Polly Pippin and The Tunnel of Death (9 page)

'But soft! What light through yonder window
breaks? It is the east, and Polly is the west.'

Piers, sitting behind Polly, leant forward
and put his hands on her shoulders. He was not impressed. He had
never been overly fond of Brad Capriole, and now he positively
hated him.

'Now you Alison, whom would you like to
grace your party? Or perhaps you would like to dance with us.' Each
waiter bowed to the girls and drew them up to dance. They turned in
slow circles, getting faster and faster, till the colourful skirts
enveloped them. Eventually Polly and Alison could not be seen,
which was what the dancers wanted. They finally had the girls in
their clutches and were just about to whisk them away, when a loud
knocking at the door broke the spell. Brad immediately jumped up
and stood behind Harry. The two dancers let go of the girls' hands
looked at each other and then at Zack and Knox. This interruption
was unexpected.

~

Polly pulled away and ran to open the door.
Standing there were Sreip, Selim, Pendragon and Kylin, dressed as
Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire cat, and the
White Rabbit, who was playing a flute.

'We are a party-gram. We come with gifts
from Wonderland.'

'A party-gram! How exciting! I bet Hamish
arranged this,' Polly said. 'He is the best brother anyone could
have. Come in, come in,' she said.

Sreip and Selim stepped in, looked round and
froze. They had walked into a dragon's den. The waiters immediately
knew who had come into the cottage. He who runs away lives to fight
another day Event whispered to Salute. Besides which, at this time,
they didn't want a fight, after all, who's side would they be on?
Within seconds, they disappeared up the chimney. Everyone in the
cottage thought it was part of the show and cheered.

Then Sreip, dressed up as Alice with the
worse make-up ever on, took center stage. He pranced around like a
pantomime dame, singing dreadfully out of tune. With a great deal
of difficulty, he ignored the fact that Zack and Knox were so close
he could have bitten them. Pendragon as the White Rabbit hopped
around everybody. She loved being a rabbit. Kylin as the Cheshire
cat bit Harry's thumb and swung him round and round in the air till
he felt quite sick. When she let go, Harry spun in the air and fell
flat on his back, sucking his thumb. Everyone, including the two
Rebels, who had no idea who was entertaining them, was laughing so
much tears were running down their cheeks.

'And that concludes the show,' Selim said.
He bowed, and Harry jumped up, also bowed and pulling Brad behind
him, shot up the chimney.

Everyone cheered and clapped. Sreip smiled
and clapped along, finally remembering the Rebels posing as the
twins would not have any powers in the magical cottage, knew
everyone would be safe. He threw his voluminous Alice in Wonderland
dress over them all, giving directions and said it was bedtime for
the party-gram.

After the performers had left, Polly and
Alison said it was time for everyone to go home. They walked their
guests to the gate, looked longingly at Piers and Miles, said
goodnight, and hope they would all meet soon.

~

Sitting on the cottage roof, Event and
Salute took off their masks and costumes.

'Well, your idea of providing the feast for
Polly's party to make sure all would go well was a success Event.
Thank goodness the cottage had a chimney so we could escape. Didn't
you know Zack and Knox would be there posing as the twins?'

'No. Didn't you? Sometimes I wonder whose
side you are on,' Event said. 'Maybe you really have changed
sides.'

'Oh, shut up,' Salute said. 'I must say,
wasn't the food fantastic?'

'Well, personally, I didn't have any time to
try it,' Event sniffed. 'While you were busy stuffing your face, I
was run off my feet serving the guests.'

'You're such a martyr Event.' And
miraculously, out of his pocket, Salute pulled a sample of each and
everything that had been served. He laid it on a table of tropical
leaves and flourishing two glasses of honey rose nectar and sang.
'Do you think I would leave you hungry when there's food in my
pocket for two?'

'I've heard that song before,' Event said,
and singing as they ate. 'Two little boys had two little toys,'
they got decidedly merry.

Famish

Sreip and Selim had been called to answer to
the High Council.

'What the bloody halcyon rings were you
doing in that cottage?' Commander Rhettnor exploded.

'It was a party, Papa-sire,' Sreip said.

'A party? A party with two of the most
dangerous Rebels from Egregious Zack and Knox firmly ensconced. No,
before you say another word, Harry the Hand was also there, and who
were the waiters? Did you find that out? No. And before you say
another word, the Liddles have found their way into the girls'
hearts and home. So what have you got to say?'

Commander Rhettnor stopped and paced up and
down the hall. He was so angry the Freeflyers were not game enough
to offer an explanation. In any case, they didn't have one, other
than they were trying to protect the girls. And they had got caught
up in the moment of the party-gram.

Suddenly, a Freeflyer flew in the emergency
window, He handed the message to Rhettnor and a wave of betrayal
swept round the hall. Sreip, seeing the pain in his father's eyes,
rushed to him, all anger forgotten.

'Papa-sire, what is it?'

'We have been betrayed.' He looked round,
tears in his eyes. Event and Salute were missing, and his fears
were confirmed. They were the waiters at Polly's party, it seems
they are Rogue Zens.

He yelled to his adjutant, 'Quick! A call to
arms! Get the Warrior Freeflyers together. We have to go to
Australia immediately. The Sacred Cave is in mortal danger.'

'You, Sreip, Selim, find and track Harry the
Hand, the lie detectors and Zack and Knox. See where they are and
what they are up to.'

'Yes, Sir, at once.'

'Xavier, you go to London incognito. And
protect those girls with your life.'

'Yes, Sir.'

'If you meet Event and Salute, do not let
them know we have found out they are betraying us. At this point in
time, we will also play the double game.'

'Yes Commander Rhettnor.' And Xavier strode
out of the hall.

Australia struggles

The intercommunication system between the
Freeflyers had broken down. As far as Zenithal knew, the Sacred
Cave had been captured. What they were not sure was how much of
Australia was in the hands of the Rebels. Direct-descent
Freeflyers, along with Aussie Diggers, had formed groups all over
Australia and had disappeared into the outback. They were fighting
the Rebels on their own ground, although most of the diggers did
not know what or whom they were fighting. Laughter, despite the
approaching danger, could be heard resounding through the vast
silence beyond the Black Stump. It was by no means an easy task
rounding up the Brumbies, but most of the indigenous diggers were
excellent riders and did it with a good heart. Bush Tucker was the
order of the day, although the odd bottle of whisky seemed to
appear when it was wanted. The Freeflyers were enjoying the company
of the Aussies, and it has to be said, the feeling was
returned.

Aussie Freeflyers mingled with Freeflyers
from Zenithal, sharing information and their love of the bush. Some
of the younger and more adventurous half Freeflyers were learning
how to fly in formation, and they often collided, much to the
amusement of the Elders.

'Gud-day, Bro,' a deep, gravelly voice
seemed to come from nowhere.

Event put out his hand and grabbed the hand
of Half Freeflyer Alkira from Wurdi Youang. As they clasped each
other, Alkira gave the ritual handshake.

'Any sign of the bad 'uns?' the black face
said.

'No, not a glimpse,' Event returned. 'I've
scanned the horizon for the past twenty-four hours and
nothing.'

Flying low, they followed Alkira to the
Freeflyers' camp, which was hidden deep in the Aussie bush. They
arrived to a volley of cheers. As they crowded round, Event counted
how many Freeflyers and Diggers were in the camp, approximately
fifty, he thought,

They shook hands with as many men as they
could and walked through the crowd with pats on the back, and 'good
man!' Alkira, Event and Salute eventually reached the Elders' hut.
They sat round with the Chief Elder telling him the most recent
news.

'Even though there is always an undercurrent
of non-acceptance between, and even within countries,' said Alkira,
'nothing as bad as this has happened before.'

'True, but only by the minority, most of
whom would be Rebels,' Event said. Before he could say another
word, a harsh voice was heard, a voice Event and Salute recognised.
They disappeared in a flash of lightning.

'Enough talk,' the Chief Elder said. 'It's
time for action.' There was a rustle in the scrub, and out emerged
Commander Rekrap followed by a dozen or so Rebel warriors. The
fight was on. And, even though, the Freeflyers were totally
outnumbered, they captured all but the Commander and his second in
charge. They ran away when the going got too rough.

Hamish the Pilot

Hamish worked for Air-Ice. It was his job to
ferry scientists and environmentalists round the North Pole. It was
dangerous work, and sometimes they came back one man less than went
out. They were always short-staffed, and rather than sit in the
comfort of a warm cabin, most times, even though he did not have
to, Hamish went out to help.

The flight over had no passengers - just
Hamish and the co-pilot. The plane was only carrying much-needed
new equipment. Hamish settled down for the long flight. The weather
forecast was good, so it was going to be an easy flight. He
switched on autopilot, left the co-pilot in charge and went to the
kitchen to get a bite to eat. He pottered round, made a tomato
sandwich and a cup of coffee, walked into the loading area to
relax, and nearly died of fright.

'Good afternoon Hamish. We finally
meet.'

Hamish stared at something that looked like
a warrior who had stepped out of a comic. A shiny silver helmet
covered his long, wavy hair, and two golden wings lay flat along
each side of his head. The man, if that is what it was, towered
over Hamish, his blood-red cloak falling to the floor.

'Who the bloody hell are you? And how did
you get on board?' Hamish commanded.

'I'm Commander Pope from the Dark Universe,
Hamish, and that's no way to speak to your passengers. Where are
your manners?'

'You're not a passenger! You're a stowaway,
and you are under arrest!' Hamish shouted for his co-pilot.

'I'm afraid he can't help you… probably
because he is on his way back to Earth. Fell out, silly man.'

Hamish started to make his way back to the
cockpit.

'I suggest you settle down, or you will join
your friend.' The Commander smiled, an icy smile, and although
Hamish was not impressed, he stopped and turned back.

'What have you done with my co-pilot, you
devil? And who are you?' he shouted.

'You're a Freeflyer, Hamish. You should
know.'

Hamish thought back to what Ape had told him
after the party: 'You are an Uninitiated Freeflying Omniscient,
Hamish, along with your sister and cousin.'

'My men have taken over this flight Hamish,'
the Rebel Warrior continued.

'Over my dead body,' Hamish retorted.

'Probably,' said the Warrior. He smiled
encouragingly. 'However, that's not what I want. You are much more
use to us alive.'

'I will do nothing to help you. You are
nothing but murderers.'

'My dear man, we don't need your help. We
can help ourselves. We have already changed the coordinates and are
heading for a cute little place we have made our own.'

Hamish made to lunge at Commander Pope, but
he took only one step before he felt like he had been poleaxed and
collapsed on the deck, pain running through his body.

'This is getting tiresome.' The Commander
turned his back on Hamish and looked at his troopers. 'Now, who
would like to take Hamish's place on Earth?'

Every Rebel stepped forward. This pleased
the Commander. 'You see how united we are?' he said. Captain Swan,
step forward.'

The man did as he was bid, throwing off his
cloak as he did. Hamish was shocked at what he saw. The warrior was
his exact double.

'Surprised? Perfect, isn't he? Even your
mother couldn't tell you apart.' The Supreme Commander beamed, and
laughed so much Hamish thought he would burst. 'Hamish come and
meet the new you.' Hamish didn't move an inch. 'I think we should
show Hamish just how great life is for Freeflyers who join us.'

And then for Hamish, everything went
black.

~

Hamish woke, and for a moment, he was
disorientated. He looked round and had no idea where he was. It
certainly wasn't the cockpit of the plane, nor the North Pole. He
tried to figure out what had transpired earlier but couldn't
remember a thing. He had absolutely no idea what had happened.
Gingerly he got off the bed and walked to the window. There was a
knock at the door, and in walked the most beautiful woman he had
ever seen. Following her was a pageboy, pushing a trolley loaded
with food and drink.

'Good afternoon, Hamish,' she said her voice
was warm and loving.

Hamish was immediately on his guard and did
not answer.

'Hamish talk to me. We're going to be
companions for quite some time. Come on Hamish, be nice.'

'Okay, that's enough. Back off. I'm not here
to be nice,' he growled. 'Where am I? And how did I get here?'

'I'm Athena,' the soft voice continued, 'and
I'm here to ensure you get everything you want or need.'