"David H. Olivier" Ready a little sooner than I aniticipated. Enjoy. "Matrose Mond": Chapter Two Uniforms command respect. Certain uniforms command greater respect. In a world filled with brown uniforms and grey uniforms, those who wear black receive a lot of attention - and a lot more respect. This explained why those patrons of the exercise hall brave enough - or curious enough - to still be there were keeping their distance from the two young men in black. The strangers were oblivious to the effect they were having on the facility, but were instead engrossed in a detailed examination of one corner of the room. One of them straightened up. He looked at the readings displayed on the machine he held in the palm of his hand. Turning to his companion, he said: "Over here." His fellow came to join him. They were both tall and thin, just completing the passage from adolescence to manhood. They could have been taken for brothers, save that one was sandy brown-haired and the other much darker, nearly jet-black. The brown, who was the newcomer, looked at the machine his partner held. "Interesting. I've never seen such a concentration before." The dark one nodded in agreement. "Everybody's stories tally, Andreas. The monsters, the strange loss of energy, and then the mass hallucination of the blonde girl throwing something. They all claim the monsters disintegrated, but I'll be damned if I can find any physical trace of their being here." "But those readings speak differently." Andreas pointed to one particular spike. "That kind of power level is truly phenomenal. The displacement required to vaporize something that substantial, let alone three somethings, says that this is a powerful weapon. We have to hope this girl isn't some new sort of `Red Menace'." His partner smiled. "Relax, Andreas. I think we're looking at the paranormal here. This is exactly the same pattern as the ones we found at the concert hall and the jewellery store. Energy vampires, a mysterious girl, and a flying disc that disintegrates its foes. Not even the Cabal could come up with something this ingenious." Andreas shot back a sheepish grin. "Right as always, Tristan. I guess I let my imagination run wild. What do we do next?" Tristan folded shut his device and put it in a pocket. "We wait for the next event. Patience, Andreas: that's the key. The truth is out there." ***** It was late. Kani and Luna were together in the alley behind Kani's house. The girl had brought a small saucer of milk and a sliver of her luncheon roast joint. The cat ate the few scraps ravenously. Finally, Luna finished her scanty meal. She performed a brief ablution on her whiskers and paws, and then looked up at Kani. "Ready for your exercises?" "Again?" "You never know what you'll be called on to do. As Matrose Mond, you are the sole protector of this planet. I think the last few weeks' activities should be proof enough why you have been summoned." Kani nodded in agreement. "I never thought there were so many monsters out there. Poor Maria! You should have seen her in school the day after the attack on the jewellery store. It was as if someone had done the most horrible things to her." "Well, how would you feel if terrible creatures replaced your parents and tried to steal your life-energy?" "They've probably already done that to my step-father." "Kani!" "Sorry, Luna; he really gets on my nerves at times." "You'll have to try harder with him; he may not be the best sort, but he does try." Kani made a face. "I promise I'll try harder, provided he isn't so mean to Mama." "Fine, then. That's all I can ask of you. Now, about those exercises: I think we'll work on your climbing skills tonight." Luna looked up at the row of houses. "Think you can get to the roof without waking your family?" Kani grinned. "Piece of cake." She stuck out her hand and began the transformation to Matrose Mond. ***** The next morning at school Kani discovered she'd missed something the night before. The subject of conversation was a new radio programme. "It was so fabulous," said one girl; "I really want to be in the audience next week". A boy nodded in agreement. Everyone seemed very excited. It wasn't until after class that Kani managed to corner Maria. "What was all that about a radio programme?" she asked. "It's a new show for us younger listeners. They play some of the uptempo British stuff, a little of the dance music, and even one or two American jazz numbers." "I thought jazz was forbidden." "That's what makes it so cool. And they play it in front of a live audience, too. The announcer sounds like he knows his music." "When's it on?" "Late; from 2200 to 2300." "I'd have to turn on the radio really quiet; the kids are all in bed." "Why don't you come over to my place tonight and we can listen together? My mom and dad don't mind, and they'll be glad to see you." "If I can, Maria; it depends how busy Mama is." In no time they'd once again reached the sweet shop and the end of their walk together. ***** As it turned out, Kani was able to get the evening free. She was over at Maria's well before the start time. Maria's parents were glad to see their daughter's dear friend. "You should come and visit more often, Kani dear," said Frau Baeker. "Ja; come and fill those hollow legs of yours any time you wish," joked Herr Baeker. Kani smiled sheepishly; she always felt guilty about eating their good food after her Mama had worked so hard with what little there was at home. At 2200, the radio was switched on to the State network. "Good evening, young ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, we will have some very special music for you." The MC's voice was butter and honey. Kani and Maria sat and listened, totally enthraled by the mix of music styles; the Liverpool and Hamburg bands were especially well-represented. All too soon, the show reached its conclusion. "We hope you out there in Radioland have enjoyed the show as much as our audience; I know they've given a lot of energy to the programme tonight. Tune in tomorrow night, same time." Maria switched off the radio. "That was really something. We have just got to go to one." Kani nodded her head in agreement; she'd enjoyed the relaxing change of pace. *When's the last time I did something for myself, for fun? Don't I deserve it once in a while?* Then she thought of Luna and the new menace that she was responsible for keeping in check. *More responsibilities.* "You'll have to go yourself, Maria. I'll probably be too busy." *As usual.* ***** At the same time, in a radio studio in the Ministry of Propaganda, the MC switched off his microphone. With a wave of his hand his dapper tuxedo disappeared; he was dressed in his grey double-breasted uniform with the red piping. "Indeed, these kids have certainly given their energy towards our success." He smiled and looked around the room. Bodies were piled everywhere; youths and technical crew alike all sprawled over the seats and the dance floor. The MC gestured to the sound booth. "Furau," he called out, "have you finished in there?" A woman in a severe brown Ministry uniform came out of the booth. "Everything has been returned to normal, Master Jadeite. No one will suspect a thing." "Excellent. Until tomorrow, then." He waved a hand and a black rift appeared in front of him. Casually, he strolled through it and disappeared from view. The woman smiled, a rictus grin of pleasure. ***** It was a world unlike any other. It appeared to be a cross between the Hall of the Mountain King and the Underworld itself. Some passages reverberated to the echoing drip of falling water; others were dry and well-lit. It was a place that could only breed minds filled with dark thoughts of schemes for revenge and the lusting for power. Wagner would have been moved to write another cycle of operas had he beheld it; however, no human being had ever been to this place. It was the Dark Kingdom. Another black rift opened up and Jadeite walked through it. In his hands he held a glowing ball, like the one he had held before when Matrose Mond had destroyed his minion at the jewellery store. His face wore an expression of concern; it was essential that he bring this prize to his dread mistress as quickly as possible. Jadeite had considered it a choice assignment to be given the honour of spearheading his queen's invasion of Earth. Instead, the honour had turned into a nightmare. Out of nowhere this sailor-suited brat had shown up and begun wreaking havoc on his carefully-laid plans for gathering energy. The Queen was becoming impatient, and annoying the Queen was something that no one did for long - and lived. He entered the Great Hall and strode towards the throne at the far end. Upon reaching the foot of the raised dais, he knelt down and lifted his hands, holding the ball of energy above his head. "Greetings, Queen Beryl. I bring precious life-energy." From the shadows covering the throne a figure arose. She was tall, well-proportioned, if a little was left to be desired in the facial features. An impressive cascade of red hair flowed down to her waist. She held a huge staff with a crystal ball set on its top. "Excellent, Jadeite. Tonight, you have done well." She reached forward and took the energy ball from Jadeite's hands. "This will go a long way towards achieving our goal." The ball vanished from her hand. From somewhere far below the floor there was a sound, as if someone had sighed with content after a rich meal. Everyone pretended to ignore it. A raspy voice from the side of the hall spoke. "Oh yes, well done Jadeite. Two nights in a row - after how many failures?" Jadeite turned and whirled towards the source of the sarcasm. "I don't need your approval, Nephrite. I was appointed by the Queen to this task." His antagonist stepped forward. Tall, broad-chested, flowing shoulder-length auburn hair: handsome looks belying dark thoughts. He chuckled softly. "And in case your little playmate Matrose Mond decides to show up again?" Jadeite ground his teeth and clenched his fists. "I've a score to settle with that meddlesome brat." ***** Kani was still feeling sorry for herself on the walk home from Maria's. She looked up at the night sky, at the wisps of steam from a thousand vents, as the thick black clouds of coal exhaust from the munitions plants passed in front of the waxing gibbous moon. *I never do anything for myself.* She spun at the sound of a quiet footfall behind her. The shape was difficult to see in the half-light, but the unmistakable form of a black cat stood on the sidewalk behind her. "Well done, Kani. You heard me despite every precaution I took." "Does everything have to be a test?" Luna stopped. "No, I suppose it doesn't." She took a few running steps, then jumped up. Kani caught the cat and perched her on a shoulder. "I'm sorry, Kani," Luna continued. "For some reason I always thought I'd have to work hard with Matrose Mond to make her a true champion of justice. Yet you've picked things up quickly. Your tiara throws are accurate, your hand-to-hand combat skills are more than adequate, and you've proven yourself to be calm and level-headed in a crisis. It's strange; I never pictured you this way." "You learn a lot the hard way with an ever-growing family." "Indeed. And maybe I forget that, too. You have a very big responsibility in helping with your family. Trying to combine that with schoolwork and being Matrose Mond doesn't leave you much time to yourself." "I never really did have much of that, anyway." "Nevertheless, you have to have some free time." "Someday." The pair had reached Kani's home. It was still impossible for Kani to bring Luna inside with her; the `no pets' rule applied equally to all family members. However, Luna had expressed a preference for remaining outside anyway. The cat's nocturnal wanderings intrigued Kani. "Where do you go?" "Oh, around the neighbourhood." "Are you looking for something? Maybe I can help." Luna's response was immediate: "No, no, I'm not really looking for anything in particular. Just getting to know the territory." She turned and began to walk off, then stopped and looked back. "Good night, Kani. Sleep well." "Good night, Luna." *And why are you lying to me?* Kani turned and went inside. Luna stood watching her, then resumed her promenade. ***** The sun that made a rare appearance the next morning in the skies of Berlin never shone inside Gestapo headquarters. Tristan and Andreas waited on a hard bench outside their chief's office. They'd been expressly summoned bright and early, without warning or explanation. Rarely did this portend well. The secretary waved his hand. "You can go in now." They each got up, took a deep breath, and went in. The chief, a small man with sparse hair, weak eyes, and an obsession with neatness, sat behind his desk. "Sit down, you two. This is important." Tristan took the lead. "What's up, chief?" The chief waved his hand over a neat stack of files. "I've been reading your reports on the recent wave of paranormal phenomena here in the city. Have you anything further to add?" "No, sir. We think we'll be able to piece together more of the puzzle if there's another event." "There has been another event." The pair were clearly surprised. "Where?" asked Andreas. Leaning over his desk, the chief resembled a starving vulture. He waved his underlings nearer. In a voice close to a whisper, he filled them in. "My sources tell me that something strange is going on at the Ministry of Propaganda. People are suddenly fainting, almost as if they've been drained of their energy. Sound familiar?" He smiled, a row of crooked yellow teeth amid the dull gleam of numerous fillings. "Our energy Vampiren!" Andreas' eyes lit up; Tristan was on the edge of his seat. "Exactly." "So when do we begin?" The chief straightened up slightly, steepling his fingers together. "Well, that could be a bit of a problem. As you know, our beloved Reichsfuehrer-SS and the Minister of Propaganda are not the closest of associates." Tristan and Andreas, for the little they knew of politics, were well aware of the ill-disguised animosity between the two men, each of whom pursued his own agenda to strengthen his position at the other's expense. Six decades of infighting had never produced a harmonious inner circle in Nazi Germany. The chief continued. "The Minister, through his underlings, has denied that a problem exists, and consequently refuses to allow any police investigators onto Ministry property." He smiled again, still steepling his fingers back and forth. "I'm afraid you two will have to show a little initiative in getting into the Ministry and investigating this matter." Andreas was the first to respond. "We'll have to go incognito." "And the police will deny any knowledge of our actions." Tristan knew what a suicide mission sounded like. "But of course." The chief stood up. "That will be all, gentlemen: I will await your reports in due course." He ushered them out. He closed his door behind them and returned to his desk, then picked up the receiver on his telephone. "Get me the Reichsfuehrer." The chief waited while the connection was made. Presently, a voice answered. "Reichsfuehrer? I have a case that may interest you." A brief pause. "In a half-hour? Jawohl, Herr Reichsfuehrer; I'll be there." He hung up. Once outside Gestapo headquarters, the pair could express their feelings. "Good heavens, they want a lot from us," was Andreas' comment. Tristan was more philosophical. "This is a make-or-break assignment, my friend. Impress the brass and we may be on the move." "Or end up as food for the Reichsfuehrer's pet Dobermanns." Andreas preferred unabashed pessimism. ***** It was at school that afternoon that Kani received the bad news. Maria came up to her, head hanging down, a sorrowful expression on her pretty face. "I'm really sorry, Kani; my father tried everything he could think of." "What are you so upset about?" "Papa managed to get me a ticket to tonight's broadcast, but only one. I'm sorry." Kani seized her friend by the shoulders. "Will you relax? You sound like you're about to kill yourself over a silly concert ticket. Go and enjoy yourself. With any luck, I might even find time to listen. I want to hear you scream when they play anything by >die rollend Steinen<." Maria smiled. "It's a deal." ***** The rest of Kani's day did not go so smoothly. Young Lothar was in trouble at school for fighting again (*takes after his father, that one*), Ute's science project on leaves was due tomorrow (*trust our school system to assign a project on leaves before spring's begun!*), most of the toddlers had the croup, and Samuel was sulking. Kani liked Samuel. He was the next closest in age to Kani and, as the eldest boy, tried to take some responsibilities on himself. No one would admit to it, but Kani had done the necessary math and had a sneaking suspicion that he was also her only full-blooded sibling. She found him sitting outside the kitchen door, the one leading into the back alley where most of the neighbourhood's social gatherings took place amidst the garlands of ever-drying laundry, the piles of rubbish that never seemed to move - just change their composition periodically - and the perpetual half-light typical of narrow open spaces surrounded by houses and apartments. "So what's bothering you today?" she asked. "How can you stand him?" "Who?" "You know who I mean. The `Booze-Hound'." Kani stifled her giggle. Samuel delighted in using their private nickname for Papa Hans, but Kani was fearful of the day his tongue would slip and he'd blurt it out in front of the man. "Why is he bothering you today?" Samuel waved his hand in a gesture of disgust. "You know how Mama's feeling these days. How she can get anything done is beyond me. But she tries anyway." He motioned for his sister to sit down; she smoothed her brown skirt out under her and sat beside him on the stoop. "You're lucky you don't come home for lunch; I'll be glad next year when I start at the >Realschule<." Kani nodded. She'd heard stories of what lunch could be like some days. "What happened today?" Samuel continued. "All morning Mama's taking care of sick babies, so she had no time to put a joint in the oven. Comes lunch, she's carving off the old roast from the day before for sandwiches. Then the Booze-Hound wakes up and wants to know why he can't smell lunch cooking. He sees the old roast, gets all mad at Mama, and throws it out the window. Then he grabs cap and coat and goes off to the pub `for some real food', as he puts it. By the time I got outside, the joint was long gone. Mama was in tears." Kani put an arm around Samuel's shoulders. "Sami, you're nearly ten now. Only a few more years and you can move out on your own. You're going to have to grit your teeth and put up with the man just a little longer. At least we can look forward to leaving; what does Mama have to look forward to?" "You're a fine one to counsel patience; the last few weeks you've done nothing but go hammer and tongs at it with one another." "I know. It's good advice, though; I'm just better at giving it out than following it." She thought back to her conversation with Luna, realizing how hard it was going to be to keep her promise to the cat. Samuel got up, stretching his arms. "I'd better get inside; it's my turn to wash dishes tonight. Coming?" "No, I'm done everything except my homework. I'll just sit out here for a bit and enjoy the night air." "Don't catch cold, unless you intend on giving it to the Booze-Hound." "Sami!" He grinned and went in the house. Kani stretched her legs out, put her hands behind her head, and looked up. The sliver of sky visible between the tenements was clear; stars twinkled up in the heavens. "I'm sorry about the roast, but I can assure you it didn't die in vain." Kani looked back down. "Luna! So you at least got a good lunch today." Luna licked a paw. "First substantial meal I can remember in a long time - a very long time." "Enjoy it; I doubt you'll see another like it for a while." The pair sat quietly, admiring what little scenery there was. Presently, Kani spoke. "Luna, what am I supposed to be doing?" "What do you mean?" "Originally you told me that I was to help in your search for this Mondprinzessin, but all I've done since is kill monsters that are trying to suck the energy out of people. Where are these monsters from? Who's controlling them? And what the devil does the Mondprinzessin have to do with all this?" Luna cocked her head to one side pensively. "I can't answer those questions right now." "Why not? Something else you're hiding from me?" Luna was quick to respond. "Heavens, no. My memory isn't all that clear on a number of things. It's like something happens and then I get a little piece of my memory back, like a jigsaw puzzle. Trust me, it's annoying." "So you know as much as I do, for now." Luna's head drooped. "Alas, yes." Kani reached out and picked up the black cat. She began to stroke Luna on the top of her head. "Then I guess we're along for the ride together." They continued to sit there quietly. ***** The stars winked down on the two figures trying to look as inconspicuous as possible sitting in the black sedan parked across from the Ministry of Propaganda. The faint glare of a match broke the night's cloak within the vehicle. "Andreas! Put that damned cigarette out! You want to give us away?" The match was hurriedly shaken, its flame blown into a glowing match head. "Sorry, Tris; you know how my nerves are on stakeouts." Tristan shook his head. "And you wanted to be a doctor," he muttered under his breath. "And you believe the American propaganda about smoking and cancer being related? If it was true, wouldn't they have replanted every field in Virginia with tomatoes by now? Besides, if I have to choose between the stuff I deliberately put into my mouth and sucking on one of those IG Farben chimneys outside town, I know which poison I'll go for." Tristan smiled back at his partner. Then his face fell and he glanced at his watch. "Great; the programme's about to start. Won't the chief be pleased when he finds out we couldn't get in." Andreas seemed nonplussed about this setback. "Hey, we tried everything: technical crew, set-up, audience. I couldn't believe you when you tried to act like a musician. That was too funny." "It would have worked if you'd stopped sniggering." "No, that guard had us cold." Andreas reached over and turned on the car radio. "At least we can monitor how the new show is doing." "Yeah, the same way everyone else in Germany is." ***** "Good evening, young ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Modern Music Hour!" [cheers, applause] "We've got a jam-packed show for you tonight: the hottest new acts live, some of your golden favourites, and a few surprises guaranteed to make you stand up and scream!" [louder cheers, frantic applause] Jadeite had discovered he enjoyed show business. The adoration of the crowds was something he hadn't expected, and it had taken him by surprise the first time it had happened. Every time since, he felt he owed it to his audience to give them a rousing performance. Besides, he was certainly asking for something in return, wasn't he? After introducing the first act, he left the stage and disappeared into the control booth. Furau sat at the master control, idly flicking switches when necessary. Everyone else in the room was slumped over the controls, sound asleep. Jadeite touched Furau on the shoulder. "Is everything ready?" "Of course, master." "Then let the show begin." Furau threw a small switch on the panel in front of her. Deep underneath the stage, an eldritch hum began to emanate from a small sphere. ***** "Tris!" "Hmmh?" "Wake up!" Andreas stopped shaking his partner and waved a meter in front of his face. "Look at these readings!" Tristan regarded the display for an instant. "It's begun." ***** Kani was slightly earlier than usual for school the next day. She wanted to find Maria and ask a million questions about the show, about the bands, about the MC. Unfortunately, her plans seemed to be thwarted by Maria's unaccounted-for tardiness. Maria was never late, until today. Kani seethed. Eventually the auburn-haired girl arrived. Her complexion was pale, her eyes weighed down by huge bags underneath, and she was bent over nearly double. "Hi. Kani." Every word seemed a struggle. "Maria, you look awful." "Jus' tired, 's'all. Jus' need some sleep." Maria reached her desk, sat down, then toppled over onto the floor gracefully, just the way she did everything. ***** "You saw the readings! We have to go back tonight." Tristan ducked as Andreas threw the pillow at him. "Like heck we do," the brown-haired officer replied. "They'll probably be expecting us again. I say we lay off for a night, let them think all's clear, and then surprise 'em tomorrow." He smiled and lit another cigarette. Tristan rubbed his chin, a doubtful expression creasing his brow. "This wouldn't have anything to do with that riding instructor you've been trying to see, would it?" "Never. Would I lie to you?" "Whenever I see that expression on your face, I always know to call your bluff." "Bastard." Andreas grinned. The black-haired SS man kicked off his boots and leaned back on his bunk. "Ah, take the night off. It's not like we need to have this thing solved by tomorrow, is it?" "Thanks, Tris. I owe you one." Tristan grinned back. "Actually, it's up to twenty-seven now, but who's counting?" He ducked as the pillow came for him again. ***** It was late evening in the back alley behind the Schmitt house. Kani sat watching the stars while Luna finished her dinner scraps. "So you say the other ones you checked also attended the broadcast last night?" Kani asked. Luna lifted her head, a piece of gristle dangling from one side of her mouth. "You were right; it all seemed to hit them after going to the Ministry of Propaganda. What tipped you off?" She struggled with the last morsel, shaking her head until it swung into her open mouth. Kani scuffed the toes of her shoes in the dirt. "When I brought Maria home, I asked her Mama if she'd been alright last night. She said Maria had been tired-looking when she came home, but Frau Baeker just thought it was from all the dancing and stuff." "What do you think?" "I think we should check it out." Kani got up, dusted herself off, then stopped. "Luna, just how am I going to get in there? I don't have a ticket to the show, and I certainly can't pass as an act." Luna paused in her tracks. "I think I have the solution to that. Hold on." The cat leapt straight up, did a back flip, then landed neatly on her four feet. In front of her lay a shiny stick, a biro with a jewel on one end. Kani picked it up. "Great; another gadget. What does this one do?" "It's a >Verwandlungsstift<. You use it to disguise yourself." "How does it work?" "You hold it up and tell it what kind of disguise you want." From somewhere in the distance, a bell chimed. "Great; that's the half-hour bell. Luna, we've got less than a half-hour to get to the Ministry building, and I don't have tram fare." "Then we'd better move it." They set off at a run. ***** Kani and Luna arrived with five minutes to spare - four after each had caught her breath. "Okay, we're here. I guess I'd better disguise myself." By instinct both looked around for spectators. Seeing the coast was clear, Kani held the Stift up. She was at a loss for words. "What should I ask for?" "Try asking for someone who should be here now." ">Verwandlungsstift, Verkleide Mich!< Change me into someone who belongs in the Ministry of Propaganda at this time of night!" There was a whirl and glow and many stars. When Kani felt the process was complete, she opened her eyes. "Well, did it work?" Luna's jaw hung loose and wide open. She cleared her throat. In a very small voice, she said: "I think you'd better give the Stift more specific instructions next time." Kani looked down at herself, then began to blush. Her hair hung in a long blonde stream behind her, a peek-a-boo fringe in the front. Inch-long eyelashes were pasted to her real ones. Something thick seemed to be suffocating the pores of her face and her lips felt greasy. Her feet were in agony from the angle they were tilted at; her heels were a good eight centimetres off the ground, thanks to the stiletto spikes. She wore a very tight evening gown slit from the ankles right up to the thigh. Her legs were encased in what felt like real nylon stockings. Her neckline was quite low-cut, revealing a rather generous amount of- "Hey, Luna! This Stift does more than whip up a new set of clothes! I've got-!" "Yes, we can both see what you've got," Luna quickly interjected. She was shaking her head mournfully. "You're dressed like a tart and you're made up like one too." Kani whistled softly. "I guess it is true about the Minister. I hope I haven't already arrived." Luna wore a doubtful expression. "Can you walk in those things?" She pointed a paw at the shoes. Kani shrugged her shoulders. "I'll have to." They set off for the gate, Luna wrapped around Kani's neck as a black fur stole. The guard on duty gave a cursory wave-through to Kani; he'd seen it all before. As she went past, however, he indulged himself in his usual pastime of rating his boss's latest conquest. Full marks from his angle: as the guard leaned out the booth for one final look, he promptly toppled over and out the window. Once they'd reached the main lobby, Kani stopped, removed her shoes, and sighed with relief. "Those things are not going on again. How can anyone stand them?" The pair looked around. A sign pointed down a corridor: `Recording Studios'. Luna sighed. "Sorry; looks like you'll need to put them back on. You won't fool anyone carrying them around." "Oh, forgive me, poor feet." Kani squeezed her shoes back on. "Remind me what this was like the next time I try to dress up." She set off, wobbling slightly, Luna perched around her neck again. "Not so tight," Kani admonished the cat. "You promise not to fall?" "Of course." The cat clung a little tighter anyway. ***** "Good evening, young ladies and gentlemen - what time is it?" Jadeite was getting into the role more and more each night. "It's music time!" the crowd shouted back. "Right!" He flashed a row of pearly white teeth. "And let's have a big welcome for our first act, >die KurIch bin Smokingmaske!<" Casually, he leapt off his perch and came to rest between Matrose Mond and Jadeite. "It's too cool a night to be menacing young girls on rooftops. Perhaps you'd care to try me on for size?" He brandished a polished black cane in his right hand. The smile was long gone from Jadeite's face. The odds had changed, and they were not in his favour. "Some other time, perhaps." A black rift appeared behind him. "You haven't seen the last of me, Matrose Mond!" he cliched, as he climbed into the hole and disappeared. Matrose Mond couldn't help staring at her rescuer, her knight-errant. "Wh-who are you?" she asked, her tongue tripping over the words. *He looks incredibly handsome.* The stranger tipped his hat. "I'll always be there for you when you need my help. You can count on me, Matrose Mond; always." He nodded, turned, and stepped off the roof. With a shriek, Matrose Mond ran to the edge of the roof and looked; Smokingmaske had vanished. She stood there, hands clasped to her breast. She could only see his smile; his eyes had been hidden by his mask. There was a soft sound from below. "You might want to go check on the studio audience." Matrose Mond stood still. "In a minute, Luna," she said, her voice tiny and distant. She was in love. ***** Andreas had finally found a comfortable position on what he thought was the oldest army mattress in all the Reich. Naturally this meant his near-somnolent state was disturbed a moment later by the window being opened. Andreas opened his eyes and groaned. "Dammit, Tris, can't you use the door like everyone else?" There was no reply. Andreas groaned again and reached for the light switch. "Tris?" His friend sat on the foot of his own bunk, head held in his hands. He was wearing only his regulation shorts. "You're asking for it, running around like that. Where the devil were you?" For the first time Tristan lifted his face. There was something in his eyes, something wild. Tristan stared madly at his friend. "I don't know," he blurted out. "I don't know." Then he put his face back in his hands. ***** end of Chapter Two. Glossary: >die Vampiren<, plural of >der Vampir< - vampire. (As if you needed this one.) The Reichsfuehrer-SS is the title for the head of the Schutzstaffel (the SS, or `defence force') and Chief of Police. The word >Fuehrer< simply means "leader". IG Farben (short for Interessengemeinschaft Farbenindustrie AG) - a cartel of German chemical companies, including such familiar firms as Bayer, Hoechst, and BASF, formed in 1925, and controlled about one-third of the German market. IG Farben is probably most famous (or infamous) for its development of Zyklon B, the chemical used to murder inmates at the `death camps'. After 1945, IG Farben was, by order of the Allied occupation forces, disbanded into its pre-formation member companies. However, IG Farben continued to exist as a paper entity to facilitate the repayment of its profits to victims of the cartel's chemicals. >der Verwandlungsstift< - Disguise Pen; >der Stift< - the pen. >Verwandlungsstift, Verkleide Mich!< - asking the Pen to disguise her. >Fraulein< is the equivalent of "Miss". >der Smoking< - tuxedo or dinner-jacket.