by Denis Byrne
‘What way is that to treat my forces!’ Linda hissed angrily in Danny’s ear, still in position on his shoulder, a feat she’d managed to accomplish throughout the entire flight by settling herself in behind his earlobe and hanging on determinedly to a strand of his hair. Otherwise, she’d have been blown backwards to heaven knows where. ‘Tell him to free them immediately.’
‘Er, Mr. Pearson,’ Danny said, having brought Charlie to a standstill and dismounted. ‘They’re on our side.’ He pointed meaningfully towards the cluttered mass the beam had solidified on Teddy. ‘They’re the surprise I mentioned earlier. The woodland air force, under the command of Linda Ladybird herself.’ He gazed into Mr. Pearson’s eyes, winked conspiratorially, then gave a faint twitch of his head to where Linda was perched on his shoulder. ‘I’m sure you’ve heard all about her long ago.’
Mr. Pearson immediately got the message. ‘Not the Linda Ladybird!’ he gasped, giving a wonderful show of being totally awestricken.
‘The same,’ Danny said solemnly, as Linda all but passed out with pride. ‘Commander-in-Chief of the finest flying forces in the land.’
‘I’m honoured to make your acquaintance,’ Mr. Pearson bowed in Linda’s direction. ‘I’d simply no idea. Please forgive me. I’ll remedy the situation straight away.’
Which, indeed, Mr. Pearson did, though he had to be careful to ensure he only released the ladybirds in batches of fifty or so at a time. That way, he could refreeze Teddy section by section as he worked the beam over his body little by little until not a single ladybird remained stuck to him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
When Harrington came to and realised the plight his impetuosity had landed him in, he was livid with himself. For all he knew, he’d been responsible for the failure of the entire rescue operation. He wouldn’t have been surprised if the other three were in the same situation as himself, hogtied and helpless, and having no idea where they were due to the blindfold. He tried to remember what had happened to him, but all he could recall was what felt like no more than the kiss of a breeze on the back of his neck before he was deprived of his senses. He wondered where he was. It had to be inside the house itself, for he was seated in a reasonably comfortable chair. At least he hadn’t been gagged.
He hissed softly to see if he could gain anyone’s attention. Nothing. If the others had suffered the same fate as himself, they were probably stashed away somewhere else in the building. Or maybe they were still unconscious. For all he knew they might be right there beside him. He hissed a few more times, but again got no response. He wondered how long he’d been out. But there was no point in wasting time worrying about that part of it. He had to try and free himself. His shoulders were already aching from the strain of his wrists having been bound behind his back. But the more he struggled to slip his bonds, the more securely they restrained him. Whoever had tied him up certainly knew what they were about.
Harrington finally became resigned to the fact that he was wasting his time. After what seemed like an age of determined striving which left him close to exhaustion, he realised it was all in vain. Better, he told himself, to try and regain his energy than wear himself out altogether. He might possibly get a chance to redeem himself later for his stupid bravado and, if he did, he’d need all the strength he could muster. He tried to keep his spirits up and not rebuke himself any more, but try as he did, he still felt as though he’d let everyone down. And if anything happened to the old man and the little girl because of his actions, he knew he’d never forgive himself.
*
Things were becoming stranger and stranger. Anna hadn’t turned her monitor off even when she could no longer see what was going on outside. But she’d maintained a watching brief in the hope that the darkness would disperse just as mysteriously as it had arrived. When it partially lifted, she was on hand to see the Teddy episode unfold beneath the shafts of brightness which had broken through the covering black blanket. It was like watching a bizarre scene in a third-rate horror movie some crazy director had cobbled together. It didn’t look convincing in the slightest, and was being played out amidst the intermingling black and white squares refecting from overhead. It was akin to some nightmarish game of chess without any rules. Or rules which were being made up as the game progressed, with Teddy being outmanoeuvred at every hand’s turn. Then well and truly checkmated by swarms of whatever it was had engulfed him.
And on top of that, he’d now fallen prey to the same thing which had immobilised Needles and Desmond. He was stuck to the ground like a statue, gazing off into the distance, having been turned into a zombie or something. Anna couldn’t figure it out. But she knew someone who should be able to enlighten her before she disturbed the Boss again. There had to be a rational explanation for what was going on. When she found out what it was, she’d take the matter in hand herself and deal with it. Use her own initiative just as she’d been taught to do by the man she now considered to be her new Father. She sent a message to command to have the two fully equipped USB men meet her at the main entrance. The thought of how proud Myles would be of her when she’d sorted things out lent wings to Anna’s feet as she headed towards her destination.
*
‘What now?’ Linda asked Danny. ‘We have the Superintendent’s location to the nearest millimetre.’
Danny had dismounted, all manner of possibilities running through his head like wildfire. He knew if he made the wrong decision, things could turn out disastrously. ‘Your forces might have, Linda,’ he replied, squinting through the chink in the gate, ‘but he’s not visible from here. Can you send another order to your Squadron Leader for an arrow indication of the Super’s exact location? And ask if he’s still unconscious.’
Linda instantly went into telepathic mode. Mr. Pearson looked on in fascination. She became fixated on her task to the extend that everything else was cleared from her mind as it prepared to both relay commands and receive answers. Mr. Pearson moved up closer to Danny and also peered through the chink to see what would be the outcome of the mental communication.
He was beginning to think that the gadget he’d invented, though having proved fairly useful so far, was but small potatoes when compared to the wonders ladybirds could weave. For no sooner had he his eye to the chink, when another section of the overhanging black blanket disengaged from the main force and formed itself into a perfect arrow. Then, as though shot from a bow, it flew downwards with blinding speed. Just when it seemed that it was about to keep going and plunge straight into the earth below, it stopped and quivered over one particular tree, looking for all the world as if it had struck an invisible bull’s-eye.
‘That’s the tree he’s under, Mr. Pearson,’ Danny whispered so as not to interfere with Linda’s concentration. ‘We’ll know in a minute what shape he’s in.’
‘Aren’t you going to ask her about Harrington?’ Mr Pearson whispered back. ‘Seeing as she’s in touch?’
‘I already have. They’ve seen no sign of him whatsoever. My guess is that he’s been captured and taken into the house before Linda’s forces arrived here.’
Linda gave a few shudders and became animate again. ‘He’s still stretched out on the grass,’ she told them. ‘But he seems to be okay. I’m told he’s breathing normally.’ She fluttered her little wings meaningfully. ‘But I’ve also been told exhaustion is rapidly setting in on my squadrons. They won’t be able to hang up there for much longer, Danny.’
‘Bring them down, Linda. Let them settle in the trees and rest. They’ve already played a vital part in the operation. We’d never have got this far without them. And tell them it’s really appreciated.’
‘Indeed!’ Mr. Pearson concurred. ‘And that goes for your splendid leadership as well.’
‘Are you sure?’ Linda said, a tad disappointed, despite the further compliments. ‘They’ll be fit and ready to go again after they’ve had a short break.’
‘You stay with me, Linda,’ Danny replied. ‘That way, if we do hit a ba
d patch, you’ll be there to call them into action again if we really need them.’
‘Great idea!’ Linda agreed, thrilled with herself to still be a part of Danny’s plans. ‘I’ll order them down straight away.’
*
On Anna’s orders, a USB man sliced through the rope binding Harrington’s ankles and dragged him to his feet. He’d have fallen down again only the other one grabbed his elbow. ‘What - -’. Harrington started to say, but was told by a sharp female voice to keep his mouth closed. ‘Quiet unless you’re spoken to, otherwise you’ll all be shot!’ Harrington’s heart sank into the pit of his stomach. It was just as he’d suspected. He’d made a mess of everything, and now the whole team had been captured.
Anna’s bluff worked like a treat. Harrington didn’t say another word. The blood was beginning to circulate in his feet again. He didn’t stumble as he was bundled roughly out through the main entrance, held firmly by the elbows on either side. The cold air hit him like a slap in the face. Had he been able to remove the blindfold, he’d have seen the men either side of him were armed to the teeth. High-powered rifles slung on their shoulders, handguns in holsters on their hips, hunting knives in sheaths attached to crisscross body-bandoliers containing enough ammunition to start World War Three. Both were sullen looking individuals, and even though their features weren’t remotely alike, they had the same dead, emotionless eyes of professional killers. Snuffing out a life to either meant no more to them than eating their breakfasts. It was just what they did when ordered to without thinking about it one way or the other.
Anna was surprised to find the darkness had lifted completely and daylight had been fully restored. Just like that. After all the peculiar things that had happened today, she knew caution was called for. Whoever it was had overcome Teddy deserved to be treated with respect. She knew exactly where the person she wanted to interview was. The top cop heading the rescue effort. The one who must know everything about all these mysterious goings-on. And she was determined to extract the information from him whatever way she had to. Myles had been perfectly correct in his assessment of her that day in the courtroom. When it came to the forces of law and order, Anna had nothing but contempt for them. She led the way towards the tree the Superintendent was lying under, confident she’d enough backup with her to deal with anything that might arise. Besides, she had a surprise of her own in the helpless figure of Harrington.
*
Danny, Linda and Mr. Pearson were approaching the tree from the opposite direction. Linda retained her position on Danny’s shoulder. She’d given the order for the guiding arrow to disperse, and those who’d formed it had flown weary-winged to trees and bushes to join their companions for well-earned rests. Mr. Pearson’s head was in a spin. If only his wife and his colleagues could see him now. Of course, they’d never have believed him unless he had photographic evidence to show them. Even then, they’d have proclaimed the pictures had been faked. And he couldn’t say he’d really blame them. One didn’t come across armour-plated armadillos every day of the week. Not in Ireland anyway. And certainly not one that was about the same size as an adult hippopotamus. Danny had come up with the idea, and Charlie had duly obliged.
Progress was slow, but it was a case of safety first and, thanks to Linda’s signposting, they knew exactly where they were headed. ‘When we get there, Charlie,’ Danny told him in advance. ‘I want you to position yourself between the tree and the house. I bet those snipers are only ready and waiting for us to show our faces. We’ll take it from there once we’ve revived the Super.’
They didn’t have to crouch very much behind the armadillo, yet were careful to stay practically glued to its protective armour as they cautiously advanced. There was no knowing when the bullets would start flying again. ‘Can’t you get him to go any quicker?’ Linda whispered into Danny’s ear, mindful of not offending Charlie, yet unable to contain the inbred impatience of ladybirds in general. ‘At this rate, it’ll be midnight before we reach the tree.’
‘Not everyone can whiz around at a hundred miles an hour the way you can, Linda,’ Danny whispered back. ‘Just relax. We’ll be there shortly. And he’s not that slow.’
Linda sighed. ‘I suppose you’re right. I might be exaggerating just a tiny bit. It’s been a stressful day so far. Sorry.’
‘Listen!’ Mr. Pearson suddenly hissed. ‘I hear something!’
Which, indeed, he had. Danny held his hands up to his lips to indicate silence, then hauled himself inch by inch up Charlie’s body until he was lying face down on his back. He raised his head slightly to get a better view and nearly tumbled backwards at what he saw.
Anna had reached the Superintendent first. He’d now been hauled into a sitting position with his back against the trunk of the tree. He was still unconscious, his chin resting on his chest. His face was being slapped back and forth by one of the heavily armed men, who was trying to wake him. The second man held the blindfolded Harrington by the elbow. He had an automatic pistol in his other hand, pointing it at the Superintendent’s head, apparently to remind him who was in charge when he did come to. It was the slapping sound Mr. Pearson was the first to hear. But Charlie had been the first to see it, and had already decided he’d seen enough.
Danny tumbled off as Charlie lumbered forward, but quickly regained his feet and settled in behind him again. Anna and her henchmen were so intent on trying to revive the Superintendent, they weren’t concerned with anything else. Well, not at the exact moment Danny had been watching them anyway. But a giant armadillo lumbering towards them with indignation in its eyes wasn’t too difficult to spot. Anna had just unscrewed the top from a canteen of water and flung it in the Superintendent’s face, when she heard what sounded like a death rattle in someone’s throat doing its best not to be their last one before imparting an important final message. It was coming from the USB man holding Harrington, and it wasn’t altogether clear what he was trying to say. It sounded like: ‘L-L-L-L-Lo-ooo-ooo-kkk! Wh-aaaaaat’s ---- wh-aaaaaat’s th -------- a---aaaaat?’
Charlie was about a hundred yards away at the same time as the Superintendent came to. He was still in a dazed state. All around him was confusion. The Superintendent assumed he was still caught in the throes of a nightmare. There was so much going on he was having difficulty keeping up. His arm was throbbing painfully, but he couldn’t remember yet what had happened to it. Harrington was standing with his hands behind his back and a blindfold over his eyes. The Superintendent wondered if he’d mistakenly put too many spoons of cocoa into his mug before he went to bed last night. Something must be responsible for these hallucinations he was having.
A young woman was yelling frantically at two armed-to-theteeth men to open fire before it was too late. The men she was shouting at didn’t look all that keen to carry out her orders. Both of them appeared to be in a state of shock, staring bug-eyed at something or other. The Superintendent turned to see what had them so startled. What looked like a large metallic robot was trundling into the Superintendent’s nightmare. He’d never seen anything like it before. He suspected it was some newfangled military machine the army were testing, a bit like a tank, but of a baffling design. The Superintendent was amazed he was able to interpret his own dream so vividly, even while still asleep.
But it wasn’t long before he was snapped into reality once more. Everything came flooding back as he watched the two men finally obey Anna’s orders and drop to their knees, rifles in place at their shoulders, lining up Charlie in the crosshairs of their scopes. He felt the water dripping down his face and caught a few drops in the palm of his hand. His ribs were aching. A vision of the giant shadow he’d caught a glimpse of on the grass before he’d passed out flashed into his mind, and with the recollection came the knowledge that he wasn’t dreaming any more. What he was caught in the middle of was really happening. And such was the consternation caused by Charlie’s appearance, none of those about to engage with him were paying any attention to either himself or Harrin
gton any more.
‘Fire, you fools fire!’ Anna urged on the USB men, both of whom were doing their best to keep their arms from shaking.
None of their specialised training had prepared them for anything quite like this. They were trying to get a bead on the armadillo’s head to let him have a couple of lethal slugs between the eyes, but Charlie was one step ahead of them. He’d already retracted that particular vulnerable target, drawn it back into his shell and, with a twitch of his forehead, caused a steel shutter with two tiny peep-holes to drop into place in front of it. What the USBs now saw slowly drawing closer and closer to them was a headless something-or-other they were thinking must have descended from outer space. Unnerved though they were, they let off a barrage of shots in rapid succession, confident the high-powered ammunition they were using was suffice to stop the alien monstrosity in its tracks.
But they’d no better luck than they’d had with Dapper and Needles earlier. The bullets twanged off Charlie’s armour in all directions, whining away in frustration and annoyance, not at all pleased their deadly capabilities were being treated with such scorn. Granted, a number of the ladybirds resting in the trees and bushes had narrow escapes as the angry missiles sought some sort of satisfaction after being deflected left, right and centre. But ladybirds aren’t considered lucky for nothing, and all any of them felt from the dozens of ricochets was a slight quivering of their wings as the bullets zipped past before their waning velocity rendered them harmless and they fell spent and exhausted in the wild grass.