[Sticks]

Episode VIII– Shifting Alliances

Spoiler:

Sometimes it is not your day. Often the bad guys win.

In London the heart of the UK government has been attacked by humans from an alternative reality where mankind went down the route of magic, rather than technology. On the Mystical Realms the remaining members of the Entity Affairs Directorate are now caught between the magic using humans and the technological trolls who have attacked the Central City

+ + +

The Houses of Parliament
London, England



(Two Weeks Later)

Lord Samail of the Petros lands strode into the deserted chamber of the House of Commons as he exited the gateway from his castle.

Behind him in chains and under armed guard came Brigadier General Samuel Peters, Drake Matthews and Janine Sedlacek. All three were stripped naked, to ensure their humiliation.

Sir Timmous of the Zacharan turned to face him and fixed his eyes on Janine and pointed at her, “Why is that wench still alive my liege?” Sir Timous asked, barely able to hide his anger.

“Since the other wenches were spirited away while confusion was caused by that doppelganger, not to mention the interruption by our troll enemies on that other troll world” Lord Samail went on, “She is the only one familiar with traversing to the other worlds we found, thanks to these heretics”

“Even so my liege” Sir Timous said angrily, “She must be punished for the loss of Travis”

“Maybe later” Lord Samail replied gruffly, “What progress have you made with this heretic world”

“We have only just started with this realm they call the United Kingdom, as there are many on this world. With regards to this realm, we have put to the sword their so called Prime Minister and much of his ministers” Sir Timous explained, “Their weapons, like on the troll’s world were no match for our magic. As for their so called Royal Family, they are held in prison as hostages to ensure co-operation from the wider population of this realm. We have also used magic to remove from this city that accursed force called electricity to prevent their use of infernal technology and have ordered the closing down of all their infernal power stations and destruction of technology. Our use of scrying has helped us root out and destroy any resistance before it begins. This realm of United Kingdom is just about ours”

“Did you do as I suggest use some of the heretical technology against the other realms on this world?” Lord Samail asked

“Indeed I have my liege” Sir Timous smiled, “Using our magic users, what they call an independent nuclear deterrent is in place at your command to attack any other realm on this world of those who will not submit to your rule. The world of the heretics will be vanquished just like we have been doing with the troll’s world”

“You are probably wondering” Lord Samail then broached, “Why I have brought these prisoners along”

“It had crossed my mind my liege” Sir Timous answered, “Especially the double walker. I thought you were going to dispatch it as soon as you caught it”

Lord Samail looked at Samuel and then back at Sir Timous, “Quaylong warned me that a true double walker cannot be killed my non magical means as they are spirits. As soon as we returned to my castle, He carried out the spell required to kill such creatures and it had no effect. It seems he is a human after all”

Sir Timous stared at Samuel intently, “But he is your exact image my liege, how can this be”

“Quaylong used his skill at loosening reluctant tongues” Lord Samail smiled, “It seems our world and this heretic world are what they call parallel universes. This man is my counterpart in this heretical world”

Sir Timous thought for a moment, “So do I have a counterpart in this world?”

“Not anymore” Samuel uttered, “He’s dead”

Sir Timous was incensed and walked right up to Samuel and swiped him with his fist, knocking Samuel to the floor.

“PRISONERS WILL BE SILENT” Sir Timous yelled at Janine Drake and Samuel.

“SIR TIMOUS” Lord Samail said at the top of his voice

“I beg your pardon my liege” Sir Timous apologised, “But we cannot let prisoners speak out of turn”

“Well kindly leave the discipline of these prisoners to me” Lord Samail replied, “I need you to continue with the neutralisation of this world using all means. We cannot afford to let any of their heretical technology to fall into the hands of our enemies. The news of what they call a virus is disturbing enough should the trolls be able to develop it”

Sir Timous smiled, “Well from what I have gleaned on this heretical world, there has been great mistrust between the various realms, leading them to build weapons that could wipe out all life on this wretched world. They even have a name for it, Mutual Assured Destruction”

“That is most excellent news” Lord Samail beamed, “If we can get these heretics to wipe themselves out at their own hands, then we will be able to show to those who question our order the dangers of technology and so called democratic heresies”

“Plus we deny this world to the trolls” Sir Timous reciprocated, “but you were going to say why you had brought these prisoners along”

“I thought we could use them for, as they say here, propaganda issues” Lord Samail explained, “I thought before it is totally destroyed, we would make them go on this means of communicating images across vast distances called television and denounce technology, their heretical views and endorse us as their new masters”

“In your dreams” Drake muttered.

Lord Samail turned to Drake, “Our magic users will make you do what we command” he told him authoritatively before turning back to Sir Timous, “But since we have discovered the precarious way in which the various realms here co-exist, maybe their annihilation is a better plan”

“Then lets execute them now if they no longer serve a purpose my liege” Sir Timous said with utter venom, “Starting with that wench, I want to throttle the very life out of her with my bare hands for what happened to Travis”

Lord Samial thought for a moment, “would not their execution broadcast on this television be more effective?”
Sir Timous shook his head, “They have such images there already, some fake and some real, it would serve no purpose my liege”

“Oh very well” Lord Samial, “we will execute them now and then we need to precipitate this mutual assured destruction as soon as possible to prevent the trolls gaining any more assistance from this miserable world”

Sir Timous smiled a cruel smile at Janine and then pulled from his neck some cravat he had been wearing. Lord Samail stepped as side so Sir Timous could get to her.

Sir Timous pulled the cravat taught to create what was obviously going to be a garrotte to end Janine’s life. Finally this must be delayed justice for Cindy. Janine could not help thinking of her as her thoughts went to the innocent woman that was hanged in prison in her place and made to appear that Janine had committed suicide so she could escape from Holloway.

Suddenly there was a blinding light that flooded the chamber and there in mid-air were what appeared to be three small naked men wearing green hats.

Each grabbed one of the prisoners and in a flash they were gone.

Lord Samail turned to Sir Timous, “What kind of sorcery is this?” he asked in a state of shock

“I know not my liege” Sir Timous explained, “But they looked like some of the minions of the gnolls”

“The gnolls joining forces with the trolls?” Lord Samail said in disbelief
“I had heard that that was so my liege” Sir Timous replied, “But I had no idea that they possessed magical ability”

“This changes nothing” Lord Samail said with anger, “We must make sure this world is no longer available to our troll enemies. I WANT THIS WORLD DESTROYED”

Lord Samail then nodded at one of the magic users that accompanied Sir Timous. Immediately he produced a small orb and chanted.

Within seconds a blue dot appeared in mid-air and grew in size.

Lord Samail turned to enter the now swirling blue vortex.

“When I return my liege” Sir Timous called out, “This world will be destined to be nothing but ashes”

“It had better be” Lord Samail uttered just before he entered the vortex, “Our way of life depends on it”

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms

The Clan chief of the Manjura sat in the dungeon cell listening to the sounds of large heavy vehicles pass by outside. These vehicles would not be out of place on the world of the humans, but these were bigger and driven by trolls, but trolls with no honour. Some even had the affront to say they had come from some kind of Manjura empire!

A troll clan may have ancestral lands, but an empire? Such a notion was preposterous

He was now the last troll alive from the troll convocation as all the others had been executed on the orders of that abomination that looked like him and yet called himself the Lord High Troll.

What was also worse, that there was even a troll in the image of his long dead former troll lover Captain Strang who even had the audacity to use the same name. That troll was also without honour and just as bad as that abominable Lord High Troll.

The Clan chief of the Manjura had noticed on his capture when the city fell to what the humans had called the technological trolls, that there was some kind of atmosphere between this Lord High Troll and this other Captain Strang, Maybe that was why this Captain Strang had not yet issued him with a death warrant.

If only the building where the elven wizards were meeting had not been hit, by what the humans had called rockets, then they could have sent them packing back to their own wretched world.

What was also perplexing had been the appearance of what appeared to be a perfect double of the human he referred to as the Colonel, accompanied by humans using magic.

Humans using magic!

With all the confusion of that day, somehow the Colonel had been captured along with two other humans by these magic using humans.

Now all the Clan Chief of the Manjura could do was sit in his prison cell and await his place before the technological troll firing squad.

Just then there was the sound of someone coming to his cell.

The Clan Chief of the Manjura stood up; he would not show fear as he faced his execution.

But no, it was a guard with an elven female in a hooded cloak. She had come with a basket, most likely of food, the hood obscuring her face.

“Your meal for today” sneered the armed troll guard.

“May I enter the cell to give the prisoner his meal” the female elf nervously asked
“Can’t you pass it through the bars?” the guard replied.
“One of the items as you saw is on a dish and cannot be tipped sideways” the female elf replied, again in a terrified manner.

These technological trolls must be a fearsome enemy if even elves were intimidated by them

“I will let you in and lock you in” the troll said with irritation, “If I remember I may let you out at suns down”

The guard then pointed his gun at the Clan Chief of the Manjura while he unlocked the cell door. The Clan chief just stood his ground and looked at the female elf with some despair, elves capitulating to these invaders, who next?

The female elf meekly entered the cell and stood clutching the basket and looking at the floor, so he could not see her face properly. For some reason, it seemed to the Clan Chief of the Manjura, that this female elf was scared of him as well.

The armed troll guard then locked the cell door, and then with a sneer called out, “Before you ask, we checked it, it’s just food, and we searched the girl”

The troll guard then vanished.

The Clan Chief of the Manjura took the basket and placed it on the bed. Sure enough, there were no hidden means of escape, not that getting out of the dungeon would help, since the whole city was under control of these technological trolls.

The Clan Chief of the Manjura turned back to the female elf, “What is your name my dear?” he asked her gently, “I will not harm you”

The female elf looked up at the clan chief of the Manjura. She looked very familiar. Then the Clan Chief of the Manjura could see she was not an elf, she was a human female.

“Sarah Willows sir” the female human replied.

“And I am Major Bolak” Said another voice, “Remember me?”

It was a Drow, a dark elf and normally the arch enemy of elves.

The Clan Chief of the Manjura eyed him with immediate suspicion, “Yes I do, and we fought together against my evil half-sister Brameana”

“Well” Major Bolak continued, “We heard what had happened and were contacted by Doctor Charlene Henshaw. I knew there was no way we could smuggle anything in to you in a basket, so I used this human here as a distraction focus, so my distraction spell would hide me as I followed her into your cell. These trolls are so easily fooled”

“Well” The Clan Chief of the Manjura asked, “What happens now”
“You can eat if you really want” Major bolak sneered, “Or we can hold hands whilst I teleport us away from this prison”

“Suits me fine” The Clan Chief of the Manjura answered, “But then what”

“We show you the power of the drow and how it is worth your while to include us in your dealings with the other races”
“You want us to drop our alliance with the elves” The Clan Chief of the Manjuura said contemptuously.
“As if you had much choice my little troll friend” Major Bolak smiled, “But we would never go that far, just recognition of our magical superiority over the elves and like them associate membership in the troll convocations. Why should elves have all the fun?”
“The humans have an expression” the Clan Chief of the Manjura growled, “You have me over a barrel”
“That’s one way of looking at things, and we could press you for more concessions except for one thing” Major Bolak replied
“And what would that be” The Clan Chief of the Manjura asked, his eyes narrowing at the drow.
“Drow High Council does not take kindly to outsiders trying to interfere in our affairs” Major Bolak answered back, “The humans both American and Russian respected that, these other trolls do not. It sends a dangerous precedent to others like some humans we could mention”

“But we went out of our way to prevent others going to your world” Sarah protested softly.
“I know your lot did” Major Bolak replied softly, “But sadly not all humans on your world were so respectful of our sovereignty as you are”

Major Bolak then held out his hands.

Sarah gently clasped one of his hands. The Clan Chief of the Manjura reluctantly took Major Bolak’s other hand. He was more amenable to taking Sarah’s free hand.

Major Bolak then said an incantation, and in seconds the three of them were gone

+ + +

An Island off of the coast
Somewhere on Earth

“Now you know how Sarah felt” Samuel said to Drake as the offshore breeze played on their naked bodies.

Janine could just about remember back to when she had gone naked at Karam Tag Chou. This place, where ever it was, was not much better. She still felt ashamed that she had been unable to block the spells they had used on her to extract information about Earth and the Entity Affairs Directorate, it had been the same apparently with Drake and the Brigadier General, but that did not make it any better. Maybe she deserved to be cold and naked on some island in the middle of nowhere.

The strange creatures, most likely pixies had vanished as soon as they had been dropped here. All they had done was to disintegrate their chains before they went.

As she looked up through the trees, she could see some kind of castle on the top of what seemed like a tall hill. To their left, there seemed to be some kind of terraced house of a definite Earth like design. Nothing like she had seen on that other world of humans or what little she had seen of the Central City on the Mystical Realms.

Suddenly three pixies appeared carrying bundles of cloth. They were not the same as the ones who had rescued them from Lord Samail, but like them they were all naked save for green hats

“Sorry about leaving in the lurch” squeaked the lead pixie, “but the others needed to make sure their teleport was not followed, so the pixies that grabbed you needed to travel further on”

The pixies placed the bundles on the ground, “Not the latest from Paris” the lead pixie squeaked, “but they will suffice”

Samuel picked one up; it seemed to be a tunic and some britches. He put them on, and like the dress that Sarah had been given, it fitted him perfectly.

Drake picked his up, and likewise it was britches and a tunic.

Janine picked hers up. It was only a skirt. No top.

It was better than nothing, so she put it on. She instinctively crossed her arms to cover her modesty, but then remembered how Drake was about using arms to cover up and put her arms by her sides so her breasts were exposed and on full view. Anyway she had been used to going naked in front of men at the EAD, it would have been nice to have had a top, but if this was the way it was to be, she would have to put up with it.

“Tresco you numbskull” one of the pixies squeaked at the other, “These are not trolls”
“Sorry Kenver” the other pixie squeaked back, “I thought the trolls insisted that unmarried females from other races complied and had to go topless”
“Not here” the pixie identified as Kenver countered in an exasperated tone

“The trolls don’t even insist on those rules for themselves nowadays” Samuel cut in, and started to remove his tunic.

The pixie identified as Kenver flew up to Samuel, “No need to marry her, we can fix this”

Suddenly a small naked female figure appeared, wearing a brown hat and carrying a bundle of cloth. She flew over to Janine and handed her a tunic. As soon as Janine took it, the female pixie vanished.

Janine wasted no time putting it on. She did not even seek the approval of Drake, until after it was on and then all she got from Drake was a grunt.

“Thanks for the rescue” Samuel told the lead Pixie, “But we still need to do something about this Lord Samail and those who have seized power, they plan to precipitate a nuclear war. By the way where are we?”

“St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall” The pixie known as Kenver replied, “As for the humans who seized power, they are masters of the magic arts, even more powerful than us”

“So that’s it, we’ve lost” Janine asked with despair, “There just seems to be no way to fight against their magic ability, which is probably why those technological trolls were after that bioweapon”

“Even if we did go back to IDW01 via IDW02” Drake cut in, “From what one of the guards said at that Castle Lodinium, the technological trolls have taken that Central city and executed the Elven High council. This lot who have taken Britain believe if the trolls are too busy dealing with subduing IDW01, then that will make it easier for them to attack them when they believe they will be able to deal with them once and for all”

“Excuse me” one of the other pixies asked, “We know you mean our home, the Mystical Realms when you say IDW01, but what are technological trolls?”

“There are two other worlds” Samuel explained, “One with the humans that use magic, that have seized power here, but there is another one where trolls, elves, pixies and such use technology like we do but do not have magic”
“Elves and pixies without magic” squeaked the third pixie, “how can that be?”

“One of our number who got left behind on your world” Samuel went on, “said it was like something our physicists call super symmetry which relates to what they call the Standard model of how everything in the universes are constructed. We know of humans using technology, elves pixies and trolls using magic”

“But with these other two worlds” Janine interrupted “it’s kind of reversed where humans have the magic and the trolls and other races have technology”

“But those two worlds are at war with one another” Samuel cut back in, “And they have been using our worlds as battle grounds”

“The other world of humans, have seized power here in Britain” Drake joined in.
“And the other world of trolls have captured parts of your world” Samuel added.

The lead pixie shook his head, “How can we free our world?”
“We have to somehow work together” Samuel replied, “We have to kick out those who have seized our worlds and make sure they can never cross from one world to another”
“We also have to stop these magic using humans starting World War three” Drake interrupted

One of the other pixies raised his hand then asked, “I thought it was the case with our two worlds that we could not cross between them anymore”

“There is” Samuel replied, “We went there by way of another world which has only animal level life, to get around the radiation barrier”

“There is one race whose magic may match these magic using humans” the other pixie ventured.
“Which one is that?” Drake asked

“You won’t like this answer” the pixie said apologetically
“WHO?” Drake demanded forcefully

“The drow” the pixie replied nervously
“That’s not a bad idea” Samuel responded
“But they are evil” the pixie insisted
“I know their reputation” Samuel countered, “and we have collaborated with them before”

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms

“What do you mean they have escaped?” Captain shrieked at the guard

The troll guard just shrugged his shoulders, “There was no way he could have got out. He only had one visitor a female carrying food. I swear she looked like a human..”

“She had to have been an elf” Strang interrupted, “Round up twenty elven women and children immediately and have them hanged on the mass gallows. Leave their bodies until suns set and tomorrow execute another twenty until the elves turn over this elven female and this Lord High Troll look alike”

“Yes sir” the troll guard responded.

“You are lucky I do not have you joining them on the scaffold for your incompetence” Strang shouted at the troll guard.

“Blaming others for your own failings as ever Strang?” a voice came from behind

Strang turned around, it was Padow, the Lord High Troll

“And I had so wanted to see this double of myself” Padow sneered, then before Strang could accuse him, “And no I did not have anything to do with their escape, as if I would”

Strang saw the guard hesitating, “Don’t you have orders to follow?” Strang barked at the guard

“Belay those orders” Padow said forcefully,

“Yes sir” the guard wearily replied

“But we cannot let this stand” Strang objected, “An elf did this so elves must be made an example of, to send a message

“We start rounding up groups and executing on mass” Padow went on, “then they will think there is nothing to lose in challenging our authority”

“So just like with the humans we do nothing” Strang replied angrily

“Our orc scientists back home should still working on the pathogen to wipe them out and the humans on that other world” Padow responded, “Which if I recall is my plan. The humans on that other world, have an expression, brains are better than brawn, something Strang you fail to see”

“You let this escape slide” Strang said through gritted teeth, “And it will inspire others to challenge our authority”

“You investigate” Padow answered back, “when we first came here there were definite sightings of those wretched humans who use magic against us and their collaborators from that technological human world. How do you know it was not one of them? As ever Strang, you jump to conclusion and blame the elves because you have a pathological hatred of them where I see them as allies” Then Padow dropped his voice and growled, “Don’t think I don’t know what really happened to Callum”

+ + +

The Castle Lodinium
(The alternate human world)

Quaylong approached Lord Samail as he looked over the castle wall, “I understand that the prisoners were taken by small creatures similar to the ones that serve the gnolls”

Lord Samail turned around, “You heard correctly, the gnolls must be as technologically advanced as our troll enemies”

Quaylong shook his head, “They appear to be using magic my liege. I briefly visited that chamber where it happened on the heretic world when I heard what happened. I was able to sense the residual magic apart from our entry to the place. It is possible that they came from that other world of trolls, the one where you captured the prisoners. Why their creatures would be working with the heretics, I cannot work out. Maybe if I…”

Lord Samail raised his hand and interrupted, “It matters not, Sir Timous has an excellent plan to use the heretics own technology to eradicate life from that miserable world”

“That is an excellent idea my lord” Quaylong smiled, “Then when word of this world where humans used technology instead of magic comes to the peasants, they will see what technology does”

“Precisely” Lord Samail agreed, “If we are to preserve our way of life we must make an example of them. In one sense they are worse enemies than the trolls.”
“How so my liege?” Quaylong asked, “Do not the trolls use technology too?”
“But they do not look like us Quaylong” Lord Samail answered, “We can rally the peasantry against them, but the heretics are human, their example will be more effective to the lower orders on our world”

“Something we cannot allow to happen” Quaylong conceded

+ + +

A wilderness cave
The Walong Mountains
The Mystical Realms

They had been walking for quite some time in the wilderness from where Major Bolak had said it had been safer to reappear to avoid revealing the location of where, as the humans put it, their base of operations was, when the Clan Chief of the Manjura spotted the cave with the garden outside.

Next to him was the human female Sarah Willows and Major Bolak, a drow that he had apparently worked with in the alternate time line.

In the mouth of the cave stood a kobold talking to another human female. Just then he spotted in the garden another troll. A troll he had hated all his life, his own father, the former Lord Low Troll.

The Clan Chief of the Manjura stopped, “Why is he still alive or at least cast in some dungeon”
“Because we had a deal with him, and it is thanks to him your half-sister is not ruler of this world” Major Bolak replied forcefully

“But I thought he was just a hermit troll by the name of Madron who lived with an old servant” Sarah said with confusion in her voice.

“He is now Miss Willows” the drow explained

“And who is this servant?” The Clan Chief of the Manjura asked
“Meetal” Major Bolak replied

The Clan Chief of the Manjura narrowed his eyes, “I just about remember him. He hovered in the background a lot and ran errands, I dare say he should have faced justice for complicity in my father’s crimes”

“It was thanks to him also in the alternate timeline that we helped rid ourselves of your half-sister.” Major Bolak responded with irritation, “Besides which, both of them are under the watch of the drow and both of them are where they can not cause any further issue”

“So are they your prisoners?” Sarah asked

“Not officially” Major Bolak replied in a softer manner, “but in one sense they could be, however as they both show no desire to return to their old ways and live this simple existence, they are the easiest charges we have dealt with.” The drow paused and then added, “Plus he makes a very good dry targron berry wine”

They approached the cave entrance, and then the Clan Chief of the Manjura recognised the other human female, it was Doctor Charlene Henshaw from that Earth based organisation called Inter Dimensional Entity Control. Then he remembered she was among the group that had made it to Central City from Earth, just before those dishonourable trolls invaded and took the city.

“We have him” Major Bolak said to Charlene.

“Excellent” The elderly troll interrupted and started to approach them, “We have so much catching up to do”

“Do you think a few words and a few cups of targron berry wine will make up for what you have done over the years” The Clan Chief of the Manjura spat back

“I had to do what I had to do” the elderly troll countered, “You had no idea how hard it was back then, keeping the peace between several races who were at each other’s throats”
“Well we managed it without your tyranny and cruelty” The Clan Chief of the Manjura retaliated

Major Bolak stepped between the two trolls, “This is all very well, but we do have things we need to do concerning the situation at hand”

“I’m afraid Major Bolak is right” Charlene added, “Madron told me how it was, and”

“So you gave up calling yourself the Lord Low Troll then” The Clan Chief of the Manjura interrupted with Venom

“ENOUGH!!” Major Bolak shouted at the Clan Chief of the Manjura, “We do not have time for this. For the record, we drow recognised the difficult position your father was in at the time, and if the drow had been in charge we too may have had to make the same decisions that he did. If I may say so, your father would have made a very good drow”

“Coming from a drow” the elderly troll cut in, “That is indeed a good compliment, I always admired your pragmatic way of handling your affairs, apart from giving the Hadreth too much power in the other timeline”

“One failing I rectified in this one” Major Bolak reciprocated.

The old troll nodded in appreciation.

“A drow in alliance with a troll” The Clan Chief of the Manjura said with disgust.

“Clan Chief” Charlene cut back in, “Please, both our worlds have been attacked, we need to work together this time”

“Out of deference to the humans” the Clan Chief of the Manjura replied, “I will assist in ridding our world of these invaders, but after that, I will return to Central City and leave my father and his servant to this wilderness and will have nothing further to do with him”

“If that is your wish my son” the elderly troll said with sadness, “but if you change your mind I will be here, with Meetal”

“So!” The Clan chief asked Major Bolak, “How do you wish me to fight these invaders, especially that one who looks like me and has the audacity to call himself the Lord High Troll”

“You will be staying here with your father until we send for you” Major Bolak replied, “You are the last clan chief in the convocation still alive, and we will need you to form the new one”
“I would have thought you drow would have taken the chance to seize power for yourselves” The Clan Chief replied

“That is not the way of the drow my son” the elderly troll cut in, “They are never seen to rule others directly, only their own affairs”

“So you expect me to be a vassal puppet” the Clan Chief of the Manjura spat back

“We have to get our worlds back first” Charlene interrupted, “Before you start carving up empires”

Major Bolak turned to Charlene, “Indeed you are right. You came seeking assistance in countering the magic of these other humans”

Charlene nodded and mouthed the word yes.

“Then we need to depart as soon as possible” Major Bolak answered

“And what about our world?” The Clan Chief of the Manjura asked.

Major Bolak smiled, “Our drow have made contact with what the humans call technological trolls who are holding Central City. It seems their war began when these magic using humans attacked their world. Our drow have communicated to them that on this world our magic ability is equal if not superior to those magic using humans, we can either be their ally or their enemy. We made them an offer, we deal with those troublesome humans and they pull out of our world and our affairs”

“And you trust them?” The Clan Chief of the Manjura asked with incredulity

“Not one bit” Major Bolak replied, “We learned a few things when we used to work with the Russians on Earth, if they do not pull out after we have fulfilled our end, they will not be alive to wish they had”

Sarah gulped quietly, drow were either very arrogant or very powerful.

+ + +

Tintagel, Cornwall

The Brigadier General looked out to sea with what Janine thought was a haunted expression, while they waited for a number of pixies to arrive, it took time because they had to appear elsewhere and then walk to this meeting place that was considered the birthplace of King Arthur.

It seemed very symbolic since the legend had it that when England is in danger the fabled King Arthur would rise again.

“We are here” squeaked one of the pixies.

The Brigadier General turned around and faced Drake, Janine and the throng of pixies.

“We know that direct travel to IDW01 is impossible” the Brigadier General began, “But there is another world we know of which allows us to get around the radiation barrier”

“It was my father who had that idea” Janine interjected, before noticing Drake’s icy glare and shutting up.

“The plan” the Brigadier General went on, “Is to travel to that other world and then on to IDW01, where we will try and make contact with the drow and broker some kind of deal even if it does stick in your throat to even suggest that, given their history”
“Drow?” yelled one pixie, “Are you crazy”

“I have worked with them before on the same side” the Brigadier General insisted, “I believe we can do it, besides after the debacle with the Hadreth, they owe us”

“What are we waiting for?” one of the other pixies shouted, “The drow have more honour than those magic wielding humans”

“Thank you, but it would only be fair to warn you that there is a risk with that world” the Brigadier General l replied, “Unlike the sun here on Earth, or your two suns on your own world, the sun on that world is what we call a red giant, and it can blast out radiation that the local fauna have adapted to deal with but lethal to us. We have to aim for a specific cave formation just in case the sun there is active”

“We also do not have the means to get there” Drake interrupted, “We lost the artificial wormhole generator and the orb of dimension jump”

A pixie raised his hand and the Brigadier General invited him to speak

“We know of your devices” the pixie spoke up, “I know where to get one”

“How?” Samuel asked

“They keep one in a vault in that country west of here you call You-knighted-States” the pixie explained

“And that helps us how?” Drake asked
“The people guarding that vault do not know we exist so have not placed any magic bars to it. I can go get it now” the pixie replied

“Oh no you don’t” another pixie said angrily, “There are humans who use magic and are constantly scrying for any that might challenge them. Any teleport activity from here will bring them upon us in an instant, why do you think we instructed you to walk here”.

“Here is another idea” the Brigadier General replied to the lead pixie, “You take Mister Mathews and Miss Sedlacek here to a place of safety, one of you takes me to that vault while the rest scatter. They may come here, but we will all be gone”

“No way” Janine cut in, “You need me, I am one of the few people who know how to operate those devices”
“So do I” the Brigadier General countered
“I know how to get us to Aurelia” Janine insisted
“And so do I” the Brigadier General insisted.

“But this is our country that they have invaded” Drake added
“And this is my mess I have to clear up” the Brigadier General said quietly

“How do you work that one out?” the lead pixie asked

“I was the one who insisted that we roll back time in the alternate timeline” the Brigadier General explained, “There was an angel who warned me that it would have consequences, maybe this incursion or the existence of these two other worlds, equal but opposite to Earth and IDW01, was a consequence of that decision”

“I don’t like sitting on the side lines” Drake insisted

“And there is no sense putting you further at risk” the Brigadier General answered back, “If we get our world back, there is no way we can make people think what happened was a hoax like the time the Venezuelans captured the Clan Chief of the Manjura. The genie is out of the bottle this time, you will be needed”

“I’m afraid I am in agreement with the American gentleman” the lead pixie told Drake and Janine, “He has more experience on our world than you two, and you will be needed should we fail”

Suddenly Tintagel faded away from Janine and she found herself alone in some meadow.

+ + +

Deep inside a lava tube
Inter Dimensional World 02

Major Bolak and another drow called Jaheel exited the swirling blue vortex first, followed by Charlene and Sarah.

They were in the cave system that they had deemed to be a safe haven on this this world, just in case there was any solar activity from the red giant that the planet orbited.

Charlene understood why she was going on this mission, but not Sarah. Sarah had in effect just been a receptionist at a detention cell for IDE’s, she had no experience in the field. At least, if she had one, Charlene could handle a gun. Sarah would just be in the way, but Major Bolak had insisted.

“All clear” Jaheel called out, and then he held out a hand, I sense someone has been here since you came here.

“The magic using humans or the technological Trolls?” Charlene asked

“I sense residual magic” Jaheel replied
“The magic using humans” Major Bolak muttered

Slowly they headed towards the mouth of the cave system, Jaheel telling the group that whoever had been there was still present.

Charlene just wished she had some kind of weapon, relying on two drow to defend them somehow did not seem such a good idea..

Then they were at the cave entrance.

“Don’t go out” Charlene called out “If there is a solar flare still going on then it will be lethal”

“I guess they did not know that” Jaheel replied as he pointed to some figures on the ground.

Charlene peered past Jaheel and then saw them, about six bodies about ten feet from the cave mouth. Some looked like fighters she had seen at the EAD and one looked like a magic user. All were male, and all had been struck by lethal radiation that would have cooked them in seconds.

Quickly Charlene turned around and placed her hands on Sarah’s shoulders to stop her going any further and seeing the gruesome site.

“What is it” Sarah asked
“Trust me Sarah” Charlene replied, “You don’t want to see it”

“Quite” Major Bolak said out loud, “Let’s go back into these caves and open the gate to Earth to see how we can deal with these magic using humans”

“Major” Jaheel immediately called out, “Do you not sense it”

“Sense what?” Charlene asked

“Yes I do” Major Bolak replied to Jaheel, ignoring Charlene

Suddenly another blue dot appeared in the middle of the air and began to grow, but this one was green.
“It could be those technological trolls” Charlene suggested, “They managed to track us to this world and then to the Mystical Realms”

“Fire ball spell?” Jaheel suggested
“An excellent choice, simple, over the top but effective” Major Bolak replied, “But indulge my curiosity, let’s see who our guests are before we incinerate them”

“You two” Major Bolak ordered Sarah and Charlene, “go back deeper into the cave, leave this to us”

Charlene ushered Sarah back into the cave system and into a side tunnel, without any weapons, this was all she could do against whoever was appearing unannounced on Aurelia like this.

Major Bolak and Jaheel stood their ground as the green vortex grew to full size.

“YOU!” Major Bolak exclaimed as he saw the first figure emerge

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms

There was a knock on Padow’s door as he sat working on his computer in what had been assigned to him as his office in this building they called a hall of justice in Central City.

Obviously it was not Strang, as Strang did not bother to knock, he was far too busy trying to execute residents of this backward city just to show how strong he was. It was very short sited of Strang, as it meant they would have to bring in more armed trolls to deal with the locals when those troops were badly needed back on their home world defending it against the human menace.

“YES” Padow shouted with irritation

To his surprise in walked the troll council leader who had sent both him and Strang to this world where trolls did not have technology and had resorted to magic.

“This is indeed an honour” Padow said through gritted teeth, “I did not know you were coming, can I presume that the war against the humans back home is going well?”

“If you mean the research to find the bioweapon” the troll council leader replied, “Our orc scientists report that they have been able to kill one of the human captives from that other human infested world, they are now working on making it more spreadable”

“If I may point out” Padow went on, “The bioweapon was my idea”

“Well that is rather academic now as this morning, on orders of the council it was cancelled” The troll council leader replied

“Are you insane” Padow accused the troll councillor, “That bioweapon is the only way we can fight the human menace as their magic will be useless against it.

“We won’t need it Lord High Troll” the troll council leader retorted, “We have found an ally here on this world that can rid us of the human menace quicker and with less expense”

“How?” Padow protested, “They are a backward lot, they have no technology and they still try and rely on their form of so called magic, how do you think we took this city so easily”

“Because” came another voice, “we allowed it” it added.

Then the person speaking came into the room, it looked like an elf but was of a darker complexion, it was a drow, much like the drow back home.

“Allow me to introduce Marshall Dacron” the troll council leader told Padow, “He has promised the support of the drow on this world to help neutralise the magic of the human menace”

“In return” the drow interrupted, “You get to go home and leave us as your proxy rulers of this fair city”

“Strang put you up to this didn’t he” Padow spat out accusingly.

“Actually it was not your rival for power” the drow cut in, “in fact we are going to tell him next, and I expect a similar reaction from him as well”
“The drow from this world contacted us at the council” the troll council leader replied
“You see when the humans from the technological humans used to come here using their wormhole generators” the drow went on, “We learned how to track such devices. You see that technological world of humans had effectively two power blocks, the Americans and the Russians. The humans that came here were from the first lot, the Americans, formed alliance with the trolls on our world, whilst we drow formed an alliance with the second lot, the Russians. These Russians proved quite competent for non drow at espionage and gave us the details of the artificial devices, which proved so useful”

Padow narrowed his eyes at the troll council leader, he had been so concentrating on Strang’s obvious bid for his position of Lord High Troll, that he never saw the subterfuge of this nobody of a troll council leader. If this troll council leader could be seen to deal with the human menace, then Padow’s position as Lord High Troll would be seen as weak or untenable. Maybe the troll council would force him to resign in favour of Strang, or even this upstart of a troll councillor himself. Padow would need to engineer some way to deal with him like he had done with that other member of the troll councillor who had been a supporter of Strang.

“So” Padow said slowly and deliberately, “What will this cost me?”

“I have no idea what you mean” the troll councillor said in all innocence.

“He means are we asking for his resignation as Lord High Troll” the drow interjected before cutting off the troll council leader from answering, “No, you will still be Lord High Troll, your resemblance to the fugitive Clan Chief of the Manjura troll clan suits our purposes for now, but there will a price for retention of your position”

“Like what?” Padow asked angrily

“We have yet to decide on that” the drow grinned, “But he have come to another little agreement which we will get to”

“What does it matter Lord High Troll” the troll council leader told Padow with indignation, “We will be rid of the humans with their vile magic and we will have a powerful ally who is their equal”

“And what do you get out of it” Padow asked the troll council leader pointedly, “Since you imply you are not after the position of Lord High troll”

“More of a say over how you and your office conducts itself” the council leader retorted, “A larger role for the troll council in governing the rule of the Manjura empire like we had in the old days before you took over from Madron your father”

“My father was weak and indecisive” Padow shouted angrily

“Never the less” the troll council leader interrupted, “He respected the council far more than you have done”
“Maybe we should all return home and have a meeting of the full imperial senate to discuss the drow proposal” Padow growled, “I am sure some will find reliance on outsiders distasteful when I had put into action an already perfectly good plan to tackle the human menace once and for all, which you councillor have decided to put an end to”

“That is as the humans say of course moot” the drow interrupted, “two drow are already on their way to the other human world with two humans from that world, as your magic using human enemies have establish a foothold on that world like they have on yours”

“So the council acts without consulting me” Padow sneered, “Is that not also unconstitutional and against precedent”

“We are informing you now” the drow replied, “There was not much time to consult you and follow the niceties of your tedious constitution, and of course the two drow we selected have experience of human affairs on the non-magic using human world, that they like to call Earth”

Padow could sense something in this drows voice, “There is a but there” Padow growled

“Indeed” the drow replied, “What those two drow do not realise is that for them this is a suicide mission and they are out of favour with some on the Drow high council and thus are considered very expendable”

“You see Lord High Troll” the troll council leader cut in, “There was one other request the drow have asked”
“We do not want to annihilate the humans from Earth like you had planned” the drow went on, “That would be far too wasteful given the resources that world has, our plan is to exploiit them, just like we did once before.”

“You see” the troll councillor went on, “Not many, even on the Drow High council know that Marshall Dacron belongs to a certain order of drow that a few years ago was brought down, thanks to the efforts of the two drow who have gone to Earth, as that world is called”

“I am not familiar with drow orders on this miserable excuse for a troll world” Padow said in an irritated fashion.

“I” the drow said with characteristic arrogance of a drow, “Am of the order of the Hadreth. The capture and subjugation of Earth and the ruling of this world in place of the trolls will be the sweetest revenge for the way our order was treated”

End of Season Twelve

To be continued in the next season
Of “Sagas of the Mystical Realms”

Assuming I get time to write it