Synopsis of Episode 8...The Protectorates are stationed at IG1 for a short time until arrangements are made to fly them to an undisclosed location. We meet the group who are to be their permanent protectors. Taryn farewells the animals. It is also learned the United Kingdom is now under the control of a Fascist Dictatorship.
Episode 9.... Tears and Longing...Written by M. Murray
QANTAS FLIGHT: Four hours had elapsed since the Protectorates had taken off from Melbourne International and the plane was well out of Australian air-space. All were peacefully asleep except Trinkle who gazed forlornly out of the window from his first class seat, having had declined the milk-shake offered to him just before take off. The alien Lacey sat in Trinkle's lap as he absent-mindedly patted her head. Instead of being attended to by the usual flight attendants, the Protectorates were looked after by Heathrow and London. At the moment Heathrow came to kneel by Trinkle's side to offer the chocolate milkshake.
Heathrow: "Here you go, Trinkle. Have this now. You haven't had anything to drink since we've taken off and the cabin air tends to dehydrate you", the large glass was extended out to the cat who eyed it. Heathrow succeed at east and keeping his tone light but with the right inflection of concern. Heathrow sighed heavily realising Trinkle wasn't going to accept the drink.
Heathrow: "I realise you're missing your lady-friend, and that you're frightened. After all, you've never been on a plane let alone going over to another country. So come on, have this shake. I made it especially for you"
Trinkle: "Taryn...was...", the cat started crying. Heathrow saw this as an advantage. Leaning closer to Trinkle, Heathrow aimed the straw at the cat's mouth. Sobbing was cut off as Trinkle began sipping the drink, then sucking it down enthusiastically. Heathrow smiled. Soon the cat would join his friends in slumber and would not wake for quite a while.
Trinkle handed the empty glass to the man "Thanks, that was (burp) very nice!"
Heathrow: "A pleasure"
Heathrow left the white cat and made his way down the aisle and through to the area where London was seated. He joined London after depositing the empty glass in the galley's dish-washer. London sat with his seat belt securely fastened.
London: "He's taken care of?"
Heathrow: "It'll be lights out for him within a minute"
London nodded approvingly. As Heathrow sat down, his companion selected a video-tape from the movie selection, whilist Heathrow occupied himself with a magazine until it was time to feed their charges.
Heathrow's prediction proved to be correct. Within a minute of consuming the shake Trinkle felt drowsy. This sensation wasn't unpleasant to him at all; in fact he welcomed it. Little Lacey further aided matters by adjusting the seat's recline so Trinkle was fully horizontal. To cap it off, Lacey took the Qantas issue blanket out of it's satchel and drew it over one of her new friends. She was feelng tired herself. All the others had blankets drawn over them. Satisfied they were comfortable she curled up in the spacious seat beside Trinkle.
IGI: Taryn Carlton was just as distressed over Trinkle's departure as he was over leaving her. The men she and Neil kept company with didn't help matters either. It was like a Blackmoor reunion. Ernest Craven held an audience consisting of Neil, Taryn, Terry Walters and Ian Hardy. Taryn sat next to Neil, her face flushed and her eyes red from crying. The other men ignored her.
Craven: "The first item on the agenda is merchandise...." Taryn was barely listening to all this. Despite Neil's prescense, lonliness was crushing down on her. Unsteadily she rose, the other's distracted from their conference and none too pleased. Hardy glared at her hatefully.
Taryn's voice was strangely slurred "I won't bother you, gentlemen any longer. I'm going for some fresh air"
Taryn realised she didn't want to be in the company of Neil Luxmoore's companions. She hadn't felt this depressed since her first days in Wentworth Detention Centre. At that time, she was looking for inner peace; then came her one suicide attempt foiled by sheer luck by Lorelei. Things gradually got better for Taryn. There was her deepening friendship with Luxmoore, then a work release scheme in which she was employed as a Receptionist cum Vet Nurse in a local animal hospital. Now that was a cheerful period in Taryn Carlton's life. She, like most country born people had a love of animals and nature. This was the the most likely explanation for her deep emotional bond with Trinkle; and the cause of her severe depression over being separated from him. Other fears returned as well. The fear of men. This was acute just after those five men she had killed after violating her. But the men with Neil now, they appeared to her as though they would kill her as soon as look at her.. Taryn found herself at the entrance to IG1's gym. Gingerly she stepped through the doors and looked around her at the equipment. The bikes in the front row, the treadmills and the stepper in the third. Taryn headed to the second stepper from her left, this was the machine Trinkle had been on. With a sort of strange desperation, the girl clutched the black handle, as if hoping to sense Trinkle's spirit. Not succeeding in this action, Taryn pressed her entire body against it, hung her head and cried bitterly.
After an hour or so, Taryn retired to IG1's residential quarters. Sharon Cameron had left long ago after re-issuing Prison documents under Neil Luxmoore's name. The bedroom lights were dim and this was the way Taryn would prefer them to be. Climbing into the double-bed she would be sharing with her fiancee, two unbidden and alarming thoughts plagued her mind. The first one was about the former occupant of the bed: Lane Hunter; and immediately after that: I've fallen for the wrong man! These thoughts horrifed her! Perhaps, she reasoned, it may be guilt over going to bed with Heathrow. Yes, of course, that's it, her subconscious reassured her. You do love Neil Luxmoore, and you only slept with Heathrow to accompany Trinkle on the plane. A gal's gotta do, what a gal's gotta do! Taryn grinned in the semi darkness. A subconscious with a sense of humour. She lie awake trying to reassure herself that Neil need never know of her infedility; and that Heathrow didn't make the earth move for her, not like Neil did.
MAINLAND AUSTRALIA: Lane Hunter and his lover James Thornton drove on a Victorian Highway. Both were anticipating a lengthy vacationd travelling around Australia (which looked to go down the same disastrous path as the United Kingdom) at a leisurely pace. Lane was driving, his companion snoring loudly in the passenger seat. Though he loved James, Lane felt as though he could throttle him for that bloody annoying snoring! That, however was a minor problem compared to IG1, and Rita's safety. He was determined to liberate Rita before Craven had a chance to do any harm to her. Slowing the vehicle he pulled over to the side of the road. Glancing at Thornton, who was still fast asleep, Hunter reached into the glovebox and took a mobile phone, a Nokia 3810 and dialled.
"It's Hunter. I've got a job for you...." he relayed instructions to an unknown person. After terminating the call, Hunter climbed out of the car. The night was balmy, the kind of night's Hunter loved. He sat on the bonnet of contemplating things for a few moments. Among those things he contemplated was: How was James going to react to Rita's company?
FLIGHT: The Protectorates were gradually coming too. Hot chicken rissoles served with a side salad was being prepared for them with wide range of soft drinks and juices available to them. Heathrow relished his role of chef because cooking was the only happy link to his fractured past. Well, actually he prepared the salad, the rissoles were provided by Qantas catering. London assisted the special passengers by way of adjusting their food trays. Delicate yawns filled the cabin, sounding more like soft sighs as the animals found consciousness. Garfield slipped a pair of headphones around his neck. Sassy and Desiree sat together holding each other for comfort. London glimpsed Scooby's epiglottis as he adjusted the dinner tray.
Scooby: "Boy, that was a sleeep, dude!"
London smiled "There's gunna be plenty more in store for you lot too!"
Little Felix M stretched luxuriously "I'm all slept out!" Restrained laughter greeted this statement. Trinkle woke slowly to the noise, he also found London leaning over adjusting his food tray. Seconds later the preternaturals and their two girl companions, whom Freddy J referred to as 'girlfriends' were enjoying a light meal. Lacey couldn't eat her meal, due to raiding Numan's chocolate bars.
Trinkle: "You're a naughty girl, aren't ya!", the cat teased kindly.
"Why's that?", came Freddy M's voice.
"Lacey here polished off Numan's Violet Crumbles!", replied Trinkle. "Didn't ya?"
The alien nodded. Trinkle held out a lettuce leaf to Lacey "Go on, girl. Eat this for me. Pleeease? It's good for you"
To Trinkle's and the other's delight, Lacey took the offered leaf and ate it. Until this moment, Trinkle didn't realise just how hungry he was. He scarfed down the chicken rissole with gusto. So too did Callisto. Gobble!, gobble!, GULP!, snaarf!, gulp!, gobble!, snaaarf! Preceded immediately by an enormous BELCH! A cheer filled the cabin, full of good nature. Nermal got an attack of the giggles.
Reilly: "That was gnarly, Callisto!"
Freddy J: "That was real cool!"
The girl smiled to herself. She was glad to be among these animals now. It was as if they'd taken the edge off her grief. Little Trinkle felt bouyed a little too, but just a little. Heathrow came through the cabin taking everyone in.
"Are we becoming boisterous now?"
"Yeah!", one of the black cats piped up "Callisto was making some really neat sounds" The cat indicated a girl sitting on the port side of the cabin. The protectorates glimpsed the lighter side to Heathrow's personality, if only for a moment. Their initial impression of the dour faced Briton was one of apprehension.
IG1: Taryn's light slumber was interrupted by Neil Luxmoore sitting on the double-bed heavily. The meeting was finished and an agreement made that Walters would look after IG1 while Neil spirited Taryn off to wed her. He would not wait any longer. Taryn smiled wanly at her fiancee, Neil smiled back.
So, how'd you like to get married tomorrow?", the question was put in a cavalier manner. Taryn rose and leant on one arm for support.
"Tomorrow, can they really do it that fast?"
Neil: "Sure"
Taryn: "I'd love to marry you, Neil" They embraced, holding each other for a few moments until Neil disengaged himself. Walking outside to the living room in the massive quarters he picked up a medium sized cardboard box. Taryn was expectant as he returned with the box in his arms. There was a smile on his face as he set the box on the bed. Meowing came from inside the box. With great enthusiasm, Taryn opened the box to reveal two small kittens (of the natural kind), both male, but differing in colour, black. His little companion was grey with whte stries. Taryn cooed at them delighted, lifting them into her arms and cuddling them. Neil Luxmoore sat silently. He knew very well how much Taryn had been devastated by the preternaturals departure, and his gift of kittens to her was intended to alleviate her pain. She held the grey one who she named Trinkle after Trinkle the preternatural, while the black one studied Neil.
Neil: "That's my wedding present to you, love"
Taryn: "Oh, Neil!", a lump came to her throat and she began to cry. Releasing Trinkle II she threw her arms around Luxmoore, whilist the black kitten joined the newly named grey.
Neil: "Heeey, take it easy, babe. Have you thought of a name for the black one?"
Taryn sniffled, regaining her composure "I thought you might like to name him"
Neil regarded the black kitten for a moment "Well the only name that comes to mind is Felix, as in Felix The Cat"
Taryn: "Felix"
Neil: "So it shall be. Felix and Trinkle Luxmoore!"
The kittens looked on at these humans, who fell about laughing after the man spoke.
ATOMIC VILLAGE: March 16 dawned. Like other days, this one promised to be fairly warm, but not as severe as previous occasions. Serena Annatova woke. For a moment she felt panic in the strange bed, then realised where she was. She had spent the night in Linden Warhurst's apartment. Linden was still asleep she noticed as she rose out of the bed. Shame crept over Serena while she donned a kimono robe. Last night, she and Linden consumated their relationship and had enjoyed very much doing so. Serena still had not told him of her ordeal. Now, she gazed longingly at Linden as he slumbered peacefully. The sheet was drawn to his waist and something stirred within Serena as her eyes moved over his smooth chest. Approaching the bed, Serena knelt down o the floor at his side and tentatively put a hand on Linden's chest. The man still slept, his breathing maintaining a smooth rythym. His arms lay against the blanket. With her other hand, she tenderly raised one of his hands to her lips and kissed it softly, then a little harder. In her rapturous pre-occupation with Linden's hand she didn't notice his eyes slowly opening; did not even feel him changing position as he sat up and regarded her.
Linden: "Good morning"
Serena was startled "I thought you were asleep"
Linden: "I was", gingerly he withdrew from her. Rising to her feet, Serena allowed him to rise out of the bed and pass her. Going to the mahogany wardrobe, Linden selected a robe and threw it around himself.
Linden: "I'll have breakfast served, then I'll arrange for you to be driven home. You're starting the receptionist's postion are you not?"
Serena was bewildered and a little hurt at his tone. He acted as if she and he had conducted nothing more than a business transaction last night.
Serena: "I don't start until next week, but Tessa invited me for a full days orientation-"
Linden: "Then I suggest you take the orientation. Venolan has set very high standards and takes a very dim view of those who fail to meet them. A very dim view"
Serena detected the threat, though not in what Linden said, but how he said it.
Serena: "Can I at least breakfast with you?"
Linden: "Of course, sweetheart, of course!"
WENTWORTH DETENTION CENTRE SITE: The ruins of the former Wentworth Detention Centre stood skeletal and burnt out. No-one would guess what this huk of a building had been unless they actually investigated the ruins: they would find charred chunks of security gates and large pieces of shrapnelthat once were the cell doors. The place was full of bricks, charred pieces of paper that were prison files once, littered the area as well. At 8:00am on this sunny morning a gang of people plus four orphaned preternatural animals rested. Two cats and two dogs. The younger and smaller of the cats snuggled up in Liza Goddard's bomber jacket, while the other three scavenged the area searching for treasure. Some treasure was found, in small amounts. Five and 10 dollar bills and assorted bits of jewellery. From a high vantage point in the ruins, Morgan Hunter surveyed his motley crew. Initially, he planned to dispose of the animals, but re-considerd for two reasons. One: Liza would have carpetted him if any attempts to harm the animals were to be made; and two, he was becoming fond of the four, goddamned if he wasn't. He regularly beat Liza, though he was secretly ashamed of this; but Liza really gave as good as she got. Just last night she threw a heck of a right hook! IG3 must have toughned her up. The other cat, a grey was rummaging in the ruins. He was 7 years old, with a happy face and happy dispostion. One ear flopped down just over his eyes and he was constantly grinning. His name was Biff. The cat in Liza's jacket was called TC, he was 5 years and yellow. The dogs were Charlie and Odie. Odie was a long eared beagle who had half his tongue severed, while Charlie was a lovable brown rascal who was a motor-mouth. Little TC and his three friends were not as fortunate as their brothers and sisters who were on a plane bound for the United Kingdom. Bruises covered TC's body. He had been beaten by his tormentors, and poor Biff, happy soul he was, suffered a head injury, limiting him with a slow wit. TC was sore from his beating and he winced with every movement. Liza knew the cat was miserable, and didn't blame him in the least. Her mind went back to the time she minded another preternatural cat; that one had been happy.
FLIGHT: The journey was progressing smoothly but the luckier Preternatural'still had a very long way to go. At this moment, some of them viewed films on their individual video screens, while others slumbered. Young Felix M. sensed, or seemed to sense the Morgan's preternaturals misery. Tears formed in his green eyes as he gazed out the window. We should be coming back for them, he thought. Simultaneously little TC looked up at the sky intently, also close to tears. A telepathic link was established between Felix and TC; TC understood Felix and Felix understood TC. As with Trinkle, the telepathic phenomena occured again. The ears of the animals thickened; the others got out of their seats approaching Felix M. The black cat felt arms embrace him; they belonged to his brother Freddy.
"We should go back!" the distressed cat cried.
"Why?", asked Freddy M.
"We missed four preternaturals, you know, like us! The poor cat's so miserable, so sad! so sad....", Felix burst out crying, but these were bitter tears; that four could be forgotten. London and Heathrow approached the group, who were all huddled around Felix's seat.
Heathrow: "Why aren't you in your seats?"
Freddy M: "My brother's upset. He says we forgot four preternaturals like us!"
London: (sternly) "Heathrow and I will take this matter in hand now. Back to your seats immediately please!" His tone left no chance for argument. In ones, two's and threes the others left to return to their seats. Freddy M, returned to his seat across the aisle from his younger brother. Heathrow perched himself close to the cat, who was still crying.
Heathrow: "OK, Felix. Now tell me what this is about?"
Felix: "A cat....We forgot a cat and three others. They're still in Australia"
Heathrow: "How do you know it's another cat?"
Felix: "I...I sensed him, how sad he was", this struck Felix as being very important, but the details of the other cat was vague at the best. He did not know the other cat's name, but the other cat did contact him by telepathic means, neither did the other cat know Felix's identity. "I know he's only young and very sad!", the cat grasped Heathrow's arm gazing at him imploringly "Please find them and make them safe!?"
Heathrow looked at Felix sympathetically "I haven't got much to go on", seeing Felix's anxious face added "but I'll see what I can find out, OK"
This allayed Felix's anxiety considerably as the cat visibly relaxed. Lisa, seated next to Felix rummaged through her cabin baggage for school text books, intending to give Felix an impromptu tutorial on math and spelling, so as to ease his mind and keep him occupied. The plane approached Singapore Airport where they would stop over for half an hour or so.
REGISTRY OFFICE: Neither Neil Luxmoore nor Taryn Carlton wanted their wedding to be a lavish affair. Their wedding was small, very small. Only three people in total attended the ceremony. Neil, Taryn and the Registry Officer who married them were present. For her wedding, which was no less special, Taryn wore a shimmering white ankle-length dress, high-heeled white sandals. The dress was strapless and elegant with lace decorating the waist all around. For jewellery she wore a diamond tiara and matching necklace. Neil wore a black tuxedo. The marraige ceremony took five minutes. Within half an hour Neil and Taryn Luxmoore strolled arm-in-arm into the Melbourne sunshine. The perks that came with being a Prison Governor were many, among them a car and driver. It was the the car that Neil deposited the Registry documents, then walked with his new wife toward a park opposite. The driver dutifully waited for the newly-weds.
Taryn: "Neil, this is the happiest day of my life!", she pressed herself against her husband's body. In reply, he embraced her. His lips sought hers in a very passionate kiss. The kiss was long, demanding, and to Taryn it seemed it was a kiss devoid of any warmth, but she couldn't figure out why she felt this way. After a moment, Neil withdrew and studied her; their eyes locked.
Neil: "Is that a fact?"
Taryn: "You know it is!"
He burst out laughing "I'm teasing you, silly" Suddenly he lifted Taryn off her feet and swung her around. Bringing her close to him, they started walking back to the car. Neil had to return to IG1 soon. Terry Walters was minding the fort until Neil and Taryn returned.
Hours later they did return to IG1, and Neil Luxmoore took his new wife straight to bed as a further celebration. A bottle of champagne in an ice-bucket was beside the bed. As they lay holding each other, Neil regarded Taryn thoughtfully for a moment then spoke.
Neil: "There's going to be a lot of changes for you, Taryn"
Taryn: "Changes?"
Neil: "Hmmm. You're a Prison Governors wife now, and as such you won't be having any contact whatsoever with the inmates here"
Taryn Luxmoore was too stunned by the statement to even utter a protest, and gauging by Neil's stony expression there was no room for argument. Her lips brushed softly against his left shoulder.
Taryn: "Neil, please-"
"I'm quite serious. You will not consort with any prisoner here, regardless of whether they were your friends or they weren't! Do you understand??", he emphasised the point by pressing down on her cheeks with one of his hands. She was terrified of him for those few moments and she nodded frantically, praying that he'd release her. There had been rocky periods in their relationship of course, but nothing had ever come to this - to the point where he nearly turned on her. Just recalling Wanda McColm's condition after Neil had tortured her in Wentworth gave Taryn a very nasty feeling.
Taryn: "Let me go please, you're hurting me!"
He responded by shoving her to the other side of their bed. Pointing his index finger in warning he said "Just you remember your position, Carlton; otherwise I'll be quite happy to remind you!"
Taryn curled herself on her side of the bed, feeling hot tears welling in her eyes. Neil had reverted back to the time he was in wentworth and even then, he had shown nothing but kindness to her. Of course there were times when he treated her the same as the others, but that was simply for show.
Taryn: "Neil?", she whispered his name softly.
"What?", he demanded coldly in the semi-darkness of the bedroom.
"You're right, you're absolutely right...", her voice trailed off
Neil Luxmoore turned to face Taryn still angry. He regretted marrying her for a split second. He married her for two reasons: One; he was very much in love with her, and Two; so he could keep her away from the likes of Edwards and her ilk, and by God he was going to; even if he had to hurt her to achieve this. The saying "You have to be cruel to be kind", rang true. Luxmoore decided to play with her just a little longer to be assured of her complete loyalty.
Neil: "What am I right about, Taryn?", his eyes glittered like diamonds as he edged closer to her "tell me. What I am right about?"
Taryn: "That I'm not to talk to Sandy Edwards or any other prisoner - ever"
Neil propped himself on an elbow and leaned over her "Pleased to hear it", he raised himself to a sitting position. Reaching out to his side of the king-sized bed, Luxmoore lifted the champagne out of the ice-bucket and proceeded to pour a generous amount into two long stemmed glasses. He spoke again as he handed a glass to his wife "so we can forget the conversation we had ever took place, can't we sweetheart?"
Taryn: "Yeah", she sat up close to her husband and accepted the champagne. Neil extended an arm around her and pulled her against him. Taryn's hand caressed his chest tenderly. They looked into each other eyes. Neil smiled at his wife, but the smile on his lips did not reach his eyes.
FLIGHT: The plane would reach it's destination in seven hours. The Protectorates were becoming restless, almost to the point where several pleaded for sleeping pills. Reilly wanted to be off this plane more than anything, he wanted to be off. Several cats and dogs were queueing to receive mild sleeping pills from Heathrow and they returned to their seats and slept peacefully until they landed at Heathrow Airport. Jetlagged they stumbled off the aircraft walking in two's as London had instructed: The M brothers, the J brothers, Trinkle and Sylvester, Lisa and Callisto, Garfield and Nermal, Shadow and Reilly, Scooby with Delilah, Sassy with Desiree. All the pairs held hands, not forgetting Lacey who perched on Trinkle's shoulder.
MANSION: Preparations were in full swing for the new arrivals. The maids and house-servants Edgecliff employed busily prepared each individual room. All these rooms would be connected with each other. The two Preternatural felines that resided there, Shang and Xu watched the goings on with interest, until they were talked into lending a hand by Hurstville who supervised. Each room was bright, spacious and luxurious. It had a TV, VCR and stereo and a comfortable single bed. In addition there was also a telephone extension. The rooms had different colours; greens, blues, reds, yellows, oranges. A plaque with each Protectorates name was on each door. However, the Protectorates had to get there from the airport. At the airport, the scene was nowhere as pretty as the mansion; armed guards were everywhere and they were bashing up civilians un-abashedly. Startled cries came from the group London and Heathrow presided over. At the Immigration Checkpoint, Heathrow handed over various documents which were processed by a surly Passport Officer who looked as though he may have been a not-so-distant relation of Frankenstein. The preternaturals embraced each other. Within moments they were on the move again. They proceeded through the Customs area to the main hall of the airport to where a bus awaited them to take them to the mansion. The scene was utter chaos. Buildings near the airport lay in ruined, burnt out husks. The chill in the English air bit at The Gang causing goose-bumps to rise on their skin. Sydenham, who was driving the bus stood near the door and ushered them in quickly; the younger animals and girls first.
The bus's windows were tinted to a blackish colour. Those who were passengers in the vehicle could see out, but nobody could see from the outside in, which suited Sydenham and his friends fine. This particular vehicle was carrying very precious cargo, and Sydenham understood why when he first caught sight of them. He heard the click-clack, as each one attached his and her seatbelt. Felix J was comforting Trinkle, Freddy J was seated next to Callisto who was dopey from jet-lag. Dimly she registered either Heathrow or London placing the air-bulbs in the luggage compartment of the coach. Meanwhile the horror continued outside. People ran everywhere, gunfire pierced the air. The coach pulled away from the kerb, progressing slowly through the traffic, comprised mainly of military vehicles. On their journey, The Gang viewed the famed red double-decker buses and the black taxi-cabs. They came to a checkpoint at the beginning of London Bridge. Tension among them increased when an MP boarded the coach checking their ID. Felix M and Garfield linked hands with eyes widened in fear. Callisto sunk against the window. The soldier reminding her of the invaders that slaughtered her family along with the people in her village. After inspecting the bus thoroughly, a bit too thoroughly in the men's opinion, the soldier alighted and waved them on. The Gang gazed with horror-stricken awe at the scenery. The bus travelled through streets lined with debris and rubbish, the drains were little more than open sewers; even the city's famous landmarks were not spared. Big Ben was glimpsed, minus the clock face; in it's place was a burnt out slab of concrete. Gasps and cries of dismay were heard from The Gang. Heathrow became even more dour and London became agigitated. Sydenham didn't have time to become either of the former, it took all his concentration to steer the large vehicle. Across the famed London Bridge they went, everybody relaxing visibly when reaching the city's outskirts. The journey would take approximately two and a half hours to the mansion in the English countryside.
TO BE CONTINUED.....
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