Angelika & the Ogres |
in like Flynn!
|
Angelika & the Ogres
Ultima Thule
Location: Ultima Thule; a dump.
There were small goblin trolls everywhere. They reminded Angelika of chickens. She did not like chickens.
But perhaps “magpies” would be more fitting. Little thieving magpies, attracted by bright shiny things. Easily distracted, and would drop something if they saw something better, although they were little hoarders, with their treasures tucked in multiple pouches and bags around their scrawny naked little bodies. They skittered away as soon as they realized Angelika was Alfar, and kept their distance.
In fact, non-human races were much in evidence, far more so than on Earth, where they were still shy of human contact. Lady B. would like it here.
The shopkeeper in the store where she had stocked up on essential supplies had given her a courteous Alfar greeting, though his prices were daylight robbery. She had beaten him down but was sure that Lady B. could have done better. Well, one day that lady would step down from her elected position as Chief Councillor of Bynnr Domain, and look out Mars when that happened!
And then Angelika spotted something she'd never seen before.
An ogre woman, strolling casually down the main (and only) street of Ultima Thule. Angelika had never seen one before – they were less numerous than ogre men and just as solitary. Rumoured to be smarter, though that was not saying much. This one had the usual thick-set body and bony head with straggly hair. Her long yellow tusks made her look like a walrus. She was oddly and richly dressed, and tottered carefully down the street on what looked like high wooden pattens. She was supported by two of her troupe of human bodyguards. They were all remarkably handsome men – Angelika tended to notice these things.
The ogre woman spotted Angelika staring and smirked, glancing over her arrogantly. But when she caught sight of the charms at Angelika's waist, the smirk faded and she changed direction hurriedly, catching her supporters off guard. She wobbled dangerously, caught her balance, wobbled again as she wacked furiously at the heads of her human crutches, then set off into the nearest building at a cracking pace, her bodyguards trotting to keep up.
Odd...
Angelika glanced down at the charms at her waist. Two heraldic devices hung from a gold chain; a swallow and a large pearl – the device of Brynnr Domain, and a gift from Drowned Ys. Most Alfar only wore one. Angelika was entitled to four. One of Angelika's Domain connections was properous and influential; one of them unpredictable and dangerous. The devices were powerful charms of protection. The little trolls eyed them greedily but wisely stayed away.
Ogres, however, were not usually so easily impressed though they still kept their distance. That little scene had been disturbing... it reminded Angelika of certain creepy fairy-tales...
Well, she had better things to do than wonder about the oddness of female ogres. It was time to find her transport to her place of contract, a mine in the Blessed Isle region.
There were small goblin trolls everywhere. They reminded Angelika of chickens. She did not like chickens.
But perhaps “magpies” would be more fitting. Little thieving magpies, attracted by bright shiny things. Easily distracted, and would drop something if they saw something better, although they were little hoarders, with their treasures tucked in multiple pouches and bags around their scrawny naked little bodies. They skittered away as soon as they realized Angelika was Alfar, and kept their distance.
In fact, non-human races were much in evidence, far more so than on Earth, where they were still shy of human contact. Lady B. would like it here.
The shopkeeper in the store where she had stocked up on essential supplies had given her a courteous Alfar greeting, though his prices were daylight robbery. She had beaten him down but was sure that Lady B. could have done better. Well, one day that lady would step down from her elected position as Chief Councillor of Bynnr Domain, and look out Mars when that happened!
And then Angelika spotted something she'd never seen before.
An ogre woman, strolling casually down the main (and only) street of Ultima Thule. Angelika had never seen one before – they were less numerous than ogre men and just as solitary. Rumoured to be smarter, though that was not saying much. This one had the usual thick-set body and bony head with straggly hair. Her long yellow tusks made her look like a walrus. She was oddly and richly dressed, and tottered carefully down the street on what looked like high wooden pattens. She was supported by two of her troupe of human bodyguards. They were all remarkably handsome men – Angelika tended to notice these things.
The ogre woman spotted Angelika staring and smirked, glancing over her arrogantly. But when she caught sight of the charms at Angelika's waist, the smirk faded and she changed direction hurriedly, catching her supporters off guard. She wobbled dangerously, caught her balance, wobbled again as she wacked furiously at the heads of her human crutches, then set off into the nearest building at a cracking pace, her bodyguards trotting to keep up.
Odd...
Angelika glanced down at the charms at her waist. Two heraldic devices hung from a gold chain; a swallow and a large pearl – the device of Brynnr Domain, and a gift from Drowned Ys. Most Alfar only wore one. Angelika was entitled to four. One of Angelika's Domain connections was properous and influential; one of them unpredictable and dangerous. The devices were powerful charms of protection. The little trolls eyed them greedily but wisely stayed away.
Ogres, however, were not usually so easily impressed though they still kept their distance. That little scene had been disturbing... it reminded Angelika of certain creepy fairy-tales...
Well, she had better things to do than wonder about the oddness of female ogres. It was time to find her transport to her place of contract, a mine in the Blessed Isle region.
The Dark Stranger
The owner had no transport of his own. A bad sign; indicating a struggling business. She had found no such indication when she was negotiating her contract. She’d travelled to Blessed Isle by ramshackle freighter along with some spare parts and provisions. She was lucky to have an actual seat beside the pilot and not have to sit in the hold perched on a storage box.
And now here she was. “Blessed Isle” indeed. It looked like she was going to be the mechanic, as well as ogre wrangler (and union representative – ogres were hopeless at representing themselves).
The only other person there besides three ogres was the owner. Her research had indicated that this was a reasonably prosperous business, with about ten human employees and four ogres, who did the non-automated digging and heavy lifting, in return for food & clothing and a few gold coins. Goodness knew what use they had for the coins.
What had happened?
After a bit of determined interrogation, the mine owner had given up the information that there were… people coming round offering to buy up the mine. Shady types. He had refused, and now accidents were happening, machinery was being stolen or sabotaged and credit lines drying up.
Then this morning at breakfast muster, one of the ogres was missing. Not unusual. They would drop everything and go walkabout for what seemed like no reason at all, maybe turn up again at the same mine after a couple of months or maybe somewhere else. Or simply disappear. They could walk for days without water, he could have gone anywhere. The other ogres were restless, muttering amongst themselves but refusing to look her in the eye or volunteer any opinion on what had happened to him. That was disturbing. She expected them to be completely unconcerned at the disappearance of one of their number. Were they nervous that something might happen to them, too? It seemed much more likely than that they were actually concerned about another ogre let alone anyone else.
She’d gone for a scout around the perimeter of the mine and found signs that something heavy and ogre-sized had been dragged to a big depression in the dusty ground, where a ship might have sat.
Then when she’d returned to the mine to report this, she’d caught a glimpse of some-one just leaving the office. A chill had gone through her - she was sure it was the dark stranger, whom she had seen twice before – once as a child in Ys, then once again just after Leo left for parts unknown. She’d dashed into the office to demand answers; but after the owner had refused point-blank to answer her questions, she’d swiftly gone after the stranger before he could disappear.
But disappear he had, with no sign of a transport anywhere.
What on Mars was going on?
Angelika had marched back into the office, terminated her contract and stated her determination to get the bottom of all these mysterious goings on. The owner had looked gloomy, but resigned.
She’d hitched a ride with the next shipment out of Blessed Isle. This time she did have to sit in the hold.
But before she left, she'd put in a call to Earth, and asked an old friend to meet her in Ultima Thule.
And now here she was. “Blessed Isle” indeed. It looked like she was going to be the mechanic, as well as ogre wrangler (and union representative – ogres were hopeless at representing themselves).
The only other person there besides three ogres was the owner. Her research had indicated that this was a reasonably prosperous business, with about ten human employees and four ogres, who did the non-automated digging and heavy lifting, in return for food & clothing and a few gold coins. Goodness knew what use they had for the coins.
What had happened?
After a bit of determined interrogation, the mine owner had given up the information that there were… people coming round offering to buy up the mine. Shady types. He had refused, and now accidents were happening, machinery was being stolen or sabotaged and credit lines drying up.
Then this morning at breakfast muster, one of the ogres was missing. Not unusual. They would drop everything and go walkabout for what seemed like no reason at all, maybe turn up again at the same mine after a couple of months or maybe somewhere else. Or simply disappear. They could walk for days without water, he could have gone anywhere. The other ogres were restless, muttering amongst themselves but refusing to look her in the eye or volunteer any opinion on what had happened to him. That was disturbing. She expected them to be completely unconcerned at the disappearance of one of their number. Were they nervous that something might happen to them, too? It seemed much more likely than that they were actually concerned about another ogre let alone anyone else.
She’d gone for a scout around the perimeter of the mine and found signs that something heavy and ogre-sized had been dragged to a big depression in the dusty ground, where a ship might have sat.
Then when she’d returned to the mine to report this, she’d caught a glimpse of some-one just leaving the office. A chill had gone through her - she was sure it was the dark stranger, whom she had seen twice before – once as a child in Ys, then once again just after Leo left for parts unknown. She’d dashed into the office to demand answers; but after the owner had refused point-blank to answer her questions, she’d swiftly gone after the stranger before he could disappear.
But disappear he had, with no sign of a transport anywhere.
What on Mars was going on?
Angelika had marched back into the office, terminated her contract and stated her determination to get the bottom of all these mysterious goings on. The owner had looked gloomy, but resigned.
She’d hitched a ride with the next shipment out of Blessed Isle. This time she did have to sit in the hold.
But before she left, she'd put in a call to Earth, and asked an old friend to meet her in Ultima Thule.
Then they’d start asking questions… there were some people she knew in Ultimate Thule who might know something… One thing was for sure – this would be more fun than ogre-wrangling…
Photo credits: Photo of Raine (Iplehouse Lahela) supplied by fellow i-mag-i-nation forum member Bren. Backgrounds are licensed images from Dreamstime.com.
Photo credits: Photo of Raine (Iplehouse Lahela) supplied by fellow i-mag-i-nation forum member Bren. Backgrounds are licensed images from Dreamstime.com.
Unbeknownst to Angelika, other agents are after the same information...
Report to the Grand Council of Non-human Peoples from Mare Bellum
Report from Council operative in Mare Bellum: biggest city in the Blessed Isle region, a hotbed of criminal activity and headquarters of more than one criminal syndicate.
"Scuttle-butt in the bars is that one of the criminal syndicates headquartered in Mare Bellum is expanding into legitimate activities.
Amongst the gamblers are ogres… they seem to be working as “enforcers” for the syndicates nowadays… and have acquired a taste for gold coins…
I was sitting discreetly in the shadows, watching the girls work the bar when two ogres slid into the bench opposite me. Tossing small pouches of gold coin onto the table, they invited me to a game.
Of course, I accepted. Somehow, one ogre won all the coin, including that of the other ogre.
As the game progressed, one of them let slip that an ogre woman was recruiting for one of the organizations – and the coin was to win her favour…
Ogres being bad losers, the inevitable happened – a few moments after the loser realized that all his coin was gone, he surged to his feet with a roar and attacked the other ogre.
I slipped out during the ensuing melee and got the girls out before the building came down around our heads…"
"Scuttle-butt in the bars is that one of the criminal syndicates headquartered in Mare Bellum is expanding into legitimate activities.
Amongst the gamblers are ogres… they seem to be working as “enforcers” for the syndicates nowadays… and have acquired a taste for gold coins…
I was sitting discreetly in the shadows, watching the girls work the bar when two ogres slid into the bench opposite me. Tossing small pouches of gold coin onto the table, they invited me to a game.
Of course, I accepted. Somehow, one ogre won all the coin, including that of the other ogre.
As the game progressed, one of them let slip that an ogre woman was recruiting for one of the organizations – and the coin was to win her favour…
Ogres being bad losers, the inevitable happened – a few moments after the loser realized that all his coin was gone, he surged to his feet with a roar and attacked the other ogre.
I slipped out during the ensuing melee and got the girls out before the building came down around our heads…"
The Hunt for the Ogre Woman
Angelika found Raine arguing heatedly with two customs guards at the tiny guard post at the Ultimata Thule port.
Although it went against the grain, she'd extricated Raine swiftly before she decided to shoot up the post for sport. They had things to do, and no time to waste waiting in the local lock-up for the tut-tutting circuit judge to make his rounds.
With a last glare at the hidden surveillance camera, Raine had condescended to leave with Angelika; but not before promising herself to settle the score over her confiscated belongings. Maybe setting off the tiny explosive charge in the case... after everyone had gone home of course. She wasn't vindictive, after all.
Although it went against the grain, she'd extricated Raine swiftly before she decided to shoot up the post for sport. They had things to do, and no time to waste waiting in the local lock-up for the tut-tutting circuit judge to make his rounds.
With a last glare at the hidden surveillance camera, Raine had condescended to leave with Angelika; but not before promising herself to settle the score over her confiscated belongings. Maybe setting off the tiny explosive charge in the case... after everyone had gone home of course. She wasn't vindictive, after all.
Tucking themselves into a dark corner of a nearby pub, Angelika swiftly brought Raine up to date on the shady goings-on in Blessed Isle.
A little discreet inquiry on her part, under the pretext of finding another job, had elicited the information that small mine owners all over the region were selling up and then leaving promptly, as if under pressure to depart before anyone could question them. Nasty accidents and employee desertions were the lot of those who refused to sell up. The tattle was that the buyer was a Mare Bellum crime syndicate, and the representative the ogre woman Angelika had seen.
She told Raine about the strange ogre woman, and her odd reaction to the sight of Angelika, or more likely, the insignia of her Alfar affiliations... a very interesting reaction. She had practically fled. Angelika would very much like to find out more about her...
Their quarry was distinctive. She should not be hard to track. Nothing went unnoticed in this little hick town. A little socializing in the bar that the port workers frequented had given them what they wanted to know - on which ship the ogre woman and her distinctive entourage had headed out. Seemed that she'd lit out for richer pickings than this chicken-scratch dirt-patch.
"I want my stuff." said Raine suddenly, rethinking her intention to blow it up, along with the customs post. Angelika looked at her.
"Don't worry, we'll pick it up before we leave. There are only three security cameras. And those guards are too damn lazy to monitor them. We'll pick off the cameras, and be in and out while those lumps are away in dreamland. There's only liquor confiscated from ogres in that post. Nothing valuable. Apart from your case," she said, grinning at Raine's look.
" You're not going to pick them off with that cannon of yours!"
"Of course not. I've got little stuff with me. What you got on you?"
"Sufficient to deal with a little minor inconvenience."
"Good. Now that's out of the way, let's order. This place has a rep for unexpected culinary expertise..."
The next morning, Raine and Angelika stood at the railing of the airship, the fresh wind of the rainy season blowing through their hair. Angelika wondered briefly what her brother was doing. Something proper and Special Division-like, she supposed. Escorting diplomats between Grand Council meetings, or something like that. Yawn.
She and Raine were headed for a wee chat with a mining magnate of Angelika's acquaintance; she had an open invitation to visit his "retirement villa" - actually a staging post for ore coming from the outer reaches of the Troll Highlands. Plenty of old acquaintances to pump for information... and the presence of Raine would be a bonus. The old villain had a weakness for gorgeous women - and the more dangerous, the better, in his opinion.
This was going to be fun...
A little discreet inquiry on her part, under the pretext of finding another job, had elicited the information that small mine owners all over the region were selling up and then leaving promptly, as if under pressure to depart before anyone could question them. Nasty accidents and employee desertions were the lot of those who refused to sell up. The tattle was that the buyer was a Mare Bellum crime syndicate, and the representative the ogre woman Angelika had seen.
She told Raine about the strange ogre woman, and her odd reaction to the sight of Angelika, or more likely, the insignia of her Alfar affiliations... a very interesting reaction. She had practically fled. Angelika would very much like to find out more about her...
Their quarry was distinctive. She should not be hard to track. Nothing went unnoticed in this little hick town. A little socializing in the bar that the port workers frequented had given them what they wanted to know - on which ship the ogre woman and her distinctive entourage had headed out. Seemed that she'd lit out for richer pickings than this chicken-scratch dirt-patch.
"I want my stuff." said Raine suddenly, rethinking her intention to blow it up, along with the customs post. Angelika looked at her.
"Don't worry, we'll pick it up before we leave. There are only three security cameras. And those guards are too damn lazy to monitor them. We'll pick off the cameras, and be in and out while those lumps are away in dreamland. There's only liquor confiscated from ogres in that post. Nothing valuable. Apart from your case," she said, grinning at Raine's look.
" You're not going to pick them off with that cannon of yours!"
"Of course not. I've got little stuff with me. What you got on you?"
"Sufficient to deal with a little minor inconvenience."
"Good. Now that's out of the way, let's order. This place has a rep for unexpected culinary expertise..."
The next morning, Raine and Angelika stood at the railing of the airship, the fresh wind of the rainy season blowing through their hair. Angelika wondered briefly what her brother was doing. Something proper and Special Division-like, she supposed. Escorting diplomats between Grand Council meetings, or something like that. Yawn.
She and Raine were headed for a wee chat with a mining magnate of Angelika's acquaintance; she had an open invitation to visit his "retirement villa" - actually a staging post for ore coming from the outer reaches of the Troll Highlands. Plenty of old acquaintances to pump for information... and the presence of Raine would be a bonus. The old villain had a weakness for gorgeous women - and the more dangerous, the better, in his opinion.
This was going to be fun...
The Staging Post
They’d walked straight into the frenzied preparations for a grand party. The eldest daughter was leaving to expand the family business in another region, and was determined that her farewell bash would be one to remember.
After a flurry of welcome, the daughters of the house had hurried off to continue the necessary arrangements, bursting back into their father’s snug study overlooking the river traffic at odd intervals to consult urgently with him before hurrying off again, promising to show their guests the time of their lives that evening.
Perceiving the impossibility of pumping their host for information under these trying circumstances, they left him to the tender mercies of his daughters and decided to try their luck amongst Angelika’s contacts in the little settlement.
Of the few that she could track down, the talk was always the same; many small-claim miners had sold up and left the region, most not even taking the time to take their leave of old acquaintances. Some had just disappeared, and their claims appeared deserted and abandoned. Her acquaintances looked glum and spoke of leaving for elsewhere themselves.
Perhaps more could be learned from their hosts.
Later that evening, they sat in the fine dining salon at their hosts’ table dressed in borrowed finery.
After a flurry of welcome, the daughters of the house had hurried off to continue the necessary arrangements, bursting back into their father’s snug study overlooking the river traffic at odd intervals to consult urgently with him before hurrying off again, promising to show their guests the time of their lives that evening.
Perceiving the impossibility of pumping their host for information under these trying circumstances, they left him to the tender mercies of his daughters and decided to try their luck amongst Angelika’s contacts in the little settlement.
Of the few that she could track down, the talk was always the same; many small-claim miners had sold up and left the region, most not even taking the time to take their leave of old acquaintances. Some had just disappeared, and their claims appeared deserted and abandoned. Her acquaintances looked glum and spoke of leaving for elsewhere themselves.
Perhaps more could be learned from their hosts.
Later that evening, they sat in the fine dining salon at their hosts’ table dressed in borrowed finery.
As the evening progressed, the conversation grew louder and the talk looser. Angelika dropped her sighting of the strange ogre woman casually into the conversation and was rewarded with an explosion of excited conjecture and condemnation. The company at their table were convinced a crime syndicate from Mare Bellum was behind the recent buy-outs, and the ogre woman was involved somehow.
The eldest daughter, Tiffany spoke up.
As her father's prime representative, she had tried to make some inquiries herself, but had been stonewalled at every turn. Those who had sold up had either moved away or refused to talk, and those who had refused offers were not anxious to talk. The one piece of solid information she had was that an ogre woman with a strange entourage always appeared at the same time as these “offers” were made. And she invariably returned to Mare Bellum.
Later, as Angelika and Raine stood on a small balcony with the family, watching the fireworks over the river; a man in the house livery had discreetly approached their host and spoke to him in an urgent undertone. Their host nodded, then asked Angelika and Raine to accompany him.
Once outside the noisy salon, he had turned to them and said, “Please. Don’t get involved. These people won’t hesitate to remove anyone who gets in their way.”
Angelika smiled reassuringly at their host. “Don’t worry. We can take care of ourselves”. He looked concerned, but unsurprised.
He said hesitatingly, “There have been... others. Making enquiries, I mean. People I wouldn’t like to make enemies of. People whom even a Mare Bellum syndicate shouldn’t cross.”
Angelika and Raine looked at him. He nodded down at the insignia at Angelika’s waist. A flash of understanding lit her eyes.
“Have you had any contact with these… others?”
“There was one here a month ago. Not really asking questions. Just… watching and listening...
And now an official agent from the Grand Council has asked to see me. Why?
‘I have an uneasy feeling the Council has got involved somehow, and they’re not just moving through official Special Division channels. If some-one has crossed them, well, I wouldn’t like to be in their shoes.”
‘Well, well’, thought Angelika. ‘Maybe big brother wasn’t escorting diplomats around after all’. If that syndicate had Special Division and the Grand Council after them, she didn’t rate their chances of survival high either.
If anyone thought she and Raine were going home tamely now, they were certifiably crazy. She wanted in.
She looked at Raine. A look flickered between them. She turned and beamed at their host. He blinked, and looked worried.
“Well,” said Angelika brightly. “Thank you. That is interesting. And now I think your man is waiting for you,” she said, nodding towards the quiet man waiting impassively just out of earshot.
Taking Raine’s elbow, Angelika hustled her back into the bright, loud salon.
As soon as their host was out of sight she hissed to Raine, “So, something big is going down! You want in?”
“You need to ask?”
Angelika smiled widely. “And what do you think our next move should be?”
“Cherchez la femme?”
They grinned at each other. “Mare Bellum, here we come!”
Coded transmission to the Grand Council from Agent Zero:
Investigations in Blessed Isle inconclusive. Ogre disappearances roughly coincide with buy-out of mines. Volume of production in bought-out mines does not match apparent activity. Suggest sending an operative who can penetrate mines without being detected. Map showing location of mines being transmitted now. Joining agents in Mare Bellum. Transmission over.
Coded transmission to the Grand Council from Agent Mirabilis:
Mirabilis Corporation confirmed as source of agit-prop material targeting lesser beings. Transmission over.
[Photo credits: Backgrounds: licensed images from Dreamstime.com. Photo of Raine provided by Bren.]
The eldest daughter, Tiffany spoke up.
As her father's prime representative, she had tried to make some inquiries herself, but had been stonewalled at every turn. Those who had sold up had either moved away or refused to talk, and those who had refused offers were not anxious to talk. The one piece of solid information she had was that an ogre woman with a strange entourage always appeared at the same time as these “offers” were made. And she invariably returned to Mare Bellum.
Later, as Angelika and Raine stood on a small balcony with the family, watching the fireworks over the river; a man in the house livery had discreetly approached their host and spoke to him in an urgent undertone. Their host nodded, then asked Angelika and Raine to accompany him.
Once outside the noisy salon, he had turned to them and said, “Please. Don’t get involved. These people won’t hesitate to remove anyone who gets in their way.”
Angelika smiled reassuringly at their host. “Don’t worry. We can take care of ourselves”. He looked concerned, but unsurprised.
He said hesitatingly, “There have been... others. Making enquiries, I mean. People I wouldn’t like to make enemies of. People whom even a Mare Bellum syndicate shouldn’t cross.”
Angelika and Raine looked at him. He nodded down at the insignia at Angelika’s waist. A flash of understanding lit her eyes.
“Have you had any contact with these… others?”
“There was one here a month ago. Not really asking questions. Just… watching and listening...
And now an official agent from the Grand Council has asked to see me. Why?
‘I have an uneasy feeling the Council has got involved somehow, and they’re not just moving through official Special Division channels. If some-one has crossed them, well, I wouldn’t like to be in their shoes.”
‘Well, well’, thought Angelika. ‘Maybe big brother wasn’t escorting diplomats around after all’. If that syndicate had Special Division and the Grand Council after them, she didn’t rate their chances of survival high either.
If anyone thought she and Raine were going home tamely now, they were certifiably crazy. She wanted in.
She looked at Raine. A look flickered between them. She turned and beamed at their host. He blinked, and looked worried.
“Well,” said Angelika brightly. “Thank you. That is interesting. And now I think your man is waiting for you,” she said, nodding towards the quiet man waiting impassively just out of earshot.
Taking Raine’s elbow, Angelika hustled her back into the bright, loud salon.
As soon as their host was out of sight she hissed to Raine, “So, something big is going down! You want in?”
“You need to ask?”
Angelika smiled widely. “And what do you think our next move should be?”
“Cherchez la femme?”
They grinned at each other. “Mare Bellum, here we come!”
Coded transmission to the Grand Council from Agent Zero:
Investigations in Blessed Isle inconclusive. Ogre disappearances roughly coincide with buy-out of mines. Volume of production in bought-out mines does not match apparent activity. Suggest sending an operative who can penetrate mines without being detected. Map showing location of mines being transmitted now. Joining agents in Mare Bellum. Transmission over.
Coded transmission to the Grand Council from Agent Mirabilis:
Mirabilis Corporation confirmed as source of agit-prop material targeting lesser beings. Transmission over.
[Photo credits: Backgrounds: licensed images from Dreamstime.com. Photo of Raine provided by Bren.]
Report to the Grand Council of Non-human Peoples from Waterfall City
Report from Council operative from Meteorological Station number two, situated in the first high peaks of the Troll Highlands.
It is the rainy season, and water pours through the “streets” of the tiny city; principal weather station of Mars, and home to the Chief Meteorologist. From here, and from two other stations ringing the stony rain-washed mountains, the Meteorological Institute of Mars studies the “weather” generated by the ancient climate-machines installed by a long-forgotten race deep below the roots of the mountains.
Within the ring of stations, the Troll Highlands is a desolate area, constantly beset by lightning storms and rain; given over to trolls and the occasional outcast human or ogre.
The operative’s task; to follow up on the Greystone Clan operative’s investigation in the Highlands themselves. The Chief Meteorologist is uniquely placed to notice anything unusual happening there.
Official report to the Grand Council follows.
The Chief Meteorologist was pleased to talk about his work to anyone who expressed even a mild interest. After two days of talk about the weather, he let slip an interesting piece of information.
Some months ago (he does not recall the exact date), a large surface convoy passed slowly through the Highlands.
It stopped for a few days from time to time but eventually returned the way it had come. The presence of any surface transport within the Highlands, although not forbidden is sufficiently unusual for the Meteorologist to notice it and recall it during our conversations.
Not being weather related however, he did not record it and therefore the exact date can only be roughly estimated at approximately five months ago, possibly occurring before the desertion of several troll warrens was noticed.
Once the convoy left the Highlands, the Chief Meteorologist lost all interest in it and did not observe where it went.
However, he did remark that it departed the Highlands under cover of night close to Meteorological Station number one. This is apparently most unusual for surface transports, which normally travel during the day since this region has no established roads.
There is a staging post for river-borne and surface transportation between the Station and the nearest human habitation.
A visit there was unproductive however. No large surface transport convoys were noted passing through the area, under cover of night or otherwise. It appears the convoy may have broken up and dispersed once it left the Highlands.
There was an Alfar woman there; affiliated with Brynnr and another Domain whose insignia I did not recognize. Her travelling companion was a woman of unknown origin. I had received no instructions with regard to such personages so did not attempt to contact them.
It is the rainy season, and water pours through the “streets” of the tiny city; principal weather station of Mars, and home to the Chief Meteorologist. From here, and from two other stations ringing the stony rain-washed mountains, the Meteorological Institute of Mars studies the “weather” generated by the ancient climate-machines installed by a long-forgotten race deep below the roots of the mountains.
Within the ring of stations, the Troll Highlands is a desolate area, constantly beset by lightning storms and rain; given over to trolls and the occasional outcast human or ogre.
The operative’s task; to follow up on the Greystone Clan operative’s investigation in the Highlands themselves. The Chief Meteorologist is uniquely placed to notice anything unusual happening there.
Official report to the Grand Council follows.
The Chief Meteorologist was pleased to talk about his work to anyone who expressed even a mild interest. After two days of talk about the weather, he let slip an interesting piece of information.
Some months ago (he does not recall the exact date), a large surface convoy passed slowly through the Highlands.
It stopped for a few days from time to time but eventually returned the way it had come. The presence of any surface transport within the Highlands, although not forbidden is sufficiently unusual for the Meteorologist to notice it and recall it during our conversations.
Not being weather related however, he did not record it and therefore the exact date can only be roughly estimated at approximately five months ago, possibly occurring before the desertion of several troll warrens was noticed.
Once the convoy left the Highlands, the Chief Meteorologist lost all interest in it and did not observe where it went.
However, he did remark that it departed the Highlands under cover of night close to Meteorological Station number one. This is apparently most unusual for surface transports, which normally travel during the day since this region has no established roads.
There is a staging post for river-borne and surface transportation between the Station and the nearest human habitation.
A visit there was unproductive however. No large surface transport convoys were noted passing through the area, under cover of night or otherwise. It appears the convoy may have broken up and dispersed once it left the Highlands.
There was an Alfar woman there; affiliated with Brynnr and another Domain whose insignia I did not recognize. Her travelling companion was a woman of unknown origin. I had received no instructions with regard to such personages so did not attempt to contact them.
Report from Council operative in Belle Isle region:
Report from Council operative Samson.
As instructed, I teleported to the largest mine bought out by Mirabilis Corporation.
I remained in the shadows for three days, but have seen little activity apart from puzzling movements of human security personnel. The purpose of their presence is unknown. Reports of increased production from this mine would seem to be incorrect.
Urgent further transmission to Grand Council and Agent Zero;
A security detail has been observed entering a hidden elevator going down to unmapped lower levels. Will follow and report back...
As instructed, I teleported to the largest mine bought out by Mirabilis Corporation.
I remained in the shadows for three days, but have seen little activity apart from puzzling movements of human security personnel. The purpose of their presence is unknown. Reports of increased production from this mine would seem to be incorrect.
Urgent further transmission to Grand Council and Agent Zero;
A security detail has been observed entering a hidden elevator going down to unmapped lower levels. Will follow and report back...
The Missing
Bored, Samson had been about to depart the lowest level and leave the mine, when a thin faint slit of light where none should be had caught his attention.
It sliced downwards, then widened out, disgorging six shadows from the interior of the hidden elevator. Mine security.
A troupe of replacement security appeared down the corridor. The troupes passed each other with loud derisive greetings. The replacements entered the elevator, and the door slid shut once more.
He waited.
After a time, he stood outside the elevator door. Now he could see the thin crack that indicated a door.
He did not need a door.
He cast his mind before him, down the deep well of the elevator shaft, until he sensed the corridor at the bottommost depth. He pulled his body after him, and slid into the nearest shadows.
There was a short corridor, then a room; most probably an ante-room before the mine proper, which apparently was now sited below the officially mapped levels. Guards surrounding a fire, most asleep at their posts, but not all.
And to one side, a soft clanking. He stood still and silent in the shadows by the entrance, and looked carefully at the heap of bodies.
Ogres, chained together. Close by, a large cage. Inside, there was a sudden chirring movement, as the goblin trolls inside noticed a darker shadow inside the shadows. A guard shouted, and they subsided once more.
Samson slid from shadow to shadow, carefully inspecting the captive ogres and trolls. So this was how the Consortium had managed to ramp up production in their newly acquired properties.
Slaves.
The little trolls watched him carefully. He gazed silently back at them. They were mostly completely naked, the pouches and chains which normally festooned their bodies were gone. Beyond their cage was a heap of rubbish. He could just make out a few gleams where the firelight caught a bit of metal – their treasures – ripped from them and thrown just out of reach, taunting in their closeness.
And in the shadows behind the heap, a large body; lying gracelessly where it had been dragged.
Samson slid close.
It breathed, every breath a deliberate effort of will. Apparently now useless, the ogre had been dragged here to die.
Gorlak swung in and out of conciousness, each dark spell longer than that which preceded it. Soon, he would close his eyes forever, and he would die here; far from the surface, where he had been a member of a despised and outcast race, but still free.
He longed for something... the wind touching his face, to see the stars one last time... but never again.
Without wonder or fear, he saw the stranger in the black cloak bend over him. Black, inhuman eyes inspected him carefully, then looked towards the guards. At any moment, they might look up and notice the strange shadow bending over the trash.
Samson spoke quietly, hardly even a murmur... “What can I do for you?”
No response, although Samson sensed Gorlak knew he was there.
Samson could not teleport Gorlak out without the guards noticing that the body had disappeared, alerting them to the possibility of discovery. And Gorlak was dying.
There was one thing he could do.
He called on the Guardian for aid.
It sliced downwards, then widened out, disgorging six shadows from the interior of the hidden elevator. Mine security.
A troupe of replacement security appeared down the corridor. The troupes passed each other with loud derisive greetings. The replacements entered the elevator, and the door slid shut once more.
He waited.
After a time, he stood outside the elevator door. Now he could see the thin crack that indicated a door.
He did not need a door.
He cast his mind before him, down the deep well of the elevator shaft, until he sensed the corridor at the bottommost depth. He pulled his body after him, and slid into the nearest shadows.
There was a short corridor, then a room; most probably an ante-room before the mine proper, which apparently was now sited below the officially mapped levels. Guards surrounding a fire, most asleep at their posts, but not all.
And to one side, a soft clanking. He stood still and silent in the shadows by the entrance, and looked carefully at the heap of bodies.
Ogres, chained together. Close by, a large cage. Inside, there was a sudden chirring movement, as the goblin trolls inside noticed a darker shadow inside the shadows. A guard shouted, and they subsided once more.
Samson slid from shadow to shadow, carefully inspecting the captive ogres and trolls. So this was how the Consortium had managed to ramp up production in their newly acquired properties.
Slaves.
The little trolls watched him carefully. He gazed silently back at them. They were mostly completely naked, the pouches and chains which normally festooned their bodies were gone. Beyond their cage was a heap of rubbish. He could just make out a few gleams where the firelight caught a bit of metal – their treasures – ripped from them and thrown just out of reach, taunting in their closeness.
And in the shadows behind the heap, a large body; lying gracelessly where it had been dragged.
Samson slid close.
It breathed, every breath a deliberate effort of will. Apparently now useless, the ogre had been dragged here to die.
Gorlak swung in and out of conciousness, each dark spell longer than that which preceded it. Soon, he would close his eyes forever, and he would die here; far from the surface, where he had been a member of a despised and outcast race, but still free.
He longed for something... the wind touching his face, to see the stars one last time... but never again.
Without wonder or fear, he saw the stranger in the black cloak bend over him. Black, inhuman eyes inspected him carefully, then looked towards the guards. At any moment, they might look up and notice the strange shadow bending over the trash.
Samson spoke quietly, hardly even a murmur... “What can I do for you?”
No response, although Samson sensed Gorlak knew he was there.
Samson could not teleport Gorlak out without the guards noticing that the body had disappeared, alerting them to the possibility of discovery. And Gorlak was dying.
There was one thing he could do.
He called on the Guardian for aid.
Gorlak felt her presence like a tickle in his mind.
A child.
A little girl, as innocent as the springtime of the world.
She asked him what he wanted. Not what he needed.
He thought of the surface above. The wind, the stars; when he had walked free in the world.
She cupped his mind in careful hands, and he felt himself lifted, as light as a feather, through the darkness of stone and metal, to the soft darkness of the night above.
The wind blew through the grasses, and his soul took flight.
Far below, the careful breathing stilled, and then Gorlak sighed, a breath without pain. He was gone.
A child.
A little girl, as innocent as the springtime of the world.
She asked him what he wanted. Not what he needed.
He thought of the surface above. The wind, the stars; when he had walked free in the world.
She cupped his mind in careful hands, and he felt himself lifted, as light as a feather, through the darkness of stone and metal, to the soft darkness of the night above.
The wind blew through the grasses, and his soul took flight.
Far below, the careful breathing stilled, and then Gorlak sighed, a breath without pain. He was gone.
Mirabilis
The great bronze car glided to a halt in front of the porte-cochere set into the high walls of the Mirabilis mansion. The great armoured doors were wide open, and inside a throng of expensively dressed guests could be glimpsed milling around the interior courtyard.
A uniformed footman hurried to open the door for the two ladies nestled within the luxurious interior of the passenger cabin. He hesitated slightly at the lionesses’ eyes of the white-haired woman as she looked at his proffered hand, then relaxed as she smiled dazzlingly at him.
Raine and Angelika joined the cream of Mare Bellum society in the fountained courtyard beyond the gates. Security, both discreet and blatant, surrounded and mingled amongst the crowd as they thronged towards the entrance of the mansion itself. This was probably the most insecure the mansion had ever been, and the best chance that the women had of finding out more about the Consortium.
The trail of the ogre woman had led Angelika and Raine to Mare Bellum, home city of the Mirabilis Consortium. They were convinced that it was here in the fortified headquarters of that ill-reputed organization that answers to the shady dealings in Blessed Isle could be found.
As soon as the ore freighter that had brought them to Mare Bellum had landed, Angelika had contacted old friends from Erewhon domiciled here. She suspected they were Special Division agents and intended to pump them for anything they knew about Mirabilis. They confirmed that the ogre woman was indeed employed by the Mirabilis Consortium as an ogre recruiter, though she preferred human company to that of her own people.
To Angelika’s delight she learned that there was soon to be an exclusive party given by the head of the Mirabilis family for the great and not-so-good of Mare Bellum. He had grand political ambitions, and was shooting straight for the position of Regional Governor, his way oiled by seemingly endless amounts of money. Will informed them that the normally iron security of the headquarters had to be loosened as the party was intended to present Mirabilis as a credible candidate to the most influential members of Mare Bellum society. He would be presenting his best smiling face to his guests to try and win their support. Will wondered cynically how long it would take for the smile to snap shut like a trap should he succeed in becoming Governor.
This was their chance to find out what was going on. Time to pull a few strings and get on the party list.
They paused inside the great entrance hall and assessed the crowd of expensively dressed guests. Angelika did not see the contacts who had arranged their invitations.
As one, they coolly dismissed the chattering crowd in front of them as unimportant, and made their way with difficulty towards the Grand Salon. A narrow path opened in front of them as they moved, sometimes in response to Angelika’s brilliant smile, sometimes for Raine’s level gaze which for some reason seemed to unnerve those who would otherwise have tried to engage them in idle conversation.
A while later, they stood beside a huge potted palm in a corner of the beautiful ballroom sipping cold Mars champagne and observing the social elite of Mare Bellum being schmoozed effortlessly by Mirabilis himself.
They’d spotted the ogre woman, eccentrically dressed and surrounded by her handsome entourage. Angelika was careful thereafter to avoid direct line of sight, remembering the woman’s reaction to the sight of some-one with Alfar connections. She wore no identifying symbols tonight.
Time to split up and circulate. Syncing the timepieces in their delicate jewellery, they agreed to contact each other if they spotted anything, and meet up in the same spot in an hour if not.
Half an hour later, a discreet buzz on her wrist indicated that Raine had found something. She turned slowly around until the warmth of the timepiece indicated the right direction.
She strolled in Raine’s direction, pausing from time to time to smile and nod at distant acquaintances so as to avoid undue attention. She supposed the room was under constant observation but it was full of guests and she took care to put large groups between herself and the discreet security and waiting staff.
She joined Raine in a small alcove. A small chattering group made to enter, but moved hastily on after encountering Raine’s cool glance.
Raine moved her head slightly towards the door behind her. Doors led from the alcoves to other, more discreet salons. Most of the rooms were open to the guests. Not this one. It had a forbidding “Private” sign on the door. But Raine had spotted a black-clad man heading for this alcove, and enter the room beyond. He seemed unremarkable, even somehow invisible, but those who encountered his cool gaze looked away uneasily and resumed talking quickly as if to forgot his passing. Raine was reminded of Angelika’s description of the dark stranger she had encountered at the mine.
And some-one else was with him.
For a moment, she was uncertain as what to say. But then, this was Angelika.
“I think one of the Council’s agents entered that room.”
“And Leo was with him.”
Angelika stared at her friend, her mind reeling in shock. She said nothing; did not question Raine’s observation. She would not have said it if she was not sure. Angelika’s face set in determination.
“We have to get through that door.”
Raine gently swung the tiny purse hanging from her jewelled wrist. “I can get us through the door with a minimum of fuss and noise. I just need you to stand in front of me.”
A few minutes later, the lock of the door burst with a discreet hiss of acrid smoke, too quiet to hear above the noise of the salon.
Picking a moment when no-one appeared to be looking their way, they slid through the door to the room beyond, Angelika with her mother’s tiny pencil-shaped percussion cannon in her palm, and Raine with a handful of button grenades in hers.
Leo smiled genially across the room at them. Two dark shadows stood behind him, but Angelika barely glanced at them. Her gaze was locked fiercely on to Leo’s smiling eyes.
“Hello, Angelika".
A uniformed footman hurried to open the door for the two ladies nestled within the luxurious interior of the passenger cabin. He hesitated slightly at the lionesses’ eyes of the white-haired woman as she looked at his proffered hand, then relaxed as she smiled dazzlingly at him.
Raine and Angelika joined the cream of Mare Bellum society in the fountained courtyard beyond the gates. Security, both discreet and blatant, surrounded and mingled amongst the crowd as they thronged towards the entrance of the mansion itself. This was probably the most insecure the mansion had ever been, and the best chance that the women had of finding out more about the Consortium.
The trail of the ogre woman had led Angelika and Raine to Mare Bellum, home city of the Mirabilis Consortium. They were convinced that it was here in the fortified headquarters of that ill-reputed organization that answers to the shady dealings in Blessed Isle could be found.
As soon as the ore freighter that had brought them to Mare Bellum had landed, Angelika had contacted old friends from Erewhon domiciled here. She suspected they were Special Division agents and intended to pump them for anything they knew about Mirabilis. They confirmed that the ogre woman was indeed employed by the Mirabilis Consortium as an ogre recruiter, though she preferred human company to that of her own people.
To Angelika’s delight she learned that there was soon to be an exclusive party given by the head of the Mirabilis family for the great and not-so-good of Mare Bellum. He had grand political ambitions, and was shooting straight for the position of Regional Governor, his way oiled by seemingly endless amounts of money. Will informed them that the normally iron security of the headquarters had to be loosened as the party was intended to present Mirabilis as a credible candidate to the most influential members of Mare Bellum society. He would be presenting his best smiling face to his guests to try and win their support. Will wondered cynically how long it would take for the smile to snap shut like a trap should he succeed in becoming Governor.
This was their chance to find out what was going on. Time to pull a few strings and get on the party list.
They paused inside the great entrance hall and assessed the crowd of expensively dressed guests. Angelika did not see the contacts who had arranged their invitations.
As one, they coolly dismissed the chattering crowd in front of them as unimportant, and made their way with difficulty towards the Grand Salon. A narrow path opened in front of them as they moved, sometimes in response to Angelika’s brilliant smile, sometimes for Raine’s level gaze which for some reason seemed to unnerve those who would otherwise have tried to engage them in idle conversation.
A while later, they stood beside a huge potted palm in a corner of the beautiful ballroom sipping cold Mars champagne and observing the social elite of Mare Bellum being schmoozed effortlessly by Mirabilis himself.
They’d spotted the ogre woman, eccentrically dressed and surrounded by her handsome entourage. Angelika was careful thereafter to avoid direct line of sight, remembering the woman’s reaction to the sight of some-one with Alfar connections. She wore no identifying symbols tonight.
Time to split up and circulate. Syncing the timepieces in their delicate jewellery, they agreed to contact each other if they spotted anything, and meet up in the same spot in an hour if not.
Half an hour later, a discreet buzz on her wrist indicated that Raine had found something. She turned slowly around until the warmth of the timepiece indicated the right direction.
She strolled in Raine’s direction, pausing from time to time to smile and nod at distant acquaintances so as to avoid undue attention. She supposed the room was under constant observation but it was full of guests and she took care to put large groups between herself and the discreet security and waiting staff.
She joined Raine in a small alcove. A small chattering group made to enter, but moved hastily on after encountering Raine’s cool glance.
Raine moved her head slightly towards the door behind her. Doors led from the alcoves to other, more discreet salons. Most of the rooms were open to the guests. Not this one. It had a forbidding “Private” sign on the door. But Raine had spotted a black-clad man heading for this alcove, and enter the room beyond. He seemed unremarkable, even somehow invisible, but those who encountered his cool gaze looked away uneasily and resumed talking quickly as if to forgot his passing. Raine was reminded of Angelika’s description of the dark stranger she had encountered at the mine.
And some-one else was with him.
For a moment, she was uncertain as what to say. But then, this was Angelika.
“I think one of the Council’s agents entered that room.”
“And Leo was with him.”
Angelika stared at her friend, her mind reeling in shock. She said nothing; did not question Raine’s observation. She would not have said it if she was not sure. Angelika’s face set in determination.
“We have to get through that door.”
Raine gently swung the tiny purse hanging from her jewelled wrist. “I can get us through the door with a minimum of fuss and noise. I just need you to stand in front of me.”
A few minutes later, the lock of the door burst with a discreet hiss of acrid smoke, too quiet to hear above the noise of the salon.
Picking a moment when no-one appeared to be looking their way, they slid through the door to the room beyond, Angelika with her mother’s tiny pencil-shaped percussion cannon in her palm, and Raine with a handful of button grenades in hers.
Leo smiled genially across the room at them. Two dark shadows stood behind him, but Angelika barely glanced at them. Her gaze was locked fiercely on to Leo’s smiling eyes.
“Hello, Angelika".
Dust & Dreams
A wave of temper washed through Angelika as she viewed that sunny smile. The tiny percussion cannon loosened slightly in her hand as her hand shook. She gripped it fiercely and glared at the smiling louse lounging in the chair facing the door.
“Leo! What are you… doing here?”
“Angelika”. A quiet voice with an undercurrent of steely determination spoke.
“Karel!” She blinked. How could she not have noticed him standing there beside Leo?
She glanced at the man on his other side. A cold finger of wariness touched her cheek. The dark stranger of the mine. Good thing Raine was by her side. This kind of carelessness could get one killed.
Leo stopped smiling and leaned forward suddenly.
“Your timing is impeccable as always, Angelika. Trust you to head unerringly for the centre of the storm!”
She opened her mouth for a pithy retort but hesitated for a moment. “What do you mean?”
Damn, what a lame remark. “I want to know…”
She was interrupted by a sudden roaring from the salon, audible even through the thick door. Raine opened the door fractionally and peered out curiously at the disturbance in the ballroom.
Loud roars sounded between crashing noises as tables laden with glasses and tiny delicacies crashed to the floor. People fled in panic from the mob of ogres who had burst into the ballroom. Raine recognized them as “enforcers” employed by the Consortium. Interesting.
“Mirabilis, Mirabilis!” they roared, upending tables and shoving guests aside as they rampaged through the room in search of their target. The noise rose to painful levels.
“It’s begun!” exclaimed Karel. “Angelika, there’s no time to explain. We need to secure Mirabilis, and protect the guests. Will you help us?”
She looked at him. He needed to ask? She nodded. “What do you want us to do?”
“I’ll go help the guests” said Raine. She could hear a mellifluous voice, raised now in a stentorian bellow. She wanted to meet the owner of that voice again. She slipped through the door and snapped it quietly shut behind her.
“Leo! What are you… doing here?”
“Angelika”. A quiet voice with an undercurrent of steely determination spoke.
“Karel!” She blinked. How could she not have noticed him standing there beside Leo?
She glanced at the man on his other side. A cold finger of wariness touched her cheek. The dark stranger of the mine. Good thing Raine was by her side. This kind of carelessness could get one killed.
Leo stopped smiling and leaned forward suddenly.
“Your timing is impeccable as always, Angelika. Trust you to head unerringly for the centre of the storm!”
She opened her mouth for a pithy retort but hesitated for a moment. “What do you mean?”
Damn, what a lame remark. “I want to know…”
She was interrupted by a sudden roaring from the salon, audible even through the thick door. Raine opened the door fractionally and peered out curiously at the disturbance in the ballroom.
Loud roars sounded between crashing noises as tables laden with glasses and tiny delicacies crashed to the floor. People fled in panic from the mob of ogres who had burst into the ballroom. Raine recognized them as “enforcers” employed by the Consortium. Interesting.
“Mirabilis, Mirabilis!” they roared, upending tables and shoving guests aside as they rampaged through the room in search of their target. The noise rose to painful levels.
“It’s begun!” exclaimed Karel. “Angelika, there’s no time to explain. We need to secure Mirabilis, and protect the guests. Will you help us?”
She looked at him. He needed to ask? She nodded. “What do you want us to do?”
“I’ll go help the guests” said Raine. She could hear a mellifluous voice, raised now in a stentorian bellow. She wanted to meet the owner of that voice again. She slipped through the door and snapped it quietly shut behind her.
Angelika looked at Leo and Karel. The dark stranger had mysteriously melted away.
“What about Mirabilis?” Her voice was taut.
“An enemy of the Council, and our kind” said Leo.
“Mirabilis mustn't be allowed to escape,” said Karel crisply. He paused to listen to some-one speaking on his comm unit. “Angelika, stick with Leo. Leo, you can brief Angelika on the move. Now let’s go.”
He turned briskly and made for the door. Once through, he began running at a fast steady lope down a hallway with many doors.
“Let’s go join in the fun, shall we?” said Leo cheerfully, indicating the departing back of her brother.
She kicked off her shoes into the corner of the room. She would retrieve them later. She could run faster without them. Swiftly she wound her floating skirts into a rope and wrapped it around her waist, while Leo eyed her long legs approvingly.
“Ready,” she said. And without waiting for his reply, she bounded for the door and her retreating brother.
She heard him laugh, and then he was beside her, loping easily at her swift pace.
“So what’s going on?” she panted.
“Save your breath until we catch up with Karel.”
“What about Mirabilis?” Her voice was taut.
“An enemy of the Council, and our kind” said Leo.
“Mirabilis mustn't be allowed to escape,” said Karel crisply. He paused to listen to some-one speaking on his comm unit. “Angelika, stick with Leo. Leo, you can brief Angelika on the move. Now let’s go.”
He turned briskly and made for the door. Once through, he began running at a fast steady lope down a hallway with many doors.
“Let’s go join in the fun, shall we?” said Leo cheerfully, indicating the departing back of her brother.
She kicked off her shoes into the corner of the room. She would retrieve them later. She could run faster without them. Swiftly she wound her floating skirts into a rope and wrapped it around her waist, while Leo eyed her long legs approvingly.
“Ready,” she said. And without waiting for his reply, she bounded for the door and her retreating brother.
She heard him laugh, and then he was beside her, loping easily at her swift pace.
“So what’s going on?” she panted.
“Save your breath until we catch up with Karel.”
Photos of Raine and Lord Sidirion appear courtesy of Bren.
Raine stood with her back to the door and surveyed the confusion in the grand salon.
Panicked guests obscured her view, but she could see a silvery white head, the source of the bellowing, towering above the surging crowd.
She fought her way to his side as he shouted for security to assist the guests out of the room. He glanced quickly down at her as she appeared by his side, her small black weapon gripped firmly in her hand.
He gave a shout of rage as a smattering of indiscriminate fire hit the crowd of ogres. A few slumped to the ground, sending the rest into an even greater frenzy.
Raine aimed carefully, and the shooter’s gun spun from his hand. He grimaced and ran, cradling his injured hand against him. The ogres roared but did not pursue him. He wasn’t their target.
The silver-haired man glanced down at her with approval.
“Security?” he said.
“Not Mirabilis!” she answered.
He nodded.
“Let’s get these guests out of here.”
“And Mirabilis?” She had not spotted him. The top table was empty. He and his retinue were nowhere to be seen.
“Not my problem."
Panicked guests obscured her view, but she could see a silvery white head, the source of the bellowing, towering above the surging crowd.
She fought her way to his side as he shouted for security to assist the guests out of the room. He glanced quickly down at her as she appeared by his side, her small black weapon gripped firmly in her hand.
He gave a shout of rage as a smattering of indiscriminate fire hit the crowd of ogres. A few slumped to the ground, sending the rest into an even greater frenzy.
Raine aimed carefully, and the shooter’s gun spun from his hand. He grimaced and ran, cradling his injured hand against him. The ogres roared but did not pursue him. He wasn’t their target.
The silver-haired man glanced down at her with approval.
“Security?” he said.
“Not Mirabilis!” she answered.
He nodded.
“Let’s get these guests out of here.”
“And Mirabilis?” She had not spotted him. The top table was empty. He and his retinue were nowhere to be seen.
“Not my problem."
It took longer than she thought. It was fully ten minutes of running down hallways, and dodging the occasional small riot and fire-fight before they caught up with Karel.
At one juncture they had come across the body of the ogre woman, a bloodied heap of expensive and hampering clothing, her bodyguard nowhere to be seen. Angelika had stared in puzzlement, and then her gaze flinched as she recognized what she was seeing.
Leo obviously knew where they were headed. Just as well, for after a few turns and staircases she was sure she would never be able to find her way back to the ballroom.
Finally, she spotted Karel ahead of them, still running, but now loping at a steady pace instead of the sprint he had employed when bolting from the small salon.
He had been joined by three black-clad Special Division agents, and more joined them as they continued to run down the endless corridors. They barely glanced at her and Leo. She guessed they knew how she was. Annoyance spurred her efforts to keep up with Karel.
Not all confrontation could be dodged; an ogre had lunged at Angelika as she ran past a side corridor and she only just managed to side-step him before felling him with a short burst from her percussion cannon; and one staircase was held by a group of Mirabilis henchmen. They had to retreat hastily back around the corner of the hallway.
After a short exchange of fire, Karel, impatient at delays, had whipped his head around and called for his sister to take them out with her weapon. It had taken most of the charge on the tiny weapon, but the targeted sonic boom had sent their opponents and bits of staircase flying. Jumping down the damaged staircase and shooting as they went, they ran past the stunned and groaning Mirabilis henchmen and continued on their way.
And then at the bottom of a staircase, they reached a dark hallway with no exit. There was a huge vault door set in the far wall.
Karel walked slowly up and assessed it and its surrounds carefully.
He muttered under his breath and began talking urgently into his comm unit.
Angelika leaned against the wall and slid down into a sitting position, extending her long legs across the narrow hallway. Leo did the same. He was barely panting, a fact which only increased her annoyance.
“And now,” she said. “Give.”
Leo grinned. “Tell me what you know already.”
“I know Mirabilis is behind the forced buy-outs in the Belle Isle region. I recognized the ogre woman,” she paused and swallowed thickly. “I know she was a recruiter for the Consortium.”
Quickly, he filled her in on the night's extraordinary events.
Angelika was in shock, not so much at the audacity and wickedness of Mirabilis' enslavement of those he considered lesser than himself, but at the swiftness and extent of the Council's retribution.
Their agents had freed most of the slaves in one night's operation, and ensured the news would explode through the cities of Mars and Earth on the very night that Mirabilis was wooing the high and mighty of Mare Bellum.
He was ruined. His political ambitions were ash, and his property was being systematically ransacked by enraged employees and former slaves.
Council's aim was achieved. Their agents would vanish, leaving Special Division to capture Mirabilis and bring him to trial.
At one juncture they had come across the body of the ogre woman, a bloodied heap of expensive and hampering clothing, her bodyguard nowhere to be seen. Angelika had stared in puzzlement, and then her gaze flinched as she recognized what she was seeing.
Leo obviously knew where they were headed. Just as well, for after a few turns and staircases she was sure she would never be able to find her way back to the ballroom.
Finally, she spotted Karel ahead of them, still running, but now loping at a steady pace instead of the sprint he had employed when bolting from the small salon.
He had been joined by three black-clad Special Division agents, and more joined them as they continued to run down the endless corridors. They barely glanced at her and Leo. She guessed they knew how she was. Annoyance spurred her efforts to keep up with Karel.
Not all confrontation could be dodged; an ogre had lunged at Angelika as she ran past a side corridor and she only just managed to side-step him before felling him with a short burst from her percussion cannon; and one staircase was held by a group of Mirabilis henchmen. They had to retreat hastily back around the corner of the hallway.
After a short exchange of fire, Karel, impatient at delays, had whipped his head around and called for his sister to take them out with her weapon. It had taken most of the charge on the tiny weapon, but the targeted sonic boom had sent their opponents and bits of staircase flying. Jumping down the damaged staircase and shooting as they went, they ran past the stunned and groaning Mirabilis henchmen and continued on their way.
And then at the bottom of a staircase, they reached a dark hallway with no exit. There was a huge vault door set in the far wall.
Karel walked slowly up and assessed it and its surrounds carefully.
He muttered under his breath and began talking urgently into his comm unit.
Angelika leaned against the wall and slid down into a sitting position, extending her long legs across the narrow hallway. Leo did the same. He was barely panting, a fact which only increased her annoyance.
“And now,” she said. “Give.”
Leo grinned. “Tell me what you know already.”
“I know Mirabilis is behind the forced buy-outs in the Belle Isle region. I recognized the ogre woman,” she paused and swallowed thickly. “I know she was a recruiter for the Consortium.”
Quickly, he filled her in on the night's extraordinary events.
Angelika was in shock, not so much at the audacity and wickedness of Mirabilis' enslavement of those he considered lesser than himself, but at the swiftness and extent of the Council's retribution.
Their agents had freed most of the slaves in one night's operation, and ensured the news would explode through the cities of Mars and Earth on the very night that Mirabilis was wooing the high and mighty of Mare Bellum.
He was ruined. His political ambitions were ash, and his property was being systematically ransacked by enraged employees and former slaves.
Council's aim was achieved. Their agents would vanish, leaving Special Division to capture Mirabilis and bring him to trial.
Sometime later Raine and Lord Haldir Sidirion stood together with a small knot of black-clad security in the wreckage of the ballroom. One of them must be the stranger that Angelika had spotted in the mines. He appeared to be in charge. Council agents, she surmised. Dear me, Mirabilis certainly knew how to pick his enemies. She wondered what exactly he had done to enrage the Council to this extent. The ogres certainly knew, but weren’t in a mood to converse.
The influential guests that Mirabilis had been wooing had streamed away from the mansion in a wave of expensive vehicles, or failing that, on foot. His chances of being Governor were ground into the dust beneath their fleeing feet.
Muted roaring sounded occasionally as the ogres pursued their quarry through the labyrinthine corridors of the vast mansion. She had no doubt that Mirabilis could avoid them easily. And that evading the long arm of the Grand Council would not be so easy.
Sidirion looked down at her.
“Thank you for your assistance”.
Ah, what a wonderful voice. Smooth and dark, like the most expensive chocolate.
She smiled involuntarily.
He had drawn her attention at once, as she had mingled with the high and mighty of Mare Bellum in the ballroom. She had strolled through the groups of brightly-clad guests, listening with attention but not much interest to the chatter about Mirabilis’ bid for the Governorship. More fool them if they helped him to that post. She paused from time to time to smile and murmur a few words of acknowledgement to those who glanced her way. No need to attract unnecessary attention from the security ranging the room.
She had paused beside a group surrounding a tall silver-haired man. They were conversing quietly, and held themselves apart slightly from the other chattering groups.
His voice had delighted her. She had not made out his words; her whole being was focused on listening intently to that deep, resonant cultured voice.
Then he had turned his head slightly, and she had felt a rush of strange recognition at his glance. She flushed slightly in embarrassment.
And then he had asked her to dance.
She had taken his hand like an automaton, and for sixty whole seconds had allowed herself to be whirled around the ballroom in a dreamy cloud of pleasure.
Then she had spotted the dark stranger enter a door marked “Private”.
And Leo.
Her hand had tightened almost imperceptibly on her partner’s shoulder. He glanced down at her, and stopped. She had murmured an apology; then hurried off without looking back.
Damn.
And now here they were, contemplating the ruin both of the ballroom, and of Mirabilis.
What had he been up to?
The influential guests that Mirabilis had been wooing had streamed away from the mansion in a wave of expensive vehicles, or failing that, on foot. His chances of being Governor were ground into the dust beneath their fleeing feet.
Muted roaring sounded occasionally as the ogres pursued their quarry through the labyrinthine corridors of the vast mansion. She had no doubt that Mirabilis could avoid them easily. And that evading the long arm of the Grand Council would not be so easy.
Sidirion looked down at her.
“Thank you for your assistance”.
Ah, what a wonderful voice. Smooth and dark, like the most expensive chocolate.
She smiled involuntarily.
He had drawn her attention at once, as she had mingled with the high and mighty of Mare Bellum in the ballroom. She had strolled through the groups of brightly-clad guests, listening with attention but not much interest to the chatter about Mirabilis’ bid for the Governorship. More fool them if they helped him to that post. She paused from time to time to smile and murmur a few words of acknowledgement to those who glanced her way. No need to attract unnecessary attention from the security ranging the room.
She had paused beside a group surrounding a tall silver-haired man. They were conversing quietly, and held themselves apart slightly from the other chattering groups.
His voice had delighted her. She had not made out his words; her whole being was focused on listening intently to that deep, resonant cultured voice.
Then he had turned his head slightly, and she had felt a rush of strange recognition at his glance. She flushed slightly in embarrassment.
And then he had asked her to dance.
She had taken his hand like an automaton, and for sixty whole seconds had allowed herself to be whirled around the ballroom in a dreamy cloud of pleasure.
Then she had spotted the dark stranger enter a door marked “Private”.
And Leo.
Her hand had tightened almost imperceptibly on her partner’s shoulder. He glanced down at her, and stopped. She had murmured an apology; then hurried off without looking back.
Damn.
And now here they were, contemplating the ruin both of the ballroom, and of Mirabilis.
What had he been up to?
They found Angelika by the simple method of following the Council agents after they departed the ballroom.
Dark Stranger glanced at Raine and her companion but raised no objection.
A swift traverse of the mansion corridors followed, punctuated by the occasional detour to avoid small groups of ogres, some of whom seemed to have become discouraged by the lack of success in tracking down Mirabilis, and had turned instead to wanton destruction of his property.
Apart from the strategic detours, their journey was swift and certain. The Council must have had agents inside the mansion for some time, and obviously knew or guessed all his escape routes and boltholes. She fully expected to find that Leo had been one of them. This group obviously knew exactly where Mirabilis' pursuers were.
Raine wondered how long they had been plotting his downfall. They’d picked the moment when he would fall farthest, just as he appeared to be within reach of his ultimate goal – legitimacy within Mare Bellum society, from which he could pursue his illegitimate interests with impunity. But why should the Council concern them-selves with halting those?
They’d left the ground level floor and had begun descending. Interminable staircases later, they reached a dark hallway with apparently no exit.
Angelika, Leo, Karel and some others were examining the far wall. A large heavy door was set in the wall. It looked like the entrance to a walk-in vault. Miriabilis’ treasure-room perhaps.
Angelika looked around as Raine joined her, giving her distinguished companion a long unabashed stare. He was a stranger to her, but the others nodded at him, obviously knowing who he was.
“All is secure above,” stated the mysterious stranger with easy assurance. “Mirabilis has barricaded himself in here?”
“Yes,” stated Karel. “We know he did not leave via his other bolt-holes.”
“And we have their exits secured,” said Leo. “He won’t get away. But we’re pretty sure he is in here. It’s a vault, but also an ultimate hiding-place should this place be besieged by his enemies. He has enough of them.
Trouble is, we couldn’t find out much about it. Only that it existed.”
The dark stranger was examining a panel set in the wall. The locking mechanism. A tiny frown appeared on his forehead.
“I’ll mash its innards with my percussion cannon,” suggested Angelika, twirling the pencil-thin weapon in her fingers. The chase seemed to have cheered her immensely. That, and no doubt the knowledge that Leo was in fact an agent planted by the Council within the walls of the mansion.
“Yes, sweetheart, and with that, any chance of us getting him out of there before he starves to death,” said Leo, looking amused.
Angelika was unmoved by the prospect of Mirabilis starving to death. She said so in no uncertain terms.
“Well, Special Division has been charged with ensuring that Mirabilis faces some sort of justice,” stated Karel. “And as their representative on this, er,… slightly less than officially sanctioned operation, I am here to make sure it happens. We need to winkle him out of his shell intact. If possible.” He added.
“Let me have a look at that lock,” said Raine. Sidirion looked slightly surprised, the dark stranger less so. He nodded at Raine, and the others drew back to allow her through.
After a thorough examination of the lock, she said “I’m going to blow it up.”
Karel looked exasperated. “What is it with you and Angelika, and blowing things up?”
“It’s fun,” she replied. He rolled his eyes.
Sidirion looked slightly alarmed, but amused, too. Angelika was observing him closely. So, this was why Raine had rushed off. To protect him? No. He looked well able to protect himself, and was obviously used to command those around him. Everyone here, Council and Special Division alike, seemed to know who he was, and accepted his presence here without question. Obviously a person worth knowing. She would interrogate Karel and Leo about him later.
“Seriously,” said Raine, “I believe I can destroy a targeted part of the mechanism. The door should be able to be manually opened then. With a small application of force,” she added.
Karel looked unimpressed.
“Let her do it,” instructed the dark stranger. “We’ve nothing to lose. But I do suggest we detonate remotely, just in case it’s booby-trapped.”
“I can do that” stated Raine.
Half an hour later, they were grouped in a corridor on an upper level. Raine had placed three tiny button grenades carefully inside the mechanism, having first recalibrated them to reduce the charge. They suspected that their every move inside the hallway, possibly even throughout the house, was under observation from the vault, but there was probably little the occupant could do from there. Karel had made sure that the household security had been overwhelmed by his agents, and the security nerve-centre had been captured and locked-down.
Some little while later, the former occupant of the vault was being escorted by Special Division heavies to quarters probably even less commodious than the large safe-room. The lock had not even been booby-trapped. Obviously Mirabilis had never seriously contemplated the possibility of being taken in his own house.
Karel had departed with the Special Division force escorting the prisoner, leaving a mopping-up force in place to remove any ogres or other former occupants lingering on the premises. Most had scented the change in Mirabilis’ fortunes and vanished, as had the Council agents, along with their mysterious commander.
It was over.
Dark Stranger glanced at Raine and her companion but raised no objection.
A swift traverse of the mansion corridors followed, punctuated by the occasional detour to avoid small groups of ogres, some of whom seemed to have become discouraged by the lack of success in tracking down Mirabilis, and had turned instead to wanton destruction of his property.
Apart from the strategic detours, their journey was swift and certain. The Council must have had agents inside the mansion for some time, and obviously knew or guessed all his escape routes and boltholes. She fully expected to find that Leo had been one of them. This group obviously knew exactly where Mirabilis' pursuers were.
Raine wondered how long they had been plotting his downfall. They’d picked the moment when he would fall farthest, just as he appeared to be within reach of his ultimate goal – legitimacy within Mare Bellum society, from which he could pursue his illegitimate interests with impunity. But why should the Council concern them-selves with halting those?
They’d left the ground level floor and had begun descending. Interminable staircases later, they reached a dark hallway with apparently no exit.
Angelika, Leo, Karel and some others were examining the far wall. A large heavy door was set in the wall. It looked like the entrance to a walk-in vault. Miriabilis’ treasure-room perhaps.
Angelika looked around as Raine joined her, giving her distinguished companion a long unabashed stare. He was a stranger to her, but the others nodded at him, obviously knowing who he was.
“All is secure above,” stated the mysterious stranger with easy assurance. “Mirabilis has barricaded himself in here?”
“Yes,” stated Karel. “We know he did not leave via his other bolt-holes.”
“And we have their exits secured,” said Leo. “He won’t get away. But we’re pretty sure he is in here. It’s a vault, but also an ultimate hiding-place should this place be besieged by his enemies. He has enough of them.
Trouble is, we couldn’t find out much about it. Only that it existed.”
The dark stranger was examining a panel set in the wall. The locking mechanism. A tiny frown appeared on his forehead.
“I’ll mash its innards with my percussion cannon,” suggested Angelika, twirling the pencil-thin weapon in her fingers. The chase seemed to have cheered her immensely. That, and no doubt the knowledge that Leo was in fact an agent planted by the Council within the walls of the mansion.
“Yes, sweetheart, and with that, any chance of us getting him out of there before he starves to death,” said Leo, looking amused.
Angelika was unmoved by the prospect of Mirabilis starving to death. She said so in no uncertain terms.
“Well, Special Division has been charged with ensuring that Mirabilis faces some sort of justice,” stated Karel. “And as their representative on this, er,… slightly less than officially sanctioned operation, I am here to make sure it happens. We need to winkle him out of his shell intact. If possible.” He added.
“Let me have a look at that lock,” said Raine. Sidirion looked slightly surprised, the dark stranger less so. He nodded at Raine, and the others drew back to allow her through.
After a thorough examination of the lock, she said “I’m going to blow it up.”
Karel looked exasperated. “What is it with you and Angelika, and blowing things up?”
“It’s fun,” she replied. He rolled his eyes.
Sidirion looked slightly alarmed, but amused, too. Angelika was observing him closely. So, this was why Raine had rushed off. To protect him? No. He looked well able to protect himself, and was obviously used to command those around him. Everyone here, Council and Special Division alike, seemed to know who he was, and accepted his presence here without question. Obviously a person worth knowing. She would interrogate Karel and Leo about him later.
“Seriously,” said Raine, “I believe I can destroy a targeted part of the mechanism. The door should be able to be manually opened then. With a small application of force,” she added.
Karel looked unimpressed.
“Let her do it,” instructed the dark stranger. “We’ve nothing to lose. But I do suggest we detonate remotely, just in case it’s booby-trapped.”
“I can do that” stated Raine.
Half an hour later, they were grouped in a corridor on an upper level. Raine had placed three tiny button grenades carefully inside the mechanism, having first recalibrated them to reduce the charge. They suspected that their every move inside the hallway, possibly even throughout the house, was under observation from the vault, but there was probably little the occupant could do from there. Karel had made sure that the household security had been overwhelmed by his agents, and the security nerve-centre had been captured and locked-down.
Some little while later, the former occupant of the vault was being escorted by Special Division heavies to quarters probably even less commodious than the large safe-room. The lock had not even been booby-trapped. Obviously Mirabilis had never seriously contemplated the possibility of being taken in his own house.
Karel had departed with the Special Division force escorting the prisoner, leaving a mopping-up force in place to remove any ogres or other former occupants lingering on the premises. Most had scented the change in Mirabilis’ fortunes and vanished, as had the Council agents, along with their mysterious commander.
It was over.
Epilogue
some months later…
First Lady Raine of Belle Isle stood beside her husband in the courtyard of the Governor’s mansion in Mare Bellum, and watched as Angelika and Leo departed on their first mission together for the Grand Council.
The horses passed through the gate and trotted out of sight. Then she had sighed quietly, though she did not mean to.
Haldir Sidirion looked down at her. “Do you wish you were going with them?”
“A little,” she replied. “But our time will come.”
She took his arm and they turned and went back inside.
One term as Governor – that’s all that Sidirion had committed himself to, when the Mare Bellum politicos had begged him to run for Governor.
She must prepare for the arrival of her distinguished guest; – she made a mental note not to refer aloud to her as “Lady B” as Angelika always did. The former Chief Councillor Lady Beatrice of Brynnr, known to her admirers and detractors alike as “Bradamante”, was arriving soon. Appointed as the special agent of the Grand Council on Mars, she was to work closely with the new Governor to assist in the restoration of peace after “The Ogre Uprising”, as it was now being called.
Raine sniffed dismissively. A few riots did not make an uprising. Still, the Grand Council was making the most of the bad press around the treatment of the ogres and trolls by Mirabilis to consolidate their legal rights and the authority of the Council over non-human peoples.
Of course, not everyone was happy with that.
The First Lady smiled.
Good. A too-peaceful life would be boring.
First Lady Raine of Belle Isle stood beside her husband in the courtyard of the Governor’s mansion in Mare Bellum, and watched as Angelika and Leo departed on their first mission together for the Grand Council.
The horses passed through the gate and trotted out of sight. Then she had sighed quietly, though she did not mean to.
Haldir Sidirion looked down at her. “Do you wish you were going with them?”
“A little,” she replied. “But our time will come.”
She took his arm and they turned and went back inside.
One term as Governor – that’s all that Sidirion had committed himself to, when the Mare Bellum politicos had begged him to run for Governor.
She must prepare for the arrival of her distinguished guest; – she made a mental note not to refer aloud to her as “Lady B” as Angelika always did. The former Chief Councillor Lady Beatrice of Brynnr, known to her admirers and detractors alike as “Bradamante”, was arriving soon. Appointed as the special agent of the Grand Council on Mars, she was to work closely with the new Governor to assist in the restoration of peace after “The Ogre Uprising”, as it was now being called.
Raine sniffed dismissively. A few riots did not make an uprising. Still, the Grand Council was making the most of the bad press around the treatment of the ogres and trolls by Mirabilis to consolidate their legal rights and the authority of the Council over non-human peoples.
Of course, not everyone was happy with that.
The First Lady smiled.
Good. A too-peaceful life would be boring.
