Episode I –Invidious Deals
Washington DC
United States of America
22 October 1962
The middle aged forty five year old man wearing a black suit and tie sat down at his desk. On the desk in front of him was a small angled lectern equipped with two microphones. On the lectern was what could be the most important speech of his life.
Across on the other side of his desk in his office were a number of television cameras waiting for him to begin his speech.
The man waited, and then was given the cue to speak. Then, with both hands on the paper of his speech, he began.
“Good evening my fellow citizens. This Government, as promised, has maintained the closest surveillance of the Soviet Military build up on the island of Cuba. Within the past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of offensive missile sites is now in preparation on that imprisoned island. The purpose of these bases can be none other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the Western Hemisphere.”
The man then briefly looked at his notes and continued, “Upon receiving the first preliminary hard information of this nature last Tuesday morning at nine ay em., I directed that our surveillance be stepped up. And having now confirmed and completed our evaluation of the evidence and our decision on a course of action, this Government feels obliged to report this new crisis to you in fullest detail. The characteristics of these new missile sites indicate two distinct types of installations. Several of them include medium range ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead for a distance of more than one thousand nautical miles. Each of these missiles, in short, is capable of striking Washington, D.C., the Panama Canal, Cape Canaveral, Mexico City, or any other city in the south eastern part of the United States, in Central America, or in the Caribbean area.”
The man then continued through his speech as the television cameras filmed his every word. The atmosphere in the room was grave.
Then the man began to conclude his speech, “Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right- -not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this hemisphere, and, we hope, around the world. God willing, that goal will be achieved. Thank you and good night.
The world was now holding it’s breath.
+ + +
Aboard the B-59 Soviet Submarine
The quarantine area in the waters off of Cuba
26 October 1962
The conditions in the Foxtrot class submarine were deteriorating as they were running out of air. Above them on the surface were the warships of the US Navy.
Somehow the surface ships of their enemy had tracked them, and now they were dropping some kind of depth charges. They were not causing any damage, but they were loud and reverberated throughout the submarine.
Captain Valentin Savitsky was tired and angry at the Americans.
This was a soviet nuclear submarine, so why should they put up with this?
What the captain did not realise, that standing next to him was an invisible human like figure with a dark complexion and eyes that glowed red. All the while this figure was whispering to the captain. The captain of course could not hear him on a conscious level but the whispering increased the captain’s level of anger.
“A captain of real integrity would take action wouldn’t he” the dark figure whispered,
“You have the means to teach those Americans a lesson they will never forget especially as it seems the war has started”
Captain Valentin Savitsky was now furious with Americans as yet another depth charge detonated. He grabbed the microphone to give his order, “Get one of our nuclear torpedoes ready and get Vasili and Ivan up here”
“That’s the spirit” the dark figure beside him whispered,
“Fire it at those miserable Americans. Do your duty” he added.
Oh how the dark figure wished he could fire the torpedo himself and bring countless death to the humans he so despised, but alas all he was able to do at this time was whisper into the ears of humans to tempt them to do his bidding. It was frustrating, hoping that the humans might take the path of destruction out of their own free will.
+
Ivan Semonovich Maslennikov the political officer and chief of staff of the submarine flotilla who had by chance chosen to sail on the B-59 heard the order and rushed to the bridge. On his way he ran into Commander Vasiliy Arkhipov.
“What does the captain think he is doing” Vasiliy asked Ivan
“Isn’t it obvious” Ivan replied, “It looks like we are going to war at last comrade”
“I can not believe the Americans would be so stupid” Vasiliy replied
“Believe it comrade” Ivan retorted, “Why else would they have sited those missiles in Turkey, they are itching for war against us”
The two men reached the bridge just as another small depth charge sounded through the hull
“That’s enough” yelled Captain Valentin, “Is that torpedo ready?”
“Ready sir” came the confirmation of a rating.
“Prepare to fire” Captain Valentin shouted angrily.
“Captain the three of us need to be in agreement before we fire a nuclear torpedo” Vasiliy said firmly
“And I agree with the captain” Ivan chimed in and inserted his firing key next to the captain’s key and turned it to the firing position.
All they were waiting for was for Commander Vasiliy to insert his key into the firing mechanism, but for some reason as the commander fingered his key he was hesitant and put it away.
“What’s your commander doing, is he too afraid to do his duty” the invisible dark figure whispered into the captain’s ear,
”Order him to agree, after all you’re the captain” the invisible dark figure prompted.
“Commander” Captain Valentin growled back, “You will consent to the torpedo launch or I will take action against you for anti-soviet dissent”
Vasiliy shook his head, “I’m afraid it would be you who should be reported if you proceed with this action.” He said quietly, “You were instructed not to provoke the Americans at this time”
Another depth charge sounded.
“Provoke the Americans” screamed the captain, “What do you call that? War has already started”
“We don’t know that captain” Vasiliy replied standing his ground, “They do not sound like proper depth charges to me; they sound like training signal charges”
“No!” growled Captain Valentin, “War has started and you will do your duty and teach those Americans a lesson they will never forget”
”You tell him” the invisible dark figure beside the captain whispered,
”You don’t need that coward so get on and launch that torpedo”
The Captain reached for his side arm, “If you do not consent to the launch of the torpedo I can have you arrested and shot” the captain said angrily
“I agree with the captain” Ivan chimed in, “They are trying to locate us so they can destroy us. This is an act of war”
“I disagree” Vasiliy insisted, “They are not using proper depth charges in order to destroy us. Our hull is not yet breached”
“Irrelevant Commander, we must launch that torpedo” the captain shouted, “Now insert your key and be done with it”
“And if we retaliate as you say we must, what will that achieve Captain” Vasiliy asked him forcefully, “We would still end up dead as well at this range”.
“Why do you not insert your key comrade” Ivan pressed, “The Americans have probably already launched their Jupiter missiles from their bases in Turkey and now they are hunting us. Even if we die we take them with us”
“Ivan is right” the captain shouted at his commander, “We have the means to go out with honour. I will not allow you to deny us from doing what we have been prepared to do.” Then the captain again ordered the commander to insert his key
“No!” insisted Vasiliy, “I do not believe you are thinking rationally because you are tired. Those are not proper depth charges or we would be dead. If necessary I will relieve you of command on grounds of incapacity”. Then Vasiliy turned to Ivan, “I do not know how much experience you have in submarines, but I know the difference between signal depth charges and proper depth charges”
“Vasiliy” Ivan insisted, “Do as the captain says, and insert your key so we may give the Americans a bloody nose”
“With all due respect comrade Maslennikov” Vasiliy said angrily, “You do not know what you are talking about. A captain is not always right this is why we have this safeguard”
The captain pointed his side arm at the commander and cocked it ready to fire, “I am still captain on this vessel now insert your key or give it to Ivan and he can insert it”
Vasiliy shook his head as another depth charge sounded, “I can not agree to this madness captain. I will not let you take us to nuclear war when we have no proof the Americans have started hostilities”
”Shoot him!” the dark invisible figure shouted in exasperation into the captain’s ear,
”Shoot him now and be done with it”
Suddenly all the humans froze
“Now what?” the dark figure screamed in a voice that sounded like rushing waters, “Things were just getting interesting”.
Just then there was the crackle of electricity and another dark figure appeared on the submarine bridge.
This dark figure was not like the first one. This dark figure was what they sometimes called a dark elf or more properly, a drow.
“I thought I would find you here” the drow said in a matter of fact manner.
“If you will release this time stop spell and let me finish” the dark figure went on, “I will be able to make these disgusting half breeds of mud and clay destroy each other and it will be out of their own free will” the figure added with a touch of smugness.
“Well done you” the drow retorted sarcastically, “Now desist from this action”
“What!!!” screeched the dark figure, “These are stinking half breeds and this is the best opportunity to have them wiped from creation”
“Never the less” the drow continued, “You are ordered to stop this course of action”
The dark figure was incensed and went to grab this drow by the throat. The drow side stepped him and the dark figure glowered at the drow with his red fiery eyes.
“Who are you to order me” the dark figure hissed in his characteristic rushing waters sounding voice, “Our kind came before even those wretched half breeds of mud and clay. You may be of smokeless fire like us, but you were formed by those things” he added pointing to the humans frozen in time. “I set this up” the dark figure pressed, “I even whispered into an American captain where to look for this submarine”
The drow ignoring this protestation produced a roll of parchment, “I thought you might be sceptical so I brought you this” he told the dark figure and then unrolled it and handed it to the dark figure
“What is this treachery” the dark figure screeched.
“It is a treaty” the drow said calmly, “Signed by your leader and one of your former compatriots on behalf of Metatron”
The dark figure glowered at the drow and then looked at the parchment. The signatures were genuine and true. It had been agreed that this dark figure would be ordered to stop and reverse his actions by his leader; in return the other side would reframe from intervening in human affairs and stand aside forced to watch from the sidelines.
“You should be proud” the drow sneered, “you forced you enemy’s hand with you actions here today”
“But these are stinking half breeds of mud and clay, and we are of smokeless fire, they should be purged from creation” the dark figure protested pointing at the humans frozen in time.
“Never the less” the drow persisted, “Your orders from your own leader are clear, you are not to make this human fire that missile. They are not to go to nuclear war at this time”
“But this is such an opportunity” the dark figure continued to protest.
“Your master has agreed to other priorities with regards to the humans” the drow reinforced.
“And what’s in it for the drow” the dark figure sneered
“We have an interest in this world, let’s just put it at that and we would hate to see such a resource squandered because of some petty feud between two groups of former colleagues”
“Once these mongrel half breeds are wiped from creation” the dark figure went on, “You could still plunder the natural resources of this world for yours”
“Except we do not wish them to be contaminated by an uncontrolled nuclear conflict that you are trying to provoke” the drow countered and then added, “Besides such a disturbance in the collective unconsciousness might have severe repercussions for us”
“So you are doing this to save your own miserable skins” the dark figure sneered.
“Maybe” replied the drow, “but you have your orders. I have an orb of holding if need be, so please don’t make me use it”
The dark figure glowered in silence
“Come on” the drow pressed, “You are a hero amongst your own kind because thanks to you those you have been fighting by proxy all this time have effectively been neutralised. You have a clear field as do we”
The dark figure shook his head and then shook his fists. It was unfair, he was so close to obliterating the humans, the original cause of a civil war that had waged for millennia amongst his own people, and now a race created by those very humans had brokered a selfish deal.
“Agreed”, the dark figure reluctantly said in his voice that sounded like a torrent of rushing waters.
“Whisper into his ear the new instructions” the drow pressed pointing at the frozen figure of Captain Valentin.
“Don’t push it” the dark figure retorted
“Do it” the drow ordered forcefully.
The dark figure walked up to the captain, still frozen in time.
”Change of plan human, your commander is right stand down the torpedo”
“That wasn’t so hard was it?” the drow sneered.
The dark figure sneered, “You may have won this one drow, but without the intervention of our former master’s loyal minions, these humans will annihilate one another in a year or so”
“We shall see” the drow retorted, “We shall see”, and with that both the drow and the dark figure vanished from the submarine bridge.
Immediately time returned to normal.
Captain Valentin lowered his side arm and put it away, “Disarm the torpedo and prepare to surface” the captain ordered, “You are right Commander. Those are not real depth charges or we would be dead already. I am tired that is why I did not recognise them like you did” he muttered. With that the captain removed his key from the firing mechanism.
“And if war has started” Ivan asked.
“Then anything we do here will not make a difference”
Vasiliy Arkhipovreplied.
+ + +
Marine Colonel Samuel Peters continued to stare out to sea as he sat on his seat on the jetty beside the two rotting hulks of old whaling seal boats., still haunted by handing Earth over to the forces of a troll and a drow.
He was doing what he could to bring food to the colony of remnants from the Inter dimensional Entity Control organisation by trying to fish, although to tell the truth he was not that successful at it.
He heard footsteps come up behind him, but he did not turn round, for he could recognise them. They were those of Captain Sandra Philips, another marine from the former United States of America.
Samuel continued to stare out to sea. What was the point in doing anything else? He had “retired” because of some of the decisions he had made just before Earth fell.
“Sir” Sandra said.
Samuel continued to stare out to sea in silence.
“It’s time sir” Sandra pressed
“Mrs O’Kerry or Mrs Andrews” Samuel asked without turning his head.
“Mr’s O’Kerry” Sandra replied, “Mrs Andrews is still a few weeks off sir”
Samuel looked up into the sky, “Really, I loose track of time here Captain”
“Are you ok sir?” Sandra asked sensing that the colonel’s mood was darker than the normal it had become.
“Andrea would have been twenty three today” Samuel answered cryptically
“Sir?” Sandra questioned
The colonel put his head in his hands and then looked out to sea again. “She was my daughter Captain” Samuel replied, “She was killed by a DUI back in ninety eight along with her mother”
At this Sandra wished that the ground would swallow her up. “I’m sorry sir”, she apologised, “I didn’t know”
“Why should you Captain, it’s not something I like to talk about” Samuel asked, “Anyway” he added, “maybe it’s better this way, them not having to live with a husband and father who sold out his own people”
“You did not sir” Sandra retorted with passion in her voice.
“I told them to surrender” Samuel answered in a quiet voice
“We were out numbered and out gunned sir” Sandra protested, “You said it your self they had unlimited nuclear weapons, a means of delivery and no way we could hit back”
“It still doesn’t make me feel any better captain” Samuel went on, “We couldn’t stop them. Bottom line, I let everyone down”
Sandra came round to face the colonel, “That’s not true sir” she said with emotion choking her words, “I studied your record before I was deployed to the Mystical Realms sir; I considered it required reading sir. If anyone let us down it was me for showing weakness because I went native out there
Colonel Samuel Peters looked up at the female Marine captain, “Going topless Captain to avoid offending a few trolls did not cause Earth to fall to those b*****ds”
“Neither did being put in an impossible position by others sir” Sandra replied, “With all due respect sir, those so called world leaders just wanted someone else to blame for taking the only decision they could take to save lives sir. You were a great leader sir”
At this Sandra had to stop, because she found herself getting emotional. The colonel was a man she respected and without realising it she carried a torch for. He was so much like her own father who she had been close to, and like the colonel her own father had also been in the marines, but he had died when she was eighteen in a training accident. In one sense she had developed a crush on the colonel but she could not admit that, not even to herself, for he was a lot older than her and it would be considered inappropriate.
Samuel looked back out to sea and then at his fishing line which suddenly started to indicate he had caught a fish.
Quickly the colonel started to reel in the fish, but it seemed quite heavy or the fish was putting up a fight.
Without thinking Sandra moved into help by holding onto the rod, while Samuel swore at the fish and started to reel it in.
For two tense minutes the pair of them struggled to land the fish, and then finally it broke surface and then Sandra let go of the rod so Samuel could place it in the previously empty box he reserved for any fish he might catch.
It was only a
Southern flounder, but it was a fish all the same
In the excitement of catching the fish Sandra forgot herself and hugged the colonel and yelled “You did it, you did it, you got a fish” she squealed with glee
“Yep” Samuel replied with sadness in his voice.
Sandra let go immediately, “I’m sorry sir. That was unprofessional of me”
Samuel looked down into Sandra’s eyes.
In that moment if Samuel had wanted to have Sandra, she probably would have gone all the way, willingly just to please him
“Thanks captain” Samuel said to her, “You better get back to the O’Kerry’s since we are going to have a leprechaun baby anytime soon”
Just then Sandra found herself wishing she was having the colonel’s baby which seemed so wrong when she realised what she was doing
Sandra looked down at the jetty, ashamed at having such feelings, especially for an older man who was obviously still grieving for his family long dead and also wracked with guilt.
Sandra looked up, “You’re right sir” she said to the Colonel and saluted, “I better go. Enjoy your fish sir you earned it”
With that Sandra headed back to the Grytviken settlement cursing herself that she had let her feelings for the colonel slip.
The Colonel watched her walk back and sighed and shook his head, “Ok Celeste I know you’re here” he announced, “show yourself” he ordered.
Suddenly teenager, sixteen going on seventeen appeared as if out of thin air. She was violently shivering in the cold South Georgia air because she was naked.
Samuel quickly removed his coat and made sure Celeste was properly wrapped up and the coat securely fastened and put his arms around her to try and help her get warm.
“I’m sorry” Celeste was only just able to get out before she collapsed as she momentarily passed out in his arms
Samuel picked the teenager up and held her in his arms, “What happened to those exercises you were doing with Major Bolak” Samuel whispered, “I thought they were supposed to allow you to use those powers without destroying your clothes”
“Captain” Samuel yelled
Sandra heard the colonel and turned around, and saw the colonel holding Celeste wrapped in his coat in his arms “What’s she doing here?” Sandra muttered and turned back towards the colonel and the teenager.
“Can you get my fish please” Samuel asked Sandra, “I’ll take her back to her cabin”
“Sure sir, but what’s she doing out here” Sandra asked, “And where are her clothes” she added with venom as she glowered at the teenager, suddenly jealous that Celeste was in the colonel’s arms she was not. Then Sandra felt ashamed for feeling this. “I’ll drop this outside your cabin sir and then I need to get to Mrs O’Kerry” Sandra told the colonel, picked up the box with the fish and headed off the jetty and back to the settlement.
The colonel stood there holding Celeste in his arms watching as Sandra walked back to the settlement.
Slowly Celeste started to come round in the colonel’s arms. She was in an emotional state as she kept apologising because she thought she had failed yet another exercise she had been ordered to do and was therefore useless.
“What were you thinking Celeste” Samuel asked
“Major Bolak told me to.”
“He told you to follow the captain invisible and naked in this weather?” Samuel asked
“No sir” Celeste said tearfully, “He said I was to practice following someone while invisible and not make a sound. How did I screw this up?” Celeste asked weakly
“Your teeth were chattering Celeste” Samuel told her “They gave you away”
“I tried sir, I tried” Celeste wept, “But I was so cold”.
“You would be in this weather without clothes on” Samuel remarked
Samuel then headed back off of the jetty carrying Celeste in his arms, thinking how he would have to have words with the major for ordering Celeste to go like this, so close to the Antarctic
As the pair of them came off the jetty Celeste was just recovered enough to be able to stand, so Samuel let her for a moment, but the ground was cold and hurt her bare feet. Celeste tried to endure the pain, which d felt she deserved anyway.
Samuel saw this however and in spite of her protestations, he picked her up in his arms again.
Just then they were met by Major Bolak, the drow who had formally worked as liaison with the Russian government, but had had to seek asylum with theses humans when Vabalavich made his move.
“She was trying to follow Captain Phillips invisible and naked because you ordered her to” Samuel said with anger to the drow major
“I told her to practice tailing someone, but I did not tell her to do it unclothed” Bolak retorted, “What would be the point after teaching her the special exercises so her clothes are protected?” Major Bolak then looked at Celeste and shook his head in disappointment, “Celeste have I wasted all my time with you, if you are going to do things like this. I told you those exercises I have been teaching you also allows you to go invisible without risking your clothes”
“I’m sorry sir” Celeste replied softly, “But the exercises hurt and it’s hard to keep the concentration up with the pain. You said I had to work on invisibly following someone today without them noticing, so I thought I better just practice on the captain to get that right before trying it with those exercises again”
Major Bolak frowned, “This pain” the drow asked, “Can you describe it”
“It’s as if something inside is burning” Celeste sniffed
Major Bolak thought for a moment, “I wonder if this could this have something to do with that human soul of yours?” the drow asked
“I don’t know sir” Celeste replied
“Why did you not mention this before after all this time I have been teaching you?” the drow asked.
“I thought you would hit me because I wasn’t doing it right or something like that” Celeste sobbed as she broke down in tears, “I tried sir but it hurts”.
“You wouldn’t do that Major” Samuel asked, “hit her I mean?”
“Absolutely not” the drow retorted, “It would serve no purpose, and I have tutored many a pupil in these exercises before and I could tell, unlike some of them, she was trying.”
“I’ll take her back to her quarters” Samuel offered, “Then she can get dressed again”
“I’m so sorry” Celeste apologised tearfully, “I tried, I’m useless”
“Don’t be sorry” the drow replied softly, “It is not you who are not useless. As a teacher I should have spotted this during our sessions. I will give you a day’s rest from the training, which I dare say you will find enjoyable in the company of Young Mr Hargreaves”
At this Celeste turned red, “Yeah” she sniffed, “He’s so hot, I just wish I could get him to be a little bit more intermit but those family values as you call them just seem to get in the way even though I can tell he so wants to”
“Too much information as the humans put it” the drow interrupted
“Plus you’re too young for that Celeste” Samuel interjected
“Sorry sir, I forgot” Celeste replied and looked away, ashamed
“I will try and work out with Shamus how we can modify the exercises to cope with this soul of yours and allow you to use your powers without having to disrobe every time you use them”
“Celeste, you are not to work naked” Samuel reiterated, “How many more times do we have to tell you? Especially here. You could have died of hyperthermia out there”
“I agree with the colonel” Bolak added, “I would never expect it of any drow under my command and I do not expect it of you. In fact as your teacher I forbid it”
Celeste just nodded, but this just put her more into feeling between a rock and a hard place. How could she do those exercises so her clothes would be protected, if they caused her so much pain, and if she did not work naked how could she use her powers such as they were to pull her weight and help the rest of the team when it came time to take back Earth.
Major Bolak then offered to carry Celeste which Samuel reluctantly agreed to, even though Celeste offered to try and walk in bare feet.
The drow carrying Celeste and the colonel walked over to the cabin which Celeste shared with Doctor Charlene Henshaw. Major Bolak then placed Celeste on the ground in front of the door to the cabin
“Are you going to be ok” Samuel asked Celeste as he opened the door to the cabin.
“Yes sir” Celeste replied, “My clothes are in here” and then she started to undo the colonel’s coat, “I better give you this back”
Samuel grabbed her hand, “You go in, get dressed and then get it back to me”
“Yes sir, sorry sir” Celeste apologised, then she added, “I think Captain Philips has the hots for you sir”
“I know” Samuel said quietly
“Ok then” Celeste said nervously, opened the door to the cabin entered it and closed the door.
“She’s trying Bolak” Samuel said to the Major Bolak
“I know” Bolak replied, “She is one of my more diligent pupils. This escapade I should have expected as she is so eager to please because she still feels the need to atone.”
“I know” Samuel remarked, “When she first came to work for us she offered to work naked because she had initially worked for a dirt-bag in England and thought she was no longer entitled to wear clothes”
“Why would she think that?” a confused Bolak asked
“Something to do with the halfing village she was raised in” Samuel explained
A look of recognition came across Major Bolak’s face, “Oh that village, where offenders against the community forfeit the right to wear clothing and have to go unclothed”
Samuel replied briefly in the affirmative
“I’m familiar with that village Colonel” Major Bolak went on, “even for Halflings they had some very odd ideas, but they seemed to work. Anyway, this need of hers to be eager to please, you will need to watch that Colonel” Bolak warned, “it will lead to more trouble”
“Changing the subject has she worked out” Samuel began to ask
Bolak anticipated the question, “No, she still does not know she can teleport yet, and according to Shamus, we need to keep it that way”
Samuel just nodded and muttered “ok”
Just then Celeste opened the door wearing a bathrobe and holding Samuel’s coat. “Your coat sir, Charlene thankfully is still in the town with Simon and the other techs otherwise she would be mean about this. Is there no way I can share with someone else?”
Samuel took the coat off of Celeste and told her that she would have to take that up with someone else and thanked her for the coat.
Celeste sensing awkwardness retreated back inside and closed the door. She needed to get dressed and make sure the cabin was tidy, so Charlene did not have an excuse to criticise her.
Then both Major Bolak and Colonel Samuel started to walk away from the cabin.
“One other observation” Major Bolak began as Samuel put his coat back on, “From what she said earlier she comes across as being sexually aggressive and mature plus she looks older than she really is, but I believe it is just bravado and she has no real experience of such activities.”
“I’m inclined to agree” Samuel agreed.
“Her motivation is to please others” Major Bolak went on, “so she acts how she believes males would like her to act”
“Like a lot of teenagers” Samuel replied, “That’s what makes them more vulnerable to predators”
“Like that, as you put it, dirt bag, Sir Sidney Gerald” Major Bolak asked
“Yeah” Samuel nodded, “Just like that dirt bag”. Then he sighed. “I have a fish to cook” made to leave for his assigned cabin.
“Oh I nearly forgot to tell you Colonel” Major Bolak announced
Samuel turned around, “What?”
“According to Shamus we may be getting a visitor either tomorrow or the next day with the next supply run” Major Bolak informed Samuel
“Tell that to Mark” Samuel responded, “He’s in charge now, not me. I’m retired remember” and with that Samuel left for his own cabin.
+ + +
Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor
Brameana ordered the cart to stop just outside the doors of the citadel, “So this is the place my father despised” she said as she crawled forward in the cart from her seat next to her consort.
“Yes my love” Vabalavich her drow lover replied, “Your father preferred the city to this place, even though by rights he could have been emperor here”
Brameana turned back to look at her drow lover, “And is it true that human”
At the word human, she scrunched her face up in disgust, “was declared emperor here” Brameana continued.
“I am afraid so my love” Vabalavich replied, “But he is now dead and gone, killed in our attack on the Earth city of Dublin so they tell us”
“A pity” Brameana sneered, “I would dearly have loved to seen his legs kicking in the air as he hung by his neck”
“I believe his family perished with him along with two former minor spirits of virtue” Vabalavich added
“I would have loved to have seen them dance in the wind too” Brameana sneered
Brameana then returned to her seat beside her drow lover. Vabalavich put a loving arm around her as the cart started up again and then went through the giant doors.
“Tell me my love” Vabalavich asked softly, “As you hated your father so, why did you want the human who helped humiliate him executed so.”
Brameana grinned, “Vabalavich I am surprised. You grew up with me while your father served as a consulate general to the Far Islands and you still do not understand all our ways”
“Troll honour?” Vabalavich asked
“Exactly” Brameana replied, “What kind of daughter would I be if I were not seen to be avenging my father’s humiliation, even if he did deserve it for what he did to me and my mother”
The cart rolled through the streets of the citadel until they reached the old imperial quarters, now repaired since the attack by the Magnus Timor cult.
“They stayed here!” Brameana said with disgust as they got out.
“It has been cleaned since then” Vabalavich told her, “You will not smell the humans. Even the stench from those human soldiers who were billeted here has been removed”
“I hope so” Brameana replied.
Brameana then looked out at the mountains, “Why could they not have built this citadel nearer the city”
“It was neutral territory at the time” Vabalavich replied
“So was the city” Braemeana answered back
“But this was more easily defended” explained Vabalavich, “They all thought the troll emperors would be safe in this citadel”
“So they thought” Brameana muttered
“But then your Ghetto clan at that time were yet to assassinate an emperor and his family
“An emperor who was weak and giving away territory to the orcs and a family who were corrupt” Brameana snapped back
Vabalavich raised both his arms in submission, “I apologise if I offended you my love, and what they did would have been done by the drow without a moment’s hesitation”
Brameana grinned, “So that was why the drow offered our clan safe passage during the treachery of the other troll clans”
“We better go in my love” Vabalavich said, changing the subject abruptly, “I believe they have prepared our end of day meal and our bed”
Brameana walked round and took Vabalavich’s arm as they both went through the front door into the imperial apartment.
The two then dined on the finest troll faire that the citadel had to offer. They had specially acquired new scullion slaves to replace the ones that had once been freed under the former regime.
Then they retired to bed and enjoyed a period of passion, where Vabalavich showed he was more than equal in pleasing his troll lover than any troll could.
Soon Brameana became fatigued and passed out into a delightful sleep.
Vabalavich watched her drop off and then got up and got dressed. The special sleep potion he had administered while he was passionately kissing Brameana had been effective. She would be out for hours and in the morning would feel wonderful and refreshed, just like natural sleep. It was one of Vabalavich’s own concoctions, it left no trace and Brameana never suspected a thing.
Vabalavich quietly closed the door quietly of the imperial apartment as he left his troll lover asleep in their bed.
“My liege” a drow messenger who had just arrived addressed him
“Jaigon is it?” Vabalavich asked in drow tongue so the troll guards did not understand it
“Yes my liege” the other drow replied also in the drow tongue
“I knew your father” Vabalavich said to make conversation
“He spoke of you highly my liege” Jaigon beamed, “He always said that you were a true Hadreth, tutored by your father from the day you were born”
“Jaigon” Vabalavich said in a more serious tone, “Flattery will only raise suspicions, so use it sparingly”
“I’m sorry my liege” Jaigon apologised, “I just wanted to say it was an honour to serve under you, especially here at Karam Tag Chou, even if it is a troll citadel”
“We serve where we serve” Vabalavich remarked “But you have a question I sense by your tone of voice” he went on
The drow looked down almost ashamed and at the same time afraid.
“Speak up Jaigon” Vabalavich ordered
Jaigon looked Vabalavich in the eye, “You are senior in the Hadreth”
“Yes”
“So why do you pollute yourself with that troll?” Jaigon asked, “You are worthy of our finest of drow princesses rather than a possibly illegitimate troll from a disgraced clan”
Vabalavich walked up to Jaigon and looked at him square in the eyes.
“I apologise if I spoke out of turn my liege” Jaigon said quietly
Vabalavich then said quietly, “You are not long initiated into the Hadreth are you?”
“No my liege” Jaigon replied, “Maybe for questioning you about your personal affairs I am not worthy, I did not mean to cause offence”
“Nonsense” Vabalavich retorted, “A true Hadreth will question everyone and everything and if they are offended then they will have something to hide which you must root out”
“My liege?”
“My lovely Brameana, is a means to an end” Vabalavich replied, “She really does have feelings for me. Feelings I promoted in her so she does exactly what I wish her to do without her realising it. And if that means physical intimacy to get the job done then so be it”
“So my liege those feelings are not reciprocal?”
Vabalavich shook his head
“Then how?” Jaigon began
“A Hadreth will do whatever it takes” Vabalavich told the young drow, “It was a job my father groomed me for and like a good Hadreth I did my duty and excelled like all Hadreth drow should”
“And now you are consort and governor of Earth” Jaigon ventured
“Precisely” Vabalavich smiled.
“But do we need her” Jaigon persisted, “She is a troll, we are drow and more powerful especially with our magics. It should be us ruling both worlds from Brack Haven not this stinking troll citadel”
“Careful Jaigon” Vabalavich warned, “A Hadreth drow always guards his thoughts and never should be seen to be grabbing power openly. We make others believe we are exercising it on their behalf”
“Once again I apologise My Liege” Jaigon apologised, “I have let my ambition for the order get the better of me”
“You are young Jaigon, we expect these mistakes due to the immaturity youth” Vabalavich reassured him, “but suppose we did it as you thought” Vabalavich pressed, “To be ultimate ruler whom would you really trust?”
“You my liege?” Jaigon ventured, “You are head of the order after all”
Vabalavich laughed and shook his head, “I am but a lowly consort in the humble service of the Lady High Troll. It is true for a time I head the order, but that will only be for a season and for show to the other drow who are not of the Hadreth. But suppose you were ultimate leader, whom could you really trust, who would not seek to stab you in the back”
Jaigon was silent
“Exactly” Vabalavich said answering Jaigon’s silence, “We do not have great leaders who must watch for the next doppelganger assassin. When we control others, we use proxy leaders, and it is they who attract the anger of the ruled while we operate from the shadows”
“I see my liege, I think” Jaigon replied, “That troll is very good and drawing attention from us”
“She does that exquisitely so” Vabalavich beamed, “We could have teleported her, but she insisted that others should see her and fear her as she made her way here by cart. This was why my father told me all those years ago on the Far Islands to cultivate a relationship with her” Vabalavich told the young drow, “He saw how much she resembled that other troll who was leader at the time and saw there could be an opportunity not only for our order, but for wider drow kind should the Lord Low Troll be removed from office”
“Your father was very wise my liege” Jaigon told his leader
“As was yours” Vabalavich reciprocated, “But you have not come to discuss the Lady High Troll”
“No my liege” Jaigon admitted, “I was asked if you would be interested in seeing the prisoner before we put her to death”
“Prisoner?” Vabalavich queried
“She is being kept in the main dungeon my liege” Jaigon explained, “we would have executed her sooner, but when we were told of your plans to visit we thought you or the lady high troll would wish to see her final agonies as we put her to death and she might wish to choose the means of execution. If you wish to see her, I will escort you to see her” Jaigon offered
“Very noble I’m sure” Vabalavich replied, “But if you don’t mind I will go there on my own, you are dismissed”
“You do not trust me” Jaigon asked
Vabalavich smiled at the young drow, “We will make a Hadreth of you yet”
Vabalavich now in common tongue ordered one of the troll sentries to accompany him down to the dungeon.
Trolls were least likely to plant a dagger between his shoulder blades, as to a troll that would not be honourable, the fools that they were
After a while they reached the dungeon to be met by a troll general of the Manjura clan who was loyal to the new clan chief of the Manjura by family connections.
“You have a prisoner I understand” Vabalavich asked
“Yes Consort” the troll general replied, “We have kept her alive just long enough so you could see her before her execution. It is scheduled for tomorrow”
Vabalavich looked in to the cell and saw a female human, naked and in chains looking despondent. Her head had been shaved and there were bruises all over her body.
“Explain” Vabalavich demanded
“I can my liege” Another drow responded
“Then do so” Vabalavich demanded.
“I was tasked with delivering the first of the nuclear devices to that city called Washington DC” the other drow explained, “Given the nature of the target I thought it would be expedient if we captured the head of the human’s Inter Dimensional Entity Control organisation for later interrogation concerning the location of any other bases”
“OK” Vabalavich responded, “That sounds like a reasonable idea, but why did you not inform me and I could have been here earlier”
“I thought that you were busy my liege” the other drow answered back, “I believed that I could handle it”
“So” Vabalavich went on in a sneering tone, “you could get all the glory and prestige all for your self”
“No my liege” The drow countered, “I would never do that”
“Of course not” Vabalavich mocked
“Tell him” the troll interrupted
“SILENCE” The other drow interrupted
“Oh no” Vabalavich said to the troll, “Do go on, what should I be told?”
The other drow looked at the floor suspiciously, “She may still be of some value, if nothing else but to please her imperial highness over the manner of her execution”
“Tell me what” Vabalavich insisted
“This female is not the head of that organisation” the troll said contemptuously, “She is but a minion and should have been hanged ages ago rather than waste your time on the worthless wretch”
“But I am intrigued” Vabalavich responded
“She says she is something called a Pee Ay” the other drow admitted
“You have a PA and you did not realise her value in terms of intelligence?” Vabalavich questioned
“She is but a minion” the troll insisted.
“From my time in Russia” Vabalavich went on, “Pee Ays or Personal Assistants sometimes had more knowledge of their organisation than their so called designated leaders”
“I did not know that” the other drow conceded.
“So you stopped interrogating her once you established that she was not the head of the human’s IDEC” Vabalavich asked
“There seemed little point at the time” the other drow admitted, “But with what you say, I will interrogate her further”
“No you will not” Vabalavich insisted, “I will do this personally. Now what is her name?”
“Sophie Mitchell she said” the troll cut in, much to the annoyance of the other drow
“Thank you” Vabalavich said to the troll, “You may leave us”
“Yes my liege” the troll replied
“Not you” Vabalavich snapped back
“Oh right” the other drow said looking confused
“You my friend are to leave Karam Tag Chou and return home” Vabalavich said with anger in his voice, “You have obviously proved that you need more training in dealing with prisoners”
“I apologise my Liege” the drow replied, saluted and left
“Open up” Vabalavich ordered
The troll took the keys and opened the door to the cell.
Sophie looked up, shivering with cold and in terror at the face of yet another drow come to physically assault her for not giving “the correct answers”. “Please” she pleaded. “I’m just a PA I don’t know of any other bases or the location of any resistance”
Vabalavich stared at her with his piercing dark eyes which seemed to sear Sophie from inside. She wanted to look away, but was unable to. This drow was obviously using some kind of psychic powers the other drow did not possess or even think of using.
“Troll” Vabalavich ordered, “Bring our guest clothing and undo that chain, with such a pathetic creature shackles are not required”
The troll leant over and removed the shackles, revealing the sores around Sophie’s neck, wrists and ankles.
“I will go and bring the female a skirt then” the troll grunted
“You will bring her a tunic as well” Vabalavich ordered
“But she is not a married female” the troll objected.
“This may be a troll citadel sergeant” Vabalavich said with force, “but this is a drow operation, now do it”
“As you wish Consort” the troll replied, bowed and left.
“As for you my dear” Vabalavich said to Sophie as he took out a small vial, “This will take care of those injuries from that other drow’s incompetent interrogation”
Sophie recognised the vial from descriptions she half remembered, it was a healing potion. Carefully she took it and drank the potion in one go. Immediately all the physical injuries she had sustained vanished.
“Now tell me dear” Vabalavich asked in a menacing tone, “Why did that other incompetent drow think you were the enigmatic Kathryn cooper?”
Sophie looked up, terrified at this other drow who had come to torment her, the only way to avoid a beating or worse was to tell the truth. After all this time, did it matter now, since they had told her everyone she knew had died? “My computer was down” Sophie began and the technician who was due to fix it was taken to see a friend in hospital. Miss Cooper said she had to attend a meeting so she said I could use hers”
“That would explain why that stupid drow thought you were your superior” Vabalavich said softly, “But it seems odd that a critical person like a technician would be given time off work when they were needed to repair such important items”
Sophie looked into the darkness of the cell, “Miss Cooper could not trust him that day”
“Was he an untrustworthy person” Vabalavich asked, “For such a secret organisation it would be bizarre to employ someone considered unworthy to repair the computer of a personal assistant”
“He wanted to save his girlfriend” Sophie said too shell shocked to realise what she was revealing, “He had a condition that made him get obsessions”
“So what had happened to this technician’s mate then?” Vabalavich probed
“She was reported arrested in South America”
Something then struck Vabalavich as being familiar, so he knelt down hand grabbed Sophie’s head in both hands and closed his eyes.
Sophie was speechless in terror; this drow had only healed her so he could start beating her afresh.
But no, he let go and grinned, “So his little girlfriend was Celeste and she stayed with you”
“She was only sixteen” Sophie protested, “There was nobody else”
Just then the troll arrived with clothing, “Here are the garments you requested” the troll said to Vabalavich, “Including the tunic, which as a single female she is not entitled to”
“Put them on” Vabalavich ordered Sophie
Quickly Sophie complied, it felt strange to be wearing clothes after all this time such as they were, but they felt good, even if they did scratch.
“So you wanted to look her best for the gallows” The troll remarked, “Shall I order a trap door are will you be hanging her slowly. Slowly is better as I hear our imperial”
Sophie cried out in terror and started pleading for her life.
Vabalavich interrupted, “There will be no hangings tonight or tomorrow Troll”
“Consort?” the troll queried
“This human is far too valuable to put to death just yet” Vabalavich answered back, “She could be the key to locating and eradicating the so called resistance on the Realm of Humans”
“But I don’t know where they are” Sophie whimpered
“But my dear” Vabalavich whispered, “You have no idea what a true drow of the Hadreth order can do”
+ + +
Commander Mark Johnston another former US Marine, stood at the dock alongside Shamus McTuckle the leprechaun from the former Irish special Diplomatic service and Padow, the former Clan Chief of the Manjura troll clan.
A secret supply boat had arrived from the Falkland Islands. Ostensibly it was out fishing in the waters of the south Atlantic, but in reality they had landed at Gytvicken in South Georgia to drop off badly needed supplies such as food, clothing and equipment. Luckily the distraction spell over the island had held and the eye of the drow was elsewhere. The spell even seemed to work against satellites.
The master of the boat started using his crane to unload the boat while other members of the crew assisted with unloading.
A pixie came up on deck and mad his way across the gangplank to the dock side.
“I can’t see why I can not teleport off this boat” the pixie complained
“You know why” Shamus retorted
“Oh yes” the pixie replied sarcastically, “They might spot me doing so”
“Exactly” Shamus replied
“Any news from the outside world” Padow enquired
The pixie shook his head, “Not really Clan chief of the Manjura, just the usual rounds of executions of enemies of Brameana” the pixie replied.
“I appreciate the sentiment with regards to my name pixie” Padow told the pixie, “But as my position as head of the clan has been stolen from me I am forced to use the name my mother gave me”
“My mistake” the pixie replied, “But I’m glad someone appreciates us Cornish Pixies” the pixie added. It was of course a barbed comment aimed at Shamus.
Leprechauns and pixies do not usually get on
“We appreciate all that you have done” Mark cut in, “I realise what a risk you run just speaking to us”
“That’s ok” the pixie replied.
“You do know the usual procedure when you leave” Shamus pressed
“Wipe their memories of this mission once we get into international waters” the pixie replied with a tired sarcastic tone.
“I hope you don’t do that to me” said the voice of an elderly man as he emerged from below decks carrying a holdall.
“You” was all Mark could say on seeing this elderly man, “Come to gloat?” Mark asked, “Come to say we told you so” he added.
The elderly man skilfully disembarked from the boat and adjusted his coat and hat. “That is unfair commander” the elderly man replied once he was on the dockside. “I’ll have you know that quite a number of my compatriots who shall we say, were of a sceptical persuasion were caught in that first blast in DC”
“So what brings you here Mr Vee” Shamus opened with, “We are working on a plan to try and fight back and retake this world”
“So I see” Mr Vee replied, “You’ve not been very successful at it have you”
“Now that’s not fair sir” Mark cut in, “Your daughter, Charlene and Simon have been working their socks offto try and find a way to use the artificial wormhole generators without triggering sky-guard, but it’s hard without the official specs”
“Maybe this will help” Mr Vee said as he pulled from his pocket a flash drive, “Full specifications of sky guard and the various frequencies they monitor if you must try and do this the hard way”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Mark asked as he took the flash drive
Mr Vee ignored the question and went over to the troll offering his right hand.
The troll glared at him ignoring the gesture of friendship. “I heard you were the one who appointed that Mr Blue to the Facility” he said with venom
“That was not just me” Mr Vee replied as he took his arm back, “A number of us made the recommendation, but that’s ancient history now”
“Is that how you absolve yourself of what happened there before they had that change of management” Padow answered back, “declare it ancient history and forget about it”
“We don’t have time for this” Shamus interrupted, “Why have you come here” he asked, “Do you not realise how much risk you put us all at, just by coming here”
“I do” Mr Vee replied, “But with what I have heard and seen, I felt I had to make this journey to see you all”
“Ok” Mark cut in, “I’ll bite, what have you heard?”
Mr Vee turned back to the troll, “Well first I have good news for you”
“What news could you bring me Mr Vee that I would consider good?” Padow growled.
“Your father is alive” Mr Vee said in a matter of fact manner
“You’re wrong!” Padow exclaimed as he shook his head, “Everyone knows he was killed by the orcs when the Spirit of Lust started that civil war. I saw his remains”
“That was your uncle” Mr Vee replied
“Uncle” Padow replied in disbelief, “My Uncle died cycles before I was even conceived, slain by a doppelganger assassin. My father killed it before they could find out who hired it”
“That’s where you are wrong” Mr Vee insisted, “Your father had another brother by the name of Midah. He was his twin brother. Your father kept his existence secret to all but a trusted few”
“Why would he do that” Padow said accusingly, “Why would he not tell me, his own son if this were so. What lies are these you are peddling?”
“I thought would not believe this” Mr Vee muttered and then pulled from his pocket a large band of metal. It was a troll signet ring. “Do you recognise this?”
Padow snatched the ring from Mr Vee, “Where did you steal this?”
“I did not steal it” Mr Vee insisted, “Your father gave it to me to prove he is very much alive”
“What is it?” Mark asked
“It is his signet ring of office” Padow growled, “After he was assassinated by the orcs the original was never found, only a cheap forgery that was found on my father’s body. It was believed he kept the original in a hidden place known only to him”
“Your uncle’s body” Mr Vee corrected
“Ok” Shamus interrupted, “You didn’t risk our exposure coming here just to declare that that other tyrant, the Lord Low Troll, No offence Padow”
“None taken Mr McTuckle” Padow added, “I too disagreed with some of the things that my father did while he was in office, that was why I was on the snatch squads, to get as far from him as…”
“If you don’t mind” Shamus cut in on Padow, and then he turned back to Mr Vee, “As I was saying, you have not come here just to pass on news that the Lord Low Troll is still with us”
“You’re right as ever Mr McTuckle” Mr Vee replied, “I met with the Lord Low Troll personally on the Mystical Realms.”
“Why you” Mark asked, “and how did you get there without triggering Sky-guard”
“Because we are old friends” Mr Vee replied, “ and I used the Lord Low Troll’s own dimension jump orb that he sent via a messenger”.
“What!” Padow angrily exclaimed, “That would make sense I suppose” Padow growled, “My father the tyrant in league with the architect of incarcerate, interrogate exterminate”
Mr Vee shook his head, “Your father and I wanted the same thing, to limit the interference in each other’s affairs, which for a long time we were good at. He with the snatch squads, which may I remind you, you were part of”
“And you with Mr Blue and The Facility” Mark said finishing his sentence.
“Yes” Mr Vee confirmed, “As for the old policy, my associates thought that some of the items from the Mystical Realms could be reversed engineered and used by us”
“For a profit” Mark interrupted..
“This is all very well” Shamus cut back in, “But what has that tyrant got to say for himself”
“Well” Mr Vee started, “The Lord Low Troll wishes to make a deal”
“No deals” Mark interrupted
“You haven’t heard it yet” Mr Vee countered
“I’m not sure we want to” Mark spat back
“What is it?” Shamus asked impatiently
“The Lord Low Troll has a plan to defeat the Lady High Troll and free Earth from her forces” Mr Vee explained
Padow fixed Mr Vee with a steely gaze, “I know my father” he growled, “If he is offering you the ability to take back your world from my alleged half-sister, then he will be demanding a high price in return for his assistance. So Mr Vee, what’s in it for him?”
To be continued