Mana in the Modern World non illustrated version (16 page)

Over subs Anna explains that she and Jack
have been doing a lot of studying and practicing too. And that the
Marine foiling the robbery was her and Jack doing an illusion of
Anna’s uncle. “Ooh; I saw that video at a TV store, way cool. So
that was your uncle? Looked sharp,” states Carol. Anna nods and
quietly says, “Yes, he recently died in Iraq.”

“Anyway; the ‘ghosts’ are what something we
came up with to keep the place clean as we do not have a lot extra
time and cannot have servants snooping around. We haven’t come up
with a name for them yet but Jack thinks that unseen servants from
his Dungeon n Dragons days works. O I am so sorry I forgot to tell
you about them and we never think of them anymore. Oh, and for
laughing, but the look on your face! Forgive me?” Carol takes a sip
of RC, grins and says, “Hell yes Ranger Anna Stone, I forgive you!
I just hope this all is not a dream!”

Anna giggles a bit more and continues, “Doing
‘magic’, especially at first, is exhausting both physically and
mentally as you will find out. You must have noticed headaches when
you perform?” Mouth again full, Carol nods emphatically yes. “And
that they decrease with practice?” Another nod ‘Girl must be
starving,’ thinks Anna! “Once we finish eating we need to get some
sleep. We have plenty to arrange tomorrow for you to stay. Maybe
get you a few outfits too; and then to get you enrolled into the
local Muggle school in the next few days. Plus our Arcane school
which will be mostly Jack and myself at first.

One more very important thing Carol. For now
do not do ‘magic’ where, well I guess ‘Muggles’ really works for
now; may possibly see and recognize the magic. The vast majority of
people will not have the ability or even understand. Many will be
frightened and possibly even dangerous to those with the ability.
Have you seen some of the stories about that from overseas?”
Quietly Carol says, “Yes I have and certainly understand Anna. I
will refrain and be careful.”

Early next morning Jack calls to tell Anna he
will be back today about 6pm, so how about they wait till the next
morning to chat with Carol’s mama and also ‘speak’ with the
boyfriend. Meantime Anna and Carol can go to Jack’s lawyer in
Conroe and have him draw up an agreement, writ, or whatever they
call it, for the mother to sign giving custody to Anna and Jack.
Otherwise, as Carol will be 16 in under a month; she may be able to
use Chapter 31 of the Texas Family Code or something to emancipate
herself. Anna, chuckling, tells Jack about the ghost scare.

Jack pauses a bit and says, “Why don’t you
show Carol some of the illusions you love so much. Between the two
of you I think you can figure out how to scare the pants off the
boyfriend!” “Hold on for a sec Jack.” Turning to Carol she quickly
relays Jack’s suggestion and then covers herself with an illusion
of a zombie standing there talking on the phone which caused Carol
to squeal loudly. “YES, yes, yes, yes, O yes! That idiot is
terrified of spiders too! Can you do them too? Ooh, ooh, and show
me how!” “We may have just created a monster Jack. I think Carol’s
eyes are beginning to glow red. O my word, I think I can see fangs!
Jack, I believe we have a winner, see you this evening. Carol let’s
get started, lawyer, clothing and then to planning some eeevil
skullduggery!”

***

About 1030 the next day, with legal papers in
hand, all three head south to confront Carol’s mom and the would-be
rapist drug dealer. Anna made sure to wear her Ranger badge on her
shirt beneath her vest so it is seen as she moves and her automatic
plainly visible in its belt holster. Deciding on a quick lunch out
before the intervention they stopped at Jack’s favorite dinner. It
looks like the one from the Blast From the Past movie. He assured
them the burgers were great, especially the battered deep fried
onion rings.

Munching on the last of her onion rings Carol
suddenly tenses up, looking toward a man coming in the dinner’s
door. As Jack and Anna glance that way man the looks over and
starts toward them. Carol starts to shake, Anna places her hand on
Carols arm, leans over and whispers, “Calm Carol; show no fear. I
got this.” Strutting up to the table the dealer, Adam, says, “Where
you been girl and what are you doing in Conroe? Your mother is
worried sick.”

Carol replies in a strong voice, “Probably
just needs another fix Adam.” “Don’t you sass me girl!” says Adam.
Reaching to grab her arm he fails to notice Jack is reaching to
intercept his hand. Gripping Adam’s hand Jack gives a slight
pressure with his thumb and then a twist, which drops Adam to the
floor. Adam rolls over and pulls a small revolver.

“Got a permit for that Bub?” Anna says. Her
pistol is pointed at his head and she pulls her vest aside a bit to
show the Ranger badge. Several customers are on their feet, some
with hands inside clothing and had started toward them until Jack
looks over, holds up a hand saying, “Ranger Stone has things well
under control folks. Please return to your food.”

Looking back at Adam; Jack says, “Now
…..Adam, isn’t it? Ranger Stone politely asked you a question. So
you can either answer it or we can get straight to the bullets
flying part.” Adam had not noticed until Jack spoke that he also
had a 9mm pointed at Adam’s head. Adam quickly laid his revolver on
the floor; gets up slowly and raises his hands. “Well I’ve been
meaning to get the permit but keep forgetting.” “Yeah, I bet,” says
Anna, “Hands behind the back, I imagine you should know the drill
pretty well by now.” Jack quickly paid the bill to a relieved
cashier. The Sheriff station happened to be across the street so
they marched Adam over. “Charges are unlawful possession of a
firearm and here’s his weapon. That should be enough probable cause
to search his vehicle too and I suspect you will find drugs. I will
be in later to do the paperwork,” says Anna.

“Thanks Ranger, we been trying to catch him
but he is usually very careful when he comes to Conroe. Maybe
ballistics will tell us something too,” states the Sheriff as he
grins toward Adam.

“God, Anna, I would have paid hard money to
see that. Way cool!” said Carol as they head for the Jeep. “Now
let’s head on down and find your mother Carol.” Anna said.

IMS Agent Kerrie McCullough is a hire from
Trussville, Alabama. She graduated college at 19 and started on her
undergraduate work in languages. She was in her third year of her
Master’s studies at MIT when she was hit by a hit n run driver in a
stolen SUV. Her motor scooter was totaled, both her legs paralyzed
and was in a coma for 12 days.

When she woke and discovered her legs useless
she unsuccessfully attempted suicide several times. She had been on
suicide watch for four days when Hiy-u and the IMS recruiter
approached her with a translating job offer. After undergoing
another few days of intense therapy she was more than ready to work
on possibly translating the plates in Hiy-u’s possession. Hiy-u
offered a power wheelchair but Kerrie preferred a manual chair to
keep her arms and upper torso strong. She has been with IMS now for
over a year.

Her first successful translation attempt
seemed, to her, unsuccessful as it seemed to ‘speak’ of magical
crystals. After another meeting and some small demonstrations with
Hiy-u she bent to with renewed will to succeed. She also updates
the IMS computers with new data and sends out bulletins to IMS
agents worldwide on items of immediate interest in the Arcane and
mundane world.

NOTICE: this is an important but a small and
partial translation about crystals of Atlantis. These crystals were
apparently utilized by the Wizards; Yes I typed Wizards; of
Atlantis and some by ‘ordinary’ Atlantean’s. Please keep in mind I
am, so far, only able to get a piece here and a glimmer there.

To date I have found the following and very
limited information on three types of crystals. There appears to be
other types and I will send further bulletins as I find information
on them.

Please be advised that this data are
definitely incomplete and open to a quantity of interpretation; so
let CAUTION be your watch word should you encounter crystals that
show even weak energy.

Some of the quartz crystals found have the
ability to absorb Mana energy and then be utilized by someone of
sufficient and proper mental ability. Most of the crystals were
small, some even tiny. All these type quartz crystals were highly
prized by the wizards of Atlantis.

While almost as hard as diamonds; the quartz
crystals are very fragile. Most could not easily be cut and
polished as with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and other precious
gems. However those very few that survive the cutting and polishing
are much better at absorbing and then re-directing the energy on
command. As yet I have not located any data how they were able to
cut and polish any of the crystals.

There is a brief mention of an extremely rare
black crystal and animals but no data on details.

Green crystals were very rare and even more
prized for their ability to somehow to enhance spells effects.
Exactly what or how this was accomplished I have not; as yet, found
out.

Clear crystals are by far the most common and
in much demand. They acted as a way for recording information that
the Sorcerer; Wizard; Mage (you choose the name for them); or
anyone, mentally inserts into the crystal.

Both speech and images can be recorded. They
so readily absorb speech and energy radiated by thoughts,
especially heated or irate thoughts, it is possible to easily
overload a clear crystal; causing it to explode. Trained Mages
could detect when this overload is happening and drain off the
crystals charge. However, as yet I have not found references as to
how this draining was accomplished or what are the warning signs of
immanent explosion.

So caution is highly recommended!

For those that have asked - no; I have not
found anything I can use to work out even a general time line of
the Atlantean’s. But rest assured I certainly wish to know
also.

Carol was enjoying a delicious milkshake at
Braum’s in Conroe when someone suddenly sat down across from her.
No longer the scared homeless waif; she stares at him and says
“What do you want Adam? I thought you were still in jail.” “No, I
was paroled early for good behavior. You owe me a bunch of money
girl, for the money I lost while I was in jail plus extra for my
pain and n suffering,” snarls Adam. “I owe you spit Adam, go away
and quit bothering me.” replies Carol. Leaning toward her he says
“How much money you got in that there new bag?” as he reaches for
the bag. “O that’s not where I keep my money, its Bob’s carrying
case. Wanna meet him?”

“Bob?” queries Adam.

“Sure, he’s real friendly.... well to folks I
like anyway. But I really, really do not like you Adam.” Touching
the bag she says “Hey Bob, come on out and meet Adam.” Adam freezes
at her words. The bag opening lifts up slightly as an 8 plus inch
tan colored Tarantula starts to crawl out of the bag and turns
toward Adam.

***

Pic here of the large Tarantula coming out of
her bag

***

Adam tries to jump up; trips over his chair
and falls back onto the floor screaming, “Keep it away from me!” as
he attempts to crawl backwards. With a big grin, Carol says, “I
taught him to jump too; wanna see Adam?” “Nooooo!” screams Adam as
he scrambles to his feet to run. His crouch is clearly wet and more
liquid dribbling out his pants leg. He stops a short distance away
and shouts, “I’m gonna get you for that. You just wait n see!”

Carol looks to be petting Bob and she glances
up, sees two excited preteen customers and the manager; who is
actually holding a broom ready to swing! “OK Bob, you seem to be
scaring people so back in with you.” Some fairly loud sighs are
heard from further back in the store as Bob turns and goes back
into the bag.

The young manager timidly walks up and says,
“You are not allowed to bring pets in here, especially giant
spiders.” “Pet? What pet?” she replies as she opens the bag to
reveal no big spider inside, just ‘stuff’. “But I, we, saw…..” he
stammers. “Nope, just stuff…. uh… sir.” The manager says, “But I
swear I saw…..” “Magicians trade secret …uh…” pointy looking at his
nametag, “Bob,” she replies with a charming smile. The two boys
also come over to look in the bag saying, “Cool.”

Hiy-u has come to see Kerrie as the daughter
he never had. Unknown to Kerrie; he has been working on a new
version of his fly spell in hopes that he can place it on Kerrie
which will allow her to move about without her wheelchair. He also
decided to incorporate a bit of her blood in the device to further
‘tie’ the spell specifically and only to her. He built the necklace
depicting the Phoenix as, hopefully, befitting what it would do for
her. It should allow her to fly to a height of about 50 feet and it
also allow her to hover in place. He incorporated blood from a
Hummingbird, eagle, hawk and other birds to accomplish the spell.
He had also managed to get a bit of her blood to use so it now
would only work for her.

He gave it to her at her 23 third birthday
party. Carol gave her a ring with a permanent illusion spell of a
Supergirl costume (Jack and Anna together had made the spell
permanent in the ring). Kerrie also received many presents at the
party from IMS agents that could be there in person plus ones
mailed in from agents around the world. Kerrie is clearly
considered ‘our’ girl by all the IMS agents. She cried and sniffled
for almost a half hour and then, at Carols insistence, puts on the
Supergirl suit ring and the necklace to ‘give them a try’.