[Sticks]

Episode III – The fall beings

Ever get the feeling that there are things going on in this world behind our backs? The most likely answer is probably no. All that is going on is that others are getting on with life. The so called plotting against us is merely unjustified paranoia.

Or is it?

The trouble is that sometimes people do plot against us.

This seems to be what is happening with the human organisation tasked with looking after the dealings between Earth and the world in the parallel universe known as the Mystical Realms. As they are gearing up to try and rescue a key ally from that other world, now in prison in Venezuela after being paraded before the world’s media, they are unaware that there is a plot forming against them.

This plot is being hatched by someone on the Mystical Realms who has arrived at the sea port of Faldon from the remote Far Islands, along with their henchman, a renegade drow. Already as part of this plot, unknown to the humans, the chief of the G2 special section in Ireland has been murdered and replaced by a double...

+ + +

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

“Meetal” Came a gruff voice from the cave, “Is that you after all this time?”
“Yes my liege” Meetal the kobold replied, “I bring news that may be of interest”
“I have just prepared some Gagh Root stew” the gruff voice said from the cavern, “Come in and we shall eat together”
“Thank you my liege” Meetal replied and nervously he entered the cave
“Tell me” Meetal’s master asked the kobold, “What is this news you bring”
“I bring word of someone new my liege” The kobold gasped. “I believe they seek to take over from those treacherous troll clan chiefs as rulers of our world”
“Really Meetal, let’s eat and then you can tell me more of this” Meetal’s master told him in a softer voice.

Meetal clambered onto a high stool by the table in the middle of the cave, while his master doled out the stew.
“It’s not what we were used to in our early days Meetal” his master went on, “But it keeps me alive, and I believe I am healthier for it”
Meetal saw that his master had lost weight, and was a lot slimmer than in the days before the civil war. Meetal then turned his attention to the Gagh Root stew. Meetal took a spoon and took some. It was bitter, but Meetal knew better than to complain and endured every mouthful.

His master, being considerably bigger than him, sat on a small stool by the fire where he had cooked the meal.

“So” Meetal’s master finally asked, “Where is this usurper located?”
“Faldon my Liege” The Kobold replied
“The port town?” Meetal’s master mused.
“The very same” Meetal replied, “Their army arrived in a number of ships, I did not managed to count them”
“No matter Meetal”
“They put the town elders to the sword after taking them by surprise and a vicious battle. Nobody expected them”

Meetal’s master put his spoon down, “That is some feat”
“Yes my liege”
“And was their leader, this new usurper on one of these ships?”
“No my liege” Meetal responded, “They had arrived already and were not of the same race as their army”
“What manners of creatures were in this army?”
“I am sorry my liege, I have never seen them before, but they were vicious in fighting more so than orcs, hobgoblins or trolls”
“Maybe you could describe them over a cup of Targron berry wine, as in my time I dealt with all sorts of inhabitants in our fair world”
“That I can my liege, but as for the usurper, that was one race I could recognise” Meetal said excitedly, then pondered, “Well I believe I can, although even though I saw the usurper myself, I hardly believe who they are myself”

The kobold nervously told his master what he saw and watched his master’s expression turn from shock, astonishment, through thinking and then some kind of realisation.
“Did they see you?” his master asked
“No my liege, I hid in the shadows and as soon as I saw what I saw I thought you ought to know”
“That is very considerate of you Meetal” his master told him, “But I am perfectly happy in my new life here in the Waylong mountains”
“Do you not dream of getting back what we lost my liege?” the kobold asked with disbelief in his voice
“Dreams are for fools!” Meetal’s master exclaimed, then paused, “I’m sorry Meetal, I know you lost just as much, if not more when the civil war came” The kobold’s master then frowned, “Faldon is the main port for the Far Islands”
“Yes my liege”
“That is quite far from the Central City and the citadel, so that must just be a port of entry. Since the citadel is almost deserted, I suspect they will be moving on Central City before consolidating power”
“I would agree my liege” The kobold replied, “But even if they took the Central City, that still leaves other cities who may not recognise this new order, not to mention the ancestral homes of the troll clans”
“This is indeed a quandary Meetal” the kobold’s former master growled, and then he poured his former servant another cup of Targon berry wine. “On the morrow when you have rested here for the night, and we have caught up, I need you to go back and learn what you can. Just in case it is of any use. Take one of my home-returning birds and see if you can find out the leaders exact name”
“Yes my liege” the kobold replied.

. o 0 O 0 o .

That next morning Meetal the kobold stepped out with his provisions and the returning bird and bade farewell to his former master. His former master had cooked a good break of day meal, well when one is reduced to living alone; it was a skill you had to pick up.

His master had told him of all the things he had planned for the day in terms of tending his plot around his cave where he had been reduced to living in. To Meetal who remembered the glory days, it was pitiful that he was reduced to scratching an existence like a humble goblin peasant farmer, but his master said it gave him time to reflect and catch up on reading and study.

So now it was back to Faldon to determine the identity of the new figure who was seeking to overthrow the current order. In Meetal’s mind, the current order deserved it. His master had told him that they were “making the best of a bad job” as the humans put it, but as far as Meetal was concerned they had become weak and soft.

Meetal picked up his pace; he would try and get to Faldon in two days. As he passed various aspects of the fauna and flora he wondered if his master had been right to drop out of sight and play dead all this time, to tend his small plot. It was relatively peaceful in the wilderness his master had made his home.

But No!

The wilderness may be a beautiful place, but for a person like his master, this was not the place to live out the rest of his days, alone and forgotten by a forgetful and ungrateful generation, and besides, Meetal was too wedded to his creature comforts to follow his former master’s solitary lifestyle.

Maybe this new userper might help his master regain some dignity Meetal pondered, but he knew enough, not to plead with them on his master’s behalf, at least not with out his say so first. Meetal may be obsequious even for a kobold, but he was not stupid.

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms

Captain Sandra Philips a twenty eight year old female US Marine strolled down the main thoroughfare with two other male US marines on either side of her. Unlike their captain they were armed with standard automatic rifles. Sandra carried just a nine millimetre hand gun. Also with them were two trolls from the Clavial clan.

Sandra was part of the marine contingent invited by the troll government to the Mystical Realms as a kind of onsite liaison with Earth. Kathryn Coopers as chairman of the executive oversight board of the Inter Dimensional Entity Control organisation had asked that it should be a civilian set up, similar to embassies and consulates. It was felt though that at first it should be a military post, both by others on Capital Hill and by the troll authorities, since they had no concept of civilian organisations.

The main contingent, which was equivalent to an embassy, had been sent to Karam Tag Chou, the citadel of the troll emperors, as that was considered symbolically the seat of power even though it was remote, plus they helped keep safe the dimension jump orbs that could be used to travel between the Mystical Realms and Earth. Captain Sandra Philips was with the equivalent of a consulate a small group assigned to the Central City to deal with the Troll convocation and the Judiciary. Even though Central city was like a medieval metropolis, it lacked the prestige of the Citadel, so it was seen by the others as a back water posting, but Sandra liked it.

Because of the heat that day in the city, the male marines had ditched the body armour, this was not a combat situation after all and anyway they were not expecting trouble. The guns were there due to protocol more than anything else. The two male marines had their normal fatigues on.

Sandra wore military issue trousers like the other marines, but for her top she just had a kaki vest top, with nothing on underneath. There were a number of reasons for this departure from the standard uniform for a US Marine captain. One reason was the heat as Central City stood in almost desert like conditions, at the head of where an underground spring broke surface. The second reason for departing from the uniform code was that the flack jacket assigned to her did not go so well with her normal under-wire bras, and until they supplied her with those bras designed in Germany, to be worn with flack jackets, she was trying to get use to going without a bra when she had to put on the flak when on patrol.

The main reason for her departure from the uniform code however, was for what she saw as “diplomatic reasons”

Sandra in the briefing before she left Earth had read about how single troll females traditionally had to be stripped to the waist so male trolls could assess how well they could nurse their young. Although this was no longer enforced by law the briefing had stated, it warned that attitudes amongst the trolls would take a while to change. Sandra had also noted that some troll single females for fear of opprobrium from traditionalists, still followed the old custom. Some of the other non troll races, while they were in the city also observed the custom so as not to offend the trolls, who were the keepers of law and order on the Mystical Realms. Only the elf females went totally covered.

Because of this old tradition of trolls concerning their females, Sandra had made the decision, that when dealing with troll dignitaries, officially or socially, she would go topless out of deference to their culture. It may be against US military uniform code, but as far as she was concerned if it helped better facilitate dealings with troll officials in any way, well that was what she had to do. She had had no prior diplomatic experience, and was thus making things up as she went along. Sometimes when patrolling Central City with other marines and their troll escorts, Sandra would go topless, to avoid offending the trolls escorting them. What the other marines under her command thought, she did not dare ask, and in a way was thankful she was the only woman, otherwise she would have had to impose what she was doing on them, and it was hard enough doing it to herself

Today however the troll escorts had volunteered that they did not mind if she wore a top whilst she was with them, which was refreshing. For trolls they were either progressive, or the Clan Chief of the Rachtal had had a word with them. Like his father, this clan chief was very liberal in allowing single females to cover up. Never the less she was wearing the vest top on this excursion as it was easy to remove, should she have to.

Today the Captain had wanted to see how on this world they did markets, which was why she was out with the patrol instead of being stuck inside doing paperwork.

As they entered the courtyard where the various races were selling their wares, a tall thin toll made his way up to her with his troll attendants.

Sandra recognised him instantly; he was the Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura.

Quickly she took her top off and handed it to one of her marines for safe keeping and held her hands behind her back to make sure her bare breasts were clearly on show. “My apologies Deputy Clan Leader” she apologised, “I did not realise I would be meeting with you today otherwise I would not have been covered in violation of troll tradition”
“Apology accepted” the Deputy Clan Chief replied, “I am so glad that you honour us with your courtesy concerning in observing our traditions, even though, according to my leader”.

At the word’s “my leader” Sandra thought she detected some resentment, but then she could be mistaken

The Deputy Clan Chief continued, “You are not bound by them.”

The Deputy held his claw like hand inches from her left breast and smiled at the captain, “I see you would make a good human mother” he said by way as a compliment

Sandra for a moment felt un-nerved by this attention to physical assets “We always try to accommodate local customs and traditions when we can sir” Sandra replied trying her best to hide her nerves, “I’m sorry this will not happen again, from now on I will observe troll custom for single females and reframe from wearing any top in public or even in our quarters. I wish to cause no further offence to you our troll hosts”

The deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura smiled at Sandra. “That is most generous of spirit I am sure Captain Philips”, The deputy clan leader told Sandra in a charming voice for a troll and then went on “Whilst I am known to be a traditionalist, were my clan leader here, he would inform you that you may wear what ever you so desire when you walk around in our fair city, and you may wear what ever you want amongst your own kind in private. So I believe as he is my leader I should honour his will in this regard”, then he spoke to the marine holding the vest top, “You may return that item of clothing to your leader, so she may put it back on if she so wishes.”
“Here you are mam” the marine replied and handed Sandra back her vest top
“If you are sure sir” Sandra said to the troll deputy, still uncertain about offending local sensibilities
“I’m sure” he replied.
“If you want” Sandra offered, “I’ll still strip down for our formal briefings”
“That is most gracious” the deputy replied.

Sandra pulled the top back on, and did that feel great. She resolved however that she would still go topless in formal meeting with the trolls, compromises were a matter of give and take after all.

“Speaking of my master” The troll deputy then continued, “Any further news?”
“I was informed this afternoon Deputy Clan Chief” Sandra began, “The head of our organisation has put into operation a plan to get him out of that prison in Venezuela”
“Oh good” beamed the deputy, “Do you know the details”
“No sir” Sandra replied, “It’s on a need to know basis”
“I understand my dear” The deputy replied, “But it is good to know something is being done”
“We do try sir”
“I know you humans do Captain Philips” The deputy said to Sandra.

He then turned to leave, but then said to the young marine captain, “Of course if you need an army of Manjura trolls to go to Earth to sort out those who have humiliated our leader so, you only need to ask”
“I’ll pass your offer on sir” Sandra replied

The deputy gave a wave and walked off, leaving Sandra to visit the Market.
Sandra turned to one of the troll escorts, “He does have the authority to let me wear this?” she asked holding the fabric of her top.

Both trolls nodded. ”It would be great to wear tops when not going to formal meetings” Sandra thought, but she was still wary of offending other trolls who were not as progressive.

What Sandra did not notice, was that as the Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura was walking away, he was talking into some small mirror device.

+ + +

County Claire
Ireland

It was almost lunch time when Commander Mark Johnston finally found the driveway to the O’Docherty farm that he and Jenny Green were driving to. Jenny had not been to this place before, but had met Shaun and Felicity O’Docherty almost two years previously when she had visited in one of the near by towns for the adoption hearing of her former boss’s eldest child, Sarah.

“Angela told us to drive up to the farm house and Shaun or Felicity will show us to their other holiday cottage” Jenny told Mark
“Ok” Mark replied and drove up the farm track.

He braked suddenly

There were two leprechauns, one male and one female waving at him to stop.

Mark rolled down the window, “What’s the matter” he asked them
“Will you be returning to Dublin tonight” the male Leprechauns asked
“No!” Mark answered, “We are staying until after the weekend and then flying out to Chicago to see my parents to show off my gorgeous fiancée who is also carrying our son”
“Oh well” the leprechaun replied with a downcast face, “We will have to try and teleport after all”
“I thought you did that all the time?” Mark asked, confused
“Ai we normally do, but for certain personal reasons, it kind of takes it out of my wife”
“So your wife is pregnant as well” Mark ventured
“So you know about leprechaun physiology as well” the male leprechaun whispered
“I work for IDEC” Mark told him, “Both of us, it’s our job to know”

The male leprechaun sighed, “It’s my wife’s first, and teleporting whilst pregnant they say is not good for the baby”
“Why do you need to get to Dublin?” Mark then asked
“We have all been recalled” The male leprechaun replied, “Every last leprechaun in Ireland”
“That’s odd” Jenny cut in, “Mark, they were deliberately scattered to prevent any attack on G2 Special section harming the wider population”
“Yes we were” The Male Leprechaun answered as he teleported into the car, behind Jenny, “It does not make sense, but orders are orders”
“Open the door and let your wife in” Mark told the male leprechaun, “We can drive you up to the house and work out something from there”

“Ok” replied the leprechaun and the door opened. The male leprechaun leaned over and helped his wife up into the vehicle and onto the back seat. From there, both of them secured themselves in as best they could with the seat belts.

“We are visiting my friend Angela and her family” Jenny told them, as Mark restarted the car, “They just got back from New Zealand”
“We know” The female leprechaun replied, “We were are leprechauns on protection duty for the Andrews and the O’Dochertiys”

Mark drove up to the house, and all four got out. Since the arrest of the Clan Chief of the Manjura, and as both families knew of the Mystical Realms, there was no longer any point on the part of the leprechauns hiding their existence from the Andrews or the O’Dochertys.

Jenny looked at the cottage where the Andrews were living. Graeme and Angela Andrews, their adopted daughter Sarah, their son Paul had made a good life here in Ireland. Angela was also expecting another baby, so now she and Jenny had something in common. Maybe she might have tips on coping with morning sickness that Jenny was starting to get. For the moment the curtains were closed as the Andrews, she suspected were sleeping off jet lag.

With her friend Stephanie, now safely installed at her parents place, quite a few people she knew were having babies at this time. New births were always a time of fresh hope and she could not wait to be a mother.

Shaun showed Jenny and Mark to the other cottage and Mark insisted on taking the suitcases out of the car. Jenny was not to lift anything heavier than a tea cup.

As for the Andrews, they would wait until the early evening so see them. After a light lunch and a catch up session with Shaun, Felicity, Caer, Fidelity and Timothy O’Docherty, and Mr and Mrs Leprechaun, Jenny and Mark retired to their cottage where the caught up on sleep.

As to Mr and Mrs Leprechaun, Felicity was insistent; Mrs Leprechaun was not fit to travel. As far as Felicity was concerned it was a case of “To Hell with orders”

+ + +

Simón Bolívar International Airport
Caracas, Venezuela

Celeste followed Charlene as they approached immigration. It had not been pleasant on either the flight to Mexico or on the Mexicana flight to Caracas, but not because of flying conditions. Charlene had made it quite clear; Celeste should be in a prison cell and could not be trusted.

The only highlight had been the meeting with the Mexican diplomat and his family, where she was reunited with the boy she had saved in London. As reward Charlene and Celeste had received documentation, hiding the fact that they had come from the US and their visa into Venezuela had been arranged. For Celeste it was a highly emotional reunion, but Charlene seemed to have a heart of stone.

The pair reached immigration and presented their British passports. Charlene’s had had hers for some time, however Celeste’s had been issued with an emergency passport by the British Embassy in Washington, with the instruction that there must be no hint that Celeste had come in from the US.

“Is she really your niece?” The immigration officer asked Charlene
Charlene frowned, and though it stuck in her throat she answered in the affirmative.

“I see no family resemblance” The Immigration officer replied
“She’s a step niece” Charlene made up on the spot, “She is from a previous relationship of my sister in-law”
“Then she is not your niece” the immigration officer.replied

Celeste was horrified, did this mean that this rescue mission that she was supposed to be helping with had failed because she was not going to be let in to the country. Had they been tipped off?

“Well her biological father did a runner when he found out that he had got my sister in law pregnant” Charlene went on, “My brother legally adopted her when he got married”
“Oh really, a man running off andd leaving a pregnant girlfriend, that would never happen here” the immigration officer replied, “Here in Venezuela our men fulfil their responsibilities”
“They sound like a good catch” Charlene nervously joked. She dearly wanted the immigration guys to arrest Celeste and kick her out. How could Miss Cooper even contemplate trusting this entity, however orders were orders”

The officer handed back the passports, “enjoy your visit” He told the two women.

Charlene and Celeste passed into the arrivals hall and looked for someone with a card with there names, but they could not see them. The person sent to meet them had obviously been delayed, or as he was Mexican secret service, possibly arrested.

Celeste wanted to suggest they take public transport to get to the hotel they had been assigned, but Charlene was in such a foul mood because she did not believe Celeste should be there, she held her tongue. The main problem for Celeste was that Charlene had a valid point, Sue-Lim could have died, because she Celeste had handed Sue-Lim that cursed scarf in the FBI building.

“Let’s take a taxi” Charlene said in irritation, “I can’t be asked to hang around this place” she added.
Celeste just replied “Yes Doctor Henshaw”

The two of them made their way to the airport taxi rank and joined the queue for the taxis

While they were waiting, a man joined the queue behind them.

Suddenly Charlene felt a gun pressed into the small of her back, “Tell the child that you suddenly need the toilet, Doctor Henshaw” the man whispered, “That you are going back inside and that she should wait here outside for you”

Charlene’s colour drained from her face, “Celeste love” she muttered, “That curry we had has suddenly started to react on me” she added.
“Do you need me to heal you” Celeste offered
“No, no” Charlene repeated, “I just need you to wait here whilst I nip to the loo”
“Ok” Celeste replied still confused, especially with Doctor Henshaw calling her “Love”. Something was odd

Charlene started walking back into the airport as directed, followed by the man.

While Celeste was watching a van pulled up along side the taxis, and opened a side door. Two men in suits suddenly jumped out and made for Celeste. In the surprise, Celeste was not able to turn invisible in time, and the two men grabbed her and one pressed a taser device into her to incapacitate her. A third man showed a badge to the other people and said something in Spanish.

The two men holding Celeste had guns.

Quickly the two men bundled Celeste into the van, slammed the door, and the van sped off.

Charlene heard the van from just inside the doors and turned round to see the van door closing and speeding off. “Celeste” she screamed.

Suddenly two bullets entered Charlene’s abdomen as the man behind her shot her at point blank range. Charlene slumped to the floor as she started to bleed out, while the man waved a badge at the security guards who came running at the sound of the gun.

+ + +

Karam Tag Chou
The citadel of the Troll Emperors
The Mystical Realms

Sergeant Frank Schneider, a US marine walked down the cobbled walkway side by side with a Rachtal Troll. It was their turn to help maintain the guard on the remaining dimension jump orbs that were looked after by the Manjura clan.

With the surprise arrest of the Manjura Clan chief in Venezuela and the publicising of the existence of the Mystical Realms by the television news services, security had been stepped up, and now US marines were also helping guard them. This arrangement had been at the suggestion of the new Clan Chief of the Rachtal. Like his father, he believed in engaging with the humans, who had helped save them from the Magnus Timor cult.

The way it worked was that humans and Rachtals would guard the outside of the building, the Manjura, the inside.

The marine and the troll turned a corner to where the building where the orbs were kept, but all was not well.

The two Rachtal trolls lay dead, and the door had been smashed open.

Frank took out his radio to call the other marines staying at the Citadel. “Major security breach at the Orb tower” he said into the radio and then took the safety catch of his machine gun.

The troll drew his sword and went to approach. Frank put out his arm, “We need to wait for back up” he told the troll, “The bodies could be booby trapped”
The troll looked at him quizzically, “Booby trapped?” he asked
“Sorry Earth term” Frank told him, “It means that who ever killed the guards could have rigged some explosive device to detonate if we examine the bodies”
“That is without honour” the troll complained
“The people who do that” explained Frank, “don’t care about honour”

The two waited for about five minutes, but there was no sound of coming back up.

Frank picked up the radio again, “Where’s that back up?” he said into the radio.
“We’re under attack” a voice from the radio came.

Frank and the troll looked shocked.

“Who by” asked the troll
“We don’t know” the radio replied, “They are not trolls or orcs or even”

Then the radio went dead.

“What’s going on” Frank asked

That was the last thing he said, as just then a crossbow bolt hit him in the back, slicing through his body armour as if it were not there. The troll fared little better, and he was dead in seconds too.

+ + +

Kathryn Cooper’s Office
IDEC Headquarters
Washington DC
United States of America

[img=600x400]http://www.solarnavigator.net/geography/geography_images/Washington_DC_Monument_White_House.jpg[/img]

The telephone rang in Kathryn’s office. It was her private line.

Kathryn picked up

There was a Spanish sounding voice on the line, “Miss Cooper?” the voice asked
“Who is this?” Kathryn asked
“Izel” the man identified himself, “Mexican secret service in Caracas”
“Have you met up with our two?” Kathryn asked
“No Miss Cooper” Izel replied, “We have been compromised. Your people were arrested at the airport and Doctor Henshaw has been shot. I do not know if she is still alive, but I doubt it, I understand they shot her at point blank range. It was the Venezuelan secret service”

Kathryn sat their stunned, “But nobody but us knew they were coming down” she whispered into the phone
“Then I suggest you have a leak” Izel replied, “Because they were waiting outside the airport”.
“What about in Mexico” Kathryn asked.
“Why would they be targeting us Miss Cooper”
“Check” Kathryn insisted
“I’ll get back to you Miss Cooper” Izel replied and then hung up
Kathryn got up, walked to her door and opened it.

Sophie looked up, “Miss Cooper”

“Sophie” Kathryn began, “Get me the colonel, the State department and Mr Smith with his bug sweeper”

“Something wrong Miss Cooper?” Sophie asked, “You look white as a sheet”

Kathryn took a deep breath, “Sophie, Charlene’s been shot, and it looks like she’s dead. Celeste has been arrested by the Venezuelans and it looks like we’ve been penetrated”

Sophie began to shake her head, “No, No not Celeste, Not Charlene”

With emotion in her voice Kathryn told her personal assistant, “I’m so sorry Sophie, I know you and Celeste had got close”

Sophie looked up at the ceiling, trying her best to keep her emotions in check. “Should I inform anyone else” she asked
“Not at this time, Shamus is with Samuel” Kathryn replied “We need to keep this contained and find out how they knew”

“The Colonel will be in the air on route to the Bataan” Sophie replied, “I suspect he will be out of reach Miss Cooper”

+ + +

The O’Docherty Farm
County Claire, Ireland

Jenny woke up. It was late afternoon and she was still in just the nightdress she had put on when Mark insisted she catch up on sleep. It had been an early start and the flight to Cork was not exactly conducive to sleeping on, and Jenny had looked flushed when they arrived

Just then she had the urge to throw up and headed for the bathroom and hung her head over the toilet and tried to throw up. Would this be the shape of things to come over the next few months?

Mark came in into the cottage. This was the first time that Jenny had realised that Mark had been outside.
“You ok” Mark asked as he quickly rushed over to Jenny’s side and put his arm around her
“I think I’m getting morning sickness already Mark” Jenny replied

Mark kissed the top of her head. Jenny took some deep breaths and Mark helped her to get up. Briefly they hugged and Jenny buried her face into Marks chest.

“I checked up what the O’Kerry leprechauns were saying” Mark told Jenny, “All leprechauns are ordered to report to Dublin. I tried to get through to the head guy at G2 special section but I could not get an answer”
“I suppose they have their reasons” Jenny replied

“By the way Jenny” Mark went on, “While you were sleeping I managed to speak with Mr and Mrs Andrews”
“I better go across” Jenny replied.
“Their expecting you” Mark responded, “I also asked if Mr Andrews wanted to come to work for the IDEC”
“And?”
“They still would rather not be involved anymore”
“Well that’s understandable Mark” Jenny said, “They have children now and Graeme’s and Angela’s first encounter with the IDEC was a rather negative experience”
“But that was under a previous management” Mark protested
“Yes I know love”, Jenny agreed, “What did he said about the Clan Chief of the Manjura being paraded on TV like that”
“He couldn’t believe they would do that either” Mark answered, “Those he met in New Zealand thought it to be a hoax”
“So long as they keep thinking about that” Jenny replied, “Is anyone doing anything about getting him released?”

“I suspect someone will be doing something” Mark told Jenny, “But what I want you to do, is get plenty of rest, not over do things. I’m so looking forward to be father and I can’t wait for your first scan”

Jenny gave Mark a passionate kiss, stepped back and then in one move pulled off her night dress, to reveal her naked body. She tossed the night dress aside and resumed kissing Mark, while she unbuttoned his shirt with a free hand so she could caress his torso.

+ + +

Kathryn Cooper’s Office
IDEC Headquarters
Washington DC
United States of America

[img=600x400]http://www.solarnavigator.net/geography/geography_images/Washington_DC_Monument_White_House.jpg[/img]

Kathryn was in the middle of a telephone conference with the US State Department and it was not going well.

“I’m sorry Miss Cooper” the State Department official replied to her, “But as Celeste and Doctor Henshaw were travelling on British passports we can not do anything and nor should we. They are not American citizens”

Kathryn leaned forward at her desk in disbelief, “I can’t believe this, these people have been working for us and you just want me to abandon them”
“There is nothing we can or should do” the official insisted, “It is up to the British government to make any representations to the Venezuelan Government, if they so choose, not us”

“What kind of federal agency are you” Kathryn spat back in anger, “You initially refused to help the Clan Chief of the Manjura, you effectively said we should let him rot”

“The troll Miss Cooper” the official continued, “Is classed as a foreign dignitary and not an American citizen either. We told you that to help him is outside our federal remit. We warned you not to get involved”

Kathryn stood up, walked around her desk and then almost shouting said into the telephone conferencing system, “The Clan chief of the Manjura is our number one ally and we have worked together on a number of issues of mutual concern. We cannot just abandon our ally and friend for the sake of political expediency”

“Nice speech Miss Cooper, but it does not alter the fact” the state department official responded, “Even If Charlene is still alive, and even Celeste is alive for that matter, they are not American citizens. We can not assist them. I suggest you get us to contact the British Embassy and pass on their details. Let the Brits sort out your mess”

Kathryn cut the telephone conference stone dead and sat back in her chair fuming. It was clear that the US State Department was unwilling to intervene.

The intercom buzzed

“What is it Sophie” Kathryn asked into the intercom.
“Pete Smith and Simon here”

“Send them in” Kathryn replied and looked up at her door

Pete came in followed by Simon.
“Please Miss Cooper” Simon pleaded, “What’s happening about Celeste, She’s my friend”

“I’m sorry Simon” Kathryn apologised, “I have tried what I can, but it looks like it may be in the hands of the British Government”
“But they won’t do anything” Simon whined, “We have to do something”
“I’m sorry” Kathryn persisted, “Our wonderful State Department has decided not to get involved”

“That’s gratitude for you” Pete interjected
“I agree with you Pete” Kathryn responded, “But my hands are tied”

Pete sighed. “It wasn’t a bug in the office” he then said
“Then how did they know that Miss Henshaw and Celeste were on their way to Venezuela” Kathryn replied, “Are you implying the leak came and the Mexican’s end”
“Er Yes and No”
“What do you mean Pete” Kathryn said, “I’m confused”

Then Pete explained, “Andy at Sky-guard picked up a barely there wormhole at Dullos Airport.”
“Dullos” Kathryn interrupted, “That’s where they flew to Mexico from”
“Yep” Pete agreed and then continued, “This wormhole would only have been a foot in size, not enough for anything but the smallest fairy to come through”
“Or a signal” Kathryn suggested
“I would go along with that Miss Cooper, because Skyguard then picked up an hour later wormhole activity in the vicinity of Mexico City Airport. I got in touch with that diplomat whose son Celeste saved and he has told me that his secretary who met Celeste and Charlene subsequently went missing and was found dead at the airport. And get this, the time of death was about one hour before he and the diplomat met Celeste.”
“A doppelganger assassin” Kathryn said with disgust
“That looks like it” Pete went on, “Someone identified this building, probably posing as one of the protesters outside, followed them to the airport, watched who was checking in and contacted someone on IDW01 and then they sent a doppelganger to find out who and what they were doing”
“But how would they identify who would be meeting them at Mexico City” Kathryn asked

“The diplomat had a sign with their names on” Pete explained
“Well that sealed their death warrants then” Kathryn commented, “I’ll get Sophie to contact the Bataan that the mission has been scrubbed”
“No” Simon uttered, “They’re my friends” with that a tear started to roll down his face and he started hitting his head with his hands, “I’ve got some holiday Miss Cooper, can’t I go down myself” he begged
“I’m sorry Simon; they are my friends as well” Kathryn said quietly, “Going down there on your own is out of the question” then she turned to Pete “Pete given the state that Simon is in, can you take him home and explain to his parents what has happened, they are cleared on IDEC operations”
“Sure Miss Cooper”
“As you said it might be related to the protestors I’ll get the Metro PD to pick them up, see if we can find out who it was”

Pete then ushered a weeping Simon out, leaving Kathryn alone in her office again. She went to buzz through to Sophie to get her to contact the ship that colonel Samuel Peters and Shamus were heading for, when a tall man sized figure materialised in front of her pointing his finger at her.

Kathryn recognised the species; it was a drow, what some had called dark elves.

“Who the hell are you” she said to the drow and tried to reach for the intercom button.
Suddenly her hand was held in some kind of vice like grip.

“Now, now Miss Cooper” The drow insinuated, “I would not want our little meeting to be needlessly interrupted.”
“Most people ask my PA to make an appointment” Kathryn responded
“I did not have the time or the patience to go through your tedious channels” the drow reciprocated, “I have enough of that with our Russian partners”
“Well now you have my attention” Kathryn went on, “What do you want?” she said curtly

“Well to answer your first question Miss Cooper” the drow went on, “I am Major Bolak, of the Drow – Russian liaison task force. Now I am trying to investigate a delicate matter concerning our human hosts and one of our own”
“Are we aloud to know what this matter is” Kathryn asked, still locked by the invisible force
“Sadly Miss Cooper” Major Bolak went on, “I am not at liberty to divulge that information it is after all an internal matter at the moment”
“If you can’t tell us, how do you expect us to help you” Kathryn replied

“Well first of all Miss Cooper, do you promise to hear me out and not bother your PA” Major Bolak asked
“Ok” Kathryn acquiesced; well she did not have much choice.

The major released his hold on Kathryn and she pulled her hand back.
“Good Miss Cooper” The drow continued, “During the course of our investigation we intercepted a signal to Caracas in Venezuela, where by chance that unfortunate troll clan chief has been incarcerated by the Chavez government. Now as far as we were aware he was not related to the issue we are investigating, but it was quite a coincidence that the transmission should directed to the exact city where he is being held. And when a major spirit of virtue suddenly show up, accompanied by an employee of an American federal agency, especially an employee with what you humans call a doctorate in a subject, theoretically related to our investigation. Well we could not let that pass, could we. So Miss Cooper, why are they there”
“I am not sure that I am at liberty to divulge that information either” Kathryn growled

“Very droll Miss Cooper” the drow smiled, “But that does not help us in our investigation and we will be forced to hand them over to the real Venezuelan secret service. They were going to arrest them at their hotel which is much less public”

“Your people shot and killed one of our people?” Kathryn then asked fixing her steel glaze on Major Bolak

“I was the one who shot your Doctor Henshaw, she gave me little choice” Major Bolak said in a matter of fact manner
“And you want me to tell you what they were doing down there or you hand over a sixteen year old girl and the body British scientist that you killed?” Kathryn asked with disgust in her voice.

“Oh please Miss Cooper” the drow answered back with some exasperation in his voice, “Doctor Henshaw is worth more to us alive than dead”
“She’s alive?”
“For the moment Miss Cooper” Major Bolak smirked, “Ever since I mastered the side arm, I know how to shoot to kill or shoot to wound. It is not just the elves who know about healing magic’s. As soon as I shot her, I used just enough to stabilise her, and when the paramedics showed up, they did not see through the amulet of illusion I was wearing, so I insisted as an officer in the Venezuelan secret service I should ride in the ambulance. I then waited for them to get stuck in traffic and put a sleep spell on the humans. I completed the healing magic on Doctor Henshaw and transported her and myself to where we are interrogating that major spirit of virtue”

“Won’t the paramedics find it odd that their patient and the man who shot her gone” Kathryn sneered
“I cast a forget spell” Major Bolak replied. Then the Major’s expression darkened even more, “But of course she could still turn up in a Caracas street with two fatal gunshots” he threatened, “Unless of course we can establish that their visit down there is nothing to do with what we are investigating”.
“That’s a bit hard to do if you refuse to tell us what that is” Kathryn fired back
“Ok, let me make this easy” Major Bolak replied, “I am very good at detecting lies in humans” the drow went on, “The only motive I can think of, if you are not part of my investigation, is if you are only trying some kind of rescue mission of that stupid troll who managed to find himself on the wrong side of a disputed Venezuelan Columbian border. Tell me Miss Cooper, is that the case”

Kathryn stared at the drow, and he stared back

“And if that was what we were doing, would you stop us?”
“Hmmm” The drow pondered and then walked to the window and glanced at the protesters and then turned back and pointed his finger at Kathryn. “I am disappointed Miss Cooper, I would have thought you would have taken advantage of my momentary distraction there”
“What would be the point major” Kathryn said back to him, “You could easily stop me summoning my PA”.

“True” Bolak replied, “But it would have been fun for me to test my abilities”
“Sorry to disappoint you Major” Kathryn replied with venom
“As to your question Miss Cooper” Bolak then continued, “Would we stop you rescuing the troll. This puts us in an interesting dilemma, as you must appreciate. Russia is a friend of the Drow High Council and Venezuela is on friendlier terms with Russia than your country”
“So you would stop a rescue operation” commented Kathryn
“Let us say, that sometimes we have friends that really embarrass us from time to time” Bolak continued, “Mr Chavez’s utterances about that country called Iran a while back did cause some eyes to roll in disbelief at the Kremlin, not that they would admit it. Now we readily admit there is not much love lost between us and the trolls, since they are allied to the elves, however even in conflict we do try to show our enemy a modicum of respect, something this Chavez failed to do with this troll.”

“Get to the point Major, are you or are you not stopping us rescuing the Clan Chief of the Manjura from his Venezuelan prison?” Kathryn interrupted

“Miss Cooper” The drow said in a forceful tone, “Our primary mission is our investigation; this troll as far as I am concerned is an irrelevant side show of which we have no interest in at this time. Our Russian partners have not issued us with any instructions concerning him given the nature of our investigation. Therefore we will neither help nor hinder your mission any further”

“So will you be releasing our people?” Kathryn pressed
“Now we have established they are not involved in our investigation, I will have to refer to our human partners, but I see no reason why not. If we release them we will let you know where they will be released so you can arrange with the Mexicans, to meet with your people, and yes we know they were helping you. But I warn you, if you or your people interfere in our investigation, we will not be so accommodating”
“I’ll bear that in mind Major” Kathryn replied.

“You had better” Major Bolak answered back. And then he teleported away

Kathryn hit the intercom button, “Sophie, get me the Mexican secret service and security”

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms

Captain Sandra, now dressed in her jacket Tee-shirt and even wearing a bra sat in the small dwelling she had been given by the troll authorities, at a large stone block that served as a table, typing up a report on a laptop that she would transmit to IDEC headquarters through an artificial wormhole generator. Some of the trolls had objected to having the wormhole generator, saying everything should go through the citadel, but when they were setting up, Colonel Samuel Peters had been adamant that both groups had to have the means to return to Earth independently.

Just then, one of the marines, an Afro American who had accompanied her earlier in the day came in to her office.
“Mam” he addressed her
“Yes Davies” Sandra replied looking up from her laptop.
“Just to let you know mam that the trolls have mobilised an army” Davies told Sandra
“Why?” she asked
“There’s a port town about five hundred to six hundred klicks north of here, there has been word that someone has invaded it”
“From Earth?” Sandra asked
“No Mam” Davies responded, “It looks like an IDW01 matter”
“We need to keep an eye on it” Sandra told the marine, “have you let the citadel know?”
“We can’t raise them” Mam
“Something wrong with our radio?” asked Sandra
“Not that we can fathom Mam. They just don’t seem to be answering”

“We could fire up a wormhole back to Earth” replied, “It may be a problem their end, but I’m loathed to bother IDEC headquarters if it is something trivial”
“What about this invasion” the marine persisted
“Davies, there are just five of us here and besides if this is an internal matter it might not be appropriate if we got involved”
“By the way mam” Davies replied and then said, “Permission to speak freely”
“Yes, what’s on you mind?” Sandra replied slightly intrigued
“It’s good to see you fully dressed mam” Davies answered back.

“I suppose this is about me going topless in the presence of the trolls again” Sandra began.
“Yes mam”
“Davies, this is my first command and I never expected it to be on another world. I wasn’t exactly given briefing on how to conduct diplomacy; I have had to make it up as I go along. I thought it best not to alienate our hosts here by breaching their customs and I did not want to give the guy who I beat for this posting the satisfaction as he said I would be forever calling home asking what to do” Sandra explained, then she smiled, “Besides don’t you guys enjoy going to topless bars and lap-dancing clubs I thought you would welcome the sight”
“Not all of us mam” Davies objected, “Some of us were raised with proper family values and anyway there is a difference between a stripper and your CO doing it Mam”

Sandra for a moment and was crest fallen. She had tried so hard to make a good impression on her first command post, and it looked like she had messed up

“Well if it is any consolation Davies” Sandra went on, “I am not keen on it either, but if it keeps good relations with our hosts I am willing to make the sacrifice”
“And if we had another female officer, would you order her to go topless just to please the trolls” Davies then asked

Before Sandra could answer a thud hit Davies in the back and he dropped where he stood.

Sandra dived behind the stone block and drew her nine millimetre automatic. Then into the doorway a figure stepped that she recognised. “Captain Philips” the figure said, “We know you are in here. Throw out your weapon and surrender” then the figure added, “And by the way, that was the last of your marines here we have killed. The ones at the citadel, we took out earlier today”

Sandra shook her head, she had failed as a commander as the whole unit she was in charge of had been wiped out. It was only her left. She could go down fighting or surrender and hope they would not torture her for information. She guessed that they would not be following the Geneva Conventions.

But this entity before her was supposed to be an ally

It was probably the wrong decision, but she felt she was out gunned as it were and so Sandra threw out the nine millimetre and slowly stood up, expecting a similar weapon to plunge into her as it had the body of Davies. Two other entities came into the room that she did not recognise, although they were as big as the trolls, and grabbed each of her arms.

“Now before you take her away to hold her with the other high ranking prisoner” the figure began, “Remove her top, she is single and not entitled to wear it and that offends me”

At this, they pulled off her jacket, and then with their claws sliced off her tee-shirt and her bra. Captain Sandra was now stripped to the waist.
“That’s better” the figure replied, and then the two creatures frogmarched Sandra out of her dwelling. As she got outside, she could see the smaller races disappearing out of fear of the two creatures escorting her.

Sandra was marched through the streets, by the large creatures, and along the way in the market, she spotted four other similar creatures building what appeared to be a gallows for a large number of people. Was that going to be her fate?

At last they came to the courts of justice and Sandra was marched up the steps and inside. Then she was taken down to a dungeon cell and thrown inside. She could not work out why they had not killed her yet.

Sandra crossed her arms in front of her to instinctively cover her breasts as she tried to see who if anyone was in the cell with her. As her eyes readjusted to the gloom, she could make out another pathetic figure, it was the young Clan Chief of the Rachtal sitting on one of the benches designed to be a bed of sorts.

She uncrossed her arms, put them by her side and apologised for not displaying her bare breasts to the troll clan chief
“You need not display yourself to me” the Clan Chief replied, “I know it is not the normal custom of humans”
Nervously, Sandra crossed her arms in front of herself again. Thought for a moment and un crossed them again and sat on the other bench. “Everyone’s seen what I’ve got so what’s the point in hiding them” she said, now resigned to having to go topless whether she wanted to or not.

“I always thought it was odd that you followed the custom of our single female trolls when you need not have done so” the Clan Chief of the Rachtal told her. “I do not recall anyone asking you to do so”
“I thought I ought to as we were guests on your world”
“It was my fault that felt you needed to you humiliate yourself in front of your own subordinates” the Clan chief sighed, “My father would have been up front and told you to put what ever top your military code told you to wear and then would have told the others as you put it on Earth, where to get off”
“I heard he was a great man, sorry I mean troll”
“Thank you Captain Philips” the troll replied

Sandra and the troll for a moment sat in silence, then she asked “What’s going on”, then added, “They killed my men and the marines at the citadel”
“I don’t know” the Clan Chief of the Rachtal replied, “It sounds like someone is plotting some kind of take over. We had heard there was an invasion of Faldon and as soon as our trolls left to fight, I was arrested”
“But what are those creatures that brought me here” she asked
“Troglodyte mercenaries” The Clan Chief replied, “It seems that a certain troll” he said with venom, “has stooped to treachery and hired them whilst his own trolls have joined the force to Faldon. I hear we are going to be put on trial, which will be far from fair”
“What are we going to be charged with?” Sandra asked

The Ractal troll gave a small ironic laugh, “I believe we are to be tried for high treason, by the most treacherous troll I know, apart from the ex troll chamberlain who murdered my father”

“I spotted them building a gallows” Sandra told him, “I believe it was for four or six, I could not see properly”
“That will be for us” The troll said as he shook his head, “They are accusing me, and most likely you in being complicit in the capture of the clan Chief of the Manjura. Then later on we will be also charge with complicity in his murder”

“Murder?” Sandra replied in shock, “The last I heard he was alive in a prison cell in Venezuela in what we call South America on our world”

The Rachtal troll looked at Sandra, “I suspect, Captain Philips, his murder is to be staged so we take the blame and are executed for that crime”

To be continued