It is said that the past is a foreign country and that they do things differently there. It is also said that you can never go back. So basically we are compelled to move forward down the stream of time, and our presence are but footprints in the sands of time.
Sometimes we need to look back at where some things have started. Sometimes we may have to go back to the beginning, kind of.
For Brigadier General Samuel Peters and Drake Matthews, director of operations at the Entity Affairs Directorate, along with a small number of others, they have had to journey back to the Mystical Realms, by way of another world to get past a radiation barrier to deal with a major threat. A world of humans that use magic and a world of entities that use technology, both at war with one another, both using Earth as its battle ground.
This group has landed at Karam Tag Chou, the ancient citadel of the troll emperors to try and get help to counter the magic using humans, only to run into part of a patrol of creatures that are not their former troll allies…
+ + +
Karam Tag Chou
The citadel of the Troll Emperors
The Mystical Realms
Janine, like Doctor Henshaw and Sarah shivered as she stood naked, watching the creature approach with its sword unsheathed, with others like it close behind, they definitely did not look friendly.
The Brigadier General just gave a “huh!” sound.
“I recognise your race” the lead creature said menacingly, “You are not supposed to be here from what I was told”
“And gnolls are here in the ancient place of the troll emperors?” the Brigadier General retorted.
“We are here as the Yataxal, Clavial and Delethon are not in the troll confederation” the creature referred to as a gnoll explained, “We serve the trolls as part of our atonement for what one of our number did to Princess Sarah”
At this Sarah gave a “What?”
Janine looked at Sarah,
Was she a princess?
It seemed that Drake had heard Sarah’s confused sound, “Not you Miss Willows” he told Sarah gruffly
“I assume you are referring to the eldest daughter of the former Emperor Graeme Andrews” the Brigadier General said back to the gnoll that seemed to be the leader.
The creature nodded.
“Those humans that tried to prolong the civil war you once had” the Brigadier General went on, “I was the warrior who helped to hunt down and deal with the other humans involved on our world”
“So you are the famous Colonel Samuel Peters” the gnoll leader asked
“I got a promotion since then” the Brigadier General answered back, “I was made a Brigadier General”
Janine noticed that the Brigadier General had left out the bit where he had been forced into retirement by certain US politicians
“You slew the Magnus Timor so I heard” the gnoll leader went on.
“Yes” Janine heard the Brigadier General say in a quieter voice.
The gnoll leader smiled and sheaved his sword, “You are indeed a warrior of honour” he said in a less aggressive tone, “But tell me two things”
“What would they be” The Brigadier General asked
“Why are you travelling with such a dishonourable creature in the form of that shape-shifter” the gnoll leader asked
“He is from a different group of doppelgangers, from another world similar to your one but different in certain ways” The Brigadier General replied, “he is not like the ones you may have dealt with on this world”
“I do not harm humans or anyone” The doppelganger interrupted and then sank to his knees, “I totally surrender to your gnoll empire”
“Our gnoll empire?” the gnoll leader queried as he walked past the others up to the doppelganger, “I have never known gnolls to be organised enough to build a grain store let alone an empire, it’s enough to keep this rabble in line” he added pointing back at the other gnolls
“But on our world” the doppelganger whined, “The Gnoll Empire rivals the United Clans of the Trolls, they even developed their own super bombs and missiles because the trolls developed had them. They only agreed to a truce because of the human invasion”
The Gnoll looked up the Brigadier General, “You invaded that other world you speak of?”
Janine saw the Brigadier General shake his head.
“These are different humans from yet another world” the Brigadier General replied, “Humans who use magic like the elves and the drow on this world do, but humans with no honour”
“So these are two other worlds?” the Gnoll asked
“At war with one another” the Brigadier General replied
“And using our world as a battle ground” Drakes interrupted.
The Gnoll then turned to Drake, “And you are here because?”
“We need your help to deal with these other humans who are using magic” Drake forced out. Janine could tell he was not comfortable admitting it, especially as he had been a subscriber to the old UK IDEC policy in dealing with inter-dimensional entities of Incarcerate, Interrogate and Exterminate.
“Alas” the gnoll leader went on, “there is only the troll chamberlain here who knows some magic, but only spells for ceremonial reasons, the elves who have the capability to counter magic are with the troll convocation in the Central City”
“I, I, I’m sorry” Doctor Henshaw stuttered, as like Janine she was shivering with the cold, because she had had to go naked on the orders of Drake, to make sure the trolls were not offended, “I only, knew how to come here”
“We may be able to assist you in getting there” the Gnoll then said to Doctor Henshaw. Then the Gnoll turned back to the Brigadier General, “And my second question for you is”
Then the gnoll leader pointed at Sarah, Janine and Doctor Henshaw, “Why are your females naked, we know how you humans do not cope so well with the conditions here at Karam Tag Chou due to the winds from the Karam Mountains”
“I felt” Drake interrupted, “That as the trolls prefer unmarried females are not allowed to wear clothing above the waist, it would be best if this Miss Sedlacek and Doctor Henshaw here complied with that custom. I did not order them to remove all their clothes, but if that helps gain the favour of the trolls, so be it. As for Miss Willows, at our headquarters for security reasons, our employees are only allowed to wear smocks made of a material we call paper. Those, who like Miss Willows and Miss Sedlacek who have a bad reaction to the paper smocks elect to work naked.”
“I had over ridden that rule briefly” the Brigadier General cut in, “Which is why although they are not wearing them, Doctor Henshaw and Miss Sedlacek here have their clothes with them, As for Miss Willows we had to escape our base in a hurry so she was unable to collect hers”
“But as I said” Drake interrupted back, “All three are prepared to go naked and endure these conditions in order to ensure good relations with you gnolls and the trolls”
The gnoll leader shook his head and laughed
“We gnolls have never allowed a bunch of trolls to dictate to our females” the gnoll leader told Drake, “As for the trolls here, they are of the Rachtal Clan”
“Which means they don’t subscribe to the troll traditions concerning single females that much” the Brigadier General interrupted.
“Exactly” the gnoll leader replied, “I have never seen a half-naked female Rachtal Troll up here. As for your females, the two with clothing here may get dressed” the Gnoll leader went on, “An unclothed human female does not offend us, but neither are we offended if they wear clothing”
“Sir?” Janine said to Drake
It was all very well a gnoll giving permission, but she did not answer to gnolls, she had to answer to Drake
“Very well” Drake grunted, “Miss Sedlacek and Doctor Henshaw can get dressed for the moment, but when we get to Central City, I expect you to follow Troll protocol for single females and remove your tops, is that clear?”
Janine briefly closed her eyes briefly in relief and then, like Doctor Henshaw quickly started pulling on her clothes.
Then she saw Sarah, still standing in the cold air of Karam Tag Chou, shivering and crying. Unlike Janine and Doctor Henshaw she did not have any clothes to put on. Also the black eye and bruising she received from that man with the foil rapier was quite visible now.
The Brigadier General also seemed to notice the tears on Sarah’s face and removed his coat and insisted Sarah put it on. Sarah instinctively looked to Drake for permission.
Drake looked at Sarah and shook his head “Miss Willows, No!” he told her sternly, “I told you before”
“What is wrong with you Drake she’s freezing” The Brigadier General interrupted.
“She is still an employee of the” Drake tried to begin
“I don’t see you standing like that in these conditions” The Brigadier General retaliated.
“We have standards and protocols” Drake insisted
“Not here” the Brigadier General replied angrily, “This is Karam Tag Chou, not your Entity Affairs Directorate, your protocols do not apply here”
The gnoll leader coughed and then pointed at a building and said something in a language Janine did not understand. Immediately another gnoll moved quickly to the door and opened it. “This is a bakery run by the goblins that still serve here” the Gnoll told the Brigadier General, take your naked female in there with the others so she may get some warmth. I will look at seeing what if any clothing we can muster for her, but I cannot promise anything”
“That won’t be a problem” Drake replied, “Miss Willows is used to working naked”
“But not outdoors” The gnoll answered back, “And I suspect she will need to be clothed to avoid distractions amongst our gnolls and trolls”
The gnoll that had opened the door, ushered the group into the building.
Immediately as they entered Janine noticed the smell of bread baking. Janine also felt the welcome heat given off by the ovens. She could count about four small humanoid figures working at baking. These had to be the goblins the gnoll mentioned.
One of the goblins turned around and looked at them angrily, from the way he was dressed he was obviously the chief goblin baker, “Why are you disturbing us” he asked grumpily
“Sergeant Mergers orders” the gnoll who had opened the door snapped back at the goblin, “He wants these humans and this doppelganger to shelter here for the moment”.
“Without consulting me?” the chief goblin baker complained
“Want to make something of it?” the gnoll retorted.
“Oh very well sit round that table” the chief goblin baker told the group “and don’t get in the way” the goblin added in an irritated manner
Janine noticed the goblins looking up and staring at Sarah and pointing at her.
Sarah was still naked because of Drake’s veto and had not accepted the Brigadier General’s coat, even though Janine could tell she wanted to put it on.
“And why is that female naked, what are you trying to do to my staff”” The chief goblin baker asked the group.
“Where we work” Drake began, before he was interrupted by the Brigadier General
“As this is his kitchen” The Brigadier General said to Drake, “Miss Willows had better put my coat on so we don’t annoy him any further”
Drake looked at the Brigadier General with anger in his eyes at being over ruled when from what Janine could make out he was trying to still enforce EAD rules. “That would be against regulations” Drake growled
“Drake, what is wrong with you” The Brigadier General protested at Drake, “The EAD is gone, those guys with the magic have taken it out. You set up a pointless security protocol that never caught a single infiltration of an HIDE47 and you are still trying to enforce it”
The Brigadier General turned to the doppelganger, “Present company excluded” he told it.
“Ok just this once as we are here, even though it contrary to EAD current policy, Miss Willows may wear your coat, but while we wait in this facility only,” Drake growled.
“I’m sorry” Sarah wept as she took the Brigadier General’s coat and put it on, “You’ll have my resignation as soon as we get back sir” Sarah sobbed, as she buttoned it up.
“There’s no need for resignations” the Brigadier General gently told Sarah
All Janine could think of was that time she had to visit the MOD headquarters naked so Drake could make a point, and Julie Osborne MP, the parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Ministry of Defence had out manoeuvred him in insisting Janine put on some decorator’s overalls. If anyone would need to resign, if it came to it, it would probably not be Sarah, given the apparent dim view the minister took of the EAD security policy.
+ + +
The Castle Lodinium
(The alternate human world)
Lord Samail approached the large stone font where Quaylong and Sir Petros stood
“Any luck on tracking down that double walker” Lord Samail asked
“My lord” Quaylong answered, “I have used all sorts of magic to scry this world, including those darker magics that can overcome amulets against scrying”
“But you have found him not” Lord Samail replied before Quaylong could
“He is not here” Quaylong asserted, “Unless they know of a darker magic then he and that group of heretics including the shape shifter did not come to our world”
“Maybe they are working for our troll adversaries after all” Sir Timous volunteered, “Could they have escaped to their accursed world”
Quaylong shook his head “I would not be convinced of that either Sire, the heretics we interrogated before we ensured their impalement and drowning were firmly of the belief that the trolls had attacked and killed their comrades as well. Some had even heard that the trolls were looking for some pestilence to set upon us that would defy our magic”
“A pestilence that would thwart all the skills of the healers?” Lord Samail asked
“That is what they believed the trolls are after my Lord” Quaylong answered, “But back to the original question I have also been trying to scry across to that other world, and so far have found no sign of them there, but to be more certain we would have to enter the world of our troll enemies and run my spells there, or if you want me to check the world of the heretics I will have to go there also My lord. Our magic may be superior to their vile technology, but it can have limits too.”
“I wondered about that” Lord Samail replied, “Would this help?” At this Lord Samail produced a small disc of a greyish metal.
“What is it my Lord” Sir Petros asked
“Only a coin of Toth” Quaylong replied, “But we were told they were outlawed by the Grand Senate of Magic Users”
“A very short sighted move if you ask me” Lord Samail remarked as he handed it over to a grateful Quaylong
“Using this, I will be able to track that double walker down if he is on the Troll world or the world of the heretics from right here” Quaylong explained to Sir Timous. Quaylong turned back to Lord Samail and nodded his head, “I am impressed with the range of magical artefacts in your possession”
Lord Samail smiled, “I may not have been able to cast spells myself, but I have always been interested in the mystical arts”
“Once we have located these heretics” Sir Timous interrupted.
Quaylong anticipated what he was asking, “Then my liege, we will be able to open a gateway and either take them prisoner or kill them.
“That is very noble of you Sir Timous” Lord Samail replied, “However I would like to go up against this Double walker and slay it myself.”
“With us at your side” Sir Timous chimed in.
Lord Samail shook his head, “One of the other magic users who went with you has mentioned that the heretic citadel was not the main seat of their power and that they answered to another place in that heretic city of London. He got the location and I want you to go with him and lead a team to take that place. Once you have secured it and I have dealt with that double walker we will show that world, also who rules and they will be forced to abandon technology or die”
Quaylong frowned, “Will that not spread us to thin my lord, we still have yet to annihilate the trolls and those other races”
“I do not believe that will be a problem” Lord Samail smiled, then he took on a more serious tone, “It is possible that word of this heretic world may yet still escape to our world. We need to show to those who would upset our order, that heretical technology of either troll or human will crumble before the might of magic and our rule” With that Lord Samail brought his fist heavily down upon the stone font.
+ + +
The Troll City of Power
The Manjura Empire
Captain Strang arrived at the laboratory to witness the law enforcement dwarfs yet again making, as he saw it another hash of an investigation. He had heard of the break in at the laboratory and the murder of the orc scientist on the radio that he had tuned to dwarf’s frequency.”
“So any leads?” Strang asked one of the dwarfs.
“What’s it got to do with you” the dwarf retorted
“Do you know who I am” Strang instantly retaliated with before he could stop himself.
“Yes I do Captain Strang” the dwarf replied sardonically, “As I said, what has it to do with you”
Strang narrowed his eyes at the dwarf. This had been the second time that night that the dwarfs who had the law and order franchise showed that they were more interested in closing cases at the earliest opportunity than carrying out a proper investigation. First the murder of Belgran, hours after giving Strang support in front of that runt of a Lord High Troll, and now the murder of an orc scientist working on the pathogen he had obtained, his way rather than by way of that despicable elf that he had had executed on Earth.
The Lord High Troll had a motive for Belgram’s murder that was obvious, revenge for what would have been seen as disloyalty, but what about the murder of the orc scientist. Strang hardly knew them. What could that Padow be up to?
“I” Strang began as he addressed the uppity dwarf, “was the leader of the group that secured the pathogen from the other world of humans who use technology.
“What other world” the dwarf spat back.
Strang rolled his eyes. It was obvious that the existence of another world of humans had been kept a secret from the rest of the population.
“Officer” Strang sighed, “What I have to tell you is not well known”
“We are kind of busy” The dwarf said with irritation.
“This could be relevant to your investigation” Strang tried to insist.
Just then another dwarf emerged from the laboratory carrying a dagger, “Humans” the dwarf announced.
Strang could not see the dagger properly, but something about it seemed familiar.
The first dwarf turned back to Strang, “It’s obvious what happened, those treacherous humans came in a murdered an orc. No need for fantasy stories about other non-existent mythical worlds of humans. Case closed! Now go away before I have you arrested for wasting our time”
Strang stood there opened mouth for a moment and then turned away and left. What was the point in hanging around. Through his mind he kept wondering
how could these dwarfs not see what was happening? He was certain he knew where that dagger had come from, but there would be no way the dwarfs would listen. If they attributed it to a raid by the humans again, then they would just turn it over to the defence ministry who would just shrug their collective shoulders.
Padow was up to something and Strang needed to contact his remaining patrons that night, assuming they were not all like those idiotic and lazy dwarfs.
+ +
Padow watched Strang from a dark vehicle with blacked out windows as he left the laboratory feeling dejected.
Padow looked at the vial of poison he hoped to use to rid himself of one troublesome troll and potential rival to his position of Lord High Troll. Arranging the hit on a council member that others had said took security too lightly and disguising it as a simple robbery was one thing, getting rid of Strang would be a whole lot different. He had to do it without arousing suspicion that it was connected with Belgram’s death and without suspicion falling upon himself. If only Padow could do away with that interfering council once and for all. If he could engineer the total annihilation of the human menace it would help increase his popularity, then the council would not dare oppose him.
Padow thought for a moment about the elf Callum, that Strang no doubt had murdered on that world called Earth. Unfortunately the humans had wiped out Callum’s family, that was why he was so eager to bring about the extermination of all humans everywhere, otherwise Padow could have framed a family member of Callum for a revenge murder of Captain Strang. Maybe it could be a tragic accident, after all the poison was undetectable according to Jankle the orc he had had to silence.
Padow briefly thought about Jankle the loyal orc he had been forced to kill, he had had no choice, what if the orc had talked?. Hopefully that necessity would not seriously impact the work of the orc scientists. The creation of the virus that would exterminate the humans and be impervious to their cure disease spells was now considered by all sides to be of the utmost priority. Padow’s use of a dagger confiscated from a human infiltrator would hopefully make the dwarfs conclude that it was another human attack.
Dwarfs were lazy and wanted for the quiet life, which made them so useful as they wanted the simplest and quickest resolution. Plant the right evidence, as he had done with the human dagger and they would close the case right there and then.
There was also the added bonus that Padow did not have to bribe them, it meant no messy paper trail leading back to him.
Padow watched as Strang disappeared into the night. For an instant he wondered if he should run him over with his vehicle.
Best not, the damage a troll would make would be a certain giveaway sign
The only way that Padow could safely take Strang out would be to make people believe it was a human who had done it. The trouble was, getting a human to do your bidding.
Padow grinned, did not Strang capture a few from that world they called Earth, to experiment on to make sure the new virus was lethal to humans?
What if one of those escaped and sought revenge on Strang? With suitable inducements Padow could get one of them to comply, he would just have to hide from them that as soon as they dispatched the troublesome troll captain, the human would be killed just after the assassination.
There was no way that plan could fail!
+ + +
Karam Tag Chou
The citadel of the Troll Emperors
The Mystical Realms
The door to the bakery swung open and there was what looked like the most beautiful woman Janine had ever seen, accompanied by a troll, coming into the bakery.
She was quite tall and her ears were pointed, as if she were a Vulcan out of Star Trek. She was carrying some cloth garment over her right arm.
“I am here to see the human called Sarah Willows” the beautiful woman said in a voice that seemed like a singing voice that burned right into Janine.
“Yes” Sarah said nervously
“There is no need for terror” the beautiful woman replied in her eerie high pitched voice, “I have brought you garments from my possessions that are spare”
Janine saw Sarah look up at the beautiful woman, “But they won’t be my size” Sarah said with resignation in her soft voice.
The beautiful woman smiled, “I am an elven healer, daughter of another healer who once helped another human by the name of Sarah. Eleven clothing of this type will fit whoever wears them”
Sarah glanced at the stern face of Drake, “I’m not sure I’m allowed”
“This is not the EAD Miss Willows” the Brigadier General spoke up before Drake could say anything, “We play by their rules so put them on”
“First” the female elf went on, “you must return the cloak you have borrowed”
“Yes mam” Sarah replied and slipped off the Brigadier General’s coat and handed it back to him. Again she made no effort to cover her modesty,
that would be against EAD regulations!
Sarah then turned and faced the female elf as she approached her. Janine could see that Sarah was utterly terrified. All the time that Sarah had worked at the EAD in the section where they kept any of the entities, like pixies or leprechauns who had been trapped on Earth, they were kept at a safe distance. This time Sarah was coming face to face with one, almost alone and totally naked and vulnerable.
Suddenly a white light grew from the elf and encompassed Sarah completely and became so intense that Janine had to look away.
Then just as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone.
Janine looked back at Sarah.
She was now standing there, fully clothed and looking just as stunned. It was a nice white and dark green dress and very modest. As the elf had promised, the clothes were a perfect fit and it utterly suited her.
“Thank you” Sarah forced out.
“I see you have been the subject of violence, not from these people I trust” the elf then told Sara
Sarah shook her head, “It was one of the men we were running from” Sarah said quietly with terror still in her voice. “When I was naked I had had a towel I wrapped around myself. When they first captured us the man who hit me told me to drop it, but I hesitated, and didn’t drop it quick enough” Sarah explained in her trembling voice. “It was my fault I should have done as I was told without delay”
Janine saw a tear running down Sarah’s face and noted that Sarah had left out the fact it had been the Brigadier General who had told her to drop the towel, most likely to placate the man with the foil.
The elf then produced from somewhere a small green vial
The female elf then presented Sarah with the vial, “This will at least heal the physical bruising”
“It’s ok Miss Willows” the Brigadier General called out, “It’s a healing potion, you drink it all at once”
Sarah nervously took the vial, opened it and then drank it in one go as directed.
Right in front of their eyes, the bruising and the black eye on Sarah’s face vanished completely.
The female elf then turned to the troll, “If that is all sire, I beg leave to take my absence” she asked the troll.
“That will be all for now Kindall” the troll told the elf.
At that the elf left the bakery while Sarah went and sat next to Janine.
“Clan chief of the Rachtal I presume” the Brigadier General asked
“Deputy actually” the troll replied, “My master has gone to the Convocation while I help run the guard here at Karam Tag Chou.
“It is vitally important that we speak with the Clan Chief of the Manjura” The Brigadier General went on, “We need his assistance in dealing with a group of men from yet another world, powerful men who use magic and have no honour. We need counter magics”
“You have not heard then?” the Deputy troll replied
“He’s not dead is he?” The Brigadier General asked with anxiety in his voice
The troll shook his head, “No my friend, the Manjura Clan no longer guard the Dimension Jump orbs at Karam Tag Chou. When our worlds were separated due to the attempt by that evil half-sister of his, from that dishonourable Ghetto Troll clan, to attack your world, it seemed pointless to keep the orbs here. The Manjura clan took them to the Central City, where they are held in the Judicial Court of the Mystical Realms alongside the imprisoning orbs”
“We need to get to him as soon as possible” the Brigadier General explained to the troll, “As I explained to the gnolls, this group of humans who use magic just like your elves and drow do. They are at war with another world of trolls and other creatures, but these creatures use technology like we do, and have attacked our world as well”
“Is that that other world of trolls where that shape-shifter is from?” the Deputy troll sneered as he pointed to the doppelganger who was sitting with Sarah, Janine and Doctor Henshaw”
“Yes” the Brigadier General replied, “Except on that world, these shape-shifters have honour and the trolls do not”
“Trolls with no honour like the Ghetto and humans using magic” the deputy troll said angrily, “What kind of worlds are these”
“Two very dangerous worlds” Drake interrupted
“And you are?” the Deputy Troll demanded to know
“I am Drake Matthews, Director of the Entity Affairs Directorate on Earth in a country we call the United Kingdom” Drake replied, un-intimidated by the troll’s menacing tone of voice.
“It was a successor organisation to the one were had when we had our treaty of co-operation with the trolls” the Brigadier General volunteered.
“In the last few days, both sides in that war have attacked and killed our people” Drake went on, “The trolls who use technology have stolen lethal pathogens from one of our laboratories and these humans who use magic captured our base and most likely have killed everyone else in there. It was only by good fortune that the Brigadier General looks like the commanding officer of the man who led the raid that we managed to get into a position where we could escape to here”
“And how may I ask, did you do that?” the deputy troll asked, “We were told there was some barrier that meant our orbs and your machines could no longer pass between our two worlds”
“There is yet another world” Doctor Henshaw spoke up.
“Another one?” the deputy troll said with exasperation, “Is this world invading your realm as well?
The Brigadier General shook his head, “No Deputy Clan Leader of the Rachtal, that world has only unintelligent animals on it. It was somehow formed in a similar manner to this world, but from the mind of one person. We call that world IDW02 or Aurelia, it poses no threat to anyone”
“The radiation barrier that separates our worlds does not block access to that one” Doctor Henshaw chipped in.
“And do I take from that, that you can come to our world by way of this Aurelia?” the Deputy troll asked
“Yes” the Brigadier answered
“And what if those magic using humans followed you to that Aurelia” the troll asked
“I would hope” the Brigadier General went on, “That they would be outside a certain cave when a particular solar storm erupts”
“I do not understand?” the troll retorted.
“Because if they did, then they would be fried” The Brigadier General said with venom.
“So you need to get to the Central City” the deputy troll said after a pause.
“The dishonourable trolls who used technology we could just about handle” Drake spoke up, “against magic we were defenceless”
“From what the trolls on that other world may be trying to do” The Brigadier General went on, “our world may be in danger too”
“I would have to say that is true” the doppelganger piped up, “When I was forced into servitude to an elf they spoke of nothing else but destroying all humans, even the humans on the world these ones come from, even though they did not attack the trolls like the others did”
There was silence for a moment in the bakery, even from some of the goblins working there.
It was finally broken by the Brigadier General, “Two worlds at war with one another is one thing, but if it drags in our world that’s a very different matter. What if they discover your world and decide to destroy it too?”
“I will arrange your transport to Central city” the deputy troll said gruffly and then left the bakery”
“How are we going to get there?” Drake asked the Brigadier General, “Ox and cart?”
+ + +
The Troll City of Power
The Manjura Empire
Padow was checking his emails on his computer when his intercom went. He pressed the answer button and asked with irritation. “What is it now?”
“The Council of Trolls has convened an emergency meeting” the voice came of his troll secretary.
A sudden fear went through Padow,
Had the dwarfs found evidence that he was involved in the killing of the orc Jankle?
Padow closed his computer down and checked his side arm. He wondered if he should have a word with members of the Lord High Troll Imperial bodyguard about mounting a coup against the troll elders. He could justify it on the grounds that the human menace needed a single mind to focus on the defence of their world.
But some trolls were fiercely loyal to the council and their constitution When the human menace first occurred that should have been the time to declare the emergency, but then his position had been week after having to despatch his ineffectual father, Madron.
Padow walked through the imperial palace corridors until he came to the council chamber.
In there was the council and Captain Strang.
Obviously he was trying to convince them that he had something to do with the death of Belgram
“We have heard some disturbing news” the council leader spoke up
“Oh dear” Padow said with an air of innocence, and then glowered at Strang, “I heard that some reprobates had mugged poor Belgram and killed him, is that the news”
Padow caught the look of hatred from Strang, but what could he prove, the dwarfs had already written it off as a robbery gone bad.
“We are not talking about the slaying of one of our number here” the council leader rebuffed, “or the murder according to the authorities of one of our respected orc scientists, by a human incursion”
So the troll council had swallowed that one or were at least giving that impression
“Yesterday” another member of the council spoke up, “We were managing to track gateways from the world of our human enemy to try and see if we could make some kind of counter attack”
“One of Strang’s ideas?” Padow asked, his contempt for the captain barely hidden.
“No” the troll councillor retorted, “One of mine in collaboration with our hobgoblin allies to developed the ability to track gates”
“Oh” Padow replied, “A very good strategic move I’m sure”
This disturbed Padow, he had been trying to portray himself as the advanced leader using cutting edge science to defeat the human menace. This would help consolidate his position, and now someone else could be claiming the scientific high ground with an ability to track inter world gating
“This one however did not come to our world” the councillor went on.
“It went to the world of the other humans” the troll council leader interrupted, “It seems yours and Strang’s exploits into that world caught the attention of our enemy”
“So are you saying that there is either a traitor amongst Strang’s trolls or he was incompetent?” Padow asked in a sneering manner
“You sent in a treacherous elf” Strang shouted back, “How do we know it was not one of them?”
“It matters not how they found out about the other world of humans” the troll council leader interrupted forcefully.
“I see this could be serious” Padow replied, “If both worlds of humans got together, humans with magic and technology could I suppose seem invincible, but not against our new bio-weapon which”
“There is more” the other troll councillor interrupted.
“What?” Padow asked with impatience
“We tracked a gateway from that other world of humans to what seems like another world” the troll councillor continued, “We were preparing an expeditionary force when there was another gating from that world to a fifth world.”
“What?” Padow said in genuine astonishment, “I thought there was just this world and the two worlds of those accursed humans”
“It seems that there are more” the troll councillor replied, “What I also need to inform you is that shortly after the gate opened to that world from where they went to that fifth world, another gate from the other world of humans opened to that of our human enemy”
“This changes nothing”. Padow said with the resolution he felt befitting a Lord High Troll, “when we have the incurable viruses we will exterminate all the humans on all of those worlds”
“So what course of action does the council suggest” Strang asked
”Trying to ingratiate himself with the council” Padow thought as he glowered at the upstart captain
“One of our hobgoblins managed to open a gate to the fourth world and sent a probe there” the troll councillor went on, “We have no idea why those wretched humans went to that world, as there are but strange beasts and strange plant like creatures there”
“It sounds like it was more like a stepping stone to that fifth world” Strang observed.
“Humans are scavengers. Maybe they were travelling to other worlds to look for either allies or more plunder” Padow suggested, “They saw that world had nothing to offer and so moved on”
“Why doesn’t our leader mount a personal expedition to that fifth world” Strang ventured, “Maybe we can persuade the inhabitants there, if they are more than mindless beasts, that it would be in their interests not to support those despicable humans”
“And be seen to be deserting my post in the face of the human onslaught back home” Padow retorted, “I don’t think so. My place is here, overseeing the production of the new-weapon to wipe out the humans once and for all on both the worlds we know that are infested with that species”
“Why don’t both you and Strang go” the leader of the troll council suggested forcefully.
Padow eyed him with suspicion, that troll must obviously have seen the manoeuvrings both he and Strang played out between each other and was wanting the top spot for himself by getting rid of the pair of them.
“I don’t suppose you would come also” Padow sneered at the leader of the troll council, “as the spokes-troll for the council”
“But I am not a military troll like you and the captain” the troll council leader answered back, “And I am certain we will be capable of overseeing the construction of the new weapon in your absence. I am sure that the population will readily accept that you are heading a mission to another world to negotiate a treaty with those there to assist in the extermination of the human menace”
Then quite a number of the council seemed to agree that it would be a good idea if the Lord High Troll and the highly decorated Strang both showed a united front and went to deal with the human pestilence on this fifth world.
They were nothing but “yes-trolls” Padow felt, but what could he do? Picking off one troublesome troll one at a time was one thing, going up against the council as a whole was another matter. He should have taken out this troll first before that disgrace of a troll Belgram
+ + +
Karam Tag Chou
The citadel of the Troll Emperors
The Mystical Realms
Janine looked across at what she had been told was the old imperial residence in the large court yard where they had been told to assemble for their ride down to the city on the Central Plane.
The building was very ornate one side and on the other side of the large square was what looked like the entrance to an ornamental garden. Behind all that were the Karam mountains from where the cold winds blew down from.
Janine noticed that the Brigadier General was looking more subdued and remembering something from long ago.
“You’ve known him longer, is he alright?” Janine whispered to Doctor Henshaw
“This was where a technician who was one of his people was killed.” Doctor Henshaw answered, “That was slightly before I joined his team. Samuel saw it happen with his own eyes”
“Ah!” was all that Janine could reply
“DRAGONS” Sarah suddenly yelled out in terror.
Janine peered into the distance at the mountains and could now make out eight black specs coming closer, and Sarah was right, they were dragons, right out of the fairy tales she had read when she was a girl.
“This is what happened last time” Doctor Henshaw then said angrily at the troll deputy who was there with them, “What’s going on?”.
The troll just shook his head, “These dragons are now under our control, not the Magnus Timor cult like they were the last time”
“Won’t they eat us?” Janine asked the troll.
Again the troll shook his head, “No, dragons here go after specific prey, similar to the moose and elk on your world as they have more meat on them that they can digest. This is your transport to Central City”
“On our world” the doppelganger spoke up, “We have dragons, but they do not eat meat, they eat leaves and bushes”
Janine stared in fascinated horror as the dragons rapidly approached, she noticed that Drake and the Brigadier General were talking but could not work out what they were saying.
The group was then told to stand back as the first of the dragons started to land in the massive court yard”
Again it seemed like something out of a fantasy film as the dragons folded up their wings and what seemed like tall men with ears similar to the healer that had given Sarah clothing, climbed down from them.
They were elves too.
Trolls working with elves? That was never in the fairy tale books she had read as a child
One of the elves approached the troll deputy who was now standing with the Brigadier General and Drake, yet again Janine could not hear what was being said. She was not sure if it was because of the noise from the dragons, or some strange power of the elves to avoid being overheard.
Drake then broke away and approached the women and the doppelganger, “The elves will help you get on and off and put on whatever harness they have. Remember when we land at this Central City I want you two to remove your tops so your breasts are exposed according to troll custom” he ordered as he pointed to Janine and Doctor Henshaw, “As for Miss Willows” he went on “as that dress is a one piece dress you will have to remove all of it and go naked if need be”
“Actually” the deputy troll cut in, “That will not be required of your females. The Clan chief of the Manjura along with my clan chief managed to push through reforms so that non troll races are not expected to comply to that troll custom as they did before. Some female trolls still comply, but you should not be compelled to do so according to my understanding of the non-troll accords”
Drake glowered at the troll. In times past on Earth, no IDE would dare be allowed to contradict Drake as they would be shackled and confined for interrogation and neutralisation. Now they were on their world, and in one sense the roles were reversed, they were the entities from another world.
“Never the less” Drake continued, “We need their assistance so a little diplomatic goodwill gesture will not go amiss”
“I assure you” the troll deputy insisted, “times have changed, many of those trolls who enforced that rule on non-trolls were cleared out after their complicity with Brameana and the Ghetto trolls was revealed. As for those who were not tainted, they were considered guilty by association. All you would be doing would be satisfying any lusts you or the Colonel, sorry Brigadier General may have for seeing naked females”
Drake glowered at the troll,
The troll was effectively accusing Drake of being a pervert for wanting Janine and Doctor Henshaw to go topless and Sarah to go completely naked. This was not accurate, Drake was a stickler for protocol, formality and rules, and the topless unmarried female issue had been what they were taught about society on IDW01 or as the locals called it, The Mystical Realms.
The Brigadier General approached Drake and the troll, “Will you be coming with us?” he asked
The troll shook his head, “Alas no, as I am still charged with the defence and upkeep of Karam Tag Chou, but my troll at arms will accompany you to Central City and like all loyal trolls of the Rachtal, does not even insist that unmarried female trolls show their bare breasts let alone non-trolls” The last bit the troll seemed to add appeared to be a dig at Drake.
The elves then started to assist the group mount their allotted dragon, and then they strapped them in.
The Rachtal Troll at arms needed no help in mounting his dragon.
Janine caught the terror in Sarah’s eyes. At the EAD she had not really had much dealing with her and could only surmise that with all the IDE’s that were terminated in her section, she might be looking at this as some kind of Kama.
They had been against IDE’s as they considered them a potential security threat, but now they were their only hope against a group of humans from another world who used magic, and another group of trolls who had technology and had stolen pathogens to create some kind of bio-weapon.
The elf on Janine’s dragon shouted a command in a strange language and the creature lifted its wings and started to run. Within seconds they had taken off. Janine was glad of the harness as it felt like being on a really big roller coaster.
None of them noticed a green vortex that appeared in the courtyard below
+ + +
The Ministry of Defence Building
Whitehall, London
England
Julie Osborne MP, the parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Ministry of Defence sat in her office chair. On the other side of the desk was Sir Andrew Kneller MP from the Security Services Select committee.
“So any word of Mr Matthews?” Julie asked in a stunned tone, “have you found his body amongst the dead?”
“Not yet Minister. It is going to take a while to pump out the water from the directorate to do a full search of the building below ground level,.” Sir Andrew replied, “All we have been able to do so far at short notice Minister is to send down a remotely guided vehicle used by the navy for examining downed submarines.
“What have you told the operators about the directorate?” Julie asked
“Only that it is a highly classified installation, and at the moment they do not need to know what went on down there” Sir Andrew replied
Julie shook her head, “Is this some accident or are we assuming this was the work of those entities that attacked it before and the attack on Porton Down?”
“As for it being an accident Minister” Sir Andrew went on with a grave tone, “The ROV found that some of the dead had had their wrists and ankles nailed to the floor. One body was decapitated. I think this has to be hostile action”
“And some thought we could do deals with these entities from another world” Julie said with anger.
“Indeed Minister” Sir Andrew replied.
Just then Julie’s computer on her desk died and a small fan stopped working.
“Power cut?” Sir Andrew asked.
“There shouldn’t be” Julie replied, “I was told that we had some kind of backup power supply”
Julie picked up the phone to ring through to her permanent secretary. There was no dial tone.
“The intercom’s dead” she told Sir Andrew, “Looks like I will have to go out and see Meadows”
BANG
The door exploded in to splinters.
Julie looked up as two men walked through, dressed like something out of a second rate swords and sorcery movie.
One of them was carrying something round, like a ball in one hand and what looked like a sword used in fencing.
Then he threw it into the room
It was Meadows severed head
The second man fired a crossbow at Sir Andrew, killing him instantly.
“What is the meaning of this” Julie said angrily
“I am Sir Timous of the Zacharan” the man with the foil declared, “We are here to defend our world from your heretical technology and any alliance with our troll enemies. We have used our superior magic to counter your evil electricity and any firearms you may possess”
Then the man stepped forward rapidly and pressed the point of his foil up against Julie’s throat.
“I also do not take kindly to wenches speaking to me like that” he man said with venom
“Another man came in to the room, again dressed like something out of a second rate movie about wizards”
“This building is secured my liege, all resistance has been eliminated by magical means” the man in wizards clothed told the man with the foil, “We have also found where the leader of this kingdom resides within this city and are on our way to seizing that place too”
“So” the man with the foil said with more venom, “You are not the actual leader of this realm, you are a mere underling”
“Is there any reason we need to keep this wench alive?” the man with the crossbow asked”
“I can’t think of any” the man with the foil said to the terrified Julie.
Then with all his might he thrust the foil through her neck and into her brain stem and then withdrew it. He smiled as he watched her die.
No wench would ever speak to him like this one did and live!
+ + +
Central City
The Mystical Realms
Janine felt the heat of the desert air as her dragon came into land just outside the gates of what they called Central City. Apparently it had been built centuries ago around a spring that had been on a trade route in one of the largest plains in the Mystical Realms.
The walls looked like something out of a medieval text book.
The Brigadier General’s dragon had already landed along with Drake’s and the Rachtal troll at arms’
Doctor Henshaw’s dragon, had just beaten Janine’s to landing.
There was the further sound of dragons wings as the dragons carrying the doppelganger and Sarah came to land behind Janine’s dragon.
Quickly the elf, undid his harness and that of Janine’s and dismounted. Then the elf held up his arm to assist Janine in getting down from her dragon.
Janine thanked the elf and wandered over to where Drake, the Brigadier General and the troll at arms were standing. Doctor Henshaw and the others had the same idea.
Suddenly there was a loud whooshing sound behind them. Janine turned and looked as all the dragons took off and headed back the way they came, to the Karam Mountains.
Drake was looking stern at Janine, Sarah and Doctor Henshaw, “I know what that troll said but…” he began.
“I think before you give that order” the Brigadier General interrupted you should see who is coming to see us.
Janine could see five trolls approaching clad in some kind of leather armour. The troll in the middle was smaller than the four on either side. Then Janine noticed that the two trolls next to the middle troll, were female and were fully dressed.
“Oh no” the doppelganger suddenly shrieked “It’s the Lord High Troll, he’s found us”
Janine watched as the doppelganger sank to his knees in terror. She was confused. Why were female trolls covered, and how did the doppelganger know who the middle troll was.
The Brigadier General walked forward towards the middle troll, and it became clear that the two seemed to be comrades if not friends.
“Take your tops off NOW” Drake growled at Janine and Doctor Henshaw.
Janine noticed that Sarah had removed her dress and the underwear that went with it and was kneeling naked the elven clothing folded by her side. Sarah had her head bowed in submission.
“Do not undress on our account” the middle troll called out, “These two female trolls are single and unmarried and yet we no longer insist they bare their assets to male trolls. I brought them out so that your female members did not feel compelled to obey out dated troll customs.”
Janine saw as the troll in the middle gazed upon Sarah and shook his head
“Let the unclothed one get dressed again” the troll called out, “And she need not pay me homage”
Sarah lifted her head and mouthed the word “What?”
“Getup and get dressed Miss Willows” the Brigadier General called out, “You are not expected to strip off now”
“But I thought” Drake spluttered
“You are out of date my friend” the middle troll interrupted and then approached the frightened doppelganger
“Sir?” Sarah called out, still not sure if she still had to remain naked, as ordered by her boss, Drake
“You might as well do as the Brigadier General and the troll say” Drake said with irritation.
He seldom liked being contradicted and hated it even more when he was proved wrong
Sarah stood up and pulled the elven clothes back on.
“So what kind of shape-shifter is this” the smaller troll sneered at the quivering doppelganger
“One from another world of trolls and other creatures” The Brigadier General replied, “But trolls that use technology like we do and not magic”
“Are they as despicable as the doppelganger assassins on our world?” the smaller troll asked
“No” the Brigadier General replied, “They are as honourable as you and I”
“Please be quick when you execute me Lord High Troll” the doppelganger squeaked out.
“Lord High Troll” the small troll said with incredulity, “That was what my misguided and treacherous half-sister wanted to call herself. I am merely the Clan Chief of the Manjura clan of trolls.”
The doppelganger lifted up his head, “I do not understand” he said quietly, “I have seen you, you are Padow, the Lord High Troll of the Manjura Empire”
“Not on this world” the smaller troll replied with a gentler voice
“Sire” yelled one of the other trolls who had come with this smaller troll
Janine looked around to see what the larger male troll was pointing at.
There were a number of green swirling vortices in the distance.
“Friends?” the small troll asked
“I don’t think so” the Brigadier General replied.
Just then Janine saw what looked like a large armoured personnel carrier coming through one of the vortices, with an army of what seemed like troll infantry walking beside it
“RUN” the Brigadier General yelled.
Janine found herself with the others running towards the city gates.
Then there was the sound of something flying past them.
Bullets – somebody was shooting at them.
There was a grunt
One of the larger trolls was hit and killed.
The troll at arms stopped and pulled out his cross bow in a valiant attempt to see off whoever these invaders were. He was the next one to be killed.
There was a cry of pain – Drake had been hit.
One of the female trolls and the remaining large male troll picked Drake up, and continued past the city gate into the walled city.
A horn was sounded and the large wooden gates slammed shut behind them.
Janine looked around to see who had made it.
Sarah and the doppelganger, like her had seemed to make it, as had the Brigadier General and the small troll.
Doctor Henshaw had been hit and the other female troll had been helping her into the city. Drake was in a bad way.
“Healing potions” the small troll yelled out.
Immediately both the female trolls pulled out small vials like the one Janine had seen at Karam Tag Chou, and put them to the lips of Drake and Doctor Henshaw.
Just then there was the sound of something screaming over the walls, it was some kind of rocket. It landed in what to Janine seemed like a street full of strange looking creatures and exploded, killing several.
There were more screams and more rockets. The city was now under attack!
Next they had to scurry from the door as what seemed like armour piercing bullets started splintering it. This fortified city may have been a good defence against armies with swords and arrows, but against modern artillery, from who knows where, it seemed to offer little defence
Then there was the ominous rush of wind in front of them as a blue dot appeared in mid-air and grew rapidly.
Then out of it stepped a man looking exactly like the Brigadier General, but in leather and chain mail armour accompanied by several men with cross bows pointing at them.
“So one of you is the double walker” the man in chain mail said with anger as he pointed his own crossbow at the Brigadier General and then another Brigadier General.
Two Brigadier Generals? – The doppelganger had obviously took on the Brigadier General’s form to try and do who knows what.
“Quaylong” the man in chain mail yelled, “A revel shape shifter spell, then I can kill the real double walker and his troll allies”
Another missile impacted another building in the city
Suddenly the city gates burst open, finally broken into pieces by some kind of artillery shell
The technological trolls with heavy weapons were now free to invade the Central City, and yet there in the city were the humans who used magic. Both groups intent on killing the former members of the EAD and this Clan Chief of the Manjura ally the Brigadier General had sought aid from.
To be concluded