Episode 5....Joy, Sadness and Terror
CITY COMMAND POST: The dawn came and, soon after that, the beginnings of a heat haze. The Terminators agreed with the Army to tidy up the city and compensate for the damage and death they had caused. Neil Luxmoore was released. Neil was secured in a hospital bed, that was designed to be mobilised. Taryn and Trinkle were with him as they waited to convey Neil to hospital. Neil Luxmoore loved Taryn Carlton with all his entire being; he also was very fond of their little cat buddy, Trinkle. Taryn gazed down at Neil as she stroked his arm. Anger swept her in it's tide as she took in the slash across his chest. Trinkle sat on the end of the gurney, content. Neil pushed himself up a little and ran his hand through Taryn's hair.
Neil: "I love you so much. Why don't we get married straight away?"
Taryn: "I'd like that very much. We can do it as soon as you're out of hospital" The girl perched herself by his side, her hand caressing his naked shoulder. Her eyes darkened as she again took in his injury.
Taryn: "How could they do this to you?", she started crying, and Neil and Trinkle both comforted her.
Neil: "It's not as bad as it looks, love", he glanced at his fiancee and the white animal with him. With both arms he pulled them close "I want you to know, I'm grateful for what you both did. I'll never forget this as long as I live" He grimaced with discomfort at which Taryn and Trinkle eased him back on the pillow.
Taryn: "Actually..I didn't do it all by myself. I called Lane Hunter when you didn't come home and he came over and we went down to the Command Post to see we could get you out. Neil, I couldn't think of anything else...", she trailed off not sure how Luxmoore would take this. Taryn knew that he and Hunter clashed. Neil turned his head from side to side searching for Hunter.
Neil: "I don't see him anyhwere"
Taryn couldn't see any sign of Lane either through the throng of people "Maybe he's gone back to IG1"
Lane Hunter could not be seen, that was true enough. Though he still remained near the Command Post and studied Luxmoore, Taryn and a white preternatual cat he took to be Trinkle from a safe distance. Hunter's expression was dark and hatred glittered in his brown eyes. He didn't realise until this moment, that he did indeed want Neil Luxmoore dead. Now he was stuck with him. The good news was, that Luxmoore would have tp take sick leave; and plemty of it. There was a medical facility at Leviticus 6, the main prison, for injured Officers and Staff of the Department, and Luxmoore would recuperate there. Ironically, Trinkle spotted Hunter standing among the military vehicles. Once alerted, Taryn waved frantically across the distance, sending Trinkle, who was awaiting Numan to collect him for transportation to L6, to guide Lane to the ambulance. When the cat reached Lane, he took his hand and lead him to the others. Hunter, unconciously must have squeezed Trinkle's hand too tightly, for the young cat cried out.
Lane: "I'm sorry, Trinkle. Did I hurt you?" Damn it! Hunter could have kicked himself. He had been thinking of Luxmoore and must have gripped the animals hand without realising. He petted Trinkles head as the cat cried in Luxmoore's chest. Taryn too was perplexed.
Lane: "I really am very sorry. I guess I don't know my own strength" turning to face Neil Luxmoore "so, how are you feeling?"
Neil: (lifting Trinkle into Taryn's arms) "Sore, but relieved to be out of there. Thanks for what you did"
Lane: "I didn't do much. The real heroes are Taryn and this little bloke here", he indicated Trinkle, going further as to lift Trinkle into his own arms. Holding Trinkle away from him, Lane Hunter gazed with wonder at this cute doll like creature who smiled at him.
Lane: "I can understand why Taryn and Neil love you so much. You are so cute" Hunter drew the cat to his chest and started kissing him and little Trinkle squealed with glee at the attention. The two others looked on amused. Numan Downly arrived at the scene to bring Trinkle back to L6. The cat smiled at him from Lane's arms; and Lane grinned like a kid. Numan was distracted by his radio coming to life. After threee minutes Numan turned to face his feline charge.
Numan: "Well, little mate, it looks like you're gonna be travelling with these good folk here", he waved to indicate Neil, Lane and Taryn. Trinkle was absolutely ecstatic at this prospect.
DRUID VILLAGE: Numan Downly responded to reports of a massacre in a Druid Village about seventy miles out of Melbourne. These Druid Villages were built by peaceful religious people who believed in the olden times. The huts were constructed solely of straw or wood and water was obtained by a well in the village square. It was a peaceful, tranquil place, until early morning in March. Intruders came and raided the place, killing, burning and raping. Many people died including the family of a small girl, whose name was Callisto. The time was approaching the hour of seven and Callisto took advantage of a hiding place, that miraculously hadn't been touched by these madmen. It appeared to this child that she was the only one left alive. Emerging from her hiding place, the girl wondered aimlessly amongst the carnage. Bodies lay everywhere, in various positions. Some had been decapitated. Callisto hurried to where her hut had once been. Scrabbling through the remnants, she searched desperately for her family - and found them. They were dead. Charred, mother and sisters. The only recognisable belongings were the clothes they wore. The child screamed in grief. She made an attempt to embrace her mother and sisters but was prevented from doing so, due to the corpses body temperature. Callisto's mind travelled back to the beginning of the raid.
It happened at dawn. Callisto and her family began their day as they would any other. Whilist her mother and two sisters went to their usual chores, Callisto went to the well to gather water. A deep rumbling was heard. Worriedly, the girl glanced up to the sky for signs of a storm. The skies were clear. Shrugging the sound off as her imagination, little Callisto went back to gathering water. Seconds later the maruaders hit the village. They came in large trucks, motorbikes and vehicles; the likes of which Callisto had never seen. Involuntarily screaming the girl raced to the furthest eastern end of the village and hid, burrowing herself down snugly. Terrified she watched as the intruders, clad in sleeveless PVC vests and green khaki pants and jackboots. The men also wore head-dresses which bore two distinctive red demonlike eyes. Callisto watched in terror and sorrow as these men hurled people from their huts and brutally killed them and setting the huts alight. The women suffered a worse fate. They were raped, sometimes repeatedly before then men tired of them and eventually killed them. Screams reverberated in the air. Screams of people dying, of being incinerated, such as Callisto's family. Afraid for her family, but with her survival insticts to the fore, she remained where she was throughout the massacre that went on and on and on....
Callisto cried continously while wondering her village. She cried for her mother and her sisters not wanting to believe such a thing could happen here. A truck bearing the invaders inginia bore down on her, the man aiming for her. Callisto ran for her life, hearing the man's insane laughter and shouts.
"GO ON! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, FILFTHY LITTLE SLUT!!" Callisto didn't know what the name meant, but she realised it was a bad name. She was saved by certain death by another oncoming vehicle that had no cover over it. The man in this grey jeep wore no head-dress and reached out for her. The vehicle with the friendly man slowed and Callisto climbed in beside him. The soldier reversed his vehicle from the oncoming Spectran vehicle, shouting into the headset he wore. Callisto ceased crying and studied what he was wearing. He wore a band on his head with plastic extending to his mouth and a disc over his left ear. Numan Downly, the friendly man with brown hair, stopped the vehicle with a violent jerk. Reaching across he pulled some webbing across Callisto's front.
Numan: "This is a seatbelt, honey, pull it across and click it to the attachtment beside your waist" Callisto obeyed the directive; hearing the audible click as she secured the belt. The man did the same with his. Scanning the area Numan saw no sight of the enemy. Tragically he and his men arrived too late to save the village or it's people. The upside was that he had this little girl in his custody. Something came out of Numan's peripheral vision. It was the Spectran jeep thundering towards them at a rate of knots.
Numan: (yelling into his communicator) "He's on my tail!" Just then another grey vehicle appeared carrying four other men, dressed similiarly to Callisto's protector. The driver of the other vehicle had black crew cut hair and a beard. The passenger positioned something big, black and metal and something flew out of the black barrel, but missed the Spectran. The Spectran fled with Keefer Goddard in giving chase in the other jeep. In consideration to Callisto's condition, Numan decelerated and drove back towards the village. Cruising down what was the villages main thoroughfare, the man and girl gazed at the terrible sight that greeted them. The place was razed with a few small fires burning here and there. Shapes could be seen amongst the rubble, these were people who were incinerated. Other bodies lay around them with slit throats and various disembowellments. The car approached Callisto's family's hut.
Callisto: "Here's my Mummy and sisters. They...died", she burst into tears "Can we bury them?"
Numan: "Sure", he got out of the jeep "Stay there. I'll have a look around" Climbing out of the jeep Downly went closer to the rubble to examine it. Nothing was salvagable and the bodies had already began to reek. He allowed his finger to brush the skin of one body. It was still hot, but not enough to burn and the Army would have to take all the bodies of the victims to Melbourne for a post mortem. Although it was obvious what had happened. These Spectrans had murdered these people in a spectacular fashion. Venolan had some very stiff competition, mused Numan. Venolan was the leader of a sinister military force named The High Templars. Not much was known about their origin except that they opposed The Terminatros. Now a third force entered the arena. The Spectrans who held a fearsome reputation for slavery and mass murder. This was shaping up to make Hitler's Holocaust look like peanuts. Numan glanced back at an anxious Callisto who he noticed was staring around her; she was fearful her family's killers would return. He strode back to the jeep and climbed in.
Numan: "We'll see what we can do for you now, sweetie" The child was unresponsive and shock was beginning to set in. Her little face, pale by complexion, paled even more, framed by wavy blonde hair. Callisto felt cold despite the warm weather, which by all indications, didn't look as though it was going to abate.
Numan: "What's your name?"
Callisto: "Callisto"
Numan: "Well, I'll tell you what we're gonna do, Callisto. We're going to the marina and I'm going to arrange for you to go into protective custody. You'll be staying at a secure place called Leviticus 6 with some Preternatural Animals. Cats and dogs, you'll love 'em and-" The child's wailing interrupted him. The poor nipper was terrified "It's OK, Callisto. Nobody will harm you. I promise. You'll have plenty of friends and there are two lovely girls to take care of you. There's also a doctor there and wait til I tell you about CB2and CB4"
Callisto: "Doctor? CB4 and CB2??"
Numan: "I'm just getting to that", he spoke as they drove along. The road was smooth and Callisto marvelled at the sight of yellow painted unbroken lines down the centre. Numan paused, then continued "CB2 and CB4 are actually computer controlled air-bulbs which interact with humans and animals. The Preternaturals go ape over them. CB4's a black one and CB2's a purple. They're almost as big as you"
Callisto didn't respond, but that didn't concern Numan just yet. She needed time to get over the shock of what happened to her people and to grive for her family.
IGI: The women of IG1 were preparing for a task on the mainland. It was divulged what the task was until they were ensconed in the coach, approaching the site. It was the destroyed Druid Village. The women were to clear away the debris and to assist the Army in disposal of the bodies that weren't earmarked for the Coroners office. These were to be either buried or cremated on the spot. All the inmates went, with the exception of Rita who remained at IG1 under Hunter's care. Sandy and Bea sat together. Kath Maxwell sat on the opposite aisle. The women were horrified a the sight that greeted them. They stared stupefied at several bodies that lay before them; almost all were burnt beyond recognition. Half a dozen bodies were to be selected for Coronial Investigation, though reason's were beyond Bea and Sandy. It didn't need a genius to deduce that these poor unfortunates were murdered in cold blood. The woemen, under Officer Mitchell's supervision began their grisly task. Wearing protective clothing and thick rubber gloves they lifted the first corpse, that of a child and carried it over to an area designated by Ivan for the Coroner. He watched them, valiantly fightng a sick sensation in his stomach. These prisoners treated the dead with the utmost dignity in the way they reverently lay them in their designated areas. Ivan Mitchell lost his battle and retched by his position in front of the parked coach.
The inmates dealt with the situation in a different way - anger. It was this anger that helped them get through the task, a task, some felt they should not be undertaking, but were nevertheless. Sandy, Bea and Kath stuck together and found comfort in each other.
Sandy: "If I ever meet the mongrels who did this, I';ll-"
Bea: "HEY! I'VE SEEN MEAT HANDLED WITH MORE CARE!" Sandy stared at Bea for a moment then turned in the direction which she faced. Two soldiers were also removing bodies in preparation for cremation in none too gentle a fashion. They were throwing them in a heap beside a bonfire. Bea Smith, a determined woman marched over to the soldier, a tall, muscle-laden man with a craggy face and a crew cut. The large machine gun was no deterrent.
Bea: "OK, what the hell d' you think you're doing!"
The soldier, a mean looking fellow was non-plussed at the large redhead bearing down on him then recovered. He pointed his weapon directly at her heart "Work, granny, and you'd better get back to yours!" Ivan Mithcell approached the two feeling sick again. Meanwhile, a contingent of IG3 inmates arrived in a second bus and watched curiously. Others continued working. The argument between Bea and the soldier became heated until he winded her with the gun-butt. Sandy sprang with superhuman strength. Gripping his neck in her stranglehold she spoke softly.
Sandy: "Do that to any of my women again and you'll be joining these people", she spread her left arm around the area, indicating the bodies. Roughly she released him and he stumbled. The corporal massaged his throat as Sandy assisted Bea. Ivan Mitchell followed two back to the work area.
Ivan: "Alright, you two, what was that about?"
Sandy: "Nothing much, Mr. M. There was a slight disagreement on", Sandy squinted as she searched for the right terminology "what do you call it- motussomething or other.."
Ivan: "Motus operandi"
Sandy: (nodding and smiling) "That's it!"
Ivan wasn't prepared to let Sandy off the hook just yet, "This work isn't pleasant for any of us, Edwards. The soldiers are doing their best, and besides these people..." he faltered catching the glare Bea Smith gave him, and blushed with feelings of shame and apprehension. When Bea Smith frowned liked this and her eyes glittered, it usually meant someone was going to get flattened. He continued "Well, I mean- Look Bea, these people are in a better place. Their souls..Aah, hell!" he found he couldn't finish his sentence. Ivan waited for the inevitable thump, realising that he would found himself on the ground in less than a second.
Bea: "OK, point taken, but all the same...."
Ivan: "I understand what you mean. Just get back to work. The sooner we finish the sooner we can get back to IG1"
Bea/Sandy/Kath: "Amen to that!!"
Four hours, and many tears later the grisly work was completed. The inmates of IG1 and IG3 returned to their respective prisons. Governor Lane Hunter granted a rec period for the rest of the day; however it was business as usual over at Governor Walters prison. This being one of Rita Connors better days, joined her friends in the rec area. Today was hot, but Rita was glad of the sunlight and the fresh ocean air. Rumours abounded around IG1 that the Prternaturals were going to be moved from Leviticus 6 to the IG's. Of course, rumours were always rife. The women sat on the beach and Rita spoke.
Rita: "Strewth, this aint like Wentworth. Hardly know we were in the clink at all. Lane's more like a resort manager than a governor"
Bea: (glancing at Rita) "Guess, he's got his good points. You really that close to him, Rit?"
Rita: (placing her index and first fingers tightly together "Like this. If it hadn't been for him...." the tall blonde shivered. The women nodded. Rita told them that Walters wanted her dead, and about her time in Blackmoor. Rita's eyes scanned the horizon until they came to rest on IG3 in the distance. Where Terry Walters reigned. He was still too close, despite Lane Hunter's protection. She would never know how deep Hunter's feelings, and desire was for her.
Leviticus 6: The rumours of the Preternaturals relocation started somewhere in L6, although the cats, dogs and two children, Callisto and Lisa knew nothing of them at this stage. Lisa, a young girl about 8 with short blonde hair absolutely adored the animals when she set eyes on them; especially Felix M. She studied the small black cat, his mannerisms which alternated between sombreness and child-like gaeity, his slim body, tuby legs and his three inch tail. Lisa was drawn to his cherubic friendly face, the intense green eyes, small red nose and that wide smile as he and the bright coloured cat, Garfield took turns on flying on a big black air-bulb. Over in the corner sat the other little girl, Callisto who Lisa had come in with. Lisa wondered why she wasn't joining in the fun. Most of the animals attempted to include her, but so far they have been in vain. Lisa felt pity for the sad girl and walked over to sit with her.
Lisa: "My name's Lisa Simpson"
Callisto: "I am Callisto"
Lisa: "I'm pleased to meet you, Callisto. Will you come and play with the animals and me?" Lisa rose, extending a hand to the other girl simultaneously. Callisto raised her hand, and clasping Lisa's stood up. Then the two girls approached CB2, the purple air-bulb motionless on a cushion situated near the open door that led toward the recreational area. The others must have sensed Lisa and Callisto and so left CB2 alone. Callisto knelt beside CB2 when they reached it and gathered it's tube around her, as if it was a pretend coat. She began to cry, not for the first time this day, and certainly not for the last. The object did not react, despite being active. Callisto's distress was beginning to unnerve Lisa. Within minutes the atmosphere among the Protectorates changed from light banter and happiness to one of tense apprenshion. One by one, the animals ran over to the two girls; Sylvester, Nermal, Felix J, Freddy J, Garfield, Felix M, Freddy M, Sassy, Shadow, Desiree, Delilah, Trinkle, Reilly and Scooby; all of them. CB4, the black bulb, floated in their wake.
Freddy J: "What's wrong with her?"
Lisa: "I don't know, Freddy. She's been upset all day, but she's getting worse"
Felix J, being one of the more mature cats took things in hand. He moved through the throng and embraced the crying Callisto.
Felix J: "Nobody's gonna hurt you", he soothed.
Trinkle: "Please tell us what's wrong...Hey what's her name again?" The cat blushed with embarrassment upon forgetting her name.
Lisa: "Callisto. Her name's Callisto, Trinkle"
Trinkle: "Oh" The cat had returned to Leviticus 6 mid-morning, bouyed by the fact that Taryn was in the same complex, and was to remain there for the next few days until her fiancee was recovered enough. In the adjoining room, an alarm sounded at Lane Torren's cosole. The computer displayed an infra-red outline of one of the bulbs, with a green arrow pointing to the middle part of the tube. This wasn't a malfunction of the object, merely an indication of another substance it came into contact with (ie blood, water, fire etc) In this case it was water in the form of Callisto's tears, who was reluctant to relinquish her grip on CB2's tube. Little Trinkle turned to retrieve CB4 from mid-air.
Trinkle: "C'mon, Callisto, lets play with the black one"
Callisto backed away from the cat "No"
The decision was about to be taken out of Callisto's hands when Lane Torrens marched into the room. Kerryn and Glynis were nowhere to be seen. Torrens made his way through the throng of cats, dogs and Lisa until he came face to face with the traumatised child. She gazed into the tall man's eyes which were so cold. Torrens extended his hands to unwrap CB2's tube from around Callisto while Felix and Freddy J closed in protectively around her. The Protectorates were frightened of Torrens, always moving to obey his requests. In minutes CB2 was ensconed in his arms; as was CB4 seconds later as he took the black one from Trinkle. The white cat's face crumpled into tears just as Taryn Carlton appeared in the doorway with Kerryn. Catching Taryn's eye, the cat raced over to her with arms outstteched for her embrace.
Trinkle: (very teary) "Taryn! Taryn!"
Taryn: "Trinkle? Whatever's the matter, honey?" In reply the cat leapt into Taryn's arms, almost sending her sprawling. He buried his face in her bosom. The other smaller cats trailed over to them with Garfield in the lead. Taryn found herself surrounded by three other younger cats; one grey, one black and white and a bright orange cat. All were small and slender. On the other side of the room, the rest were concerned with Callisto's predicament. Worriedly Taryn glanced over, witnessing Lane Torren's indifference personally. The young woman whom had accompanied her from Neil's hospital suite looked lost. No wonder little Trinkle was upset. Sitting down on the bed, Taryn nursed the cat she came to think of as hers and would always be special. She was honouring her promise to visit Trinkle and his friends, and here they were. The occasion was a sad one for Taryn, for she came to say goodbye one final time to little Trinkle. She vowed these last few hours were determined to be memorable for both of them. The orange cat approached her with an equally distressed expression on his face.
Garfield: "You're gonna stay aren't ya?"
Taryn: "Of course I'll stay", she reached out and petted the orange cat on the head. Trinkle shifted in her arms having calmed down. . Taryn took this opportunity to study the others surrounding her. The grey kitten, the smallest sat on the bed gazing awed at her; the black and white one, perhaps an inch taller than the grey clambered closer to her.
Taryn: "Hello!" The animals rewarded her with wide smiles "Hey, Trinkle. Do you want to introduce your friends?"
Trinkle raised a tear-stained face although he was no longer crying. Looking around at his friends he introduced them to Taryn.
Trinkle: "The orange cat is Garfield then here's Nermal who's all grey", he glanced at Sylvester with wide eyes "Hi!, I don't know your name!"
Sylvester: (grinning cheekily) "I'm Sylvester, but not the famous one!"
Garfield regarded Taryn with a smile of his own "You gotta be Taryn. Trinkle's always talking about you" The young woman came close to the orange cat, their faces very close.
Taryn: "I've heard a lot about you too!", she tickled Garfield's chin with her fingers. The orange cat squeaked with delight. Soon enough, the rest came over; the two Felix's ambling over, next came the two Freddy's, the four dogs, Lisa, the female cats. In the opposite corner, Kerryn tended to Callisto.
Trinkle: "Come on everybody, meet Taryn!"
The babble became more excited as the throng of preternaturals gathered around the bed as if Taryn was a famous movie star. The animals were happy about meeting someone who had shown compassion to one of their own. She, and people like her, symbolised light in the midst of terrible darkness. The preternaturals history was heartbreaking; that of their biological parents horrifying. The terrible memories that these cats and dogs harboured were never far from their consciousness. Both sets of black cats witnessed the horrid experiements on their mother before she was destroyed; their father had been killed outright. Scooby had been tortured, Shadow, Delilah and Reilly were rescued by the Department from the streets. All of them had stories to tell. Dark stories.
Felix J edged closer to the pretty girl cradling the three youngest cats "Taryn. We'd like to thank you for your kindness to Trinkle. It means a heck of a lot to us!"
Taryn: "No thanks needed. It was my pleasure"
Felix: "We're gonna have a party in your honour. Can you come back tomorrow?" Tomorrow, thought Taryn wistfully. Yes, tomorrow would be fine as it would be her last day here and Trinkle deserved a proper goodbye.
Taryn: "OK, tomorrow it is. We'll have a party to end all parties. It'll be Neil, myself and you lot!", she held the white cat "and Trinkle and I'll have to say goodbye in style. Won't we, little one?"
Trinkle: "Sure" He sniffled then began to cry.
During this time, Lane Torrens had taken Kerryn aside for a private conference. Callisto was brought around quickly, and lay in her bed asleep. Now, Kerryn sat opposite Lane at his workstation. He regarded her silently then spoke.
Lane: "I've just received word that the Protectorates are to be relocated the day after tomorrow". Kerryn tried to speak but couldn't at the shock of this news. With their leaving her, it felt as if her womb was torn apart.
To be continued.............
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