Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 GEORGE DOUGLAS - 20

   Mary opened her eyes to find herself in the examination room.  Sir
Timothy and Su were now with her.  Sir Timothy was shaking his head as he
handed her a glass of water.

   "I did ask you not to try this with Cathy, didn't I?" he asked her while
she sipped at the glass.

   Mary looked at him.  "You did, but when did you ever get anywhere with
me?  Anyway it wasn't *just* me.  It was as if something . . ."

   " . . .  From when you had that incident in Australia several years ago,
had been hiding inside you and when you found Cathy you just had to
hypnotise her?" Sir Timothy finished off for her.

   Mary just stared wide eyed at him.  "How could you have known that?  Why
you weren't even around during that time!"

   Sir Timothy smiled and sat down, "No I wasn't, but my father was!  He
passed on meticulous notes about you.  Now what's happening with Cathy?" he
asked.

   The memory returned to Mary.  The aboriginal youth.  The cave.  "She's
in danger, Sir Timothy.  She's got to fight the Eekoo spirits near the
lake. She sent me back." Mary gave a puzzled look at Sir Timothy, "How
could she send me back?  It's not possible!"

   Hearing this Sandra went to her daughter and started to call to her. 
Sir Timothy gently took her by the shoulders and drew her back from the
sleeping child.  "It's no use, Sandra, wherever Cathy is, she's not able to
hear you.  But believe me when I tell you that it will be okay."

   But Sandra tried to pull away from him, still calling Cathy's name.  Su
had to help Sir Timothy with Sandra, coaxing the distraught woman away from
the girl.

   During this time Mary was getting back her professional state, checking
on Cathy's vital signs, but noticing small marks appearing on the girl's
skin.  She pointed them out to Sir Timothy.

   "What do they look like to you?" he asked her.

   "Well if I didn't know better, I would say that she was being hit by
something and she's defending herself from it." Mary said.

   "But of course you know different, don't you?" Sir Timothy pressed on
but Mary shook her head.

   "No, Sir Timothy.  I don't," she admitted.

   ---------

   By the lake, the cloud had altered.  It now resembled a kangaroo,
hopping towards Cathy.  Its fur was dark red and its eyes were like dark
rubies.

   `{_br}You are the one we were told to fear?  A little girl like
you?{br_}' a stone picked itself up from the ground and flew towards Cathy.
She gave a small smile, moved her shield and the stone was deflected away
from her.  `{_br}You know what we are girl!  Tremble before us{br_}!' the
voice said.

   `{_*}WON'T!  SHARN'T!{*_}' Cathy called back, she concentrated and a
mass of stones started to rise and fly towards the kangaroo.  The image
looked at the stones for a few seconds before it twitched its nose, but
only half the stones returned to fly at Cathy, the others continued on
their path.  The kangaroo's eyes widened and it brought up its forepaws to
deflect the missiles.

   Cathy in the meantime also sees her returning stones and gathers the
shield around her, but the impacts are too great for the shield to stop all
of them and a few rip though to strike her body and face, scoring into her
and causing numerous cuts to bleed.  When the barrage was over she opened
her eyes to look at the kangaroo.

   Its skin was now patchy and several pieces were floating around it as if
unwilling to rejoin the body.  Cathy gave a cold smile.  `_You seem to be
having problems?  Are you willing to surrender?_' she called it the
kangaroo

   In reply the kangaroo shook its head and the pieces were drawn back into
the body, although Cathy could see several places where the pieces didn't
cover.  `{_br}You don't understand us girl!  Us spirits have been here
since the dawn of time!{br_}' again stones started to fly towards Cathy,
but her shield was protecting her from these.

   Cathy saw fish hooks fly from the lake towards her, she knew that they
would cause her damage if they struck and held onto her.  She looked at a
large piece of wood lying by the waterside this flew into the air and the
barbed hooks dug into that.  At a gesture from Cathy the branch, for it had
elongated into one, started to spin in the air pulling the twine on the
hooks and wrapping them around it.

   The kangaroo laughed, `{_br}Foolish little one, you think to deprive us
of our prize{br_}?' This puzzled Cathy as she wasn't aware that the Eekoo
had a prize.  But she kept quiet.  `{_br}Like you she wanted to fight us,
and like you she lost.  We took a part of her and locked her away here
where she's been for three days{br_}!' Three days?  But that was how long
that youth had said Mary had been away.  Cathy frowned at the spinning
branch and willed it to turn faster.

   `{_br}NO!  NO!  It's ours.  You can't take it{br_}' stones and pieces of
wood started to fly at Cathy, in desperation she split her concentration on
returning fire, plucking some of the stones out of the air and sending them
back.  But by doing this she had to reduce the size of her shield.  From
nowhere a large stone struck her back, almost making her lose control of
the branch.

   The waters were churning now as an object was being dragged to the
surface.  Cathy shook her head to clear it and now started to rotate the
shield around her body so that its smaller size could appear to be nearly
everywhere at the same time.  It couldn't be but it was only a few stones
that struck her, each one opening up a new wound on her body.

   Visible in the lake now was a small figurine, its face recognisable as a
young Mary about 20 or so.  Cathy was able to reach out to it and released
it from the twine that surrounded it.  The kangaroo howled its annoyance at
the loss of its `prize' and started throwing more stones.

   Now she'd retrieved this `prize' Cathy could bring her shield up to full
strength.  But she knew she couldn't stay behind it forever.  Something had
to be making the Kangaroo, even an evil spirit had to be based in
something. She concentrated again, this time on the kangaroo itself.  This
time she noticed something that she hadn't seen before.  Small tendrils of
light seemed to be attached to the kangaroo.

   The lights seemed to curl behind the kangaroo and around the mountain.
Cathy manoeuvred herself so that she was between the kangaroo and the light
source.  She then ran away from the lake towards the source.  As the
kangaroo started to swear and follow her she threw up a hand in a warding
gesture and was happy to see a shimmering wall between the kangaroo and
herself

   `{_br}COME BACK AND FIGHT YOU COWARD{br_}!' the kangaroo screamed as it
battled against the wall trying to get to Cathy.

   `_I will do, when I find the right thing to fight_' Cathy shouted back
as she followed the beams of light where they twisted and turned behind the
mountain.  She traced them along until she came back to the cave where the
youth had been.  The beams entered the cave.  She followed them inside,
pausing until her eyes became accustomed to the darkness.

   The youth was leaning against a wall watching a lizard as it seemed to
dance on the floor in front of him, raising a front leg and a rear leg then
switching - almost as if it was standing on hot sand Cathy thought to
herself.  Beyond the youth were two women, one elder than the other but
heavily pregnant.  Both smiled at her approach.

   `{_bl}Welcome child, you have joined us at last?{bl_}' the elder asked
her.  Cathy shook her head.

   `_Not yet.  My world still needs me!_' she answered and then thought
`why did I say that?' But the woman seemed to know what she meant.

   `{_bl}My sister and I walked the northern desert and named all we could
find.  Now we are myths to our people.  Now we are living in the dreamtime.
Never become a myth - life is boring and slow{bl_},' the younger woman
said.

   `_I don't intend to._' Cathy told her and before she could stop herself
she added `_I'm sure it would be a mythake to do so_!' The elder woman just
smiled and pointed further inside the cave.

   `{_bl}You'll find them in there, prepare yourself girl.  For theirs is a
different world than ours, and strange.{bl_}' Cathy wondered what the woman
was talking about but then she took one more step and found herself -
somewhere else.

   --------

   Back at the examination room Mary was watching the body of Cathy as the
marks started to fade.

   "She's not being attacked any more." She said to Sir Timothy, "But I
can't tell if it's because she's won the battle or lost it."

   At her words Sandra started to sob.  Sir Timothy shook his head gravely.
"I don't think Cathy would lose a fight as easily as that.  She's a
fighter," he reassured her.  Then George entered the room and saw his
daughter sitting on a chair, her eyes closed and she was breathing deeply,
but he could see numerous marks on her face and arms.

   His gaze was drawn to Sandra, who was weeping in her chair.  Su was with
her comforting her.  George felt torn he should go to his daughter but
Sandra was in more distress.  Sandra helped his decision by tearing herself
away from Su and throwing herself in George's arms and he felt her tears
starting to soak his shoulder.

   "She's somewhere and being attacked!" Sandra said between sobs, "and
there's nothing we can do!" George looked at his daughter and then noticed
that Mary was attending her.  He went up to her.

   "How is she?" he asked.

   "Physically she's fine, pulse and heartbeat strong, pupil reaction is
normal." Mary began.

   "But?"

   "She's in a deep trance and I can't pull her out of it!" Mary told him.

   "How did you hypnotise her, didn't you give her a trigger?" George
asked, and then wondered how he knew about such a thing.

   Mary shook her head, "I didn't!  She went under herself without any
apparent problems.  Has she been hypnotised by anyone before?" she asked.

   "Not as far as I know.  But then I don't think I really know my own
daughter any more." George said sadly.

   Mary paused in her administrations to pat George's arm reassuringly,
"It's alright George, Cathy is an independent person you know, but if there
was anything wrong you would have noticed," she told him.

   George looked at her and shook his head, "I'm not certain I would.  She
can be too independent you know."

   Mary smiled at him, "She would have told you if there was any problem.
But for now she's beyond any of our help.  I'd suggest you take Sandra back
to your suite.  When there's any change I'll contact you."

   George looked at his daughter, her eyes were closed and her face blank.
"Does she even know I'm here?" he asked Mary.

   She looked back at Cathy before returning her gaze to George.  "Not at
the moment, no.  Honestly George there's nothing you can do here at this
time.  Sandra needs comforting and you're the best person to do that."

   George took one more look at his daughter, obviously wanting to hold her
- let her know that he was there, but realising that Mary was right.  Cathy
didn't seem aware of anything, and Su was already there along with Sir
Timothy.  But why was he there?  George asked the question out loud,
although trying hard not to make it sound like `why the hell are you here?'

   "I'm worried about her as well George.  She's the link between the
organisation and one of its goals.  But above that she's an intelligent
young lady.  I don't want anything to happen to her at all." Sir Timothy
said, his eyes never leaving Cathy's face.

   George wanted to ask him what he mean, but realised that he wouldn't
receive an answer.  Sir Timothy's expression made it clear that the
discussion was at an end.  George then reached out to Sandra and took her
in his arms.  She rested her head on his shoulder and allowed herself to be
taken out of the room.

   Mary watched the two as they left.  Then she turned her attention to Sir
Timothy, "You needn't be here either you know!" she told him.  "There's
nothing you can do for her."

   Sir Timothy went to the girl, lifted her from the chair and placed her
onto the bench, "No Mary, as I told George I don't want anything to happen
to her while she's here."

   Mary looked at Sir Timothy, puzzlement showing on her face, "Why
Timothy, what could go wrong here?" she asked.

   ------------

   Cathy found herself in a wood panelled room.  The transition from cave
wall to this place was sudden and shocking.  She walked further into the
room.  In front of her arranged into a semi-circle were several chairs,
high-backed armchairs they were and Cathy couldn't see the people that were
sitting in them from where she was.  So, feeling a little like Alice in
Wonderland, she walked closer.  She noticed that the trail of lights that
she had been following emanated from the chairs on the left of the group.
Then she noticed a faint trail of blue lights from the right of the group.

   As she approached the chairs the occupants arose from them.  The people
on the left hand side were rough looking and not nice at all, Cathy could
see the dark/light trails running from their heads away to the entrance of
the room.  However the people on the right hand side were kindly looking
and seemed quite old, `a bit like grandpa' was how Cathy thought of them.

   `{_bl}Ah my dear girl there you are,{bl_}' one of them said.  Cathy
wasn't sure if she should curtsy to him (although she wasn't sure what a
curtsy really was!)

   `_You were expecting me?_' she asked uncertainly.

   `{_bl}Of course we were, between you and me we've been waiting for some
time now, my name is Robert de Sable, how do you do?{bl_}' the man, Robert,
held out his hand to her, she took it gingerly not certain how to react. 
He bent down and kissed her hand.  `{_bl}Enchanted my dear.  Quite
enchanted{bl_}.' He stood up and led her to an empty chair.

   `{br_}Robert you should introduce me now!{br_}' one of the Dark people
demanded.  Robert looked lazily at him and sighed.

   `{_bl}He is right you know my dear.  Allow me to introduce you to
Bemalin sur Nisir.  {bl_}' The dark man bowed to Cathy.

   `{_br}May our meeting benefit us both, {br_}' he intoned to Cathy,
making a greeting of the words.  Cathy kept quiet not knowing how to react
to that so she nodded to him.  Once she was seated the other men also sat.
Robert beamed at her.

   `{_bl}Now my dear girl, as you have finally arrived, are you ready to
make you choice?  {bl_}' Robert asked her.

   Cathy was puzzled, `_what choice_?' she hadn't been told of any choice
before she got here.

   Bemalin laughed `{_br}By the Dark Forces girl!  You mean that you've got
here with no clue as to why{br_}?' He started to laugh, a cruel sound.

   `{_bl}Maybe I should explain{bl_}' Robert said.  `{_bl}This place does
not really exist.  It's just somewhere to meet you{bl_}.' He gave a warm
smile.  `{_bl}We've been waiting a long time for you, you know{bl_}.'

   `_No I don't know.  All I was doing was . . .  Well seeing what I could
find out._' Cathy said, `_I mean the first person I met here was the youth
out there._'

   Robert smiled at her response, `{_bl}Yes my dear, you met my avatar, did
you like him?  {bl_}'

   Cathy was confused `_Avatar?  What's that?_' She asked

   `{_bl}An avatar is an artificial construct, much like your body here my
dear, you only look like you do because it's a shape you're comfortable in.
You could look like anyone or anything, it's the same way that you
controlled your shield, {bl_}' Robert told her smiling.

   `_So you were the aboriginal boy?_' Cathy asked but Robert laughed and
shook his head.

   `{_bl}No my dear, I was the lizard.  I'm guiding the youth by showing
him options.  He arrived in this realm several years ago and has stayed
here since.  I've been showing him the world outside by use of my
avatar{bl_},' Robert told her.  `{_bl}But it's changed so much since I was
really in it{bl_}.' His face was wistful as he said this, as if he was
contemplating matters beyond her knowledge.

   `{_br}Bah!  What does he care about such matters?  His type just exists
in the realm without direction.  He needs something to fight against! 
That's what I provided!  {br_}' Bemalin snorted.  `{_br}Life is a struggle
he should learn that.  But the rewards.  Ah yes the rewards.  They are what
make the fight worthwhile.  You can see that can't you girl?  I mean didn't
you gain a reward fighting my creation?  {br_}' He asked her with a grin.

   Cathy's hand went to her pocket where the small figurine was placed. 
`_What is it?_' she asked.

   Bemalin smiled.  `{_br}I offered her knowledge, how to defeat others,
but she didn't like my price and rebelled against me.  So I took a part of
her and replaced it with a part of me.  Hiding away inside her, she doesn't
know it's there of course.  But she's provided my Association with quite a
lot of information over the years that she's been with that blasted
Organisation{br_}.'

   `_But Mary's a nice person.  How can you say that?_' Cathy almost cried
out in disbelief.

   Bemalin opened his arms in an expressive gesture, `{_br}I only tell the
truth.  The person herself is good, all I've done is replaced a measure of
goodness for a measure of my essence.  She's really unchanged only slightly
improved.  Learn this girl - never try to fight me, you'll never win{br_}!'
He sat back in his chair smiling.

   Cathy turned to Robert.  `_How could you let him do that?_' she asked
him

   Robert looked sad when he answered.  `{_bl}It was her decision to fight
Bemalin's creation, I could only advise her{bl_}.'

   `{_br}Which is why you're so weak, old man!  You should take what you
want without regards to others!  {br_}' Bemalin turned to Cathy. 
`{_br}Join us and you will feel all the sensations that a girl like you
should have and enjoy{br_}.' Bemalin leered at Cathy making her feel
uncomfortable.

   Robert shook his head, `{_bl}There is a time for such things and they
should be given voluntarily not taken in sport, Remember that you will be
asked to repay what you have been given so easily and repayment is never
simple.  With us all we ask is that you follow your heart and do what's
right.  We'll never force you to follow a particular path, but will support
you along the way{bl_}.' He looked at Cathy as he said that again there was
a sadness in his eyes that made Cathy want to rush to him and comfort him,
but she resisted the effort.

   She turned to Bemalin, `_But you attacked me, out there by that lake,
you didn't give me a chance to talk or anything._'

   Bemalin smiled, a predatory smile that made Cathy uneasy, before
speaking `{_br}You must admit that it added a touch of spice to your
adventure here, got your blood pounding in the veins.  And anyway you
weren't in any real danger were you?  {br_}' His eyes were hooded, making
it difficult for Cathy to judge his words.

   `_But what if I couldn't defend myself?  Then what would have
happened?_' she asked him, and noticed that Robert's face was grave as she
asked the question.

   `{_br}Well girl it would have shown that you were not the one we were
waiting for!  And we'd be waiting longer!  {br_}' Bemalin said quietly.

   `But what would have happened to me?' Cathy pressed the point but
Bemalin didn't answer her, however Robert did.

   `{_bl}You would have been lost!  Your mind destroyed.  What remained in
the real world would be a husk.  Unless something else filled it{bl_}.' He
looked to Bemalin who just smiled.

   `{_br}To the victor the spoils, my girl!  If you had been defeated then
one of my minions would have a new home to use as I required.  {br_}' His
tone was so matter-of-fact that it made Cathy shiver.  She turned on Robert

   `_And you would have let him do that without a fight?_' she asked him

   Robert just shrugged `{_bl}It would have been your choice in the matter.
We wouldn't interfere unless he cheated in which case we would have
defended you.  {bl_}'

   Bemalin jumped in at that point.  `{_br}You see girl they are weak. 
They hide behind rules and strictures to show how much in the right they
are.  Is that how you want to live?  The world is there for you to grasp
with both hands.  Join us and share in it{br_}!' He was smiling at her.

   Cathy looked at Robert who shrugged.  `{_bl}I can't promise you
anything. Life doesn't hold certainties.  I can promise a struggle against
evil and chaos, hardship and deprivation.  I can also promise comradeship
and satisfaction of hard work, the choice is yours, nobody else's I'm
afraid{bl_}.'

   Cathy considered his words and then concentrated.  There was the sound
of metal on metal and then a teenaged girl was standing beside Cathy, she
was wearing armour and carried a sword.  She looked down at Cathy and
smiled.  She held the sword by the pommel with the point of the blade
resting on the ground.  `_This is my champion Jeanne d'Arc_.'

   Bemalin threw back his head and laughed at that.  `{_br}That witch?  She
claimed to hear voices and attacked troops when she should have stayed at
home and sewed with the other women!  The world was well rid of her
nonsense when she was burnt{br_}!'

   Jeanne breathed in deeply when he said that and was about to raise her
sword when Cathy rested her hand on the teenager's arm.  `_I'm also a girl
and as far as I'm concerned I'm currently hearing voices when I'm asleep.
Does that make me a witch as well?  You offer me the world and then show
such disregard for this person who could have been me in an earlier time._'

   Robert nodded his head in agreement, `{_bl}What you say makes sense
young lady.  Of course it was Jeanne's success that made her a target for
the English forces.  She was able to rally her troops and have many
victories before she was captured.  It was easy to say that she was a witch
- how else could she have defeated so many people except for witchcraft. 
As for saying that God was talking to her they rationalise it as madness.
And the main reason she was burnt wasn't really for any of that, oh no!  It
was for wearing men's clothing.  We did try to save her but were stopped
from doing so{bl_}.' Robert looked at Bemalin who just smiled back at him.
Robert got to his feet and bowed to the teenager who bowed back to him
acknowledging his homage to her.

   `{_br}Why is it that you have this person here now?  Are you threatening
us?  {br_}' Bemalin asked

   Cathy shook her head, `_Not at all!  I've decided that I'm not going to
decide just yet!_'

   `{_br}But my offer is a good one.  You'll have the world to take and use
as you want.  {br_}' Bemalin said

   `_But only at your orders!_' Cathy shot back

   Bemalin smiled magnanimously `{_br}Of course child, you need to be
guided in the world.  But think how much power you would have{br_}.'

   `_What you offer is illusion only.  You would have me as a puppet to
follow your whim.  I am nobody's puppet._' Cathy told him watching his eyes
flash with his annoyance.  She turned on Robert.  `_You're just as bad. 
You offer nothing to me except your friendship.  You tell me that there's
hardship ahead, I know!  I've already lost a mother and a brother.  I've
been kidnapped and now I have to comfort a friend who's been abused!  I've
had enough hardship for a lifetime!  Why should I choose to follow you?_'

   `{_bl}Because I offer the truth!  I don't sweeten it.  You see my dear
young lady we need you!  Almost as much as we needed Jeanne there.  We can
train you to develop your potential; you've already shown a touch of it
here, {bl_}' Robert said.

   Bemalin cut in.  `{_br}But we offer so much more.  {br_}' He clicked his
fingers.  Immediately two naked women were suddenly in the room.  Their
limbs entwined as they kissed each other.  Their cries as they brought
themselves to a mutual climax sounded in the room.  `{_br}Wouldn't you like
to join them?  To find out the sensual side of your body?  We can give you
the power to do that whenever you want.  {br_}' He sat back watching the
two.  But the sight and sound put Cathy off, they were too forced, too
unnatural.

   `_Why do they do that?_' she asked watching the eyes of the pair.  Both
showed the same haunted look.

   `{_br}Because they have to!  They've been instructed to pleasure
themselves for the satisfaction of others.  They are yours to command if
you want, {br_}' Bemalin said.

   Cathy looked again at the pair.  `Stop and separate!' she commanded
them, which they instantly did.  Cathy got out of her seat and approached
the two.  She judged them to be about twenty years old.  Their faces were
red, not from their activities but from shame Cathy could tell.  `_Why are
you doing that to each other?_' she asked them.

   One of the two looked at Bemalin before answering.  She put a false
smile on her face.  `{_br}Because Mistress it gives us pleasure to perform
for our masters{br_}!' But the tone of her voice gave showed the lie that
she was telling.

   `{_br}It is our duty to our masters to atone for our failures.  What do
you wish us to do?  {br_}' The second one asked of Cathy

   Cathy turned to Bemalin.  `_Are these real or just a creation of
yours?_' she asked him.

   `{_br}Does it matter?  They are mine to control and use as I want, you
could have boys if you prefer.  Just think of it: two, three or even more
boys fighting over your charms and attention.  Just think of the fun you
could have{br_}.' He gestured to the two women again and they started to
touch Cathy's arms and face.  They were stroking the girl's flesh as if
trying to arouse her.  But the looks on their faces showed boredom and
fear. She pulled herself away from them.

   `_And what if I fail in whatever task you want me to do?  What then?  Do
I join these two for someone else's amusement?_' Cathy asked of Bemalin.

   He regarded her for a moment before answering.  `{_br}Call it incentive
not to fail.  You see girl there is always a price for failure.  Always! 
{br_}' His eyes were dark and callous as he said that.

   Cathy smiled at him, `_So what will be your punishment?_' At his puzzled
look she continued, `_when you fail in recruiting me?  What punishment will
you receive_?'

   Bemalin scowled at her.  `{_br}I will not fail.  You will join us one
way or another!' he told her.  `All you need is to be shown how to make the
correct decision.  {br_}' He pointed to Cathy's pocket and she felt the
figurine start to move.  Cathy reached into her pocket and pulled it out.
`{_br}You see girl how we can affect even the essence that you hold.' At a
gesture the figurine's arms were pulled taut behind it forcing the torso to
bend forward.  Cathy could see the face grimace at the pain.  She looked at
Bemalin.

   `_Stop it_!'

   `{_br}Only you can do that by joining us{br_}' Bemalin said smiling at
her.  Cathy shook her head and looked at Robert

   `_Help me to stop him._" She begged him

   `{_bl}Concentrate on the image and picture a wall between Bemalin and
the figure.  {bl_}' Robert instructed.  Cathy did this and the image of
Mary relaxed slightly but then doubled up again.  Cathy pondered this and
then curved the `wall' into a sphere surrounding the figurine which then
returned to its original position.  She thanked Robert who shook his head.
`{_bl}You were the one to do it my dear.  All I did was to offer the idea.
You were the motivator{bl_}.' Cathy thought about that and then nodded. 
She liked the feeling that had occurred while she was doing it.  Then a
thought struck her she turned to Robert.

   `_How can I return this to Mary?  It is part of her isn't it?_' She
asked.

   Robert nodded.  `{_bl}It is indeed.  First you need to make it a part of
you{bl_}.' At her look he explained.  `{_bl}It's only your imagination that
is here.  None of this really exists in reality.  So the only way you can
carry the essence of Mary with you is as part of you.  Swallow the
figurine; that way it will be a part of you.  {bl_}' Cathy looked at him
`Swallow the figurine?' How was she supposed to do that?

   Robert could see her confusion.  `{_bl}It's only an idea of Mary's
essence.  The form is immaterial.  Compress it down to a small cube and
swallow it like a pill.  {bl_}'

   `{_br}I wouldn't do that girl!  Just think if that essence is inside
your body it could take you over - make you do things that you'd never do.
Bring the woman back here and let her take back what is hers{br_}.' Bemalin
said with a smile on his lips

   But Robert was shaking his head.  `{_bl}Once she was here she'd be under
the control of Bemalin and his people.  You need to return her essence in
the real world{bl_}!' Cathy looked from Robert to Bemalin and back again.
Who should she trust?  The smile on Bemalin's face was too forced. 
Robert's expression was open and honest.  Cathy decided and took the
figurine in her hands and concentrated.  The figurine flowed like mercury
in her hand and seemed to shrink down to a small pellet.  Cathy closed her
eyes for a moment and then brought her hand to her mouth.

   `{_br}Noooo you stupid girl.  You had everything in your grasp and you
had to believe him!  Now you must pay for your stupidity.  {br_}' Bemalin
cried out and then he started to scowled.  The room faded and Cathy found
herself by the lake again.

   `{_br}You have chosen foolishly little girl{br_}' The voice was
Bemalin's; it emanated from the form of the kangaroo.  `{_br}Now you will
fight me!  {br_}' and the kangaroo started to close in on her.

   --------------

   Back in the examination room Mary started to feel strange.  She hadn't
mentioned to anyone about her blackouts.  Normally they occurred in this
room and always shortly after she'd checked for bugs.  Never had they
happened when people were with her.  The last thing she remembered was Sir
Timothy staring intently at Cathy's form lying on the padded bench.

   Mary went to her bag and took out a small phial; she then found a
syringe and filled it with the liquid in the phial.  She approached Cathy's
form with a determine look on her face.

   "What is that?" Sir Timothy asked her.

   "It's a stimulant!  She needs it." Mary said in an oddly flat tone as
she took a swab and rubbed it on Cathy's arm.

   "Mary I don't intend to tell you your job.  But I don't think Cathy is
in any problem yet." Sir Timothy said while looking at Su intently.  Su
wasn't sure why but she started to approach Mary from behind.

   "You're correct.  I do know what I'm doing.  Now if you'll allow me to
do my work . . ." She brought the syringe and started to aim it at Cathy's
arm

   But Sir Timothy was slightly quicker.  He pulled Cathy away from Mary's
grip.  But for some reason Mary still acted as if the girl was still there.
A wicked smile on her face as she pressed the plunger home.  Then she
staggered back and looked at the syringe in her hand.  Her other hand went
to her mouth.

   "What happened?  What have I done?" She looked at Sir Timothy who was
holding Cathy in his arms.

   "Nothing Mary.  What was in that syringe that you were going to give
Cathy?" Sir Timothy asked casually.

   "I don't know.  The last thing I remember was going to my desk.  What is
this doing in my hands?" Mary sounded confused.

   "You said it was a stimulant for Cathy, you thought she needed it."

   "That's ridiculous!  She's perfectly alright!  I wouldn't be giving her
anything at the moment.  You must be mistaken." She looked at Sir Timothy,
"Please tell me you made a mistake."

   Sir Timothy shook his head.  "I'm afraid not Mary.  You've been
suffering blackout since your trip to Australia haven't you?"

   Mary looked at him in alarm.  "How do you know?  We'd never met until a
few years ago."

   Sir Timothy smiled, "Do you remember how we met?" he asked her.

   Mary racked her brains.  She was going to a party - One of her
colleagues at a practise she was a part of.  She drank a few cocktails. 
They must have been strong.  The next thing she remembered was being up to
her arms in a wounded man, pulling out a bullet.  There were others around
her in similar conditions.  She wasn't a surgeon; it wasn't her place to be
doing that.  But there she was doing it anyway.  `Thanks for your help
Doctor, I couldn't really take my men to a hospital and we've got
everything here.' It was Sir Timothy's voice.  And that was the first time
she'd met him.

   "No.  I don't.  All I remember was operating on some men and being
congratulated by you.  You looked rather fetching in that gown and mask you
know." Mary said

   But Sir Timothy wasn't going to be distracted by her words.  "We had
taken action against some bank robbers.  We managed to subdue them and pull
out but some of my men were badly injured.  You appeared and started to run
triage on them, in a very professional manner I might add.  We took the
worst of the men to a medical facility we had nearby where you started to
work on them immediately.  That was when I offered you a position in the
organisation.  And you've been with us ever since." He finished.  Mary
shook her head, she was confused.  She staggered back to find herself in
Su's arms.  She allowed herself to be herded to a chair where she collapsed
slightly in shock.  "But what's happening to me?" she asked out loud.

   Sir Timothy steepled his fingers before he replied.  "This may be
difficult to understand.  When you were in Australia and went into your
trance what do you remember about it."

   She went through the story that she told Sally and Jessica the previous
night ending at the same place.  "But whatever happened between that time
and when I awoke in hospital is a complete blank.  It's as if a part of my
mind is missing." She finished slumping back in her seat.

   "How would you know?" Sir Timothy asked quietly.

   Mary looked at him puzzled.  "What do you mean?  It's just an
expression. All I'm saying is that . . ."

   "No Mary.  You said exactly the right thing!  There was a brain scan
done while you were unconscious.  It showed a shadowed area on your brain.
Due to contacts we had the Organisation became interested in you.  That's
why I know about you.  When you arrived on that night I took the chance and
called you over.  Your eyes weren't really focused on anyone but you took
control like an accident and emergency doctor.  So I offered you a job and
you accepted.  We've noticed your, several, blackouts and how you acted
under them.  Passing on information that we've allowed you to have." Sir
Timothy was talking softly watching Mary's face as he revealed this.

   "I've never done that!" Mary exclaimed acting as if she was trying to
get out from her seat, but Su gently pushed her back down.  "I mean I would
have known if I did that!"

   Sir Timothy shook his head.  "But you don't know anything about it do
you?" He asked her again still watching her face as she shook her head. 
"That's okay Mary; we've got Jessica on hand if we need her." He smiled
reassuringly at her and then glanced at Cathy.  "I hope we don't need her
though."

   Mary followed his gaze to the girl in a trance on the bench.  "You mean
that Cathy's in that dreamtime place.  But what if she ends up like me?"

   Sir Timothy sighed, "That was why I wanted to speak to her before she
went into the trance.  I would have told her what to expect." At Mary's
sharp look he smiled disarmingly, "Well you don't think you're the only one
to enter the dreamtime do you?"

   --------------

   Cathy looked at the sword in her hand.  It flickered with light along
the edge of the blade.  Her shield was a spinning disc that seemed to be
everywhere.  Beside her, on her left hand side, Jeanne stood.  She also had
a sword ready and a short shield to protect her face and body.

   `_When it comes to the land we attack_' Cathy said to Jeanne who nodded
her understanding.

   `{_bl}Yous ready to fight the spirits?  {bl_}' asked the youth.

   `_Yes.  What are you going to do?_' Cathy replied.  The youth kept quiet
but pulled out his boomerang and took his position to the right of Cathy.
She noticed the lizard was beside the youth looking towards the form of the
kangaroo.  `_You think you can fight him like that!_' she asked the lizard
who just looked at her and flicked its tongue at her.  `_Well it's your
choice_!' She turned back to the kangaroo.

   By this time the kangaroo had arrived at the shore of the lake, its dark
eyes flashing electrical bolts towards the group awaiting it.  The lizard
flicked its tongue again and the lighting was deflected to the ground. 
Cathy didn't wait for it to recover but started running towards the
kangaroo.  Her mind picking up stones along the way and sending them
towards the kangaroo's head.  How she was able to do that she wasn't sure -
but it seemed to work.

   The kangaroo ducked and dodged the stones, although some did manage to
hit it.  But when Cathy was close enough it leant back on its tail, brought
its feet up and struck out at her.  Catching her a glancing blow on her
side of the face.  (In the examination room Cathy gave a groan and a bruise
started to show on her face causing Su to gasp in shock.)

   Cathy opened her eyes to find Jeanne was striking out at the kangaroo's
small arms with her sword while the youth threw his boomerang at the neck
of the kangaroo.  As she watched Jeanne's blow had removed some of the
claws on the kangaroo's left paw.  But these seemed to have a life of their
own as the started to attack the armoured girl.

   Cathy got up and, remembering her shielding of the figurine concentrated
on surrounding the claws with a field of energy.  The claws immediately
dropped to the floor.  Cathy concentrated on them shrinking the field down
until she crushed the claws completely.  A howl came from the kangaroo's
snout.  The boomerang had struck the kangaroo on the head, opening a wound
above the creature's eye.

   Cathy stood up and went to stand beside Jeanne again her sword ready. 
She watched as the kangaroo went back onto its tail again.  This time she
dodged the legs seeing Jeanne do the same.  Then both brought down their
swords cutting into the legs of the kangaroo.

   `{_br}YOU FUCKING CUNTS WHAT DID I DO TO YOU{br_}!' The kangaroo
screamed out in its pain.  Then a spear from the youth thudded into its
chest.  `{_br}SOD THIS!  {br_}' the kangaroo shouted out and then its form
changed into a cloud again.  `{_br}Now try to cut this!  {br_}' it taunted
as it floated over the girls.  Dropping down over Jeanne who screamed out
as it started to crush her body.  Cathy went to strike the cloud but
realised that she'd only hit Jeanne instead.  The cries of Jeanne started
to weaken as she succumbed to the pressure.

   `_Nnnnooooo!_' Cathy cried out and then she concentrated.  He sword
changed shape getting larger and heavier.  It elongated into a tube before
a vacuum cleaner materialised behind her.  The vacuum cleaner switched on
and started to suck through the tube which Cathy had now pushed into the
cloud.

   `{_br}That's lovely bitch!  Sucking me off as I off your champion. 
{br_}' the cloud said after a few minutes.  But after a few more seconds it
realised that more than its essence was being sucked away.  `{_br}Hey! 
Stop it!  You can't do that to me.  Look I'll let this cunt go.  See she'll
be better soon.  {br_}' then as more of the cloud disappeared into the tube
it got frantic.  `{_br}No please, I'll be good, honest!  You don't have to
do this!  You've won.  I submit.  Hey if you let me go I'll even show you a
good time.  You'll like that wouldn't you girl?  No!  Please stop!  Stop!
Stoooopppp.  {br_}' The scream faded out as the last of the cloud vanished
inside the vacuum cleaner.

   Cathy looked toward Jeanne who was lying on the ground, blood running
from her mouth where her ribs had crushed and pierced her lungs.  `Oh no
Jeanne.  Jeanne don't die, please don't die!' she ran to the armoured girl
and reached to hold her hand.

   Jeanne turned her head to Cathy and gripped her hand.  `Foolish child.
This body is hurt beyond anybody's abilities to heal!  But don't cry Cathy.
You created me from your thoughts.  You made me live again.  As long as you
remember me I'll always live.  It's just the body that dies.' Jeanne
gripped Cathy's hand tightly before releasing it.  She gave a shudder and
blood gushed from her mouth.

   `JEANNE DON'T LEAVE ME, PLEASE, JEANNE COME BACK,' Cathy cried into the
air.  She felt a hand on her shoulder.  When she looked up a vision in
white was there.

   `Don't mourn for her Cathy.  She did her duty and will be rewarded
again. She's happy again and knows that when you need her next she will
appear again.  Now you have to go back to the real world.  Your father and
Sandra are worried about you.  And Cathy. . .' Cathy looked at the vision
again.  `I'm glad you're my daughter.' The vision faded out and Cathy cried
again.

   --------------

   Cathy stirred and opened her eyes "Mummy?" she said quietly.

   "I'm sorry Cathy but I'm not her.  But how are you feeling?" Mary said
softly as Cathy looked around the examination room.  Sir Timothy and Su
were there both looked concerned.

   "I feel slightly sick," Cathy said, feeling a strangeness inside her and
not knowing what it was.  Mary went to her to touch her forehead, but Cathy
was now struck with a strange urge.  She reached out and grabbed Mary's
head and brought it down to hers.  She started to kiss Mary with a hunger
she had never known.

   Su went to separate them but Sir Timothy stopped her.  "Wait a moment
but be prepared to restrain Mary."

   As their mouths touched Cathy could feel something. . .  She didn't know
what it was.  but it moved from her to Mary and then into Mary.  The
compulsion ceased for Cathy and she released her hands.  Mary couldn't stop
herself she kept on with the kiss.  She almost drew out the last of Cathy's
breath before Su was there pulling Mary away from the girl.  Who started to
draw in deep breaths.  Sir Timothy was watching Mary closely as she
recovered from her kissing fit.  Her eyes were wide as if she was watching
a different scene completely

   "Su, sit Mary down but hold onto her please," Sir Timothy told her.  Su
nodded her understanding of his words but not the reason behind them.

   He went to Cathy and handed her a glass of water which she drank
hungrily.  "What is your name?" he asked her quietly

   She looked at him puzzled.  "I'm Cathy Douglas, who else would I be? 
Bemalin?  Robert de Sable?  I'm sorry, I'm just me."

   Sir Timothy let out the breath he was holding and hugged the girl
tightly.  "Welcome back Cathy.  You'll never know how worried I was about
you." He looked to Su.  "Can you let George and Sandra know that Cathy is
back and is fine." Su nodded and, after making sure that Mary was relaxed
in her chair, went to the telephone and connected to George's suite.

   Sir Timothy released the girl and moved back awkwardly.  "I'm sorry
Cathy.  I shouldn't have done that it was wrong of me and I apologise."

   Cathy smiled at him.  "It's okay.  I needed somebody to hold onto as
well.  You've no idea what I've been through."

   Sir Timothy looked away for a moment before answering.  "I might do." he
admitted.  "Your use of those two names for one thing told me that you've
met up with one of our Grand Masters as well as his counterpart for the
Association.  I take it you found something that belonged to Mary while you
were `away' and you've managed to return it to her."

   Cathy was amazed.  `How much did he know?' she wondered to herself.

   "I told Mary not to allow you to enter until after I had spoken to you."
Sir Timothy started to explain.  "I could have told you that there was a
test in the dreamtime that you would enter.  It was to see if you would
commit to either the Organisation or the Association.  Robert de Sable is a
distant relative of mine just as Bemalin sur Nisir is related to the
current leader of the Association"

   "But why did they try to kill me in there?" Cathy asked.

   "Robert de Sable wouldn't!" Sir Timothy exclaimed.  "But Bemalin would
try to take over your mind.  If not with promises to pull you into their
snare, then by actual assault." He reached out and touched the side of
Cathy's face which still showed the reminisce of the bruise - but it was
fading fast.

   "And if he had succeeded what would you have done?" Cathy asked.  But
Sir Timothy kept quiet at that point.  "I see." Cathy understood now that
Sir Timothy was serious about the Association and how he would deal with
it.

   She looked at Mary, whose eyes were fluttering as if asleep and deep
dreaming.  "What's happening to her?" She asked.

   Sir Timothy shook his head slightly.  "I think that whatever you brought
back with you is fighting the controlling influence in her.  It's just a
matter of waiting for the final result," he told Cathy.

   Just then the door burst open and George and Sandra entered the room. 
Cathy got from the bench and ran to them.  "Oh, I thought I'd never see you
again," she told them both as she hugged them.

   Sir Timothy turned to Su.  "If you can wait with Mary, see if one of the
others can help you with her.  She's going to be disorientated for a little
while.  I have to take Cathy and her parents to have a little chat," he
asked her, waiting for her acceptance of his orders before taking the three
out of the examination room.  Jameson was waiting outside.

   "Jameson, I will require food in my office, I'm sure young Cathy here is
starving.  If you could arrange it." He considered for a few moments and
then added, "No you better make it for all four of us.  I think this might
take some time." Jameson nodded and then used his computer to relay the
message to the kitchen.

   -------------

   Once they were in his office Sir Timothy made sure that all three were
comfortable before he sat behind his desk.  His eyes went to the seal on
the wall before he started to speak.

   "I want Cathy to tell us what happened to her when she was in the
trance. Please do not get worried about what she says.  She wasn't
hallucinating, it did happen to her.  However fantastic it may seem."

   George and Sandra looked between themselves and Cathy before they both
nodded.  A knock at the door announced the arrival of a cold buffet which
was passed to all four of them before the server left.  Cathy found that
she was starving and proceeded to devour the contents of her plate, and
also part of George's, before she was satisfied.

   "Well. . .  After Mary had examined me and mummy left.  Mary asked me to
go back to Kathy's room."

   "Who's room?" George asked not understanding.

   "Oh daddy, not my room here but an imaginary room that Kathy had made
for her sessions.  It was all in my mind as I'd been there once before. 
Anyway I closed my eyes and was in there waiting for Mary to arrive.  She
would take longer as she'd never been there before . . ."

   And Cathy retold her story.  However she missed out the part of Jeanne's
death and the subsequent visitation as she didn't want to disturb her
father too much.

   -------------

   It was a few hours later that a tired Cathy left Sir Timothy's office
and was gently taken to the girls' common room by Jameson who left her in
Sally's care.

   "But did it really happen?" George asked Sir Timothy, "I mean it sounds
like the rambling of a disturbed mind!  An Aboriginal youth.  Two women.  A
spirit called Eekoo.  What name is that?"

   Sir Timothy handed George some sheets of paper.  "Australian Aboriginal
Legends talk of something called Mount Mulligan where there is a lake
called Lake Koongirra.  Where evil spirits called the Eekoo dwell, they
cause sickness by throwing stones, pieces of wood or hooks into an unwary
person's body.  No Aboriginal person will stay on the mountain.

   "The two sisters are known as the Wawilak Sisters.  They are believed to
have named all the creatures in the North Eastern part of Australia.  As
for the youth - we don't know who he is.  For all we know he's an
amalgamation of ideas that has taken root in the Dreamtime.

   "Has Cathy ever studied Australia or the Aboriginal customs and
mythology?" At George's shake of his head Sir Timothy continued.  "So how
can she describe these people?  No I'm afraid that she was there and did
meet those people and did what she said."

   George shook his head at the information he was reading.  "So she was
there!  But was she in any real danger?"

   He was shocked as Sir Timothy nodded his head.  "Oh yes.  If she had
lost the fight the person who returned would not have been our Cathy.  It
would have her memories and act like her.  But it would never be her.  It
would be a changeling to use another folklore expression." At George's look
he smiled.  "Don't worry.  That is Cathy, the real one.  I would have been
able to tell the difference."

   George looked at Sir Timothy.  "Are you really sure about that, Sir
Timothy?  What if you were wrong?"

   "Well then George we've just allowed the most dangerous person to go to
bed with two young girls.  But don't worry George, she is the right one."

   George sipped his drink and still worried about the possibility.