Synopsis of Episode 11.....Neil Luxmoore reminsices about his career and plans to take himself and his new bride on a honeymoon. Janina and Heathrow come to blows, but she befriends the cats, and Misti's former friend Sparrer makes himself known. A major earthquake hits Manila, the capital of the Philippines and a ruthless warlord is out for power. Neil Traeger learns a harsh lesson in humanity. Sarah West and Rita Connors are reunited, whilist Lane Hunter takes James Thornton to his family's home in Darwin
Episode 12......Disaster and Opression....written by Michelle Murray
PHILIPPINES: (19 March - 1 Day Before Earthquake) Shayla Quinn was heavily pregnant, and right now her work as a secretary for a multi-national telecommunications company, was the only thing standing between her and insanity. Rightfully, she should have been on maternity leave, but she objected strongly at her bosses suggestion. Nine months ago, Shayla had been captured by a sinister alien race. That's where her nightmare began. She and other humans, mainly Filipinas had been experimented on in the most vile and horrific way. Something more happened to Shayla, a pretty young woman in her twenties; she was impregnated by the sadistic deputy commander of the Kromags. The child, the result of the hateful union was half-Kromag, half-human. According to the doctors Shayla had consulted during her pregnancy, there was little chance of the child surviving. Shayla sat at her desk, on the evening before the earthquake contemplating the Manila skyline briefly before turning her attention to the computer in front of her. She was in the midst of a Powerpoint presentation which subsequently would not take long to complete for her boss Cathy, who was also a close friend. Shayla had no idea this was the last time she and Cathy would see each other, for Cathy would perish in the disaster; and Shayla would be alone, left to carry on; to find shelter for herself and her baby. Her purse contained a small photograph of a tall man with black hair and narrow features dressed in fatigues with a rifle slung over his shoulder. The mans eyes were dark and close-set. She hadn't seen him for a long time, but they were still an item and Shayla was very fond of him. Sighing sorrowfully, she wished the baby she was carrying was her lovers.
70 MILES FROM MANILA: Screams echoed through the catacombs of Ciaco's underground passageways as a slave was being tortured to death on Laine Sandor's orders. Three men, all armed with clubs surrounded the unfortunate slave, whose gender at this stage was indeterminable. The slave, who was now well and truly in the mortal shadow lie prone with blood steaming from mouth, nose and ears unable to scream any longer. One of Sandor's men drew a revolver and in the next second a shot reverberated through the area. Laine Sandor, tall, lean and handsome in a cold way, stood at his window staring, rather smugly at the early evening light. Crows flew in the sky, so many crows which made Laine Sandor wonder what the future would hold.
MANILA: 20 March 12:55PM The day had started as usual for the citizens of Manila. Shayla Quinn, Cathy Adamedes and Karen Chambers had returned to the office after an hours lunch in the city. Karen, an Australian was in Manila on a working holiday, and there to relieve another secretary who was currently on vacations. Just before Shayla reached her desk, terrible pains shot through her stomach; and she bent over screaming.
Cathy: "Shayla!" Every person in the office rushed to Shayla's aid and assisted her to her desk. Shayla was doubled over. Deep underneath them the faults began to move against one another. Two minutes later a small tremor shook the building and several women screamed. This small tremor was but a prelude to the major one which would follow. Down in Manila's main street, an elderly woman fell to her knees, refusing assistance from others around her. Her wizened face was skyward and she prayed to God for a merciful death. Five minutes passed...then chaos.
Cathy, Karen, Shayla and their colleagues were thrown violently from where they sat or stood. Cathy was in her office when she felt a sickening jolt from the primary wave, or P wave as it was referred to in the scientific community. Objects not fixed to tables became deadly projectiles, and it was one of these objects that ended Catherine Adamedes life. As the building jolted back and forth Cathy rose awkwardly from her swivel chair and made her way to the outer area. A stapler came at her at one-hundred miles an hour impacting with her forehead. The woman stopped suddenly and danced like a marionette while the stapler embedded itself in her brain. A table flew past, travelling through the now shattered windows to land on the street ten floors below. Outside the city resembled a nuclear test site. Several other buildings lay collapsed and lopsided whilst fires raged out of control; and gallons of water spewed forth from burst water mains. Debris littered the city, and these debris included bodies. In parts the roads were ruptured with vehicles tossed around like scattered toys.
MANILA MET/SEISMOLOGICAL BUREAU: Meteorologist Richard Whitaker had no time to warn the Philipino public of the impending earthquake before it struck. At approximately 1:04-58 Richard's seismograph emitted a high pitched squeal and the needle went haywire. In the next two seconds pandemonium reigned. The lights went out, and the office was in darkness momentarily before the Met's emergency generators kicked in. After the initial shock, Dick and his colleagues recovered enough to monitor the quake. A large plotting room was situated down the oppposite end of the floor. Dick moved toward it, and a glance out the window of their reinforced structure didn't need to tell him things were bad outside; and would worsen tenfold.
Dick: "OK, so what have we got, folks?"
Another seismologist, a short man with shoulder length hair and goatee beard, tore off a data sheet from one of many seismograph machines in that bulding. Another machine, just inside the room gave off portentious warnings too. On this particular machine, digits in LED red were climbing. This machine measured the magnitude of the tremor. A radar showed how many places were hit and how far.
L6: Lane Torrens was entering a second childhood, albeit very prematurely; then again he had never really grown up. He lay on Kerryn Walker's bed with two of her cat effigies; one of Sassy and one of FelixJ on his chest. He placed the cats faces together and make kissing noises, all the other effigies were surrounded him. The relationship between himself, Kerryn and Len Fyfe soon took on sinister overtones when it was discovered that Fyfe began beating Kerryn regularly. The beatings became more frequent and vicious as time passed; and Lane Torrens was the only person Kerryn could turn to for comfort. Ironically it was Torrens who was responsible for the removal of Kerryn's intestinator device despite Fyfe's empty promises to do so.
"What are you doing?", Kerryn couldn't help but be amused at Lane's antics.
Lane sat up on the bed, the cat effgies still entwined "Nothing in particular. How are you holding up?"
"Just barely", she dissolved into tears "I don't know how much more I can take!"
Torrens went to her and embraced her "We'll work something out, babe"
MANILA: (30 Mins After Quake) Shayla made her way through the debris of her buidling into the open air, well aware of the importance of leaving the building, lst she be electrocuted or immolated in a possible gas explosion. One-hundred yards down the block, Dick Whitaker and his team of meteorologists were aiding survivors as best they could, while simultaneously monitoring any seismic activity. The aftershock that came was heard then felt. Shayla Quinn screamed and fell among the debris. Dick and the others were shaken off their feet, but one of his colleagues Pat had the prescence (and chivalry) to hurry over to assist the heavily pregnant woman. The survivors surveyed the scene of destruction around them. For as far as they could see, Manila was non-existent. A giant crater was now where a free-way should have been; fires roared all around them, vehicles of every description were scattered.
CIACO: Laine Sandor was in the midst of vitriol in relation to the alien community ten miles or so from Ciaco. He detested the hybrids with a vengeance and vowed to destroy them. They had arrived a year ago. They claimed their space-ship had crashed and indeed a crater lay where the space-ship had landed. The alien race, The Kromags were openly hostile to the inhabitants of Earth. The hostility from the side of the earthlings, the first of which included Laine Sandor was mutual. The Kromag race resembled the human race in some respects; they were tall and appeared similar to humans; but their skin was a yellow-brown and their teeth terminated in sharp points; their eyes were a bright yellow tinged with red.
When the quake struck, Laine Sandor was thrown off his feet, but quickly regained his footing abruptly shaking off assistance from one of his soldiers. Another man burst in informing exactly what happened in Manila.
"There's been an earthquake in Manila over eight on the Richter"
Sandor's mind was fast at work "That means there'll be refugees heading here very soon. When they arrive sort out the strong from the weak. The strong can join the slave ranks" a pause, then "you know what to do with the weak"
"Yes, sir" Those refugees found to be weak, would be taken to a remote spot inside the township and killed. Afterwards their corpses would be robbed of any valuables and then cremated.
ATOMIC VILLAGE, VICTORIA AUSTRALIA: For every relationship that flourished between the genders; there were those that failed. A beautiful blonde, blue-eyed secretary was once known and loved by Venolan worked hard in the Atomic Village's Government Building. One fateful day, about two years ago, Aleena was severely injured in an accident. There was a backdraft in one of the tunnels and she had suffered third degree burns to forty percent of her body. She was close to death, but unbeknownst to a broken-hearted Venolan, survived: now she had the chance to reclaim him as her own.
Linden Warhurst's affair with Serena had cooled down too since she had met Venolan. The situation was still warm between them, but a unanimous decision was made to let things ride for a while.
PLANE EN-ROUTE TO UK: The preternatural cat TC lay curled up in Bankstown's arms sound asleep. Bankstown was a young Asian man in his early twenties. Despite being allocated in the Business Class Section of the British Airways flight, the young cat preferred the comfort of human contact to the spacious seat; at least for the moment. The Business Class section was empty, save Bankstown, TC and another man. The man and cat developed an instant rapport when he came to collect TC. After a few seconds of unease and crying, the sad little cat relaxed in Bankstown's arms. The truth was, Liza and Andrea were devastated at releasing TC; even Morgan was upset; giving TC a brief kiss and cuddle he gruffly bid the small animal goodbye.
"You take good care of him, you hear?" this last comment was directed at Bankstown.
"You can bet on it, pal" replied the young Asian "C'mon, little dude, lets make tracks"
"Goodbye, TC!" cried the women in unison.
"Bye, Liza, bye Morgan, bye, Andrea, bye, Snake!" replied TC over Bankstown's shoulder.
In the UK Mansion, Felix M was overseeing preparations for TC's welcome. Trinkle, Nermal and Garfield were raising a welcome banner under the black cats scrutiny. Garfield wasn't too happy about being hauled away from the Internet. He and Trinkle exchanged exasperated glances. More help came from Sydenham, one of their human protectors. Nermal purred with glee.
On the balcony, Felix J and Sassy were deep in conversation. The two cats liked each other very much and often they were seen holding hands and smiling intently into each others eyes. A terrible sorrow came over Sassy and she started crying. Felix's smile faded abruptly and his tail and arms went around her.
Felix: "It's OK, Sass", his voice was gentle and soothing.
Sassy: "I'm just being silly. It's just that I miss the old places; the people and my parents"
Felix: "Freddy and I miss ours too"
Sassy turned a tearstained face to Felix "How can some humans be so cruel?"
Felix: "I don't know, Sass" The tall black cat stood up and extended his hand to aid her to her feet "C'mon let's see what the others are up to" Both of them smiled at the antics of Felix M who only served to irritate Trinkle and Garfield.
PHILIPPINES: Several trucks made a hazardous journey out of Manila. Riding on the backs of these vehicles were survivors, of which Shayla was one. The kind hearted meteorologist made certain Shayla was allocated the most comfortable position before they left. The journey became tolerable once they were outside the city limits; and they were headed in a northerly direction - toward Ciaco.
BA FLIGHT: TC still slumbered in Bankstown's arms. Bankstown was awake as he found it increasingly difficult to sleep on any aircraft. Events of the past twenty-four hours had exhausted the cat, and a good rest was what was needed. Bankstown gazed out of the window at the ground thirty-five thousand feet below. At that instant the aircraft took a sickening dive. TC awoke with a fright and clinged to his protector fiercely. The two instantly assumed the crash position, along with the other passengers in business class. Bankstown identifed TC being sick amongst the other noise and chaos. The plane was in Philipino skies.
On the ground the survivors in the Ciaco bound trucks observed the aircrafts struggles with critical interest. Shayla watched it absently; her first thoughts were of the baby she carried. In all honesty, she didn't consider the child a part of her. High above them, the BA aircraft continued it's steady descent. Shayla lay down and closed her eyes little realising she would be re-united with her lover in a matter of minutes.
Laine Sandor and a group of select warriors also watched the plane descend. To Sandor this meant more slaves; it also meant more lame ducks, but those could be taken care of with a bullet. However, Sandor's attention was focused on the approaching truck. At his signal, his warriors converged on the vehicle in a brief but murderous rampage. Several refugees were summarily shot indiscriminately. This woke Shayla; although heavily pregnant and almost exhausted she mananged to avoid being killed as well. The remainder of the people dragged roughly off the back of the truck.
"There's a pregnant woman with our party", someone cried. That was responded to with another gunshot. Laine Sandor approached the truck with a feeling of unease and something else he couldn't quite identify. Was it anticipation? If it was, what was it that he he anticipated? Shayla tried to stand and alight from the vehicle unnoticed. She maintained a tenounous balance on the trucks edge and almost lost it, if a pair of strong arms hadn't took her into their embrace. Those strong arms however threw her violently to the ground - directly at Laine Sandor's feet.
BA Flight: Pitch darkness broken only by the sporadic light of flames, smoke, unconcious bodies. TC the cat felt dizzy, but his eyesight adjusted better to the gloom than that of his human counterparts. He wiped the remnants of vomit from his mouth with the back of his hand and crawled closer to Bankstown.
"Bankstown?", he said attempting to rouse the man, then with fear rising "Bankstown??!. Wake up, wake up!"
Bankstown replied by murmuring and tried to rise; being forced down by a wave of nausea and giddiness.
"Uh, TC", he gazed at the small cat "You OK?"
"Yeah"
CIACO: Shayla was roughly jerked to her feet in spite of her delicate condition. She faced Laine Sandor, becoming frightened now. Sandor glanced at her.
Sandor: "Take the girl to my quarters; and I don't want her hurt!" The two warriors awkwardly lifted her and bade Sandor's orders.
Shayla woke up three hours later in a large king sized bed with Laine Sandor seated in a chair at the bedside. He wiped her forehead with a cold cloth from time to time. A moment later, Shayla's waters broke....
CIACO 6 Hours Later: Shayla Quinn had finally given birth to a full Kromagg child. As she and Laine Sandor gazed upon the baby's countenance, both held expressions of revulsion and disgust. The baby's skin, was a light brown, the eyes a dull yellow and in the mouth there were tiny fangs. The child, a male, bore the Kromagg trademark of a completely hairless body. The bald head was egg-shaped. When it was born, the baby did not cry, as most babies will; it did not reach for it's mother. It simply looked into Shayla's eyes - snarling at her after a moment.
Shayla: "Laine, the baby hates me"
Sitting on the bed, they both regarded the bassinette, hurriedly brought in.
Laine: "It is a Kromagg. It hates all humans"
Already a plan was forming in Laine Sandor's mind. With this baby he could hold those alien bastards to ransom. Shayla leant tiredly against Sandor's shoulder. Sandor gently took her in his embrace, kissed her passionately and eased her under the covers.
Laine: "You must rest. You've had a pretty hard labour. I'll take care of the Kromagg"
Shayla grabbed Laine's hand as he rose "Please, take it out! Take it out!"
"Of course", he replied.
SITE OF PLANE CRASH: TC and Bankstown had braced themselves for the impact of the aircraft slamming into the ground. Miraculously, they both escaped unscathed, except for a few minor cuts and bruises. Fate smiled on them. Within seconds of the BA aircraft leaving the sky, Hurstville, Heathrow and Felix M were aboard a Sky-Fighter on their way to rescue their stricken friends. The young black cat was brought as a comfort to TC; and of course Lacey invited herself along, simply by climbing on Felix's shoulder.
TC and Bankstown were still strapped securely in their seat belts. Slowly, when they felt it was appropriate to do so they un-fastened the belts and rose. Both could hear sounds from outside. Shouts and gunshots, gunshots Bankstown wasn't very comfortable with that at all. The man started to move quietly down the aircraft toward the economy seats looking for something that the little cat would be comfortable in; a robe for instance. He knew from being in an Asian nation that the humidity combined with the heat would make weather conditions fierce. In the economy section everything was a mess. Clothes, belongings, little bits of the plane and of course, the obligatory corpses were everywhere. Making his way through the debris with the cat in his arms Bankstown spotted a large robe; but seeing that no-one would be claiming it in the near future snatched it from beside the dead person in the window seat. TC began crying; a desolate lonely cry.
Bankstown: "Everything'll be OK, TC" he crooned caressing the back of TC's head "I promise....I promise"
AIRCRAFT ENROUTE TO PHILIPPINES: Felix sensed the other cat's misery and sunk into the depths of an extremely deep depression. Lacey made cooing sounds jumping from Felix's left knee to right and back again. Felix rose, with tears streaming down his face and approached the cockpit. Opening the door he put his arms around Hurstville's seat (Hurstville was piloting) Normally Felix would be full of questions about the numerous instruments and gadgets in the cockpit. Heathrow turned to face the small animal and was alarmed at Felix's state.
Heathrow outstretched his arms taking pulling Felix into his embrace, "What's the problem, Felix?"
Felix: "How long before we get to the other cat? He's real upset!"
Heathrow: "It won't be long judging by the way Hurstville's flying. We're already flying super-sonic speed",
Felix: "How long?"
Hurstville: "Five hours"
This appeared to calm Felix a little.
UK MANSION: Freddy M was just as upset at his younger brother being snatched away as Felix was about TC's psychological condition. He roamed the property restlessly, joining the other animals and two girls on the lawns. The air was hazy and smoke drifted across from burning buildings in the distance. The weather was unseasonably warm, even for March. Each animal walked very close to one another. Lisa Simpson sought Freddy out immediately. Lisa loved all the animals. Callisto, the other little girl didn't reveal her feelings, nevertheless she did share Lisa's feelings. A gentle breeze alleviated some of the unseasonable heat, but in the next moment the animals picked up a disturbing stench which wasn't unlike rotten vegetation.
Trinkle screwed his face in digusted "Ohh, what's that smell?"
Freddy M reacted by poking his tongue out "Yuuck!"
Scooby's eyes were watering. "C'mon, everyone, let's get inside!"
Trinkle the cat lead the charge to the mansion, "I'm sure for that, Scoob!"
The cause of the stench was located in a moor, two miles from the mansion. Toxic algae formed a red film upon the moor's already brackish water. This situation would steadily worsen, until England would be brought to the brink, not only by civil unrest, but an environmental catastrophe on an unprecedented scale. In the living room, Edgecliff's head rose out of the book he was reading at the sound of the incoming animals. A few of the smaller, younger cats lead the others into the living room. Edgecliff frowned in consternation at their expression.
Trinkle: "There's this horrible smell outside"
Shang: "Yes, yes! Dreadful"
Edgecliff rose and walked towards the window facing the southern most side of the mansion. "Whatever is the matter, my pets?"
Opening the window slighly, the man sniffed the breeze - and the stench.
"Oh, I see!", his face wrinkled in revulsion "That, my dears, is toxic algae. Very strong and a very bad sign!" Edgecliff shuddered as if he felt someone walk over his grave.
This terrible phenomenon wasn't only occurring in England, but all over the world. The countries, which had hotter climates, including Australia were faring much worse. Entire lakes started to deteriorate. People were falling sick everywhere, some even dying.
PHILIPINES: THe skyfighter conveying Felix and the men was now in Philipino airspace. Air traffic control was ominously silent and both Hurstville and Heathrow would have expected a challenge of some kind. They put it down to the current situation. Felix slept fitfully in the spare seat in the cockpit. The small transmitter in Felix's lap 'whoop-whooped' into life.
Felix: "Huh?", the young cat awoke with a start. At long last, some good news - the rescuers had successfully traced Bankstown and TC.
TC and Bankstown scrambled among the debris of the wrecked jetliner, among other survivors who appeared to have only minor injuries. The heat was oppressive and TC struggled to get out of the robe Bankstown put on him. Poor thing, thought Bankstown, perhaps I shouldn't have put in on him, but it's for his safety.
Bankstown: (giving short shrift on TC's attempt to disrobe) "Not yet, little dude"
TC: "But it's soo HOT! It's hot, it's hot, too hot!"
Bankstown: "I know, I know, but the skyfighter will be here soon", the Asian glanced skyward and started - a small aircraft floated 30,000 feet above. It had the appearance of a fat bird with wings jutting out and down. Bankstown pointed excitedly and that made TC look up too.
Bankstown: "Look, TC!, Here it comes, here comes Felix"
TC with eyes still rimmed with tears settled down and his eyes widened in wonder st the aircraft as it approached; of course under the impression that Felix was flying it single-handed.
TC: (smiling) "Yeah, I see it. Gee, Bankstown, that Felix is a smart brave cat!!!"
Bankstown laughed loudly "Felix is on board, he isn't actually flying the skyfighter. Two guys are"
TC: "Humans?"
Bankstown: "Yeah, humans"
Felix grew excited as the aircraft descended carefully. Finally they were going to rescue TC and his human buddy and go back home where the other animals were. He really missed Freddy. From the ground, TC waved excitedly.
"Felix! FELIX!"
It was the first time Bankstown saw TC smile or laugh and he kept yelling the other cat's name.
TC: "Bankstown?"
Bankstown: "Yeah?"
TC: "We will be going with Felix?"
Bankstown embraced the cat affectionately. From their position around the wrecked jetliner they were unseen by Laine Sandor's warriors - so far.
Bankstown: "Dude, you know we're leaving with Felix and you'll have plenty of time to get to know him"
ATOMIC VILLAGE: A chilly breeze permeated the air in Australia's first Atomic Village, one of the first signs of the New World Order. Several people stood shivering at the entrance while Venolan's soldiers checked their identification. Among the group were two women - Rachel, a kindly widow attired in a long black dress and a scarf, and Petra, a beautiful young woman in her mid twenties, luscious full brown hair flowing around her shoulders, olive complexion, with thick heart shaped lips and light brown eyes. Ellison, one of Venolan's men gazed at Petra for a moment longer than perhaps Petra herself would have felt comfortable. Petra huddled close to Rachel when she saw Ellison approaching in her peripheral vision. Her intuition told her that this man was dangerous - and she was correct.
"Identification?", his voice came from her left.
Hurriedly she found her documentation, which included a birth certificate and drivers licence, although she hadn't driven a vehicle for some time now, and handed it to Ellison. Ellison glanced sideways at her with a smirk on his sharp, cruel face. Ellison was around six feet tall with black hair and ice-blue eyes, small thin face and even thinner mouth.
"What work have you done?"
"Work??", Petra's reply came out as a bare whisper.
"Yes, work!", Ellison stepped menacingly toward her "You know - what one is employed for!", his voice dripped with venom and sarcasm.
"I...I'm sorry. I was a Tour Guide", she explained.
Ellison's lip curled into a sneer "A Tour Guide?? Well, your qualifications won't be of much use here. The employment prospects here are somewhat limited for tour guides." he walked slowly around Petra, as if he was inspecting her "You'll be coming with me after we process these other people"
Petra shrunk againist Rachel "Come with you??
Where??"
This was the wrong question to ask a man like Ellison. His reaction was swift and merciless. In one movement he reached out and grabbed the front of her dress and lifted her towards him that their faces were less than an inch apart. Ellison spoke slowly.
"So as you can understand me I will speak very carefully and I only say things once. You are coming with me to be interviewed for employment prospects in this Village. Venolan, our Leader, and your leader will be conducting the interview. The process will be painless if you co-operate"
Petra nodded vigourously with tears streaming down her face.
Petra: I'll do as you say! Please don't...don't hurt me!"
Ellison responded by shoving her roughly so as she walked in front of him. The onslaught of shoving, poking and pushing was kept up until they reached Venolan's quarters.
The area that Petra was left in was dimly lit and the walls were almost black. Nothing decorated it, save a table and small swivel chair just to the right of a door that served as one of many of Venolan's offices. Questions ran through Petra's mind. Why did Ellison take her alone and not the others? Did they mean to torture her, perhaps kill her. The girl turned slowly around gazing at her surroundings. Ellison opened the door and beckoned her inside.
A tall man sat behind a desk, larger than the one in the reception area; his feet raised on it as he regarded her dispassionately. She guessed him to be in his forties, his hair was short and his face sharp and thin. Remarkably he was in excellent shape, slim and slender. His eyes bored into hers, sudying every inch of her critically. Petra felt as though she was being hypnotised; drawn to Venolan's eyes as a moth to a flame. The girl felt a strange stirring she couldn't quite recognise; almost like a longing.
Venolan, for his part had never met such a beautiful woman in his life. Sure, he'd known a lot of beautiful women, but this one carried with her a sense of innocence, of naivety. This was one of the things that attracted him to her. There was of course an undeniable physical attraction. All the same, he had to know, really know, to be sure that she wasn't like all the other harlots.
"So?", he spoke, his voice deep and resonant - and abrupt, "you're looking for work?"
"Yes", replied Petra trembling with fear "I...I've just come into the Village...and I...I..I want to work. I'll do anything; washing, cooking, cleaning"
"You don't seem like the domestic type to me", Venolan kept his tone deliberately sarcastic. He rose from his chair and came around his desk to stand directly in front of her.
"Open your mouth!", he barked.
Slowly she opened her mouth. Coming even closer, he appraised the inside of her mouth past her heart-shaped lips. With the index and finger and thumb, Venolan gripped the girl's chin. Fresh tears flowed like a river from Petra's eyes, down her face. Clearly she was terrified. Venolan's stronghold eased - slightly; his eyes holding hers. He didn't want to release her, for he found himself under a spell, a wonderous spell, the spell of beauty. Alas he had to break the spell.
"Have you done nursing?", he queried.
Petra indicated her reply by means of a short shake of the head. Venolan, still very close to her, so close in fact, that he could easily sweep her into his arms, further relented his grip but his fingers still traced her chin.
"I think you'll make a very good nurse. I'll arrange for you to commence in our medical centre tomorrow morning. Wait outside"
Petra exited the room hurriedly leaving only Ellison and Venolan.
"Just one thing before you return to duties, Ellison?"
"Yes, sir?",
"The girl is not...I repeat not to be hurt"
To be continued...