* * * KANALOA – JEREMIAH WALKER – FBI * * *

Jerry was happy to leave the confines of the spaceship. The large underwater dome on Kanaloa was filled with aliens and contained nearly as many wolf and cat beastfolk. There was also a scattering of humans and elves, he suspected most if not all of these to be the sea variant.

Markowitz was becoming impossible. It was becoming increasingly likely that the aliens were the principal force behind the girl. Though she showed good sense in always having a large armed retinue of beastfolk, about half of which were the tiger variant.

Then there were the handful of dolphins on the lower, mostly aquatic level of this dome city. The implications of being able to converse with the beasts were – unsettling.

The gravity on Kanaloa was about three quarters that of Earth. Several of the other guests including a professor from the Sorbonne were adamant that Fragatta and Kanaloa were indeed twin planets.

Thankfully nothing they had seen appeared to be more technologically advanced than Earth possessed. The problem was the mastery and integration of magic being displayed.

And now Markowitz had called another meeting, and the military contingent had flat out refused to attend citing security. That hadn’t gone down well with the increasingly irate Markowitz.

Jerry watched mutely as Markowitz’s aides secured the room. He had come to share the military’s opinion of the chances of preventing the dungeon from overhearing everything that was about to be said. And then there was that military guy with the truth reader skill.

However he had his duty so he dutifully swept the room for bugs.

The only way he could see out of this was to keep quiet. He decided that he would have to recommend recruiting for individuals with the truth reading skills. Jerry refocused his attention on the meeting when he realized Markowitz had started talking.

“... propose we push for settlement and trade rights on Parthia. Possibly on Fragatta, but quite honestly from what I saw from orbit there’s not much there for us. And as for Kanaloa, there seems to be no land and the atmosphere is toxic.”

Markowitz looked around the table as if threatening anyone to disagree with him. Jerry had no problems with keeping quiet. He had lots of experience of meetings like this and superiors like Markowitz.

“And anyway, the aliens seem very invested in this system. It seems to me that we should leave things like that. The single ship and scattering of aliens in our solar system are more than we need as it is.

“At least until we can match their tech.” Concluded Markowitz.

“And how do you propose we access Parthia sir?” asked Damien.

Jerry cast his partner a neutral look, he had hoped Damien would have followed his lead and remained silent. But apparently his hope was not going to be satisfied.

“We need to demand one of the larger portals. That way we can use it at the same time as our scientists study it for reverse engineering. We just have to gain control of the girl somehow. Maybe with an appeal to her patriotism.”

“But she’s the head of state of a sizable country on Parthia,” objected Damien.

“Nuts! We have no proof of that. She might not even be in charge of that city on Parthia. After all, the bureau believes she is being controlled. Two can play at that game,” asserted Markowitz with a satisfied grin.

“Maalaea Two? Even just her assorted bodyguards could control Maalaea Two given their weaponry. I agree the odds are good that she is being controlled, but she seems to be preparing herself to become independent. She is an extremely competent enchanter and bio-mage after all. And that suggests high intelligence,” said Jerry in exasperation.

“Not a problem, she’s a girl and so we can play on her emotions. It’s worked before,” concluded Markowitz.

“She has been diagnosed as a borderline psychopath. Emotions are not... And she controls a small army. And some of the stories of how she deals with pirates... Please be cautious sir.”

“Nonsense Walker. You worry too much. I’m sure it’s all a smokescreen. Durrell, any chance of grabbing the girl and taking her with us to Earth?”

“Sorry sir, not a chance given the size and attentiveness of her bodyguard detail.”

“Well, if the opportunity arises, don’t hesitate.”

Jerry winced internally. ‘Oh god, I hope the military is just being paranoid about this dungeon. If Ms Silvestre and her backers learn of this... There goes any chance of tempting her back home and persuading her to work for us.’

* * * EARTH – MARY * * *

Mary stepped back through the portal her guests had used as her other me started her dash at Fatagn. Once on Parthia she dismissed her avatar and reached for her core back on Earth. She settled herself and remained with herself so that their strength would be maximised.

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After the brief – very brief – fight she separated from her other me and contemplated her situation on Earth. Clearly she needed to up her game. Once again she reached and shared a thought with her other me as she boarded one of her spaceships on Fragatta. The two Marys considered what to do with Markowitz and his minders. Was it better to use the bigoted rigid idiot or would it be better to get rid of him. They decided to wait and see, the show and tell wasn’t over yet.

Mary dismissed the thought even as she prepared to withdraw her domain from all but a thread under her home. That done she slowly moved her domain out into the Pacific and withdrew it even further from the surface of the ocean. The most difficult part was moving her liftwood plantations and the minor changes required to make them thrive in deeper waters.

Next she increased her underwater defences. ‘Amusin’ how my Earth dungeons rely far more on monsters than my others. People are more dangerous than most monsters after all. Lookin’ forward to the reaction when people discover one of my octopi cities under the waves. Bet the one under the gulf will be first.’

Shifting her attention to Florida she transferred the part of her domain holding her boatyard to Lewis Carroll and took her domain out into the gulf. She was happy to keep part of it on the surface. That should confuse things, when it was discovered. Or rather when the people who discovered it believed their senses and bothered to report the fact.

Then she reached out to the dolphins and offered to teach them, or rather those with the aptitude, magic. Thanks to her dolphin friends on Parthia she had the appropriate skill crystals and tutors available.

* * *

After her daily merge the following day she/they had decided. ‘The man has to go,’ She thought. ‘An’ it is time to teach the paranormal division a lesson. Helli is so fond of sticking her nose where it isn’t invited, so I’ll let her find a couple of papers to heighten their paranoia an’ throw a scare into her. Other me will handle that. An’ I know just the specialist I’ll need to remove Markowitz.’

* * * EARTH – SALLY * * *

Sally and Teddy were sitting at their ease in the den they had established deep under the FBI building that housed the paranormal division. They regarded Keoni. They knew that Keoni was one of Mary’s original rat ’folk. He had been created before they had the ability to shape shift. And he had assisted in the assassination of the judge and chief magistrate of Drakoton. Mother had informed them that Keoni had found that kind of activity to his taste and had become one of her specialists.

After telling Keoni everything they had learned about Markowitz, Sally thought for a bit then stated, “Mother told us what Markowitz plans. While I’m not sure this is the best course to follow, me and mine will help you as much as possible.” Teddy nodded his agreement.

Keoni spread his hands, “True, these things can backfire. But usually... all they accomplish is getting another ass into the firing line. Can you get me some samples of the man’s hair and or skin flakes.”

“Mmm, should be possible. I can shape concrete, so an opening to his office is easy enough. The cleaners never do a good job. They’re always overworked and rushed,” mused Teddy.

Keoni came to point, “Can you teach me that shape concrete spell? I suspect I will have more work here on Earth soon.”

“Certainly. If you know any of the rock shaping spells it will be easy.”

“Good,” grinned Keoni. Then he turned to Sally, “You’re sure no one else gets to drink from that bottle of Bourbon?”

“Yes. The man keeps a couple hidden in the bottom drawer of his desk. I think he believes no one knows about them.” Sally chuckled, “Actually it’s an open secret in his office. The idiot doesn’t seem to realize even humans have a sense of smell.”

“Good, I’ve a poison that can be altered with the victim to be’s genetic material. It will break down quickly and becomes more lethal to the victim even as it looses its potency to anyone else who drinks it. It will still make them sick mind.”

Sally looked uncomfortable for a moment. “The drawer is locked but has no magical protections. There is no camera watching the office.”

Keoni smiled sardonically. “This will be so easy, it’s silly.”

* * * EARTH – ARENA OF BLOOD * * *

Olivier Broussette got out of his car. Standing just outside the dungeon he produced his phone and made a call.

“Morning Ollie. You coming buddy?”

“Morning Frog. Actually I’m just outside your dungeon. I wanted to warn you before stepping in. Your dryad kind of scares me.”

“Hey man, don’t worry ’bout her. She knows you’re a friend. Come on in.”

* * *

Olli soon found himself in Frog’s underground home. The room he found himself in was surprisingly dry and cool. It had several comfortable armchairs, a computer and a wide screen TV.

Frog waved him to a chair and offered him a glass of cold tea and a plate of cookies.

Olli settled down and sipped his tea. “Hey man, thanks for that sludge. It worked a treat. The blight I tried it on is almost completely gone. Can you get me some more.”

“Good to know. Mother is the one you should thank, she’s the one who cooked it up.”

“Your mother? Please give her my thanks. That stuff is brilliant.”

Frog looked embarrassed, “Um, no, not my mother – Mother with a capital M. She’s the ... Queen dungeon on Earth. Don’t get me wrong; she’s very nice, so long as you don’t cross her. She reminds me of the Godfather in the film.”

Olli sat back with narrowed eyes as he took this in. “So you sain’ I owe her a favour?”

“No. I owe her one and you owe me one. If you want more of that stuff I’ll give you a number to contact one of her agents here on Earth. Sorry Olli but I don’t want to owe her too many favours. I think we’re friends but...” Frog grimaced and spread his hands. “I owe her too much already as Angel knows.”

“Angel? Ah, your companion... right? So why did you want to see me.”

“You remember how I told you I ended up a dungeon?”

“Yes, something about some crazy goddess who grabbed part of your soul and set you up as a dungeon on another world.”

“Correct. That other version of me has a group of – condemned prisoners and slaves who were forced to delve. The locals are waiting to kill them if they emerge despite their promises. Mother and Mock Turtle, another powerful dungeon, have arranged it so I can set up a portal between my dungeons. I was hoping you would help me out with them. Well with most of them, one of them worships the Mother of Monsters and she will take her in.”

Olli narrowed his in thought. “What about language man. They won’t speak English will they?”

“Mother can arrange that. And she can get them papers and green cards.”

Olli looked incredulous. “I thought you said Mother was a dungeon? How can a dungeon issue green cards?”

“Any one of us can duplicate paper documents, that’s easy. Mother has minions that can infiltrate the feds computers and more.” Frog shrugged.

Olli drew in a big breath, and then seemed to collapse. “Hell man, ’course I’ll help. If you think these people deserve help I’ll believe you.”