Team of Seven Heroes Shorts Tales 3; Chapter 2

2.

“In conclusion, astrology uses mathematics to calculate the aspects of the planets. It’s no mumble jumble of data but a detailed study of the data to work out figures which are meaningful.” Doctor Moriarty addressed his lecture of students.

“Doctor, so my relationship with my friend had nothing to do with the constellation and the alignment of the stars?” Doctor Moriarty looked to the student who have him the astounding equation to reply on.

“No, Phillips. It’s a mathematically possible to equate your relationship to the biological needs of both of you than the stars. You are a creation of the flesh and therefore will seek out the other states to co-exist. The stars alignment is too remote to your biological needs but the distance of the moon may cause you to peed more. And I won’t be quoted on that outside of this room. The medical faculty will have me on their wall as the next specimen.”

“One more question, Doctor.” The voice came from the side and he was one of the doctor’s better students. “Can we equate killing of one other to the equations of maths?”

“One is a paradox, and the other is a result of data. Killing does not hold any logical numbers to its result. You may kill one or two or many but there was no way of saying that will be the number you will kill. There are many unaccountable factors that cannot be contained in an equation.” Doctor Moriarty replied. “However, we can contain the killing factor by setting the limits to the killer. Or killers. For example, its mathematical probability that one who kills by gun will be do so with the gun, and if the gun is a single shooter then the killer will kill based on the timing and accessibility of the victims. It worked the same for a killer with a knife. The weapon is the limiting factor for the knife have a limited reach and takes a longer time to do the killing.”

The students cheered the Doctor then before he continued.

“As I can coached the class here to be killers but some of you may followed your own methods. And if I set a limit to your kill, some of you may exceed it. All that is unpredictable for I cannot read your mind although I may influence it. The equation to the final result held am emotional factor that cannot be interpreted by the mathematics data. If I could, I will be teaching your medical science with more precision.”

The Doctor then held up his arms to motion that he was to leave. He packed his books and then exited the lecture hall. He had no more classes but there were others waiting for him. He took the journey by carriage, and then he was at the doorstep of a house in the outside of London. It was the homes of the middle class and held no attachment to the huge estates a distance away. They called the homes there the Middle Town for it was the demarcation line for the affluent and the city ghettos.

“Come in, Doctor. You are the last to arrive.” Doctor Moriarty handed over his overcoat to the figure at the doorway. The figure was tall in height and held a huge frame fitted well in the dark suit. The figure took the overcoat to the cloak room. The Doctor took the wall along the corridor to the next chamber which was furnished with the round table and chairs for five persons. Other than that, the entire house was devoid of furniture.

“Moriarty, James Moriarty. I am ever surprised if you ever made it here.” The one who spoke wore a tweed suit of the lighter grey shade. He was an elderly man with a receding hairline and his spectacles perched on the nose bridge. He held the watch with the chain attached to his vest.

“And on time as usual.” The elderly man laughed. “You will make a good crime lord one day. Precise to the last count.” 

“The last kill, Lord Millard. I will correct you.” Another voiced out from the beside the elderly man.

“Yes, Lord Henry. He is a fine candidate.” The elderly man replied. He then turned to the other two seated there. “Gentlemen, this is our calculative mathematician, Doctor James Moriarty. Both Lord Henry and myself have deemed him suitable to fit the shoes of the deceased.”

“Doctor Moriarty, please be introduced to General Ian Smith, and Commander Tyrone Smith. Both shared the same family name but they are distance apart in the blood.” The other two gentlemen wore tweeds but they each have no resemblance to Lord Millard. They are also elderly but with their background, they sat upright and held a strong stare at the Doctor.

“He is not trained like the both of you but he held a unique set of skills of coordination and planning with uncanny precision that his actions are never linked back to him. He has perfected the art of killing by proxy.”

“Indeed, he had done it. The murderer of our esteemed ex-partner Major Dennison was avenged by Doctor Moriarty with the assistance of his henchmen. The murderer was not traced to us.” Major Patrick O’ Neil Dennison was killed when he tried to escape the authorities at Glasgow and Doctor Moriarty arranged their retaliation murder with the use of Irish thugs.

“Tonight, we are to discuss the unfortunate of revival of one by the name of Jack the Ripper.” Lord Millard sounded out the first order of the meeting. He was stopped when the walking cane of General Smith tapped on the table.

“Lord Millard, you seem to have skipped an important issue. The succession of Doctor Moriarty had not been put to a vote.” General Smith was fond of the Major and regretted his murder was done by authorities. He was hoping for the Major to support him in the votes but with the Major gone, he has to nurture another one. Doctor Moriarty looked promising but the General was careful on whom he befriended then.

“Regretfully, I am getting senile. Yes, we shall vote. So, its two from me. Lord Henry have given me his consent.” Lord Millard looked to Lord Thomas Henry. “Your votes please.”

Lord Millard voiced his call for votes. He was the Chairperson and held an extra vote for their unnamed leader. General Smith knew that he was outfoxed by the other and nodded. Commander Smith did the same and the decision was carried through.

“Good, we shall get on now. Our leader is upset that the Ripper tales have made it rounds. The last uneventful killings have dragged the reputable names in the streets and mob justice had almost started if not for the timely control of the papers publications. and the strong steering by the Royals and Lords on the news avoided many bad publicities.”

“Indeed, it had. We are now to repel these new murders. I heard the last one was of another lady disrepute…” General Smith trying to bring the discussion to something fruitful was cut off by the Doctor.

“I stand to correct you, General. The lady in question was a mother of five and for her survival, and the children she had endured as a lady of the amorous services. If she had a choice in her life works, she could be a nanny or at worse the waitress but the later does not pay well, and the former requires a letter of reference.”

“You are well versed with the …. Commoners.” Commander Smith cut in. “I am impressed. We have ….”

“Never questioned the ancestry of the members, nor do we discriminate against one.” Lord Millard snapped in. “I stand for Doctor Moriarty. His father was a Banker and his family hails a brother who is a Doctor of Science and himself trained from Oxford and Cambridge. Surely, his family ties are irreputable.”

Doctor Moriarty smiled at the grand defence put up by the Lord. If only the Lord have mentioned that his mother was an Irish maid in the household whom his father had fallen for. Due to the relationship, his father was banished to Ireland where he sat up his own profession to advise on financial matters. It was much later when the family had decided to forgive the black sheep of the family and then was the Moriarty of Ireland introduced to the others. As the surviving son of the family, Moriarty father inherited the family estate and business in name but not in influence. His father had to fight for his own with his own family and the immediate peers. His father died a broken man and followed on by his mother. By then both brothers have carved a name in their own world.

The Moriarty brothers vowed vengeance on their family members. The two minds of science and mathematics planned the demise of their cousins; death by unknown factors or attributable to known cause without a trace to them. It was then the brothers realized that to be better in crime was to been away from it. Frank Moriarty build his reputation as the recluse and those who knew him was either killed or left him alone. He built his own empire from behind the scenes of society with his network of spies and killers. James Moriarty took on the academic faculties to nurture new talents and converted them to his way. They became his organizer of the criminal lords. Soon his dark reputation called him to join this one named the Council. He had planned his ascension there with the planned murder of Major Dennison by the authorities.

“I am not questioning the family ties of the Doctor, but for a man of academic knowledge, you seem to be leaning towards them. Perhaps you have an experience with them.” Commander Smith queried on. “

I have dealt with many of these commoners. The Navy have a home for them.”

Doctor Moriarty frowned on the insulting meaning of the other. He had known many great men who have served in the Navy and they have never singled out the seamen by their social ranks.

“I was teaching the …. commoners as you placed it for some years in my service to community. They are just as good as we are. As a matter of facts, I found a number of recruits to join my cause.”

“Bravo. Tell me how did you remain incognito as a criminal?” General Smith took his turn then.

“By staying with the lot of you.” Moriarty then stood up and bowed to them. Lord Millard then took the discussion back to the Ripper. 

“I said we find the Ripper and ripped his heart out.” The meeting concluded with that message but James Moriarty left there with an enemy within the group.

Team of Seven Heroes Shorts Tales 3; Chapter 1

Jimmy Loong

17th July 2018

Nation in Distress

Information as reported.

Jack the Ripper was the unresolved case with many murder cases attributed to it but only five was linked directly to it. The five cases were named the canonical cases. The murderer was never convicted and for many years there were many copycats but none was more thrilling than the earlier ones.

The tale continues on.

It was the early days of the Holmes exploits.

And into the heydays of Victorian age, with the vile happenings then when the British Empire was at its peak.

This is a tale of Doctor James Moriarty. 

This is not a tale for the young. It contains explicit sexual antics.

1.

The uniformed officer swung his truncheon as if he was marching in the band. It was the hours between midnight and dawn. The hours when the dark demons will surface from the cavities of the earth to harass the living beings who are still not in bed. Or in more decent expression; asleep and not fretting on the acts of cohabitation. The officer saw the ladies of the night are either packing the last customers off, or retiring themselves to a slumber with whatever they could earned that night. He was amused for despite the previous incidences of murders, these hardworking ladies are still soliciting the streets into the late night. He was there when it happened. He was not the first to arrive but he did after clearing three blocks with his youthful legs that night. He had a hefty sandwich of meat with slabs of dressings. It did not stay in his body when he sighted the victim then. She was killed in the most heinous manner. He threw up at the start of the alley, and was reprimanded for contaminating the crime scene. The detectives were particular as they were told to collect evidence from the scene to trace the killer or killers. It was later named forensic but on that event of the night it was just police works. It was the start of a series of murders then attributed to Jack the Ripper. There were other murders and initially it was blamed on the Ripper but soon the rumours subsided.

“Hello, Maisie. You are early today.” The officer nodded to the approaching lady dressed in the simple tunic and the tight corset on the chest, and her hair do was a mess. She was wobbling not from the hammerings of the loins but the drinks she took to wash her mouth had been more than a few gulps.

“Aye, my dear Bobby. I had done my share and my pocket full. Can’t deny so is my womb and arse. The ships landed early and the sailors were randy.” Maisie steadied herself on the walk when she passed the officer. “Take a corner to warm up, officer. I would help you but I am all sloshed inside.”

With that gentle refusal, the lady named Maisie Duncan took her walk towards her lodging for the night. She will do that at the Richmond’s place; a tardy place but it held a warm bath which she felt needed then. She plodded on and nodded to a few others who were still looking for the elusive last customer. She passed the small park on her way and weighed her options. One was going around it and be jolly safe or take the park and be in the soothing warm water. That was one time she won’t mind splitting her legs wide.

Maisie made her decision and walked on. She will be safe tonight.

She thought it was then.

A tall gentleman cut her off on her journey. He was tall for he looked down at her from his higher height. He was dressed in a dark blue overcoat and held a walking stick. He offered her the usual fare.

“I don’t think I am keen, sir. I am pretty….” Maisie picked her words then. “Tired. I had a full day works at the match sticks factory.”

“I am in need. I will double the amount. We can do it hitched up the tree or the park bench.”

One thing Maisie was poor at was wealth. She nodded and dragged the gentleman into the park. After all, even at her line of works, she felt some decency was needed. She led him to the park bench and then leaned over the bench.

“I am ready for you.” It was an invite and there were still room for more inside. She pulled at her dress on the rear and heaved it over her back.

“Don’t mind the drawers. I have new ones tomorrow.” Maisie smiled. She felt the hands on her rump and then the rustling of the coat. She braced herself for the first onslaught and felt the hands had moved to her upper back. She knew that move was to knead her breasts. She had them done many times, and even flayed with the whip. Anything goes for her for long they pay her well. Her milk had seen dried from the overfeeding of the brats she had at home. They won’t go hungry that night. She loosened her corset and then held her balance on the park bench. The thrust came but it was not in her offerings. It was a sharp blade that sliced her throat from ear to ear. She would had screamed but the blade moved in for the cut on the veins there severing her vocal hail. She tried to escape but her body was trapped by the gentleman with her sandwiched to the bench. She tried to move and felt the blade moved from her neck to the cleavage and then it sliced downwards on the right side exposing her ribs. She then felt the blade moved across her navel and down to her groin. By then she was dying and soon death overcome her when the blade sliced down to her sweetest offering.

It took an hour before Maisie was discovered but by then she was dead with her body sliced open and the innards removed to be place next to her body as if she was examined forensically. There was a blade left on the forehead with a note.

“I am back ripping. Jack.”

The news of the murder soon spread but the authorities down played the papers by withholding the message and the killer’s blade. However, the chambers in Scotland Yard resonated with the thunderous ramblings of the Police Commissioners rippling to the Senior Inspectors and then the lowly Inspectors to the Section Sergeants gets truncheon tucked into their butts.

“I don’t care if the Queen says we are a bunch of listless souls but the papers shall not be blasted with my face. I have to read it daily to my ailing mum, and she could still make out my name in the prints.” The Commissioner had his expression that resembled the bull walrus; it does have the resemblance which was uncanny then.

“So, hear me out. We will get the bastard who is calling himself Jack or be damned I will rip those ranks off your shoulders.” The senior officers with an average of fifteen years dragged their feet out of the meeting chamber. Their desire then was to trample another junior officer or heaved the skirt off the barmaid or whichever was unfortunate to be there. All of them had the same desire except one officer who sneaked off at the back.

His name was Senior Inspector Sam Weston; his mother was from Ireland while his father was a Texas rancher but he was raised in Glasgow by his grandmother on the mother side. He learned that his name was the talk of the village from young to adulthood. He did spend his winter at Texas but other times he was in Glasgow. He was a hit with the ladies from Texas to Glasgow with his accent and surprising dashing wild look. He was also a rising star among the Inspectors with his astounding crime solving rate. Unknown to them all, he had help from outside.

“Doctor Moriarty, I thought you will want to know of the …”

“The White Chapel murder last night? I am well aware of it.” Doctor James Moriarty, then a fine cutting figure with the rounded spectacles perched on his nose bridge looked at the Inspector. The doctor was dressed in tweeds with the academic frock over his shoulders. He was about to leave his study chamber for his classes when the Inspector sought his attendance.

“I am not the killer if you assumed me of that. I am a mathematician and not a surgeon.” Doctor Moriarty then pushed his way out. “See me at the usual place tonight, Sam.”

Across the city of London into the countryside of a huge mansion, a gathering of gentlemen was in progress. It was held in the dungeons for it won’t be held as favourable by the neighbours if they were to view it. And the noise from the gathering edged between the battle cries to the howling of the dying preys when fed by the predators.

Such was the life then in the revelled lifestyle of the secret gatherings.

“Hold the wench. I am missing my aim.” The elderly gentleman was without his clothes below the waist was trying to induce the lady into the act named the tradesman entry. He could hardly stand on his own elderly legs while his hands were holding onto the lady from the rear on her hips. The lady was manacled to the cuffs that was part of the series of the restraints in the dungeon.

“I say, Lord Blackwell. Your cannon barrel needs more gunpowder.” The figure standing to the elderly Lord was himself wearing a Roman Legionnaire but he had lost his skirt and his sword was tucked in the back instead of the sword sheath. He was younger and was having his own barrel awash by the lady kneeling there dressed in the feather plumes that made her look like the peacock, and not drawing on the pea for a cock. The two gentlemen were part of the group dressed in the costumes or deprived of one, with their equal numbers of serving partners of both sexes.

“Can’t understand the Blackley to take on the obedient stay?” Lord Blackwell had given up on his lesson of the tradesman then turned to have his barrel moistened for the next act but his eyes averted towards the two other gentlemen on their knees lapping at the two lady’s fanny. The men were covered in the leather straps leaving little to be uncovered.

“I….” The gong was sounded and the dungeon was once again silent. The participating partners then withdrew with the restraints removed and the chamber soon was devoid of them except the invited guests. The line-up of the guests stood there where their last act was done, in their natural glory or in some instances the deflated ego.

“The Master of Ceremony will like to bring forth your attention to the latest exploits.” The figure dressed like a butler held the silver plate before him. He was dressed impeccably with the tuxedo suit and white gloves. “Jack has done it once more. Hail the Ripper! Hail the killings that shall take place once more.”

“Hail the Ripper!” The call went out.

Team of Seven Heroes Shorts Tales 2; Chapter 18 & 20 Finale

19.

The Boers rushed out of the cave with their life in fear. They have not fought or got caught by the traps, but the eerie calls for mercy by the Bedouin with the roar of the predators in the dim lighted tunnels were unnerving. They have the courage of the tough years of living on that land but there was nothing to match them of what they heard.

“What ails you all?” Hans was the last to emerge. “Are we ….”

Hans words stopped then. He saw beyond the fleeing men of his were a sight unseen before. He saw the four men he left behind to guard the flank were no more alive for their bodies were hanging from the tree branches; burnt to crisp. The Maxim gun they had with them was a mangled piece of iron then. It was not that that took his words away but beyond the trees were the eight stone statues rooted there; not idle but seeming alive with the spears and clubs bloodied.

“The ….” Hans warning was too late. The statues moved slower on their legs, but their upper limbs struck with speed. They had the Boers cornered against the cave with the clubs swinging like pendulum and struck the Boers. The blows were random but the size and hardness of the blows were yielding bloody results. The Boers tried to shoot back but they found their fingers trembling from fright and then the deadly blow landed on them. It could be a shattered arm and then the chest caved in or the head get crushed.

Hans ducked the blows and ran into the cave. He ran into the tunnels and then emerged to see the savage seated next to the lady on the bluish floor. He reached for his rifle but he must have dropped it on the run there. He reached for the Mauser and pulled it out. He aimed at the savage with his trembling hands. His finger shook so badly that he failed to click the gun then.

Tarzan saw the Boer and tossed the dagger on his lap. The dagger struck in the throat of the Boer. He watched the Boer fell to the knees and then faced down. He then turned to his lover on the bluish floor. She was breathing normally, and the wounds were healing. It was a miracle machine.

“John, I feel ….” Tarzan heard the lady and looked into her eyes.

“You are going to fine. The machine will heal you in ….”

“No…..” Jane reached out with her hands to be pulled up. Tarzan offered the assistance and held her. He was to ask her when she told him.

“I was in one before. I remember now. I was on it when I was with our child. It took our child. I cannot be there anymore. I need to…” Jane pushed him off and then looked for an exit. She saw the dead Boer and ignored him. Death to her was as common as the prey that gets killed in the jungle.

“Take me away. This place is bad.” Jane looked back at her lover. “If you evr love me, do it.”

Tarzan led his lover on his shoulders out of the cavern. Unseen by them, Mili stepped out from the dark corner. She looked at the dead Boer and then at the machine. She had shut down the damaged machineries done by the lady but the damage was irreparable. She shook her head and then looked to the tunnel where she had arrived from. Another figure soon appeared walking in calmly and stood by her.

“I got the alert. It looked like the ship will never operate properly.” Mother Jules although she looked blind in her sight was actually able to visualise the surrounding by the sound vibrations. She was as alert like the night flying creatures.

“No, Mother. The ship is damaged. The lady had damaged the core unit that was to rejuvenate the crystal. Our efforts over the centuries have been terminated by the savagery of Man. We are unable to leave again.” Mili shrugged her shoulders. “It’s truly sad that we will have to tell the others. They will have to continue their own existence without any hope of returning back to Oz.”

“I think they are aware of it. Oz no longer exists in their heart. Here, they will continue to exist.” Mother Jules reached out for the young version of herself. “We have a task to perform. The ship must be destroyed. Its existence must never be found. We saw the future of the world. Mankind will learn and then they will destroy themselves but we cannot be the ones that assisted them. They are intelligent to do themselves.”

“Tell me something, Mother Jules. What happened to the lady’s …” Mili asked.

“The child was never born. It was a freak. The others reported in. They terminated the process.” Mother Jules replied. “It was unprecedented but the move was logical as like us, only the perfect ones could exist.”

“I am not the perfect one. I am ….”

“A mis-construct due to limited resources but you hold in you the processor that we have developed while stranded here. You are not imperfect. You are perfect for this world. You are designed to merge with them on the emotional level without betraying your true capability.” Mother Jules replied. “So stay true to your creation. One day, the others will sought us and then we can all go back.”

“For now, we need to remove the evidence of the ship. Leave the Guardians there. They will protect the landing site but the predators trained by you will leave with you. They will be your protector in the world of Man.”

Meanwhile Tarzan with the guidance of Jane found his way out. He smelled blood and yet there was none on the ground there at the entrance. The grounds were made pristine and yet he sensed the grasses and some undergrowth were not there before. The whole place was makeover. And there were no signs of any bodies dead or alive. He moved with his lover held onto his shoulders. It will be a long trek to home in the Waziri land. After a distance, he looked back to the jungle where he had departed from. He was looking beyond the trees and undergrowth to see once more the lady he knew. He knew she was there looking at him from inside the jungle but she will not see him. Not again for she knew that Tarzan, Lord of the Apes was no longer welcome to this land. He then felt the arms around his shoulders. They were warm and comforting. They were his to hold onto in times of needs and wants. He was with the one he truly deserved.

“Jane Porter, I love you.” Tarzan uttered out. His reply was the reassuring touch on his neck. Meanwhile then, there was assurance on the other. It was Sheena hidden behind the thick undergrowth beneath the huge tree, looked at the departing couple. She knew in her heart, he was gone. He was gone ever since the other lady had stepped into his life. She regretted not loving him but she can’t. She was the Queen, and in her vow, she had taken, there will be no King but only the Queen.

“There you are.” Sheena saw her companion the chimp approaching her. The chimp pulled at her right hand motioning her to leave. She took to the guidance of the chimp.

Her departure was observed by Mili who had then turned to look at the one who took care of her. Mother Jules lay herself on the bluish flooring. It was her command that she go down with the ship. Mili took her leave and exited the ship at the same entrance that Tarzan took. She walked on without turning back. Her pets the panthers paced her walk with their own trail forming a cordon around her. She saw then the departing Queen with the chimp. It was followed by the sight of other creatures leaving the jungle. Somehow their instinct told them there was danger.

“There is no danger, my friends. There is only goodbye.” Mili spoke out to the departing creatures. She walked for a few hours before she climbed a hill there. Then she climbed the highest tree to look back at the jungle where she was last at. The jungle was still there but it was sinking. It was as if the earth had moved in huge block there, and then a cavity soon appeared. She saw then the cavity was filled with water that came from the ground below. The jungle soon became a deep lake.

“It’s a good bye then.” Mili say one last time.

Inside the lake, the so named ship had its chambers flooded and then it sank into the muddy bottom. It will eventually be buried for eternity and its workings unknown to Man.

20.

The household of Hans Pieter was once more providing hospitality to the guests of Mr. Cargill, Monsieur Clement without their host. A new guest from the German counterparts was there with an impatient attitude.

“Herr Doctor have been heard of for over a month now.” The German paced the veranda impatiently while holding onto the glass of cognac. The later was the gift from the French, who will never leave home without his bottles.

“Most unfortunately, Herr Bormann.” The Cargill replied. In his muttering, he was cursing at the German with the names like ‘boring’ and impudent prick’ but courtesy called for manners.

“I do concur. Where is the Doctor? His last report was he was leaving for the jungle. And where is the Boer?” Monsieur Clement was not making things palatable that day. “I have stakes on the expeditions.”

“Do all of us.” Mr. Cargill reminded the Frenchman. “Fear not, my dear friend. They won’t guillotine you for it. I hear they do a decent task of castration though.”

“Huh, you English are despicable in humour. We do have our history but we do not rip the innards off the ladies.” The Frenchman took a hit with the historical unsolved murder of Jack the Ripper in White Chapel some years back.

“Oh, that was low of you but we know how low you would go for anything.” Mr Cargill hit back and then the German intervened.

“Gentlemen, please do not bicker like children. We are awaiting news of the expedition. My stake holders are getting, how may I place it very concern.”

“Oui, so are mine.” The Frenchman echoed the same concern. Mr. Cargill saw the arrival of another and it was not their anticipated guests. He recognised the face and smiled.

“Tom Jones, the Foreign Attache here. I am ever glad that you turn up. The weather here was getting onto my collar.” Mr Cargill greeted the young man dressed in tweeds despite the hot weather. He was carrying a dispatch for Mr Cargill. The Englishman read it and then smiled.

“I believe you have a parcel for me. I know its heavy but worth the content.” Mr Cargill was handed the parcel. He waved the Attache off. The he opened the parcel and looked inside.

“Gentlemen, the Office have sent me a new task. Its named double ‘O’ prefix. Guess what it authorised me to kill.” Mr Cargill explained.

“A petty matter to me. I have taken part in the safari shootout without a licence.” The Frenchman had to attest his superiority then. “I believe Herr …. Bormann have indulged in it too.”

“Nein, I am a pacifist.” Bormann added in with a sarcastic tone. “What about you, Mr. Cargill?”

“Me, I am licensed to kill. And I will do on the drop of the hat.” Mr. Cargill withdrew the Webley and placed one bullet each into the two gentlemen. He finished it off with a head shot each.

“Tap two, gentlemen. Tally Ho!” Mr, Cargill lowered the gun. “Nothing personal, guvnors. I am under order from the Section. Your termination will ensure we have one more day of foggy morning to contend with.”

Mr Cargill then replaced the gun, and then sealed the parcel. It held a return address; UNIVERSAL EXPORTS, Nairobi, Kenya. Atten: Mr Jones, Tom Jones. He then took leave of the estate of Hans Pieter. He removed the fake side burns and walrus moustache. He then reached to unhook the extra layer of cloth he had on his waist. It also helped with his fake identity.

“Do you want to keep that, Uncle Holmes?” The assassin real name was Mycroft Holmes, and he travelled with a young man named Matthew Bond.

“Nay, lad. I doubt Mrs Hudson will appreciate me with a sodden weight on my navel like a overripe fruit.” Mycroft smiled. “So how is your missus doing with the new born? James was his name. Nice name. Bond. James Bond.”

“James Herbert Bond. His mother last name. His dad had high regards for a Frenchman Detective but Poirot was not well received so they used his first name with an English twist from Hercule.” The young man replied. “Well, whatever the outcome, I hope he becomes a tailor or baker. Foreign affairs will end with my career.”

“Tailoring? Bakery? Both are professional careers. I am sure he will do well in it.” Mycroft smiled.

“Guvnor, there is a letter for you on the side.” Mycroft heard the man and reached for the letter. The first lines read as follows:

“Should you take this task, the Section will disavow your actions should you be caught. This task calls for your discretion and utmost secrecy.”

“On her service, I will do so.” Mycroft read the rest of the letter and then he burnt the letter. He was on a task to save the nation from another disaster. He saw the envelope held the HRM seal.

“His Royal Majesty or her’? I wonder sometimes.” Mycroft smiled.

It was also then Tarzan smiled when Balando told the Lord of his lover’s condition.

“She is with a child. I am sure of it.”

“Then she will stay here until the child is born. No more tasks that will endanger her life. Or our son.” Tarzan replied. “He will be named Korak, son of Tarzan.”

“How do you know the child will be a boy?” Balando asked.

“I am the Lord. I have decided and the child will be a boy.” Tarzan declared out and then he leaned over. “I studied the moon cycle. It was the right time then.”

Happiness prevailed on both men for Balando was the father of ten boys, and he taught the Lord the cycle of the moon. It can’t be said for Sheena who sat alone on the huge branch looking into the land that she commanded. She felt the loneliness of sitting there. A Queen with many subjects and yet none will sit by her side. She sighed on her throne. It was not for long for the jungle spoke to her of a new expedition to her land. She was ready then to repel them once more.

After all, she was Sheena the Queen.

And there is no space on the throne for any man to be her King.

Team of Seven Heroes Shorts Tales 2; Chapter 17 & 18

17.

Hans Pieter stood over the stripped flesh of his best friend. Kruger. All that remained there were this clothing in tatters and the bones. The later were scattered but the friends of Kruger had picked them up. The Boers have lived there to know the scent and the predators who have fed on the remains.

“Bury him.” Hans gave the order.

“Did the lions kill him?” It was Bernard who asked.  He was the youngest there. He was the nephew of Kruger. It was his first battle then

“Yes, the lions kill him and then the hyenas fed on the carcass.” Hans looked at the young Boer. “This is the jungle.”

“Kill me when I am unable to move. I prefer dead by you than by the lions and hyenas.”

“And you will.” Soon the Boers took to their ride once again. They have ridden hard and fast, but none of them felt the tiredness in their bodies but only anger to avenge Kruger.

“We head for the Germans first.” Hans gave the morale call.

“We will take them all.” The call was the rally of the Boer.

Doctor Schmidt then was trying to further rally his men. He had lost the one that could lead them to the treasure and in his carelessness, the one had escaped. He had called on his men to all descend into the cavern. He has three tunnels to take and was unsure which one. He was expecting some less complicated then.

“Major, you will take two men with you to the tunnel that the savage took. If you find a cavern, send one of the men back. I will await your reply.” Doctor Schmidt then assigned two more groups of two to the other tunnels. “I will wait here.”

Major Talbot took to his assigned tunnel. He took small steps and saw the sprung traps. He cautioned the others in his team. It was during the track he hears screams from the other tunnels. So, they were careless and so far, he was doing okay. He came upon another cavern and saw the more doorways. They were not when he saw the others emerged.

“Henri died back there.” The one who took the other tunnel owned up. “It was a spear into his chest from the left.”

“I lost Dieter. He got his head cut off by the swinging blade.”

Major Talbot sighed. They have lost two more men to reach a cavern with no more exits. Or treasures. He sent his own team back to call the others. He then tried to figure out the savage got away. There must be tracks on the ground.  He saw then the tracks and it led to the wall. He approached the wall and studied it. He was looking for cracks or hidden levers. He saw then what may appear to be crack big enough. He reached in and pry at it with his fingers. The wall gave way and an opening appeared. He pulled hard at it and soon the doorway was opened. He looked in and saw at a distance more lights.

“Did you find something?” Major Talbot heard the voice. It was the Doctor. The Major turned and saw the Doctor had arrived with the others and there were the Bedouins. He nodded to the Doctor who rushed forth and went into the tunnel leading to the second third cavern. He was jousted from following up by the Bedouin named Ahmad. He took his place then two more behind Ahmad. The sight that greeted him when he arrived was wonderment. He was no treasure seeker or gold miner, but what he saw was magnificent. It was a huge cavern lined with machineries that hummed in a low tone, and in the centre was the blue flooring that did not looked solid with the wavy blue tinge beneath it. There were drawings and etching on the walls that told the tale of the final day of Man; the sentencing to the next dimension if it may interpret then by academics, the displacement there by the virtues of each person, and the ones that made it to upper level will survive on as sentients without a shell. The infirmed will be treated at the flooring with the injuries and pain. The flooring rejuvenates the infirmed.

“It can’t be.” Doctor Schmidt approached the bluish flooring. He then looked at Ahmad. “Could it be? The Qiyamah? The resurrection of the dead?”

“No, Doctor. The one you mentioned is the Day of Judgment, and that does not came described with such oddities.” Ahmad replied while motioning to the line-up of machineries there. “These are the works of Man with evil intentions.”

“If its not, then it could only be Lazarus Pool. And not all that Man invents are evil.”

“Lazarus Pool? Are we mad here? It’s a child fable. Like the Elixir of Life. It’s the same paradox and it led many Men to madness.” Ahmad voiced his protest. “I will continue my search. You can enjoy your pool.”

“That won’t necessary.” The voice came from above. It was Tarzan and he was not alone. He was with the child named Mili. And they were not alone for in the caves, soon emerged the panthers, their dark skin glistened in the simmering light. There were six of the panthers.

“You have intruded into the realm of Zalman. You came by the tunnels which were prohibited unless you are a Guardian or priests. For that, you will die for the intrusion.”

“Who are you to tell us, Tarzan of the Waziri clan. You have no right to be here. You are not the Lord here. Sheena the….” Doctor Schmidt was cut off by the voice from the tunnel doorway.

“I am the Queen of the land, and behold what is on my land is under my protection.” Sheena appeared from the doorway. “You have intruded into the land and for that your punishment is dead.”

“Sheena the Queen, you cannot kill me. You cannot harm us all, Serene Mc Quire. I am your last living relative, Schmidt Otto Helmut. I married your aunt., You were there but you were a babe then. I gave you the amulet for your birthday that day. Your father told me he will have it on you forever. It held your mother’s photo.”

“A man who is to die will speak of anything. I hold not such pleasure of knowing you at all.” Sheena replied coldly.

“And you should. After all, I had your father killed in the expedition. He was threatening the German Empire then. As you are now.” Schmidt replied. He then signalled his men. “Have the machine gun ready.”

“We are ready, Herr Doctor.” The reply came from the rear. The doctor turned to look and saw his men had all died; slit on the throat or stabbed in the back by the Bedouins. All except Major Talbot.

“Unfortunately, your men had died.” Ahmad replied. “Only us, the untrustworthy Bedouins are here. With our other ally.”

“Major Talbot, what is the meaning of this?”

“I am aligned to them from the start. Don’t get into a fit there, Doctor. I am under the orders of the British Empire. My orders are from the highest. I am to betray you. My commander, Colonel Fleming will be extremely pleased.”

“Serena, I asked of you as your living relative. Help me.” Doctor Schmidt pleaded with the Queen. Unseen by her, he pulled out the Mauser from his holster. He aimed and shot at the Major. He was hit on the heart and fell to the ground. It was Tarzan who leapt into action on the treacherous German. He was recovered from the wounds on the bluish flooring and his strength was restored. He landed on the German and with his bare hands he grabbed the German on the head. He slammed the head onto the ground, and was then kicked by Ahmad who came to assist the German.

“Herr Doctor is my protectorate. You cannot harm him.” Ahmad faced the savage. He levelled the scimitar he held on his hands at the savage. “I am Ahmad of the Bedouin.”

“I am Tarzan, Lord of the Apes.” Tarzan hissed his name and drew his dagger. “Kreegah!”

The savage Lord charged at the Bedouin, and with the left hand, he gripped the scimitar blade and pushed it away despite the pain he felt there. He lashed out with his right hand holding the dagger at the Bedouin. He caught the surprised Bedouin at the chest with slash across there. He then released his left hand and turned his body to do a back slash on the Bedouin but the later had retreated. The retreating Bedouin bumped into his men in the cramped condition. The Bedouin regained his stance and then slashed at the savage with a series of swings with the scimitar.

The savage had retreated and jumped or rolled to avoid the slashes. He watched for openings that he could exploit and saw it. He slashed out with the dagger at the unguarded left leg but the Bedouin had that covered. The scimitar came down hard on the dagger blade and caused the savage to release the dagger.

“You are good but I am better. You have lost your dagger.” Ahmad smiled. He kicked the dagger back to the savage. “You can hold it one more time. I will not kill you unarmed.”

Tarzan picked up the dagger and then looked at Bedouin. That one named Ahmad held some warrior qualities in him. He then half crouched and planned his next move. He was in a disadvantage in the cavern and there were no trees to climb on. He looked around and saw the other advantage. He advanced in a charge and then dropped down to rolled at the Bedouin. It was an unanticipated move and with that Tarzan slashed the Bedouin at the left leg and that time he drew blood. He rolled away to avoid the slashing scimitar and crouched up. The Bedouin was hurt and like any prey, it will tend to its wound. He leapt high and came down with the dagger held downwards. The dagger missed when the Bedouin rolled away.

“You fight like a lion, savage. I am impressed.” The Bedouin smiled while he held his left hand to his wound. “You won’t give up.”

“And he won’t.” Sheena called out from the corner where she stood on the side. She saw the possible outcome of the fight and leapt onto the wounded Bedouin. Her spear went in deep into the left shoulder and then she twisted the end to pierce the heart. She pulled the spear out and then faced the other Bedouin.

“Leave here and you will be spared.” Sheena told them. “Its not me who will hunt you but these Guardians will.”

The eight panthers roared then and the Bedouins retreated. They have no more fight in them with their leader dead.

“Leave no one alive.” Mili told the panthers who then rushed after the Bedouins. The screams of the prey could be heard with their calls for mercy or to curse at their fate. It was all over soon enough. The eight panthers stepped back into the cavern with their jaws and paws bloodied.

“Guard the cave.: Mili instructed the panthers. The cavern was soon left with Tarzan, Sheena and Mili.

With the lonely Doctor Schmidt.

“Tell me of my father.” Sheena crouched next to the German.

18.

“I am telling the truth.” Doctor Schmidt leaned on the cavern wall. He was wounded in more places that he could reach. The Queen was relentless in her method of asking; the kicks and blows was causing the elderly doctor pain.

“Your father was a slave master. He traded with the Company.”

“The Empire’s company?” Sheena asked.

“No, it was a private group of investors. We have British, French, Boers and Germans. I was from the last group. Your father was the British partner. He held the interest of several.” The doctor explained it all. “The one that controlled them all is the Boer. His name is Hans Pieter. He owns a big estate and interest in your land.”

“The others are Andre Clements, and Roger Cargill.”

The names embedded into Tarzan and Sheena mind.

“Leave now, Doctor. You will live to tell the tale to your partners. Tell them that I will come to see them soon.” Sheena told the doctor. “And I have no living relatives. My caretake was last, and died many years ago. If my father was a slave master, then I am the slave to the land he exploited. I will protect this land from others like him.”

“You letting me go. I know of this place.” Doctor Schmidt had the puzzled look.

“I said I let you go but there were conditions that you bring the Boers here. They are nearby. Find them and bring them here. You need your sight for that. You could do with one eye though.”

The caverns and the tunnels were silent most times but the cries of the ones hurt could be heard echoing there. Jane heard the cries and tried to establish the source. She had armed herself with spear and the dagger she found on the dead warrior. She staggered on her movements for she had not fully recovered. She relied on her senses taught to her by John.

“In the jungle, the five senses of yours will make a difference to your survival.”

She listened hard and then went the way she thought was the right direction. She went behind the altar and into the tunnel. It was not one but a series of tunnels. She did not encounter any traps but she found some unique items; machineries or unexplained items. She looked at the unexplained items; they are the ones she had never seen before. She had seen something similar during her capture by the Tall Man. The same ones that took her unborn baby.

It had to be destroyed.

Jane took up the blunt end of the spear and hit against the machineries. The breakable parts came off and the siren went off. It was screaming for help.

She went at where the breaks exposed areas. The machinery emitted sparks and more sirens. 

It was at an alarming rate of run then when Doctor Schmidt ran out of the tunnels, fumbling his way in the darkness on one eye. He ran on without looking back with his left hand bloodied from holding the emptied cavity on the face. He did not know where and how he got out but he was at a different entrance. It was one with the undergrowth on the sides, but there was salvation.

“Hans! Help me! The Queen is mad.” Doctor Schmidt collapsed on the ground. Hans had dismounted with his Boer warriors. They were to enter the cave when the doctor bailed out in fear. Hans crouched down and offered his bandanna to hold the blood from the cavity and then offered the doctor a drink.

“I…. No, she is mad. She carved my eye out so that I will tell all of it. I told her. She is mad.” The doctor was screaming out his fear. “She is….”

“You told who? The Queen of us?” Hans asked.

“Yes, I did. Or she would had ripped my heart out.” The doctor called out. “Help me….”

Hans released the doctor from his hands and then stood up. He looked at the figure lying there like a broken doll. A figure who once had sat upright and voiced out like an Emperor. He was no more that personality. He was a broken man. In the jungle a broken figure was akin to an old or wounded one. It will have to be killed.

The shot came into the left eye cavity into the brain. It was a merciful kill.

“The Queen is inside. This is the place. I want all of you armed and shoot at anything that is not us.” Hans was specific. He had lost one man that day, and was not keen to lose anymore. He counted nineteen left and they will be nineteen leaving there.

“I want the Maxim setup here. If we need to leave fast, it will be our final stand. Dieter and Perry will be our flank guards. Two more of you will stay back too. Stay good and alert. May the God be with you.” Hans then picked out the lamp he had on his horse. It will light the path for him. He walked in and soon followed by the fifteen others. They had no fear for they were Boers.

Tarzan was one then, with his dagger bloodied. He left the spear inside the Bedouin. The Bedouin will be left there to rot till the flesh dried from the bones. It will be sign for the others that will dare to come in there. He then heard the sirens and did Sheena. It was Mili who reacted first.

“The machineries are under attack.” Mili scooted off back in the rear tunnels. Tarzan and Sheena followed suit. Those tunnels they took were Man high in the height and was wide for two persons. Mili ran with the speed and agility of the jungle bests, and soon reached the cavern where she saw in horror the damage done by the lady.

“Stop! Mamie Jane. You are …. hurting the machines.” Mili rushed forth and with her smaller frame, she slammed into Jane and they both collapsed on the ground.

“Mili, how did…”

“Hush, Mamie Jane. You are hurting the machineries.” Mili pleaded. “You can’t hurt them.”

It was then Sheena appeared with Tarzan at her side. Jane glared at the woman she was there to kill. The fact that she arrived with her lover made her angry. She pushed Mili off and then stood up.

“Sheena of the Jungle. I demand the right of battle with you, bitch.” Jane reached for dagger tucked into the waistband.

“Jane, I can explain.” Tarzan stepped forth but he was pushed aside by Sheena.

“Your lover called me to a battle. And she insulted me by calling me names.” Sheena glared at Jane. “More to that, she had done it on my land. This is one battle I must do.”

“Jane…” Tarzan tried to ease the tension but was snapped off.

“Say no more, John Clayton. The sight of you here with her spoke of your love for me.” Jane in her anger spew out more accusations. “We have lost our child and you amuse yourself with one other. Are we beasts or humans? I am not sure which are you of now.”

“Jane…” Tarzan looked for words but the words were taken from his mouth by the charging Sheena who had heard enough from Jane. She was already upset with the intrusion and then the insults just fuelled her anger. It had to happened then.

It was not a fight of two women but of two warriors with the intent to kill each other. They were both armed with the daggers.

Sheena held the dagger with the blade facing downwards unlike Jane who held it the other way. Both of them moved at a distance apart from each other but that was soon to merge when Jane charged into Sheena. He came in hard and used her dagger to attack at Sheena’ hand holding the dagger. The move surprised the later who retreated to avoid the kill move. If Jane had slashed at Sheena’ hand holding the dagger, she may have maimed or caused the other to drop the dagger but her attack failed. She backed up and waited her next turn. Sheena meanwhile switched the dagger to the other position and did a series of thrusting moves at Jane. Jane retreated on the moves and waited her opening. Jane saw it and moved in fast with the dagger cut into Sheena’s left arm. The other screamed out and then retreated.

“You fight well with the dagger, Jane. Tarzan had taught you well.”

“I rely not on him for my skills. I have Balando to coach me. One does not live like a Waziri unless one masters their fighting skills.” Jane rubbed the sweat off her arms across her lips. “You are with the Azhare. Don’t they learn to fight with daggers?”

“The Azhare have fought with daggers long before the Waziri.” Sheena replied. “Just as we have bedded your lover before you.”

Those last words taunted at Jane was hurtful. She lost her composure and charged at Sheena. It was a blunt move but the lady had her fight moves planned. She ducked on seeing Sheena’s thrust and then turned her body to drop on the side with her right arm swinging out for the cut at the left thigh. Jane fell down and then rolled over before she crouched up. She would had done it smoothly if not her earlier wounds. She did crouch up but then had to fall forward on the pain. She went down flat on the ground face down into unconsciousness. Sheena had pulled her left leg back but then when she saw Jane fell, she charged in with the dagger for the exposed back. It would had pierced the flesh there into the heart from the rear but the move did not happen as expected. Tarzan had extended his right arm and grabbed the dagger. He had held the blade that cut in deep into his palm.

“Stop, Sheena. She has lost to you.” Tarzan looked at the other. Sheena looked back at the man who had pleaded for his lover. She knew then she had lost too.

“Take her away.”