Yoland simply stared at the interior as the door slid shut behind her.

“What lovely statues,” she said walking towards them.

“They are more than just decoration you know,” he said padding over to the north one.

She watched him pulling something and was astonished to see a holographic representation of the galaxy appearing over the silver dome. She could see two small dots flashing.

“Oh this is neat,” she said. “One light is departure and the second is destination.”

He was rather surprised.

“Nothing gets past you I see.”

Yoland smiled as he padded over to the east statue and pulled the lever. She had expected something of course. Roar of engines perhaps or at the very least a jolt.

She felt nothing. No obvious sign of movement at all. Jerrix returned the lever to the middle position and padded toward the sliding door.

Poking his head out, he suddenly withdrew it.

“This can’t be right.”

“Something wrong? She asked taking a look.

Yoland saw a fractured shell of a wood. Her ears picked up the distant booming of heavy guns.

Instinctively, she drew her weapon from its holster.

“Where have you brought us too?

“My home,” he said stepping outside. “This wood used to look green and pleasant. Now look at it.”

Yoland joined him listening.

“That’s shellfire.”

“It certainly seems to be my dear.”

He gazed at the charred and broken trees and the awful silence of animals, long since gone.

“We had peace for a millennia,” he complained bitterly. “Now this.”

“Such a long time,” she replied.

“Perhaps too long,” he muttered walking away.

The distant booms seemed to be getting a little closer as they advanced through the war-damaged ghost of the wood.

“I take it you know where to go?” she asked.

“My home should be just beyond the forest,” he replied.

A whizzing sound broke the air and Yoland threw him violently to the ground. As they landed, a huge explosion tore the earth apart.

“Artillery,” she muttered. “We should leave here Jerrix.”

“Not until I find out what’s going on,” he replied. “I did warn you my dear.”

Shells began to rain down now and they hugged the ground hoping to survive it. Then it paused.

“I don’t understand this,” Yoland said. “You have such high tech travel and still use shells?”

“After our last conflict we banned modern weapons. We feared self extinction.”

“Sounds good enough to me,” she said crawling forward.

Jerrix picked himself up and scrambled forward as the pause continued. Yoland followed and they reached the edge of the wood.

Just beyond lay the shattered remains of what had been a lovely single dwelling.

“They flattened it,” he muttered.

She gazed at the terrible view as the booming came again.

“We can’t stay here much longer,” she said. “This bombardment will kill us for sure.”

“We can reach the ruins of my home easily enough,” he said running forward.

Shells broke from the rear as they dashed the short distance to the shattered masonry. Yoland hid behind a broken wall as the cat joined her.

They watched the forest erupt as a major bombardment commenced.
Thanking their stars that they had escaped.

“I think your ship’s had it,” Yoland commented.

“It’ll survive. Always does.”

They crawled through the rubble and saw a trench line near their position. It seemed to stretch for miles. A rattle of machine gun fire sent them scouring for cover again as bullets whizzed around.

“Seems no safer than the last place,” she muttered.

“I think we are in No Man’s land,” he told her.

“So which side do we surrender too?”

Jerrix shook his head.

“I have no idea my dear.”

A sudden yelling drew their attention and they saw a line of cats, each dressed in brown khaki leaving their trench and bounding toward them. Each of these soldiers was armed with a weapon.

“Now we are finished,” Jerrix muttered. “They will probably shoot first and ask questions later.”

The infantry were nearly upon them when shells began to break once more. The infantry stopped and fell back which gave Jerrix an idea.

“Come on, this is our chance.”

He dashed from the ruins and sprinted straight for the trench line.
Despite thinking it was madness, Yoland followed.

Before the startled troops could react, they jumped in and landed safely. Weapon tips turned toward them and the companions raised their arms hopefully.

For a few seconds it looked as if they would be shot out of hand when the cat muttered, “Jerrix Tau?”

“Put your weapons down,” a voice barked. “He is with us.”

The cat recognised the voice, and was even more surprised to see the shoulder flash that indicated officer rank.

“Trixie. Am I glad to see you.”

The officer shook his paw as the men returned to their positions.

“You chose a damn awkward time to return.”

“Whatever happened?” Jerrix asked.

“Do you remember Vice Premier Tom Cat?”

“How could I forget him? No one took that buffoon seriously.”

“Around three years ago he quit and called for the army to join him.
That’s when the war began.”

“He wants power then,” Yoland said.

The officer looked at her.

“She’s safe enough Trixie,” Jerrix assured him.

“Power and wealth,” the officer told her.

Moments later, enemy troops who had penetrated the shattered trees, broke cover and charged their position. As weapons rattled, the two friends huddled against the dank, dark earth.

The first line was cut down but the second and third surged on.

“Get out of here,” the officer barked.

The friends needed no further urging.

They dashed along the trench line as battle raged beyond the sandbagged parapet. They were looking for a communication trench when infantry jumped in just ahead of them.

“Get down! Jerrix screamed as bullets whizzed toward them.

A sudden yell from Yoland indicated that she had been hit.

---
As the cat raised his furry head, he saw an armed trooper picking up
Yoland’s laser pistol.

“Get up, both of you,” the soldier growled.

Jerrix crawled up and saw the woman had a shoulder wound. She was conscious and groaning badly.

“Come on my dear. We have to go now.”

He helped her onto the parapet as they were escorted under guard across the torn battlefield. As they trudged on, Jerrix said, “I need an extractor.”

He was ignored of course.

They moved through the torn wounds, beyond which the enemy lines were located. After half an hour, they were ushered into a grimy command tent. Behind a simple wooden bench, a tall ginger cat, in grey uniform and gold epaulettes stood up.

The soldier saluted.

“We found these two civvies sir. The woman had this,” he reported handing the weapon over.

As he examined it in his paws he muttered, “Very nice. Very nice indeed.”

“My friend needs medical attention Tom Cat,” Jerrix spat.

The leader looked up rather surprised by his insolence.

“Have we met?” Tom Cat asked coldly.

“Thankfully no. As civilians, you have no right to hold us.”

The leader placed the pistol on the bench before padding forward.

“There are no civilians in war.”

“There are now. She needs medical attention.”

The leader glanced up.

“Get her the medic.”

The trooper saluted and departed.

Jerrix looked at her pain-filled face and lowered her to the ground gently. He saw a map behind the leader standing upon an easel.

“It won’t be long before I win this war,” Tom Cat boasted.

“More carnage and bloodshed?” Jerrix asked.

“I was forced into this,” the leader said. “The premier wanted to disband the armed forces. I had to stop it.”

“By starting a bloody war? You just wanted power.”

“How dare you!”

“This is my world too,” Jerrix said coldly. “You are nothing but a power crazed brute.”

The leader lost his head, striking Jerrix down. At this moment, the medic arrived.

“Yes,” the leader demanded.

“I was called sir.”

“Oh yes. Deal with the woman,” the leader said as the trooper returned.

Jerrix watched as the medic removed the top of the uniform and bared
a small, bloody hole. Yoland moaned loudly as he removed a pen like device from his satchel.

He climbed painfully to his feet.

“You’ll be okay in a moment,” the medic assured her as he placed the extractor over the bullet.

Within moments it was out, and the medic produced a spray which accelerated the healing process.

He returned his tools to the satchel and said, “It will heal in about an hour.”

He then stood, saluted and marched out.

“Remarkable,” Yoland commented as she stood up, painfully putting her top back on.

“What am I going to do with you two?” Tom Cat asked.

“You could let us go,” Yoland suggested.

“Have you report back?” the leader said. “No chance.”

He paced for a moment before making his decision.

Addressing the waiting trooper, he said quietly.

“Take them to the guardhouse. I will decide their fate later.”

“You two out,” the soldier demanded levelling his weapon.

They left the tent and were marched across a large open space. To the left, Jerrix noticed a small metal domed building. No more than seven foot high. He prodded Yoland.

“What do you think that is?”

She glanced over and shook her head.

“Weapons store perhaps?”

“Hmm,” he muttered as they reached the small guardhouse.

They were shoved into a small, smelly cell as the guard marched off.

“What do you think will happen?” Yoland asked.

“He will probably have us shot my dear,” he replied gloomily.

“I’m not having that,” she cursed.

Before he knew what was happening, she slugged him in the stomach and he went down hard. Running to the bars she screamed, “Guard. Guard, my friend has collapsed.”

As Jerrix stared at her through the pain he moaned, “Remind me never to annoy you.”

As the guard arrived, he remained on the ground.

“What’s all the hollering?”

“Can’t you see,” Yoland said. “He looks serious.”

As the guard came closer to check, the woman suddenly grabbed his head and smashed it against the bars.

“Grab the keys,” she hissed as Jerrix scurried forward.

He did so as the body slumped to the floor. She helped the cat drag it inside the cell before grabbing his machine gun.

“Now we have to get out of here,” she whispered leading the way to the exit.

When they reached it, Jerrix pointed to the domed building.

“I want to look inside there.”

“Then come on,” she hissed, sprinting across the open space.

When they reached it, they entered through an open side and saw stacks of black painted shells. Jerrix noted the red skull and crossbones.

“Crikey, retro-toxin. Some of them are leaking too.”

She stared in silent horror.

“We have to report this Yoland. There is enough here to kill everyone.”

“I agree with you. We had better skirt across to the far side first.”

The cat had other ideas.

“I know exactly how to get out. Come on.”

She followed him out and noticed he was staring toward the command tent.

“I don’t think that is a good idea Jerrix.”

He glanced back and said, “We have got to.”

They waited a few moments before dashing across to the tent’s rear.
The cat indicated she should raise the fabric as he took the weapon.

“One, two, three.”

As the fabric was pulled high, they dashed through which sent the easel flying. The cat levelled his weapon at the leader, hissing.

As Yoland collected her pistol from the bench, Jerrix padded up to his prisoner.

“How many guards outside?”

“Two. You will be cut down. I regret not killing you both at once.
How did you escape?”

“Never mind that Tom Cat,” the cat replied. “You will escort us to a vehicle and drive us to the wood.”

“Go ahead and shoot,” the leader told him.

“This is getting us nowhere,” Yoland pointed out.

Jerrix agreed with her and smashed him to the ground. He crept forward and glanced out. Soldiers were patrolling and there was far more than two. He quickly spotted the vehicle and revealed his intentions.

“We should march over there quietly, hotwire it and drive out.”

“Normally I would suggest something else but not now Jerrix. It’s daft enough to work.”

As Jerrix quickly marched out, she followed him to the waiting vehicle.

Climbing inside, he reached under the dashboard and twisted two wires together. As the jeep sprang to life, he swung the wheel and drove leisurely away. Neither one of them could believe their luck.
It did not take long to reach the front line, guarded by barbed wire blocks. Shaking his head, Jerrix brought the jeep to a halt and climbed out.

“It’s on foot from here I’m afraid.”

“We can’t cross their lines mate,” she pointed out. “Look, follow me.”

She darted ahead toward open fields, which they reached safely. From there, the trench line was clearly defined.

“I thought so,” she muttered.

He looked carefully and saw a single trench cutting though the earth.

“The central sector is always more heavily defended than the flanks,” she explained. “Now we have a chance.”

“Why don’t our lot make a push here then?” Jerrix asked.

“Who knows? Perhaps they are simply frontal minded. There is never logic in war you know.”

“Well I’m ready my dear. We should creep as close as possible before making the assault.”

“Good plan,” she replied. “Remember, all guns blazing.”

He nodded and the advance got underway. Once they were as close as they dared, they broke cover spraying the trench with lead. Those caught in the murderous storm fell rapidly as the companions leaped across into the deadly divide.

As they sprinted, the cat noticed troops levelling their weapons in their direction.

“Get down,” he yelled as bullets flew.

As they hit the deck, Yoland yelled, “We surrender.”

Moments later, a deep gruff voice answered, “Make a dash for it then and no funny business.”

Leaving the machine gun behind, they ran the short distance and leaped in.

“Are we glad to see you lot,” Jerrix said.

“Oh yes mate,” a trooper growled.

“We need to see Trixie right now,” Jerrix said quietly.

“Know him then?” the trooper asked.

“Of course I do.”

The trooper nodded to his comrades.

“Take him along then.”

They were marched slowly towards the central trench line, beyond which the broken woods lay. To the right, various trenches led off towards the rear area.

Turning a bend, Jerrix saw the officer he was looking for.

“Trixie, nice to see that you made it.”

Episode 18

The desk sergeant was busy with paperwork as the now rather irate reporter entered.

“I need to see detective Harris at once!”

The officer raised his eyes and scanned the annoying visitor.

“Does he know you sir?”

Ben felt his anger rising and had to bite his lips.

“We are old friends ta. It really is important.”

The sergeant rang through and moments later, Harris appeared chewing the customary cigar.

“At least you are still here.”

“You need to see me Ben?”

“I certainly do my friend. Can we talk?”

The detective pointed to the interview room and Ben followed him into it.

Once the door closed behind them, Ben attempted to explain his mounting confusion.

“The professor is dead by the way?”

The detective was rather confused by the reference.

“Just who is that Ben?”

The stunned reporter reeled back.

“You really don’t know him?”

“Can’t say that I do mate.”

“Then you probably won’t believe that a giant bird carried my car off.”

The hardheaded detective just managed to suppress a laugh.

“Have you been on that wine again?”

“Not at present mate. Something ruddy weird is going on and no one else has noticed.”

“The only weird thing today is your ridiculous story.”

The door knocked and an officer stepped inside.

“They are ready for you sir.”

“I’ll be right out.”

“Where are you off to?”

“Public execution of course. I have been ordered to supervise it.
Now you had better leave now.”

Ben was struck dumb as he followed the detective out. He was even more stunned when Harris was handed a machine gun.

“Where is it being held?” Ben asked.

“Outside the town hall of course. Where have you been?”

“Obviously somewhere else.”

He followed his armed friend onto the street and made his way toward the execution site.

Ben had been expecting a silent square and a firing squad. As he rounded the corner, he was shocked to see a carnival atmosphere.

The square was packed with at least a thousand folk. A horse drawn cart stood nearby as a young chap sold toffee apples.

“This is all wrong!”

He struggled to reach the front, far too many parents had brought their kids for this brutal entertainment.

“Out of my way please.”

As she shouldered his way through, a large wooden platform came into view.

Ben simply stared at the scaffold. Standing below was a line of armed police with Harris at their head. Above their heads stood a single individual with a black hood over his head.

“A damn hanging. Hey? What did he do?”

The mother to his right smirked.

“Caught speeding yesterday. Serves him right.”

Ben placed a palm over his mouth as the noose was placed around the victim’s neck.

“What kind of madness is this I wonder?”

He lowered his head as the trap door opened and the crowd cheered.

After a minute of thought, Ben fought his way through and accosted the armed detective.

“You kill people for speeding now?”

“We always have Ben.”

“Don’t you realise that this is all wrong? What kind of madhouse are you lot running?”

Harris tapped his shoulder sadly.

“Why don’t you go home and take an aspirin? It’s obvious to me that you are not well.”

Ben backed away and said sharply, “Yes I’ll go home. It’s not me who is ill though!”

He began to push through the thinning crowd as the corpse was cut down.

By the time he reached his home, Ben felt physically sick. As he walked into the lounge, he collapsed upon his sofa and glared around.

“I need a drink!”

He poured a stiff wine and settled himself down.

“It is now obvious that someone is subverting reality, but for what purpose baffles me.”

He sank the wine and poured himself another.

“How on earth can I change this? Everyone is part of it.”

He shook his head as the door was rapped loudly.

“Who the hell can that be?”

When he threw the door open he was startled by the image of Frenier.

“You alright love?”

“Are you?” he snapped.

“May I come inside?”

Ben stepped aside as she strode in.

When he slammed the door she spotted the wine.

“You seem to be starting early.”

“I have had one hell of a day my dear. You better sit down.”

She smiled as he joined his occasional lover.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“For a start I have been attacked by a robot then a bird. I have seen my paper turned into a bar and Harris supervising a public execution!”

Frenier took this calmly and handed him the glass.

“You better finish this lot. It seems to me that you have just woken from a nightmare.”

“I slept last night my love.”

She stared at the door and whispered, “You seem to have forgotten our date too.”

“We never had one.”

When she faced him, he noted the annoyed expression.

“Of course we had. Don’t you remember the film?”

“What damn film?”

She suddenly stood and lost her temper.

“Night of the gauls of course!”

He put the glass down and shook his head.

“You never told me about it.”

Frenier reacted by pulling a knife from her rear pocket.

“What are you doing?”

“Killing off trash.”

She lunged at him, knocking the sofa onto its back. As it went over the coffee table went flying. Smashing the wine glass to pieces.

Ben managed to stop the blade reaching him by grabbing the hand tightly and yelling, “Calm down!”

She snarled as his strength took hold. She increased the pressure, applying the full force of her overweight frame. Realising his imminent danger, Ben struck out blindly at the exposed face. As her head reeled back, he turned the blade and thrust it into her exposed throat. He gasped for air, watching as Frenier crashed to the floor as the fresh blood spurted out. Scrambling free, he flattened down his wild hair.

“That was a lucky escape. The quicker that I return to my own world the better.”

He watched the body fade from view, as a loud noise distracted him.

Episode 18

The desk sergeant was busy with paperwork as the now rather irate reporter entered.

“I need to see detective Harris at once!”

The officer raised his eyes and scanned the annoying visitor.

“Does he know you sir?”

Ben felt his anger rising and had to bite his lips.

“We are old friends ta. It really is important.”

The sergeant rang through and moments later, Harris appeared chewing the customary cigar.

“At least you are still here.”

“You need to see me Ben?”

“I certainly do my friend. Can we talk?”

The detective pointed to the interview room and Ben followed him into it.

Once the door closed behind them, Ben attempted to explain his mounting confusion.

“The professor is dead by the way?”

The detective was rather confused by the reference.

“Just who is that Ben?”

The stunned reporter reeled back.

“You really don’t know him?”

“Can’t say that I do mate.”

“Then you probably won’t believe that a giant bird carried my car off.”

The hardheaded detective just managed to suppress a laugh.

“Have you been on that wine again?”

“Not at present mate. Something ruddy weird is going on and no one else has noticed.”

“The only weird thing today is your ridiculous story.”

The door knocked and an officer stepped inside.

“They are ready for you sir.”

“I’ll be right out.”

“Where are you off to?”

“Public execution of course. I have been ordered to supervise it.
Now you had better leave now.”

Ben was struck dumb as he followed the detective out. He was even more stunned when Harris was handed a machine gun.

“Where is it being held?” Ben asked.

“Outside the town hall of course. Where have you been?”

“Obviously somewhere else.”

He followed his armed friend onto the street and made his way toward the execution site.

Ben had been expecting a silent square and a firing squad. As he rounded the corner, he was shocked to see a carnival atmosphere.

The square was packed with at least a thousand folk. A horse drawn cart stood nearby as a young chap sold toffee apples.

“This is all wrong!”

He struggled to reach the front, far too many parents had brought their kids for this brutal entertainment.

“Out of my way please.”

As she shouldered his way through, a large wooden platform came into view.

Ben simply stared at the scaffold. Standing below was a line of armed police with Harris at their head. Above their heads stood a single individual with a black hood over his head.

“A damn hanging. Hey? What did he do?”

The mother to his right smirked.

“Caught speeding yesterday. Serves him right.”

Ben placed a palm over his mouth as the noose was placed around the victim’s neck.

“What kind of madness is this I wonder?”

He lowered his head as the trap door opened and the crowd cheered.

After a minute of thought, Ben fought his way through and accosted the armed detective.

“You kill people for speeding now?”

“We always have Ben.”

“Don’t you realise that this is all wrong? What kind of madhouse are you lot running?”

Harris tapped his shoulder sadly.

“Why don’t you go home and take an aspirin? It’s obvious to me that you are not well.”

Ben backed away and said sharply, “Yes I’ll go home. It’s not me who is ill though!”

He began to push through the thinning crowd as the corpse was cut down.

By the time he reached his home, Ben felt physically sick. As he walked into the lounge, he collapsed upon his sofa and glared around.

“I need a drink!”

He poured a stiff wine and settled himself down.

“It is now obvious that someone is subverting reality, but for what purpose baffles me.”

He sank the wine and poured himself another.

“How on earth can I change this? Everyone is part of it.”

He shook his head as the door was rapped loudly.

“Who the hell can that be?”

When he threw the door open he was startled by the image of Frenier.

“You alright love?”

“Are you?” he snapped.

“May I come inside?”

Ben stepped aside as she strode in.

When he slammed the door she spotted the wine.

“You seem to be starting early.”

“I have had one hell of a day my dear. You better sit down.”

She smiled as he joined his occasional lover.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“For a start I have been attacked by a robot then a bird. I have seen my paper turned into a bar and Harris supervising a public execution!”

Frenier took this calmly and handed him the glass.

“You better finish this lot. It seems to me that you have just woken from a nightmare.”

“I slept last night my love.”

She stared at the door and whispered, “You seem to have forgotten our date too.”

“We never had one.”

When she faced him, he noted the annoyed expression.

“Of course we had. Don’t you remember the film?”

“What damn film?”

She suddenly stood and lost her temper.

“Night of the gauls of course!”

He put the glass down and shook his head.

“You never told me about it.”

Frenier reacted by pulling a knife from her rear pocket.

“What are you doing?”

“Killing off trash.”

She lunged at him, knocking the sofa onto its back. As it went over the coffee table went flying. Smashing the wine glass to pieces.

Ben managed to stop the blade reaching him by grabbing the hand tightly and yelling, “Calm down!”

She snarled as his strength took hold. She increased the pressure, applying the full force of her overweight frame. Realising his imminent danger, Ben struck out blindly at the exposed face. As her head reeled back, he turned the blade and thrust it into her exposed throat. He gasped for air, watching as Frenier crashed to the floor as the fresh blood spurted out. Scrambling free, he flattened down his wild hair.

“That was a lucky escape. The quicker that I return to my own world the better.”

He watched the body fade from view, as a loud noise distracted him.

Episode 17

Three days had passed since the decontamination process had been completed, and the weather had deteriorated quite badly. Dark clouds had rolled from the north and heavy rains pounded the streets.

Ben had never minded the rain of course. Even as he plodded over the green grass and saw the nearby headstone of his late love Shirley, he did not mind that heavy rain.

He stopped at last, noting the flattened flowers that he placed there on his previous trip.

He shook his head sadly as the rain dripped from his hat, running down the back of his grey trench coat.

“Damn lousy weather now.”

He listened intently at the racket but heard only the rain. Other voices would be silent on this day.

He turned suddenly as a high-pitched whine assaulted his ears.

“What on earth could that be?”

He scanned the cemetery, seeing only the silent stones.

“Damn peculiar noise that.”

The whine grew even louder and he saw something silver toward the car park.

“Sorry Shirley. I had better check this out.”

He dashed forward toward the peculiar image, his reporter’s mind dreaming up the appropriate headline. As he drew closer however, he stopped dead.

“This must be some kind of sick joke.”

Standing around twenty-feet away stood a metallic monolith. Forty-foot high and robotic in character, it seemed to notice this bemused individual.

“Where did you suddenly spring from?”

The box like head tilted down and Ben realised that this was not a friendly gesture. He threw himself to one side as two red energy bolts smashed the soft grass to his left.

He scrambled up, darting for the far side as the monolith strode after him.

“This is ruddy crazy!”

Ben could hear the machine closing rapidly and threw himself to the ground in desperation. Two huge metallic boots came down nearby as he scrambled between its legs.

“What the hell am I supposed to do?”

He suddenly saw a bright yellow laser pistol lying nearby and lurched toward it. As he grabbed the convenient weapon, the machine turned toward him.

Ben rolled onto his back and fired at once. He watched the robot rip apart, debris crashing all around him. He closed his eyes until the torrent of metal had ceased before daring to open them again.

As he sat up he noticed the blatant obvious.

“The weird weapon and the robot have gone.”

He scratched his head for a moment as the rain ceased abruptly.

“Surely that was some kind of hallucination? Things like that simply can’t happen.”

He stood once more and saw the tranquil cemetery around him.

“Just me I suppose. The editor wants me back for that article, so I better head back now.”

He found the press car easily and was soon driving through the sleepy hamlet as the shoppers spent their hard-earned cash. As he drove toward the Bugel headquarters, his confused mind suffered a second shock.

“This can’t be right!”

He stared in mounting disbelief at the garish pink colour adorning the gay bar.

“This is quite crazy. I work here.”

The vehicle stopped as he watched the punters flowing in and out, unaware that anything was amiss. Ben pulled out his mobile and dialled the office.

“Come on, answer it!”

After five minutes, he disconnected.

“There is only person who could tell me what is really going on, and that is professor Xentoph.”

The small wooden hall of the time society was located on Larkman Road and Ben had been there before. As he drew up, he sighed with relief.

“At least they are still here.”

He found the grey haired gent inside the main building, gazing at the newspapers upon the rear wall.

“May I have a word sir?”

The elderly gent inside the ill-fitting suit turned slowly and smiled.

“What seems to be the trouble Ben?”

“You probably won’t believe this but my place of work seems to have gone.”

The professor gave him a helpful smile.

“You never told me that you worked my friend.”

“You know that I’m a reporter don’t you? I work for the Bugel!”

The gent shook his head.

“I’ve never heard of it.”

This reply was an unwelcome complication.

“Am I going mad perhaps? I have worked there for years now.”

“Perhaps a memory problem is causing the disturbance.”

Ben strongly disagreed.

“How about a killer robot in the cemetery then?”

The professor rolled his eyes.

“We both know that such a thing is quite impossible.”

“Impossible or not I saw the damn thing?”

The professor sat upon a chair and seemed to be thinking it over.

“What you may be describing is a fragmentation in your reality. At least in your perception of it.”

“What would cause such a thing?”

“Severe trauma for a start, or perhaps an undiagnosed brain tumour.”

“I’m fairly sure that neither applies to me sir.”

“Then I cannot help Ben. Our reality simply does not allow such sudden changes.”

“How about an alternate reality where different rules apply?”

“I certainly subscribe to that theory my boy but you seem to be missing my point.”

“Which is?”

“You exist in my reality. Therefore, you have not entered another.”

As the baffled reporter was absorbing that slice of common sense, the hall cooled rapidly.

“Did you feel that?”

The professor looked puzzled.

“Feel what?”

“It just got cold in here.”

“It feels as warm as before to me,” the gent replied.

Ben felt suddenly uneasy and started glancing around.

“Don’t ask me why but something is coming.”

He stood as a loud squawking filled the air. Ben saw a huge bird appear in midair, the forty-foot wings beating loudly.

“Come on sir!”

Ben grabbed the shocked gent by the arm and hauled him up as the avian struck.

A powerful wing knocked the reporter to one side before the savage beak tore an arm off the professor. As he collapsed, the enraged bird tore out his eyes as Ben scrambled for the door.

He dashed into the waiting car and gunned the engine. As he did so, the hall was blown apart as the huge bird took to the air.

“This can’t be really happening!”

The savage bird swooped, its talons just scraping the roof as it swung around for a second attempt.

“I’m not waiting around for proof though!”

He slammed the accelerator and swerved sharply as the beak came dangerously close. The bumper smashed down a metallic sign as Ben hauled the wheel over.

“Easy does it.”

He hit the road again, ignoring the junction as he went. Looking into the rear view mirror, he spotted the bird closing down the distance.

“Where the hell do I go?”

He swung the wheel and as the car heeled over on two wheels before righting again, he spotted the police station.

“Harris had better be there.”

The car hurtled down the street as the bird swooped for the obvious kill. Ben slammed on the brakes and just managed to dash out in the nick of time.

He tripped, rolling upon the pavement as the talons lifted his car into the air. He stood once more as the apparition faded from view.

Gritting his teeth, he marched into the station in search of his old friend.

Episode 16

The chief medic stepped inside the mobile surgery that had arrived an hour before. As she gazed down upon the unfortunate manager, she muttered wearily, “I just hope that this pill theory is wrong.”

She took a scalpel from the tray and expertly sliced the cadaver from groin to the chest. As she prised the flesh open, she peered inside.

“Usual mass of blood I see.”

She felt around the liver and felt how squashy it had become.

“I was expecting that at least. Nothing unusual so far.”

Her gloved hands found the kidneys that had collapsed completely before reaching the stomach area. She cut this open and saw that the sack was drowned in fresh blood.

“All the vessels collapsed I see. Typical viral effects.”

She returned to the head and taking a bone saw opened up the skull.

“Oh no...”

She had expected the blood vessels to collapse and this had indeed happened. However, the actual grey flesh had turned into a thick goo.

She finished the gruesome task and after going through the shower unit stepped outside. When she rejoined the officer, she whispered grimly.

“I found something really nasty. The brain had disintegrated completely. That is not typical of Ebola, nor any virus that I know about.”

Ben turned to the detective.

“It’s been weaponised then.”

“That is the obvious conclusion,” the chief medic said. “If this thing gets out, billions will perish.”

“The mayor has sealed the town off mam,” Harris informed her. “Will that be enough?”

“I just hope so.”

A colleague wandered over and whispered something.

“More bad news?” Ben enquired.

“We lost the ambulance crew and the mortician. That is five so far.”

“How is the bell boy doing?” Harris asked.

“Pretty poorly. Thankfully the hospital reports no further cases.”

“We might just have dodged a bullet then,” Ben suggested.

“You better hope we have,” she said grimly.”

As darkness fell upon the stricken town, the mayor had at last made a public broadcast. The people listened politely to the reassuring words, despite the obvious fact of the military blockade.

Elsewhere though, a group of unruly late teens had other thoughts.

“What right have they to decide who can enter and leave?” Albrecht asked.

“The mayor is only doing his best for us,” Collage countered.

“Do you two fancy waiting here to die?” Rabone said. “They won’t be able to stop this thing.”

“The mayor said that only five had died remember,” Collage pointed out.

“He is a politician. That is what he’s supposed to say. I bet the tolls much higher.”

“So what do you want to do?” Albrecht said.

“I just want to survive this thing. Surely the army cannot cover the entire town.”

Albrecht began to figure out what Rabone meant.

“We find a breach in their wall you mean?”

“There must be one. I fancy heading west toward the coast. Plenty of clean, fresh air there.”

“Perhaps we should try it,” Albrecht said.

“Are you two insane?” Collage asked. “Those guys are armed to the teeth.”

“I seriously doubt they would shoot,” Rabone pointed out. “Once we break through they couldn’t possibly stop us.”

“I’m with you,” Albrecht said firmly.

Collage shook his head.

“I’m doing what the mayor suggested and staying put. You two will never get out.”

His friends grinned at him as they headed for the door. Just beyond, stood the sleek black sports car that Rabone had recently purchased.

“This babe can outrun anything.”

He climbed inside and kicked the engine into life.

“What about Collage?” Albrecht asked.

“He won’t say anything mate. Just think eh? Within the hour we shall be well gone.”

He switched the headlights on and gunned the engine fiercely. As it sped off, he negotiated the road network until they reached the western freeway.

“So far so good mate,” Rabone muttered as he slammed his foot to the metal. The bumper lifted as they hit ninety, hurtling into the darkness around them.

As the vehicle sped down the carriageway, a series of red lights appeared.

“That’s the roadblock,” Albrecht warned.

“Just you hang on.”

The troopers watched as the vehicle hurtled towards them, a wooden barrier blocking the road.

“He appears to be determined,” the officer muttered. “Fire warning shots.”

The troopers opened up but the car continued bearing down.

“We just have to crash that barrier!” Rabone hissed as he pointed the bonnet at what he thought was the weakest point.

“The ruddy fools!” the officer shouted as his men dashed for safety.

The bonnet smashed into the barrier, the wheels blowing as they struck the concrete blocks hidden behind it. The vehicle slewed wildly before the rear took to the air.

The troopers watched helplessly as it cart wheeled three times before exploding into yellow flame.

The following morning the major held what proved to be the final meeting with his crisis staff.

The chief medic was present and delivered an optimistic report.

“Despite the deaths sir, I feel that this outbreak is now over and that decontamination measures can be initiated.”

“How long will that take.”

“About forty-eight hours. Then the hospital and hotel can be reopened.”

As the mayor nodded with satisfaction, the major spoke up.

“If that is the case, then the roadblocks can be lifted today.”

“Would you support that mam?”

“I can’t see the point of maintaining them sir.”

The mayor sighed with relief.

“Open the roads major and pull the troops back to barracks.”

As night fell and the infected areas were thoroughly deep cleaned,
Ben sat at home typing up his report for the local paper.

“We were damn lucky this time. Sometimes I wonder when that luck will run out.”

He typed in the last sentence and then poured himself a large wine.
As he sipped slowly at the French red, Harris tapped upon his door.

“You are a sight for sore eyes.”

“I just popped in to complete the picture mate. Final checks confirmed that our man was working alone.”

“That is good news Harris. Any news from Russia?”
The detective shook his head.

“They are denying any involvement.”

Ben sighed loudly.

“Only an experienced virologist could have created that pill. My real fear is that another one will turn up.”

The detective smiled.

“Then I have some better news. The government has just banned the carrying of pillboxes and pouches. That should help.”

Ben tried to smile, glancing back into the lounge.

“I’ll leave you to that wine mate,” the detective said wandering off.

Ben closed the door gently and muttered, “As if that will work.”

Episode 15

He sat watching the troops as the effective roadblock was set up as Harris received the shock of his life.

After phoning the reporter, his boss wandered over with a grim look upon his face.

“Don’t tell me you have worse news sir?”

“I need a volunteer to investigate the suspect’s bedroom. A medic team is on site but they are hardly trained.”

“You want me to go over, don’t you?”

His boss nodded.

“When you arrive, the boys will suit you up so there is no need to worry. Another thing, leave any evidence there.”

Harris nodded and had an idea.

“Look sir, we need the local press on our side during this crisis.”

His boss thought this over carefully.

“That is a pretty good idea. Any names?”

Harris smiled.

“I know of one sir.”

As his boss walked off, he phoned Ben for the second time.

“Get your arse to the compound mate. You are teaming up with me.”

He glanced around the office and sauntered outside.

When Ben stepped out of the press car, the detective was waiting for him.

“This must be a first mate.”

Harris smiled nervously.

“We need to check out that hotel. I thought that you would be interested.”

Ben’s face blanched.

“Thanks very much. I was hoping to reach retirement age.”

The detective laughed and said, “You are not the only one who’s worried.”

Ben shrugged his shoulders and joined him in the waiting patrol car.
When they arrived the detective showed his pass, and the armed cops directed him to the rear car park.

Ben spotted the decontamination van and saw two officials waiting for them.

“Just step inside a moment.”

The friends glanced at each other before following the instruction.
Once inside, they were quickly put into silver suits and directed to the rear door.

As they entered reception via the kitchen, the chief medic walked over.

“Detective Harris?”

“Sadly yes. What’s the situation here?”

The medic dropped her voice.

“The bell boy is definitely infected and has been taken to the hospital.”

“We need to see the manager.”

She pointed toward the office and found him sitting behind a desk lost in thought.

“Can I help you?”

“Detective Harris sir. We need access to the deceased’s room sir.”

The poor man nodded and led them towards the lift. He remained outside as the two friends wandered inside.

“He was found in the washroom,” Harris said coldly. “I’ll check there.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Ransack the place. We need to see everything.”

Ben nodded and ignoring the bed began checking the wardrobe. He was surprised to see it empty and turned his attention to the drawers.

When he discovered that those were also empty, he glanced toward the single bed.

“I’ll check that knapsack then.”

He spotted the small leather pill case and muttered, “It appears our man was on some kind of medication.”

He sat and began checking through the sack. Apart from travel documents and a passport, this too was empty. He was looking at the passport when the detective returned.

“Find anything?”

Harris shook his head.

“The damn cupboard was empty. What about you?”

“He flew from Moscow according to this and only brought the clothes he stood up on.”

Harris walked over and spotted the pill case. Picking it up he muttered, “This looks interesting.”

“Probably medication mate. “

The detective was suspicious nevertheless.

“We need that medic up here.”

He wandered to the door and spoke to the waiting manager. The suited woman arrived promptly and Harris showed her the pouch.

“Can this be tested?”

She frowned and said, “Why bother?”

“What if this disease was taken in a pill?”

The medic shook her head.

“That is quite impossible. No one can create such a thing.”

Ben glanced up and said, “He did come from Russia you know.”

The woman thought this over and said, “I’ll bring the test kit.”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Harris nodded and muttered, “A professional hit.”

The medic returned with swabs and a rack of test tubes. She scraped the interior of the pouch and placed this inside a clear liquid.
After a moment she muttered, “No reaction I see.”

Harris had not expected that.

“Check for caffeine then.”

She shrugged her shoulders and repeated the operation using the fourth test tube. The liquid became a cloudy pink and she nodded.

“There was definitely a pill in there but no sign of Ebola.”

“What makes you so sure that pills cannot transmit the virus?” Ben asked.

“It originates in Rhesus monkeys. That’s why. No virologist that I know off could create a pill version.”

“How about a rogue Russian one?” Harris asked. “Bio warfare is fairly advanced these days.”

She screwed her eyes and thought deeply.

“A sample would have to be liquidised then dried into a fine powder.
After that, chalk would have to be added before it was coated in the caffeine shell.”

“That sounds fairly plausible to me,” the reporter commented.

“You don’t understand,” she protested. “I’ve been to Zaire. We caught and tested a hundred monkeys and not one of them had the virus. Ebola is quite elusive. “

“What were you doing so far from home?” Harris wanted to know.

“I was part of a ‘WHO’ team investigating a village outbreak. Sixty died and we could not even find the damn source.”

“Look my dear,” Ben said standing near her. “I know a bit about bio warfare. What if someone took an infected blood sample and then cultured it?”

“In that case it could just be feasible. It would still be ruddy difficult though.”

Ben glared at her.

“A weaponised version would spread and kill much faster than the garden version. Do we have the autopsy results?”

Harris shook his head.

“I’m told it’s far too dangerous. The corpse is now inside the deep freeze.”

Ben tried to suppress his rising anger.

“We need that report. Don’t you see? If a pill was responsible for this, the body would record the effects.”

The medic understood this at once.

“I’ll get one of my chaps to do that today. Though I suspect the victim caught it elsewhere.”

The friends followed her outside as the manager locked the door.

“Anything interesting?”

“We may have a significant clue,” the detective replied.

As they headed for the lift, the manager suddenly began coughing violently.

“Are you okay,” the medic asked with some concern.

The manager was sweating profusely and suddenly doubled over. Spots of blood appeared across his face and hands as he gasped for breath.

“That’s haemorrhagic fever!” the medic yelled as blood began pouring from the victim’s ears, mouth, nose and eyes.”

As he collapsed in a rapidly spreading pool of blood the medic muttered, “He crashed and bled out. I’ll carry out an autopsy myself.”

The two friends backed away as she dashed downstairs.
Ben turned to his terrified colleague.

“It’s worse than I thought mate. We are at ground zero of the damn storm!”

When Jerrix reached the lift entrance, he noticed an intercom. He pressed the send button and asked, “Captain, what’s the problem?”

A rather flustered voice quickly responded.

“Yoland found a body on deck 50. She will be waiting for you there.”
The cat disconnected before stepping into the lift. When he arrived, he saw the security officer standing lamely outside one of the apartment doors.

“Do you have a suspect?” he asked rapidly.

“Larchee the damn mouse.”

“What happened to the usual cheese diet?” he asked promptly.

“We don’t have any on board,” she replied.

He was about to enter the apartment when she stopped him.

“You really don’t want to see that. The woman is badly chewed up.”

“Well, we had better find him. There is one thing I know about mice,” he said. “They are pretty ravenous and there is certainly more than enough food here.”

“Where do we start?” Yoland asked. “There are one hundred decks?”

“We must put ourselves in his shoes. If you wanted easy prey. Where would you go?”

“Oh that’s easy,” she replied. “Lovers Lake.”

“We had better go now then,” the cat insisted. “We have a bloodbath to stop.”

The security officer drew her laser weapon and followed Jerrix to the lift. She punched in the floor number and moments later, he found himself stepping onto a veritable sea of grass.

“Very nice indeed,” he muttered.

“We think so,” she replied.

They left the lift and walked rapidly towards the distant lake, which was surrounded by a small forest. They both hoped it was not too late.

When they arrived, their jaws dropped. On the water’s edge lay two badly eaten bodies. Jerrix scanned the immediate area as Yoland called it in.

“I spot him,” the cat shouted bounding after the quarry.

Yoland followed as best she could across the flat terrain until they saw a deep chasm ahead.

“He must have gone down there,” Jerrix suggested.

“He must be mad,” the officer replied.

They looked down and sure enough, Larchee was climbing down the rock face, a river running far below. Yoland let off a shot, which scorched a rock but nothing more.

“I’ll have to go after him,” the cat said preparing to climb down.

“You will both be killed.”

“Where does that river go to?” Jerrix asked out of curiosity.

“Downstream to the falls. He won’t survive that.”

“Then stay here my girl. I’ll persuade him that the games up.”

Jerrix started down, carefully negotiating the rocky outcrop as Yoland looked on. As he did so, his blue cloak blew in the light
breeze.

The mouse had quite a long start and seeing the cat descend, moved down quicker. However, he quickly realised there was no way out of his predicament.

“If I cannot go down,” he muttered. “I’ll just have to go up.”

From above, the voice of Jerrix drifted down.

“Surrender Larchee. It is over.”

“You must be joking,” the mouse replied. “For a start I’m taller than you.”

Jerrix had to agree but continued down anyway.

As they moved closer, Yoland continued to aim but found it virtually impossible now. To open fire would risk hitting the wrong animal.

“Think you can take me?” the mouse boasted. “I’ll have you for breakfast.”

“You can try,” Jerrix said before stopping.

They were now just one foot hold apart. Jerrix lashed out but failed to strike. As he did so, Larchee grabbed his foot.

“Hah. One pull and it’s over,” he boasted.

Jerrix shook the foot violently and broke free as the mouse tried again. Jerrix saw an open opportunity and lashed with his foot. This time he caught the mouse squarely in the face.

The animal shook, lost his hold and plunged screaming to the depths below. The cat watched him hit the raging torrent and sighed with obvious relief.

From the top, he heard Yoland shout, “You need a hand down there?”

“Not really my dear. Up in a mo.”

He carefully made his way to her side and had a last look at the river below.

“I think that wraps it up,” he muttered. “You can tell the captain I told the engineer how to fix your air leak. Your people are safe now.”

She watched him saunter off before making her report. Then Yoland ran after him.

Jerrix was just about to enter his ship when she called out, “You really can’t leave you know.”

He turned to see her bounding to his side.

“Oh yes my dear. Who will stop me?”

Yoland smiled.

“I could. You know Jerrix; you are fun to be with.”

He smiled.

“Do I take it you want to join me?”

The security guard nodded.

“What about your own people?”

“The captain has plenty of guards to choose from.”

“I warn you now,” Jerrix said sternly. “My life is no picnic.”

“Oh I can handle that.”

He stepped to one side and pointed to the interior.

“In you go then my dear.”

Smiling bravely, Yoland stepped on board.

Episode 14

Abdul al Assam had reached Montreal on flight 243 whilst darkness still reigned. A tall but cold individual, he had not realised that his flight had passed over the quiet hamlet that he was destined to visit.

After passing passport control, he had found a convenient taxi that would take him on the long drive north. As he sat in the rear, evil thoughts flooded his tortured mind.

The sun had just risen when he checked into the small hotel, the porter showing him up to the second floor room. After paying the young man, Abdul sat upon the single bed and opened his knapsack carefully.

His eyes fell upon the small leather pouch and shaking it lightly, he saw the small red pill plop into his sweating palm.

“I just hope it does what it is meant to do.”

He swallowed it easily, wet saliva doing most of the job before he counted off the hour.

He sat there staring into space, as his temperature began to rise rapidly, as his eyes turned bloodshot.

As the sudden fever escalated, he became rapidly dizzy, his fading vision watching pinpricks of blood appearing across his skin.

He staggered into the washroom now, gazing into the small wall mirror. He could not believe how red his eyes had become. Even as blood trickled from them. His stomach suddenly convulsed and bending over, wretched violently.

The thick bloody sputum spattered the floor before Abdul collapsed at last.

It was morning once more when the manager enquired of the bellboy about the sleepy guest.

“Did you see him yesterday?”

“No sir. Not since he entered the room.”

“That is rather odd. I just hope he is all right. I better do one of my courtesy calls.”

He took the lift to the second floor and was soon knocking upon room forty-nine.

“Hello? Mr Assam...Are you alright sir?”

When silence greeted him, the manager removed his passkey and entered slowly.

“He does not appear to be here.”

He glanced around and headed for the washroom.

“Oh crikey!”

His guest lay upon the floor quite dead. Around him lay a large pool of congealed blood.

The manager backed away in rising alarm and dashing to the phone, called for an ambulance.

The Memorial Hospital had been quiet that morning as Abdula was brought inside.

He was taken at once to the morgue and the crew continued with their essential job of transporting the sick and injured.

“So what do we have here?” the mortician said as she drew back the sheet.

She scanned the corpse and checked off the nametag attached to the big toe. She proceeded with the initial exam slowly. She noted the dried blood upon the cheeks as well as the patch at the ears.

“This is really strange. I better check the tongue.”

She forced the mouth open and saw the thickly bloated organ, now a distinctive green colour due to putrefaction.

“It can’t be. Only one way to check this now.”

She forced the body onto its cold shoulder and inserted a gloved finger inside the anus. As it withdrew, fresh livid blood was clearly visible. The mortician turned rigid with absolute terror.

She washed the gloved hands carefully before discarding them and
picked up the waiting phone. When the director answered, she whispered the awful truth.

“I have just examined a case of Ebola sir. You will have to inform the mayor and bring that ambulance crew back.”

She heard the exasperated response and nodded.

“I strongly suggest full quarantine procedures at once. If this gets out, the entire town will suffer.”

She replaced the handset and muttered, “Now get a grip my dear.”

She found a roll of plastic sheeting and began to wrap the infected corpse up.

Like all politicians, Tim was full of hot air and bluster, but today he had been smart enough to activate emergency plans.

Now he sat with reps of the police, army, and health department, wondering whether his town would survive the experience.

“So what do we know about Ebola?”

The health rep took a long breath and opened this important meeting.

“It originated in Zaire during the fifties and raises its head from time to time. Within a week of incubation, a fever develops with resulting headache. Within forty-eight hours, the victim collapses after bleeding out. Infection rates are high sir.”

“So how did he travel from Montreal to here? Surely he should have collapsed down there?”

“We are looking into that sir.”

“How about the ambulance crew and mortician?”

“They have been isolated and we are awaiting test results for infection.”

“At least that looks okay. That hotel needs to be isolated by armed police. At least the hospital has sealed itself off.”

The police rep spoke up.

“I simply do not have enough staff to seal of the town mayor. The army will have to assist us.”

“Do we need to go that far?”

The health rep nodded grimly.

“Okay major, call the troops out but lethal force is not required at this stage. A simple weapon should put the populace off.”

“I’ll arrange it sir.”

“Anything else we need to do at this stage?”

“I want the school closed and a public broadcast to advise people to remain at home.”

The mayor thought this over.

“That smacks of an over response to me. People need to shop but I will close the picture house.”

“That could be a serious mistake sir. We really don’t want the infected walking around.”

“Your option would lead to panic in my view. I’ll order the closure of the garages. That at least will secure the fuel supply.”

The meeting had reached a natural conclusion and as it broke up, the mayor said a silent prayer.

At the Bugel, Ben had been typing up his story concerning the recent deaths. He had of course left the vamps out of it. He had only just typed the final line when his editor wandered over.

“I just got a weird call from a member of the public. She says that armed police are sealing off the Bear Hotel on Palace Road.”

Ben knew it well.

“Sounds like a hostage situation to me. Want to check it out?”

“You can do that but keep in touch eh? Is that your piece?”

He handed it over as the editor read the report.

“You and that woman were damn lucky to escape the blast. The fire service reported a huge crater.”

“Luck seems to be my middle name sir. Only my car was trashed.”

The editor smiled and tossed him a set of keys.

“You can use one of the press cars. Take a peek at the hotel but try not to get shot.”

Ben pulled his trench coat around his shoulders and wandered out to the car park. He was soon making his way to the south ring road where the hotel was located.

As he pulled into the car park, he spotted the two heavily armed police.

“Those are automatics. Something else is going on.”

He scribbled a description onto his pad before climbing out. He had hardly moved when an officer shouted a grisly warning.

“That is far enough sir. We have our orders.”

Ben found his pass and waived it at them.

“I’m press. Can you at least...?”

He suddenly stopped in mid sentence as a weapon was trained upon him.

“Now wait a minute.”

“Back in the car sir. We won’t warn you again!”

The puzzled reporter turned slowly and did so. As he sat there sweating he phoned his boss.

“I was nearly shot sir. No sign of other activity though. This is certainly not a hostage situation.”

“What do you want to do Ben?”

“I have an idea sir. This may take some time to piece together.”

As he drove off into the glaring sun, within that hotel the bellboy was not feeling well.

“I seem to have a temperature sir.”

The manager looked at him grimly.

“I’ll get that medic to check you over.”

Without Ben’s knowledge an isolation team had arrived with the police, each man dressed in a full NBC suit. As the manager approached, the senior officer turned to greet him.

“I told you before sir, no one leaves.”

“My boy feels ill. Can you check him out?”

The officer nodded and found the young man sitting in the manager’s office.

“Open your mouth.”

When the boy did so, the officer gazed at his red but swollen tongue.

“I’ll have him removed sir.”

“You mean I have this?”

The medic shook his head.

“Just a precaution. We still need to isolate you though.”

The medic called a special ambulance and waited its arrival with some concern.

Ben had now stopped the car outside the police station. He called a familiar number and heard Harris respond.

“Do you know anything about the Bear Hotel incident?”

This was news to the detective.

“I have not been informed. What’s up?”

“Two armed bozos threatened to shoot me. The premises have been sealed off.”

“Hold it a second. My boss is calling a meeting. I’ll phone you back.”

When the phone went dead, Ben shook his head.

“Perhaps it’s about the hotel? There is another way to check this.”

He smiled at his smart mind and swung the car back toward the south ring road, happily whistling to himself.

As he approached it, Ben was astonished to see military trucks blocking the slip road. Each one was in the process of disgorging heavily armed troops. Ben brought the car to a halt and stared in disbelief.

“They are sealing the town off. What the hell is going on?”

His mobile rang and the voice of Harris interrupted his train of thought.

“I’ve just come from that meeting Ben. We have a major public health emergency.”

“I can see that. The army are closing off the southern ring road. Do you know what we are dealing with?”

There was a short pause before the detective said, “It’s Ebola my friend.”

The call disconnected as the shocked reporter absorbed the awful news.

Episode 13

Back in the swinging fifties, Donashey had built an underground bunker to protect officials against the horror of thermo nuclear war. Not that it would have done them any good of course.

When the ‘evil empire’ collapsed in the year 1990, this post was quietly abandoned, though the structure remained in situ.

When Frenier glanced around, she saw the central command post and wondered where the hell she was.

“Never mind this place,” Dreamer hissed. “You are in far more trouble than me.”

She pushed the mortal woman against the white painted wall as Gemma
looked on with surprising interest.

“What the hell do you want with me?" I’ve never met you!”

“I’m Dreamer by the way and you are a filthy slut!”

The woman was deeply offended by this obvious slur upon her character.

“I’m no such thing!”

Dreamer lurched forward and slapped her face sharply. As blood oozed from her nose the vampire hissed, “Are you mortal?”

“That’s a daft question!”

Dreamer responded to this by punching her hard in the tummy. The woman gasped, but thankfully the blubber cushioned the shock.

“No effect eh?”

“What do you really want?”

Dreamer stepped back and glanced at Gemma.

“She still does not know why my love.”

Frenier took full advantage of this distraction. She suddenly lunged but Dreamer grabbed her arm and knocked her to the floor.

“Nobody attacks me!” she hissed.

A foot lashed out and caught the woman squarely in the kidneys. This time she groaned loudly as Gemma giggled softly.

“We should kill her.”

“That would be a waste of good blood my dear. We could keep her alive for quite a while.”

The woman attempted to crawl across the floor until Dreamer dragged her back again.

“You cannot escape from us. So play along and the beatings will stop.”

Frenier sat up and winced.

“What are you?”

“Something that your mortal mind could not possibly comprehend my dear. Now sit against that wall.”

The poor woman crawled over painfully and did so without further resistance.

Dreamer was satisfied at last and turning to her lover said coldly, “There is a storeroom at the rear. Bring her a tin of beef and an opener. Don’t forget the water either.”

Before Gemma had moved however, the woman spoke up.

“Is there any red wine?”

“Bring the three litre box and forget the damned water.”

As her companion walked off the woman stared at her captor.

“So Satan needs me after all.”

The remark annoyed the vampiress.

“You have no idea of such a being! I was walking the land of Israel five thousand years before your messiah was born!”

Her hand lashed out, breaking the victim’s nose at once. As she screamed and the blood flowed, Gemma returned with the goods.

“What happened to her?”

“A little disagreement my dear. Just give her the stuff.”

The woman took a hanky from her pocket and leaned her head back until the flow stopped. Then she coolly opened the tin and poured herself a glass.

“Fancy joining me?”

Dreamer sneered at the very suggestion and wandered over to the adjacent chairs.

“Sit yourself down Gemma. We are in for a long night.”

As Ben rested upon the sofa, Trayhas sat upon the floor as his recovery period drew to an end. His mind swept the town, until the soft thoughts of Gemma were detected.

“They seem to be in an underground bunker my friend.”

“I know of that place. We did a piece when the authorities closed it down.”

Trayhas opened his eyes.

“Now may be our chance. Your woman is very much corporeal.”

“What do you mean my woman?”

Trayhas smiled knowingly.

“After the wine you had her. Or perhaps she had you my friend?”

Ben blushed at the sodden memory of a rather pleasurable night.

“We need a plan,” he said at last.

“I suggest that we turn up at the entrance,” Trayhas suggested. “That may catch them off guard.”

“Then let’s go.”

“What about your precious detective?”

“He is probably up to his eye balls in paperwork. We can deal with this ourselves.”

Trayhas nodded but kept a truth back.

When they left the town, Ben drove a mile towards the south and slowed down when he spotted the open field.

“Nearly there.”

He slewed the car onto a gravel track and stopped at a small fence.

“Time to get out mate.”

“A rather strange place to locate it,” the vampire said.

“Where else but the middle of nowhere? Come on.”

Ben led the way to the fence break and from there across the grass toward a cupola.

When they reached it, he started scraping at the ground.

“That is an air vent,” he muttered. “Under here is...”

“A trapdoor,” Trayhas commented as it came into view.

Ben pulled it open, pointing down to the metallic ladder.

“After you then.”

“I would rather you went first.”

Ben duly obliged, descending rapidly into the encroaching darkness. When he reached the corridor, he switched the lights on.

“Where the hell are they?”

Trayhas joined him and scanned quickly.

“They seem to be sitting at a table. The room has a map upon the wall.”

“That is the command area my friend. It’s down this way.”

The creature glanced in the completely opposite direction.

“What’s down here?”

“Just the generator room and calor gas storage tank.”

Trayhas smiled.

“We should check that out then. I’ve just come up with an idea.”

Ben rolled his eyes, and followed his mentor down the lit corridor and through a door marked danger.

Trayhas did not need any lights to locate the gas tank. His superior night vision was perfectly suited to the task.

“This will do perfectly.”

It was then that Ben realised what the plan was.

“Oh come on mate. You can’t blow us all to kingdom come!”

Trayhas placed a palm upon his quivering shoulders.

“Dreamer knows perfectly well what gas can do my friend. Once she realises the danger she will flee.”

“What if she doesn’t?”

Trayhas smiled grimly.

“In that case, we go up with her.”

He scanned the controls until he spotted the fragile pipe. Kneeling beside it, he pulled with all his might. The pipe gave way with a loud crack and he returned to the valve. Ben watched it turning and heard the gas begin to seep out.

“Turn the light back on now!”

Ben dashed over and did so, as his friend found a convenient bolt.

“Now try to aim correctly,” Trayhas hissed.

He tossed the bolt toward the fragile glass, hitting it perfectly.

“In about fifteen minutes this place goes sky high. Now lead us to this command post!”

Ben ran through the open door and down the well-lit corridor. At the far wall, he swung to the right and pointed to the door.

“The command post is there. A storage area sits behind us.”

Trayhas gritted his teeth and prepared for action.

“I will try not to kill her for reasons best known to myself.”

“You are in love with Dreamer.”

The vampire glanced at him before storming the room. His shoulder smashed the door open, his forward momentum carrying him into the room.

As Dreamer glanced up in deep surprise, Trayhas attacked her companion. Grabbing her by the hair, he dragged her down before his booted foot smashed her evil skull.

Ben had now entered and went at once to the stricken woman.

“Everything is alright Frenier. We will soon get you out.”

As the grateful women hugged him, Dreamer dashed for the rear wall.

“How did you get out of the flat?”

Trayhas pointed to the happy reporter.

“Unlike you I have mortal friends. Now do you really want to die?”

Dreamer screwed her eyes, nose sniffing loudly.

“You damned fool!”

“Get out of here now!”

She growled like a wild animal and transmuted into a column of white mist. Moments later, she faded from view.

“Now pick her up!”

Ben reached down and did so easily, as Trayhas marched out of the doomed room. As they reached the ladder, Frenier asked clumsily, “How did you find me?”

“Don’t tell her mate. You two outside now!”

They climbed toward the surface, as the lethal gas level rose toward the red-hot filament of the smashed bulb.

“Run for it!”

The three friends now dashed across the field and toward the waiting vehicle. As they reached it, the gas ignited.

A huge fireball rose skyward as the concussion wave smashed them to the ground. When it had passed, Ben glanced up at the shattered car.

“There goes my no claims bonus.”

They picked themselves up and glanced back at the gaping hole where the bunker had lain.

“Thanks for saving me,” the woman whispered.

“You are welcome,” Ben muttered.

Trayhas smiled and started to wander off.

“You can stay with me if you want.”

Trayhas turned.

“I have another agenda Ben. Time to leave this place.”

“Are you going after her?”

The vampire shook his head.

“No need my friend. She seems to turn up wherever I live. Just take that lady home.”

He darted off as Frenier gripped Ben’s arm.

“Back to my place or yours?”

Ben heard the approaching sirens and said calmly, “Why not mine.
Ever tried whisky?”

A sudden roar caught Ben’s attention. Looking overhead, he spotted the distinctive lights of a passenger aircraft.

“Must be heading for Montreal.”

“Typical reporter!”

She laughed as the two lovers hobbled into the night.

“Hi, I’m Ben...Please leave a message after the tone.”

Episode 12

Ben stood now rather puzzled by his friend’s vanishing act. He was about to head back toward the town centre when a column of mist promptly appeared.

“Where did you go to?”

Trayhas stepped into view as the mist vanished.

“Are you really sure that cop can be trusted?”

“Positive. Now answer the question.”

“I just slinked off so keep your hair on. When you meet him later, I won’t be there.”

“Have it your own way then. So have you managed to locate these two demons?”

Trayhas laughed softly.

“Hardly demons my boy. The acolyte's name is Gemma by the way. Her mind is like an open sewer.”

“So let’s finish this off before someone else is done away with.”

As he walked off, Trayhas held him firmly.

“Not so fast dear friend. I know this damsel remember. A gentle persuasion may just be enough.”

“You want to negotiate with her?”

“Why not? It’s much easier than ramming a piece of wood through her chest.”

“Two people have died,” Ben protested.

“Three actually, if you count the young woman. I don’t think that you are cut out for this.”

“I’m not being left behind.”

“Then follow by all means, but kindly watch h your step. Dreamer could make mince meat out of you.”

Ben was about to reply when the creature transmuted before his eyes.
He watched the large bat fly toward the town proper and shook his head.

“Sometimes you know, being mortal can be a disadvantage.”

The reporter quickly realised that he had no idea where Trayhas was off to, and decided to head for home.

Within the shoebox lounge, Dreamer and Gemma were rather heavily engaged after the thrill of the kill. As they entwined upon the sofa, hands venturing into secret places, a rather large bat swung down from the dark sky.

Landing softly upon the sill, it gazed upon the alluring view. A wing moved against the glass and a soft talon scratched.

“I heard something,” Gemma muttered as a tongue slid over her naval.

Dreamer glanced around and spotted the bat with ease.

“We have company my dear. Excuse me a moment.”

She rolled onto the floor before standing up and wandering over to the closed window.

“When has glass stopped you?”

The bat dissolved and Trayhas appeared at her rear.

“Just being polite my dear. We seriously have to talk.”

Gemma now sat with thighs crossed as he gazed at her.

“See that you have been busy.”

“It is what I do. Whatever brought you to this backwater?”

“I simply wanted the quiet life my dear. Now put your clothes back on.”

Dreamer shrugged her slim shoulders and quickly pulled the heavy coat around her. Gemma however wandered through to the bedroom, much to his disgust.

“Killing that officer was stupid.”

“We needed a drink. Unlike you I prefer humans.”

“The authorities are alive to the nature of the threat. How do you think they will react?”

“I can’t see any angry mobs outside.”

“This is the twenty-first century my dear. These people are far more sophisticated, and therefore more deadly.”

“You have your life and I have mine. I suggest that we keep them separate.”

“I need you two to leave pronto. If only to restore some measure of order.”

Dreamer turned her back and laughed loudly.

“Retreat you mean?”

“That was the general idea.”

“Oh come on Trayhas. When did I ever do such a thing?”

“You had better make this the first time. Otherwise these mortals will hunt you both down.”

She swung around and hissed.

“Then let them come to their deaths.”

He simply could not understand this attitude.

“Don’t you realise that we are both under threat here?”

“Then perhaps you should leave?”

“You know that I can’t. Not with you roaming around the place.”

“Then how about divide and conquer. You take the north whilst I nibble through the south.”

“That is a ridiculous suggestion. Twenty-four hours is all you have.”

Dreamer pushed him aside and wandered toward the bedroom.

“Where are you off too?”

“I have to get something. Stay here a moment.”

He wandered over to the darkened window, trying to work out her game plan. Experience had taught him that Dreamer was a slick operator.

“I spoke to Gemma and we have come to an agreement.”

He swung around, noting that her right hand was fiddling within a pocket.

“I sincerely hope it is the correct one.”

She smiled slyly and sauntered up to him. As a cold arm embraced him, the other slipped a medallion over his head.

Trayhas screamed in agony at once. He crashed to his knees, trying to remove the offending object.

“The talisman won’t allow that old friend. A Russian priest was compelled to give me it, just in case.”

Trayhas collapsed onto his chest and lay perfectly still as Gemma entered the lounge.

“Is he dead now?”

Dreamer shook her head slowly.

“Simply immobilised my love. I rather like it that way.”
She turned to her nude lover and dropped the coat around her slender toes. Tapping the nose she whispered, “Now where were we?”
---

Ben was acutely worried as his door was rapped and the detective entered solemnly.

“That officer was drained completely. Just like the driver.”

“What do your superiors make of it?”

“Some kind of crisis meeting is under way at the mayor’s. I doubt they will come to the correct conclusion though.”

“I’m glad of that Harris.”

“Has this friend of yours located the killer yet?”

Ben shook his head.

“He’s still not back. I’m wondering whether something has happened to him.”

“Like a stake you mean?”

“Perhaps. I just wish that I could find her on my own.”

“So what’s stopping you?”

“I am not a fully fledged blood drinker. He only gave me enough to
repair the damage. He can scan minds you know. As well as change shape.”

“Have you tried conventional means?”

“I did wonder around but it was pretty hopeless.”

“There could be other ways of finding her.”

“Like what for instance. Some kind of vampire data base?”

“Before coming here I checked the net out of curiosity you understand.”

“Find anything useful?”

“One report suggests that those who drink vampiric blood develop a loose connection with the master. We could use that.”

“I told you already detective. It failed.”

“Allow me to be the judge of that. I’ll tour you around in my car.
That’s bound to help.”

Despite his doubts, Ben took up the offer and was soon ensconced in the vehicle. As they patrolled the town, the reporter closed his eyes and tried to concentrate.

At present he only met a wall of impenetrable darkness, until that is the car entered a half moon square. As it did so, the wall collapsed and Ben suddenly yelped.

“He’s on the floor with some medal around his neck.”

“Anything else?”

“It’s a high rise.”

Ben opened his eyes and gazed around the square. Sadly however, these were all low level wooden fronted bungalows.

“It must be nearby.”

Harris swung the wheel and drove onto the main road. As they reached a junction, the block came into view.

“That is where he is!”

The car halted sharply and they were soon climbing the stairs to the upper floor. As they reached it, Ben was beaming.

“This is the one.”

“You better stand clear then mate.”

Harris drew his weapon, and was just about to kick the door down when it opened of its own accord...”

The detective leapt inside but no one was in view.

“It’s safe enough.”

Ben followed him into the lounge and spotted the vampire upon the floor. He knelt and carefully removed the offending amulet.

Trayhas groaned and rolled onto his back as the detective returned from the rear room.

“No one here Ben. How is the eh...”

“I’m fine Harris. Dreamer tricked me.”

“Where has she gone?” Ben asked.

Trayhas sighed deeply and whispered softly, “Gemma’s mind indicates Muscle Street.”

“That’s near the picture house,” Harris commented.

“Anything else?” Ben asked.

“I got a name. Only part of it mind you. Fren something.”

Ben felt a shock tear through his system at the familiar name.

“She’s going after Frenier and thankfully I know the way.”

“I’ll give you two a lift then.”

Trayhas shook his head wearily.

“I’m in no state to go anywhere mate. You two get off and try to remember this amulet.”

Ben placed it safely inside his pocket and followed Harris out of the door.

Trayhas sat panting as the terrible effects continued to manifest themselves.

“That is one trick she won’t use again.”

Frenier had been sitting upon the carpet doing breathing exercises when she heard something hard land elsewhere.

“What could that have been?”

She stood before wandering into the short hall. Two figures stepped from the bedroom, the nude one glaring at her.

“You look rather podgy.”

The startled woman backed away as Dreamer shook her finger.

“Now that is no way to treat honoured guests, now is it?”

The woman turned toward the exit but Dreamer was instantly upon her.

Grabbing her shoulders in a vice like grip, she hissed into her ear, “Being obese is a capital offence in our book. You stuff yourself whilst kids starve in Africa!”

The terrified woman struggled in vain before her surroundings suddenly changed.
---

When the officer pulled up outside one of the bright yellow doors,
Ben winced with the memory of the wine.

“You can stay here if you wish.”

The reporter shook his head and followed him towards it.

“You know that handgun is hopeless.”

Harris stared at him and smiled.

“It may keep her occupied as you do the honours.”

“If we even get that chance mate,” Ben replied.

Harris kicked the door open and found the short hall peaceful. He ran into the empty lounge as Ben checked the bedroom.

“We seem to be too late!”

“Just calm down,” Harris said as the reporter paced the floor.

“Now we may never find her.”

“There can’t be many places they could hide surely.”

“They have a whole town Harris. They can dematerialise at will. Frenier could well be dead by the time we find her.”

Harris returned his weapon into the leather holster and scratched his head.

“Why take her?”

Ben knew the answer to that one.

“Perhaps they want her as a wine press? How the hell do I know?”

The officer searched his fertile mind for a location but came up blank.

“I’ll have to radio this in.”

“I’ll wait outside. I just hope that Trayhas recovers in time.”

He had only just walked outside when the darkly cloaked figure stepped from behind the car.

“Feeling better now?”

“Still a little rough Ben. Has the bird flown?”

“You bet she has. They took her.”

“Which means they have gone to ground,” the vampire added.

“I’m open to suggestions.”

Harris stepped out and was relieved to see the new friend.

“We need you to track her down right now!”

“I’ll need another hour for that. My head is still fuzzy.”

“That’s acceptable. The cavalry are en-route, so make yourselves scarce.”

The two friends walked away quickly, as Harris awaited the arrival of his colleagues.

“Back to my place?” Ben asked.

“That will do for now. She certainly won’t return to that flat.”

“Nice cool night.”

Unlike his mortal friend, Trayhas could detect the coming of dawn.
Now two hours distant.

“The quicker I recover the better.”

“I agree with you. Without you, my friend is doomed.”

Trayhas glanced at him sadly.

“She may be dead already.”

Alone once more, Jerrix expected a smooth trip through the void of space. He was rather surprised therefore when he noticed the eyes of the north cat statue flashing. To his knowledge, this had never happened before.

He was quietly thinking this over when the ship veered, throwing him onto the squashy blue floor.

“I seem to have landed then,” he muttered scrambling to his feet.

Stepping outside, he found himself looking at a large chamber, which contained various exotic objects.

“I seem to be in the hold,” he muttered scratching his ear.

He noticed a metal stair that led to an upper gantry and was heading that way when a female appeared through a door and ordered him to stop.

“What do we have here?”

Jerrix froze. He saw the woman’s green uniform and laser holder. Strangely for a security guard, she wore no hat. Her long red hair was rather obvious. This was one security guard you did not argue with.

“I was responding to a distress signal. My ship changed course automatically.”

She looked rather surprised.

“We only just sent it. I’m Yoland by the way.”

“Jerrix Tau. What seems to be the trouble?”

“The captain can explain that,” she said inviting him to follow.

He was led into a shining corridor at the end of which stood a lift door. As they entered, the guard tapped the button marked B, and they ascended rapidly.

Stepping out, the cat found himself on a command deck. A tall gent with greying hair was looking at the screen in front of him. His uniform was a rather dull red.

“Hum,” Yoland said to catch his attention.

The captain turned and gazed at the new passenger.

“Is this the chap from the hold?”

“It is sir. He answered our call.”

“Did he now. Do you know anything about generation star ships?”

Jerrix coughed.

“I certainly do,” the cat replied gazing around.

His eyes fell upon a bank of flashing lights, and ignoring everyone he padded over.

“Seems you have a leak captain.”

The captain turned.

“As a matter of fact quite a severe one I’m afraid. Our boys don’t seem able to put it right.”

“How did it happen though?” Jerrix asked.

“We got caught in a micro meteor storm. Silly really.”

Jerrix glanced at the automated bridge.

“Surely the ship could have avoided that?” the cat asked.

“So you would think,” the captain replied.

Jerrix turned again, facing the guard.

“How long have you been travelling?”

“About two-hundred years,” she replied.

The cat nodded.

“I need to know where you are headed.”

The captain answered that one.

“Misro One sir. We should be there in another six centuries. Assuming we don’t all suffocate.”

Jerrix smiled at the rye joke.

He was about to speak when a light flashed. The captain turned to Yoland.

“Get yourself down to docking bay six-four. Bring our new arrival to me will you?”

She saluted and left as Jerrix asked casually, “I suppose you tried sealants?”

The captain felt a little embarrassed.

“None aboard sir. The designers did not think it necessary.”

“That is terribly odd,” Jerrix said. “How about strengthening the shields?”

The captain blushed.

Jerrix raised a black paw.

“Don’t tell me. No shields.”

The captain nodded.

“Apparently a ship this size can’t be protected.”

“That’s rubbish,” Jerrix said swiftly. “How many souls aboard?”

“Something like twenty million.”

Jerrix shook his head in disbelief.

“I suppose you have an engineer?”

“That we do have sir. Deck ninety-nine.”

Jerrix turned to go when Yoland returned with an even stranger guest.

The cat found himself looking at a tall, lean, six-foot mouse dressed in a silver jumpsuit.

“What you staring at?” he asked in a high-pitched squeaky voice.

“Sorry,” the cat replied. “I have things to do. See you later captain.”

As he left, the officer turned his attention to the unusual visitor.
---
“Two in one day,” the captain commented. “Must be a record.”

“I’m eh Larchee,” the largish mouse said. “My scout craft is running low on cheese and I wonder if we can negotiate a trade.”

The captain looked at him strangely.

“I am afraid we cannot help. As a matter of fact, there is no cheese on board. No demand you see.”

“Are you sure?” the stunned mouse replied.

“I am afraid so,” the captain replied.

“Oh well. Seems like a wasted journey. Do you mind if I hang about for a bit?”

The captain thought it over.

“I can allow you a day but that’s all. Regulations you know.”

Larchee thanked him and left the command deck. The captain glanced at Yoland.

“Keep an eye on that one.”

She saluted and left at once.

After his disappointing answer, Larchee had decided to have a look around. He stopped off at deck fifty and found himself in a large corridor. He quickly noted that the lift was returning to the command deck.

“No one follows me,” he whispered.

He dashed rapidly down the corridor and up a flight of steps as the lift descended once more.

He found himself on deck forty-nine, a huge solarium. He noted the many users and dashed into an empty cubicle, pulling the curtains behind him. He peered out as Yoland dashed past, smiling to himself.
Once it was clear, he returned to the lower deck and sniffed the clean air. All but one of the many homes was empty.

“Well captain,” he muttered. “I need to get my protein from your charges then.”

He reached the correct door and slammed his shoulders against it. He was not surprised when it gave way. He found himself in a large, well set out apartment, done up in the latest lavish style. He slammed the door shut as an elderly woman hobbled into view.

“You will have to leave,” she mumbled. “This is a private apartment.”

Larchee simply grinned. Showing off his razor sharp front nibblers.

As he advanced slowly, the woman attempted to scream but he put a silver-gloved hand over her mouth.

“Which way is the bathroom?” he hissed.

The frightened woman nodded towards a rear door and he forced her towards it. They entered soon after and once there he knocked her cold.

Calmly shutting the door gently, he rubbed his hands grinning.

“I think it is tea-time.”

As the mouse ate his unusual meal, Yoland was still trying to track him down. She soon found herself on the huge promenade deck, with its glorious views over the vast generation star ship.

As far as the eyes could see, there was countryside, mountains and lakes. Each and every one hand crafted. The people had lost count of those who had lived and died here. Each generation giving way to the next.

With such a system, new crew were easy to find and train. They had in a way, become a world, searching for another one.

Yoland wondered if her quarry was down there. Then she had a stroke of inspiration.

“I’ll try the docking bay. He’s bound to turn up there sooner or later.”

She found the lift and tapped in six four reaching it moments later.
She saw the lone scout craft and checked that it was empty. She removed her radio and reported the situation.

The captain did not seem too concerned.

“He could be anywhere,” he had said. “Just stay by his craft Yoland.
I only wanted you to keep an eye on him, that’s all.”

She placed the transmitter back in her pocket and waited.

“When I see him,” she muttered. “I will have a strong word to say.”

Deep within the bowels of the ship, Jerrix had reached the engineer who was showing him the core of the vessel at that very moment.

“So this is your plasma drive,” Jerrix said admiring its sheer size.

“It certainly is mate. Those huge cylinders are the injection pumps,
which feed into that vast chamber there. The resulting waste is shot
out the rear of the ship creating forward thrust.”

“Simple but effective,” the cat said.

“Perhaps too simple,” the engineer suggested. “As has been pointed out, we cannot create a shield and now we are paying for it.”

“Sealing those leaks is a priority,” the cat said. “I reckon you will all be dead within a month.”

“So does the captain,” the engineer told him.

The cat pointed to the plasma chamber.

“You need to place a shield coil transducer between that and the thrusters.”

“I suppose that would work,” the engineer said. “Small problem though. It would take three months at least to build one.”

The cat quickly realised the problem. It was a little too late.

Jerrix scratched his furry head thinking things over.

“If you ask me,” the engineer said. “We are truly finished.”

“Hold on a second,” the cat said slowly. “You have gravity inducers
onboard.”

“So what? They only work within the ship.”

“Not if you create a gravity net.”

The engineer looked puzzled.

“How on earth do we do that?”

“We need two polarisers,” Jerrix explained. “One on the bow, and the
other on the stern. That would do it for certain.”

“I suppose so,” the engineer said thoughtfully. We keep those spare.”

“Then do it man,” Jerrix told him. “Within the day, this ship will be rock solid.”

The engineer was about to reply when an alarm klaxon sounded.

“Sounds like trouble,” the engineer said.

“I had better find out what’s up,” the cat replied bounding off.

He left the engineer to gather the team necessary to carry out the delicate space walk. Then they had to fit the polarisers. It would be dangerous of course, but all their lives depended on it. His included.

Episode 11

Detective Harris was having one of those days that simply kept going wrong. Losing the respected reporter in strange circumstances was bad enough, but finding a dead taxi driver at the tramlines was a definite no, no.

As he climbed from the unmarked squad car, the shocked medic called him over.

“This is a strange one. You better have a look see.”

Harris leaned inside the vehicle as the baffled medic pointed out the two pin pricks located over the throat.

“In all my years I’ve never seen such a wound.”

“It certainly does not look animal in nature,” the detective muttered.

He thought carefully and said flatly, “I wonder why there is no blood spatter?”

“It would seem that the blood was drained somehow,” the doc explained.

“Are you suggesting some lunatic did this?”

“The forensic boys swabbed the wound for DNA. Hopefully that will pin it down.”

“The last thing we need is an attack like this doc. Look, try and keep this to yourself eh?”

“I fully intended to sir.”

The detective nodded and wandered back to his car. As he did so, the forensic officer approached with a small plastic bag.

“We found some blonde hair strands sir. Hopefully they will match the swab.”

Harris examined them and said, “They look female to me.”

“That’s what I thought. The cabbies meter suggests a trip from our cinema.”

“Does it indeed. That slice of intelligence could come in handy. I’ll have the area plastered with posters by noon.”

He climbed back in, some very strange thoughts floating through his active mind.

“First we get the craziest abduction I’ve ever seen, and then this. There has to be a connection.”

He allowed these thoughts to fester as he made his way home, hoping at least to get a good night’s rest.
---
As the following day passed, posters indeed went up around the cinema. Harris finally got the reports on the driver and they made for an even worse day.

Harris read the swab report first. It concluded with the strange sentence, no DNA found. The autopsy was sadly even worse. Cause of death, cardiac arrest due to severe blood loss.

As he scratched his head, his office door was knocked.

“We have a witness sir. Would you like to see her?”

“You can show her in.”

Harris watched the swanky blonde enter, and noted the heavy application of cosmetics. He preferred his women to be natural and this vision put him right off.

When she sat and made herself comfortable he asked carefully, “You were at the pictures last night?”

“I sure was honey bun. Lousy flick too.”

“So what did you see?”

“As I was leaving I saw this woman dash for the waiting taxi. I had
to wait about an hour for the next to turn up.”

“Describe her for me?”

The witness thought back and smiled.

“She was a tall broad with a thick coat made from dark wool. She was fairly tall, and I would swear that she was a natural blonde.”

“That would certainly fit the facts mam. Did you notice anything else?”

“Just the weird crazy eyes. Kind of creepy like.”

He thanked her for the information but this witness was not finished with him yet.

“If you need soothing detective here is my address.”

She snatched a pen and scribbled it down on his pad before swirling out again.

He tried to suppress a smile as she left, a pretty hopeless task in the circumstances.

As he sat thinking, the door opened and an officer asked, “Any good sir?”

“She saw the killer alright. I’ll run it through the system.”

He typed in the description but was disappointed when no results popped up.

“Perhaps she has no criminal record,” he muttered.

The officer returned moments later with the Bugel, and pointed out the glaring headline.

‘Vamp attack.’

The detective shook his head in frustration.

“That’s all we need.”

“Page four is even worse sir.”

He flicked the page and saw Ben’s photo with a nasty caption.

‘Where is Ben?’

He rang the number and waited for the editor to answer.

“How dare you run such a crazy story. Where is your public duty?”

“Look detective. We got inside information that the driver had two throat punctures. It’s our job to report it.”

“Not if it causes panic mate,” Harris replied.

“Did you actually read it?”

“Of course not.”

“Well detective. Further down the page we report it likely the killer used some kind of extraction device.”

“So why not say so at the top?”

“Cause the headline sells detective. How is the search for my reporter going?”

Harris winced.

“Not very well to be honest. That is all I can say at the moment.”

“Any chance of seeing a tape?”

“Certainly not,” Harris replied. “It may prejudice the investigation.”

“I had to ask of course. The hospital has kept shut, if you know what I mean?”

“They are acting on my instructions. Take advice from me eh? If another body turns up, leave vamps out of it.”

He slammed down the phone, waiting to see if anyone responded to the Ben article.
---
When the sun had gone down at last, the detective visited his patrolmen who had been deployed on Muscle Street.

“How is it going?”

The young officer smiled and said, “Fairly quiet sir. I’ve asked a few questions but sadly the replies were negative.”

“Keep at it eh? A high public profile may reassure the people.”

Harris glanced around at the crowds and returning to his vehicle, drove off into the night.

The patrolman watched him leave as a tall, blonde haired woman peeked out from behind the queue. After a moment, she strode toward the officer, the long dress swaying in time with her thighs.

“Having fun are we?”

“You must be joking mam. I would rather be somewhere else this evening.”

The woman strode over to the poster, noting the description of the Russian coat.

“You have not found her yet then?”

The curious officer joined her.

“We’ll get her mam. Why do you ask?”

The woman smiled carefully and said, “Oh I don’t know. I saw such a woman on my way here that’s all.”

The officer’s ears pricked up.

“Could you tell me where exactly?”

The woman placed a finger against her left temple and seemed to think it over.

“I’m pretty sure she was standing near the north traffic lights.”

She saw the officer reach for his radio and promptly stopped him.

“Surely you can tackle her yourself. I could take you there if you like?”

The officer was certainly eager to seize the miscreant. Such a high profile catch would boost his promotion chances no end.

“We can take my car mam. Follow me.”

She followed and sat at his side, as the engine was gunned.

“I sure hope she is still there.”

“So do I mam. Before we go, are you sure the description matches?”

“I’m pretty sure sir. She was simply gazing at a dark patch of earth.”

The officer nodded and pushed his foot to the floor. The vehicle set off at speed toward the northern lights as the passenger gazed at him sweetly.

“No siren tonight?”

“We don’t want to scare her off do we?”

The vehicle swung left and hurtled toward the lights that lay nearby. As they approached, the officer noted that they were at green.

“There she is,” the woman muttered.

The siren was activated at once, and the car shot over the junction before swerving to a halt. The officer turned his head and whispered, “Stay here mam.”

He leapt out and saw the suspect standing upon the darkened earth where the old property had stood.

She did not seem to be aware of the officer. Either that or she was on drugs.

“I need you to turn around mam.”

He drew his weapon, eyes staring at the Russian coat and blonde hair.

“Did you hear what I said? You must turn around.”

The suspect did so very slowly and the officer saw the weird looking eyes.

“Now lay yourself down.”

The suspect remained mute as the coat was opened provocatively. The officer saw the nude form beneath, but kept his finger poised over the trigger.

“I said lie down!”

He did not expect a lilting voice to whisper into his ear, “Why don’t you lie down?”

He glanced behind and saw the woman glaring at him. A fist closed around his throat and crushed his windpipe with ease. As he collapsed, Dreamer smiled at her new lover.

“Well done Gemma. Now let us feed before anyone misses him.”
---
Trayhas and Ben had also been busy that night. After feeding upon a stray dog, the true vampire licked his lips as Ben looked away.

“Think yourself lucky that you don’t have to do this.”

“I suppose I should thank you for that.”

Trayhas patted his shoulder and said, “We should look around now. Dreamer will probably be active.”

“Where do you want to go first?”

The vampire smiled and closed his eyes in deep concentration. His mind sent out a lighthouse beam, scanning the area for anything unusual. When he opened them once more, he grimaced.

“You better come with me.”

He grabbed the reporter and they dissolved almost at once. When Ben became aware of his surroundings once more, he recognised the northerly location.

“Oh hell!” the vampire hissed.

Ben glanced down and spotted the crumpled body of the officer. Trayhas knelt and began feeling around his throat.

“He’s quite dead my friend. Throat has been crushed like jelly.”

“So why here?”

Trayhas stood and looked at him grimly.

“It’s a message to me. A kind of calling card.”

“Any ideas where she is now?”

Trayhas scanned the ground and seemed to smile.

“She has a new recruit I see. Which means even more trouble. That could work to our advantage.”

“How come?”

“Her acolyte may not be able to shield her mind. In that case, we could end up locating them.”

Ben began pacing the ground before he spotted the patrol car.

“I have an idea.”

Trayhas watched as he marched over and leaned through the open door.

“What on earth are you doing?”

“Calling this in.”

Trayhas ran forward and stopped him just in time.

“Have you lost your mind? Who do you think they will arrest.”

“Harris trusts me remember?”

“He probably knows of your kidnapping. You won’t be able to explain that away.”

“I have no choice,” the reporter said. “Now, are you going to stop me?”

Trayhas stepped back as Ben made the call. He dropped the radio and glanced around quickly.

“You just follow me.”

He dashed across the empty road and concealed himself in the dark shadows, as sirens ripped the air apart.

“This is madness my friend.”

“You just stick around. Believe it or not we need that detective.”

They saw three patrol cars reach the scene and a few minutes later, Harris arrived.

“Now it’s your turn to perform,” Ben hissed.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Use that mind thing and bring him over here.”

Trayhas shook his head and concentrated hard. Ben saw the detective stand away from the corpse and slowly saunter towards them.

“Just a little more,” the reporter whispered.

When there was no response, he glanced back and noted the creature had vanished. Almost at once, the mind lock snapped and a confused detective realised where he was.

“What the hell...?”

Ben stepped out smiling.

“Nice to see you again.”

The detective was pretty shocked and reacted accordingly.

“Good grief Ben. What is going on?”

The reporter pulled him into the darkness and whispered, “I’ve no time to explain now, but we have a vampire on the loose.”

Ben had been expecting incredulity but got a shock.

“After viewing that tape I had reached a similar conclusion.”

“What tape?”

“Hospital security mate. What else could have spirited you away like that?”

“I see, well...He is not the threat on this occasion. It’s Dreamer you need to be afraid of.”

The officer shrugged his shoulders.

“Never mind detective. Just remember the name. My colleague thinks she has a new recruit. He may be able to trace them for you.”

“I don’t seem to see him.”

Ben smiled.

“He vanished my friend. Don’t worry though. He is a strong ally.”

“I just hope so. Answer me this Ben. How come you are able to walk around?”

“That’s his doing but don’t worry. I’m not a drinker.”

“Glad to hear it mate. What do you want me to do in the meantime?”

“Your job of course. Keeping the boys in blue off our backs would be a huge help.”

Harris nodded and said, “I better return to the victim. Where can I
find you again?”

The reporter smiled.

“Pop over to my home tonight eh?”

Harris agreed before walking off toward the crime scene.

An hour before sunrise, the fully loaded army truck climbed the ramp to the exit where Jerrix waited. He hit the button to let them out and closed it again when the truck drove clear. Climbing into the cramped cab with these two friends, it was not long before they were hurtling along the dark country roads.

“I plan to hit the causeway as the tide is receding,” Smitty informed them.

“Good idea,” Jerrix answered. “The less time we spend in the open the better.”

They did not see any of the machines as they drove along, which was an unexpected bonus. When they finally reached the causeway, the sea was reeling back and judging it safe, Smitty pushed his foot to the floor.

The salt water only reached the wheel bolts as it sprayed in wild plumes on either side. The truck never faltered as they reached Holy Island once more. Slowing a little, Smitty guided their catch to the waiting farmhouse without incident.

As they pulled in, Tommy jumped out and pulled down the camouflage netting. Even from the air, it was now protected.

The waiting fighters were delighted by their safe return. Then the planning began in earnest. It was agreed that everyone should be involved in this. Gerry, only ten, had to stay behind.

Smitty put his plan across like this.

“Tommy and I will hit the stockade with the rocket launchers to form a breach.”

After pausing, he continued.

“The rest of you will enter the camp and encourage the inmates to flee. We will try to keep their guards busy.”

“Whatever you do,” Jerrix said. “Don’t waste ammo on the machines. They are fully protected.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Tommy said. “We only want to grab their attention.”

Jerrix smiled and said, “How about hitting it just after sunset? We need the cover.”

Everyone agreed.

“Now about that dump,” Tommy said. “It is large enough for everyone here. As we said, it is fully stocked with weapons and food and water.”

Bob was doubtful.

“Surely we are safer on this island than over there. If we are cornered, we can’t escape.”

Crispy agreed with him.

“Hiding down there sounds rather daft to me mate.”

“I think,” Jerrix said. “They want to stay here.”

Both Smitty and Tommy agreed with the majority, and the idea was quickly dropped.

Smitty gazed around at the little band.

“Everyone should rest now. We have a tough task ahead.”

Everyone trotted off as the clock ticked on.

As the sun sank and darkness closed in once more, the small band of freedom fighters filed from their base and began the longish trek on foot. Only Smitty and Tommy were armed with shoulder launchers. Each with a single shell. The idea was to use their machine guns after the single strike.

It had to succeed. Failure was not an option. Even a glorious one.
They made it to the causeway without incident, and across to the mainland just north of the ruins of Bamburgh castle. They moved on about a mile before reaching the small rise where they lay, staring down at the camp.

Within that large wooden stockade, built by inmates, poorly dressed prisoners with simple implements hoed the soil. At the far end, wooden barracks had been built as machines hovered overhead.
Nothing had changed since their last visit.

Smitty quietly issued his command.

“As soon as the rockets strike, run down and enter the camp. Only then, open fire. Good luck to you all.”

Jerrix too was armed with a machine gun. He felt it was a necessary evil on this occasion. Strictly for his own defence you understand.
Everyone waited as the launchers were aimed carefully before being unleashed. They saw the vast explosion, spitting out orange flame, followed by the sight of a gaping hole.

Without any prompting, the four others dashed down toward it, as the machines turned. Of course, the prisoners had heard the blast and many were running for the hole as the fighters ran in.

“Everyone out!” Jerrix screamed as the people fled.

A machine glided towards them and he opened up. Of course, the flying bullets had no effect. His friends joined in as the machines advanced.

The camp was in uproar now. As bullets flew, as the fighters ran from position to position, the people fled. The machines responded by firing their killer pink rays, killing many. The bolts were not used.

Crispy found himself beside the row of barracks and fired again. A machine swung and opened up. He threw himself down as the building exploded. Thankfully, the inmates had fled at the first sign of trouble.

Picking himself up, he charged the machine firing wildly, trying to close the distance. The machine fired again, missing this time. The fighter was rather satisfied to find himself standing beneath it.

He pulled a grenade from his pocket, pulled the pin out and tossed it upwards toward the belly. Then he ran again.

The explosion was heard across camp but turning, he saw the machine swivelling towards him. Completely undamaged. He ran towards the hole, and seeing him do this, his companions followed suit. Firing at the advancing enemy.

Dashing through, they did not know that at least two-hundred of the inmates were dead. Only fifty had made it to freedom. Now they were being hunted.

“We have to leave now,” Jerrix insisted as rays struck the ground.

The others needed no prompting and fled into the darkness.

As they ran, Jerrix spotted a young woman stumbling and ran to her assistance. Grabbing her rather roughly by the hand, he dragged her down.

“Stay still, let the damn machines pass.”

He watched as the enemy hovered away, before pulling her up.

“Where are we going?” she asked frantically.

“Somewhere safer than here my dear.”

They ran on through the night, Jerrix determined to reach the causeway in safety.

“How can you see so clearly?” she asked.

“I eat plenty of carrots my dear.”

She pulled him to a stop, obviously out of breath. In the distance, occasional gunfire could be heard.

“We can rest for a bit,” he whispered pulling her down.

“Thanks for eh getting me out,” she whispered.

“Don’t thank me yet. We are not out of the woods yet.”

He paused, thinking.

“How long were you in that place?”

“Only a week. They caught me scavenging for food.”

He thought that over.

“Can you tell me anything about what they are up to?”

“Those who can’t work are simply eliminated. Only yesterday, a bloke
informed me that prisoners were being shipped across space.”

“Are you sure?” Jerrix asked.

“That’s what he said.”

“That does not make sense,” he replied shaking his head.

“None of this makes sense,” she told him.

“I agree with you there,” he said. “I think the coast is clear now.”

“I hope you are right.”

He dragged her up and they ran off when one of the star shaped machines came into sight. Jerrix yelled and pulled the woman violently to the right, which caused her to stumble.

The falling weight brought him down too and as he rolled, a pink ray flashed down reducing her to dust. Seeing a nearby bush, he dived inside breathing hard as the machine passed him by.

He quietly cursed himself. He had not even known her name.

He scrambled out, dashing with all his strength toward the coast and perceived safety. He reached the causeway but noticed the tide starting to come in. He realised it was a terrible gamble. Due to the flat sands, it raced in at about four miles per hour.

“I have no choice,” he cursed dashing forward.

As he splashed across, getting wetter by the second, he prayed in earnest for deliverance. In the near distance a voice shouted, “Come on old man.”

It was Tommy of course. 
---
He reached the safety of the island and joined the relieved fighter.

“What happened to your weapon?”

“Lost it,” Jerrix replied. “Even lost an escapee.”

“Sorry to hear that. The others made it. Come on, we are late.”

When they reached the farmhouse, Gerry was relieved to see him. They all were really.

“We thought you had gone,” Smitty said.

“I nearly was. How many got out?”

“A fair number,” Tommy assured him. “The enemy know they have a problem on their hands now.”

“They certainly do,” Terrance chipped in.

“So what is our next move?” Smitty asked.

“A woman told me people are being shipped across space. Got it from some bloke.”

“Is that possible?” Gerry asked.

Jerrix glanced up.

“Possible yes. Probable no. It makes no sense.”

“I think we should all turn in,” Smitty suggested. “Think with clear heads tomorrow eh.”

Jerrix turned to leave.

“Where are you off to now?” Bob asked.

“I need to check something in my ship. Back in a mo.”

He walked out, going carefully towards the castle ruin. Overhead, a pale moon looked down which was comforting. He reached the ship without incident and pulled a drawer open.

Rummaging through it, he pulled out his keyboard and frantically typed the message in galactic code. This was basically a series of numbers and letters. The small aerial transmitted the communication to the prison ship that had saved him.

He waited for what seemed like ages until the reply came through. He stared at the small screen in shock. The late woman was correct.

“Well,” he said. “We can’t have that now.”

He typed in a response before returning the keyboard to its proper place.

He started pacing, hoping his gamble had worked. Without warning, a startled Tarra appeared next to him.

“Welcome aboard,” he said smiling.

She simply glared back.

“What are you doing here? Where is Jerrix?”

He smiled before wandering over to the south statue and inserting his device. From the eyes of the statue, rays of light shot out and he stepped into the glare. As she watched, the bio matrix shell dissolved.

“Good grief,” she muttered.

“Hello Tarra. Nice to see you again my dear.”

The young girl hugged him.

“I thought you were dead?”

“If the prison ship had not beamed me back I would have been.”

“I understand that,” she said. “How did you manage to free me?”

“I simply explained that unless the prisoners were released at once,

I would destroy them. Of course I was bluffing but they believed me.”

“So where are we exactly?”

“Holy Island. A group of us just raided a work camp.”

“Still in the thick of the action eh?”

“Ain’t I always,” he said. “Come on.”

They left the ship and walked back carefully toward the farmhouse where everyone was surprised to see the old cat again. After greeting Tarra, the cat filled them in.

“Having released their prisoners, the shipment of people has
stopped. The battle is now half won.”

“You think they will go now?” Gerry asked.

“Afraid not my boy. I still don’t know how to do that. All we can do
is hit the local camps.”

A sudden explosion from outside, had them all dashing for the window. As they watched, there were flashes from the direction of the castle.

“They are attacking your ship,” Tarra told him.

“Never mind, that won’t work. They probably detected the source of my signal.”

“Which means,” Terrance pointed out. “They will hunt you again.”

Jerrix nodded as his throat clasp flashed again.

“Another message,” he murmured.

He pressed it twice and an audio message played out. It was from the ambassador.

“It appears that Jerrix has survived. An attack upon the signal source seems to have failed. Therefore, I order an immediate onslaught against that island. I want the land scoured.”

Sudden panic ensued.

“We had better leave,” Smitty said heading for the door.

“How can we. The sea cut us off remember?” Jerrix said.

“So what do we do?” Crispy asked. “Wait here to die?”

The cat thought quickly. Then shook his furry head.

“With a truckload of ammo we stand and fight. Time for running is
over. We will give them a last stand to remember.”

He turned to Tarra and Gerry.

“Return to the ship and wait there.”

Gerry refused to budge.

“If you don’t go, I’ll carry you.”

Tarra took his hand.

“Come on. There is no use arguing with him. I have known him longer
than you.”

As the children ran for safety, the fighters left the building and
opened the rear of the truck. As quick as they could, they removed enough ammo to keep them going at least ten minutes.

Tommy and Smitty reloaded their launchers and waited.

“Now, everyone spread out,” Jerrix ordered. “Only fire when you can see the target.”

Without argument, everyone did so. They knew it would be a futile gesture but they had no choice really. Better to go down fighting than running away.

They waited as time passed. Some of them praying. The rest silent and nervous. Alone in the bushes, Jerrix waited to. A machine gun between his black paws.

Suddenly they heard the sound of blasts across the small island as the attack began. It was obvious that every human structure was being targeted. It was a sensible strategy of course, as the wave of death advanced.

Several blasts occurred nearby followed by a huge one as the farmhouse exploded. They were astonished to see the truck had not been hit. Obviously, the enemy thought it a waste of effort.

It was their last piece of good luck.

Three of the deadly machines swept towards them, hugging the terrain. Jerrix saw two rockets flash through the night and explode in their faces. They flew on, undamaged.

As beams struck around them, as bullets bounced off, Terrance broke cover. He charged toward them and was cut down.

The machines veered and made a second run.

Machine guns rattled and two more rockets went up as the battle intensified. Huge blasts shook the air and ground as beams flashed down once more.

Smitty and Tommy, still crouching in the firing position, were turned to dust. That left just Crispy, Bob and Jerrix.

He saw the machines turn and broke cover himself. Bullets spat skyward as the machines struck again. A sudden explosion lifted Jerrix into the air, wrenching his weapon from his paws.

He crashed down and lay still among the scorched bracken. Seeing this, Bob knelt and fired for all he was worth. He did not stand a chance. A machine simply advanced and opened fire.

Then there was silence. Crispy had seen the end and felt he should not live. Bravely standing up, brandishing his weapon, he let rip.

“Come and get me!”

He was quickly cut down before the machines resumed their mission of destruction.

Within the hour, every structure upon the island was ablaze or reduced to rubble. Only when they were satisfied, did it end. They flew toward the mainland, leaving carnage and death behind.

Jerrix remained still and silent, as the night passed. Only at sunrise did he wake from his torpor.
---
He scrambled to his feet, checking his familiar black fur. He looked around and called for his friends. There was only silence. A pall of acrid smoke hung everywhere as fires burned on.

With stooping head, he padded back to his ship.

“Where are the others?” Gerry asked as he entered.

Jerrix glanced up.

“I’m the only one. At last, I have been defeated.”

“So we leave?” Tarra asked.

“I don’t think we have an option,” he said. “Is there nothing you can tell me?”

She shook her head.

“I don’t think so Jerrix. The only peculiar thing is this. I heard on the radio as the attack progressed that they were staying away from the Polar Regions.”

The cat’s bright yellow eyes lit up.

“They don’t like the cold,” he muttered.

“How does that help us?” Gerry asked.

Jerrix smiled.

“The Chinese were working on a weather device and I know where it is.”

“They can control the weather?” Tarra asked.

Jerrix nodded excitedly.

“Only in a small way of course, but if I were to boost it...”

He left the sentence unfinished as he activated the controls.

Seconds later, they found themselves inside a dark deserted building.

“Everyone’s gone,” Gerry whispered.

“Certainly looks like it," Tarra said.

With his feline vision, the cat spotted the domed roof and sitting below, the large white dish they needed. He noted too that a thick cable connected it to a control panel.

“Come on you two.”

When they reached it he muttered, “This is exactly what we need.”

“There is no power,” Gerry pointed out.

Jerrix smiled diving underneath the console.

“There should be an emergency switch here. Ah, here we are.”

The console sprang to life as Jerrix re-emerged.

“Now Gerry, see that dial? Turn it to maximum.”

The baffled schoolboy did so.

“Now Tarra hit that button.”

They watched as the dome cranked back, revealing the afternoon sky of China.

Jerrix then hit the activator.

As he did so, a bright beam of light shot skywards.

“That should agitate the atmosphere a bit eh?” he muttered happily.

“I think you had better explain yourself,” Gerry suggested.

“We are creating cloud cover. Not only here, but all over the planet. Once started, it cannot be reversed. Within one hour, the clouds will be so thick, it will look like night.”

Gerry understood.

“With no sunlight getting through, the temperature will drop.”

“Then snow will fall,” Tarra butted in.

“Of course,” Jerrix said. “That will drive them off the planet. Even if they destroy this station, it will be too late. Earth will not see the sun again for at least a year.”

Gerry was concerned though.

“Won’t that cause an ice-age?”

“Oh no, far too short my boy. There will be widespread famine of course which will be costly. If you ask me though, the alternative would be far worse.”

As darkness came, the temperature did drop. The companions huddled inside the ship as a global snowstorm erupted. With their built in sensors, the Siphonans knew what was happening.

In a final act of vengeance, Moscow was wiped off the map. A second strike force took out the Chinese research station as Jerrix had warned.

They had to leave in the end. They had no alternative. It was either that, or stay and die.

The ambassador ordered his race back into space to find easier pickings elsewhere.

It was snowing heavily when Tarra and Gerry stepped from the ship.

“Where are we?” Gerry asked.

“Oh, Northumbria,” the cat replied. “Once the authorities are back in charge, finding your parents won’t be a problem.”

This was the mainland of course. Behind them, Holy Island still burned, despite the snowstorm.

“I have to leave now,” the cat said gently.

“Can’t I stay?” Gerry asked.

The cat shook its head.

“My life is far too dangerous young man. Stay here and grow old. Just like Tarra.”

Before any awkward moment arrived, the cat stepped inside his ship.
Once there, he pulled the lever behind the north cat statue and watched as the galactic map appeared over the dome. Then he pulled the lever behind the east statue, and his ship vanished.

Ta...

Episode 10

Ben found himself within a dark and dim tunnel, as Trayhas gently laid him down.

“Where is this place?”

The vampire glanced around and said, “Just a tunnel man dug as part of the quarry.”

Ben knew of this place, located to the south of the sleepy hamlet.

“A big let down from your former place.”

Trayhas smiled coldly.

“That has never bothered me my friend. Your people have far more to worry about.”

“So, how far back do you and Dreamer go?”

“A very long way Ben. She heralds from the distant past when Adam lived happily.”

“That’s a hell of a long way.”

“As far back as you dare go. Now about your help.”

“You can see the state of me mate. I can’t even walk at present.”

“So I see but there is a way around that.”

Ben stared at him through the mist of pain.

“What do you intend to do?”

Trayhas knelt at his side staring hard.

“Shall we say give you a slight infusion.”

“I don’t want to be like you.”

The vampire slashed his wrist before pressing it against the reporter’s mouth.

“Just accept it Ben. It won’t turn you. I can promise you that.”

Ben felt drops of the un-dead fluid seep between his teeth before it turned into a flood. He was overwhelmed by a violent chocking sensation, quickly followed by a strange and warm glow.

Trayhas pulled the wrist away as Ben watched the savage wound heal.

“I feel rather strange.”

“It will pass soon enough my friend. Now, on your feet.”

Ben raised himself carefully, fully surprised by his restored strength.

“Now that is certainly an improvement. Don’t you agree?”

Ben nodded slowly with suppressed approval.

“Where is this woman resting?”

Trayhas smiled and said, “That appears to be the problem. Her mind is shielded from my scans. We shall have to await developments.”

“Which is code for deaths I suppose.

Trayhas smiled and said, “You are learning.”

“Let me get one thing straight first,” Ben said.

“What might that be?”

“You leave Harris or any other friend well alone.”

Trayhas snorted and replied, “As you wish. As long as they don’t try
to stake me they shall remain safe.”

That piece of news came as a relief to the reporter. He did not realise that their enemy had no such qualms.

Elsewhere that night, an infuriated Harris had stormed into the hospital after a crazy call about a missing reporter.

When he saw the empty bed, he turned upon the embarrassed doctor.

“What the hell happened?”

“We cannot understand it sir. He was certainly in no fit state to walk about.”

Harris pointed to the empty bed with mounting anger.

“It’s pretty obvious to me that he was taken by force.”

“How could that happen detective? Everyone would have noticed.”

“Have you any cameras?”

The doctor pointed to the ceiling.

“Then I need to see the tapes thanks.”

The poor doctor led him down to the security desk where the hospital was monitored twenty-four seven. The flustered guard soon found the tape and watched as it flashed forward.

“Everything looks normal to me,” the doctor muttered.

“Can you stop it?” the detective asked.

The guard did so, hitting the play button.

“He seems to be resting,” Harris noted.

A few moments later, a dark clad gent appeared and sat beside the patient.

“I certainly don’t know him,” the detective muttered.

As they watched, the individual pulled the sheets back and lifted the patient up.

“So he was taken,” the uncomfortable medic hissed.

“So much for your so-called security,” Harris said.

Moments later, they saw the figures vanish into a thick mist. The mortals were naturally dumbfounded.

“What the hell happened?” the guard asked.

“Rewind a bit,” the detective ordered.

As they watched for a second time, Harris hissed between his teeth.

“That is definitely not natural. Any ideas doctor?”

The medic shook his head.

“I have never seen anything like it.”

As they puzzled over the distorted laws of nature, another figure was wandering across the unlit hamlet, whistling to herself.

“Looks such a dingy place. How could anyone live here?”

She was tall and blonde, with slender thighs that had seen more than one partner over the centuries. On this night she was dressed in a thick Russian coat, a coat borrowed from an unfortunate party chief.

“Now where to I wonder?”

She stopped at the street corner, her powerful mind scanning the residents who lived behind closed doors.

“I certainly like the looks of her.”

Her mind saw a twenty-year-old female, who was simply lying upon her cramped bed thinking about the utter futility of life.

“I don’t regard life as futile,” Dreamer muttered. “Especially immortal life.”

She took to the air with ease, dark wings flapping her changed form toward the despairing woman. As she approached, a powerful wave of thought swamped the victim’s puny mind.

She climbed off the bed and quickly opened the dark window. As Dreamer arrived, she closed it again before turning.

“Now why this terrible depression?”

Gemma’s eyes blinked and she stepped back with shock.

“Where did you spring from?”

“You met me earlier remember?”

“Oh sorry, silly me. I did warn that my flat was a little cramped.”

Dreamer smiled pleasantly, wandering into the shoebox lounge. A small table sat in the centre, and a long sofa was pressed against the wall. Across the near side, sat a small television that had only recently been switched off.

“You don’t have many things?”

The woman blushed.

“Out of work you see. Have been for months now.”

“Perhaps I can change that for you.”

“You have a job for me?”

Dreamer took her palm, leading her onto the sofa.

“I certainly would not call it a job as such. However, your life could be transformed.”

Gemma’s eyes sparkled with glee.

“What do I need to do?”

Dreamer smiled at the eager response and began to loosen the woman’s white blouse.

“Just a little nibble first my love.”

Gemma blushed but remained calm as the garment was forced from her shoulders.

“No bra my love?”

The woman shook her head as the vampire’s mouth closed around the exposed, pink flesh.

Gemma felt herself being pushed back against the soft material as a light sting cut inside her gland. She closed her eyes as a falling sensation gripped her tightly.

“Now just relax my love and let Dreamer take care of everything.”

“Oh yes please...”

Gemma hands were taken gently and pressed against a soft pair of bazookas as a wet, but cold mouth mashed upon her own. Gemma’s lips were forced open, as arms embraced her.

A dead tongue wriggled inside her mouth as fingers moved elsewhere across the young woman’s body.

The lips moved away and Gemma moaned.

“Please don’t stop.”

“You little minx. Just rest a while as I go off to hunt eh? I shall be back, promise.”

She replaced the thick coat before melting away, her misty form appearing just outside the tall block of apartments.

“Now that my lackey is secured, perhaps I can secure myself a meal.”

She walked away toward the cinema on Muscle Street with a pleasant gate, and a mind conditioned to survive.

“Now I hope they have taxis around here.”

As she spotted the picture house, she saw a single vehicle waiting for a passenger.

“That shall do nicely.”

She dashed forward and pulled the rear door open before the driver realised that she was there.

“Where to mam?”

Dreamer thought hard and said, “Do you know where the tram tracks are?”

The driver did so, though why anyone would want to go there baffled him.

“Meeting someone are we?”

Dreamer smiled and whispered, “Oh yes indeed. Someone rather tasty.”

The car took off slowly, heading west toward the outer fringes of this helpless hamlet. As they approached the disused and rusting tracks, Dreamer tapped the glass partition.

“We seem to have arrived.”

The driver brought the taxi to a halt, checking the machine for the payment.

“That’ll be five dollars mam.”

“Would you mind if I climbed in beside you?”

The porky driver smiled to himself at the obvious suggestion.

“I’ll just open my door for you mam.”

Dreamer climbed out as the driver let her inside, fingers tearing open his trousers at once.

“You seem ready to me,” she whispered, straddling the unfortunate man.

“That’s my nickname mam,” he said, as her cold lips tickled the exposed throat.

“Oh dear, you are nude under this coat.”

Dreamer allowed his hands to wander a moment before burying her
fangs and sucking the life out of him. He did not even struggle as she sucked away, listening to the slow thud of the dying heart.
When it stopped at last, she pulled away.

“Thanks for the lift honey.”

She climbed out at once, licking the warm blood from those cold, dead lips.

“That should keep the coppers busy for weeks. Now I have to attend to Gemma. After all, we are now roommates.”

She dissolved silently as the dead eyes of the victim gazed into endless eternity.

TBC...

Not allowed to advertise my dear...Had 2nd warning...It should be a movie!

I suspect its coming my dear...

Episode 9

White mist drifted across his line of sight as a distant voice whispered, “This is not your time.”

He struggled internally for movement as sensation returned. His eyes opened slowly and the reflex of swallowing was rather painful.

“Welcome back,” the doctor said. “We really thought that we had lost you.”

Ben tried to speak, but the thick plastic tube extending down his soft throat prevented it.

“I think that you are out of the woods now. We managed to repair most of the damage.”

Ben nodded gratefully as pain ripped through his damaged frame.

“You should try to relax. We can take you off life support within the hour.”

Ben closed his eyes, quietly wondering how long he had been here.
When he next opened his eyes, the detective was staring down at him.

“At least you are still breathing Ben. Going for a night walk was rather stupid don’t you think?”

Ben tried to nod but his body refused to respond.

“My superiors accepted the report concerning the hunter. As for your editor, he published your photos. The body remains undiscovered.”

Ben managed to smile at that good piece of news, the breathing tube notwithstanding.

Harris sat by his side for over an hour before the doctor returned.

“Sorry sir, but we have to put him out again. Our patients don’t
like it when the tube is removed.”

The detective nodded and left slowly as the essential medical procedure was carried out.

Ben felt a sudden chocking sensation, followed by a violent gasp for air as his body reeled under the onslaught. The orderlies held him down until the respiratory system returned to some sort of normality.
As his body calmed, a familiar figure came into view.

“Is it alright to talk to him?”

An orderly nodded and the professor sat quietly. His thin frame was almost drowned by the grey suit, as the elderly Xentoph gazed down upon the stricken reporter.

“I was that fixed point,” Ben managed to gasp.

“I understand Ben. Though your solution was a little too drastic.”

Ben laughed painfully and whispered, “I assure you that it was not intended.”

The grey haired professor gazed across at the closed window and asked, “What makes you think about fixed points in time?”

Ben tried to rise but the pain was far too great.

“I recently knocked over a darkly clad figure who vanished. Then I saw myself driving the car that rammed me. Surely, that was meant to be. A fixed point in time?”

The gent understood but disagreed.

“You are still alive my boy. What you saw was surely an event still to come. Perhaps you were not the person you rammed.”

“I saw the driver clearly. It was me. I would swear that in court.”

“You probably would Ben but look at it this way. Were you wearing dark clothes?”

The reporter thought back and shook his head slowly.

“Then that settles it. You certainly did ram someone but obviously it was not you.”

Ben absorbed this piece of intelligence and began to wonder.

“Who else vanishes then?”

Professor Xentoph shook his head.

“I have no idea my friend, but the answer may be located in your past.”

Ben tried to think back but his damaged body needed the rest. He felt his senses failing as darkness enclosed him once more.

The elderly gent wandered off, leaving the reporter to rest once more.

When Ben surfaced from that terrifying darkness, a full moon had risen over the memorial hospital on Dere Street, and a dark figure had wandered in.

Dressed with a distinctive black cloak and flooded with human blood he sat beside the stricken reporter.

“Don’t I know you?”

The creature smiled with satisfaction that this mortal was aware of him.

“Does Trayhas ring any bells Ben?”

The reporter smiled.

“Were you the gent I rammed?”

Trayhas nodded slowly.

“Why do you think I vanished?”

“I saw myself driving though.”

“Simply a panic stricken reaction my friend. You should trust me.”

“Trust a cold blooded killer like you?”

“I allowed you to live didn’t I?”

“You certainly did but for what purpose?”

“You are the only mortal who has encountered me who is still breathing. Does that not say something to you?”

“Only that you enjoy human pain.”

Trayhas had expected such a reaction, but had more important matters to discuss.

“Are you aware of the threat to this Canadian backwater?”

“What threat Trayhas? What with you, an alien, and a damn yeti, I’ve seen quite a few ta.”

The vampire raised his eyebrows at the alien reference and decided to ignore it. He reasoned that it was drug induced. Ben knew better of course.

“Someone worse than myself has arrived in your pleasant town my friend.”

Ben closed his eyes momentarily.

“Please, not count Dracula.”

Trayhas shook his head in a fashion that intrigued the faithful reporter.

“He exists?”

Trayhas nodded but refused to explain his reason. Then he leaned forward and in a deep, but quiet voice whispered, “Dreamer.”

“Who the hell is she?”

“A former lover of mine of course.”

“Of course Trayhas.”

“You seem to doubt the veracity of my warning.”

“Come on. Dreamer? A rather crazy name if you ask me.”

Trayhas glared at him, fingers closing around his painful throat.

“Do not mock me my friend. She is death incarnate. Your happy backwater is about to descend into the bowels of hell!”

Ben shook off those cold fingers and said, “What do you expect me to do about it?”

“Why, help me of course.”

Ben laughed so much that he actually curled up in pain.

“Here I lie smashed a bit, and you expect me to help you. Who do you
think I am?”

Trayhas glared at him coldly.

“A philosophical argument is not required my friend. As a matter of fact you have no choice in the matter.”

Ben suddenly realised what he meant and tried to pull his head back. Trayhas threw off the sheets and lifted him easily into his cold, un-dead arms.

“You are coming with me.”

Ben passed out as the vampire dissolved into a cloud of mist.

Ta..Thought I'd bring some action to your neck of the woods..

Episode 8

In absolute desperation, he scrambled for that bloody piece of human flesh and pressed it against his hardened teeth. He fought back revulsion as he bit deep into the retched meat.

To his relief the animal stopped its deadly advance and dropped the improvised weapon.

“It’s das good,” he managed to mutter as the animal gazed upon him with obvious satisfaction. As Ben swallowed at last, he decided to try something. He reached out for the fallen stone and examined it carefully.

It was obvious that the flint had been chipped away with careful precision. Its sharp point and serrated edge were excellent for striking and carving.

“Now I wonder?”

He placed that edge against the human flesh and found that it sliced with ease.

“At least it proves a theory,” he muttered.

The animal grunted, pointing at the nearby wall.

Ben felt secure enough to drop the meat and standing up, wandering over to examine the wall.

His eyes fell upon a red ochre drawing of trees and birds that his captor had obviously painted a long time ago.

“This is marvellous,” he exclaimed. “A modern cave painting.”

The animal grunted in satisfaction and then done something that grabbed the reporter’s attention. A hairy finger seemed to scratch away at his right ear and Ben felt compelled to examine it.

“Now please don’t fight me off mate,” he said nervously.

The humanoid allowed him to feel around the ear and his sensitive fingers picked up a recent wound.

“How did you get that?” he asked in vain.

The animal did not understand the meaning and turned to wander off.

“Where is your mate?”

The creature stopped and turning its head, seemed to suggest that he follow. Ben shrugged his shoulders and allowed himself to be led toward the cave entrance.

As they stepped out into the dimming sunlight, the reporter spotted the butchered remains of the unfortunate hunter.

He ignored this as the animal pointed toward a recently disturbed patch of earth.

Ben knelt and started scraping away slowly until a limp hand came into view. He covered it again and stood sadly.

“She died I see. You have my commiserations.”

The animal took his arm a little less roughly and led him back toward the rear of the cave. Ben accepted this, wondering what was coming next.

He was pushed down gently, where he sat quietly as the animal watched him closely.

“I hope that can understand mate. I really need to make a call.”

He carefully withdrew his phone and tapped a familiar number. After a short pause, the detective answered.

“Eh...Harris...I’m in a spot of bother mate.”

He heard the laugh and waited for it to subside. Then he checked his gps location and told the happy officer.

After yet another pause he whispered, “Hunter John is dead and I’m being held by a yeti...At least it looks like one.”

The humanoid reacted to that unfamiliar word by smashing the mobile from his hand. Ben saw it smash against the nearby wall and shuddered.

“That was a serious mistake my friend. Believe this or not but I’m on your side.”

The animal bared its massive teeth, making it quite clear that he was in charge.

Ben did the correct thing and raised his arms in surrender.

The animal seemed to accept this and picked up the bloody meat once more. He tore off a chunk, throwing it at the reluctant modern man and started tearing off its own portion.

Ben grimaced but decided to eat it just the same.

The animal seemed to coo and grunt loudly as the meal was consumed, before hobbling back toward the entrance once more.

Ben spat out the food and followed at a near distance, savouring the short period of fresh air.

The animal simply glanced at him before picking up a loose twig. To the reporter’s astonishment, he drew a line across the cave entrance before tossing it away.

“You don’t want me to cross that line. I’ll do as you ask but we must start to cooperate.”

The animal blinked in response as Ben wandered back toward the rear. He had only taken a few steps before a voice shouted out, “Is that you Ben?”

The reporter whirled around as the humanoid growled defensively.

“Just don’t shoot,” Ben called out as the armed detective came into view.

“What the hell is that?”

“Meet the local yeti my friend. John’s body is here but don’t cross the line.”

Harris had seen the body but failed to understand the line reference.
Ben pointed to the ground and Harris nodded.

“What do you want me to do?”

“At least put the weapon away. You don’t want to murder the last of the species I hope.”

The detective slid his weapon into the leather holster and placed his hands upon his palms.

“He seems to be watching me.”

“Probably wondering what kind of threat you pose.”

“So what the hell do we do now Ben. A man has been murdered after all.”

“Believe it or not I’m not sure what we can do. This animal is pretty intelligent. You should see the wall painting.”

“Art is of no interest to me Ben. If that thing attacks I’ll have no choice but to fire.”

“Let us hope it remains docile then.”

The animal glanced between the two of them and did something rather surprising. It lowered its large eyes and hobbled back toward the interior.

As it departed, the detective ran forward.

“Glad to see you my friend. You do seem to get yourself in some crazy situations.”

“Never mind me mate. We have one hell of a scoop. The ape man story has been proved beyond doubt.”

“My only concern is public safety, as well you know.”

“We were attacked somewhere out there. It lost its mate. I’m guessing not by natural causes either.”

“How do you know that?”

Ben knelt and began to uncover the hidden corpse. When the chest came into view, the gunshot wound was fairly obvious.

“We will never know who did this but our hairy beast certainly does.”

“So it was only defending itself,” the detective muttered.

“Seems that way. Perhaps trapper John killed it. He certainly had hair samples.”

“So what do you want to do now?” Harris asked with some concern.

“Radio in and eh; put the death down to wolves. Our friend should be left well alone.”

The detective was about to reply when a loud crash was heard from the dark interior. Ben dashed inside as Harris followed at his heels.
They found the humanoid, the very last of his ancient species lying upon the hard earth, hands gripped to his chest.

“He’s having a heart attack!” Ben yelled.

Before Harris could react, the reporter leapt into action. He squatted over the fallen body and began pumping the chest in desperation.

“Come on!”

As he frantically fought to save its life, Harris radioed in for an ambulance.

“Give it up,” he said at last. “The poor creature has gone.”

Ben groaned loudly and climbed off the cooling corpse.

“It’s such a damn waste as well. To think, my editor will get his body at last.”

Harris wandered over and whispered, “Not if we give him a decent burial mate.

When the ambulance crew arrived after a little diversion arranged by the detective, they found only the remains of the faithful hunter.
Harris led Ben back toward the four by four and told him, “Take it to the compound and I’ll drive you home.”

Ben nodded sadly and climbed inside.

The apartment seemed dead as Ben sat drinking his scotch. The television was turned off as his mind replayed the day’s awful events. After his third double, he replaced the top and put it safely away.

“I know what we need my boy. A little fresh air.”

He left promptly, stopping upon the pavement as a full moon rose overhead.

“So peaceful too.”

He gazed at the unlit street, his mind remembering that streetlights would be installed in order to drag this community into the twenty-first century.

“Who needs streetlights anyway?”

Despite the three doubles, his vision was perfectly normal and he soon spied a lonely cat ferreting around at the far side of the road.
A sound reached his ears that suddenly alarmed him. It reminded him of a car.

“The damn cat may be run over!”

He stumbled forward instinctively, passing between the two parked vehicles. His eyes focused entirely upon the startled animal.

As he stepped onto the open road, a sudden realisation struck his nimble mind. He swung round and saw the vehicle bearing down upon him. In desperation, he raised his arms and staggered back.

His eyes recognised the driver as the bonnet struck with a sickening crunch.

His helpless body was thrown over the roof before crashing onto the cold hard concrete. His fading vision saw that vehicle vanish. A car driven by himself.

A memory flashed through his mind. The memory of colliding with a dark clad figure who vanished so mysteriously.

“That was me,” he mumbled softly.

A final thought crossed his mind at that point.

“Fixed points in time. I’m one of them...”

He breathed lightly as sensation left his battered body. His vision failed at last, as blessed release overtook the reporter.

“Don’t worry mate. We’ll get you an ambulance.”

A woman checked his pulse and grimaced.

“I cannot feel it. He is dead.”

Sirens drifted through the dark air, as Ben slept in peace...