Episode V – It’s a MAD World
Sometimes it is a case of one thing after another in life as calamities come in an unending stream
The Inter Dimensional Entity Control special operations team have finally rescued the Clan Chief of the Manjura, only for there to be a surprise attack on Washington DC with what seems like a nuclear weapon. Added to that, all communications from Caracas the Venezuelan city where the clan chief was held captive have broken off abruptly
+ + +
“I can’t believe it” Sue-Lim whispered, “The Russians have started World War Three”
“If that were the Russian’s” Simon spoke up with emotion in his voice at what he had seen, “We would be dead as well, that’s not the biggest nuke they have”
Pete Smith glance down from looking at the rising mushroom cloud at Sue-Lim Wang’s arm, “Sue-Lim your arm” he shouted
“I know” she said in total shock at what she had just seen.
“Don’t take it out Sue-Lim” Pete instructed, “It will make the bleeding worse”
“I know that too” Sue-Lim said angrily
“Kathryn, Sophie” Simon suddenly screamed, “That’s gone off at the IDEC” he shouted
“Are you sure” Pete asked him.
Simon nodded furiously, eyes streaming with tears, “They killed Aunty Kathryn” he wept.
“We need to get out of here” Pete ordered, and pulled open the door to the room. Outside in the corridor was pandemonium. The power had briefly failed, so now the hospital was on back up generators. Obviously others had been hit by flying glass and it was hard to get a member of staff to stop and see to Sue-Lim’s arm.
“Allow me to help” a voice from behind came. It was a voice Pete recognised and hated. He turned around and there behind them was Sue-Lim’s father, the enigmatic Mr Vee.
“Haven’t you done enough already” Pete yelled and swung a fist at Mr Vee.
Mr Vee parried the attack and in seconds Pete was on the floor in an arm lock
“I assure you Mr Smith this is not of my doing” He told Pete
“Let him go Dad” Sue-Lim shouted.
Mr Vee released Pete, and then pulled a CIA ID badge and intercepted a nurse, “I would be exceedingly grateful” he growled at her, “If you could deal with my daughter’s arm right now”
“Dad” Sue-Lim said angrily at her father pulling rank as it were, but the nurse was compliant and took Sue-Lim away to be seen.
Simon helped Pete up and nervously spoke to Mr Vee, carefully avoiding eye contact. “That was a tactical nuke sir”
“Yes indeed that seems to be the case Mr Hargreaves” Mr Vee replied
“What do you want” Pete growled.
“I merely wanted to talk with my daughter” Mr Vee began, “but it seems we have been over taken by events somewhat”
“Over taken by events” Pete shouted, “They’ve just nuked DC for crying out loud”
“I think Mr Smith” Mr Vee said calmly, “You better go and be with my daughter and I will escort Mr Hargreaves home, I believe his family home was outside the blast radius”
“I want to stay with Miss Wang” Simon objected
Mr Vee thought for a moment, “That might be a better idea after all Mr Hargreaves” and with that, Mr Vee left in a hurry.
+ + +
County Claire
Ireland
Mark and Jenny were just about getting up as they were due at the farm house for breakfast with the O’Docherty family when there was a furious knocking at the door.
Mark was about to put a shirt on when he heard the knocking, so immediately opened the door
It was Shaun O’Docherty along with Mr O’Kerry one of the leprechauns. Shaun was almost breathless.
“What’s the problem?” Mark asked.
“I think you need to see the news for yourself” The leprechaun chipped in, “On that television contraption you humans gawp at”
Mark glanced at the unused television set. “Can it wait until later when we are both dressed” Mark asked
“I don’t think so” Shaun replied, “I’ll put it on for you”
Jenny came in to the living room wrapped only in a towel and looked puzzled but did not say anything
Mark stood aside and let Shaun come in and switch the television to a news station.
Jenny looked at what she saw on the screen and froze in utter shock at what she saw on the television news
The television news service said it was broadcasting from Cork, as much of Dublin had been levelled by a massive explosion, killing thousands and it was believed to been some kind nuclear weapon.
“That was where all the leprechauns were being called to” Mark then said trying to over come his shock
“Ai” Mr O’Kerry agreed, “They were all there except for us, so that explosion means we are the last two leprechauns left in Ireland”
“Mark what’s going on” Jenny asked with her eyes filling with tears and then starting shake as her legs began to give way.
Mark grabbed Jenny and helped her to sit down on the couch in front of the television and sat down beside her with an arm around her slender body. Then Jenny pointed back at the television set.
Mark looked in trepidation at the screen.
It was also reporting that there had been a nuclear attack on Washington DC as well.
+ + +
Wallsend Metro Station
Tyne and Wear
(Eastbound)
Frank Green was idly thinking about how the local football would be doing as he sat on the metro train as it was stopped at Wallsend Metro station to pick up passengers. Frank Green was heading in to central Newcastle to collect Jenny’s former co-worker’s belongings. For the moment Stephanie, Jenny’s friend was staying with him and his wife, as her baby was due any moment. Frank had been utterly disgusted with the father of Stephanie’s baby, for kicking her out because she did not want to have an abortion and as Stephanie had been workmates for years she was like a surrogate daughter.
They were looking forward to the baby’s arrival as, Stephanie was their surrogate daughter now, her baby their surrogate grandchild to add to the real grandchild that his real daughter Jenny was expecting.
The power supply in the carriage went dead. The driver got out of the cab and started going down the aisle of the train.
“You need to get off now” he ordered, “The train has just died, it must be a power line failure”
People were asking about their tickets and the driver was assuring them that once Nexus were aware they would arrange for their tickets to be valid on the buses.
Frank was just about to get up from his seat and follow the throng onto the platform, ready to get a bus into the city, when suddenly there was the sound of a very large explosion in the distance, followed by swearing from some of the other passengers and the sound of windows breaking nearby.
Even the windows on the Metro train shattered.
Frank got to his feet as fast as he was able and exited the carriage. A crowd of people were staring in disbelief as they watched in the distance a mushroom cloud rising in the direction of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne.
+ + +
Rochester, New Hampshire
United States of America
[img=600x400]http://pics4.city-data.com/cpicc/cfiles16604.jpg[/img]
Rebecca Sands, the former spirit of kindness crept into the living room in her pyjamas and dressing gown, she was still feeling unwell from what she had been told was influenza but was recovering well according to the doctor. Rebecca was looking forward to going back to school and seeing her special friend Darren, who like her was not originally from this part of the world. He was from Toronto and she was originally from Slough in England.
Rebecca’s biological father had been the late Spirit of Friendship, although it was years before she was told who he was. Since her biological mother’s death in England and her giving up of her status as a minor spirit of virtue, she had been living with her maternal uncle Matthew and his wife Susan Sands and son Frank Sands in Rochester Newhampshire. Her uncle and his wife had even adopted her as their own daughter and now it was quite natural for Rebecca to refer to them as mum and dad, which she loved doing, as did they. Rebecca had really integrated well into this part of the Sand’s family.
The television was on and her adoptive mother was staring transfixed in disbelieve at the news programme that was on.
“Mum” Rebecca asked as she climbed onto the couch and wrapped her arms around Susan, “What’s happened”
In a barely audible voice she whispered, “There’s been a nuclear explosion in Washington DC”
“Dad?” Rebecca cried out in distress
“He’s ok sweetheart” Susan replied, “he’s at
Fort Carson working on Tania McCaskey’s appeal”
Suddenly the news report of the aftermath on the Washington bomb was interrupted. “We are getting confirmation there has been another nuclear explosion like the one in Washington DC, but this one was detonated in New York City”
“Mazy?” Rebecca cried out, remembering the former Spirit of Caring who had helped her when she was unlawfully held in a New York “orphanage”.
Susan and Rebecca hugged each other as both were in tears as more news about the New York attack came in.
+ + +
The Bridge
The USS Bataan
The atmosphere on the bridge was grim on the Bridge of the USS Bataan. The captain had taken the decision along with the colonel that the rest of the ship would not be told just yet about the news as it was pouring in.
“Sir” said one of the ensigns on the bridge, “We have confirmed that it was definitely a nuclear device that detonated in Caracas”
“Sir” said another rating in a voice loaded with emotion and disbelief, “They’ve nuked New York”
“The Washington bomb” Samuel said quietly, “Do we know exactly where ground zero was?”
The captain nodded his head, “I’m sorry Colonel” he replied, “It was directly next to your headquarters. Inter Dimensional Entity Control headquarters has been wiped out. There are no survivors”
“Oh my” Shamus responded then he turned to Samuel and then the Captain, “I seriously suggest that we keep Celeste sedated, especially since she was so into that Simon Hargreaves chap of yours. When she finds out he’s dead, there is no telling how she will react, especially with her teleport powers possibly returning”
“I have to agree” Samuel conceded as he shook his head and looked up at the ceiling, “Can you arrange that Captain?”
“I’ll get the ship’s doctor onto it the Captain replied and instructed a bridge officer to carry out the request, then the Captain turned back to Shamus, “I’m afraid I have some bad news for you too Mr Tuckle” the Captain then said, “would you like to take it in my office in case you need to sit down”
“I can take it here” Shamus indignantly replied
“I feel you should be sitting down sir” the Captain insisted
“Just spit it out” Shamus replied with impatience
“One of the targets in these co-ordinated attacks was Dublin” The Captain reluctantly said.
Shamus shook his head and put his hands to his head, then he dropped his hands, “So that was why all our leprechauns were ordered to Dublin” Shamus growled, “The b*****ds doing this wanted to take us out as well and they succeeded”
“I tried to get in touch with the head of the G2 Special section I could not get through” Samuel told Shamus
“I got the same run around” Shamus replied, “It’s not like Gregory O’Doyle to avoid my calls”
“At least we stopped the O’Kerrys going” Samuel said, putting a hand on Shamus’s shoulders.
“Well that’s something to be thankful for I suppose” Shamus said as the news sank in.
“Sir” the first ensign interrupted, “We have further reports of nuclear explosions” he told them and handed a piece of paper to the captain
“Where else have they hit Captain” Samuel asked
The Captain stared at the piece of paper
“Captain?” Pressed Samuel
The captain slowly began to read the list, “In the United States, Los Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston Texas, Cape Canaveral, and Detroit. Outside of the United States, Jerusalem, London England and” The Captain frowned, “A city in the north east of England called Newcastle upon Tyne” The captain looked up, “That last one does not make any sense, it is not of any strategic value”
“But why would the Russians attack us sir?” the first officer interrupted, “especially when we were supposedly decommissioning nuclear weapons”
“What makes you think it’s the Russians?” Samuel asked
“This latest report” The first officer replied and handed over a blackberry to the Samuel.
“One of their bombs designated for Chicago failed to explode for some reason” The first officer explained, “and preliminary reports say that it is an old Soviet tactical nuclear warhead with a 76KT yield.”
“How was it delivered?” Shamus asked the first officer
“Which one?” The first officer asked
“The Chicago one you idiot” Shamus shouted at the first officer
“Careful Shamus” Samuel interjected, “He’s not the one who destroyed Dublin”
“I’m sorry” Shamus apologised
“That’s ok sir” The first officer replied, “I have or had family back in DC”
“I’m so sorry” Shamus repeated
“Mr McTuckle” The First officer went on, “It was just the shell. Witnesses reported a blue light before it appeared. Some form of rocket fuel perhaps?”
“More like an orb of dimension jumping” Samuel muttered
“It has to be” growled Shamus
“A what?” the Captain asked
“It’s what we use to travel between your world and ours” Shamus replied
“Similar to our artificial wormhole generator Captain” Samuel cut in, “I don’t think this is the Russians, for one, why only tactical nukes and why target one of their allies?”
“This also raises another question” Shamus then said, “Who ever has been doing this, where did they get the orbs, our troll friend downstairs is head of the clan that is supposed to be holding these things at Karam Tag Chou to prevent unauthorised use”
“It looks like we need to ask the Clan Chief of the Manjura a few questions” Samuel told the Captain.
“Let’s go and talk to him then” The Captain suggested
“I agree” Samuel replied
Just then a report of another nuclear attack came in, “Sir” shouted one of the member’s of the bridge crew, “One of those devices has taken out the USS Ronald Regan Sir. They report that it is gone along with a number of other support ships”
“Captain” Samuel said firmly to the captain, “We need to get out of here, just in case they target the Bataan”
“Where do you suggest we go?” the Captain asked
“We need to push south to colder waters” Shamus interrupted, “If it is being carried out by creatures from our world, we need to go where it is colder”
“Why not head North” The Captain asked
“Because that’s where the most of the attacks are, and they could be looking for us in the Northern Hemisphere” Samuel put in and then headed for the stairs to talk to the troll they had rescued”
“I could teleport to Ireland and bring the O’Kerry’s back here” Shamus suggested to the captain.
“I would rather you didn’t” The Captain replied, “It would mean having to give out our position and as the United States of America has been attacked, we must assume we are on a war footing”
“Ok” Shamus replied, and then followed the Colonel after the troll.
+ + +
Central City
The Mystical Realms
Marine Captain Sandra Philips sat shivering in her cell. Although she still had her military trousers on, she had been stripped to the waist on the orders of the troll who had been in charge of her arrest.
(It was troll custom that all single females, as Sandra was, were not allowed to wear any tops so male trolls could assess if they had sufficient assets to nurture young)
Her companion the Clan Chief of the Rachtal had managed to get a hobgoblin guard to pass in a blanket, but even with that, Sandra was cold. It also did not help that the sight of the gallows being built played on her mind. Sandra was to be hanged for the murder of the Clan Chief of the Manjura as would be the Clan Chief of the Rachtal.
The door to the cell was opened and in came the troglodyte mercenaries and pulled away the blanket from Sandra and threw it on the floor. Another two also came and grabbed the Clan Chief of the Rachtal and they were hauled from the cell. The Troglodytes proceeded to drag Sandra out to the city square where the gallows had been erected. Already there were three elves, one a female elf hanging lifeless and dead. There was one noose left.
Beside the gallows was a large block and an axe
“It looks like they will give me the dignity of the axe rather than the rope” The Clan Chief of the Rachtal said to Sandra as she walked towards the gallows, hands tied behind her back.
The execution party stopped.
The Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura came out to meet them, wearing the robes of a clan chief!
“We are here today citizens” The Deputy shouted, “to continue executing the traitors, including a Clan Chief who deceived our leader to go to his death at the hands of duplicitous humans”
“That’s a lie” The Clan Chief of the Rachtal shouted, “You have no proof”
“We have your signed confession” The Manjura troll countered
“I wrote no such confession” the Rachtal troll shouted back
“Can we get on with this?” The Manjura troll said with an air of irritation
Immediately the Clan Chief of the Manjura was forced by the many troglodyte mercenaries to the block and they forced him to his knees.
Sandra watched in horror as another troglodyte mercenary picked up the axe, positioned it and then brought it down on the neck of the Clan Chief of the Rachtal, beheading him in one stroke.
There was an immense cheer from other troglodytes who had poured into the city. Sandra noticed however that the other inhabitants who were cheering seemed to be doing it half heartedly. It was obvious that they had been coerced to be there and told to cheer each execution.
The Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura then pulled out what appeared to be a mobile phone. “I have here” He began, “On the humans very own technology, proof of the murder of our beloved former clan leader of the Manjura.”
Sandra heard a faint buzzing near her left ear. “Play along, play along” she thought she heard something say. It was obviously some insect brought by the stench of the troglodytes.
The Deputy Clan Chief continued, “This female human is the last of this pestilence of humans. And as such she must pay the ultimate penalty for the treachery of her species. Begin her execution”
Sandra was moved towards the gallows and carried up the steps. Even though she was a captain in the US Marines, she could not help but bursting into tears at the thought of being hanged like a common criminal just because she was a human and being punished for the actions of others.
Sandra was planted on the trapdoor while the executioner checked the ropes around her hands, tied her ankles together and then finally started to place the noose over her neck.
As the noose was being tightened to fit, she thought she heard another insect whisper into her ear. “Give this to Celeste” Then, she found she was holding in her hands what felt like a small round crystal ball, the size of a table tennis ball. The executioner must have placed it there for some reason.
“I have only ever tried to serve you” Sandra bleated.
“Gag her” Shouted the Deputy Clan Chief
At this a dirty rag was tied around her mouth to stop her from speaking further.
Sandra was now standing there on the trapdoor of the gallows, a rope around her neck, gagged her feet tied and her hands bound with some hard object in her hand.
Then the troglodyte assassin pulled the lever and released the trapdoor and then everything went black.
+ + +
Officer’s Mess
USS Bataan
The officer’s mess was empty save for Doctor Charlene Henshaw and the Clan Chief of the Manjura. Both sat at the table facing each other, in silence, in a semi state of shock.
The Clan Chief of the Manjura decided to speak first. “I’m so sorry that you were shot and then tortured because I was such a fool” he apologised.
Charlene looked up and then just squeaked out, the word “Right” and then looked down at the table with her head resting in her hands
The troll looked at Charlene and saw how she was close to tears. Something was seriously up, and they had not told him what. His rescuer Celeste had collapsed and it seemed that she was not supposed to be able to teleport herself, let alone her and him. For now the two of them were confined to this officer’s mess. It seemed like both of them were in a prison. He was also wondering why they were not using one of their artificial wormholes to send him home.
“They’re dead” Charlene uttered
“Who?” The troll asked quietly
Charlene looked up in disbelief, “You’ve not heard?” she said to the troll.
“I have not heard anything Doctor Henshaw” The troll replied
“Don’t call me that” Charlene shouted, “You make me sound old. I’m Charlene” She screamed, “Call me Charlene” At which point she broke down in tears repeating the words “They’re all dead”
The door opened and the troll looked up from Charlene’s sobbing at who was coming in. It was the Colonel, the leprechaun and the captain of this enormous ship.
The colonel went over to Charlene, sat down beside her and put an arm around her. “I presume you heard about DC” he said quietly.
Charlene nodded with tears streaming down her eyes.
“We’ve just heard” The colonel told her, “that the bomb was only seventy six kiloton’s. There is no way Bethesda would have been destroyed by that blast”
“What about Pete” Charlene sobbed, “What about the others?”
“We don’t know yet Charlene” the colonel quietly told her
The Clan Chief of the Manjura frowned, “Colonel what are you not telling me?”
Samuel glowered at the troll and then spoke to the captain, “I don’t think we need detain Doctor Henshaw here any longer” he said, and then he spoke to Charlene, “Charlene, the Captain will get someone to take you to your quarters. They should be ready now”
The Captain came over and Charlene stood up. The Captain ushered Charlene out of the room and instructed one of the sentries outside the mess to escort her to where she would be staying on board the ship.
When Charlene was gone, the Captain, the Colonel and Shamus then sat down at the table opposite the clan Chief of the Manjura.
“Something is obviously very wrong” the troll opened with
“That’s one hell of an understatement” Samuel countered angrily
“What’s wrong? What have I supposed to have done” the troll answered putting his hands up as if he was surrendering
“Not long after you were brought here” Shamus replied, “The city where you were held was attacked by what the humans call a nuclear weapon”
“A what?” The troll replied with confusion.
“Explosives of immense power” Samuel told the troll, “Depending on the type of nuke, capable of destroying your entire central city or your citadel in one explosion”
“Plus the associated fall out and long term radiation problems” The Captain interjected.
Samuel looked at the Captain, as if to say “Back off this is my interrogation”
The troll thought for a moment, “I’m sorry Colonel. I did not realise what she meant by avenging my death”
“She?” Shamus asked
The troll turned to the Leprechaun and then back to the colonel, “Her name is Brameana” the troll explained, “She came to my cell, she claims also to be a child of my father the late Lord Low Troll”
“You have a sister?” Shamus asked with incredulity
“Half sister” The troll corrected and then continued, “After that a drow shot me, she said she would avenge my death at the hands of humans. She even showed my shooting recorded on”
“A drow?” Samuel interrupted
“Yes Colonel, it was a drow by the name of Vabalavich. He was working with this Brameana as well as the bug-bears she had with her”
This time Shamus interrupted, “Bug-Bears!” he exclaimed, “I thought they were safely exiled in the Far Islands”
The troll shook his head. “I know what I saw Colonel, Brameana, my half sister, if that is who she really is, was working with a drow and what looked like well armed and armoured bug-bears.
Samuel looked at Shamus quizzically.
“Bug Bears my dear Colonel” Shamus explained, “Are just as big, if not bigger than trolls and are their equal if not more”
“But” The Clan Chief interrupted, “They are evil and crueler than trolls. The only reason we took the top spot at, as you humans call it, the head of the food chain, is that bug-bears are ill disciplined and normally fight amongst themselves. They are also never well equipped in weapons or armour. Many winters ago, because of their violence and ill behaviour, they were banished to the Far Islands”
The Clan Chief then looked at the table and then looked up, “So her vengeance was to destroy the city I was held in?” He asked
“Along with several other cities in the United States” The captain interrupted
The troll opened his eyes wide at the shock of this news
“That is why Doctor Henshaw was upset” Samuel cut in, “She had heard of the nuclear attack on Washington DC. Our headquarters was the primary target and we lost a lot of good friends today”
“But those are human weapons” the troll protested
“Colonel” Shamus interrupted, “Remember Major Bolak was investigating an internal matter”
“And our troll friend saw a drow” Samuel sighed
“He must have stolen those nuclear weapons” Shamus pressed, “But from my understanding of the blasted things, the ones that have blown up along with the one that failed were small”
“So for the moment Clan Chief, if you were wondering, we are not risking powering up a wormhole generator as it might give away our position” Samuel told the troll, “They have already targeted the USS Ronald Regan and I don’t want them targeting this ship”
“Ok Colonel, I understand, I do not wish to put you at risk so I will stay here for the duration” The Clan Chief conceded,” but what makes you think it’s not a human matter” the troll pressed.
“If it was nothing to do with IDW01” Samuel retorted, “Why attack the City that you were just rescued from, especially as the country in question is on friendly terms with the superpower that the nukes came from”
The troll closed his eyes and shook his head, “She must want to be seen to be wreaking vengeance on those who took me and had me killed, and if that was that nation’s capital city then that would make sense”
Samuel then remembered the nuclear attack on the North East of England, “And where does the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in England fit in to this wreaking?” he asked, “It has been attacked by the same type of nuclear weapon”
“My dear Colonel” The Clan Chief responded, “That was where Mr Andrews came from, when was carried back to our world when he, Lachesis and the Spirit of True Love were put on trial for interfering in the affairs of mortals.”
“Now I see what she is doing” Shamus cut in, “When Mr Andrews was released on a technicality it caused the Lord Low Troll considerable embarrassment. Not only does she want to be seen to avenging your death but she also wants to be seen to be avenging her dear departed daddy, and an attack on that city would fit into that theory”
The troll was silent for a moment and then said, “I am afraid there is more”
“Like what?” Samuel asked
“She seemed to think she should be heir to the position of ruler of our world” The troll admitted
“But a female troll could not even hope to be clan leader” Shamus objected, “let alone ruler of the Mystical Realms”
“Unless she proved herself a mighty warrior by the rules of Gal-Ha-Din” The troll countered, “But that is an ancient rite of our past” he said as he shook his head in puzzlement.
Samuel looked up at the ceiling and then back at the troll “Enlighten us” He curtly ordered the clan Chief of the Manjura, “We’re not kind of up on our ancient rite of trolls”
“It is simple Colonel” The Clan Chief went on, “Before we had an emperor and a means to decide amongst ourselves, there was the rite of Gal-Ha-Din. Simply put Colonel, any troll, male or female, who scores a total victory over a superior enemy is considered ultimate ruler and all troll clans must swear allegiance.”
“But how can a series of small tactical nuclear weapons achieve that” Shamus replied
“I think I have an idea Colonel” The Captain then interrupted, “Because of the attacks, we have moved to
DEFCON ONE
“My G_d” Samuel swore, “It’s
M A D. This b***h is going to use
M A D against us”
This time it was the troll and Shamus who had blank looks.
“You could be right” The captain replied, clearly on the colonel’s wave length if nobody else was.
“What is M A D” The troll asked
“Mutual Assured Destruction” Samuel answered, “She wants us to think it was a Russian attack so we would retaliate. Captain, that nuke that was a dud, was probably designed not to go off to plant evidence against the Russians. We need to tell NORAD and Strategic Air Command not to fall for it”
“I still don’t follow the troll” spoke up.
“I think I know what he’s on about now” Shamus explained. The Russians launch an attack and destroy the Americans and their allies, but then they launch their nukes and destroy the Russians and their allies in retaliation”
“But if you destroy each other” The troll asked, “How can Brameana claim victory under Gal-Ha-Din”
“Because” Samuel said quietly, “there will still be some survivors”
“Without the infrastructure of a technological world that Earth is” Chipped in Shamus
“She just has to send in shock troops to cull or subdue any survivors and she has her victory on a plate” Samuel concluded
The troll got up and walked away from the table. Shook his head and then sat down again. “If she sends in Bug Bears you humans will not have a chance” he said with cold recognition of his half sister’s plan. The troll banged both hands on the table, “She must be stopped”
“I agree” Samuel replied and then turned to the captain, “Can you arrange a patch through to anyone in command who may have survived the Washington bombing”
“I’ll get on it” the captain replied, “Luckily the Pentagon only suffered light damage from the blast. It’s still operational”
With that the Captain left the room, leaving Shamus and Samuel alone with the troll, “Any other relatives we need to be aware of?” Samuel asked
The clan chief shook his head, “I do not know Colonel” he answered, “Until today I did not even know of the possibility of having a half sister, if that is who she really is”
Suddenly there was a strange rush of wind in the room, and then a blue dot appeared in the air, which began to grow into a swirling mass.
It was an incoming magic wormhole
Samuel stood up and drew his handgun instantly and pointed it at the wormhole.
Suddenly onto the floor fell what looked like a half naked woman, her feet bound, and hands tied behind her back. She was gagged also had a noose around her neck with a few feet of rope leading off from it. By her feet there was something looking like a small crystal globe which had fallen from her hands. She had what appeared to be US military trousers, but she was otherwise without clothing above the waist. Her neck looked like it had been broken by the rope; it was obvious she had just been hanged.
Shamus got off his seat and ran to the body while Samuel kept the gun trained on the body, just in case it was a doppelganger assassin and this was an elaborate deception. If it was, this time his ammunition would penetrate it tough hide, unlike the time he had tried to take one down at The Facility in North London.
Just then the wormhole closed and a small naked male figure wearing a green pointed hat flew out and settled on the table.
Samuel switched to pointing the gun at the small figure, which was looking down at the female figure lying on the floor.
“Pixies” Scoffed Shamus
“Just because we could not find a Cornish intelligence service” The pixie retorted, “That does not mean we are not up to serving the humans that gave us existence as well as you leprechauns”
Shamus looked up at Samuel, “Put that gun away” he told the colonel, “They’re harmless”
“So this is?” Samuel began, pointing at the female body lying on the floor.
“Is one of yours and she is dead at the moment” The pixie replied and then darted over to the body, “So I need to restore and revive her” he said in his squeaky voice. The pixie flew to the woman’s neck where the rope was, and took what looked like a small bright star in his hands from his hat and placed it on the her neck.
There was a clicking sound, and her neck seemed to repair itself, then the bright light suddenly grew and encompassed the entire body and then faded. Suddenly the woman woke up and started choking on the tightened noose. Shamus quickly pulled loose the noose around her neck, pulled it off of her and flung it in disgust into the corner of the room. The woman then started to breathe quite rapidly even though she had a gag in her mouth.
The pixie flew up to just in front of Samuel’s face, “I took her soul from her body just before they hanged her so her thread of life would not break, and then I stayed with her body to mend it and restore her soul so she could live again. My friend cut the rope as soon as she had dropped and opened the portal to here. Hopefully he has created an illusion so they still see your Marine Captain hanging there”
Samuel holstered his gun, “So how did you find us?”
“I targeted this leprechaun here, as we heard he was with you” the pixie told him, “and because leprechauns are easy to find, because they are so huge and lumbering and leak magic”
“Watch your mouth” Shamus snapped back
The pixie ignored Shamus and flew down to the small crystal globe and pointed to it, “This is for the Spirit of Second Chances” he said, “A present we were asked to pass on by her mother it is a crystal of secret hearts desires. Her mother thinks it will help her daughter learn love, what ever that means
”
The pixie then flew over to the Clan Chief of the Manjura, “So you are still alive” he squeaked, “The new ruler of Central City said you had been killed”
“I am very much alive pixie” the Clan Chief of the Manjura replied, “And to whom am I addressing” the troll then asked.
“Best you don’t know” The Pixie replied, “I have to go, I have friends in Devon. If I go back to our world they will find me. I just hope my friend got away” With that the pixie vanished in a puff of stars
“Damn pixies” Shamus mumbled, “Can’t stay still for a minute and always so rude”
The woman moaned to try and attract attention, since the others had seemed to forget about her as they were talking to the strange sprite, but because of the gag she could not speak
Samuel walked over and recognised the female; it was US Marine Captain Sandra Philips,
but what had happened to the rest of her clothes?.
Samuel pulled down her gag so she could speak.
“Is this some kind of afterlife” she asked still slightly disorientated at being hanged and then brought back to life
“No Captain” Samuel replied, “You’re alive and on Earth on the USS Bataan”
Shamus helped Sandra sit up pointed his finger at the ropes binding her hands and feet. Instantly they untied themselves, while Samuel removed the gag completely.
Sandra sat up on the floor and shook her head, still not believing she was alive. She was still so used to liaising with old fashioned trolls with old fashioned attitudes to single females, that she made no attempt to cover her modesty with her arms.
“What happened to your clothes Marine” Samuel asked her
Sandra recognised who the Colonel was and quickly stood up and saluted and then stood to attention, still making no attempt at covering her naked breasts, “The troll who had me arrested sir, her had them removed from me sir” she replied, “He said my wearing a top as a single female offended him. I’m sorry sir but did not realise I would cause such offence doing so in our assigned quarters. It was my fault for not following troll custom at all times sir. If I ever go back there, it won’t happen again sir”
Samuel shook his head in disbelief at not only had a female marine obviously been abused, but that she had assumed she was to blame and was willing to go along with this obsolete tradition of trolls. “At ease Captain” Samuel told the female marine captain. Samuel then took off his military jacket, “Would you like to put this on?” Samuel asked her.
Sandra saw the Clan Chief of the Manjura standing there and briefly shook her head, “Thank you sir, but I better not, since we have a troll dignitary here, I do not wish to cause any further offence sir” she said and then added “Anyway sir I’ve got use to going topless as it causes less problems with some of the older trolls”
“Captain” Samuel said with more force, “This is Earth, you’re on, not IDW01, and marines here must observe the full uniform regulations when on duty, so please put this on and do it up” he ordered, “The captain will arrange for more replacement clothes and assign you quarters with the other marines on board”
“I’m sorry sir” Sandra apologised, “but what about the troll” she asked, “My putting a top on may offend him sir”
“You may do as you commanding officer says” The Clan Chief of the Manjura interrupted, “I am not offended by single females of any race wearing tops and covering themselves. In fact I have tried to get other trolls to be as enlightened as I am on this issue”
“Ok sir if you are sure” Sandra addressed the Clan Chief
“Put on the Jacket Miss Philips” The Clan Chief replied as he nodded, “You have my permission to put on what ever clothes you wish whenever you want”
Sandra then obediently took Samuel’s jacket and put it on and did it up as ordered.
“I must say it feels good sir to wear somethin” she admitted, “I never really liked working topless, I just thought for the sake of the mission it was something that had to be done”
“Tell me soldier” Samuel asked her next, “They don’t hang you for breaching an obsolete custom you should not be observing. So why did they arrest and hang you”
Sandra looked at the troll and frowned, “They said he had been murdered by humans” she answered pointing at the Clan Chief of the Manjura “and I as a human was to be executed for that crime along with the Clan Chief of the Rachtal. He was beheaded before I was hanged”, then she turned back to the Colonel, “As for the troll custom of females having to go topless sir, I was only able to get respect from the troll elders by observing it and attending there meetings topless sir.”
“And what about the example you were setting to those under your command?” Samuel countered, “Letting them see their commanding officer like that”
For a moment Sandra was silent and then replied, “I explained it to them sir. This was our first assignment on an alien world and we were inadequately briefed sir. I had to make it up as I went along, and if I had had a female marine under me who was not married, I would have ordered her to remove her top in their presence as well sir. I would probably also insist she went topless all the time even just amongst ourselves. It helped diplomatic relations with the troll leaders and if I had to sir as a marine I would do it again, if it helped to do our job sir” she added with a slight tinge of defiance.
“Colonel” Shamus interrupted, “This is not the time to debate uniform policy and how to conduct diplomacy with obstinate and stuck in the past trolls”
“Colonel I must bear responsibility for Captain Philips plight” the Clan Chief of the Manjira interrupted, “Before I went on that stupid mission to that country you call Venezuela I was going to speak to your captain about how she need not feel the need to placate the older trolls by foregoing garments above the waist, and then I was going to speak to some of those older trolls to tell them not to impose this obsolete tradition of trolls on your people. Colonel, please do not punish the Captain for my failing to protect her from these old attitudes of my compatriots. Indeed knowing them as I do Colonel, she was probably wise to do as she did until I could intervene on her behalf.”
“OK” Samuel relented, “I’ve had a run in with this custom before with a former member of my special ops team” he added. “Captain what happened to the rest of your team” Samuel went on
“Murdered sir” Sandra replied, “The troll also told me he had killed all those at the citadel”
“Which troll was this” The clan chief then asked
“Your deputy sir” Sandra replied to the troll, “It was the Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura”
+ + +
A wilderness cave
The Walong Mountains
The Mystical Realms
A large lonely figure was attending to his garden just outside his cave where he lived. As the two suns in the sky beat down on him he wore a large hat to protect him from the heat. He had just taken water from the spring nearby to water his crops on which he eked out his meagre existence. Now all he had to do was attend his Targron-berry vines to make sure they were clear of any mould.
A bird flew into his compound and made for the structure that was for the home returning birds.
The figure spotted the bird, as it had been giving a loud cry, and trudged in to see it. He placed his garden implements by the mouth of his cave and then gently took the bird into his large hands.
It was one of his birds and it had a message tied to its leg. It was from his one time servant Meetal, the kobold. The home returning bird had made it’s way home from Meetal.
Meetal’s master gently removed the letter and placed the bird in the structure built for the other birds. He opened the paper and found that it was blank. Meetal’s master sniffed the paper, “Kobold urine” he said with a chuckle. “Oh Meetal you are so paranoid”
The large figure put his tools away properly and went inside to see what the kobold had written on the note in his own form of invisible ink.
It took about half an hour for the words to become legible, during which the kobold’s former master took time to investigate outside what sounded like a distant explosion. It could of course have been thunder, but it sounded nothing like any thunder he had ever heard. It seemed to come from somewhere on the road from the Central City and the port of Faldon. “I do hope Meetal is ok” the lonely figure muttered and went back inside his cave.
He finally read the note with a cup of Tagron-Berry wine at his side
Master
I thought I would have to resort to ruse and guile like in the old days, but I was able to remain unnoticed as far as I am aware. This new leader is a female troll by the name of Brameaner. She is also joined by drow, the leader of whom is called Vabalavich. They mentioned a third member of what ever they are plotting, but he is in the Central City. I could find out, but if it is all the same to you my liege, I would rather come and stay with you if I may. I would help you tend your growing area to earn my keep.
One other piece of information my liege, before I try and find a safe place to release the bird with this missive. I saw trolls of the clan of Ghetto. I thought they had all wiped many winters ago for their treachery. This Brameaner welcomed them with open arms as she did what you call bugbears
If fortune favours me and I can slip out unnoticed I hope to be with you in two days
Meetal
Meetal’s master put the note down and momentarily grinned as he recited the name Brameaner a few times. Then he looked at the note again as it made mention of the supposedly extinct troll clan. “I just hope you don’t lead them to me” he said to the note, “But then you were always good at loosing a pursuer. Maybe your paranoia is not a bad thing”
Meetal’s master got up and went outside to look at the view of the wilderness, “It must be bad if Meetal wants to come stay with me”
+ + +
The Bridge
The USS Bataan
Samuel had been waiting on the bridge when the call came that he had got a line to the North American Air Defence headquarters. Samuel accompanied by Shamus went to a secure communications room for the video link
“So” said the NORAD director, “You are saying the attacks on the United States and England are not a Russian first strike?”
“Yes I am” Samuel replied
“Are you saying it was Islamic terrorism and if so what are you basing this on Colonel” the director responded
“No it is not Islamic either sir” Samuel answered back
“Based on what?”
“Director, have you been read in on the organisation known as Inter Dimensional Entity Control?”
Samuel watched as the director of NORAD’s face went white and as the director began ordering his staff from the room at his end”
After about a minute the director spoke to Samuel, “OK Colonel, sorry about that, my staff were not cleared for that information.”
“Even though we were on CNN and the president was talking about us admitting our existence”
“Sorry Colonel, you must appreciate that sometimes the bureaucracy can take a while to catch up”
“Understood director”
“I heard your headquarters was ground zero for the DC bomb, I’m sorry Colonel. I met Miss Cooper once, we will miss her”
“I didn’t call to get condolences” Samuel pressed, “We have reason to believe that whoever is behind this wants us to launch a retaliatory strike against Russia”
“To what end” The director asked
“So they nuke us back” Samuel replied
“Why would they want to do that” the director replied, “They might get killed along with everyone else” objected the director
“Not if they are sitting on another world in a parallel universe” Samuel countered
“I see, but why I thought we were allies” the director of NORAD replied
“There is someone new, director, and they appear to be working with two other hostile entities in some kind of power play. We believe there has already been a Coup de Tat over there”
The director thought for a moment then asked what Samuel wanted him to do.
“Get hold of Strategic Air Command and whoever is left. Do not I repeat do not attack Russia”
“I’ll see what I can do” the Director promised and then added, “We did have some good news in all this tragedy, the president was not in Washington, he was in Prague on a state visit. We will contact him and keep him informed. He is due to fly back tonight”
+ + +
Sue-Lim Pete and Simon sat in a crowded refectory on the ground floor. Doctors were giving out medications to deal with possible radiation poisoning. With a large chunk of Washington DC destroyed in a nuclear attack, and reports of other cities being attacked, a curfew had been enacted except for emergency services.
Pete took out his mobile phone and looked at. “Still no signal” he said impatiently
“That’s hardly surprising love” Sue-Lim replied
“I know” Pete sighed, “How’s Simon?” he asked
Sue-Lim looked at Simon slumped on the table next to her, “I think he’s still asleep”
“I hope so; do you think his parents are still alive?” Pete asked
Sue-Lim shrugged her shoulders, “They live outside the blast area but they work on Capital Hill I believe. Do we know how badly that was hit?”
“I don’t know” Pete answered, “Miss Cooper asked me to bring him along as both his parents were working. I don’t know how he will cope if they were caught in the blast”
Just then someone in the refectory started shouting about the US President and they started to increase the volume on the television set on the only channel available.
“My fellow Americans and peoples of the free world” the presidential broadcast began, “Earlier today there were cowardly and unprovoked attacks on major cities across the United States and in a number of cities of our allies in Ireland, Great Britain and Israel. There was also one attack in Caracas the capital of Venezuela”
At this Simon lifted his head, “Celeste” he whimpered and then repeated the word “no” softly
Sue-Lim put an arm around Simon, there was nothing she could say, if as she feared Celeste and Charlene had been victims of a similar nuclear blast to the one that had wiped out the IDEC and parts of downtown Washington DC.
“These attacks” the broadcast continued, “were carried out using obsolete Soviet battlefield nuclear weapons that had been overlooked when carrying out disarmament of the former Soviet Union’s aging stockpile. It is believed they were stolen from former soviet regime and illegally held. I have spoken with the Russian President and he is just as shocked and outraged by what has been done today and has offered all assistance in tracking down the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. I have also spoken to leaders in Tehran, Damascus and Riyadh who are equally outraged. Today has brought home to all of us that old arguments about nuclear deterrents based on Mutual Assured Destruction are no longer valid in today’s world. According to our intelligence this was a cynical attempt to provoke The United States and Russia into a nuclear exchange. Thankfully due to key intelligence received just after the attacks and cool heads, that part of this evil and perverted plot has been thwarted. Sorry, but World War three will not be happening today. Now I would like to offer my personal condolences to the survivors and families all the victims of this atrocity, including those killed by the attack on Caracas. In the past there have been issues between our two countries, but today we share to pain of the Venezuelan people and those issues seem as nothing in comparison to the suffering caused today.”
In the refectory nobody made a sound as the presidential broadcast went on. Then it seemed that someone had asked a question about the reported existence of intelligent life away from Earth.
Would the president come clean Pete wondered
“Gerry” The president said to some off camera reporter, “I realise you were there in Caracas, and before today I was going to issue a statement about that, but with all this loss of life today, I am not sure it would be appropriate to comment at this time”
Another off screen question
“No comment” the President replied
Another off screen question
“I will be flying back after this broadcast, and for security reasons my family will be flying back later”
A further off screen question
“Sorry Gerry, I really would like to answer that but for security reasons in an ongoing situation, I have to say No Comment”
With that the broadcast ended
“She has to be alive” Simon muttered.
“I would like to believe that Simon” Sue-Lim empathised
“Miss Wang” Simon persisted “Venezuela is friends with Russia, the bomb in Caracas had to have been to do with the clan chief somehow. If the attacks were meant to make us press the button, which the president said the key intelligence was saying, why bomb a friend of Russia? How did they discover what this plot was and stop it?”
Sue-Lim and Pete looked at each other,
Could their friends be alive?
“She has to have saved him and revealed the plan” Simon pressed
“Simon” Pete objected, “Why destroy Caracas?”
Simon shook his head, “I don’t know Mr Smith” he replied
+ + +
A tavern at Faldon Harbour
The Mystical Realms
Brameana sat in the tavern along with trolls from the Ghetto clan and an assortment of bugbears. For a single troll female she was unique in that she wore a top. But then as an informal leader of the Ghetto clan she was exempt from troll traditions that made female single trolls go about stripped to the waist, so male trolls could assess their ability to nurture younglings. But then in its day, the Ghetto troll clan seldom imposed rule this on their own females and before they were supposedly wiped out by the others, it used to be a source of friction when they met other troll clans.
Vabalavich the drow entered the tavern, as he did so all the voices went silent.
“What news of the Realm of Humans” Brameana enquired
“The devices went off as planned” Vabalavich replied, “but I am afraid the first part of the plan has failed”
“What?” Brameana shouted as she got up, “You said they would go to war if we attacked their precious little cities and made it seem like the Russians had done it”
“I said they might Brameana” Vabalavich insisted, “When you told me of your plan, I told you in former times that would have definitely have worked and in theory it might”
“I will get some more done via replication spells” Brameana said angrily, “Maybe we will attack your Russian cities and provoke them”
“That will not work either Brameana” The drow countered in a matter of fact manner, “From what that so called President of the United States of America has told his people, they are onto you probably tipped off by that former clan chief half brother of yours. Why did you not want him dead, it would have satisfied your vengeance for what was done to you and your mother”
“But not enough” Brameana growled “I want him to suffer. I want him to see his friends slaughtered. I want the blood of innocents on his conscience. It will be a living vengeance”
“Yet you needed him to appear murdered by the humans” Vabalavich replied.
“How else can I have the excuse to go to war, if not to avenge my murdered half-brother?” Brameana sneered, “Tell me my love” she asked, “You did not use your healing potion after you shot him, so who did the humans send?”
“I believe her name was Celeste” Vabalavich replied, “She had healed some youngling belonging to a Mexican diplomat, so I knew when I saw her, she could heal our troll friend after I shot him. It was really funny seeing her naked there surrendering in front of me. It was hard for me not to give away that I could see through her invisibility”
“Anyway” Brameana said with annoyance, “It matters not since this plan of mine to soften the humans up, before conquest and Gal-Ha-Din, by getting them to wipe most of them selves out has failed”
Vabalavich grinned, “My dear Brameana, you will have your victory”
“How?” Brameana demanded.
“Those foolish humans” Vabalavich went on, “They built even greater bombs than the ones we stole at first”
Brameana’s eyes lit up, “And you have some?”
“I have one, I stole just before the humans could dismantle it under one of their pathetic arms treaties” Vabalavich replied, “The humans call it a Hydrogen bomb, and with the replication spells, one is enough to create as many as it will take”
“And that will make them go to war with each other?” Brameana asked
“No my love” Vabalavich grinned, “We will make war on them directly. We will use their own weapons against them to force them to surrender to your rule”
Brameana grinned, “That is so delicious” she drooled
“What is more” the drow went on, “My people are in position to deal with the Drow High council and the team of that meddlesome Major Bolak. Once we have our first replica bomb, I have the perfect first target”
“Meanwhile My love” Brameana cut in, “I used one of the smaller ones to destroy a whole troll army that was sent to counter our invasion at Faldon”
“And I suspect, they would not have stood a chance” Vabalavich asked
“Indeed” Brameana confirmed, “Every last one was incinerated”
“And with the Central City under control of your half brother’s deputy” Vabalavich went on, “we will be unstoppable”
Brameana and Vabalavich then embraced and kissed each other.
Vabalavich then pulled back, “I have also taken the liberty of dealing with that US President as well”
“What have you done my love” Brameana said intrigued at what her drow lover had been up to.
“I have released certain small allies that your father once imprisoned. After they have done with him, their voracious appetites will cause the humans considerable problems using their flying machines, which will help us when we strike. And this time my love we will succeed”
“We had better” growled Brameana and then she turned to the rest of the bar, “Friends” she shouted, “Too long we have had to put up with exile to the far islands. Too long we have had to put up with the injustice with which we have been treated. When we take the Realm of Humans, then they will have no choice but to bow the knee to us. Victory is ours”
At this the whole tavern erupted in cheering
+ + +
Air Force One
Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean
The captain of the Air force one looked out at the clouds in front, the flight looked like it would be uneventful. Their main destination would be for Charlotte in North Carolina, since that airport was still working.
Suddenly the plane started shuddering, yet the weather did not indicate there should be a problem.
“I’m going to change altitude in case this is just
CAT” the Captain said
The captain tried to manoeuvre the plane, but for some reason the controls were not responding and the shaking was getting worse.
Suddenly the lights went off as well as the computer displays.
“S**t” yelled the captain, “What the hell is going on”
“Sir” Yelled the flight engineer, “It’s like the main power cables have been severed”
“This is a Boeing for crying out loud” The captain swore, “That’s not supposed to happen.”
Then they heard noises as if someone from outside was hammering on the fuselage”
“Captain” The First officer yelled, “The port wing”
The captain unbuckled his seat belt and just about managed to stand up to look out at the port wing.
There to his horror were several green humanoid creatures, all ripping apart the wing
Then the engines stalled
The captain sat back down and grabbed the radio, “This is the captain” he said into the intercom, “Please fasten you safety belts” and then he tried the radio, “May Day May Day” he yelled, “This is Air Force One we are under attack from unknown creatures”
Suddenly one of the creatures appeared on the windscreen, laughing cruelly, followed by another
“Repeat” Yelled the captain, “This is Air Force One, and we are under attack”
Suddenly the two creatures smashed through the windscreen, exposing the crew on the flight deck to the rushing wind. In they went ripping the throats of the captain, the first officer and finally the two of them grabbed the flight engineer. Laughing as they went, the two creatures picked him up and threw him alive, out of the window.
The plane was now in a nose dive, uncontrolled. The two creatures laughed with glee and then with their friends left the aircraft to it’s fate, as it plummeted into the Atlantic, killing all the remaining crew and passengers, including the President of the United States of America.
To be continued