelled back from the future to my younger self if that makes any sense”
“I’m afraid that doesn’t” Gregory replied, “What are you talking about?”
“Please trust me on this Gregory, I’ll try and keep it simple” Shamus told the captain, “This has all happened before, and something terrible happens. The memories and the consciousness of my older self from the future have managed to get sent back in time to now. When you saw me passing out, that was my older self arriving in my younger self’s body”
“You’re kidding” Gregory asked
“I’m deadly serious” Shamus said in a serious tone, “Have you ever known me to lie to you or make stuff up like this?”
Gregory shook his head, “Are you sure you have not just taken a dizzy turn, what with that déjà vu thing they talk about”

“No Gregory!” Shamus snapped back, “I am not ill, my older self has come back to try and prevent a major atrocity”
“Ok” Gregory said with a sceptical tone

Shamus put on the sternest face he had, “Gregory, several days from now” Shamus went on, “an order comes from this office ordering all leprechauns to Dublin. When they arrive there is a nuclear attack on this city aimed at wiping all leprechauns out. World wide other cities are attacked as a co-ordinated campaign that ends with Earth being made to surrender to two trolls and a drow as part of some coup-de-tat on our world”

Gregory was quiet for a moment and then asked, “If what you’re saying is true, why would this office issue such an order. The leprechauns were scattered ever since that business with the Magnus Timor cult”
“You tell me?” Shamus asked, “Only you could have ordered it”
“But I didn’t” Gregory insisted, “Or I wouldn’t” he corrected himself
“Well Gregory if it is any comfort to you, I can tell when someone is lying” Shamus replied, “And as ever you are telling the truth, which means one thing”
“Someone is going to forge those orders” Gregory suggested
“Or something” Shamus answered back

“Doppelganger assassin?” Gregory suggested, “They are the only ones who could get away with such a thing”
“Possibly” Shamus replied, “I suggest you start a sweep for them as sometimes these creatures will murder their way to their intended target, starting with juniors. Tell others this is just an exercise, meanwhile I need two of your finest agents with teleporting ability”
“To hunt for the doppelganger?” Gregory asked
“No” Shamus responded, “We have a fair idea where the Venezuelans are holding our troll friend thanks to what we learned in the future timeline so we need to mount a rescue operation, pretty pronto”

“What about the other nuclear attacks?” Gregory asked, “Don’t they have a higher priority than a troll who managed to get himself caught on the wrong side of a border”

Shamus glowered at the captain, “He’s the patsy that gives this other troll upstart the reason to launch the attacks. Get him out Gregory and we start undermining their justification for attacking your world”

+ + +

Moscow

Vabalavich a drow, teleported into the special office reserved for the drow liaison team. It was his job officially to liaise with those other agencies from either Russia or around the world that were in on the secret about the Mystical realms.

Secretly he was plotting to overthrow his drow masters as part of his plan to use a troll of the Ghetto clan to take over the world of the humans, while making the troll think it was so she could claim back what she felt was stolen from her, the rulership of the Mystical Realms.

“Morning Officer Vabalavich” a young female human said to him in Russian, “How was your trip back to your home world”

“Uneventful” Vabalavich lied, “I visited a small costal town, but nothing really happened there, anything happen while I was away?”

The young female human shook her head in disbelief, “You haven’t heard?” she asked.
“I’ve been away” Vabalavich replied, “You will have to fill me in before I get back to my duties”
“The Venezuelan government have captured a troll clan chief. They paraded him on television and are accusing him of being an American spy. They have even gone public about the American’s Inter Dimensional Entity Control organisation.”

Vabalavich feigned a shocked expression, “Oh my, how awful. Are we going to say anything since this has now gone public?”

The female human shook her head, “Our president has decided that to maintain credibility with our strategic partners in South America we are not going to reveal our involvement with your world unless they do”

“That is such a wise decision” Vabalavich told the female human, “We would not want the rest of the population of your world in a panic”
“From what we can read on the internet” the female human went on, “They all believe it is a hoax anyway”
“That is something to be encouraged” Vabalavich replied, “But alas I do not make policy, I am merely a humble liaison officer. This reminds me I must really”

“VABALAVICH” a voice came from behind him.

Vabalavich turned around and there was his arch enemy Major Bolak. Vabalavich had heard this drow, who was loyal to the drow high council, had been investigating him, but so far the bumbling Bolak had no proof. Anyway, soon Vabalavich would have more drow loyal to his Hadreth order in position to mount a coup against the drow loyal to the council while he obtained the old tactical nuclear weapons for his master plan, which he had convinced the troll from the Ghetto clan was hers.

“Why it’s Major Bolak” Vabalavich said in his smarmy voice, “Found someone else to persecute

BANG! BANG!

Vabalavich gasped as the pain of the bullets ripped through his body, instinctively he reached for the vial of drow healing potion, but to his horror realised that it had been shattered by the bullet from Major Bolak’s gun.

Vabalavich sank to his knees and there was a smell of burning as he started to smoulder.

Vabalavich fell forward and erupted into flames as he died.

Several guns were now trained on Major Bolak, who dropped his gun and raised his hands.

“You murdered your own?” the female human said in a state of shock
“He was going to overthrow the council and this world” Major Bolak claimed

“You don’t know that” said another voice, it was the drow ambassador from the high council, “and you had not completed your investigation to my satisfaction.” Then the ambassador spoke to the guards who had rushed in at the sound of the gunshot, “Arrest the major and use holding magic to make sure he does not teleport away”

“Ambassador” Major Bolak spoke up
“I have nothing to say to a criminal like you who cares nothing for due process” the ambassador sneered
“Dark space me” Major Bolak insisted, “Then you will find I have been loyal to the council and removed a serious threat to both the council and our Russian allies”

“No! I will not sully myself with one who shortcuts an investigation by murdering an attaché in cold blood in the palace of our human hosts” the Ambassador replied
“Are you Hadreth too” Major Bolak accused
“You know very well I am not” the Ambassador replied, “You have had this anti Hadreth obsession for sometime. The attaché you just murdered was only a junior ranking Hadreth, who may I remind you are loyal agents of the drow high council.”

The ambassador turned to the guards holding Major Bolak, “Get him out of my sight; he will be tried by the drow high council for murder and treason”
“I welcome such a trial” Major Bolak replied, “It will give me a chance to show you all what a serious threat the Hadreth are, assuming they let me live that long”

At that Major Bolak was escorted from the room.

The ambassador approached the female human, still very much in shock. “I am sorry you had to witness this heinous crime” he said softly, “I will speak with your supervisors if you need time off”

+ + +

IDEC Headquarters
Washington DC
United States of America


Two days after the Clan Chief of the Manjura appeared on television

Sophie and Celeste early arrived at the outer office to Kathryn Cooper, the chair of the executive board of the inter-dimensional entity control organisation. They had taken a back entrance in case of protestors, but so far none were aware where this secret agency was located.

The atmosphere in the car had been frosty on the way in as Kevin had told Sophie what had happened in the hallway, to as Sophie put it, make sure he had covered himself. Celeste had wanted to explain about the travelling back in time but did not dare. Sometimes trying to explain something only made matters worse, so Celeste had just said she was not exactly a morning person and so was not with it.

What also had not helped was Sophie receiving a telephone call asking for her to bring Celeste in as soon as possible, this meant that they had had to skip breakfast at the diner they always went to when Celeste had been staying with Sophie, the first time around.

Colonel Samuel Peters was waiting for them outside Kathryn’s door

“Morning Colonel” Sophie said to the colonel, “I didn’t expect you in today, I thought you were going to meet with the joint chiefs”
“They can wait” Samuel said coldly, “You ok Celeste”

“Yes sir” Celeste responded.
“Apart from forgetting what I told her about Kevin last night and embarrassing him this morning, she’s fine” Sophie said still with a hint of irritation in her voice as she put her coat up, “I understand that Sue-Lim wants to see her this afternoon at Bethesda” Sophie added

“Any other ill effects from our trip back from the future?” Samuel asked
“I think my human soul has come back in time with me” Celeste answered without thinking

“What?” Sophie asked in confusion
Samuel then turned to Sophie, “Try and get hold of Doctor Henshaw and Mr Hargreaves. Get them to come here and try and raise Mr Vee on a secure line, I believe he is in Miami”

“Yes colonel” Sophie responded, “What’s going on?, what’s this about coming back from the future?”
“Celeste and I are going into Kathryn’s office” Samuel told Sophie, “As soon as Doctor Henshaw and Mr Hargreaves arrive send them in”

“What about Miss Cooper” Sophie asked, “She’s not due in for an hour”
“Call her” Samuel said with irritation, “Tell her it’s a code red alpha one”

Colour drained from Sophie’s face, the code was equivalent to going to DEFCON one and had never been used before, even when they went up against the Magnus Timor, “Is this to do with the Clan Chief of the Manjura?” she asked reeling with shock
“Just do it” Samuel insisted and then he opened the door and ushered Celeste into Kathryn’s office

A Place of Eternal Fire
Location Unknown

The large fiery figure was standing next to another lava flow when a smaller fiery figure approached him, stopped and spoke up,“I bring bad news lord Samael”

“What?” the large fiery figure asked, “Have we found proof of further interference by the so called loyal ones?”

The smaller fiery figure shook his head, “I am not sure my lord”
“Then what is this news you bring?” the large fiery figure asked

“That drow that you dealt with and had executed before time was rolled back” the small fiery figure spoke up
“What about him?” the large fiery figure asked further

“He has been killed by another drow” the smaller fiery figure answered, “I did not know that drow was going to kill him or I would have stopped him my lord”
“Of course you would have done Berith” the large fiery figure said with scepticism in his voice, “Who was this other drow anyway” the large fiery figure asked
“He goes by the name of Major Bolak” the smaller fiery figure replied
“Is he of the Hadreth?” the large fiery figure then asked

Again the smaller fiery figure shook his head, “No my lord, I believe he is loyal to their drow high council”

“So” Growled the large fiery figure, “Not only was time rolled back, but some from that pathetic band who called themselves the resistance came back in time to change events”
“They are here to stop the fall of Earth to that troll” the smaller fiery figure ventured
“Stating the obvious Berith” the fiery figure went on, “but we can not allow that can we?”
“So Lahash was right then, we must go and take Earth ourselves?” the smaller fiery figure asked

The large fiery figure shook his head, “Lahash is head strong and not given to the long game like I am, but he has a point that we must act”
“I stand ready to serve you my lord Samael” the smaller fiery figure spoke up.

“No!” the large fiery figure replied, “This requires some delicacy as we need others to act on our behalf. I will handle this myself. Now if I remember how this played out the first time, that female troll I made a pact with before the roll back where is she now?” the large fiery figure mused

“I could go to that world and seek her my lord?” the smaller fiery figure offered.
“No need” the large fiery figure replied, “She is at the Port of Faldon awaiting the return of her lover, the drow that has been slain to come back with old nuclear weapons. I will go and make a pact with her myself, but first I want to change a few things. Tell me Berith, can you locate for me one of those hydrogen bombs that drow used later in the first time around”

“That will not be a problem my lord” the smaller fiery figure grinned
“Get me one” the larger fiery figure instructed the smaller fiery figure, “I need something as a gesture of friendship of our new unwitting ally against the half-breeds, we can then use our replicating magic to make enough to annihilate all life on Earth”

+ + +

Caracas
Venezuela

The two leprechauns from G2 special section wearing camouflage jackets and back packs materialised in a corridor Venezuelan Ministry of Defence building.

“Patrick” one of the leprechauns said telepathically to his colleague, “Where did Shamus say the Clan Chief of the Manjura was being held”
“Sean he said it was on one of the upper levels according to that Celeste character” the other leprechaun replied telepathically.

Suddenly there was the sound of footsteps coming along the corridor so both leprechauns went invisible.

“Drow” Patrick shouted telepathically to his fellow leprechaun as he managed to hear the tell tale footsteps of one of the dark elves.

As it was well known that some drow could see invisible creatures, both leprechauns quickly teleported away into a side room off of the corridor just before the drow came into their section of the corridor.

“So that was how they found out about him” Sean telepathically said to his companion,
“And how we were unable to locate him” Patrick replied telepathically
“Can you catch any glimpse of him?” Sean asked telepathically

Patrick dropped to the floor to look under the door as best he could see which was not much. He got up and shook his head

Through the door they could hear the drow speaking in Spanish to some of the human guards. All the while the two leprechauns kept very still.

After five agonising minutes they heard the drow leaving.

“He was just a Hadreth minion” Sean said telepathically
“I just hope he did not spot us” Patrick replied, “How’s your Spanish”
“He did not seem to be aware of us” Sean replied, “But at least this confirms this is the corridor Celeste says she went to or will go to”
“I could never get my head around temporal mechanics and paradoxes” Patrick remarked, “Lets get on with this”

The two leprechauns teleported back into the corridor remaining invisible and crept towards a locked door which had two armed human guards posted in front of it. By the door was some kind of table with a talisman on it among other items. Patrick could tell that it was a clan chief’s badge of office, presumably belonging to the Clan Chief of the Manjura

Patrick concentrated on the talisman, and silently it vanished from the table into his hand.

The leprechauns then kept still, just in case the guards noticed the talismans vanishing, however because of the other items on the table the guards did not seem to notice.

“Sean, teleport in first” Patrick told Sean telepathically.
“I just hope I don’t try an materialise in a table, chair or that troll himself” Sean said back telepathically
“From what Shamus told us, the future troll said there was not much furnishing and he just sat on the bed most of the time” Patrick replied

“I just hope you are right” Sean telepathically said back to Patrick
Sean dematerialised leaving Patrick alone in the corridor. For a very long minute Patrick waited for Sean to contact him telepathically to say if it was ok to teleport into a room he could not scry

“He’s here” Sean’s telepathic message came, so Patrick closed his eyes, concentrated and then teleported into the room behind the guards

Patrick opened his eyes and became visible, just like his colleague had done. There sitting in chains was the Clan Chief of the Manjura looking totally dejected

Patrick put his finger to his lips to signal to the troll to keep quiet, then he pointed his finger at the troll’s chains and instantly they fell off.

Patrick and Sean then each took one of the troll’s hands.

“Back to Dublin?” Sean asked Patrick telepathically
“No the American IDEC headquarters” Patrick replied, “They have means to get our friend back home”
“But I’ve never been there” Sean objected.

“Then allow me to guide you” Shamus said as he suddenly appeared
“You got my message” Patrick said telepathically
“Ai” Shamus answered, and then grabbed the free hands of the two other leprechauns.

Instantly all four of them vanished from the cell.

+ + +

IDEC Headquarters
Washington DC
United States of America


Two days after the Clan Chief of the Manjura appeared on television

Kathryn came into her outer office.
“The Colonel and Celeste are in your office Miss Cooper” Sophie told her

“What?” Kathryn replied

Just then a breathless Charlene came into the outer office, “Am I too late?” she asked

“Too late for what Doctor Henshaw” Kathryn asked
“He hasn’t told you then?” Charlene asked

Kathryn shook her head, “Told me what?” she then asked
“I think the colonel will be better at explaining this” Charlene replied, then she asked, “Where’s Simon”
“His parents are concerned that something’s wrong with him today” Kathryn replied, “He was acting strange and was not himself so they want him to see a doctor”
“We need him here Miss Cooper” Charlene insisted
“That’s not my call Doctor Henshaw, now what is this about a meeting in my office with out informing me?”

“I don’t know Miss Cooper, the colonel organised it this morning without telling me” Sophie cut in and then after a pause said, “come to think of it, Celeste seemed to be more out of it that usual”

“I better see what this is all about” Kathryn then said and entered her office followed by Charlene and closed the door. There Kathryn was greeted by the colonel, Celeste, Shamus and unexpectedly, the troll Clan Chief of the Manjura.

“You got him out!” Kathryn said to Shamus, “I thought you said that you could not locate him”
“Can you get Sophie to come in” Samuel asked
“Why?” Kathryn asked
“And we need Mr Hargreaves” Samuel added
“His parents have kept him home, but again why?” Kathryn asked with a hint of irritation in her voice, “What is the meaning of all this?”

“Miss Cooper” Shamus piped up, “It is imperative that we have Master Hargreaves here as well”
“You still haven’t explained why” Kathryn objected
“Because time has been reset” Samuel said bluntly and he then opened the door and ordered Sophie to come into the office.

“What do you mean time has been reset?” Kathryn asked getting irritated by the colonel’s breach in protocol

“At his parent’s house did you say?” Shamus asked Kathryn
“Yes, but” Kathryn answered, still very confused
“That’s all I needed to know” Shamus replied and then promptly vanished

“We meet at last Miss Cooper” the Clan Chief of the Manjura introduced himself, “I thank you for my rescue. I was somehow tricked by someone posing as the colonel here to go to the wrong side of the border of that country you call Venezuela”

“Pleased to meet you” Kathryn replied in a distracted tone, and then she turned back to Samuel, “I asked you Samuel, what do you mean time has been reset?”

Before Samuel could answer, Shamus suddenly appeared with Simon. Celeste and Simon ran into each others arms and held each other.

“What are you doing?” Kathryn asked Shamus, “His parents will go spare; they want him to see a doctor”
“There’s nothing wrong with him Miss Cooper” Shamus intoned with equal determination.
“Kathryn” Samuel cut in, “apart from you, Sophie and our troll friend here, the consciousnesses and the memories of everyone else here have been sent back in time from the future”

“I don’t understand” Kathryn replied

“It will take time to explain it all” Shamus interrupted, “The shorter version is before we got time rolled back, in order to seize power on our world, Earth was attacked and conquered by entities from our world using stolen nuclear weapons, drow magic and gremlins from our world”
“But” Samuel continued, “That is not all, one of the entities, a drow, was dealing with more powerful entities that have our elimination as their key objective”
“You mean the IDEC?” Kathryn asked, still not taking much in.
“No!” Shamus replied, “They want the whole of humanity exterminated”
“And that faction is still a clear and present danger” Samuel told Kathryn, “Plus we still have an invasion to deal with on IDW01 which was the precursor to the attack on Earth”

“Which invasion is this?” the Clan Chief of the Manjura asked.

Shamus sighed, “My old friend, I have to tell you something your older self, we left behind, had difficulty coming to terms with but had to accept”
“What?” the troll said gruffly, “what are you talking about?”
“This invasion which is happening as we speak is led by your half sister and…” Shamus went on.
“I have no sister” the troll interjected
“But you do” Celeste interrupted, “I saw her sire. She had her drow lover shoot you and leave you for dead. I healed you and got you out the first time this all happened”
“That was how we knew where to find you Clan Chief” Shamus added, “As Celeste had been there in the other time line when she rescued your older self”
The Clan Chief of the Manjura looked perplexed, “How can this be” the troll asked, “My unlamented late father only had me and no other children”

“This is the other thing your older self had to deal with” Shamus cut back in
“What other thing?” the troll asked
“Your father is still alive” Shamus answered
“Impossible” The troll growled, “I saw my father’s head on a pike”
“That was his twin brother” Samuel interrupted, “Your father before he had you was briefly married to a troll of the Ghetto Clan”
“LIES!” The troll exclaimed, “The Ghetto clan were without honour, that was why we never sullied ourselves with their females and why we wiped them out”
“But you didn’t wipe them all out” Shamus told the troll, “Some escaped to the Far Islands somehow where your father sent his wife and daughter several years ago for political expediency, and now they have joined an invasion force of bugbears at the port of Faldon and aided and abetted by a drow called Vabalavich and I’m sorry to say, your very own deputy who has thrown in his lot with them”

“My deputy has betrayed me?” the troll said incredulously
“Afraid so” Shamus replied, “He gave them the dimension jump orbs to launch the nuclear attacks on this world”

“And we need to stop them” Samuel told the troll, “Before they make a move and history plays it self out all over again”
“Assuming the Chronology protection conjecture doesn’t get in the way” Charlene chipped in.

Shamus gave Charlene a cold hard stare and then turned back to Samuel, “Major Bolak should have been dealing with that drow Vabalavich in Moscow” he stated

“ENOUGH!” Kathryn interrupted, “If we are to get any other agency backing us, how do you prove that what you are saying is true and not some elaborate ruse or mind control spell. They have a hard time swallowing the existence of IDW01, let alone time travel”

“Kathryn” Samuel said with irritation, “If that is the case that we are all deluded, how come we knew where to send a team in to rescue our troll friend here if Celeste had not been there before as Shamus puts it, in the other timeline? If you want proof Kathryn get Mr Vee on the line”

“Are to trying to say that his consciousness and memories have come back from the future too?” Kathryn asked, still sceptical at these outlandish claims.
“Not quite” Samuel answered, “Just get him, his future self gave me information only his younger self will know”

Kathryn looked at Sophie, “Get Mr Vee on his priority cell”
“Yes Miss Cooper” Sophie replied and then went to leave the office before turning back to the colonel, “If you have come back from the future as you say, is that why Celeste seemed to have forgotten simple things I told her yesterday?”
”Oh no” Celeste thought, ”Now what have I done wrong”

“Miss Mitchell” Shamus interrupted, “What to you was just yesterday, to us was a life time ago”

Sophie paused for a moment before leaving the office to contact Mr Vee.

“Meanwhile” Shamus then told Kathryn, “Any chance of putting a call to your Russian counterpart, I need to speak with a Major Bolak over there. He came back from the future as well”

“While your doing that Miss Cooper” Charlene spoke up, “We need to get hold of an artificial wormhole generator”
“After we have spoken with Mr Vee” Kathryn insisted

“Celeste and I got married in the future” Simon suddenly let out as he gave Celeste a hug, “I tried to tell mom and pop that but they didn’t believe me”

“What?” Kathryn repeated.
Shamus sighed again, “Celeste lost her top when we got her to do something so Master Hagreaves gave her his, that’s all” Shamus responded
“But that’s only for trolls” Kathryn replied
“But the Lord Low Troll said we were married” Simon insisted
“I’m afraid the old troll told them that” Shamus added.

“You met my father?” the troll interrupted and approached Simon and Celeste, “Where is he” the Clan Chief of the Manjura growled, “He needs to stand trial for his crimes even if he is my own father”

Samuel got between the troll and Simon and looked the troll in the eye, “Not gonna happen Clan Chief”
“Why?” the troll snapped back, “He must face justice”
“He’s the one who sent us back in time” Samuel told the troll, “And one of the conditions for his help was amnesty”
“You had no right to grant him that” the troll growled back, “It is not your world”
“He had the means to save your world and ours” Samuel replied.

“Anyway” Shamus interrupted, “It was the future Mr Vee and Major Bolak who made the deal, not the colonel”

“That figures” the Clan Chief of the Manjura growled, “Mr Vee was the one who had many of our kind slaughtered under your old regime of incarcerate, interrogate and exterminate”
“I assure you Clan chief” Kathryn interrupted, “under the new regime we have come a long way from that”
“I know you have Miss Cooper” The troll said softly

A call on the intercom came back from Sophie, to say that Mr Vee’s cell phone was on voicemail.

“Probably still flying to Miami” Samuel replied
“Ok Miss Mitchell” Shamus called out, “Get us Major Bolak at the Kremlin”
“Mam?” Sophie asked over the intercom

“Do it!” an exasperated Kathryn ordered

“Shamus” Celeste spoke up.
“Yes my dear?” Shamus replied
“I still have my human soul” Celeste replied, “It came back with me”
“Well I never?” Shamus replied

“Human soul?” Kathryn asked
“Product of a wish crystal her mother sent” Shamus quickly explained

“Now we’re soul mates as well as married” Simon beamed and gave Celeste a hug, which Celeste reciprocated.

Kathryn walked up to the pair, “Simon” she said softly, “I know that in this alternate time line you may have got married under troll law, but that was the future, it hasn’t happened in this time, and besides”

“But we are married, the Lord Low Troll said we were” Simon insisted
“Like I said Miss Cooper I’m afraid he did tell them that” Shamus interjected.
“Why did he do that?” Kathryn asked with incredulity
“When we met him Miss Cooper” Celeste spoke up, “I took the top Simon gave me off so I would not offend him, since the others said my marriage to Simon was not valid” she explained

“Why would my father be offended at the daughter of the Spirit of Death wearing a top?” The Clan Chief of the Manjura asked, “You are not a troll Celeste”

“Because some trolls, like your deputy have been insisting even our single females observe your troll customs” Samuel interrupted
“I will have to have words with my deputy and those other trolls” the clan chief replied, “I thought we had dealt with that archaic tradition of trolls when Mr Andrews was our emperor”

“Yeah well any way” Celeste interrupted, “I took my top off and told the others to do the same so we would not make him mad and he came up to Simon and I and asked Simon here if he had given me his shirt when I had none”
“I said yes” Simon interrupted, “Or I nodded to say yes”
“And he told me to put it back on” Celeste continued, “He said my assets were for my husband alone”
“He said we were married” Simon repeated

“Ok Simon” Kathryn replied, “Even if you and Celeste are considered married on IDW01 by their laws, it would need to be ratified here on Earth and as you know, that is not done by giving your shirt to your girlfriend Simon.”

Simon and Celeste held hands, “I want to be married to Celeste” Simon insisted, “We love each other”
“And I want to be married to Simon” Celeste added, “I love him so much, that’s why I insisted he came back in time with me”
“But you only met yesterday” Kathryn objected without realising what she was saying.

“Miss Cooper” Charlene spoke up, “It maybe just yesterday to you, but it has been months for us, and I for one feel that these two are made for each other”

“Thank you” Celeste replied softly

“But only yesterday” Kathryn began
“Yeah, but I was a jerk yesterday” Charlene interrupted, “I let something from my personal life get the better of me”

The intercom buzzed, it was Sophie

“Miss Cooper” Sophie said over the intercom, “I can not get hold of this Major Bolak, they say he’s been arrested for the murder of a drow attaché”

“That fool must have killed Vabalvich” Shamus remarked as he shook his head in disbelief
“Then get me someone there I can talk to” Kathryn ordered, “Also any luck with getting Mr Vee”
“Still on voice mail Miss Cooper” Came back Sophie’s reply

Kathryn sighed in exasperation, “I am going to have to tell Simon’s parents what has happened” she told the colonel as she picked up a telephone, “It’s not fair on them if their son suddenly goes missing as he is classed a vulnerable adult”

“I can take care of myself” Simon insisted, “Mr Smith and Miss Wang taught me how when we were at Grytviken”

“Did they come back in time?” Kathryn asked
Samuel shook his head, “There wasn’t room”
“Plus” Charlene added, “There is the chance that all we may have done is create another universe, so they were left behind in case that has happened to carry on the fight in that universe”

“Great!” Kathryn remarked.

“Master Hargreaves made quite a degree of improvement under Mr Smith’s guidance in the other timeline” Shamus interrupted, “That was probably why his parents were confused this morning. They ought to be grateful for his progress”

“I still have to tell them something” Kathryn replied.
“His parents are cleared to know about the IDEC” Samuel asked
“Yes” Kathryn confirmed
“Tell them the truth, an invasion occurred, or will occur and a number of us have been sent back in time to try and prevent it” Samuel told her, “I can if you like”

The intercom buzzed, it was Sophie again
“I have the Drow ambassador to the Kremlin on line one and Mr Vee on line two” Sophie announced.

“Put them both through” Samuel called
“Miss Cooper?” Sophie asked

“Do it Sophie, I’ll put it on telephone conference mode” Kathryn instructed still with a tone of irritation as she pressed the appropriate button and replaced the handset on her telephone.

“Ambassador, Mr Vee” Kathryn spoke up

“Miss Cooper” the voice of the drow ambassador spoke over the phone, “I do not like using these telephonic devices. I can teleport to your office if that is acceptable to you”

“It’s a bit crowded in here” Kathryn replied
“Very well Miss Cooper. I see you have been having problems with one of your allies being captured by the Chaves government, but I’m sorry but”

“I am no longer a prisoner there Ambassador Tragal” the Clan Chief of the Manjura interrupted the drow.
“It is you” the drow ambassador remarked, “And I would know if the humans had tried to use their technology to replicate your voice”
“The leprechauns came to my aid, assisted apparently by the daughter of the Spirit of Death
“You mean Celeste” the ambassador replied, “She is known to us”

“They know about me?” Celeste said in an anxious tone
“It’s our business to know these things” the ambassador remarked, “I read your file some time ago”

“Is that what you wanted to tell me Miss Cooper?” Mr Vee’s voice broke in, “You could have just sent a text to say this little crisis was resolved as I’m kind of busy down here in Miami”

“It’s not” Samuel interrupted, “His capture was part of a wider plot which is due to lead to the invasion and conquering of Earth following a number of nuclear attacks”
“What do you base this on Colonel” Mr Vee asked
“A number of us were there when they seized power, Mr Vee” Samuel replied, “Your friend the Lord Low Troll who is still alive, sent us back in time to try and stop them”

“That is the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard” the Ambassador cut in, “That troll was killed at the start of the civil war, everybody knows that”

“Indeed” the Clan Chief of the Manjura interrupted.

Samuel gave the Clan Chief of the Manjura a long cold stare, “Mr Vee, your middle name is Algernon and you have never told anyone that”
“So you got that from my older self in the future” Mr Vee replied in a matter of fact manner
“How very perceptive” Samuel said sarcastically

“Except one thing” Mr Vee replied, “My older self lied.”
“What!” Samuel exclaimed
“My middle name is not Algernon” Mr Vee told a shocked colonel, “When my friend Madron, the Lord Low Troll told me some years ago he had a magical item in his possession that could roll back time, we both agreed to have a code word, so that if at a future date one of us used it to travel back, we could confirm they were from the future, so long as they did not go back further than when we agreed the code word. I invented the false middle name as my code word.”

“You knew all about this time travel option while Earth was being attacked?” Samuel accused Mr Vee.
“You’re blaming me for something that hasn’t happened yet in this time line” Mr Vee countered, “And anyway, it was such a long time ago, my older self probably forgot about it at the time. In fact Colonel, until you mentioned it I did not even know the Lord Low Troll was alive, And if I though he was dead in that alternate future, I would not have even thought about that magical artefact”

“Are you trying to tell us that you believe all this time travel nonsense?” the Ambassador interrupted
“Yes” Mr Vee replied, “My friend the Lord Low Troll had the Ring of Ouroboros which as a drow ambassador you should heard of”

There was a telling pause from the drow ambassador to Russia. Then he said “Indeed I have. It was believed lost in antiquity and we had hoped it was in accessible at the bottom of an ocean as we would be forced to go to war against anyone possessing it. Since we all thought the Lord Low Troll was dead, we never thought to look for it with him. In a sense I am relieved that this dangerous artefact has now been used as it is of no further threat to the Drow High council”

“Well it was the Lord Low Troll who had it and he used it” Samuel spoke up, “And Major Bolak was also one of those of us who was sent back”
“His role was to deal with a drow of the Hadreth order” Shamus added, “A drow by the name of Vabalavich”
“That was the drow attaché that he murdered” The Ambassador said in astonishment
“In the alternate timeline Vabalavich was in league with the daughter of the Lord Low Troll and stole a number of old Soviet nuclear weapons” Samuel told the Ambassador, “And Vabalavich was also in league with certain powerful entities who want to destroy the human race, entities that will be aware that time has been rolled back”

“Kathryn, am I needed still?” Mr Vee then asked, “I have certain business to transact down here”

“I don’t think so” Kathryn replied, “You and the ambassador seem to have confirmed the colonel’s account of this time travel device ”
“Before you go” Samuel interrupted, “I know why you have gone down to Miami”
“Of course you would” Mr Vee replied, “It’s history to you, what of it?”
“I must say this has go to be one of the few times I agree with what you are doing down there, so give my regards to those dirt bags who attacked one of my people”
“It’s what any father would do” Mr Vee replied before his line cut out.

“Ambassador” Shamus spoke up, “If Major Bolak…”

The Ambassador interrupted Shamus, “These other entities you spoke of Colonel, Are they referred to as Demons or Fallen Angels”

A cold chill went down Kathryn’s spine, “Demons?” she repeated

“These other entities” Celeste tried to say, but suddenly she was interrupted as the drow Ambassador materialised in Kathryn’s office

“I’m sorry about the intrusion” The Ambassador apologised, “But I would rather not discuss those entities over a line, even if it is a secure channel”

“So what do you know of these demons” Kathryn asked

“Just that in 1962 by the way you humans measure time, a drow of the Hadreth order saved the human race by somehow preventing one of your kind provoking a nuclear war”

“We know” Samuel interrupted, “We met an Angel and he told us about happened during the Cuban Missile crisis and this treaty of non interference by the angels”

“I did not know of this part about the angels” the Ambassador went on, “But the Hadreth told us that they had brokered a deal so we could say that the drow had saved the world of humans as a political weapon against our enemies the elves”
“Yeah” Samuel replied, “Well this Hadreth order have seriously under estimated their so called partners.”

“They tricked the angels into slaughtering the humans” Celeste chipped in
“But that is in this future time line which hasn’t happened yet” the ambassador said dismissively
“But like I said these entities will be aware of time being rolled back” Samuel replied, “Like the angels they exist outside of time”

“So what do you propose we do?” the ambassador asked
“You make sure the Russians account for every last one of their nukes to make sure none are missing, and we go and take care of that invasion force at Faldon”

“I’m afraid that I would have to object to that” The ambassador told the colonel
“What?” Samuel asked, “That is the force that was going to use nuclear weapons against Earth so the Lord Low Troll’s daughter can seize power on their world by the troll rite of Gal-Ha-Din”

“Brameana is still alive?” The ambassador asked, again with an air of astonishment

“What” Growled the Clan Chief of the Manjura as he tried to approach the drow. The Ambassador held out his hand and the troll found his way blocked by a force field.

“You knew about this daughter as well?” Samuel asked angrily
“Yes” the ambassador answered in a matter of fact manner, “How else did the drow have the degree of autonomy we had during the reign of the Lord Low Troll. We knew via a Hadreth drow, Vabalavich’s father to be precise, that the Lord Low Troll had had a wife called Geerol, of the Ghetto Clan and she was shipped out to the Far Islands as a matter of political expedience while he was just the Clan Chief of the Manjura. They then discovered that a contingent of bug bears invaded those islands and we had heard his wife was put to the sword. Everyone including the Lord Low Troll assumed his daughter was most likely killed alongside her mother”

The Clan Chief of the Manjura shook his head and backed down, “This is hard to take, my own father sullying himself with a female troll of the Ghetto clan”
“It explains why the Lord Low Troll never married your mother” Shamus told the troll softly
“My father was obviously still in love with his wife” The Clan Chief of the Manjura replied in a sad voice, “But why did she have to come from that clan”
“Ay” Shamus said, “Love can cross some strange boundaries”

Celeste thought Shamus was then glancing at her and her beloved Simon

Shamus continued “It seems he only got your mother pregnant with you for political expediency to cement the alliance with the Delethon clan. If his heart was with Geerol, you’re right, that would explain why he never married your mother”

“Ambassador” Kathryn asked, “Why are you objecting to us helping deal with this invasion”

“Because it is purely an internal affair for our world” the drow answered, “You would not want us meddling in your petty wars and conflicts, like that in Iraq and Afghanistan”
“I would have to agree” the troll spoke up, “This is a troll matter if it concerns the Ghetto clan. Send me back so I can deal with my treacherous deputy and then we can organise a counter offensive to retake Faldon. I know you mean well Colonel , bur remember what happened the last time you sent Earth forces to help us out”

“Yes I do” Kathryn replied
“But there is no treacherous leprechaun to sell us out this time” insisted Charlene
“I’m sorry Doctor Henshaw” said to Charlene, “The Ambassador and the troll have a point. The part of the plot relating to our world has been addressed and now it is a matter for their authorities on their world to handle their end it as they see fit, on their world”

“Ambassador, Miss Cooper” Shamus spoke up, “Maybe it is an affair for our world we should be handling ourselves as you say, but as a courtesy, and given his experience of how things were before time was reset, at least allow the colonel to come along as an either an advisor or an observer.
“I am not too sure on that one” the Ambassador replied
“And neither am I Mr McTuckle” Kathryn added, “Our existence and the existence of IDW01 has been revealed to the world thanks to the Venezuelan government. If we are seen to be involved, even as just advisors or observers then we could be accused of interfering in the affairs of another world in the way they accuse us of interfering in the Middle East”

“Kathryn, I need to go to IDW01 to speak to one of our own at the on sight liaison team at the Central city, a certain Captain Sandra Philips about how she is conducting her diplomatic duties” Samuel spoke up, “That is a purely human matter unrelated to the invasion”
“Could you not just recall the person concerned” the ambassador asked
“I also need our troll friend to speak with his people about certain attitudes that this captain is running into. It would be best done on site at Central City”
“I presume this is about unmarried females and the wearing of tops” the troll enquired.
Samuel nodded
“The colonel is right” The troll admitted, “It will not take long to deal with this issue concerning your liaison team”

Kathryn sighed, “Well Mr Ambassador” she suggested, “When we send our troll ally here home, the Colonel can go and visit our liaison team on the understanding that we are not going to interfere in internal matters uninvited”
“Understood Miss Cooper” the drow ambassador replied, “We would not have any issues with the conduct of your liaison team provided they do not interfere in our world’s affairs”

“In the meantime Ambassador” Samuel said to the drow ambassador, “We want Major Bolak”
“Not possible” the Ambassador replied, “He murdered a drow attaché in cold blood”
“He saved you’re a***s” Samuel swore, “When Vabalavich took over with that Brameana he organised a coup against your mission in Russia and the Drow High Council, he then proceeded to nuke Moscow”
“I will see what I can do” the Ambassador replied, “But I can not make promises

“And I want to go” Celeste spoke up, “I want to visit my parents on my world” she added unconvincingly
“And I want to go too” Simon spoke up
“Not this time” Samuel told Simon, “I want you, your parents, Sophie and all our personnel to get as far from DC as possible. Just in case history unfolds like it did the first time”

“It will be dangerous” the Clan Chief of the Manjura told Simon, “It is best if you remain on this world”

“But I wanted to show my parents my husband” Celeste protested
“And you can” Shamus told Celeste, “After this situation is dealt with
“Please” Celeste pleaded
“Not this time my dear” Shamus replied, “Simon stays on Earth where he will be safe”

+ + +

Faldon Port
The Mystical Realms

Brameana the female Ghetto troll paced up and down outside looking at the boats of her invasion fleet while her Bugbear body guards looked on. Her lover Vabalavich was over due, which was not like him. Something had to be wrong

There was a sound of fire and then the sound of her bugbears drawing their swords

Brameana turned around, and there in front of her was a being made entirely of fire

“Who are you?” Brameana shouted, “What have you done with my consort Vabalavich?”

“I bear you no ill” the figure made of fire said in a voice that sounded like thunder, “I come to serve you Brameana”
“You know who I am?” Brameana asked

“Indeed, your lover Vabalvich spoke longingly of you before he was murdered in the world of mortals”

Suddenly the colour drained from Brameana’s face, “How” she asked

“We understand it was another drow who was jealous of his abilities, aided and abetted by the humans”
“He was going to help me recover what is rightfully mine, my father’s throne” she said angrily, “He was going to get me human weapons to make the humans destroy most of themselves so we could march in and conquer the survivors, and by Gal-Ha-Din the other trolls would have to grant me the throne that my father held”

“Indeed it was a brilliant plan” the figure made of fire replied wistfully, “And you should have inherited such a position when your father was slain by the treacherous troll clans”

“Then all is lost” Brameana said shaking her head, “The other trolls will soon discover our small invasion and come out to stop us”

The figure made of fire shook his head and waved his right hand, “As one of your loyal subjects, I can not allow your enemies to deny what is rightfully yours”

Suddenly beside him a metal cylinder materialised.

“What is that?” Brameana asked

“My lady” the figure of fire went on, “This is what the humans call a hydrogen bomb, and I can replicate as many as possible”
“And with this?” Brameana asked, “what can I do?”

“This is a most terrifying weapon” My lady, “The fiery figure explained, “One of these could easily destroy Central City or Karam Tag Chou, or obliterate a city of those treacherous humans who colluded in the murder of your drow lover. With enough of these weapons you can avenge your lover by annihilating all life on the world of mortals” the figure of fire continued, “And then you claim the throne you desire by the ancient right of Gal-Ha-Din as by slaughtering all life on that world you will have gone up against a superior enemy and won”

Brameana smiled, “You are right. I had thought of bring back a few trophy humans, but their destruction will serve my purpose just as well”

“Then we will be partners?” The fiery figure asked
“Yes” Brameana said firmly, “But please tell me, what is your name?”
“I have many names amongst the humans” the fiery figure replied, “But my minions call me lord Samael”

To be concluded

[Sticks]

Episode IX–Prophetic Fulfilment

Some things, so others will tell you are destined to be, like death and taxes. Many believe they are governed by the fates, drifting through life with no purpose other than the day to day business of survival.

Others set out to prove their destiny lies in their own hands and do what ever it takes to fulfil their so called destiny, often to fall by the wayside.

But sometimes others succeed and become great, like Alexander the Great, only for the fates to catch up and smite them.

There is one destiny we all will meet one day and nothing we can do will alter that fact. We are all mortal and we all will die one day. The question is what legacy we leave behind.

For the agents of the Inter Dimensional Entity Control organisation, what is their destiny and what will their legacy be? Will they be able to prevent history re-unfolding into the fall of humanity? Already the dark forces of the fallen ones are conspiring to bring a war to the humans they will once again lose.

And what of the daughter of the Spirit of Death? What is the prophesied destiny she is due to fulfil, and will she?

+ + +

A wilderness cave

The Walong Mountains
The Mystical Realms

The kobold finally found the cave at the bottom of the Walong Mountains. This was where his former master was eking out an existence.

He had been running for three days, even for a kobold this was hard; such was his devotion to his former master.

He looked at the outside of the cavern in which his master had now made his home. He could see that there was a small garden with the kind of vegetables and herbs that in his glory days were merely garnishes at the many banquets they had, but now were all that he subsisted on. Not far from the cave was a small spring, only just enough to support his former master and to water his vital crops. On the other side of the cave entrance was a structure built to house home returning birds, obviously to provide eggs, and occasional meat for his master. The fare of poor farming goblins

His master had fallen a long way, but at least, like the kobold, they had survived the civil war, mostly by hiding in the wilderness away from the warring factions, playing dead and dropping out of sight.

The kobold noticed some smoke from the cavern, his master was cooking. This was good news as it meant his former master was home.

“Sire” The Kobold gasped

“Ah Meetal at last you have come” Meetal’s master replied, “I have been waiting for you”

“How did you know I was coming?” Meetal asked
“Do you remember me telling you about the Ring of Ouroboros?”

Meetal wracked his brains, still confused as to how his master would know he was coming. And then it dawned on him.

“But the use of that magic artefact was forbidden” Meetal said, his eyes opened wide, “It has the ability to roll back time.”
“I know my old friend” Meetal’s master replied, “I made the law prohibiting it’s use, remember”


Meetal nodded, “But who has this dangerous device?” Meetal then asked, “Playing with time is not to be messed with, you taught us that master. Other’s said they would wage war on whoever had it and you said it would have been better if it had been cast into the deepest volcano”

Meetal’s master then produced a blackened piece from a metal ring, “No one need ever worry about it any more my old friend, it’s power is spent”

Suddenly a cold realisation went through the kobold, “You had it all along?” he asked accusingly

Meetal’s master nodded, “I thought it was best if I kept it, so it would be safe from those who had big egos and it would never be used, but alas I have had to use it to help preserve the Sacred Law”
“What?” Meetal asked

“I know what you saw in Faldon my old friend” Meetal’s master told the startled kobold, “because you told me before in another time which has now been reset.”
“Then you know of this new force who seeks to overthrow those treacherous troll clan chiefs” Meetal asked
“Yes my old friend” Meetal’s master replied with a sad voice, “I must apologise to you Meetal for never telling you this, but many years ago I had a wife and daughter from the Ghetto Clan”
“No” Meetal said, shaking his head in disbelief, “They were without honour”
“I was not as wise as I am now my old friend” Meetal’s master went on, “I sent them away for political expediency and this new leader you saw is my daughter returning to seek revenge for that cowardly act of mine and to claim what she has been made to believe by a drow is her rightful inheritance”

“Maybe we can do a deal with her?” Meetal suggested, still not taking things in.
“No my old friend” Meetal’s master replied, “My daughter has fallen under the spell of darker forces who in the other timeline used her to attack the world of mortals and ultimately put it to the sword in violation of the Sacred Law we both hold dear. That was why I had to use that artefact I had resolved never to use”

“So what do you want me to do master?” Meetal then asked
“Stay here” Meetal’s master replied, “I will show you how to tend the crops and look after my live stock such as it is. I know from the other timeline before that you will come to love the stark beauty of this wilderness as I have done”
“I don’t understand master?” Meetal said in confusion

“It is simple my old friend” Meetal’s master replied, “I caused a lot of pain and death to be inflicted upon the humans and our people in that other time and so I must accept responsibility and take care of this personally”
“And I will be at your side my master” Meetal proudly offered.

Meetal’s master shook his head, “Not this time my friend, this may be the last thing I ask you, but I want you to stay here where you will be safe from what must be”

“But..” Meetal protested
“No! “ Meetal’s master said firmly, “You have been more of a son to me than my real son, and so if anything happens to me, I am leaving this and my entire library to you my old friend. There is one thing though”

“Yes my master?”

Meetal’s master handed over a small crystal orb, “This came back with me from the future. It contains that mortal who escaped justice due to what that griffin judge said wasa technicality, so if I fail to come back find an elven magic user and extract him. I wanted to try him on a new offence of interfering with the affairs of our world, but maybe he should be returned to the world of humans. That will be your call”

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms

Captain Sandra Philips a twenty eight year old US marine was in her make shift office preparing to go out on a patrol with two other marines escorted by two trolls from the Clavial clan as part of the inter world agreement for the human team to operate in the city.

Sandra knew these two trolls, they were ardent traditionalists of how single female trolls ought to be, and by inference all single females of other races. Single females in their view could not wear anything above the waist so males could assess if they sufficiently endowed to nurse their troll children. Troll wives in some quarters we considered little more than breeding machines.

Sandra pulled off her vest top completely. Today she would go topless; it would probably be a treat for the marines under her command she thought as well as keeping some of the troll clans sweet.

“You’d better be putting on your full uniform captain” an unexpected voice uttered behind her.

Sandra turned around and saluted not making any effort to cover up.

It was Colonel Samuel Peters, indeed an honour as his reputation was legendary from when he first took on a Columbian drug cartel that had captured a dimension jump orb and had been using it as part of their drug trafficking business.

“Put a top on Marine” Samuel ordered her,

“Sir” Sandra spoke up, “But you don’t know what it’s like here,, by observing the local customs it” she began only for the colonel to interrupt her
“That’s an order Marine” the colonel said sternly, “I do not want my people looking like cheap strippers”

Sandra reached for her vest top which she sometimes wore; as it was easily removable should she have to

“I said I want you in full regulation kit, including regulation underwear” the colonel insisted

“Yes Sir” Sandra acknowledged grudgingly and went into a personal room she had been given and started putting on a bra, and then the full regulation uniform.

”What was he doing?” ran through Sandra’s head –Did he not realise the way the trolls acted in this city? Going topless was the only way she could get respect from some of the troll leaders, even if it was not strict US Marine dress code. It got the job done

Finally Sandra was fully dressed when she went back into the office. To her surprise, beside the Colonel was the Clan Chief of the Manjura.

Even here word had filtered back that he had been captured and put on public display.

Also with the colonel was some teenager who had had her hair dyed red, wearing a camouflage jacket like the colonel and military fatigues.

“Sir with all due respect” Sandra began speaking, but this time it was the troll who interrupted her by putting up one of his hands

“Captain, I have heard of your efforts to comply with our out of date traditions” the troll spoke up
“It’s they only way to get respect from the troll elders” Sandra replied
“And what of the men under your command” the colonel interjected.

Sandra looked aghast, “I’ve explained it to them, sir” Sandra replied, “I believe they understood my position.”
“But they won’t respect you captain for looking like a cheap *****” the colonel answered back, “And for command that’s critical”
“Colonel” the troll interrupted, “Please do not judge your subordinate by my failure, I should have made it clear to the council that such customs were abolished and were not to be imposed on female trolls, the other races and especially our human guests.” The troll then turned back to the Captain “Captain, as for the troll escort today, I have dismissed the Clavial trolls and arranged for Rachtal trolls to be your escorts. They are more progressive and are not offended by even Rachtal single females covering up”

“And the troll elders?” Sandra asked, “What about their attitudes, unless I go topless when I meet with them, I can’t get anything done”
“Leave them to me” the troll replied, “From now on I will make sure I am there when you need to meet with them, they will owe us”

“There is no need for you to go topless captain” the colonel reiterated, “Which I know you hate doing”
“How?” Sandra asked
“Because you told us” the teenager interjected
“I never told anyone out side of this liaison team” Sandra replied

“She doesn’t know” the colonel told the teenager
“Doesn’t know what sir?” Sandra asked

“We don’t have much time” the colonel replied, “I need you to raise our people at Karam Tag Chou”

“Sure sir” Sandra replied, “What’s this all about?”
“They’re in danger Captain” the colonel replied
“My treacherous deputy is seeking to destroy then to steal the dimension jump orbs” the troll added

Sandra went over to the radio communications equipment and powered it up, “I just hope one of this world’s moons is available to bounce the signal off of”

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The citadel of the Troll Emperors
The Mystical Realms

Sergeant Frank Schneider answered the radio. The call was coming from the consulate at the central city.

“This is the Citadel over” Frank said into the radio
“This is Colonel Peters from IDEC command” came back the reply.
“We weren’t due for an Earth communication until tomorrow oh five hundred sir” Frank replied.
“This is a code red, over” the colonel replied over the radio, “We have intel to say that there is an attack force of bugbears headed your way, over”
“Say what, over” Frank asked
“Equal in size to trolls and more deadly” the colonel answered, “Get in touch with the Rachtal commander there”
“And the Manjura Commander?” Frank asked
“Negative” the colonel replied, “The Manjura have been compromised by a mole”

Then another voice came on over the radio, a troll voice, “My deputy has arranged this to steal dimension jump orbs. He means to put those loyal to me, you and your comrades to the sword”
“Inform the Rachtal commander” the colonel repeated, “And get the hell out of there”
“We’re withdrawing?” Frank asked with incredulity
“Affirmative” the colonel replied over the radio, “The authorities want to handle this internally. You and your men are to withdraw to Earth”
“We’re running away” Frank accused the colonel
“Your team is too small to make a difference and the authorities want to handle this themselves” the colonel replied, “We are arranging local backup, now inform the Rachtal commander and return to Earth, that is an order”

Suddenly a dark elf appeared by the sergeant. It was a drow, the enemy of the troll’s allies the elves.

Frank tried to go for his gun, but found himself paralysed

“I believe your commanding officer gave you a direct order” the drow said contemptuously, “Check with Colonel Peters, tell him it is Major Bolak”

Frank nervously keyed the microphone. “There is a Major Bolak here”
“You took your time Major” the Colonel replied.
“Well our illustrious ambassador was not as speedy as he should have been with his dark space” the drow replied. “Our drow force, which I must add do not have a Hadreth amongst them, will be joining with the elves here for the first time in our history to deal with these bugbears. I will be with you shortly colonel when they arrive”

“Now” the drow turned to Frank, “as we are here, we can inform the Rachtal commander while you get off of our world and go home” he said menacingly.

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms

Samuel and Celeste followed the Clan Chief of the Manjura into the streets of the Central City. The two suns were blazing away over the desert based city and two of the four moons could be just made out in the sky.

They had just seen the Central City Liaison staff returned back to Earth, including Captain Sandra Philips. Samuel was carrying the artificial wormhole generator

“Will Captain Philips be punished when she get’s back to Earth” Celeste asked
“Nah! Not after how she served in the alternate timeline and how she died there” Samuel replied, “She will just be reassigned, maybe to Karam Tag Chou, maybe to an Earth based assignment, but there is no way she can come back to Central City, we need someone new here. Given what happened to our people in the previous timeline, I want them out of harms way until we deal with this threat”

“I thought we weren’t supposed to get involved sir” Celeste asked
“Sorry” Samuel apologised, “Slip of the tongue, I meant them”

Just then Celeste saw a hooded figure coming towards her

It was the Spirit of Death, her father

“Daddy?” Celeste called out
“Yes Celeste my daughter” The Spirit of death replied.
“Where’s mother?” Celeste asked

“Right here” said a woman suddenly right beside her

Celeste turned around to look up into the face of Lachesis.

“I was going to give you the Crystal of Kairon” Lachesis said to Celeste, “But suddenly it shattered as if it had been used”

“I was in another time line, in the future” Celeste replied, “I made my wish there”
“And you wished for a human soul?” Lachesis asked

“How did you know” Celeste asked, confused as to how her mother could know what had happened in a future that may or may not come to pass.

“I saw it on the day you were born” Lachesis replied
“I was there when it happened” The Spirit of Death cut in.

“Does that make me human?” Celeste asked

“You are both human and one of us” Lachesis replied, “You exist in both worlds, but why was a human soul your heart’s desire?”

Celeste blushed and looked down, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

“She has a boy friend” Samuel interrupted
“A human?” The Spirit of death said with anger in his voice, “He has had carnal knowledge of my little girl, hasn’t he” he said menacingly

Celeste shook her head frantically, “No dad, please don’t kill him. He hasn’t touched me yet I swear”
“What do you mean yet?” the Spirit of Death asked, “I can tell that your body has experienced the feeling that only happens in intimate union, so don’t lie”

“The two of them believe they are married because Celeste accidentally disintegrated her clothes when we got her to transfer magic from an amulet to a power source and when we were giving Celeste replacement clothes her boyfriend took his shirt off and gave it to her to put on” Samuel explained.

Lachesis put both her hands on Celeste’s shoulders, “My husband, the feeling Celeste had in her body would have been caused by transferring magic, she is still pure my love as is he, but as to this marriage, that is the rule of trolls, not of us my child”
“But I love him Mum” Celeste said quietly, “And now I have a soul we can be soul mates together forever”

Lachesis shook her head and gave a small laugh, “Your heart’s desire was for a human soul because you misunderstood a human expression”. Lachesis looked up at the Spirit of Death, “I believe I know of this young man, he is a Simon Hargreaves”

“He’s one of my people” Samuel interrupted, “He’s a good worker”
“And a suitable husband for our daughter” Lachesis added.

“So I am married to Simon?” Celeste asked.
“Not yet” Lachesis replied

“I know for you it has only been a week from your point of view” Samuel interrupted
“But she has proved a loyal member of your team” the Spirit of Death completed. “Good” he added
“I told them I would work naked dad” Celeste spoke up, “but the would not let me”.
“Why would you do that Celeste” Lachesis asked, puzzled by this admission
“But the village I grew up in, those were the rules” Celeste answered, “I worked for the wrong side, so”
“And you have atoned many times over Celeste my daughter” The Spirit of Death interrupted.

“I’m afraid we have to go now” Lachesis interrupted, “We were here on official business”
“Yes we have to go” The Spirit of Death agreed.

The two figures then dissolved into thin air

“Don’t go” Celeste pleaded
“I’m sure they will be back” Samuel told Celeste, “It’s obvious that they are proud of you”

Just then a troll voice shouted a greeting at the Clan Chief of the Manjura. Celeste looked around; it was the Deputy Clan chief of the Manjura.

“I am so glad you have escaped” the deputy said to his clan chief

The Clan Chief of the Manjura said nothing and just went up to his deputy.

Suddenly the deputy screamed in pain and collapsed to the ground. The Clan Chief of the Manjura turned round and glared at Celeste, holding a bloody dagger. “Do not save him Spirit of Second Chances, this Traitor deserves death”

For a brief moment Celeste could see a life thread flapping in the air, obviously this was the official business her father had just mentioned.

Celeste just stood there in a state of shock while the clan Chief of the Manjura called out for troops of his clan to dispose of his deputy’s dead body.

After this the Clan Chief of the Manjura along with the Clan Chief of the Rachtal came up to Samuel and Celeste
“Colonel” the Clan Chief of the Manjura addressed Samuel, “I believe it is time for you to return to your world”
“Can’t he stay here in the city?” Celeste pleaded
“He’s right Celeste” Samuel told Celeste, “This has to be a matter for the local government to resolve”

“You are welcome stay with us Spirit of Second Chances and join in this coming battle” the Clan Chief of the Rachtal said to Celeste

“I’m not an agent or a soldier” Celeste protested, “I can’t even teleport any more”

“That need not be a problem” came Major Bolak’s voice behind her, “Your memories and consciousness may be from the future but your body is not” he told Celeste, “Drink this”

Major Bolak then handed Celeste a small vial.

Celeste took the vial and obediently drank the contents, and for a moment a strange glow surrounded Celeste causing her to gasp for breath.

After it had gone Major Bolak told her that she then had her ability to teleport restored.
“I’ll need to get undressed then” Celeste said with a sad expression as she started to unbutton her jacket.
“There is no need if you do the exercises” Bolak replied as he gently took hold of her hands to stop her undoing any more buttons
“But they hurt” Celeste protested

“Not if I help out” Shamus McTuckle’s voice. Came from behind

“I can help share the pain and reduce it” Shamus offered
“And so can I” Major Bolak replied, “Should we need to teleport”
“Good then it is settled” The Clan Chief of the Manjura interrupted, “You can join us as we march on Faldon. Our troops are getting ready”
“It should be safe” Major Bolak stated, “We stopped them getting hold of the tactical nuclear weapons they used the first time around”

“But first” The Clan Chief of the Manjura interrupted and produced a blue orb.

“That’s ok I have this” Samuel said patting the artificial wormhole generator.
“But I insist” the clan Chief of the Manjura responded and then chanted an incantation, at which a blue dot appeared in the air.

“Bye Celeste” Samuel replied
“But I want to go back to Earth” Celeste pleaded, “I want to be with Simon”

“And you shall my dear” Shamus told Celeste, “But not just yet, we need you here”

Samuel waved at the Celeste and the others and passed through the wormhole back to Earth.

+ + +

IDEC Headquarters
Washington DC
United States of America

Samuel arrived at the office of Kathryn Cooper and the wormhole collapsed behind him.

To his surprise there was the drow ambassador with Kathryn

“What’s wrong” Samuel asked
“I’m afraid the news is grave” the drow ambassador replied
“Russia” Kathryn continued, “Is missing one of it’s old style hydrogen bombs that was waiting for decommissioning”

“But Bolak killed that Vabalavich S.OB, before he could steal them” Samuel began and then stopped as a sudden chill realisation went through him. “The fallen angels must have stolen it”
“But we have a treaty with them” the ambassador protested
“Not any more” Samuel retorted shaking his head and started the powering up process for the artificial wormhole generator.

“Where are you going” The ambassador asked, “Back to Central City?”
“No!” Samuel replied, “That Port Faldon. That’s where this Brameana is, with Vabalavich not there to do their bidding those fallen angels may be making their own deal with her” Samuel explained. “The location would be useful right now” he told the ambassador
“I can take you there” the ambassador replied as he pulled out a blue orb, “The Hadreth stole one of these from the Manjura some years ago”

“We need to alert the trolls at Central City and the citadel” Samuel stated

The drow turned to Kathryn, “Have your minion contact our consulate in Moscow, and we can arrange for someone to go to the Mystical Realms and get the Drow High Council to contact the trolls”
“I don’t think we have time for Russian bureaucracy” Kathryn retorted and pressed the intercom, “Sophie” Kathryn said into the machine, “Get me G2 in Ireland, this is a Code Red Alpha one”

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms

Celeste watched on with Shamus and Major Bolak as various ranks of troll warriors and gnolls started to join forces. The streets of the Central city were now emptying as the inhabitants could tell that war was coming again. A war against a rouge troll clan that was supposed to have been wiped out and some of the most feared creatures of all, bugbears.

Some young males tried to join up, but they were rebuffed, a war needed well trained soldiers, not raw recruits with no military discipline. The stakes were too high.

“I thought the drow would be coming too” Celeste asked Shamus with tears in her eyes
“No my dear” Shamus replied, “They are helping defend the Citadel”
“But I’m not a warrior Mr McTuckle” Celeste pleaded, “I know I when I worked for that b*****d I went to do my father’s duty”
“But this is different” Shamus completed her sentence

Celeste nodded

“War is the totality of evil Celeste” Shamus went on, “This time we have a chance of winning without some jumped up Hadreth drow stealing human weapons, no offence intended Major”
“None taken” Major Bolak replied, “I’m so glad I managed to stop that disgrace to all drow from executing his plan. Without those weapons, we will push those invaders back to the Far Islands, where we will annihilate them once and for all in one blow”

“How?” Shamus asked suspiciously.

“It worked in the alternate time line with those two islands” Major Bolak replied, “Why not use the same idea”
“You’ve stolen a nuclear weapon yourself” Shamus accused.
“Don’t be so melodramatic Shamus” Major Bolak retorted, “I have merely ear marked one that was due for destruction under a recent Earth based treaty. It has not even left Earth yet, I will be able to call for it once we have forced the invaders back to whence they came and then they will never trouble us ever again”
“We don’t need that kind of weapon here” Shamus said sternly, “There will be no nuking here, and I will fight you with every ounce of my being to stop you”

“Oh very well” Major Bolak replied, “I will not acquire it Shamus, and as I said it has not even left Earth, it was just a thought”

”A drow thought” Celeste thought to herself, not daring to speak.
“A thought we don’t need Bolak” Shamus said angrily.

There was the sudden rush of wind behind them as a blue wormhole opened up behind them.

Out stepped another leprechaun

“Sir” the leprechaun addressed Shamus, “We have a message from Miss Kathryn Cooper of the IDEC in Washington” he said breathlessly

“Spit it out lad” Shamus ordered the leprechaun
“This Brameana may have acquired some kind of super weapon stolen from the Russians”

“What?” Shamus said in surprise, “What kind of super weapon”
“A hydrogen bomb they call it sir” the leprechaun answered

Shamus shook his head and glared at Major Bolak.

Major Bolak could tell what Shamus was thinking, “It wasn’t me” he said defiantly, “the weapon I selected has not even left it’s silo where it is pointed at the United States, ask them to check on it if you don’t believe me”

“They said this one was an obsolete weapon” the leprechaun said in puzzlement, “It was taken out of service and was awaiting something called decommissioning”

“That’s impossible” Bolak blurted out. “I killed Vabalavich before he could take any of those old nuclear weapons. They were all accounted for. He never got anywhere near them this time around”

“What about those angels the colonel mentioned” Celeste asked
“According to mythology my dear” Shamus replied, “They were supposed to be the guardians of the humans”
“What about the fallen ones” Celeste asked
“Oh great” Bolak said coldly, “It’s obvious, I killed their Hadreth stooge so now they are trying to make history unfold as it did the last time themselves”
“Except” Shamus continued, “They plan to make this second time around more deadly than the first”. Then Shamus turned back to the Leprechaun, “What of Kathryn and the Colonel”

“Faldon Sir” the leprechaun replied, “The colonel has gone to Faldon with the drow ambassador”

“A drow and a human” Shamus mused
“They don’t stand a chance” Major Bolak added

“We need to tell the clan Chief of the Manjura” Celeste suggested
“True” Shamus replied and then turned back to the other leprechaun, “Go warn the Clan Chief of the Manjura” he instructed the Leprechaun, “We three are going to Faldon to see what we can do”

“What?” Celeste said in alarm, “What can I do?”
“You can still do force blasts” Major Bolak asked Celeste.
“Well yeah” Celeste replied, “Against a single normal target”
“You also have the power to hurl fire balls” the drow major told a confused Celeste

“What?” Celeste asked again

“All major spirits can” Shamus cut in, “Plus you have a shield”
“Which wipes me out every time I use it” Celeste protested
“Only because you allow the energy from the blast to go out instinctively” Major Bolak replied, “If you actively concentrate on your shield you should be able to maintain it like the other major spirits do in combat”

“Then it’s settled” Shamus interrupted and grabbed Celeste’s left hand. Major Bolak grabbed Celeste’s right hand and in an instant they were gone, leaving the other leprechaun to go off in search of those in charge of the assembling troll army.

+ + +

Faldon Port
The Mystical Realms

Brameana watched in fascination as the town square started to fill up with metal cylinders identical to the one that this Samael character had produced

The fiery figure finished his incantation, “See I have produced forty such devices” he told Brameana, “And if we need more” the fiery figure went on, “Since we have the original I can easily replicate more” he added with a laugh.

“I just need that Manjura troll to get us the dimension jump orbs” Brameana replied, “And then those puny humans will not know what hit them.”

“And after the Earth is rendered lifeless” the fiery figure cut in, “You can be declared conqueror of Earth and rightful inheritor of your late father’s throne.”

Brameana smiled at the fiery figure and then had a wistful look, “I wish my Vabalavich were still alive, we virtually grew up together on the far islands where his father was drow ambassador”
“Well look at the annihilation of the humans as avenging his murder” the fiery figure said in as kind and as softer voice as he was able., “As for those dimension jump orbs” the fiery figure continued, “forget about them, if need be I can summon my legion of minions as they have the ability to pass between the two worlds, and they can carry these hydrogen bombs to their targets. They will be only too willing to oblige”

“That would certainly help” Brameana replied, “I never felt comfortable dealing with that Manjura troll, since he as of the same clan of my father who abandoned us. It was Vabalavich who persuaded me we could do business with him”

The fiery figure grinned, “Then let’s not wait around” he told Brameana, “I will summon”. Suddenly the fiery figure stopped speaking and swore.

Brameana turned around to see what sight had stopped her new partner in his tracks.

One by one the replicated human weapons were fading into nothingness

“Why are they going?” Brameana asked
“I have no idea” the fiery figure said angrily, “Someone has countered the replication spell”

“I would have thought only elven and drow magics can do that” Brameana told the fiery figure, “And we made sure all elves were put to the sword and Vabalavich was my only drow.
“We have the original” the fiery figure sighed, “If you have it fetched from the town hall where we put it, I will just replicate it again once we find the user of magic who has cast this spell”

Brameana ordered some of the bugbears to go and collect the original human weapon and bring it to the square. “If only we had my Vabalavich” she said in frustration, “He would have been able to track down which traitor countered your replication magic”

“I will summon one of my minions” the fiery figure told Brameana, “He will find this errant magic practitioner and dispatch him”

Just then there was a minor commotion as a troop of Ghetto trolls came into the square, dragging what seemed to be a human and drow.

“We found these spies” the Ghetto troll commander said to Brameana as they force marched them up to her. The two were then made to kneel on the ground in front of Brameana and the fiery figure.

One of the Ghetto trolls held up a strange device

“They came with this” he called out before putting the object on the ground.

Brameana walked up to the pair, “And who do we have here” she sneered

“I am the drow ambassador to the Russian government on the world of humans” the Ambassador replied.

“And who are you?” Brameana asked the human
“Colonel Samuel Peters of the Inter Dimensional Entity Control special task force” the human replied

“A disgusting human” the fiery figure said with venom, “Allow me to exterminate this vermin” the fiery figure asked
“In a moment lord Samael” Brameana replied, “We should be much more interested in this drow”

Brameana pulled out her dagger in her right hand and held the point to the throat of the drow, “Well Ambassador” she said deliberately, “Why don’t you undo your little spell that nullifies the replication spell”
“I have cast no spell” the drow ambassador replied in a matter of fact manner.

Brameana immediately hit the ambassador in the side of his head with her left hand, knocking him to the ground, “LIAR” she shouted and proceeded to place her left foot on the side of his head, “Maybe I should just kill you drow and then your spell will be gone”

“We cast no spell” Samuel shouted out.
“LIARS” Brameana screeched, “This is drow magic”

“My lady” one of the trolls then spoke up nervously, “We caught them as they arrived. They did not have time to cast any spells that we could see”
“I am afraid the drow is telling the truth” the fiery figure told Brameana, “I sense no falsehood from him or that he is capable of such a spell”
Brameana returned back to the fiery figure’s side, whilst the drow was pulled up so once again he was kneeling, blood running from his nose.
“Well if they didn’t, who did” Brameana asked angrily

“I did” Yelled a voice from across the square.

Brameana looked up and saw the figure of a large elderly troll walking toward her. “Seize him” she ordered

For a moment some of the Ghetto trolls hesitated

“I said seize him” Brameana screeched
“There is no need to shout Brameana” The elderly troll called out.

Two large trolls came up to the elderly troll and grabbed him by the arms.

“Bring him” the fiery figure ordered, “I would like to know how a mere troll can defeat my magic”

“It’s simple” The elderly troll called out, “I used the Crystal of Morpheus”

“The what?” Brameana asked

The drow ambassador spoke up, “It is an ancient artefact missing since antiquity. It was said to be able to permanently neutralise selected spells. It seems your father is quite a collector of ancient artefacts”

Brameana walked up to the drow ambassador, “My father is dead” she growled

“No I’m not” the elderly troll said as he was brought level with the Colonel and the dow ambassador and forced to kneel. “It was my twin brother who was slain by the traitors. I chose to play dead”

“You’re lying” Brameana whispered to the elderly troll, “My father was a coward who sent me and my mother away because we were inconvenient.”
“And I always regretted that” the elderly troll countered, “I loved your mother Geerol”

“HOW DARE YOU UTTER HER NAME” Brameana screamed, “She was killed by the bugbears before the drow could stop them”

“My lady” the fiery figure interrupted, “He speaks the truth.”

“What!” Brameana exclaimed, “You are my father?”
“Yes” the elderly troll replied, “And I could not allow you to break the sacred law this time”

“THIS TIME” the fiery figure interrupted again and approached the elderly troll, “So it was you who rolled back time and undid all my work”

“Yours and that no good Hadreth drow” the elderly troll retorted, “You have led my daughter astray and I could not allow that”

“Insolence” The fiery figure shouted and raised his hand to hurl a fireball at the troll.

“NO!” Brameana shouted at the fiery figure, “He’s mine”

“As you wish” the fiery figure said in a sly manner, “A daughter putting to death her own father is so delicious”.

Brameana briefly glared at the fiery figure and then walked up to one of her Ghetto trolls and asked for his sword and then walked over with it to the elderly troll.

“Well father” she went on with bitterness and hatred welling up inside her, “You can not imagine how much I have wanted to kill you for what you did to me and my mother”
“Please Brameana” the elderly troll pleaded, “I know you have every right to hate me, and if I had been able to I would never have sent you away but you don’t have to throw in your lot with these others. There is still time to stop this madness and remember the Sacred Law”

“Listen to him” Samuel interrupted, “Your lover Vabalavich was just using you, as is this fallen angel here”
“QUIET HUMAN” Brameana screamed at Samuel and pointed the sword at him, “Keep out of this. I will kill you next”

Brameana motioned to the troll behind the elderly troll who then pushed him so the elderly troll was bending over, with his neck exposed. Brameana lifted up the sword and took aim at her father’s wretched neck, allowing all the channelled rage she had acquired all those years she had built up to give her the strength to slice through it.

Suddenly Brameana was hit by some unknown force which sent her flying several feet backwards. Someone had hit her with a force blast, although strangley this was not a lethal one.

From where she lay on the ground, stunned and shocked, she saw the figures of another drow, a leprechaun and a female human adolescent who by the position of her right hand had just thrown the force blast. But how could a human child do that?

The fiery figure looked at the new trio, “So you wish to intervene” he growled and immediately hurled the largest fire ball in their direction.

*

Celeste watched in terror as the biggest fire ball she had ever seen hurtled towards her.
“Concentrate” Major Bolak yelled as he grabbed her left arm.

Celestes tried her best to think about the shield power she supposedly had as she shut her eyes and held her right hand out.

A surge of power flooded through her and her body tingles as if electricity was playing over it, but this time not wiping her out as previously happened when she had used the shield capability instinctively. There was a deafening sound of an explosion ten feet in front of her at the same time, and then the sound of a fireball travelling away.

Celeste opened her eyes, the fireball had been harmlessly deflected upwards.

“Shamus” Bolak shouted, “You get the Colonel and I’ll get the Lord Low Troll. Our ambassador can teleport out himself”
“What about Celeste” Shamus objected as they watched the large fallen angel advance across the town square towards them.
“She’s a major spirit of virtue, she should be able to handle herself” Bolak replied and suddenly teleported away.

“Like he says my dear” Shamus told the frightened Celeste, “You’re a major spirit, you can take on this oversized bonfire easily” he tried to reassure her, albeit unconvincingly, “I’ll be back as soon as I have got that fool of a colonel to safety”

And then Shamus was gone

“So the leprechaun and the drow have run away” the fallen angel sneered as it advanced on Celeste as she backed away, the Ghetto trolls seemed to be giving this creature a wide berth.

Briefly Celeste noticed that just behind him, Shamus appearing next to the colonel and then teleporting out away with him. The Lord Low Troll was also missing; presumably Major Bolak had taken him.

“Why don’t you drop your pathetic shield little girl” the fallen angel shouted menacingly, “And I will be swift and merciful”

Celeste held her arm out still and shook her head. It was obvious that she was to hold the line while Shamus and Major Bolak got the others to safety. She walked backwards a step, but was now against a large building.

The fallen angel fired another two fireballs at Celeste. Celeste dived to the ground by instinct and then only just remembered to try and concentrate on the shield.

The two large fireballs hit the shield she produced. Even though she was trying her best to concentrate on the shield, it still caused a searing pain through her body, almost to the point of blacking out. One fireball at a time was tolerable, but two was pushing her to the edge of unconsciousness and this creature knew it, and was getting ready to strike again

Suddenly there was what looked like a cloud of icy engulfing the fallen angel; it was from the drow ambassador. He had cast a cone of cold spell

The one spell that could hurt such a creature

For the moment this powerful entity was distracted.

The drow ambassador was now standing while the ghetto trolls started to scatter, lest they get caught in the cross fire. The female troll seemed to have disappeared elsewhere.

The fallen angel hurled a massive fireball at the drow ambassador. The ambassador deflected the fireball into a crowd of Ghetto trolls and a couple of bugbears who had been on patrol killing them instantly and making the others scatter.

“Go back to Hell” the drow shouted, “You are in violation of the treaty”

“You miserable wretch” the fallen angel shouted back, “You think because you know magic and you are a drow you are invincible”
“You have no right to meddle in the affairs of our world” the ambassador countered, “You are bound by the treaty as is lord Metatron, now Leave”

Celeste watched the fallen angel shake his head, and then laugh
“A while back we discovered how to deal with creatures from your world, even those with shields. I’m surprised I had not remembered it until now”

The fallen angel raised his right hand and began chanting something in a language Celeste could not understand, and from the open hand of the fallen angel a yellow ball of light grew.

The drow ambassador instinctively put up a shield spell as the ball of yellow light left the fallen angel’s hand and headed for the drow ambassador. However the yellow ball of light seemed to ignore the shield and engulfed the drow ambassador. The drow screamed in agony and faded from existence.

“All creatures from this realm were formed from the collective unconsciousness of the disgusting half breeds and that is there weakness” the fallen angel shouted in triumph, “I have no need of any of you” he added, “Especially you Brameana”.

The fallen angel then turned his attention back to Celeste and already another ball of yellow light began forming in his hand

“I’m back” Shamus said as he reappeared next to Celeste

“SHAMUS NO!” Celeste screamed and fired a force blast at the leprechaun to push him out of range of the deadly incoming ball of yellow light.

Celeste turned to face the fallen angel. He started to hurl the ball of yellow light at her and Celeste held her hands up to him by instinct and her shield went up. With in seconds, the ball of yellow light hit Celeste and engulfed her.

Celeste felt like she was both burning and freezing all at the same time, plus there was that same pain running through her that she had suffered when she had tried to carry out the exercises Major Bolak had taught her so she could teleport with out causing her clothes to disintegrate should she remove them normally for washing.

Then she felt a sudden rush of power surging through her and up her arms, and suddenly she got the same feeling run through her body as she had experienced when she had transferred magic into the isotope that powered the artificial wormhole generator, the one her father had said usually occurred in “intimate union”. It felt good and yet this was disturbing.

A blue light blasted from Celeste’s hands and hit the fallen angel throwing him backwards across the town square and into one of the buildings on the opposite side.

Celeste felt strange and woozy

“A human soul” screamed the fallen angel, “A disgusting human soul” it repeated, “What treachery is this”

Suddenly there was a blinding white light and there in the middle of the square stood a man in a white suit as big as the fallen angel.

“SAMAEL” the figure in white said in a voice that sounded like a large waterfall, “YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO ATTACK THOSE WITH HUMAN SOULS” it added

Shamus reappeared next to Celeste, “Thanks for that” Shamus told Celeste
“I’m sorry” Celeste whispered, “I couldn’t let him kill you as well”

“MICHAEL I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN” the fallen Angel yelled as he picked himself up, “THAT CREATURE OVER THERE” he went on pointing at Celeste, HAS POWERS AND DOES NOT QUALIFY AS HUMAN SO YOU STOP INTERFERING SO I CAN ANNIHILATE HER”

“SHE HAS A HUMAN SOUL” the figure in white insisted, “AND AS SUCH YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO TAKE DIRECT ACTION AGAINST HER” it insisted

Just then two more figures of fire appeared beside the fallen angel. They were more fallen angels
“I SAY WE TAKE HIM, HE IS ONLY ONE” one of the newly arrived fallen angels growled

“IS THAT RIGHT BERNAEL” the figure in white said in his terrifying voice, “PERHAPS YOU NEED TO LOOK AGAIN”

Suddenly the sky blazed a brilliant white, so much so that Celeste and Shamus had to cower and shield their eyes and so did not see the sky filled with uncountable numbers of figures in white.

“YOU WIN THIS TIME MICHAEL” Celeste heard the large fallen angel shout back, “BUT WE WILL BE BACK, THIS IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF THE TREATY”

“AND WE WILL BE WAITING” Celeste heard the large figure in white say defiantly, “THAT TREATY CUTS BOTH WAYS” it added before telling the fallen angel, “AND IT BINDS WHAT YOU CAN DO AS WELL, SO BE WARNED”

And then there was silence

Celeste and Shamus looked up. There was a virtually empty town square, but Shamus reminded Celeste that the Ghetto trolls and the bugbears would soon be back. They had a toe hold on the mainland and most likely they would not give that up. War was still coming to the Mystical Realms, and it still had the chance to be more bloody than the civil war of recent memory.

Then Celeste caught sight of a Brameana standing next to a large metal cylinder on a cart of some kind. She was also carrying a dimension jump orb.

“You stupid child” Brameana yelled, “You have not won. There is still my original plan to make the humans wipe each other out”

“It’s over” Shamus shouted back, “Your drow lover is dead and those fallen angels have deserted you. Go back to the far islands where you belong and you won’t be harmed”

“Why don’t you go away” Brameana screeched and unexpectedly hurled an energy bolt at Shamus, throwing him ten yards to the ground.

“SHAMUS” Celeste screamed and ran over to the leprechaun as he lay on the ground. He was barely breathing, in fact he was dying, but how come, trolls did not have that power, then Celeste glanced up. Brameana was carrying some kind of wand.

Brameana was walking over towards Celeste and Shamus levelling the wand.

Celeste held her hand up and concentrated as much as she could.

Another energy bolt left the wand and bounced off the invisible shield Celeste produced and went straight for Brameana hitting the wand causing it to explode.

Quickly Celeste turned her attention back to Shamus and her eyes glowed a brilliant green as she place her hand on Shamus and did her best to heal the old leprechaun. But something was not working, he had been hit by some magical device which fought Celeste’s attempts at healing him and so Shamus breathed his last and died.

“No!” Celeste wept as she closed Shamus’s eyes, then she looked up at what Brameana was doing.

She had opened a gateway with the blue orb and was pushing the cart with the large cylindrical object on it while she held the orb in her right hand. Then Celeste remembered from the previous time line, this troll had initially tried to provoke what the colonel had called a nuclear war on Earth by sending nuclear weapons to explode in parts of that country called America.

She had no choice she had to stop her.

Celeste ran towards the swirling vortex just as Brameana was entering the vortex and grabbed the cart to try and pull it back.

“You’re too late” Brameana sneered “its set to wipe out Washing ton DC” and smashed Celeste hard around the face with her left fist.

The pain was searing but Celeste was only just able to hold onto the cart. She had to, if this troll succeeded, Simon, the love of her life and all her other friends would be killed by this hydrogen thingy.

Brameana pulled out a dagger in her left hand, but Celeste was just able to focus a force blast at it knocking it away into the maelstrom of the vortex, and then with the concussion Celeste was suffering she kept the force blast going and knocked the blue orb into the maelstrom as well causing the wormhole to engulf the two of them and the Earth weapon.

They were now in a swirling tunnel of blue light between the two universes with the only opening still at Port Faldon. This was now a wormhole to nowhere as other end had not been opened up. In the tunnel were Brameana, Celeste and the cart with the human weapon.

“You b***h” Brameana swore at Celeste, “You want to ruin everything” and grasped Celeste around her neck and started choking her to death. Celeste tried to grab Brameana’s hands, but trolls were notoriously strong, even female ones. “I will have my revenge even if it is just on you” Brameana sneered

Celeste had no choice

With seconds from blacking, Celeste used her ability to phase through other matter and was able to escape Brameana’s deadly stranglehold as she backed away about a foot away from her and became solid again right up against the cart with the human weapon.

Brameana was now beyond angry and tried to lunge at Celeste and instinctively Celeste fired a force blast at Brameana. Celeste was forced against the metal human weapon, but because the mass of Celeste and the weapon were greater than that of Brameana, the troll was forced out of the narrow tunnel of swirling blue light and into void and non-existence

“No!” Celeste screamed, She had not wanted to kill the troll only stop her.

Now Celeste was alone with the weapon, which seemed to have been retrofitted with some countdown clock device which did not have much time left on it. so what to do?

Celeste then noticed that the only open end was closing, so she closed her eyes and teleported out

Celeste arrived at the square of Faldon as the wormhole closed in an uncharacteristic manner. The human weapon was now trapped between two worlds.

There beside Shamus’ body was Major Bolak and the Colonel.

Bolak looked at Celeste
“I couldn’t save him” Celeste said tearfully, “I tried but it was a magical death”
“Where’s Brameana and the hydrogen bomb” the Colonel asked

Celeste shook her head still in a state of shock and feeling very much out of it, “Their between worlds” she said weakly and started to feel feint, “That hydrogen thing” Celeste then forced out, “It had some clock that was counting down” and then she lost consciousness.

Samuel caught Celeste as she fell, “Bolak any of that healing potion” he asked
Bolak shook his head, “I’m afraid you will have to get her medical attention on Earth. But we have more important problems” replied, “If that device is between our two universes when it explodes, it could force them apart so neither you devices or our orbs will work”

Samuel grabbed at the artificial wormhole generator and powered it up, “Maybe we can find it and disarm the devise”
“I seriously doubt you would be able to find it colonel, let alone in time to do any good” Bolak responded, “Go to Earth, get Miss Cooper to immediately tell the Drow liaison and G2 to execute emergency magical return, they will know what it means”

Samuel shook his head in confusion

“Colonel” Bolak said insistently, “Don’t waste time! If our universes separate beyond a certain point, your people can not live here nor ours on your world. The drow and the leprechauns need to return here. It has been something we have all suspected could happen one day and all have prepared for should we have to” then Bolak added, “I never thought I would ever live to see this happen”

“What about Celeste” Samuel asked as the artificial wormhole generator created its characteristically green swirling vortex
“She has a human soul” Bolak said, “That may or may not count against her here but it means she will definitely survive on your world”

The green vortex was now at full size.

“It was good working with you” Bolak said to the Colonel and saluted
“You too Bolak, but what about the bugbears and the Ghetto trolls” Samuel asked
“That’s our problem now” Bolak replied, “NOW GO!” he ordered

Samuel picked up Celeste and the artificial wormhole generator and passed through the green vortex.

+ + +

A white space
Location Unknown

Celeste found herself in some snow field and she was completely naked, but was not cold as she would expect. As before when she seemed to have been here it seemed as if there was white as far as the eye could see. On looking up, although the sky appeared blue, there were lots of clouds crossing it faster than any clouds she had ever seen.

Youtube video

“Hello Celeste” a female voice from behind her said to her with a voice that sounded like a mountain stream.

Celeste turned around, it was a female figure clothed in white robes that were so brilliant that they hurt Celeste’s eyes. Uncharacteristically Celeste tried to use her arms to cover herself, and looked down at the ground, ashamed at what she had done and at her nakedness, but then with what she had done, she did not deserve the right to wear clothes

The figure in white came up to Celeste and lifted up her chin, and Celeste looked into the eyes of a woman who looked like she was in her early thirties.

A tear trickled down Celeste’s face, “I took another life” she wept, “I killed the Lord Low Troll’s daughter, but I didn’t mean to”

The female figure in white shook her head, “No my child, you were forced to act in self defence, you had no malice aforethought. Nobody could hold her life against you, Brameana was driven entirely by hate and it consumed her right up until the end, that is what killed her not you.”

“But Shamus” Celeste protested
“It was a magical death, you could not have saved him, nobody could have, it was not your fault my child” the female figure in white reassured Celeste, “But now let me do something for you”

Suddenly Celeste was clothed in a white robe.

“I know you don’t normally wear white Celeste” the female figure in white continued, “and I know about your upbringing in that other world and how you feel unworthy to be clothed, but I also know you don’t really like to go unclothed, do you?”

Celeste shook her head and looked down again. This female figure in white for some reason was right on target, and Celeste remembered all those times when she got rid of her clothes and offered to go naked for others. She did it because she thought she ought to, not because she truly wanted to be an exhibitionist. She wanted to please men and had heard that looking upon females unclothed was what most of them liked to do.

Again the female figure in white gently lifted Celeste’s chin so Celeste was looking at her face. “Any transgressions my child you believe you have done are atoned for” the female figure in white told her, “There is no need for you to feel ashamed and unworthy”
Then Celeste had another thought, “Mam, Am I dead?” she asked

The female figure in white shook her head
“But that other guy said I belonged with you” Celeste asked
“Maybe my child” the female figure in white smiled, “But not today. Your body has been taken to Earth to be healed and soon you will return there to live as a human being”
“So I am human now?” Celeste asked further

“Yes” the female figure replied, “And as such all your powers bar one will be gone. The one you keep you can choose now”

Without thinking Celeste answered back, “I want to be able to heal people, I want to be able to save lives” and then pleading Celeste added “Please”

“Granted” the female figure replied, “You have chosen wisely” and then everything went black

+ + +

National Naval Medical Center
Bethesda, Maryland USA

Celeste came to in a hospital bed, as she looked up she saw Simon and Pete Smith sitting by her bed.

“She’s awake” Simon said with glee and took hold of Celeste’s hand, “I love you Celeste” he said with tears in his eyes.
“I’ll go and tell the doctors and the colonel” Pete said and then left the room so Simon and Celeste could have some time together.

“How long was I out Simon” Celeste said weakly
“Two days” Simon said in his abrupt manner
“What?” Celeste said and tried to sit up, but she was still feeling woozy.
“Don’t get up” Simon told Celeste, “Somebody hit your head pretty hard”
“It was the Lady High Troll” Celeste replied, “I think I killed her, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to” she added as a tear rolled down her cheek
“She wanted to kill us Celeste but you stopped her. You saved us all” Simon reassured her, “You’re a hero and I still love you.

Pete came back in with the doctor and the Colonel. Celeste again tried to sit up, but the doctor would not let her and ordered her to rest as she had had quite a severe concussion.

“When do you want me back at work sir” Celeste asked the Colonel.

The colonel looked up at Pete and then Simon.
“She only came round a moment ago, she doesn’t know” Pete said to the colonel

“Whatever I’ve done wrong I’m sorry” Celeste said in distress, worried that for some reason she had been dismissed.

“You haven’t done anything wrong Celeste” Samuel said quietly. Then he stopped and then spoke up again, “When that hydrogen bomb detonated between our two universes it seems to have some how stopped passage between Earth and the Mystical Realms”
“I tried to stop her” Celeste went on
“You couldn’t have stopped her” the colonel interrupted, “nobody could have, there is no way anyone could have.”
“So what happens now sir?” Celeste asked
“As all the entities from there have left Earth and all the humans with one exception are back here on Earth, it has been decided to shut the IDEC down” the colonel explained.

“I’m going to work for the NSA” Simon suddenly said to Celeste, “Miss Cooper got me a job there”
“Sue-Lim and I will be returning back to England as soon as she’s discharged from here in a week or so time” Pete interrupted.
“And your coming home with me” Simon said gleefully, “Mum and Dad want to meet my new wife”

Pete sighed in disbelief, “Simon how many more times do we have to tell you?” he said in an exasperated tone
“Aw” Simon replied in a down hearted tone, “I want to be married to Celeste, we love each other”

Simon then turned back to Celeste, “You still want to be married to me don’t you?” he asked in an almost uncertain tone.

Celeste put her other hand on Simon’s and nodded “If you still want me Simon” she wept, “I love you so much” and then Celeste was unable to speak for the emotion welling up inside her

+ + +

A white space
Location Unknown

The female figure in white looked on at the Bethesda hospital ward as she watched Celeste and Simon holding hands

A male figure in white came up to the female figure white.

“Lord Karael” The female figure in white said in a voice that sounded like a rushing mountain stream, “I am so glad that Metatron has ordered your release as well”
“Well Bath Kol” the male figure in white went on, “Since that troll rolled back time, the so called offence I was charged with was now deemed never to have taken place”
“Do you think Lord Raguel will be allowed to be our overseer again” The female figure in white asked
“I do not know” the male figure replied, “But what of these two? Is this Celeste to be one of us as lord Raguel insisted?”

The female figure in white sighed, “I am not sure lord Karael, definitely not for now, for as far as I can see into her future she is destined in time to make a good wife to that young man there and mother to their two daughters”

“And of the others?” the male figure in white asked
“Well the man by the name of Pete Smith is destined to be married to his fiancé who is still in that very hospital and she will bear him two sons and a daughter. As for the military man, he will be considered retired and for a time will play uncle to the three sons and two twin daughters his life long friend Colonel Mark Johnston is destined to have with his bride from England”

“And what of the one that was betrayed to that troll?” the male figure in white asked

“I believe that Lamechial retrieved him from that very troll just before it was too late, he is back with his wife and children back in Ireland, like the others he has memories of how it was before time was rolled back.” The female figure in white explained

“That may eat at him” the male figure in white replied
“I hope not Kareal” the female figure in white said as she shook her head, “For he and his wife are destined to have two more children together and see their adopted daughter married off to the adopted son of that Irish couple on whose farm they live and will work”

“Ah well” the male figure then said, “I am so glad that this time the fallen ones did not get to carry out their wicked schemes”
“As am I Karael” the female figure in white sighed, “but it was a close run thing”
“Indeed Bath Kol” the male figure in white agreed “But come now, we do have other duties to perform”
“Your right lord Karael” she answered, “sometimes destinies can change I suppose” she added, “Those two Simon and Celeste, I do hope their destiny will be together as they both wish” and then she waved her hand causing the vision of the hospital room to be replaced by the ever present clouds”

Then the two figures in white walked into a mist bank and vanished.

+ + +

An office building over looking the River Thames
London, England

Some time later

The office building had been abandoned for a long time since the collapse of the empire of the person who once owned it. Suddenly there was a bright flash of light which exploded silently followed by an electrical discharge that crackled all across the room.

Suddenly a man in his fifties and what looked like a woman in her forties or fifties who had been stabbed appeared from nowhere and both were thrown to the floor.

The woman placed her hand over the stab wound and looked up in surprise, “What magic is this” she screeched as she gasped in pain as she started to smoulder

“I’ve no idea” the man replied as he got up off the floor, “But I still have my own thread and now I’m back and this time all the others thought they had defeated me will pay!”

+ + +

Season Ten - End