[Sticks]

Episode VIII – Into exile

What has been the most painful decision you have had to take?

To put a pet down
To switch of the life support of a loved one in a coma
To declare oneself bankrupt?

In life we have to make many decisions and as mentioned sometimes they are ones we wish others would take.

But sometimes we are not that lucky

Colonel Samuel Peters formally of the now disbanded Inter Dimensional Entity Control organisation was placed in that position. Brameana the daughter of the long gone tyrant, The Lord Low Troll has already used tactical nuclear weapons against Earth. She then got hold of bigger nuclear weapons, in fact the biggest ever to go into active service, nuked Moscow and two island states and demanded the total surrender of Earth.

The colonel was asked what to do, and his painful decision has shocked his old friend, Commander Mark Johnston. He told those asking, to do as Brameana has demanded and surrender.

But now more decisions are a foot, the USS Bataan, the ship he is on, along with a number of refugees is to be hunted down, and the Colonel handed over to the forces of Brameana.

+ + +

A command centre
The USS Bataan

“Get me the captain” Samuel ordered the first officer
“He’s on the bridge Colonel” the first officer replied, “He sent me to inform you”

“Excuse me” Mark piped up, “Are we going to be thrown in the brig”
“The captain has not said” the first officer replied
“With all due respect” Samuel began, “I want to hear from the captain what is happening”
“He wants to figure out a plan sir” the first officer answered back.
“Not with out me” Samuel said and made to leave the room.
“I can’t allow that sir” the first officer replied
“So we are under arrest” Mark asked

The first officer turned and locked the door, and instinctively Samuel and Mark knew something was not right.

The were right as the first officer morphed into a very familiar creature

A doppelgänger assassin!

“When that traitor to her imperial majesty Major Bolak teleported here” the doppelganger sneered, “My drow patron found it easy to track this ship down, and when I am finished with you, I shall deal with Major Bolak”

“So you’ve killed the first officer” Mark said as he backed away from the doppelganger.
“I snapped his neck like a twig and threw him over the side of the ship” the doppelganger grinned and now you are next” it added in its characteristic metallic voice.

Samuel took advantage of the doppelganger’s distraction as it spoke to mark to un-holster his side arm.

The Doppelganger saw it, laughed and went to attack Samuel

Samuel instantly drew his weapon to firing position and fired his clip into the neck of the creature.

The doppelganger stopped and sank to its knees.

“We upgraded our ammo since we last tangled with your lot” Samuel sneered back as the doppelganger began to smoulder, then it fell forward and started to burst into flames. Mark grabbed an extinguisher and fired it at the creature, but it was to know avail, within seconds the doppelganger was just ash.

Samuel holstered his weapon and opened the door to the command centre room. Already military police were racing to the room with weapons drawn. Samuel put his hands up.
“Stand down” he shouted, “We had an intruder from IDW01 I’ve dealt with it”
“A what?” asked one of the officers.
Samuel sighed, “From the same world as our troll friend, but this one was not quite so friendly”
“It killed the first officer” Mark said as he put his hands up.
“We need to see the captain now” Samuel insisted, “Get him on what ever radio you have” he added as he saw the officer hesitate.

+ + +

The infirmary
The USS Bataan

Simon and Celeste sat on Celeste’s infirmary bed holding hands with Shamus looking in wonder
Although Simon was fully dressed all Celeste had on was a standard backless hospital gown. Shamus still had her suitcase in his quarters with her clothes.
A nurse came with a tee shirt and a pair of slacks and placed them on the bed next to Celeste. Celeste looked at them, and was about to comply when Shamus spoke up
“Can you still do your healing trick” the leprechaun asked

Celeste let go of Simon, from what he had said the other day about his autism making him, him, she did not want to inadvertently destroy the man she adored. Celeste concentrated on her healing power.

Her eyes glowed with an emerald green light, just as before Simon’s inadvertent triggering of the magic crystal, which had resulted in Celeste gaining a human soul.

“What about invisibility” Shamus said without thinking
“Yes sir” Celeste replied, stood up and in one go pulled off her hospital gown so she was completely naked and threw it on the floor. Then she faded from everyone’s sight but Shamus.

Shamus blushed slightly and then shook his head. “Turn visible and cover yourself” he ordered.
Celeste turned visible, but just sat on the bed next to Simon and put an arm around Simon’s waist
Simon instinctively put his arm around her waist, but still turned bright red with embarrassment
“Mr McTuckle” Celeste said with an air of resignation, “You know my problem, if I use certain powers any clothes I wear disintegrate if I try and take them off for things like washing. I might as well get used to having to work like this” then she turned to Simon, “You don’t mind seeing me naked don’t you?” she asked him with a slight grin.

For a moment Simon was conflicted, there was the animal part that perhaps might go along with what Celeste had said, but as is the way that people with autism are governed by rules and routines, the rules given to him by his parent’s insistence of family values dominated him. “If that is what you have to do Celeste, that’s what you have to do” he started, but then in a voice on the edge of bursting into tears went on “but I was told it was wrong to look at naked people and that sort of thing was only for between married people in the bedroom” then after a pause Simon then said, “I’m not saying you don’t have a beautiful body Celeste, you do, I’m sorry if I came across as saying that”

Celeste was flattered by Simon’s comment that she had a beautiful body, but she saw the confusion in her Simon’s teary eyes as he tried to avoid looking where he felt he should not, she could tell that he was in turmoil, conflicted in trying accept that, so she could be part of the team, he would have to see her naked all of the time and yet feeling guilty because part of him was secretly liking it, while his moral compass was ordering him to obey what he had been taught was the right thing”

“I’m sorry Simon” she said with her voice starting to break with emotion, she pointed her hand at the hospital gown on the floor and it flew up into her hand. Celeste then covered her front with it as best she could which seemed faster than putting it back on, to relieve Simon’s discomfort. “I didn’t mean to upset you Simon” she said softly, “I just” then she stopped, she could not speak as emotions overwhelmed her, she had once again hurt the man she loved, but what could she do? If she was to be of any use she had to operate naked, there was no way around it.

Simon and Celeste then rested their heads together and tears streamed down Simon and Celeste’s faces.
“Do you want me to help you put that back on Celeste” Simon said softly in all innocence.
“If you like” Celeste whispered back to him, “I can wear this for a little while if that makes you comfortable”
“But I know there will be a time” Simon started to speak, but could not finish

“Very touching” an icy voice came that chilled Celeste to the bone, “but why are you undressed?” the voice then asked.

It was the drow who had beaten her in Caracas

“Please no” she cried as she shook her head and looked up at her tormentor.
Simon with his arm around her waist pulled her closer to him and put his other arm around her front, trying to protect his girlfriend. To Celeste, it felt good to be held in Simon’s strong arms; “I’ won’t let him hurt you” Simon confidently told the love of his life and kissed her on the side of her head.

The drow shook his head, “You must have really been out of it when you started coming around earlier” he sneered, “if you can not remember me visiting you then”
“Major Bolak, why are you here?” Shamus asked in an irritated tone.
“Why Mr McTuckle” the Major Bolak said in his characteristic condescending tone, “I came to check up on the last of the patients here”
“Well I thank you for saving the life of our Miss Wang” Shamus retorted, “But I am trying to work out what has happened here with Celeste”
“Oh yes, the Major Spirit of Virtue” Bolak replied, “Tell me child what seems to be the trouble”
“Do you mind” Shamus said angrily, but the drow ignored him.
“You’re the trouble” Simon said defiantly, “You hurt my girlfriend”
“Please Simon” Celeste pleaded, “He’ll hurt you too, or worse. It’s what drow do”

Major Bolak cocked his head, “That is so untrue, we drow are so often maligned, especially by elves who can not stand the fact we do magic better than they can”
“But you hit me” Celeste said as tears streamed down her face, “I tried to tell you I didn’t know that Vabalvich person but you kept hitting me”

Simon got off of the bed and walked up to the drow, “You’re not touching my Celeste” he growled.
“You are very brave to challenge me boy” the drow said sternly and then grinned, “You are a worthy champion of this young spirit of virtue. I suppose I better leave you to get dressed then” The drow added.
“I’m not getting dressed” Celeste piped up, “I can’t”.
“Don’t be so silly” Shamus chided her, “Put those clothes on that the nurse brought” he insisted.
Yet again ignoring the leprechaun, the drow asked “Why?”

Celeste looked at the floor and then looked back up at the drow, “The Colonel needs me so I have to work naked”
“Why would he want that?” Major Bolak asked, “I thought you humans had laws about that sort of thing, especially with people of your age. I mean even by the laws of the country of this ship you are just a mere child” he said with an air of disgust.

“She has a problem with disintegrating clothes if you must pry” Shamus interrupted, “She’s worried about running out of clothes, now leave us” he ordered
“Untrained teleporter huh?” Major Bolak smirked.
“Well I used to be able to teleport sir” Celeste replied and looked again at the floor.
“What do you mean used to?” Bolak pressed
Before Celeste could speak, Shamus again interrupted, “She had to get rid of a talisman of disintegration in a hurry so she teleported it to this world’s moon left it there and teleported back. She almost died in the process, now will you please leave”

Again the drow continued to ignore Shamus, “No wonder you think you can no longer teleport, you overstrained your ability, it should return in time”
“And when it does sir, I definitely will have to work naked” Celeste told the drow, “What ever the laws around here say, I mean they can’t keep buying me new clothes every time I use that ability. Then she looked up at the drow with tears in her eyes, “it even happens when I phase through objects and it possibly happens when I go invisible. I’m sorry everyone, I have to go naked if I’m to be of any use, and with my past record I deserve it”
“No you don’t deserve that” Shamus chipped in
“And like I said” Bolak interrupted, “The problem with your clothing is because you’re an untrained teleporter”
“But I was teleporting all over this world sir” Celeste replied, “I don’t understand”

The drow sighed and briefly shook his head in disbelieve and then continued to explain, “Any drow with the ability to teleport, phase through objects or go invisible if they are untrained any clothing they wear will disintegrate if they remove them like you describe. When drow, with such ability are discovered they are trained in certain mental disciplines so they can perform without their clothing being effected”
“You mean my girlfriend doesn’t have to work naked?” Simon chipped in
“Indeed she does not” The drow confirmed, “And as a master of that art myself, I can train her myself”
Celeste did a barely audible gulp
“You need not worry my child” The drow told her, “The training does not require me to strike you as I did when I interrogated you. Now get dressed we must begin this training as soon as possible”
“But I can not teleport sir” Celeste insisted
“Even with overstraining teleport abilities in your case my child, we can still do the exercises” Bolak countered
“Yes sir” Celeste replied and started to remove the hospital gown from covering her front
“Wait a moment Celeste” Shamus ordered

Celeste quickly covered her front again.

“You may be comfortable in your own skin” Shamus went on, “but on board this ship they have protocols” then Shamus called a member of the medical staff so the privacy screens could be pull around the bed and then Shamus ushered Simon out of the infirmary and instructed a sailor to escort him to where the other technicians were located.

Major Bolak also followed him out and at last the two were alone in the passageway.
“You wanted to speak in private” the drow said to Shamus
“Very perceptive of you” Shamus replied, “are you a telepath?”
“Just a good interrogator and observer of people of all races” Bolak replied

Shamus dropped his voice to a whisper, “Celeste does not realise it, but she has her ability to teleport back. That healing potion you gave me in Caracas probably did the trick, as she teleported herself and the Clan Chief of the Manjura here but passed out when she arrived. She does not remember doing so, so we told her we teleported her out”
“That can happen when teleporting with large loads” the drow conceded before adding, “with the untrained teleporter, but why do you not want her to know she has it back”
“I don’t want her trying to play the hero” Shamus replied
“You want to keep an eye on her” Bolak sneered
“Aye” Shamus admitted, “But if she did find out then she would be most likely trying to take on forces she is not able to handle”
“You need not worry” Bolak told Shamus, “The exercises will not reveal that she has regained that power”

+ + +

The Bridge
The USS Bataan

“He was a good first officer” the Captain said in a shocked response
“At least I got the b*****d who killed him” Samuel replied
“That won’t bring him back” The captain said quietly
“It never does” Samuel agreed

The captain paused, “One thing that the doppelganger did get right, we are being hunted as we speak because they want you, Celeste, the troll, the leprechaun Doctor Henshaw and Major Bolak”
“And the other’s we have gathered?” Samuel asked
“I don’t think they know about them colonel” the captain answered, “There’s been nothing said about them”
“How much of a realistic chance do we stand Captain” Mark interjected

The Captain looked out over the quiet flight deck at the rolling waters of the South Atlantic and then turned back to the two marines. “Commander, this Brameana and this Vabalavich have access to our satellites, other naval vessels from the countries who surrendered to them”
“Not to mention magical means of tracking us” Samuel chipped in
“We can not use our aircraft because that will attract the gremlins” the captain went on.
“I don’t think we have any choice” Samuel interrupted, “We have to leave the ship”

There was silence for a moment before Mark asked how they could do that. The Captain informed them that they were nearing Brazilian territorial waters. The colonel looked out at the South Atlantic
“Tell me Mark” Samuel asked, “Do you still know how to pilot an LCAC”
“It’s been a while” Mark replied

“What are you suggesting” The captain asked.
“Simple, your first officer died trying to stop us stealing one of your LCACs as we made our escape”
“They won’t buy that Sam” Mark told him, “especially those who hired the HIDE47”
“The what?” queried the captain
“Sorry” Mark apologised, “I meant the doppelganger”
“Well since they aren’t telepathic” Samuel suggested, “who’s to say we did not get to it before it killed the first officer?”

Mark gave Samuel a hard stare

“You’re right Mark” Samuel conceded
“You still want that LCAC?” The captain asked
“Won’t that be disobeying orders” Samuel asked
“I pledged to defend the United States of America from all foes, foreign or domestic” the captain stated bluntly, “I did not pledge to serve this troll Brameana or that drow. Until such time I am captured, killed or G-d forbid I surrender, I will honour that pledge”
“Nicely stated Captain” Samuel told him, “but I want you to surrender. Too many have died and I don’t want your ships crew paying that price either”
“Where do you want to go with the LCAC” the Captain asked.

“Get us within range of Saint Helena” The colonel asked
“That will take a while given our position” The captain told the colonel
“It will give us time to prepare our people” Samuel replied in a quiet resigned tone, then he turned to Mark, “I know what your thinking Mark, we’re running away”
“This is a tactical withdrawal right” Mark asked

Samuel shook his head, “I’m afraid it’s a retreat Mark, like I said to those world leaders, Brameana holds all the aces here. At least with the Magnus Timor we had a plan to defeat him”
“We could send a crack team to IDW01” Mark countered.
“We would stick out like a sore thumb Mark” Samuel replied, “And if she and this drow are anything like dictators from our past, they will have subjugated their own people as well”
“We need to fight back” Mark insisted
“How?”

The captain then interrupted, “Why don’t you just call this a tactical withdrawal until we can find a way of defeating her”
“Captain” Samuel responded, “Like I said, after my people have gone, I want you to take this ship to the nearest port along the South American coast and surrender”
“Sam” Mark continued, “We have three wormhole generators, a major spirit of virtue, a troll a leprechaun, possibly pixies and the best technicians, we will find a way, we have to”
“While she can send hydrogen bombs anywhere at any time?” Samuel countered
“I can not believe you Sam” Mark said in exasperation, “giving into defeat”

“If I may commander” said the captain, “Why not liken this to the Dunkirk Evacuation, then on Saint Helena, you can work on D-Day when ever that is”
“That’s easier for me to swallow” Mark replied.
“After we’re done” Samuel said quietly, “I want you to lead what’s left of the team. I think it’s time for me to resign. I promised Sue-Lim for what happened to her”

For a moment Mark was stunned, “You’re not coming with us”
Samuel shook his head, “I’m going to turn myself in. Once she has me, maybe that will stop her from looking for you. Now go and brief the rest of your people. That’s an order”

There was an uneasy silence between the two marines, and finally Mark saluted his friend, “Yes Sir” he said quietly and headed off to tell the others what was to happen.

+ + +

A Mess hall
USS Bataan

The three former IDEC technicians and Simon the lab assistant sat around one of the tables in the small mess hall that had been reserved for them.

“But I believe it will work” Simon insisted, “I’ve proved you it will work”
Charlene looked up from the piece of paper that Simon had scribbled on, “Sue-Lim, I have to say I agree with his reasoning and his calculation here” she said to Sue-Lim Wang
“What?” Sue-Lim replied with a distracted tone

Charlene sighed and shook her head, “Are you ok being here” Charlene asked
“They all saw me like that” Sue-Lim muttered, ”naked” she whispered
“You’re still not right are you” Charlene told her
At this Sue-Lim broke down in tears, being forced to strip naked on the flight deck of the USS Bataan had brought back the memories of being raped in Miami.
Pete put his arm around Sue-Lim to comfort her, but she instinctively jumped. Pete let go immediately, it was obvious it would be some time before Sue-Lim would feel comfortable with men. Pete was not sure who was responsible for this, the colonel for making Sue-Lim , himself and Simon strip naked or the captain for refusing to believe they were humans.

“I’m sorry Pete” Sue-Lim apologised through her tears.
“That’s ok” Pete replied.
“It’s not ok” Sue-Lim wept, “I don’t want to be like that with you Pete, I just want things back the way they were” she added
“Before Miami?” Charlene asked
Sue-Lim nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks
“And you were making good progress” Pete said angrily
“Shall I take you back to your quarters” Charlene Asked Sue-Lim.

Pete silently shook his head, glowered at Charlene and mouthed the word no, he did not want Sue-Lim left on her own, where she might be tempted to harm herself or worse, at the same time if she was once again nervous of men, including him, he did not want to put undue stress on her

“So we are not doing it” Simon butted in, almost oblivious to Sue-Lim’s distress.

“This is not the time or the place Simon” Pete told Simon sternly
“No Pete” Sue-Lim cut in, “I shouldn’t be so silly”
“You’re not being silly” Pete reassured her, “You went through something nobody should”
“I know” Sue-Lim replied, “But we have to try and do what we can. I’m sorry Simon, it would be good if we could do what you said with a generator, but I’m not sure what we can do here on board this ship”

Just then Mark came into the mess hall, “I just informed Jenny and the others we are getting ready to leave the ship in an LCAC”
“A what?” Charlene asked
“A sort of hovercraft” Mark explained, “They use it for taking troops vehicles and supplies to shore”

Simon suddenly got agitated, “Commander, Commander” he repeated

“What is it Simon?” Mark asked.
“I have a way I can turn a wormhole generator into a matter transporter to travel anywhere on Earth” Simon said excitedly
“Simon” Pete said angrily, “not now!”
“That’s ok Pete” Mark said to Pete “We have a bit of time and we need ever edge we can get” then he said to Simon “How long would it take”

Sue-Lim cut in, “It’s a good idea Sir and according to Charlene it might work, but we don’t have anything to do the modification with”
“I’ll get in touch with the captain” Mark offered, “To see if there is anything we can use, if we can pull this off it might just help”

With that Mark left the hall

“This had better work Simon” Pete snapped at him
Simon looked upset, “But it will” he insisted.

Charlene reached out across the table, “And we will help make it work with you” she offered.

+ + +

The Well Deck
The USS Bataan
(A while later)

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A small crowd of people stood in the well deck of the ship looking at the large hovercraft in front of them. As the main part was open to the elements, the captain had loaded two military trucks as refuges from the cold.

“I’m frightened mummy” rang out the voice of a young seven year old girl in a New Zealand accent.
“Just keep the lifejacket on like your daddy told you and you coat done up and you should be ok” replied a Geordie woman’s voice.
“I want to go home to Ireland” the young girl persisted
“I do as well the woman replied, “But some bad people are after us, we are no longer safe there”
“Will they get us where we are going?” the child asked

The woman could not answer

Samuel stood alongside the captain listening, and the child’s voice cut him through like a knife. His organisation was meant to liaise with the authorities on the Mystical Realms to ensure nobody meddled in each other’s affairs and to ensure co-operation for the mutual benefit of all. However that had come to an end as dark forces had usurped the authorities in the Mystical Realms and had taken it to war against Earth, and thanks to Colonel Samuel Peters, those dark forces had been handed victory on a plate. Samuel knew there was nothing else that could be done, those dark forces had on their side dark magic and stolen nuclear weapons. There was no defence; even so the little girl’s cry still cut him deeply.

“You sure about this Sam” Mark asked him as he came up to say goodbye, “We have space for you if you wish to change your mind.
“Yeah” Samuel grunted, “I’m too old for this game now, you keep your people safe”
“That’s the plan Sam” Mark replied and then saluted and headed towards the hovercraft as the last of the civilians had boarded.

Shamus came out the back of the hovercraft, “Colonel” the leprechaun said, “I just wanted to say one last thing to you before we leave”
“What’s that Shamus” Samuel asked

Suddenly a green light leapt from Shamus’s hands and hit the colonel, causing him to collapse. “You’re coming with us whether you like it or not” Shamus spoke out, then he turned to the captain of the USS Bataan, “I don’t leave people behind either, even if they are stubborn headed fools”

Mark had spotted the colonel go down and raced back up to him. The captain ordered two sailors to take the unconscious marine colonel onto the hovercraft and placed in one of the trucks.

Shamus turned to look at Mark and just said in a loud voice, “What?” and shrugged his shoulders before returning to the hovercraft.

“You know we are one hundred miles short of the range of the LCAC” The captain said to Mark
“If our Simon Hargreaves is right it won’t matter” Mark told him
“And if he’s wrong” The captain asked
“They just get an all expenses paid trip to IDW01” Mark replied
“And they will hunt you down” the captain responded.
“They will do that anyway sir” Mark answered, “At least with this plan, hopefully they will think we were making for Saint Helena and didn’t make it, I mean I don’t want to give them an excuse for nuking that island”
“Do you know where you are headed Commander” The captain then asked
“It’s best you don’t know sir” Mark answered with a sigh.

Before they could say anymore, a female marine appeared on the well deck with a kitbag, “Captain Sandra Philips reporting for duty” she said as she saluted
“What do you mean” Mark asked
“You’re not the only one who can pilot an LCAC sir” Sandra said defiantly
“Sir, can we have a moment” Mark asked the captain
“Sure I can watch the departure from the walkway near the entrance” the captain replied and then left the two marines alone

“Captain if anything” Mark began, “You are going with the others, they are going to need a good leader and Sam is going to need a new right hand man”
“What do you mean sir” Sandra asked, “You’re his right hand man”
“Whoever pilots the LCAC has to stay with it until it runs out of fuel and sinks. This is a suicide mission Captain; I need to keep it on course so it appears we were trying for Saint Helena. Once it goes down there’s no hope of rescue captain”
“I can pilot the LCAC” Sandra insisted, “Your fiancé is pregnant with your child, and he will need a father. As for me, I’m supposed to be dead anyway, remember”

Mark shook his head, “I love Jenny very much, and as much as I would have loved to have seen my son be born, she knows I’m a marine and this comes with the territory soldier, now get on that LCAC with the others and that’s an order”

Sandra reluctantly entered the main part of the hovercraft and Mark gave the orders for the main doors on the LCAC to be closed. Mark then made his way up to the crew section. Even though it would normally be crewed by five people, this one had been rigged to be crewed by one. Commander Mark Johnston.

Then skilfully, Mark backed the hovercraft out of the well deck of the USS Bataan

Youtube video

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Youtube video

“I’m so sorry Jenny” he said as he then turned the craft around and headed out in the direction of Saint Helena

Youtube video

+ + +

Inside one of the trucks
Aboard the LCAC in the South Atlantic

“I don’t feel well” Simon complained
“Can I do anything” Celeste asked, “I promise I won’t try and cure your autism” she quickly added.

“That won’t do any good” Pete interrupted, “He’s sea sick”
“I can cure that can’t I?” Celeste objected
“And he will get it all over again” countered Pete, then he spoke to Simon, “It’s going to be about twenty minutes before we can try the modified generator”

“Any word from those Cornish pixies” asked an impatient Major Bolak, “I too do not travel well on water”

“We are going to have to wait for them to contact Shamus” Pete shouted across, “At the moment he’s with the Andrews trying to help with the children”
“It seems so unfair that they have had to be dragged into this” Sue-Lim shouted, “They are no threat to that Brameana”
“That is does not matter Miss Wang” Major Bolak replied, “When a tyrant takes over, they must kill any children belonging to the old regime, even if they are younglings in the cradle as they pose a symbolic threat to their power base”
“He’s right” Charlene Henshaw interrupted, “Even in Earth history that happened, I remember watching a programme on telly with that Tony Robinson about the Romans, and apparently after they killed Caligula they went and smashed the head in of his baby daughter”
“We are not so different then” The drow sneered, “We may look different, but underneath we are all the same”

“I think I’m going to be sick” Moaned Simon.

“Come on” Pete said to Simon, “Let’s go outside and walk around in the fresh air, that usually helps” with that he lead, Simon out of the truck, followed by Celeste and Major Bolak.

Simon stood there breathing deeply, trying to rid himself of the nausea while Celeste held onto his right arm, resting her head against him. Two love birds running for their lives.

The drow major also engaged in deep breathing and complimented Pete on his knowledge on how to adapt to the sea. Pete just referred to the times he had been sailing with Jason and Sue-Lim when they were at university together.

After about ten minutes, Shamus came round to meet them, “Mr Smith” he addressed Pete, “The pixies have just got word to me of an island in the South Atlantic they have found. They have managed to cast a low grade distraction spell, so if anyone looks at the island, they will just discount it. From what they said, it probably does not need it, but better to be safe than sorry”. Shamus then gave Pete a piece of paper with the co-ordinates of the island.

Pete went to the truck he had been in and gave the instructions to Charlene and Sue-Lim for setting the one wormhole generator that was to be rigged to act as a transporter. Luckily, they were able to make the alterations without Simon, as he had been quite clear in his theory and his calculations.

Sue-Lim and Charlene then announced it was ready, so Pete, along with the drow set to in removing the baggage from their truck, so they could carry it to through the wormhole, and then they carried out the still unconscious colonel.

They were joined by Captain Sandra Philips, who had been sheltering in the other truck with the Andrews family and the twins Caer and Fidelity.

“Is he alright?” Sandra asked pointing to the colonel
“A sleep spell put on him by Shamus” Pete explained, “He wanted to stay and turn himself in”
Charlene then handed Pete the modified wormhole generator before she and Sue-Lim got out of the truck

“We just need to fire this up” Pete said as he held aloft the modified wormhole generator and then we can get off of this hovercraft.

“How does that do that” Sandra asked

Instantly Simon started to explain, “It’s like total internal reflection except with worm holes. In Total Internal reflection if a light strikes a medium boundary at an angle larger than the critical angle with respect to the normal to the surface it gets reflected instead of passing through. If we send the wormhole out with a carrier wave of a certain offset frequency that causes it to hit the boundary of our membrane universe with virtual angle away from the normal so that that it bounces off the boundary of our membrane universe back to where we send it here on Earth”

Sandra just nodded as if she understood what he was talking about

“Get the other’s ready” Pete instructed, we also need them to leave their life jackets behind so there will be some floating debris when this hovercraft runs out of fuel and sinks.

“Well at least there will be one body for them to find I suppose” Sandra responded.
“What do you mean?” Pete asked.
“It’s the commander” Sandra went on, “He say’s he has to stay with the craft until the end, to keep it on course for Saint Helena, so anyone tracking us does not get suspicious”

“A very noble sacrifice I’m sure” said Major Bolak
“No way” Shamus butted in as he suddenly appeared.

“I’ve not told Jenny” Sandra then added.

“Not told me what” the voice of Jenny came from behind Sandra
“That the Commander is making the ultimate sacrifice” Bolak said with a matter of fact attitude

“Not if I can help it” Shamus retorted, put his fingers to his mouth and whistled

#

Mark was concentrating on piloting the LCAC through the seas of the South Atlantic, all the while looking to see if the rampaging gremlins would consider the hovercraft an air craft and attack. He had often wondered how he would die, but never thought that would end up drowning on a sinking hovercraft landing vehicle in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, one hundred miles short of Saint Helena. He just hoped Jenny would forgive him for not being there when their son was born.

“And what do you think you are doing” Shamus said to him from behind
“So Captain Phillips has told you” Mark said without looking away.
“Yes she did” Shamus retorted, “Do you want me to put a sleep spell on you as well”
“I need to be here at the controls so you can get off safely” Mark objected, “And then I need to keep driving this thing until it can’t go any further”
“Don’t you have an auto pilot on this darn thing?” Shamus asked.
“Not this one, and there was not time to rig one up” Mark answered

“We can operate this” a smaller voice came from behind, and then a small naked male figure, save for a green hat, flew in front of him.

“Let the pixies fly this craft and come on” Shamus insisted, “You have a son that will need a father when he’s born”

Mark let go of the controls and immediately pixies took up the handling of them, then he followed Shamus down the ladder onto the cargo deck where Pete was powering up the wormhole generator.

Soon a green dot appeared which expanded.

First to go through was Shamus, he insisted because they were still uncertain that transporting from a moving vessel to a stationary point would work, part of the modification was to try and deal with a certain pesky law of physics, namely the law of conservation of linear momentum. If it did not work out, Shamus would be just able to teleport back to the craft to warn them.

He passed through.

After ten long seconds, he reappeared in the wormhole, “It seems to be working, now come on through” and then he went back through the wormhole.

Then the exodus began, first the Andrews family, Graeme Andrews carried his young son Paul as a very pregnant Angela lead Sarah through the green vortex, followed by Caer and Fidelity jumping through, hand in hand.

Following close behind the twins went the two other leprechauns, Mitch and Cherry O’Kerry

Next Celeste and Simon went through, hand in hand.

Charlene and Sandra went next

Major Bolak and Mark then carried Samuel through accompanied by Jenny Green, until finally it was just Pete and Sue-Lim alone on the hovercraft.

“It does not seem right Pete us running away like this” Sue-Lim said with a sad voice, “It feels like they have won”
“I know” agreed Pete, “But the colonel was right, this Brameana certainly knew how to hit us”
“I do still want to marry you Pete” Sue-Lim admitted, “I’m sorry about earlier”
“That’s ok, you need more time, I should have realised” Pete replied, “I think we better go now”

Then the two held hands and jumped into the green vortex.

After which it dissipated, leaving the pixies alone to pilot the LCAC until it could go nor further

#

Samuel started to come round. The last thing he remembered was standing on the well deck of the USS Bataan.

Now he was on a bed in a hut of some kind. Slowly he got himself up and sat on the edge of the bed such as it was and slipped his shoes on. On the other side of the room was Shamus McTuckle.
“You did this to me didn’t you” Samuel accused
“You gave me no choice” Shamus responded in kind, “I am not loosing you to delight the whim of some jumped up troll who thinks she should have been allowed to take over being a tyrant from her long dead and unlamented father”
“I should have known” Samuel muttered then he spoke up, “This changes nothing Shamus, Mark is in charge because I have no business leading them”
“Why?” Shamus interrupted, “Because you had to make the devil’s own judgement call” Shamus added before continuing, “Ok so you told Earth to give in to that low life scum who calls herself Brameana the Lady High Troll, but don’t you humans have a saying, He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. She may have won this round, but I’ll be damned if I don’t find a way free your world and mine”
“Nice sentiment” Shamus, Samuel interrupted “But a troll with dimension jump orbs, magic and an unlimited supply of nuclear weapons, how?”
“So we have to be smart this time” Shamus interrupted back, “We are not going to give up”

“Sorry Shamus” Samuel said quietly, “I promised Sue-Lim I would stand down after what I put her through”
“You still upset about that?” Shamus angrily said, “Charlene has” Shamus tried to continue, but Samuel ignored the leprechaun and headed out of the door.
“Where are you going” Shamus asked and then followed Samuel out of the front door of the cabin

It was a wondrous sight that hit Samuel as he strode out of the hut. There was a large mountain overlooking a bay, it looked beautiful and the air was crystal clear and cold.

“Where are we” he asked Shamus who finally caught up.
“This is Grytviken, South Georgia, a little further south than Saint Helena, and much too cold for bugbears or orcs” Shamus answered

. . o o O O 0 O O o o . .

From the Journals of Graeme Andrew

As the days have turned into weeks here on South Georgia we have managed to hear how this Brameana, or to use her new title The Lady High troll, has been consolidating her hold on our world. We have got this information mostly by her propaganda on various radio stations we can just about pick up here in Grytviken, which is the only electronic form of intelligence we can get, given we do not have the internet. (According to Shamus and the commander it would be dangerous to connect as that could tip people off to our presence)

There was an attempt at resistance last week, in Budapest. Apparently a group of protesters held a demonstration against the rule of the Lady High Troll. An hour later she sent her reply by detonating a seventy six kiloton tactical nuclear warhead in the heart of the city, then she issued a warning that any further demonstrations against her rule would result in the detonation of a fifty megaton device. She then claimed by limiting the first device to seventy six kilotons, she was being merciful.

Brameana and her drow sidekick have a strange meaning of the word “mercy”

Another example of her so called mercy was when a plea was made about the remaining crew of the International Space Station. The release of the gremlins, and the destruction of the Cape Canaveral launch site meant they had no way of safely returning to Earth. Brameana’s response?

She detonated one of those tactical nuclear weapons right next to the station and then informed us all that Brameana does not grant any favours to the vanquished and she expects total obedience.

Well at least the crew were spared a slow lingering death

Apart from the previously mentioned radio as a source for news, sometimes a pixie has brought us news from our world and the Mystical Realms. The way this has to be done is that the pixie gates to one of the South Sandwich Islands and travel to South Georgia by a fishing boat owned by someone in the Falkland Islands. This was done at the request of Commander Johnston, and in light of what happened in Budapest, this is the only form of resistance that Shamus and the commander will counternance.

When I managed to persuade Shamus to let me look at the report it made grim reading

After all the countries surrendered, the Lady High Troll assisted by her Drow consort Lord Vabalvich rounded up those leaders and their immediate families who were left, including religious leaders, and they were removed to the Mystical Realms. There they were summarily executed after being declared guilty of being enemies of the Lady High Troll. I hope I am wrong, but I believe even our own British royal family were not even spared. The drow with us, Major Bolak explained that it was to prevent our former leaders becoming figure heads for any resistance.

It seems according to Major Bolak this consort, Lord Vabalavich was advising his leader very well.

As for the Clan Chief of the Manjura, he was angry when he heard that his own deputy had been made the new Clan Chief of the Manjura, This meant that my troll friend decided he could not use this title himself, while this usurper held the title. I suggested The Real Clan Chief of the Manjura as a title, but he did not like that so I suggested that he go back to being the Prince Low Troll, the name I first knew him by.

He was not happy with that idea either, because if this Brameana was his half sister, he did not want to be associated with her. When I asked how we should address him, he suggested “Padow” as apparently that was the name his mother gave him before his father the Lord Low Troll gave him the title of Prince Low Troll. He then admitted that the name was a Delethon name, so maybe that is why his father changed it when he was born. To tell the truth, Padow is less of a mouthful than any of his previous titles.

Other news that filtered through on a certain level was encouraging, according to the radio, we were finally considered lost at sea, and that justice had been metered out to the enemies of Brameana and the late and honoured Lord Low Troll

(I think that bit meant me after my acquittal all those years ago on the charge of Conspiracy to interfere in the Affairs of Mortals – Ironic that, as was what she has done is infinitely worse than making two people fall in love with each other on a TV reality gameshow)

They did not say what happened to the crew of the USS Bataan, Major Bolak suspects they may have been made an example of for not handing the colonel, Shamus, Charlene Celeste and himself over. I did wonder if they handed over the troll, would that have caused problems, as he is supposed to have been murdered by us humans.

On a more personal note we do not know what has happened to Shaun and Felicity and little Timothy. There were reports that the drow had not arrested them, but intelligence reports are hard to come by, as we had to make sure we do not draw attention to our new island home. The worse thing for Caer and Fidelity, is that they have to live with the knowledge that their adopted parents really believe they were incinerated in that nuclear attack on Dublin.

Shamus McTuckle was quite clear on the matter, assuming they have not been executed already, their only hope of staying safe is to continue to believe Caer and Fidelity are dead. And Angela, Sarah Paul and I come to think of it, as we were supposedly caught in that blast as well. This is also hard on Angela, who was firm friends with the O’Docherty family, as I am as well.

Caer and Fidelity have been given three little emerald like objects by Cherry O’Kerry a female Leprechaun, who seems to be pregnant. Apparently they contain the true memories of what happened from the day Dublin was attacked to the night we left. Just in case one day Earth is free, whenever that will be?

The only light comment that could be made about our circumstances was at least we could open up a Grytviken branch of Angela’s old coffee shop as we had three members of the staff that served in the Newcastle branch, Angela, Jenny and Fidelity. Angela did point out though, that two thirds of the staff would be due to take maternity leave.

I met up with the commander and [strike]The Clan Chief[/strike], sorry, Padow the other day

“If we manage to retake the Central City” Padow asked, “I ask one favour”
“What’s that” Commander Johnston replied
“If you come up against my former deputy, I ask you please do not kill him” Padow asked in one of the most serious tones I had known him give”
“Is this some clan thing” Commander Johnston asked, “Is that why you want me to spare his life?”
“No” growled Padow, “I want to kill him myself because that traitor is mine”

With regards to Colonel Peters, he has really taken things badly; most of his days are spent standing looking out to sea. Captain Philips a young female marine has been asked by the commander to stick with the colonel, to make sure he does not try and do something silly. I suspect that the commander believes his former CO might commit suicide.

I tried to talk to him the other day and it was hard to break through to him and he has such a haunted expression all the time. He mentioned something about one of those technicians from what was left of the American version of the Facility, I believe it was the Asian looking one, Sue-Lim I think her name is. Colonel Peters also in my opinion believes he is responsible for Earth being taken over, as it was him who told the world leaders to fold as it were.

I could say the say for myself, if that fateful day back in twenty oh one I had turned down the Spirit of True Love, would this still have happened. I suspect it still would have, except Fidelity would never have found her sister and we would never have had the honour of adopting Sarah as our daughter, and Angela and I would never have met and got married. We could go on playing this game. The cold hard truth is that the fall of Earth was something set in motion long before that, assuming this Brameana is the long lost daughter of The Lord Low Troll

Getting closer to home as it were, our quarters are not as nice as our home in Ireland. The irony was, Angela and I were wondering about moving from the O’Docherty farm in County Claire, because of the imminent arrival of our third child. (Before all this business with the Lady High Troll, Sarah was very excited at having another baby brother or even a baby sister. She has come a long way since the very nervous five year old we rescued from The Mystical Realms and adopted on her sixth birthday but I digress)

Anyway, I had broached the subject with Shaun, to make sure that it was nothing to do with any problems with them that we were thinking of moving, and low and behold he offered to see if he could get his other cottage extended so we could stay as they really loved having us there, or if that was not an option, as the twins were going away to university, Shaun, Felicity and Timothy could swap with us, and we would end up in the farm house.

Angela was not happy with that as she did not want to turf the O’Docerty family from their home.

It all seems so pointless now as I look out over the bay here at Grytviken

Normally the place where we are staying is inhabited by people from the British Antarctic Survey. After the UK surrendered, HMS Endurance was ordered to remove them and take them to the Falklands, so all that are left are the priests who look after the church here in Grytviken and one official who decided to stay behind.

Yesterday when I dropped by Jenny and the Commander’s cabbin I thought I better offer my services, should they find a way to take on this Brameana. The commander had a word with Jenny and then asked me if I knew how to handle a gun. I had to admit that I had never used a gun of any description, but to show willing I offered to learn. He told me that he would teach me to shoot on one condition that if he and the others went into action, then I would stay here and hold the fort.

He made it quite clear that I should stay out of any action and that my place was with my growing family. I think Jenny had a word with Angela as she was not happy that I asked. I wish there were some shop so I could have got her flowers or her favourite chocolates to apologise. I suspect the commander is right, with their involvement already they probably have surpassed my “expertise” on the ways of that world.

As I consider our situation here on the island of South Georgia, I just can not believe what has happened to our world. How could a technological world like ours fall and be conquered by two trolls and a drow. Maybe we became too complacent and arrogant that we could do anything with our technology, I don’t know. The whole thing seems incredible.

We have been living mostly on fish and what was left behind by the British Antarctic Survey team. I believe Shamus has ordered these supply runs, along with the Cornish pixies. Tomorrow we are hoping that another “Fishing boat” from the Falklands drops by with supplies. So far they have been allowed to go out fishing with no problems; however there is a rumour that they may start stationing entities loyal to the Lady High Troll on each boat. When that happens it is uncertain what we will do.

The twins are looking at what we can grow, but given our proximity to Antarctica, I don’t expect we will achieve much. I understand the techie guys are trying to see if they can find a way to use the artificial versions of dimension jump orbs without being detected by what they called the Sky-guard satellite network. If things get really bad the plan is to evacuate to the Mystical Realms, possibly Karam Tag Chou and then use another of those devices to go somewhere else on Earth. But if they have not solved the detection issue, that maybe out of frying pan into the fire.

As for that Celeste girl, Spirit of Second chances, whatever, when she is not being tutored by Major Bolak, we often see her walking with that Simon Hargreaves lad. Angela said it was quite cute to have young love. I pointed out that Celeste is effectively a sixteen year old child and Simon is a nineteen year old man and in normal times, such a relationship could possibly be illegal, Angela pointed out to me that with Simon’s autism, he would most likely need protecting as he would be classed as a vulnerable adult, and anyway because of his values there is no way their relationship would get physical unless they got married.

We need to have them round for dinner some time.

As I look out across the bay here at Grytviken, I do admit that this is a beautiful place to live, but like my daughter Sarah and Angela, I just wish we could go back to our home in County Claire.

. . o o O O 0 O O o o . .

A wilderness cave
The Walong Mountains
The Mystical Realms

The lonely old figure looked up from tending his vegetable garden at the kobold coming to see him

“Meetal my old friend” the lonely figure said with repressed joy, “You made it back from Central City”
“Yes my liege” Meetal nervously replied
“I am just about done here for today” the lonely figure replied, “Do come in, I have a pot of Gagh Root stew on the go and it smells ready”

Meetal furrowed his eyebrows at the thought of the bitter revolting stew that his master had gained a taste for, “Hmm I can hardly wait” he whispered sarcastically
“What’s that Meetal?” Meetal’s master asked
“Nothing my liege” he replied

The kobold followed his master into the cave, out of the heat of the two suns. Meetal thought back to the horrors he had seen at Faldon and at the Central city and wished his master would now let him stay here. There were no creature comforts, but at least it was safe, because nobody was looking for someone thought to have died in the civil war all that time ago.

Meetal’s master doled out the stew and like before, Meetal endured every mouthful. Maybe if he came to stay he could somehow suggest a change of recipe so it was more palatable for a kobold.

At least his master had proven to be quite skilled in brewing targon berry wine.

As they sat by the remains of the cooking fire, the lonely figure broke the awkward silence, “So Meetal, what did you find out from the Central City?”

Meetal swallowed and began, “The news is bad, Brameana, or the Lady High troll as she has titled herself has used her conquest of the World of Mortals to become supreme ruler of The Mystical Realms by the ancient law of Gal-Ha-Din”

Meetal’s master for a moment put his head in his hands and whispered “Oh Brameana our sacred law how could you”

“My liege” Meetal asked, “If you are upset, do you wish me to continue”
Meetal’s master took a sip of targon berry wine, “Please continue” he asked, “No matter how painful I must hear this”

Meetal sighed, “My apologies in advance if I offend you my liege” Meetal began
“I’m intrigued” his master replied, “How would I be offended?”

“Well I know some referred to you as a tyrant when you were in office my liege”
“No offence taken” Meetal’s master replied with a wry smile. “I heard those same claims as well. They were in fact quite useful. I saw a job that needed to be done, and if that perception was there it was of some use as it frightened most of the population into behaving themselves. Maintaining law and order amongst sometimes warring races was tough, but we managed it Meetal my friend eh?”
“Yes my Liege” Meetal replied, “You were second to none in enforcing law and order”
“Sorry, I interrupted you my old friend” Meetal’s master smiled, “Do please continue”

“Well my liege, I know you made hard and unpopular decisions at time, but what Brameana has done goes way beyond anything you or I ever did or were said to have done”
“Her defiling of the sacred law not to interfere with the Realm of Mortals?” His master asked

Meetal nodded, “Brameana is using drow, Bug-Bears and trolls from the Clan of Ghetto to maintain her control of the world of Mortals.”
“So she does not trust the trolls of the other clans” Metal’s master observed.
Meetal ignored the interruption and continued, “The use of those super fireballs you spoke of has also made some of the human authorities co-operate with her wishes”
Meetal’s master shook his head in disbelief, “What of our old haunt my friend?”

“My liege” Meetal went on, “the Manjura trolls under the leadership of their new clan chief are patrolling the Central City, but each accompanied by one of the accursed Ghetto trolls or sometimes a bugbear”
“So that new clan chief may have got the position and the sworn allegiance of the Manjura but something tells me that allegiance is half hearted and he knows it” Meetal’s master growled
Again Meetal nodded and continued his tale, “He is guarded by is own loyal trolls from his kindred my liege and sometimes he uses troglodyte mercenaries”

“Enough of that jumped up troll deputy” Meetal’s master said dismissively, “What else has been happening in Central City”

The kobold looked at the embers from the cooking fire and then back up at his master, “They have been executing humans My Liege. I saw them, herded into the main square where they were hanged on mass my liege. Some were hung slowly and I saw them kicking in the air”
“But you witnessed many executions in my time Meetal” his master asked with concern, “Why does this disturb you so”
“I know my liege, but they were criminals or those who had plotted against you and deserved to die” Meetal replied, “These were executed just because they had served as leaders of the humans, even though they surrendered to Brameana”

“We executed leaders of rebellions many a time my friend” his master interrupted again.
“But we never executed the innocent younglings my master” Metal insisted, “She was having human younglings executed along side their parents”

Meetal’s master suddenly looked distant for a moment as if remembering something he had once done.
“Something wrong my liege?” Meetal asked

The old figure shook his head, “Sorry Meetal you reminded me of an unpleasant memory of something that had to be done many cycles ago”

This time it was Meetal who was intrigued, however he held his tongue, he was aware of some rumours concerning his master before he joined his service, but thought it best to let such matters rest. “I could not believe what they were doing, but I did not dare ask anyone My Liege” Meetal admitted

Meetal’s master sighed again and poured out two more cups of targon berry wine, “It sounds more like something from the Hadreth order of the Drow than a troll, even one of the Ghetto clan. They don’t just execute a dissident, they execute the whole family as they believe it sends a message to others, I suppose this Vabalavich is of that order” Meetal’s master enquired

Meetal nodded, “Yes my liege, it seems his order overthrew the Drow High Council and put them and their families to the sword. I hear even other drow are scared of the Hadreth order”
“They were a fine order of warriors and intelligence gathers once my friend” Meetal’s master explained, “But their use of secrecy and some dark magics corrupted them even by drow standards, but the Drow High Council thought they were useful against the elves” then Meetal’s master closed his eyes and shook his head muttering, “Oh Brameana how could you let him make you break our sacred law”

“My liege?” Meetal asked

“I am sorry my friend” Meetal’s master apologised, “I will not believe that Brameana would have done these heinous acts against the sacred law on her own. I believe she has been corrupted by that Vabalavich”
“But she has My Liege” Meetal nervously said, “She boasts of how she has conquered the Realm of Mortals”
“I know” his master conceded,

“What can we do my liege” Meetal asked, “She now rules two worlds. The Ghetto clan are fully behind her and the other troll clans have been told that any refusal to honour their pledge of obedience to Brameana, Vabalavich or the new Clan Chief of the Manjura will result in the detonating of one of those human super fireball weapons in their ancestral homes”

The old figure sighed and shook his head, “If only I had not been in such a weak position all those cycles ago” he muttered
“My liege?” Meetal asked in confusion

Instead of answering, his master got up and headed for another chamber in his cave. Meetal got off of his stall and followed his master into a cavern of relics from their glory days, some of them magical. His master seemed to be looking for something, and after a while found what he was looking for. It was a deep blue orb

“Meetal my old friend” His master said to him in a weary voice that meant that Meetal was going to be asked to go on yet another reconnaissance mission. “The damage has been done” his master said cryptically, “Sometimes a father has to deal with unsuitable suitors for their younglings”

“My Liege?” Meetal asked, still confused
“This my old friend” his master told him, showing him the blue orb, “Not even my own son knew of”
“What is it my liege?” Meetal asked
“It is a dimension jump orb” His master replied, “I want you to go to the World of Mortals and find a specific individual and give him a message”

“But my liege I will not fit in there, they have no kobolds there” Meetal said with alarm
“I will give you an invisibility cloak” Meetal’s master responded” and a talisman of location”

“Ok?” Meetal said slowly and reluctantly, “Who is this individual you seek my liege”

“He is an elderly human” Meetal’s master replied, “He has for years known of our existence and secretly he helped keep the humans from interfering in our affairs.”
“What is his name my Liege?” metal asked, “And what shall I tell him?”

“His name is a mystery to the humans because he had to deal in secrets and subterfuge; he goes by the name of Mr Vee. Find Mr Vee and pass a message on for me”
“What message do you wish me to pass on my liege?” Meetal asked

Meetal’s master grinned and then slowly and deliberately said to Meetal, “Tell him that the Lord Low Troll is ready to come back from the dead and offer a deal with the humans”

+ + +

End of Season Nine

But the story continues in Season Ten

Assuming I get the opportunity to do Season Ten

If I can I may do another Tales From and around the Mystical Realms before Season Ten