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Posted - October 14 2006 : 02:43:44 AM
THIS STORY IS RATED MATURE, and will contain violence, supernatural aspects, sex, possible profanity, and horror. Reading this story attests that you voluntarily did so with foreknowledge that it has adult content, and that you are at least 18 years of age. This is where Finn deals with her archenemy, who would slay all mankind that he might have absolute dominion over a sphere devoid of humans, as he is devoid of humanity, let alone mercy. As you read, keep in mind the events that Zoth will set in motion if he is not stopped in time. Finn lived through the aftermath of his scheme, and if she can, she will kill him to prevent that future from occurring. But, if she does succeed in killing Zoth, and her world is spared, what will the young blonde do? Will she find a way to rejoin her world, or will she stay with Prof. George Challenger, her man in this time, and with the new life that they have created between them before the tale ends?
Reference: View the, "Imposters" and "Finn" episodes from the Third Season of, "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World" as background. However, as in all but one of my Fics, Finn and George Challenger are a couple, which was not a component of the TV show. My Fics are set after the Third Season, ignoring the final Third Season episode, and do not embrace the possible plot lines that MIGHT have been used in the Fourth Season, which never took place. Thus, it is possible that the Treehouse residents would have become three committed couples, as I write them: The Roxtons, the Malones, and the Challengers. I hope that this arrangement won't confuse those who loved the show, or who read Fics by other writers who don't see the romances evolving as I do. Every Fic writer has his/her own view of just who the characters are and exactly how they should be interpreted. None of us owns rights to the characters or to the basic Plateau line, which reside with the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, New Line Cinema, and other interested parties, and no inference is made that this story reflects any script ideas created by those entities or by their employees. This is presented wholly as an original work of Fiction, as seen by one writer. But I hope that it will prove as entertaining as anything that anyone else has written about those intrepid explorers. Enjoy. If nothing else, the price is right...and I hope it proves the adage about the better things in life being free.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - March 22 2007 : 09:41:33 AM
Epilogue:
When it was time, Finn's baby arrived, with the mother attended by two Zanga midwives sent by Xma'Klee, and her friends Sa'eera and Veronica at her side with the father holding her hand as she struggled to give birth.
When the explorers did eventually find a way off the Plateau (which is another story that we may visit someday), they found in Rio de Janeiro that Jessie Challenger had died of influenza in London in the winter of 1921. They were free to marry, but George Challenger could not help but feel a sense of loss and guilt on hearing of his wife's death. His friends helped him through this, and he married Finn in the British Embassy soon after.
Two-year-old Arthur John George Challenger sat on Ned Malone's lap in the audience as a vicar pronounced Nicole Elizabeth Finnegan and George Edward Challenger man and wife. The vicar had made his feelings clear that children should not witness their parents exchanging their marital vows, and that wedding should precede bedding! Nonetheless, he had consented to marry the couple.
Lord John Roxton, the XVIIIth Earl of Avebury, had been best man, with Veronica Malone and Marguerite Krux filling the role of bridesmaids. Ned and Veronica had married in Manaus after they had travelled downriver to that city, and had tarried there for a few days as Marguerite arranged to sell some of their loot from Xochilenque, after which they had bought new clothes to replace those that had become worn on tbe Plateau.
Finn wore a simple, if elegant, floral summer frock, and all swore that no bride had ever looked lovlier. "Although I intend to when I get Roxton to the altar", explained Marguerite Krux smugly. She and John had decided to wait and marry in Avebury Cathedral, with Finn and George Challenger in attendance. The Malones would return to the Plateau, but would see their friends occasionally over the years as the Challengers and the Roxtons returned to the scene of their meeting.
The first child of George and Finn Challenger proved a prodigy, as was his famous father. By World War Two, he was a fighter pilot, serving in the RAF as German bombers sought to bring his homeland to its knees. His other wartime adventures can be read in the Fic, "Thunderbolt Over Burma", where one can also meet his sister, Lady Caroline Challenger. (See Fiction on this very board.)
On his father's death in 1948, he became the Second Baron Challenger, the father having been created as First Baron Challenger in 1936. By the 1950's, Sir Arthur Challenger, KCMG, DSO, DFC and Bar, Order of the Star of India, etc., etc. had become Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Air Force, and was air commander of NATO forces for several years. He retired to run the family businesses, and to visit his sister and her American husband in Texas, where his mother had settled after her beloved husband's death. Sir Arthur and his wife, Astrid, continued to live in the family manor in Kent, and had several children of their own. But that is another tale.
In all, he did well for a child born on a jungle plateau. But he was a Challenger and born to excel, as his parents often told anyone with the patience to listen...
The End
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - March 22 2007 : 08:54:45 AM
Two days later, all had settled down at the Treehouse, but issues remained. Challenger asked Veronica to help him prepare a picnic lunch and took Finn with him to a wooded slope above the Treehouse, where they could enjoy solace and talk. They had urgent business to discuss.
Both avoided a crucial issue as they ate and chatted about their lives and companions. Challenger cast a covetous eye on a pickle in Finn's lunch and inquired whether she wanted it.
She laughed, "Yes, actually, I do, George. Pregnancy does it to me, maybe. But I had V. pack a couple of others, because I knew that you'd ask. Johnny does that to me when we hunt sometimes, too. Men!"
She passed him a dill pickle and they relaxed, yet both felt an underlying stress.
"I suppose that I had better just come out with it and ask," said Challenger after a moment. "Now that Zoth is dead, do you want to return to your own time? Frankly, I cannot guarantee that I can prepare such a cave again just the same, or recall the exact coordinates that I used, which were meant to get the Roxtons and me to London, not to New Amazonia. But I am honor bound to restore you to your family and your century if I can. Do you want to try, knowing that there is a real risk that all may not go well?"
"I've thought about this a lot, Genius, ever since we finished off those demonesses. And I've reached a decision. The risk in returning me to what we HOPE will be a restored New Amazonia and to my family is too great. I can't ask you to try. And after deep thought, I don't want to go, even if we can manage it. Maybe to visit and introduce you to my family, but who knows what they'll be like, or how they'll even know me? And what could you do in that time, if you stayed with me? I fit better into your time than you would in mine.
George, my family is here." She jabbed a thumb at Challenger and patted her womb. "I love you so much that I can't even dream of giving you up, and we haven't even seen our child yet. I know now that I AM pregnant; the symptoms are just too persistant and I still haven't had my period. I think, Lover, that we are with child." She laughed. "And I like it! So, it looks as if you're stuck with me, Genius. I'm yours as long as you'll have me. I'll stand by you, whatever we have to endure with Jessie. We've discussed that. If we do get off this Plateau, I want to be your woman, whatever society thinks. But can your career stand it? Maybe we should ask Ned about emigrating to America. He certainly thinks highly of his country." She smiled, amused at Ned's patriotism and the way they teased him about it.
"No, Darling, we should go home to Britain, and see what happens. I think we shall weather the storm, and only if we cannot cope should we consider going to another country. I feel sure that my inventions wil sell, and we have the gold and jewels from Xochilenque. (See the Fic, "The Crystal Skull".) We shall be well off; if I am fired from the University, we won't starve, by any means. But I dread telling Jessie, who has done no wrong, that I want to have a different wife. I will offer her support and any other aid I can, of course, if she will accept. But divorce is preferable to living a lie, and trying to hide a relationship with the woman whom I cherish beyond what I ever thought I could feel for another human." He leaned over and kissed his companion.
She kissed him back. "Oh, George! I love you so much that I can't begin to express it, even after you taught me all of those big words!" Finn giggled and offered him another pickle. "Want it? A symbol of my love!" And she giggled again as the two hugged and he gently touched her stomach, low.
She held his hand there and said, "Before too much longer, I won't be able to wear my gunbelt. We'll have to think of something else. Maybe Johnny will make me a shoulder holster like he wears sometimes. "
They talked more as they finished lunch, then strolled back to the Treehouse, rifles slung on their shoulders to let them hold hands as they walked.
That night, after they told the others at dinner that they would not be trying to send Finn back to her own day, each of the Treehouse family had come over and embraced them, saying how glad they were that she would stay with them. "We love you, Sis!" teased Veronica, and they all did, and Finn knew it. She felt rosy and wonderful.
Later, in the privacy of their room, Finn and Challenger lay in one another's arms after an exhausting session of lovemaking. Finn had taunted him, "You'd better screw my brains out while you can, Genius, before my tummy gets too big for you to want me!"
George had laughed and told her that he would want her as far as safety allowed. "You'll not be getting any respite from me for some months yet, Darling. I feel quite sure that you will remain desirable even to the point when it becomes medically unsafe to have my way with you."
"Really, Genius?" She was pleased. "I figured that in a couple of months, you'd tell me that you wished I'd have the danged kid so that I'd get back in shape and be fit for you to lust after again. Hey: even after I get to the point that we can't go all the way, we can still fool around. And being pregnant will at least give me bigger boobs. Maybe they'll last after I have the child. You've been totally cool about my being a little small topside, but I know you probably won't mind me having bigger ones. And I won't have to feel jealous of what V. has for Ned to play with." She snickered., "He'd be so grossed out if he knew that I'd said that...George, we need to discuss baby names."
In time, they fell asleep, clinging to one another, her head on his shoulder as slumber claimed them for the night.
Finn slept better than she had in months, the too vivid dreams of New Amazonia and what had happened there no longer at the forefront of her conciousness. Zoth was dead, and her nightmares would lessen, if never completely leave her. And she had found love and family in a new century for her. Life was good, and would get better, she mused, just before shutting her eyes.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - March 21 2007 : 7:51:31 PM
The lightning barely missed Finn and Challenger, and they rolled on the ground to evade a second bolt, Finn desperately cocking her Winchester. When she completed one roll, she fired into Una from the prone position, and the .44 bullet rocked the demoness. By this time, Roxton had reacted, and he drew a .455 revolver and fired into Una's back. Then, as she fell, he put another bullet into her brain as Veronica loosed an arrow into her.
Una thrashed and lay still. But Salamine seized the moment and snapped her own bonds. She picked up a Zanga warrior and threw him into two others, and tripped Ned Malone and gave him a heavy blow to his head as he tried to rise. Then, she ran for a copse of trees to the left.
She had some 75 yards to cover and she ran faster than a human could, although her full powers were not yet fully within her.
It was to no avail. Even as Marguerite Krux ran to a position from which she could take a clear shot, Una encountered a different threat, which proved fatal.
A Pteranodon had been cruising overhead, looking for prey. It had refrained from attacking the group of humans, but a single, running person was too tempting. The huge pterodactyl, one of an especially large subspecies that had evolved on the Plateau, swooped down and seized Salamine in its claws. Whipping its wings faster, the prehistoric beast strained skyward.
Finn cried out and ran to a place from which she could get an unobstructed shot at the animal. Marguerite was already in a safe position to shoot without hitting anyone, and she let fly with a bullet from her .275 Rigby, which she was carrying that day in lieu of her .303.
The 175 grain softpoint bullet went through a wing, just outside the body, and the pterodactyl shattered the jungle air with a horrid scream. A shot from Roxton's .318 went home and the climbing beast was visibly jolted as the bullet just missed its heart.
Reeling from the blow, the stricken aerial predator dropped the screaming, writhing Salamine as it passed over a piece of rocky ground at the base of a cliff. Boulders and smaller rocks strewed the surface, and the already wounded Salamine was broken greviously as she landed in that awful place, having fallen from over a hundred feet high.
The humans watched the pterodactyl glide on, flapping furiously, but clearly dying. When it had passed over the top of the cliff, they ran to Salamine.
The demoness was not yet dead, and she recognized the humans, calling out epithets in the foulest language that had ever assaulted Challenger's ears. Salamine struggled to raise her right hand, and purple lightning lanced out a foot or so as she strove to slay Veronica, who was closest to her. The blonde lovely scowled, nocked an arrow, and prepared to end Salamine's life.
"Wait, Honey," spoke Malone. "Let Finn finish her off. She deserves it." He was sensititive to Finn's ordeal in the future, having heard the basics, sans the intimate details that Finn had spoken only to Challenger, and less comprehensively, to Veronica, her virtual sister.
Veronica nodded, and Finn walked over, drawing her Smith & Wesson .38.
"See this, Salamine?," she asked. "It's the gun you stole from me and wanted to use on me. Instead, I'll use it to put you out of your misery and get back that poor Indian girl whose presence in this world you hijacked. Any last words?"
Salamine glared, and muttered a curse. Finn saw that she was trying to lift her arm again, and purple light flared around her fingers. Finn leaned over and put a bullet between Salamine's eyes. The demoness jerked once, then lay still.
Finn holstered her gun, then knelt by the body and leaning on her Winchester, began to weep. Veronica stroked her hair, murmuring quietly to her. Challenger walked over, handed his rifle to Malone to hold for him, and raised Finn gently to her feet. She buried her head into his shoulder, and stood shaking as she wept.
"We must move, Darling," Challenger said, and pulled Finn some distance away as the body of the dead demoness began to glow. Finn realized what was happening, and turned to see the evil entity vanish and the form of a frightened Indian maiden appear in her stead.
The other Indians from the foreign tribe came up now, leading a second girl, who had replaced the dead Una. She was shaking, although held by her husband.
The girl who had just returned from the Void screamed, staring at the assembly of Zanga and the strange white people, one of whom was female and also obviously weeping, held by a tall man with a copper beard.
Challenger led Finn aside and helped her to sit, the Winchester leaned against a log by her side. He sat with her, and Veronica came over and talked quietly to her best friend, consoling her.
In time, Finn reached out and took Veronica's hand and squeezed it. "V., please give me a few moments with George, and I'll be ready to leave. Go and see if we can do anything for those Indians. Okay? But thanks for coming over and saying what you did." She smiled wanly, and Veronica smiled back, squeezed her hand again, and went to join Ned as he nursed his head.
Finn cried some more, held close by Challenger. Then, she wiped her eyes, and he helped her to rise and pick up her rifle. They joined the others, Veronica coming over and squeezing Finn's shoulder.
"This is ended, Nicole," said Challenger. "You have avenged what happened to your society and to your family and to yourself. I hope the death of the last of these evil demons will sooth your troubled soul."
Finn replied, "Genius, a DINOSAUR got Zoth, not me! But I helped to hunt that bastard, and that was some satisfaction. And I finished off Salamine, who did some rough stuff to me and was one of his minions. That's some vindication. I think that when I put this behind me, I can live without the hate and stress that wanting to kill Zoth bred in me. I already feel better inside, just knowing that these creeps are dead and we got back the Indians they replaced. That's like giving life to someone who was drowning. I feel good about that." She glanced at the group of Indians holding one another and talking quietly as they relived their ordeal and reunited.
She looked at her Winchester, and reminded that she had fired several shots, reloaded it, then reloaded the empty cartridge in her .38. "I'm going to keep this fired case," she declared, holding up the empty brass cartridge that had slain Salamine. "It'll give me some closure when I hold it and think of how she looked as I pulled the trigger. I know that's sick, but I hated these demons like you can't believe! I think I'll heal in time, but I want this for a souvenir of today." She put the fired case in her belt pouch, with the loaded rounds. "Lets' go over by that tree and I want you to hold me for awhile. I need that right now."
Challenger nodded and took her hand and led her aside, and they sat beneath the tree, leaning into one another, whispering endearments and reliving the past two days.
The others saw to the Indians, assuring them that the Zanga meant them no harm, and would send them home from this point, with food and water for their journey. "You will have great tales to tell your people," noted Xma'Klee. "If any doubt you, let them come under a flag of truce and parley with me. I am Xma'Klee, and I am Paramount Shaman of All the Zanga. I will tell them that what you say is so, and that these things did happen, however strange. Go in peace, but do not return to that cave, which is taboo to us." (He had planned to halt his own men and Sa'eera some distance from the Cave of the Void, letting his white friends escort the demonesses from that point.)
In time, Finn and Challenger rose, and Marguerite and John and the Malones came to stand by them, sharing their sympathy and love. Marguerite reached out and caressed Finn's arm, looking into her friend's eyes. "All right, Nicole?" she asked, and Finn knew that the other woman really cared how she had fared. She felt a suffusion of warmth surge through her, and hugged the British brunette and thanked her for caring.
Then, the Treehouse crew and their Zanga friends set out for home.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - March 20 2007 : 11:25:42 AM
Several hundred yards on, they left the forest and entered a long open glade, with grass low in places, waist high in others.
Two deer that had been feeding in the shadows of the meadow saw, and bolted back into cover.
There were flowers, and Ned Malone stopped to pick a small bouquet for Veronica. She tied one in her hair and carried the others, kissing Ned for his thoughtfulness.
The tranquil lovliness of the scene and the fact that all had gone well lulled the explorers and the Zanga somewhat, and Una decided that this was as good a time as any to escape and wreak destruction as she fled. Her strength was coming to her now, if not complete, and she was superhuman in her muscles and her powers.
She strained against the rope on her wrists, and it snapped. She immediately turned to Finn and Challenger, determined to kill one or both. Finn had twice ruined demonic chances in this dimension, and the scientist was the leader and creative genius of his kind. Both were suitable targets for her wrath and vengence.
She flung out an arm and her fingetips projected a flame that would incinerate any human it struck.
Finn looked and saw the bolt of purple lightning as it left Una's hand, headed straight for her. "Genius, look out!" she cried, pushing Challenger out of harm's way!
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - March 20 2007 : 09:50:17 AM
The Zanga sent scouts ahead, and surrounded the whites and their demon prisoners. Veronica and Ned took turns holding Salamine's leash, and Roxton and Marguerite shared the task of leading Una. Finn had declined to hold the leash of either. She was somewhat subdued, partly being tired from having pulled the last watch with Challenger, partly from emotional stress over the whole demon appearance issue and the recollection of what had happened to her the previous day.
Neither demoness was as sarcastic as some had expected, and Marguerite also held her tongue, lest she start anything that might cause trouble.
The trip was fairly long and they paused occasionally to rest. They had lunch, the Zanga mainly relying on dried meat and some fruit picked nearby. The whites had packed lunches and allowed each captive to eat separately. Finn passed a canteen to Una, making a note to clean this receptacle especially well when they returned.
As Una returned the canteen, Finn saw a glint of something sinister in her eyes, and reminded herself to be vigilant until the "women" had been forced to march into the light within the tunnel and were replaced by the missing Indian girls. She said nothing to anyone save Challenger. They all knew how she felt, and she didn't want to be chided for being excessively cautious. But she noticed Roxton watching her, and he soon sauntered over.
"Never fear, Nicole, we'll watch Una and her friend. This day will soon go better. You'll see." He smiled, and Finn smiled back, nodded, and joined Challenger and Sa'eera in eating.
At lunch, they were within a mile or so of the cave and had had no trouble from the evil ones. Instead of handcuffing Una again, Finn asked Roxton to tie her wrists instead, and Finn closed her cuffs and put them in her pack. Others watched, and Finn and Challenger blushed a bit, as did the Roxtons, for Marguerite had furnished the second set of steel bracelets, worn by Salamine. The girls' little secret was out: they had saved the cuffs used on them when Avery Burton and his slavers had held them for several days over a year before. (See, "Spirit Jaguar" for that tale.) Finn knew deep within that Burton had touched and awakened a kinky streak in her. She sometimes acted this out with the man whom she actually loved, and Challenger, embarrassed at first, humored her, aware that when she played slave girl, she became especially wanton in her lovemaking.
Marguerite was less intrigued by the darker side that thrilled Finn on such occasions, using her handcuffs as more of a lark to add variety in the bedroom. She enjoyed wearing the bracelets at times, but certainly wished that her keeping them hadn't become public knowledge. Ned and Veronica would be puzzled, and goodness knew what the Zanga thought! With luck, they would just assume that the whites kept such things for occasions like this. Except for Sa'eera, who was clearly intrigued, and would no doubt worm the secret from Finn when time allowed...
Marguerite noticed the way that Finn stood next to Challenger now, her arm around his waist, leaning next to his ear as they talked. Their closeness and intimate little gestures got Finn some ribbing from the other girls, but Marguerite was once jealous of the obvious delight that Finn took in her love of this brilliant man. Now, she had given her own heart fully to John Roxton, and it freed her more than she had dreamed it might! Finn boasted that her love for Challenger was the affair of the ages, but Marguerite felt secure in the knowledge that she and John also had an uncomon bond, too seldom achieved by lovers.
She colored as she thought of John and of what he did to her, physically and emotionally. How fortunate she was to have him, in spite of all odds! He made her feel more complete than she had ever dreamed she might.
The brunette beauty was jarred from her reverie by Xma'Klee ordering everyone to clean up and get underway.
Marguerite had Salamine stand and unlocked her cuffs and blushing, put them in her pack. She felt Ned Malone's amused gaze on her and scowled as she took a length of cotton rope and bound Salamine's wrists. Salamine realized the cause of her embarrassment, and looked at her with barely suppressed laughter. Marguerite jerked her leash and announced that they were ready to depart.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - March 18 2007 : 3:07:09 PM
The couples discussed the demonesses and decided to share watches, each couple taking a three hour vigil to keep an eye on their prisoners. The men offered to do this by themselves, gallantly letting their women sleep, but Veronica said that she was uneasy leaving the men alone with the captives.
"We don't know what charms they may use, and Ned and you other guys are suckers for a pretty face. They may pull something that will let them get an edge on you. Women can watch other women and not be taken in by the stuff they may try. I'm waiting up when Ned pulls his watch. Girls?"
Finn and Marguerite were amused and smiled at the mens' self concious expressions, but they agreed with Veronica. The Treehouse crew would watch the demonesses in pairs! Marguerite warned the captives that if they became verbally abusive or tried to flirt excessively with the men or taunted the women, that she would gag them. Salamine said nothing, but smiled and looked at Marguerite, then gave Roxton a salacious look. She moved her shoulders back and squirmed so that her breasts strained against their brief native halter top. Marguerite flushed, and reminded Salamine that she could apply a blindfold to prevent visual insolence, too! Roxton grinned back at Salamine, but took care that Marguerite not see his face when he did. He was confident that Salamine could not seduce him, but was amused by her confidence, and admired her pluck. Challenger noticed and hid a smile of his own.
After breakfast the next morning, the explorers gathered their packs and weapons, and the prisoners' ankles and elbows were untied. When they were able to walk freely, each was leashed by the waist and taken to the elevator. One demoness went down at a time, escorted by two Treehouse members.
When all were on the ground, the party passed through the electrical fence and set out for The Cave of the Void.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - March 15 2007 : 09:42:25 AM
Finally, the exhausted travellers reached the Treehouse. The Zanga camped below, well clear of the protective electric fence, and Xma'Klee came up briefly for a cup of coffee, which he had learned to like.
Sa'eera asked to use her guest suite, and of course, everyone agreed. The young, half-white queen was a popular person in the Treehouse. She was Finn's special friend, but all liked her.
Before anyone showered or put away their things, Una and Salamine were made to stand in the middle of the living room. Marguerite told the men to turn their backs, but to have their handguns ready if needed. Then, she and Finn drew their revolvers and covered Una as Veronica untied her. The demoness was made to strip and to don the Indian girl's clothes in which she had arrived. She was then tied again, hand and foot, and made to sit while Salamine received the same treatment.
"Wish you boys could see this," drawled Marguerite. "Demonesses they may be, but you fellows would be impressed by the way they look without clothes. I must say, they would be formidable seductresses, if that was their intention. They look absolutely human, and beautiful."
"Given your wardrobe, slut, I could entice any man I chose," affirmed Salamine. "I could take this Roxton from you, given time."
"I would not even need much time," bragged Una. "I know how to please men beyond what you mortal girls even dream of. But thank you for the compliment, Marguerite. That is your name?"
"That is her name, and you could not take me from her, " declared Roxton. He was flattered by the attitude of the otherworldly women, but firm in his love for his woman of this dimension.
"Why, thank you, John," said a surprised and very pleased Marguerite. "It's nice to hear that. Later tonight, I'll make it worth your while to have stuck with me." She laughed.
"Ahem." interrupted Challenger. "I think we all here are secure in our relationships. A swarm of demon houris could not divert my interest from Finn, who taught me what it is to love fully and unselfishly. But I think we need to finish securing the prisoners and prepare dinner. It has been a long day, and I am thirsty and famished, and Xma'Klee wants his coffee."
"What's an houri?", asked Finn. "Is it good?"
Marguerite laughed again. "Finn, an houri is one of those beautiful virgins allotted to Muslim men who enter their concept of Paradise. Yes, they would presumably tempt most men, I should think. George must be very loyal to you to have said that." She grinned.
"Big deal," Finn muttered. "What good is a virgin? If I couldn't outperform one, I'd be a pretty lousy lay. But George has a point. I don't call him 'Genius' for nothing. We need to finish up here. Stop playing with that loincloth and get it on, Salamine. We don't have all night. You want to eat, too, I guess?"
Salamine nodded, finished dressing, and turned for Veronica to bind her. She found herself as well secured as when tied by Marguerite. Still, she felt sure that by tomorrow, she could break these ropes, and when she did, these humans wouldn't be making wisecracks about her looks or her ability to arouse men. She envisioned herself plucking off Roxton's head and handing it to Marguerite to see her face before she slew the brunette beauty, too. The thought cheered her, though she would mourn for Zoth for centuries. As for Finn...she wanted to think for a time just what to do to the young blonde who had twice wrecked the demons' plans. Una lacked Zoth's talents with science and would need neither Challenger or his woman. She would enjoy tormenting both before they were allowed to die, horribly.
At last, all had cleaned up and put their weapons and clothing back as they had been before the demons had invaded the Treehouse that morning. Before he went down in the elevator to join his men, Xma'Klee came to look at the demon women. He bent and stared each in the face. Then, he made mysterious motions in the air before each of them, and departed.
"What was that savage doing, waving his hands at us?" demanded Salamine. "Does the simple fool think he can frighten us, demonesses? You, Marguerite. You are a sorceress of sorts, I gather. What did his gestures mean?"
Marguerite hugged her arms to her sides and shivered. "He just condemned you to death in the spirit world. I saw him do that once to a Zanga enemy before a battle between tribes. I wouldn't sneer at him, Salamine. He has great powers. I take him seriously. You had better, too."
The prisoners were fed one at a time, after the others had eaten. Then they were made to sit by a column supporting the roof and their ankles were fastened to it. Finn went upstairs and returned with two pair of handcuffs, one borrowed from Marguerite, who had blushed furiously when Finn had whispered to her, asking for the loan of them.
The demonesses were untied and Finn cuffed their wrists behind them. Then, made to sit back-to-back, their elbows were tied together, so that one girl was bound to the other.
Ned looked curiously at the handcuffs. "Where did those bracelets come from?" he asked.
"None of your flaming business, Mr. Malone," erupted Marguerite. "Especially as you're a reporter There are things that a girl doesn't want reported about her love life!". She went scarlet as Ned looked at Finn's smirking face and put two and two together. "Oh, you girls wear these sometimes? With Roxton and Challenger?" And he blushed as much as had Marguerite.
"What?" demanded Veronica, who had yet to learn all that her friends got up to with their men behind closed doors. Finn took her aside and whispered about playing slave girl and master, as Challenger and Roxton talked to each other, out of earshot of what was transpiring in the next room. Veronica looked puzzled and said that she'd have to ask more later, but that it did seem wise to lock the steel cuffs on the demons in case they might break or slip their ropes.
"We can get our cuffs back and just tie them again before they enter the Void, " Finn noted. "But I don't trust rope to hold them for too long after they get stronger tomorrow. I saw something in Una's eyes. She plans to try something, trust me. George was crazy to not let me kill her." She was serious, and Malone realized just how much Finn wanted the demons dead. He shivered a little. They must be very potent to concern Finn that much and to be hated by her so intensely. He would be glad when this Void thing was done and all was again normal in the Treehouse. Or, as normal as it got in this strange land...
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - March 09 2007 : 5:21:45 PM
"Why does my brother not appear where this demon fell?," asked one of the Indians, nervously. "You said that his death would return my brother from this Void of which you speak."
Salamine laughed. "Fools. Zoth's head is separated from his body. The physical connection is disturbed. If you will feed Una and me well tonight, I will tell you how to restore his chemistry enough for the Indian to replace him in this dimension."
"Very well," said Challenger. "But no funny business, or I will give you to Finn."
Salamine said, "Just shove the head back into contact with the rest of him. Simple, but the union must be made, that the molecules may unite. I need not touch him. You need fear no deceit."
"If that restores Zoth instead of the Indian," warned Finn. "All bets are off, and the three of you will die at once. Understand?" She had reloaded her Winchester and pointed it now at Salamine.
Salamine shrugged, and Una repeated that there was no trickery. She stared sadly down at the remains of he whom she had once loved.
Roxton and a Zanga man manuevered the head onto the body and stepped back, Roxton first removing a gunbelt with a Luger from Zoth's body. The belt also carried one of his favorite Bowie knives, he noted.
He saw Marguerite frantically tugging off Zoth's boots. Challenger recognized them as his, and quickly joined her.
As they tugged the boots free and rose, the chemical reaction began and the body glowed golden, sparks flying off. The Zanga men mostly screamed and ran, as did one of the Indians whose bodies had been stolen by the demons. Everyone else stood frightened, their weapons ready.
But their fears were groundless. Zoth vanished, and in his place lay an astonished Indian. His brother ran over and began speaking to the man, who was on the verge of going into shock. They made him comfortable and gave him water and some food, when he could manage it. Malone produced a blanket to warm him.
It had now grown dark, and Xma'Klee directed several men to cut wood for torches. When they had returned and the torches were lit, he advised his white friends that he and the Zanga, less Queen Sa'eera, if she wished to sleep in the Treehouse, would camp below. He ordered five men to hunt and to bring the meat to the Treehouse. At this time, it would be easy to ambush game on the trails leading to water, and these men were skilled hunters.
When all was ready, the party set out, torches lighting the night, lest anyone stumble or be bitten by a snake. Salamine and Una were made to march next to Malone and Veronica, with Roxton and Marguerite just behind. They were surrounded by Zanga warriors. Una thought, and decided to bide her time. But she had no intentiom of returning to the Void. She and Salamine could raise hell in this world on their own...
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - March 09 2007 : 3:48:39 PM
The Tyrannosarus was nothing if not a skilled predator, and better able to think well than many might suppose. He realized that if he was to reach his prey, he would need to reach into the trench lengthwise.
Adroitly changing his stance to straddle the crevice, T-rex was about to reach in and snap up the demoness when he felt a heavy, deep blow behind his foreleg on the side facing the humans. Shock and great pain overrode his desire to kill Una, and he spun toward the sound of the shot that had struck him.
Roxton shoved home the bolt of his .416 Rigby rifle, loading a second cartridge into the chamber. Fnnn's Mannlicher-Schoenauer now spoke also, and the long 160 grain bullet slipped past two ribs and entered the dinosaur's heart.
"Why are you shooting?" demanded Veronica. "Just let the T-rex kill her! She deserves it, and it'll save us the trouble!"
"V., that witch is wearing my .38! I'm not letting some damned dinosaur eat my favorite gun!" Finn sent a second 6.5mm bullet downrange into the chest of the T-rex, hearing Roxton's magnum rifle fire again, also.
"We must also keep the beast from consuming her for another cause," declared Challenger. "If she is eaten, or if Zoth's body is, we may never recover the Indians whose bodies these rascals replaced! We have a moral compulsion to help their brethern recover their companions. It is a human duty!" And he raised his Holland & Holland .450 to fire.
Struck several times with full metal jacketed bullets designed to penetrate even such large animals as elephant and rhino, the T-rex was mortally wounded. Roaring in pain and indignation, he charged the humans, 150 yards away.
Challenger and Roxton let him get to within 75 yards, then fired just below those fearsome jaws, hoping that a bullet would pierce his neck and smash the spinal column. One did. Roxton swore later that it was one of John Rigby's patented "solid" bullets, but no matter: whether it was from the .416 or the heavier .450 H&H, a bullet did sever the spinal cord, and the mighty carnosaur stumbled and crashed to the ground with a loud thud that shook the earth.
Roxton ran over to the animal, shoving fresh cartridges into the magazine of his rifle. Challenger followed, having reloaded his double rife. Finn came next, frantically stuffing new ammunition into the rotary magazine of her elegant little Austrian rifle.
"John, you fool!," screamed Miss Krux. "That beast may not be dead yet!" Marguerite's voice was shrill with her panic.
"Never fear, Marguerite," the hunter shouted back. "We just need to get in a brain shot to make sure of him!" He walked carefully behind the dinosaur, which was feebly jerking, probably muscle spasms of the dying beast, to the extent that the severed spine would allow.
"John, I'll take care of this. You have already expended too much ammunition for one day, " declared Challenger. "Besides, as a scientist, I know precisely where the brain lies from this angle." He lifted the H&H .450 and slammed two of the 480 grain full jacketed bullets into the brain, and the T-rex lay still.
Challenger opened his rifle and slid two more long brass cartridges into the chambers, then as he closed the breech, he looked to his left and saw Finn.
"What are you doing here?!, " he exclaimed, with a mixture of surprise and anger. "Finn, this is dangerous!"
Finn looked him in the eye and said, "George, my place is with you. We belong to each other, and this is where you went. Before you get all uppity and rag on me for following you, keep in mind that you are my man and the probable father of our child. I wasn't about to let you get killed by a T-rex if I could help it, and we still need to get this bitch out of the ditch and that may take some doing!" She looked firm, and Challenger knew both frustration and pride in her.
"She's right, George. The woman, er, demoness, is still down there. Hey, Una! Want to come out peacefully and be led back to that Void tomorrow, or die here and now?" Roxton half hoped that Una would fight.
"If she's scratched my Smith & Wesson or my Winchester, she dies now!", snarled Finn, who loved her guns and was smarting from the indignity that the demons had imposed on her earlier that day.
Una laughed, if a bit sadly. "Professor Challenger, if you will rein in your angry blonde slut, I will emerge and give myself up. But I want your word and that of Lord Roxton as English gentlemen that you will not allow me to be harmed. Your Brazilian bimbo will kill me if she can. I have seen it in her eyes, and I recall her perserverence from my last visit!"
Roxton was puzzled. "How do you know that Finn is Brazilian?, " he demanded. "She speaks English like an American, and has no ethnic Latin blood."
"We studied your papers earlier today," admitted Una. "I read how Challenger rescued her from the next century in one of that man Malone's diaries. She was born on this Plateau. And she does have the Latin thirst for revenge. I fear her!"
"You will be safe if you give me your word of honor to surrender and to let us conduct you to the Void and recover the persons whose bodies you have replaced, tomorrow. " Challenger spoke stiffly, but saw this act of mercy as being his moral duty, although he fully understood Finn's wish to slay this creature from another, nasty, dimension.
"Genius, she will... " Finn began.
"Not now, Finn. I have given my word, Darling, and we have a duty to recover those Indian girls for their men. As much as she has angered me, if Una will surrender, she may live, unless she again enters our world. If she does, I will join you in killing her. Did you fully register that, Una?"
"Yes, Professor," said Una, meekly. "Don't shoot. I will reach up and lay Finn's precious rifle on the edge of the crevice. Then, one of you gentlemen must asist me to get out."
Finn's face was screwed into a rictus of rage and anguish. Veronica came up, leading Salamine by the leash on her waist. She reached out to her best friend and kissed her cheek and rubbed her tense shoulder. "Calm down, Nicole," she whispered. "This isn't over yet. Play it cool, and we'll see what happens. I don't trust Una. Be calm, but be watchful. You may get your chance to kill her yet."
So mad that she was almost grinding her teeth, Finn managed to nod, and put her arm around Veronica. "Thanks, Sis. I'll hope she does give me half a chance to violate the truce that my softhearted lover just made with her. These creeps can't be trusted an inch!"
"Come along, Una," spoke Roxton. He handed his rifle to Marguerite and drew a .455 Webley revolver from his shoulder holster, the better to cover Una at close quarters. "Let's see that rifle, careful now. I may shoot you myself, if you even look like you're being tricky. Finn is my close friend and hunting partner, and I know her well. She will abide by the truce that her man has made, out of love and her duty to him. But be cautious. I'm only agreeing to this because Challenger did, and he's our leader. I might just help Finn shoot you if I see half an excuse."
"I will give you no excuse, Lord Roxton. And watch your own woman. I sense that she is not far behind Finn in her willingness to slay me." She reached up with one hand and laid the M-92 Winchester on the edge of the crevice.
Finn applied the safety catch on her Mannlicher, hung it over her shoulder by the leather sling, and reached for her .44 carbine, looking it over, blowing dust from it and examining it critically for scratches or dents.
"Put your hands on the edge of the trench, Una. We'll pull you out, " said Roxton. "When you get up here, the hands go on your head while we disarm you and search you. Any funny business and Finn and I will both plug you in a heartbeat."
"All right, Lord Roxton," Una replied. "Finn will be pleased that I have not scuffed her revolver." She laughed. "It is a pretty gun. I was looking forward to shooting her with it." She raised her hands and placed them on the edge of the crevice.
Xma'Klee gestured, and two burly Zanga warriors each took an arm and boosted Una from the fissure. She looked cooly at Finn, and smiled, but placed her hands on her head as ordered. Finn glared back, the muzzle of her Winchester covering Una. Both knew that Finn was longing for an excuse to pull the trigger.
"Finn, dear, the carbine is empty," Una said sweetly. "I shot it dry, firing at that dinosaur." She laughed.
"My Webley is loaded, Una," warned Roxton. "Don't try anything. The Zanga would love to fill your body full of arrows, too. The girl with Finn is one of their queens, and you made a bad enemy there. Marguerite, hand your rifle to someone and search this witch."
"Why don't you search me, Roxton?," queried Una. "I have no objection to a man doing that, and your woman is angry at me. I fear that she will push me back into the crevice."
Marguerite snorted. "More likely, you just think that an honorable man will be less thorough than I will." She gave her .303 to Xma'Klee to hold, then unbuckled Finn's gunbelt from Una's waist and passed it to the eager owner. She took off Una's hat - her own, really- and ran her hands through Una's brown locks, then, with a wicked grin, lifted her khaki skirt above her waist and looked to see any visible weapons. She deliberately held the skirt up and asked if anyone saw anything dangerous. The men blushed and tried to ignore the double meaning...
Challenger cleared his throat self conciously, noting that all the men were staring at Una's excellent legs. Una, far from being humilated as Marguerite had expected, just looked back and fixed her eyes on Roxton's and ran her tongue along her lips. She was frightened, but in control of herself, and determined to make this a more unpleasant experience for Marguerite than for herself. Both could play womens' games with embarrasment of a rival, and Una felt that she would win this one.
"Marguerite, I think we all can see that Una has nothing but knickers under that skirt," spoke Challenger. "Perhaps we should finish searching her and get underway."
Marguerite was frustrated by Una's lack of embarrassment and the way that the demoness was looking at her own man, and dropped the skirt. "I want this and my other clothes back when we reach the Treehouse, witch", she snarled. "You can wear your Indian outfit until you go back where you belong."
Then, "Boys, turn your backs while I check under her blouse. I wouldn't want you fellows getting excited and having a heart attack."
She turned Una and pulled the tails of her blouse free of the skirt.
Blushing, the white men turned, Roxton first glancing to see that Finn had drawn her .38 and was covering Una. This time, she had checked that it was loaded...
Marguerite ran her hands skillfully over Una's upper body, sliding them over her pert breasts and looking for anything concealed in her camisole, for Una wore no bra. She was surprised to find Una's nipples erect, and flushed, remembering the look that Una had given Roxton. But she realized that fright had probably caused the reaction as much or more than her legs being revealed to the men.
Finished, she pulled Una's hands behind her and asked for something to tie her. Someone offered a length of rope and Una's wrists were soon bound. She noted that Marguerite had been effective at that. Being bound by a woman had not given her any latitude that she would have hoped for, having been tied by one of her own sex. If anything, Marguerite might have made the knots a little tighter than the men would have. So much for sisterhood, thought Una...
Una was soon leashed and the party began their return to the Treehouse, stopping first to look down at the remains of Zoth.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - March 09 2007 : 03:43:44 AM
Half mad with anger and the pain of her loss, Una walked toward the T-rex, the stolen Winchester .44 firing.She took no particularly good aim, and indeed didn't know the vital organs of this mighty beast. The softnosed lead bullets at some 1200 feet per second didn't have the smash to penetrate much beyond the reptile's thick skin, pebbled with bits of dermal denticles that served as a form of armor.
The tyrannosaur turned to her, roaring in rage as the bullets caused him pain without getting in deeply enough to reach his vitals.
Una stumbled toward the animal, wishing that this was tomorrow afternoon, when she could launch a purple bolt of lightning at him.
But it was today, and her powers had just begun to arrive. She would have been killed, had she not stepped into a crevice and tumbled down several feet. It was too narrow a trench for the dinosaur to reach her,and the demoness gasped in relief as he tried to seize her in his terrible jaws. But his face would fit only part of the way into the narrow fissure.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - March 03 2007 : 2:39:08 PM
"Get to cover, Zoth!", cried Una. "I will distract this huge lizard, that you may escape. It is your life that is essential."
"No, Una! Stand your ground. The humans will have seen us by now. Shoot it!" And he turned and fired into the T-rex, striking it in the chest.
The bullet from his stolen .416 struck a rib at an angle and glanced off, but enraged the already hungry tyrannosaur. It roared, the sound of enraged thunder, and strode faster toward him. T-rex couldn't really sprint, but his rapid walk was faster than most men could run. Zoth had little chance.
Una fired, three times, the softer lead bullets from the .44/40 Winchester M-92 not making entry, save for one that lodged in his mouth after penetrating a cheek. T-rex screamed and turned toward her.
Zoth saw his chance and ran, leaving Una to the beast. With luck, he would reach a fissure that he had just seen and in it, he might evade both T-rex and those cursed humans.
He was not to be successful. His movement stimulated the predator reflex in the big carnivore, and T-rex chased him for a hundred yards, ignoring two more shots from the frustrated, desperate Una.
The dinosaur caught up to Zoth a dozen paces from the fissure and leaning forward, took the demon into his mouth and tossed his head sharply up, snapping down on him with those awful teeth, long, serrated, and deadly.
Zoth managed one terrified, awful scream, then he was still forever as his spine and other bones popped with a terrible finality. The cracking sound carried to the humans, and they all shrank back and felt something primeval and frightening stir within them.
T-rex threw Zoth's body forcefully into a big tree, the sound of his striking the huge trunk making more broken bone noises. Then, he strode over and snapped off the demon's head. Zoth was dead.
Una screamed, a wail of horrid proportions, exuding all the anguish she felt and her desperation at being left alone in a world of which she was the only free represenative of her kind.
Finn saw Zoth's head loll on the ground, her Zeiss binocular revealing the open, lifeless eyes, and she, too, screamed, turning into Challenger and hugging him in her rage and anguish. "That damned dinosaur killed the son of a bitch! Damn it, he was MINE to kill!" And Finn burst into tears, deprived of the vengence that had long been her primary purpose, after her love for George Challenger and the new life that they had agreed to create within her. She had feared at times that this desire for revenge might even eclipse all else for her, if the moment came to choose.
Veronica sensed what Finn must feel, and she reached out and began stroking her best friend's shoulder, murmuring quiet words of comfort. Challenger held her close, Finn sobbing into his chest. His heart went out to her, also, for he knew the singlemindedness with which Finn had viewed this mission that all but consumed her when she dwelled on it. She had whispered to him in the darkness and solitude of their room some of the horrors that Zoth's acts had forced on her and on all mankind in her day, and understood her obesssion.
Salamine stood with mouth agape. She had never expected Zoth to fall until her own scheming, at the right time, allowed for that. She was stunned, then it struck her that she and Una were now alone of their kind in this place, and that she was at the mercy of these humans. Salamine fell to her knees, jerking the leash attached to her waist from Ned Malone's hand. She bent over and cried into the red Amazonian earth, her spirit now as crushed by Zoth's death as was Finn's.
Roxton, although shocked by what had happened, was the first to recover his wits. The hunter yelled across to Una to lie low in the grass, her arms and legs spread flat on the ground in surrender. When the dinosaur had been shot by him or had left, the humans would take her captive, sparing her the fate that Zoth had encountered.
Una heard, and was speechless at what had happened. For a moment, she considered Roxton's offer of her surrender, then she remembered the cold, determined look that she had seen in Finn's eyes as they had left the blonde beauty bound naked in a chair at the Treehouse that morning. Finn might yet kill her, and Una knew how effective she could be in her hatred of Zoth and his minions. It was better to die fighting, or to kill that damned beast that had slain her lover. It must not go unpunished for slaying this mighty demon who had owned the heart of Una!
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - February 24 2007 : 4:35:22 PM
Veronica wandered over to Ned Malone and kissed him. They talked, and she told Ned about Marguerite's earlier barb, about the correct name for a canteen.
Ned got a mischievous gleam in his eye, and his woman demanded, "Ned? What are you going to do? I don't want any trouble with her. I just thought you might be amused by what she said."
"Oh", said Ned, "She was right, Baby. I AM the man screwing you. But that crack about your dad bothers me, too. Watch. Better yet, listen. You'll catch on."
He strolled back to his pack, knelt by it, and began rummaging through it, as if looking for something. He began to sing, "America", a few feet from where the British brunette sat. She could not fail to hear him, and although the words were different, the tune of this song was that of, "God Save the King". This had previously irritated Marguerite, who had been known to comment caustically on the matter. Ned watched her from the corner of his eye, awaiting her reaction.
As she heard the words, Marguerite turned to say something irascible and patronizing, then, she recalled that Ned and Veronica had just been talking, and suspected that part of what they had shared had to do with her comment about canteens and water bottles. She smiled instead, and said, "Touche, Ned. You got to me, alright? I'm sorry that I said what I did about Veronica's father and mate. Now, will you please sing something else? What about, 'Coming Through the Rye?' Maybe Roxton will hear and think of this long jungle grass, and we'll be homeward bound soon. It IS getting on toward dusk." She looked anxiously at the sky.
As she looked upward, a Zanga scout returned, in a state of high excitement. He babbled the word that Marguerite knew meant, "Tyrannosaur" in his tongue. She repeated that in English, and rose, reaching for her rifle. Not that a .303 was ideal for hunting dinosaurs, but she might get a lucky shot into its brain. Better yet, John had his .416, able to make even a heart shot on the big predator's body. Everyone else stirred, grabbing for their weapons. Veronica ran over and pulled Salamine erect, admonishing her not to abuse the privilege of having remained ungagged. Of course, if the demoness made noise, the dinosaur might eat her, too, so this warning was probably superfluous...
Those who had binoculars raised them and looked in the direction that the scout pointed. They saw nothing at first, then, as Finn and Marguerite were about to lower their instruments, Herr Zeiss's crisp lenses and prisms showed Zoth and Una fleeing from a copse of trees, pursued by the T-rex!
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - February 24 2007 : 01:59:47 AM
Zoth and Una soon realized that they needed to get off the trail and wait under cover until they could see their companions.
They waited half an hour, then admitted that something was badly wrong. Either the others were seriously lost, or the humans had gotten them.
"We must seek shelter for the night," Una pointed out. "The sun is lowering in the western sky, and I can hear predators calling as they prepare to begin their evening hunt. We do not wish to fall victim to jaguars or pumas or these awful dinosaurs."
Zoth concurred. "Let us find better cover and some shelter. The humans probably know that we were headed for those red rocks, if they have questioned our brethern. They may be prisoners. If so, they will probably break free when their full Powers come to them tomorrow."
Then, they saw the skirmish line, and watched through binoculars as the humans pushed forward to the place where Grendel had died.
The humans stopped there, probably examining the dead snake and the ground, guessing what had happened. The recovered Indian could have told them little, but that man Roxton and the Zanga would study the ground and discern what had taken place.
Una saw Finn and raised her rifle, the .44 Winchester that was one of Finn's favorites.
"No, stay!" commanded Zoth. "You will not hit her easily at this range, and her loss might so dismay her lover that he couldn't give me information that I need from him. We will handle this differently."
He studied the humans more carefully, then swore an oath. "That stupid, ambitious Salamine! She has been taken by them! I do not see our others, but there are non-Zanga Indians with them, so our kind must have fallen! We will stay away from them until tomorrow, then we will deal with them as I see fit. But I need time to plan. And I want Salamine to have her full strength by the time we act. She should be able to break free of her bonds by noon tomorrow, perhaps sooner."
Una nodded, hoping that Zoth knew what he was doing. She was having more serious misgivings all the time. What a fool Salamine was! How dare she allow the puny creatures of this place to capture her!
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The shadows lengthened, and dusk grew closer. When it arrived in this tropical setting, darkness would fall swiftly, and the night would belong to those animals better adapted to it than people.
Challenger, Xma'Klee, and Roxton conferred. They decided to end the quest until tomorrow, when they could better see what they were doing. They knew where to resume the search, and thought that Zoth and Una would take cover overnight in the red rocks thay had sought.
Challenger sat, and Finn stood behind him, rubbing his tired shoulders. Marguerite and Veronica saw, and looked at one another and grinned.
"It's okay, girls," Finn said smugly. "When we get home, the Genius will rub my back, too, and you can just be jealous, for he works wonders with that. I'll be purring like a kitten when he's done with me."
Marguerite looked mischievously at her and said in Portugeuse, which only she and Finn of their number spoke, "And you'll be as wet as a fish inside, too, Sweetie. I know what it does to you when the right man rubs your back, and you have got it SO BAD for George..."
She was stilled by Roxton holding up a hand for silence. "Look," he commanded. "Those other two have gone this way, and those tracks are fresh. Let's see if we can catch up to them before it gets dark."
"Really, John." protested Challenger. "It is growing dark now, and I am tired. We can't afford to spend what little daylight is left blundering after those demons when we need it to see how to get home."
Veronica took out Salamine's gag and gave her water and they all drank and sat down where they could, as the men debated whether to pursue the demons.
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Nearby, a Tyrannosaurus rex stalked quietly, sampling the air currents. He shifted his head this way and then that, sniffing the gentle breeze blowing to him from the east...where the humans huddled in conference.
A low rumble emanated from his tooth-studded jaws, and he salivated as he recognized the scent of humans. These would be easy meat.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - February 24 2007 : 12:51:15 AM
The pursuing explorers heard the two shots, and turned in the direction from which they came.
Roxton and Malone maintained the lead, with a skirmish line of Zanga warriors, some with Mauser 7mm rifles, alongside them. This line swept the terrain for some 100 yards when the ground allowed. When the foliage was too dense, they pulled in, with less space between each man.
Marguerite saw the close spacing at one point and hoped that if the demons opened fire, Roxton would blend in with the line and not stand out as a target. She winced internally as she thought of just how much this handsome man had come to mean to her, and she was half thrilled and half embarrassed to realize how much she wanted to be held in his arms at this moment. She felt her face flushing and mentally ordered her body to stop responding to her thinking of her man. It was to no avail.
Finn saw, and walked over. "Hey, Marguerite, is everything all right? You look a litle flushed. Have you got water in your canteen?"
Marguerite decided to bluff, concealing her female weakness. "Finn, it's not a 'canteen'. A 'canteen' is a bloody cafe sort of place. This thing on my shoulder is a 'water bottle'. I'll teach you to speak English yet. If you're going to marry Challenger, you'll need that knowledge." She forced a smile, trying to appear jaunty and joking.
Veronica heard and teased, "Well, Ned and my father called those containers 'canteens'. Are you saying that the men in my life don't know what they're drinking from on the trail?"
"No, I'm saying that the men who spawned you and who screw you can't speak the King's English. They were/are American. What can one expect?" She tried a smirky smile, turning so that Veronica would see.
"Now, just a minute, Marguerite," the blonde beauty exclaimed. "We're talking here about my father and my mate! Maybe their dialect or whatever is different than yours, but I won't have you insulting them!"
"V., cool it," said Finn, softly. "Marguerite is under stress and she's trying to keep the lid on. Let's all be nice to one another. Marguerite, what's really the matter? Are you worried about Johnny?" Finn looked into her friend's eyes, searching for the real cause of her unease.
Marguerite flushed brighter red and cast her eyes down. That damned Finn! She had gotten to know the young blonde so well that secrets sometimes were hard to keep from her, or at least, the knowledge that she was worried.
"Yes, Finn, I am worried about 'Johnny", or rather I am concerned about Lord Roxton." She wiped a tear from her right eye, and stiffened as Finn walked over and embraced her.
"It's all going to be okay, Marguerite. I'm worried about George, too. I know how you feel. It's unfair how much we have to worry about our men when we love so intensely. But what if we didn't have them? I'd rather worry than do without the Genius." She forced a smile, and Marguerite smiled back, in spite of herself.
Salamine saw, and made a sound behind her gag that expressed her contempt. Veronica, who had her leash in hand, jerked it savagely. "Hey, demon bitch! You probably CAN'T love like we can. Don't get smart with us, or I'll make you wish that you had never THOUGHT of coming here to ruin our lives!" Veronica was also tense, knowing that Ned Malone would be in line of fire if the enemy shot at them.
"Damn it, I'm going up there with John, " muttered Marguerite. "I hate this staying back here with the 'women and children'. I'm not a child, and I won't be treated as one! My place is with Roxton!"
"Marguerite, wait!", Finn pleaded. "Johnny has enough on his mind, and so do George and Ned. They're men; they can't help wanting to keep us back where it's safe. I owe George my loyalty and he said to stay here so that he can worry about the demons and not his woman and the kid, if I really do have one in me. John feels the same about you. Don't embarrass him and stall the hunt for those bastards by going up there and making a scene. Salamine will just sneer at us if we can't even behave because we're worried. Look: we'll soon have those creeps or we'll go home for the night. It's getting dark. Stay with us and let the men play hero. They have to, or they erode inside. We may be equal as hell, but we're different, and our place is back here, at least, for now. Let the men concentrate on the jungle, not on us. Okay? Please?"
Marguerite looked at Finn with new respect. She had gotten to know her young friend quite well over the past two years, but still was surprised to find how mature Finn could be at times. She was often teasing, capable of pranks worthy of a teenager, especially if she could enlist Veronica's collusion, but when the chips were down, Finn was wise and effective. She was also very deeply in love with the scientist whose bed she shared, and was determined to make Challenger proud of her conduct. Could Marguerite do any less? John would be glad to have her with him, but he would look bad in the other mens' eyes, especially those of the Zanga, who did not take their women with them in war parties or to hunt.
Veronica touched her shoulder. "Marguerite, I'm sorry that I snapped at you. But some things don't bear joking about, at least not too derisively. We're all worried. Take a drink and breathe deeply. THis is all going to end well. I wouldn't let Ned go up there, if I didn't think he'd be okay." She smiled at the brunette, offering sympathy and understanding, but also hoping that the Englishwoman would decide to do the right thing, and that, for now, was to let their men alone to deal with the enemy and the jungle.
"Oh, all right, but drat men, anyway. Thinking that they have to protect us when it just makes us worry that we can't see what's happening!" She wiped her eyes, squared her hat on her head and slogged along with the others.
Finn squeezed her shoulder and went back to walk beside Sa'eera, who had taken all of this in with wide eyes.
Salamine squinted in laughter, and Finn decided to think of some way to punish the demoness, for this, as well as for the humiliation that she had undergone earlier. Then, she thought of how her man would lecture her for mistreating a captive, even Salamine, and flushed as she realized how much she had changed since falling in love with George Challenger. Marguerite was right: they were being treated as inferiors in a way. But she knew that the men would be incapable of seeing their view, and it would just trouble everyone if they made a fuss of it. And George needed to have his mind clear of stress at times like this. But Finn would be very glad when they went home for the night, and she could cuddle with the Genius and rejoice that they were safe again, and together.
There was a muffled cry from ahead, and someone came and got the two Indians who had been exchanged for the demons' presence earlier. They went forward and soon returned with another Indian of their tribe, talking to him, reassuring him that all was well and that these strangers would recover their spouses, too.
Finn's heart went out to them. The Treehouse women weren't the only ones who were having a troubled day.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - February 19 2007 : 09:55:17 AM
Zoth and Una returned to find Grendel lounging in camp, pulling the wings off of a butterfly. He had already caught a small lizard and dismembered it, bit by bit, enjoying its agony as it died. He was not a nice person, and pain pleased him, as long as it was not his own.
"Where are the others?" demanded a suspicious Zoth.
"No worries", replied Grendel. "Salamine and Sjok just went to find Rixel, who should have returned by now. They were bored." He shrugged.
"Idiots!," exclaimed Zoth. "Now, we are even more separated. I wish to leave now, and they are gone! When did they depart?"
"Maybe an hour ago, just after you and Una went to tarry in the jungle," answered an amused Grendel. "They thought that you two would be a while, so they found something to do. They should be back soon, with Rixel, whether they found the enemy, or not."
"Rixel should have been back by now, regardless of whether they found him ," observed Una. She drew Finn's Smith & Wesson .38 and opened the cylinder, checking the cartridges. "We may be in trouble before long. The humans may have captured or killed all three."
"It is unlikely, " said Grendel. "Rixel is a little slow -witted at times, but he is a Demon, and the other two are mighty creatures."
Zoth fumed. "If they are not here in fifteen minutes, we must leave without them. They know our destination. They can follow us. We must be among those rocks before dark, in case the humans find us."
"Sit, Zoth, and I will massage your neck. You are becoming stressed, and that will do you no good." Una looked into her leader's eyes, then quickly cast her glance down, in submission and admiration of his return gaze. It amused her to play the shy maiden, attentive to Zoth's moods. And she really did stand in awe of him and of what he would create on this world. She fully meant to be his partner and companion, and was thrilled that he found her attractive and pleasant to be with.
Zoth sat on a log and murmured in pleasure as Una began her ministerations. That woman had her place, he decided, and felt smug at her worship of him. If only Salamine was as tractable. What might she be plotting with Sjok? Both were independent spirits...
Grendel dropped the dying butterfly and looked for another toy. He saw a mouse creeping through the long grass and decided that he might be able to catch it. He could extend his arm some ten inches when he stretched it, beyond its actual length, and that might help. By tomorrow, he could reach out five feet beyond the ability of a man with arms his length. He longed to feel the stirring of his full powers.
He slipped toward the mouse, his eyes fixed on the poor creature that was about to become his victim. He stepped over a log, paying no attention to what might be on the other side.
He heard the snarl of its tail buttons buzzing as a tropical rattlesnake flexed its tail in warning, then, the long fangs slammed into his thigh, above the boot top. The pain was awful, even for a demon, for the venom had the quality of beginning to digest food for the snake.
Grendel yelped in pain and shock, for he knew that these serpents were very dangerous. He shook the snake off, and without thinking, drew a .44 Special Smith & Wesson looted from the Treehouse gun room. His shots sounded even as Zoth rose to insist on silence, lest the humans learn their whereabouts.
The mortally injured snake thrashed around and Grendel drew his machete and repeatedly chopped at its writhing body. The heavy lead bullets had blown it several feet away, helped, perhaps by its own muscle contractions on receiving the two projectiles.
Grendel staggered to the log on which Zoth and Una had been sitting and Una cut open his trouser leg and they examined the bite.
Zoth saw at once that there was swelling and saw the double fang holes in his fellow demon's leg. Una shrank back in horror, for she knew what was probably going to happen if the bite had been a strong one. Sometimes, snakes injected little or no venom, but this bite looked bad. A full envenomation from a tropical rattlesnake was legendary in this region, and the demons had studied the area and its inhabitants, human and animal.
Soon, Grendel sat on the ground, holding his leg, his back against the log. He sweated profusely, and his neck was beginning to loll. Indians told stories about the strike of a snake like this breaking a man's neck, but really, the neurotoxic venom affected the neck muscles and made it impossible to hold the head erect.
Grendel's lips were going blue and his gaze blurred. The fangs had struck an artery, and the venom was speeding through his system and the snake that had been stalking the same mouse as Grendel had had injected almost a "feeding response" bite, pumping in the yellow fluid that it used to slay prey and to defend itself. Grendel could hardly breathe and he looked in agony at Zoth. "Do something!", he managed.
"Very well", said Zoth, who was furious that his plans were going awry. Two shots had just been fired. What matter would one more be?
Zoth took the .44 from Grendel's holster and put the muzzle to the dying demon's head. Una saw, and turned her head as the shot sounded.
Zoth took the gunbelt from the dead Grendel and salvaged his pack, then led Una toward the red sandstone rocks. She followed, silent, wondering for the first time if they might fail again in this world. The whole landscape here defied them, and the Plateau was full of dangers.
As they disappeared into the jungle, the body of Grendel flashed gold and an Indian sat up, startled, looking about him in terror. How had he come to be in this strange place, and where were his friends?!
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - February 13 2007 : 11:24:41 AM
She gave Salamine a dirty look and demanded, "How did you get untied, bitch? I thought I'd done a good job on you!"
"Sjok found me and freed me," Salamine admitted. "We found Zoth and were with him when he decided to linger privately with Una, and Sjok and I came to look for another of our group. I don't suppose that you've seen Rixel? With any luck, he is now back in our camp."
"Rixel is dead," Roxton told her. "He ran afoul of Finn here, and he had coming what she gave him. She offered him a chance to go back into this Void that you came from, but he tried to kill her. He wasn't the first to find that Finn is hard to kill."
Salamine glanced at Finn's Mannlicher. "I see. I recall that very rifle. I wanted to use it on you, Finn. Kill you with your own gun. I should never have let that fool Rixel take it."
"I think you'd better put your hands behind you, Sweetie, and we'll get you tied before you're tempted to do anything that might force us to shoot you," Marguerite told Salamine.
The redhaired demon turned and glared at Marguerite, but didn't resist as Xma'Klee directed a man to bind her.
"You left your cute little Indian maiden outfit back in the Treehouse, I hope," said Marguerite. "I want those clothes of mine back as soon as we can arrange for you to return them and put on enough to be decent. I don't suppose that you'd like to tell us where this Zoth fiend and his devoted demoness are?"
Salamine smiled sarcastically and said, "No. Zoth and Una have great powers, and they may yet triumph. And mighty Grendel is with them They are but three, but you are outnumbered, for they are demons and you are all petty humans."
Xma'Klee stepped up to her and said, "Demoness. I am Xma'Klee, Paramount Shaman of All the Zanga. I am a powerful medicine man, and I tell you truly, you underestimate me and my white friends from that Treehouse. Twice now, you have sought to harm Finn, who is my friend, and her companions. You bring harm this time for my people, also. Keep a civil tongue in your head. You are in peril. You will speak when told to, and you will say what is required of you, or you will wish that you had. You may find that we are not as weak as you think, and it is you who are our prisoner, not the opposite."
"That may change," Salamine smirked. "Savage, why don't you ask Finn how easily we took her earlier today? Have you seen the little blonde slut with her clothes off? She appeals to men, I notice. Finn, I still have plans for you. Start thinking how you can please Grendel. Maybe we will let you live, if this bearded man here does as we wish. You had better tremble, Savage, and you, Professor Challenger and you, John Roxton, and you too, woman. What is your mortal name? You are the female of this man Roxton, are you not?"
Marguerite regarded Salamine through narrowed eyes. "I am Lord Roxton's 'female', if that is how you choose to describe me. I prefer to think of myself as the future Lady Roxton, but why quibble over trivial matters? The point is, that little mortal me caught the evil demoness, meaning you, witch. And Finn is like my sister, or maybe my first cousin. I'm quite fond of her. She's told us about you, and I suggest that you consider your situation with care. I came within a fraction of an inch of putting a bullet in you instead of taking you captive. What Xma'Klee will have done to you if you don't answer our questions isn't best thought of in civilized company."
Salamine opened her mouth to protest, but Challenger cut her off with a premptory gesture. "We will find your kind, whether you speak or not, Salamine, for I know your name. I may not rely on Xma'Klee to make you speak. I have a powerful formula in my lab that will do this. What happens to you after will depend on your conduct and whether you will give your word to return to your own world or not. We are civilized and may grant you safe passage, but you must never come here again."
"Genius, you're being naive," said Finn. "Did I or did I not explain just what kind of creep this woman and her friends are? Usually, I yield to you when there's a question of whether to kill someone. This time, she has to go. You couldn't trust her to keep her word, if you got a promise from her in the first place."
"We're wasting time," observed Roxton. "Let's see if we can find their trail. If we can't, and darkness is coming, we will take Salamine here back to the Treehouse and let George use his truth serum on her. I believe in that stuff; I saw how it worked on that Indian who was with the Golden Rattlesnake's band." (See, "The Golden Rattlesnake/O Cascavel de Ouro" in Fiction at: www.margeuritekrux2.proboards61.com )
All agreed that Roxton's proposal was sound, and they gagged Salamine with cloth cut from a towel carried by an Indian and leashed her by the waist and set out after her fellow demons.
Challenger struggled with his conscience, for he was loath to kill Salamine, yet he knew with the keen scientific mind that was his ultimate weapon that Finn was right. These demons must not escape.
After a time, Veronica and Finn walked with him and told him that either the Zanga could kill Salamine, or the Treehouse women would.
"That will take the heat off of you guys," noted Finn. "I know that neither you or Johnny, let alone Ned, wants to kill a woman. So, let us women do it."
"Is that what you want to do?", he responded. "Can you do that, in cold blood, Finn? You, Veronica?"
Veronica's face was pale and she was clearly struggling with her decision. "We'll get it done, George. We have no choice. But it won't leave me very happy."
Finn reached over and squeezed his hand. "Maybe something will turn up to let us off the hook," she offered, knowing that this was unlikely.
Marguerite walked over and reminded them that they had better first slay the remaining demons. "Then, " she said, "if that smartmouthed vixen keeps running her mouth, I'll kill her myself. I'll teach her to steal my clothes and threaten my life!"
The thought of an irate Marguerite trading barbs with Salamine amused them and they smiled briefly before trudging on their way, troubled by what was to come.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - February 13 2007 : 10:16:05 AM
"Johnny"!" she shouted in return, surprised that he had been so close. "Then, get over here and shoot the SOB before he
gets up. I don't think he's dead!"
Roxton walked over and drew one of the nickle-plated Webley MK VI .455 revolvers from his shoulder rig. He hated what he was about to do, but Finn was right: this demon had to die, and it was actually an act of mercy, for Roxton has seen the damage to his nerves as he struggled until Sa'eera's sling had found its mark. Probably, his neck had been damaged to the point that irrepairable harm was done, unless a skilled surgeon might save Sjok from what the rope had done to him. And no one wanted to summon a surgeon, even had that been possible. This demon must die, or they all and their entire world might perish!
As Roxton cocked the hammer of his .455, Xma'Klee stepped out of the jungle and bade him wait. "We do not need the sound of a shot, Lord Roxton. The other foe must be near." He motioned to a man alongside him, and this warrior drew a deep breath, lifted his blowgun, and puffed a poisoned dart into Sjok's heart.
At first, the stunned, half-dead Sjok barely jerked as the dart struck. Then, a few seconds later, he began to shake as the poison caused bubbles to form in his blood, and it was soon over. One less demon...
All were somewhat shocked by what had happened, and Challenger had just connected the dots and realized what Finn had done. He passed her the belt with the Colt .45 automatic and Bowie knife, but pulled her to him and hugged her before she donned the weapons.
"My, God, Darling, what a risk you took! Whatever possessed you to do a thing like that?!" He was white and quivering a little, for he was reacting to having almost lost his woman.
Finn explained her limited options, and he concurred that she had had little choice, but told her again how grateful he was that she had survived and suffered no injuries.
"The baby?" he asked. "Did jumping off that limb shock your system much?"
"I'm fine, Genius," she told him and kissed him. "I'm barely pregnant, if I am at all, and I don't think the baby would be at much risk. But I forgot about that, and I shouldn't have. I won't again. From now on, I have to remember that I'm acting for two people, not just myself." She brushed his hair out of his face and kissed his forehead. "George, I was just scared to death. I should have worn the gunbelt, after all. I can't wait to kill Una and get my own .38 back."
Finn rubbed noses with her man, and he couldn't resist a smile. That was something she sometimes did to make him laugh as well as to express her affection. "Eskimos haven't got anything on us, Lover," she told him. The two embraced again before the curious scientist walked over and looked down on the dead demon.
Finn reached out and pulled him and Xma'Klee back. "Watch it, guys! This body is about to convert itself into an Indian, I bet. There will be a ..."
That was as far as she got before the dead Sjok sparkled briefly before vanishing in a golden glow that lasted several seconds. They smelled charred flesh and burned grass as they recognized the form of an Indian rising from where Sjok had lain.
"Someone bring that other chap up here, now!" called Roxton. "His friend will need to see him and hear what he has to say about what just happened."
The stunned Indian stared at them, then leapt to his feet and tried to run. Two Zanga warriors stopped him and Xma'Klee began to calm him, telling him what had transpired, and that the Zanga meant him no harm.
The frightened Indian drew his knife and slashed at them, and they backed away, motioning for him to be calm and to hear them speak. He looked increduously at Finn and Challenger, then at Roxton, taking in that they were pale and wore strange dress and had strange weapons, if that was what he saw in their hands.
The first strange Indian came forward now, speaking quietly to his companion and assuring him that these people meant no harm, telling him how they had been enchanted and that all would be well.
As the group tried to help the new Indian adjust to what had happened and offered him water, there was a minor commotion in the ranks of the Zanga at the rear of their band. Then, Roxton saw Marguerite emerge from the jungle, her revolver drawn and pointed at a woman dressed in her clothes, giving her a push forward.
Finn stared as Salamine was brought forward, her hands raised, clearly Marguerite's prisoner!
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - February 13 2007 : 09:14:49 AM
As the explorers moved forward, they spread out,in hopes of finding sign of the demons' passage.
Finn, Challenger, and Sa'eera were together when Finn saw a tree that would support her weight and afford a good view of the land below. She handed her rifle and Roxton's .45 to George and tossed the rope that she had taken from Rixel over a branch to support her. She scrambled up the trunk, then carefully, she climbed higher.
Soon, she had as good a view of the jungle below as she could hope for, for the land was heavily forested, save for the trails made by animals in their passage to feed and to watering places.
Finn took out her binocular, also salvaged from Rixel's body, and swept the horizon, then began scanning the clearing within her vision. She had just put the 8x30B Zeiss instrument back into its leather case and was about to climb down when she saw foliage moving not far away. She decided to wait a bit longer and see what this was. Probably just a deer or a hunting raptor. In that latter case, she was glad to be up a tree! If it turned toward her friends, she would call to Challenger to be ready to shoot. Otherwise, she wished to make no noise, as she had no idea how close an enemy might be.
The ferns that obscured her view were thrust aside and Sjok strode into view. He favored his right heel and removed his moccasin briefly to shake out a thorn or small, sharp pebble.
Finn drew a sharp breath. She was astounded to realize that in a moment, Sjok would pass directly beneath her. And she had left Roxton's pistol below, lest the gunbelt, worn as it was, might catch in the tree and snag enough to make her fall.
The only weapon she had on her was her trusty Swiss Army knife, the model that Victorinox called the Camper model. Normally used as a tool, it was hardly ideal to take on a strong man, let alone a demon! If she called out to George to come with his guns, Sjok would hear and surprise would be lost. Moreover, the demon was armed with the weapons that he had acquired from the Indian who had replaced him in the Void, and these included a bow and a quiver of arrows. If he took cover, Sjok might kill her and her man instead of falling victim to them! He might harm Sa'eera, and this would enrage Jacoba, always a somewhat volatile chief. No, if she could, Finn must deal with Sjok on her own. But how?
Then, she realized the value of the rope! She pulled it carefully up after her and made a modified, hasty, hangman's noose. If she could drop this over Sjok's neck as he passed, then jump off the limb she was on, with the rope passing over that branch, her weight should hoist Sjok off his feet slightly and the impact might even break his neck. Worth a try...
Finn readied herself, setting the noose to be wide enough to drop over the large demon's head and a portion of his shoulders. She needed to at least jerk him off his feet. Then, she could scream for George to come and kill him. Maybe she could somehow get on top of him and stab him in the carotid artery with the main blade of her knife.
Sjok felt the noose drop over him and reached to brush it off, thinking that it was some jungle vine that he had stepped into. But it jerked tight as Finn pulled hard and then, she stepped off the branch and Sjok's head was jolted violently as her 117 pounds took full effect as she hung suspended for a moment before dropping to the ground. She called to Challenger and rushed to Sjok as the demon dropped, the rope no longer having any means of suspending him for more than those few seconds that her wieght was on it.
Sa'eera saw what was happening and called to Finn to stand clear. She cast a stone at the demon as he fumbled with the rope. He was clearly impeded, some nerve damage being obvious, although his neck was not quite broken.
Finn saw Sa'eera use the sling and saw the stone collide with Sjkok's temple, and the big creature stumbled and collapsed. Finn took out the Victorinox knife and opened the larger blade and ran to Sjok.
She was about to cut his throat when she heard John Roxton call out, "Don't do it, Finn. You won't like what it will do to you, inside. Killing a man with a knife in battle is one thing. Slitting throats is another. I've had to do it, and you can ask Marguerite if I don't still have nightmares about it."
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - February 10 2007 : 5:33:35 PM
Sjok shuffled in frustration and from inaction. He pulled up a small tree and broke it over his knee, looking from the corner of his eye to see if Salamine was impressed.
She saw and decided to cater to his vanity. She might need his strength later...
"That was very impressive, Sjok. Were the roots the hardest thing to break?"
"Yes," he beamed. "But by this time tomorrow, I shall be able to uproot larger trees. My powers grow slightly by the hour. What is keeping Zoth and Una? We need to get underway before too long."
"Sjok, think," she responded. "What would be keeping YOU if Una fawned over you the way she does over our leader? If you are restless, go and see what has become of that idiot Rixel. In fact, I will join you. Grendel, watch here and await us. Tell Zoth we won't be long." She rose and picked up a spare rifle of Challenger's.
"Well, yes, MA'AM!" said Grendel sarcastically. "What makes you think that I am yours to command?"
She strolled over and kissed his cheek. "Please, mighty Grendel? We need to know about Rixel, and you are less restless than Sjok. We will soon return. I will make you a meal tonight if you wait for Zoth. Would that not be nice? Besides, Zoth and Una like you better than they do Sjok and me. They will be less angry if they find you waiting here, if Zoth thinks we should not have gone."
Grendel conceded that this was so, and agreed to wait.
As soon as they were out of sight of the rudimentary camp, Salamine shook with fury. "That Grendel! I can be temperamental, too! Observe!"
She faced a tree and extended her right hand toward it. "Tree, tremble, for I am angry! Shed your leaves and quake before me!" A violet beam shot from her fingertips toward the tree, which did quake slightly, and a few leaves fell.
She turned scarlet with rage. "By tomorrow, this tree will face my full powers and will do as I say."
She calmed herself, Sjok watching, saying nothing that might upset Salamine further. He knew her moods...
"How far do you think Rixel will have gone?" she demanded when her anger had subsided.
Sjok shrugged. "Perhaps a mile or two. We can cover the distance easily, but we should meet him returning. Still, it is something to do, and I was bored. Una may take an hour to satisfy Zoth. Why wait in camp?"
"If she is wise, she will take as long as she dares," observed Salamine. "Zoth is male, and she knows how to use your sex's vanity and sense of romance to keep his favor. She will entertain him well, and she revels in that. She actually is besotted with him. Let us depart." And she led the way down the jungle trail.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - February 08 2007 : 09:07:54 AM
Less than a mile ahead, Zoth and his unholy companions sat, waiting for Rixel's return.
"I hope that he makes haste," complained Sjok. "Rixel is careless, and unless he is more cautious than usual, the humans will see him first, and that girl has a gun now, as do her friends. Someone should have gone with Rixel, or instead of him."
"Do you question my judgement?!" demanded Zoth. "I chose that fool Rixel for this because he is the one whom we can most afford to lose, and he failed me on our last excursion. I think he will manage, but if he is intercepted, we will hear shooting, and know where the humans are."
"Unless", Salamine commented, "those Zanga Indians just kill him with an arrow or a dart from a blowgun."
Zoth glared. "Most probably, the whites will shoot him. Some of the Indians have rifles, too, it seems. But let us hope that he is careful and returns soon wih news of the enemy. We will then know which course is best to take."
"The best course to take for me now is to eat another of those sandwiches. They will spoil in this heat before long, anyway." This from Sjok.
"I will join you in that," said Salamine. "I have another sandwich left." She produced it and opened her canteen.
Una lifted a critical eyebrow. "Don't ruin your figure, Salamine. Overeating will do that."
Salamine snorted. "Una, I have the metabolism to eat what I wish, even as a human. Ask the men here." She smirked, aware that both Grendel and Sjok were eying her appreciatively.
Una knelt by Zoth and fed him grapes from her pack. He chewed reflectively, thinking. He must soon have a plan to get them through at least until darkness. That would slow or stop the pursuit, and he knew that Sjok, at least, could see in darkness as well as in daylight, that being a talent the other demon possessed.
If only he could again seize Finn, that would open many doors. Or that blonde Indian girl...
Una rested her chin on his knee. "Zoth, what think you? What shall we do next?"
"I am deciding," he replied. "in the meantime, peel an orange and feed it to me. Then, you and I will go a short distance from these others, where you will undress and pleasure me physically. That should prove an interesting diversion." He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "And gratification of my lust is not all that I seek. We can speak privately there. There are things that I do not wish to say before Salamine and Sjok."
Una glowed at the knowledge that Zoth would soon entrust her with his innermost thoughts, and she was glad that he realized the risks in confiding too much in the dangerous Salamine and the strongest of the male demons. She also welcomed the news that he would soon fill her within, and felt her loins writhe under Marguerite's stolen skirt. She felt moist already and licked her lips.
"Yes, Great Zoth. I will please you however you say. It honors me to be the vessel of your pleasure."
"Look at those two," muttered Grendel as the leader and his female left. "They are as weak as humans in their zeal to be alone."
"Fool!," snapped Salamine. "Do you not grasp that they may also seek privacy to conspire between themselves and perhaps abandon us?"
"I think not," decided Sjok. "They need us to achieve his goals. Bide your time, Salamine, and when victory is at hand, I may wish to join you and rule this world ourselves. You DO think of replacing Zoth if opportunity comes, I believe?" He looked smugly at her.
"Perhaps. Let us see what happens," she conceded. "We two would be the best rulers of this planet, Sjok. It will require our ruthlessness, and you are a suitable match for my needs. I will welcome you if circumstance provides us the opportunity to reign supreme. If Zoth falls, Grendel may have Una, if I rule. Would you like that, Grendel? You seem to look at her when Zoth isn't noticing."
"With Zoth gone, Una will need a strong demon," he allowed. "And it may as well be me. She serves well the male who wins her affection and povides her with what she desires. Yes, I would keep Una, if she could manage not to be too jealous of the human females whom I will acquire."
And so, the demons revealed that all was not tranquil in their union, and loyalty to Zoth not as strong as he wished. Still, for now, they would obey him, for he might just lead them to victory. Even though she aspired to depose him someday, Salamine knew she needed Zoth for now.
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Back along the trail, Roxton and two Zanga with rifles took the lead, and the pursurers moved along the path. They were determined to find and kill all of the demons.
Finn walked with Challenger and Sa'eera. She, most of all, knew how important their mission was. After a time, Challenger told her to shift her rifle to her offside hand, and took the hand next to his in his own. He squeezed her hand and the couple looked at one another and drew strength from the look that passed between them.
Xma'Klee saw, and turned to Marguerite Krux, walking on his right. She, too, had seen the Challengers hold hands and exchange that look.
She said to the Great Shaman, "I think we will triumph this day. I hope that our casualties may be small, but these demons are dangerous and I fear that we will not slay them without loss."
"Sorceress," he responded., "there is always risk in war. But there is sometimes greater risk in NOT seeking your enemies. Stay near me when Lord Roxton is up front. I will protect you. You are my friend, and I value your arcane counsel. In fact, my wives wish to visit you soon." And he told her how his women longed to see the Treehouse and view the way the whites made clothing and served food, etc.
Marguerite said that she was sure that all her friends would be honored by the visit, and they continued down the trail, talking softly to dispel tension, for all knew that soon, they would face the test of battle with supernatural beings, and none knew just which powers these demons might possess.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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