The Diaries of Ayesha

"Somebody must have noticed I was missing by now," I said aloud.

Those must have been the magic words because I head the door unlock and it opened to show a more than slightly angry Susan and a very embarrassed security officer standing outside.

"I realize that your standing orders are shoot first and ask questions later, but in this case I think you showed incredibly bad judgement. And I'd still like to know why I had to find out you'd detained him by reading a report, rather than being told directly," Susan was snarling.

"I reported it to Yoni, Ma'am. I don't know why she didn't tell you," the guard explained.

"From this point on any order she gives you will be cleared by me and all security officers will follow my instructions only. That is a direct order." Susan snapped. "Do you read me?"

"Yes Ma'am," the guard quaked.

"Michael, get out of there and come with me. We have very little time left and I need your ideas," she commanded.

"Yes Mistress," I said and walked out of the cell, blinking at the light.

She took one whiff of me and her nose crinkled in disgust.

"But first take a shower. You smell like a dead goat," she amended.

I met her in the situation room, in somewhat better condition a few minutes later and grabbed at a platter of sandwiches on the table and poured a cup of coffee for myself.

Isis was at the command desk, but there was no sign of Yoni anywhere.

"Nice to have you back," Isis said as I pulled up a chair.

"Nice to be back. Now what in the fuck happened?" I said through gritted teeth.

She looked over at Susan who was just coming into the room and at Barbara who was still at the satellite observation station.

"I think that Susan should bring you up to date," she said uncertainly.

"I see," I said turning to face Susan.

"Mei Ling and her partner did determine the location of the weapon but arrived almost simultaneously with a strike force from the US Government. They bombed the site and then sent in ground troops. There was no sign of the weapon or the makers. Mei Ling arranged a, well a truce, between our forces and the military, so she's on her way to Israel."

"And what else?" I pressed.

"Miriam had a meeting with the Right Reverend, but the information she got from him was nonsensical at best. He just sang songs."

"I'll look over what he said later. Now, down to the giblets. What about Minx and Lydia?"

Susan looked uncomfortable and looked at Isis who looked away.

"You didn't find them," I said.

There was another silence.

"Come on, tell me," I prodded.

"There were some bodies that the military took away. There were a couple of women," Susan said," but we don't know if it was Minx and Lydia. The bodies were badly burned and it will take some time to determine who it was."

I sat there with my ears ringing. Minx dead. No, that was not possible. I'd know if she were dead. I knew when my wife died. I didn't feel that she was dead.

"Michael, I'm so sorry," Isis said touching my shoulder.

I looked at her blankly.

"She's not dead. I know she's not dead," I said.

"Michael, I know it's hard, but you need to face it," Susan said earnestly.

"She is not fucking dead," I snapped. "There is an old Chinese proverb that says do not count your enemy dead until you see his head on a pike before his house and his widow and children crying before it."

"Michael..." Susan started.

"Mistress, may I see the reports from Mei Ling and Miriam. I'd like to get started. We have very little time left," I said brusquely.

She looked at me for a minute and then indicated a file on the desk.

"Get to work," she said and wheeled away.

I tried to keep my focus on the work but my mind kept drifting to back to Minx. I had faith in that little voice in my head it had never failed before. But still, what if she was dead? I wasn't sure how to tell her parents, although I knew her mother would try and help me with her father.

"Michael, pay attention to your work!" I heard her snap at me as she had done so many times before when my attention wandered while doing the dishes.

I sat up suddenly from my slumped thinking position and then reread Miriam's report, sketchy as it was. I had the impression a good deal more had gone on than was reported, but there would be time for that later.

Rock of ages.

I pulled a map of Jerusalem off the web and looked at it carefully. Then I spotted a notation on the map.

Dome of the Rock.

I racked my brains trying to remember why that sounded familiar and finally gave up and looked up the reference.

That told me everything I needed to know.

The Dome of the Rock is where Mohammed ascended to Heaven. It was also in theory the site when Adam and Eve were created and the first Temple of Jerusalem was supposed to have stood.

A quick review of the political significance for the location convinced me that this was ground zero. But how would they get the bomb in place? I was sure that the Right Reverend and The Prime Minister had cut a deal to get the bomb across the border, but you still had to get it in place.

Time was running out. It was pretty obvious they couldn't just dump it into the mosque. Too noticeable.

Airdrop? I knew that the Right Reverend has aircraft at his disposal, but if he had sold the Prime Minister on the idea of finding the weapon, that wouldn't work. Wait a minute, the PM couldn't just say "Hey, go look for a bomb here." he'd have to have one group plant it and another find it. That meant he'd be leaking intelligence reports to someone. Problem with that was what if the Right Reverend lied about the location to the PM?

"Shit!" I finally exclaimed, causing heads to raise and look at me.

"What's wrong?" Isis asked coming to my station.

"Too many variables. I'm pretty sure I know where the bomb is going to be placed, but I don't know how. Without hard data we can't go get it or tell the military where to find it. I think it's somewhere around or under the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Problem is, it's a Muslim temple and having a bunch of infidels running all over it is not going to help. Hell, it might start a war anyway."

"Michael, we don't need all of the questions answered, we just need one. And I think you may have answered it." she comforted.

She dialed a number on my phone and a few minutes later Susan and Yoni came in, Yoni looking somewhat angry at seeing me.

"I think he's got it. We need to check the vicinity of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem," Isis announced.

I explained the reasons for my theory to the assembled Mistresses and then walked away and sat next to Barbara while they discussed it among themselves.

"Michael, I was looking at the overhead images after the attack," she said. "They plastered the whole place. It's lucky Mei Ling wasn't killed as well."

"Thank the Goddess for that," I said watching the images from orbit.

"She was on a satphone when it happened, we could hear everything," she commented.

We sat silently for awhile, watching the Earth flow by the screen and I thought how peaceful it seemed from orbit.

"Looking from here, it's like the Gods eye view of the world," I commented.

She smiled.

"I never get tired of it. Even when I wore the blue suit, I loved watching the world go by. "

"Tell me something Barbara. You've got formal military training; I've just got too many books in my head. What do you think?" I asked.

"I think you've done everything you can with the information you've got. Michael let me tell you something that might make you feel better about things. Professional military officers are trained in tactics, planning and a whole bunch of other fields. But they are still trained to rely on their instincts, tempered with training. You've asked my opinion when you thought you needed it, you're willing to listen and you do make decisions.

"And from what I can tell, you don't think with your glands either."

That made me laugh for the first time in spite of the rest of the problems running through my head.

"Minx would say it depends on what I'm doing. I'm pretty good at keeping business and pleasure separated, and right now every woman in this place could be naked and ready and I'd be oblivious to it. Well mostly oblivious anyway," I admitted.

It was her turn to grin.

"I've heard a few things about you over the years. Very loyal, very determined, very stubborn, and I've heard, very good in personal service to a Mistress."

I blushed so hard my ears started ringing.

The discussion was brought to a halt by an outburst from the gathering behind me.

"How dare you!" I heard Yoni exclaim and then stamped her way out of the room.

"I wonder what was that all about?" I said watching her go.

Barbara cocked her head slightly.

"Well there have been a few other problems since Susan took over as the Mother of Many. Yoni always felt she would take over someday, although I understand there are a couple of other people who were considered better for the job.

"And of course you already know about the debate on the plan of the First Mother," she reminded me.

"The Inquisition you mean. I'm not likely to," I said thinking of that cold night in the woods pinned down by a spotlight and accused of betraying Ay'esha.

"You might think of it that way, but it was necessary," Barbara said.

"Torquamada I'm sure felt the same way," I said bitterly.

I got up and walked back to where Isis and Susan were meeting and sat back down at my desk.

"Michael, I'm going to contact Mei Ling and give her the information," Susan said looking at the clock. "It's coming up on Christmas Eve over there and we don't have anything better to go on."

"I appreciate your confidence," I said with a small smile.

She looked at me and nodded curtly.

"It's not misplaced," she said. "Isis, would you excuse us for a moment?"

Isis nodded as I followed Susan out into the courtyard.

"Michael, Miriam was hurt while dealing with the Right Reverend," she said.

"How bad?" I said my heart dropping.

"She was beaten up rather badly, but she'll be ok. Her partner called in and intimated that Miriam had been set up. Do you think Isis would double cross us?" she asked.

"No," I said instantly.

"You said that quickly. Why not?" she challenged.

"Because I told Isis in no uncertain terms that if she did, I'd kill her. And she knows I will," I said.

Susan looked at me with a shocked expression.

"That's not like you at all," she said.

"I'm not a very nice person sometimes. And when it comes to Mistress Minx and her welfare, I can be a real rat bastard," I said. "Isis is not stupid."

"Then that leaves only Yoni. She was the only other person present when we briefed Miriam on the assignment."

I started to walk away when Susan stopped me.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm going to find her and hang her by her..." I started to say.

"On your knees NOW!" she snapped.

I dropped like a rock and waited head down, hands open and upturned.

"You are not in charge here Michael, I am. I have already taken some steps to confirm the theory, including what you just heard her freak out about. You will not take any unilateral action; you will not even look at her cross-eyed. Is that perfectly clear?" she snapped.

"Yes," I said sourly.

"Yes WHAT?" she demanded.

"Yes Mistress," I said.

"I can't hear you!"

"YES MISTRESS!" I repeated loudly.

"Good. Now get up and take me to breakfast and later we'll go pick Miriam up from the airport, "she said.

"Leave now? Mistress, shouldn't we be here?" I asked amazed.

"Michael, while we have been chatting so agreeably, Isis has already contacted Mei Ling with her new instructions. As to Yoni, I have that taken care of."

I started to argue, but decided I'd already pushed as far as I could or should.

When I got the call at the Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel, Elisa and I had already put a few pieces in place. Her contacts in the less legitimate sections of the city had already pointed us at an interesting little coincidence in that a truck from the Christians in Action passed through the checkpoints into the country without even a glance.

"How good is your source?" I asked her.

"Tell you what, as a gesture of good faith, I'll take you to meet them," she said.

I let her drive the Rover and by the time we got to an apartment building in the Old City, I was wishing that I'd either walked, or that I'd rented a tank instead.

She led the way up a flight of stairs to the third floor and then knocked softly at one door.

The door opened slowly and I saw a young man wearing dark glasses standing there.

"Hi Yossium," Elisa said, "I've brought a friend with me."

The young man stepped out of the way and I followed her into the apartment as he closed the door behind us.

I saw two other young men also wearing dark glasses working busily away at computers, ignoring our presence.

"Forgive my brothers. They are rather involved in something," Yossium apologized.

"That's all right. My friend here was wondering how you got the information about the truck passing through customs," Elisa said.

He smiled.

"My brothers and I keep track of many things. Military movements, shipments of weapons, what brothel is most popular, what official is spying on what other official. It is a small country, and we listen to most of it."

I watched his brothers for a few minutes before speaking.

"I'm very impressed. What do you do with all of this information?" I asked.

"We collect it. Some of it we share with our friends like Elisa. Some of it we sell to the news services. We were somewhat curious as to why Elisa was interested in a truck driven by missionary workers. We know that the Christians in Action have a relationship with the Prime Minister, so the waiving of customs inspection did not surprise us."

"Tell me something; does the Shin Bet know about that as well?" I asked.

He shrugged.

"What the Shin Bet knows, I can not say. We are not friends," he said.

At that point one of his brothers let out a whoop of glee.

"My brother, I have done it!" he said happily.

We gathered around the monitor as a set of pictures flickered on and off the screen.

"What is it?" I asked.

"It is the new security camera system in the Old City. It was installed to keep watch on the pilgrims and for the security forces. They transmit the data through the phone lines, and I have been trying to get it."

"You mean you can watch all of the Old City from here?" Elisa asked.

"Yes! The cameras even work in the dark. It is a joy for me," he said.

I looked at Elisa and she looked back at me and nodded.

"Tell me," I purred into his ear snuggling close" Can you feed the signals to the Internet?"

He nuzzled my neck in response and admitted that he could with a little more work.

"Why don't you, and I'll make it worth your while."

When Isis called us, we were able to give her a web site to watch that would be feeding the camera images constantly and briefed her on the passage of the truck into the country.

"What's your next move?" Isis asked.

"I'd say have someone keep a watch on all of the cameras in the Temple Mount area while Elisa and I check out the area on foot. Do we have anybody here we can call on in the government over here?"

"I'll ask, but I'd hardly know. After all, I am the enemy," she said sweetly.

"I'd forgotten for a moment, thank you for the reminder." I said and hung up annoyed.

Damn the woman.

"So, we get to do legwork huh?" Elisa said.

"Admittedly the cameras will cover more area, but we can't sit still here. It's already after three." I said looking at my watch.

"Then lets do it," she said and headed for the door.

I grabbed the satphone and stuffed it into my bag and followed her.

We'd only walked a few blocks when I was grabbed by the arm and pulled into a doorway. I swung hard and was blocked by a strong hand grabbing my wrist.

"Take a break lady," I heard a familiar voice say.

I looked and saw the Sergeant from the desert camp grinning at me.

"You could have called you know," I protested as one of his other men escorted Elisa into the same alcove.

"You too. I've had a tail on you since you crossed the border. What have you got for me?" he asked.

"How about a fine spun theory? The bomb is on or near the Temple Mount," I said.

"And your source is good?" he prompted.

"My source is using a crystal ball and a leftover cup of tea, " I admitted.

He stared at me for a moment with disbelief written all over his face and then shook his head.

"I think my Intel people should change methods. They're still reading chicken entrails," he said amused.

"Now what? Assuming that you're taking command of this mission," I asked.

"Officially I'm in a friendly country and I don't have any authority to do anything," he denied.

"And unofficially?" Elisa said glaring at the soldier keeping her in place.

He turned his attention to her.

"You find it, we deal with it and everybody walks away passively."

I shook my head.

"No deal. I want your men under my command searching the area. My sources give me until sunrise tomorrow before the big bang, and frankly, I'm not planning on being here after about four."

He looked at me and started to argue then stopped.

"I'll give you half, including myself and the corporal ," he countered.

"Let's get some coffee and we can talk," I said pointing to a small shop across the street.

I found out the Sergeant had a real name and was just as interested in us as we were in him.

"Robert John Preston," he said by way of introduction.

"Mei Ling Levy," I said "and this is Elisa."

"Interesting name," he said. "How did you get a last name like Levy?"

"Long story. Of course, I'm probably going to be thinking of you as Sergeant Preston of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police," I countered.

"Touché " he said.

"So, what's your plan?" The corporal said after the waiter served us our drinks

"How much do you know about the Temple mount?" Elisa asked.

RJ sipped his coffee.

"I know what the history books say and I know that everybody wants that particular hill. And I'll contribute some information you may not have. The government here has moved almost every radical Christian group out of the country except for one: Christians in Action."

"Then I'd put some men on the Christians and the rest looking for any sign of them near the mount," I said, controlling my reaction.

"Would you?" he said coyly

"You ready for a story?" I asked.

"Tell me about the rabbits George," he said with a smirk.

So I did. I told him everything we had learned, every theory we had, and basically spilled my guts, without naming names of course.

"Your people and mine do seem to follow the same paths. The personal bit about the Right Reverend is interesting though. I'd like to meet him in a dark alley someday."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small radio, gave instructions to his people, then slipped it back into his pocket.

"Done. I've saved the mount for the four of us to check out. I've got a couple of gamma meters and we'll just go from top to bottom of the place," he said.

It wasn't quite that easy. The Dome of the Rock covered thousands of feet of area and the four of us couldn't come close to checking the area in time without help. The issue was further complicated by the fact we were working barefoot and without our electronic equipment, as they were not permitted inside the Dome itself.

"This is useless," Elisa complained as we left the mosque with darkness quickly falling. "We can't do it in time."

RJ shook his head.

"We have to. If we don't, we'll have to go public with the information," he said.

"And we still get a war out of it, one way or the other," I sighed.

We sat on the steps watching the people go by us as shops closed for the Sabbath and heard the sounds of Christmas carols in the distance.

"I never thought I'd be here on Christmas Eve," RJ said. "I'm used to being in places like Bosnia and Korea."

"You better hope none of us are here on Christmas Day," the corporal, who finally told us his name was Moriarty.

"Always with the negative waves Moriarty. Try thinking beautiful thoughts. We'll find the nice bomb," Elisa said.

"I take it we can't arrange for an overflight with a radiation detector," I mused. "Being as we're friends with the host country and all."

"Nope. Besides the area over the Dome is restricted airspace, just like over the White House. Couldn't do that anyway," RJ replied.

My satphone beeped at that moment.

"Yes?"

"Any luck?" Susan asked, her voice echoing hollowly as the call bounced off the satellite.

"Negative. It's just after sundown here and everything is closing. We've been joined by our friends from the desert for the search, but we're talking about a huge area, most of it inaccessible."

"Contact the IAEA office at Dimona. Brief them and then evacuate the area."

"But..." I started to object.

"We've lost enough people. Get out of the area. That is a direct order. I want you on the first flight out."

Susan hung up leaving me with no chance to argue with her.

I looked at RJ and Elisa.

"We've been ordered to inform the UN office at Dimona and evacuate the area," I said sadly.

RJ shrugged.

"You did your best. Now we'll take care of it with the UN and hope we can keep the lid on," he comforted. "I'll drive you two to the airport and turn the Rover in at Hertz for you."

We drove back to the hotel to pick up our things and check out feeling defeated in every way. We hadn't done our job and because of it, the world might be at war in a few hours.

"You can't be serious? Abandon search?" I asked.

She looked at me intently.

"Michael, I am in charge here and I'm making the best decision I can. We have a security problem with the government. We have to trust the discretion of the military people Mei Ling is involved with. I'm sure she gave them a plausible story as to her identity and mission," she said firmly.

"Then again she might have told the truth. You didn't believe me either as I recall," I reminded.

"Michael, Susan is doing what's right," Miriam said laying a gentle hand on my arm.

"Do you really expect Mei Ling to obey an order like that?" I prodded.

"I expect her to obey the orders of the Mother of Many," Susan replied.

I just kept my mouth shut at that point. No sense in spoiling her illusions.

Miriam brought me up to date on her adventures and I had a hard time controlling my anger at the brutality of the Right Reverend.

"I swear that someday I'll see that little bastard on his knees in front of you begging forgiveness," I said.

Miriam shook her head.

"He's not worth it Michael," she said. "Besides as the Bard said, revenge is a dish best served cold."

"Did you know that Shakespeare was a Klingon?" I replied.

"Michael, do not start that discussion in this car," Susan cautioned.

"Why not?" Miriam asked.

"You haven't listened to it before. I have. Probably too many times."

The situation hadn't changed over much when we got back to the Rancho. I noticed that the resident submissives were busily making Christmas Eve dinner as I passed the dining hall and someone had even gone to the trouble of setting up a tree and decorating it.

Christmas Eve. I hadn't even had the chance to do my Christmas shopping. Damn, I was planning on getting some jewelry for the Mistress this year. Oh well, humbug I say! Humbug!

I was still feeling like Scrooge when I entered the situation room and sat down at my station. I could see multiple images from a TV camera being flashed at five-second intervals across one display screen and CNN on another. Barbara was not at her station and Isis was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is everybody?" I asked one of the other technicians.

"I haven't seen Isis for about an hour and Barbara is taking a nap. She's been on shift almost constantly since the bombing. There really isn't anything going on now," she said.

I had to agree with that. We were basically out of the game at that point with Mei Ling being recalled. I still didn't think that she'd just lay down and quit, but I couldn't see her sitting waiting for an atomic bomb to go off either.

I watched the images flickering on and off the one screen and when I asked was told what I was seeing.

"Kinda neat," I thought to myself. "The worlds biggest 7-11 security camera."

As I watched the images I saw more and more people carrying candles coming into view.

Miriam came into the room at that point and to my surprise knelt next to me.

"I wanted to talk to you about the Mistress," she said.

I looked away from the screen and into her eyes.

"If you're going to say anything, don't say you know how I feel. Until you've had someone die that you love, you don't know how I feel," I said.

"I wasn't going to. I wanted to tell you that she truly did love you, more than she would ever admit to you," she said unruffled.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"I'm sorry. That sounded really awful," I apologized lamely.

"You'll probably have worse things to say in the future," she replied.

I guess my surprise must have showed in my face.

"What, you expected that because she was gone that I would leave too? Michael, I'd rather stay with you as your friend, or your lover, or perhaps someday, your Mistress. That is unless you have other plans?" she said hastily.

"I was just planning on waiting for her. It would be nice to have someone to wait with. If you don't mind?" I said softly.

"You really don't think she's dead do you?"

"I don't feel she's dead. I know it sounds silly, but haven't you ever had that little tickle in the back of your head and you know she's there with you?" I answered tentatively.

She nodded.

"When I was being tortured by the Right Reverend, I could hear her telling me to calm down. Just that voice in my head," she admitted.

I held my hand out palm down to her and asked her to turn her palm upwards and place it near mine.

She did and there was that little feeling of electricity between us, that warmth that wasn't warmth at all.

She withdrew her hand and trembled slightly.

"I haven't felt that from anyone else before," she said." Just the Mistress."

"It's just something I can do. Doesn't make any logical sense, but I had the same feeling from my wife. We knew what was going on in each other's heads," I said looking away from her steady gaze and back at the screen.

The screen now showed even more people gathered holding candles.

"Look at that," I said to her.

She turned her head and watched and then rose to her feet.

"Did you notice something; they're almost all men gathered there."

I looked closer at the passing images and nodded.

"There must be at least a hundred of them out there from what I can see," I said amazed.

Susan wheeled herself in at that point.

"I see you've noticed the displays," she said.

"Yeah, someone briefed me when I came in. What's going on?" I asked.

"I'm not sure myself. There do seem to be a lot of people gathering in the Old City."

"I guess Mei Ling hasn't contacted the UN yet. I can't picture them allowing a group of people anywhere near ground zero," Miriam said.

As we watched, the candlelight procession continued, moving from one camera position to another through the Old City. Then I noticed one small group of men that seemed to be carrying a container of some sort about the size of a garbage can. I dismissed it as a drum of some kind at first until I noticed that it took two men to carry it.

"Look" I shouted as the camera changed images. "Those two men in the line."

"Which ones?" Susan asked as the images changed again.

"I saw two men in line carrying something," I said.

We kept watching and after a few minutes the camera spotted the men again, still carrying an object.

"Those two," I said pointing at the screen.

Susan looked carefully as the screen changed again.

"Could be nothing," she said finally.

"Could be everything," I replied. "Damn it, I wish I were there."

"That's the problem with the God's eye view," Barbara said from behind us. "Great view, but totally impotent to do anything about it."

"Can you get us a better view from the imaging system?" I asked quickly.

"Not unless the military is looking at the same scene," she said," but I'll try."

After a few minutes of switching views from the satellites she shook her head.

"No way. We're in the dark."

"Not for long," I said turning to Susan. "Can we call Mei Ling? If she's with the military guy, maybe she can get him to do something."

Susan hesitated for only a moment before picking a phone up and dialing, then switching to a speakerphone.

"Hello?" I heard Mei Ling say over the sound of a very loud engine.

"Mei Ling, what is that noise?" Susan asked.

"Noise?" she said innocently

"Mei Ling are you still in contact with the military?" Susan said, ignoring the fact Mei Ling hadn't told her what the noise was. I thought I knew, but didn't want to say anything.

"Very close contact, yes Ma'am"

"Tell them we have a line on the weapon. You didn't find it before because it wasn't there before. It's being brought into the area in a candlelight procession. We spotted two men with what looks like a large canister on the security cameras. We need better imaging to narrow it down."

"Ma'am, " said a male voice. "I can get you imaging in roughly five minutes. We can be on site in three if needed. Stay tuned."

I kept watching the security cameras, catching occasional glimpses of the men and the object as the cameras cycled.

"Try it now," the man said.

"Right. Barbara, switch to the JCS primary feed."

Barbara punched a few keys and we soon had an overhead view of the procession. It was huge, illuminated by hundreds of flickering candles.

"This is not helping much," I said splitting my attention between the two displays." All I can see is lights."

The overhead imaging suddenly changed and shifted to a gray white assortment of moving objects.

"I'm reading the IR spectrum now. The brighter the color, the hotter the object. In theory, the bomb should be hotter than the surrounding areas," Barbara explained.

We all kept watching, seeing an occasional flash of bright white, moving against a duller white and black background. The TV cameras became less useful as it became even darker and soon we couldn't see anything except points of light and shadows cast by the street lighting.

"Anything?" Mei Ling asked over the engine roar.

"Nothing I can pinpoint. I was seeing some very white flashes on IR, but they're gone now," I called.

We kept watching the cameras and the overhead view waiting for some sign of the two men. Minutes passed slowly as the area emptied out.

"Still nothing?" Mei Ling called.

"Too dark to see and the area is getting colder. I think we lost them for sure," Barbara replied.

The clock passed midnight.

"Midnight your time," I called. "What next?"

The male voice replied. "We're operating UNODR."

Through the phone I could hear what sounded like a radio squawking in protest and then it was cut off along with the overhead imaging.

"We've been cut off," Barbara said.

I looked at her and shook my head

"No, he's been cut off. UNODR stands for Unless Otherwise Directed. He's going to do whatever he needs to and is providing deniability for the Feds.

"But we can't see anything," Miriam said.

"No, but I'm sure Mei Ling is going to have a tale to tell when she gets home," I grinned despite my concerns. <Mei Ling's report resumes>

I was sure that Susan was going to have my ass when I got back as we hovered near the Old City.

We had really intended to follow orders, but I guess Michael has been a bad influence on me because when we reached the airport I decided to stay longer.

"Your boss is probably going to have a cat fit when she finds out," RJ said as we walked back towards the parking lot.

"Well I think you're crazy, but I don't have a choice. My orders were to follow you," Elisa said.

"Sounds like mine," Moriarty said." But at least I get paid for it."

"You'd do it anyway," RJ said, "because you love me."

Moriarty made retching sounds in reply.

"Please boys, not here," I said.

Before we could leave though we were greeted by a cordon of security troops and stopped.

"Sorry," one young woman trooper said. "This area is being cleared for the Prime Minister's arrival."

Now that I was looking forward to. The little mudsucker had caused enough trouble for me and I wanted to get a good look at the man.

The security troops kept us a fair distance away from the PM as he arrived, and as we watched him walk away RJ commented that he still had the same attitude as when he'd met him before.

"The bugger worked for one of the alphabet agencies at one time. His file is sealed now, but he had his fingers in a few places. In some ways I'm not surprised that he'd go for a little self induced terrorism."

"How did you meet him?" Elisa asked.

"He was running a very hush hush antiterrorist group over here when we crossed paths during the Gulf War," he explained as we walked out of the building.

"I guess he wants to be on hand when his antiterrorist people find the bomb," I said.

"So he really thinks it isn't going to go off. What an idiot," Moriarty commented.

"If he's an idiot, what do you call us?" Elisa asked.

"Determined."

RJ just shrugged and then directed our attention to a white helicopter sitting on a pad some distance from the main building, guarded by two soldiers.

"Nice ride."

Moriarty looked towards it and then back at RJ.

"Wanna borrow it?"

"I think."

Elisa held up a hand in protest.

"Wait a minute. You're planning on stealing the Prime Minister's helicopter?" she objected.

"Think about it. He can fly anywhere. He's not covered by airspace restrictions."

"You're planning on flying over the mosque and then what?"

"One of you keeps the chopper hovering while we rappel down with the detectors," he said.

"One of US? What makes you think we know how to fly a helicopter?" She laughed.

"No better time to learn," RJ replied and started walking towards the two guards while Moriarty walked away in the other direction. "Follow my lead."

We hurried after him as he walked up to the guards.

"Nice aircraft," RJ commented, "Who's is it?"

"This is the personal helicopter of the Prime Minister," one of them answered.

"Really?" I gushed. "Could I look inside?"

The other guard shook his head negatively.

"I'm sorry but no. I have to ask you to step away please," he said unshouldering his rifle.

"Well you don't need to get nasty about it," Elisa said and then added something in Hebrew that obviously pissed off the first guard because he brought his rifle to the ready as well and then they both started walking us back away from the aircraft.

That is until Moriarty rolled out from under the chopper and kidney punched the two of them dropping them to the ground in agony.

I kicked one in the face and RJ chopped the other to put them all the way down.

"Let's get them behind the trash bins," Moriarty said and lifted one to his feet and started lecturing him about being drunk on duty as a car drove past.

Having safely stowed the bodies, RJ popped the lock on the hatch and he and Moriarty started the preflight checks as the engine spun up to speed.

A minute later we were lifting off as RJ ignored the outraged noises coming from the radio headset and rolled the chopper towards the Old City.

At that point my satphone rang.

"Hello?"

"Mei Ling, what is that noise?" Susan asked.

"Noise?" I said innocently

"Mei Ling are you still in contact with the military?"

I looked at RJ who was staring at me curiously.

"Very close contact, yes Ma'am," I replied.

She quickly explained the situation to me as I relayed it to RJ, who indicated I should hand him the phone.

"Ma'am, " he said, "I can get you imaging in roughly five minutes. We can be on site in three if needed. Stay tuned."

He muted the phone and reached up and adjusted the radio.

"Water Baby this is Echo Tango Alpha Charlie on network 23. Do you copy?" he called.

There was a short pause and then he nodded.

"Relay to Spooky. I need a set of eyes over the Holy Land. Patch through JCS command net. I have a probable."

He listened for a moment before confirming.

"Give them a couple of minutes to aim the bird and we'll see."

It seemed like hours before he nodded and unmuted the phone.

"Try it now," he ordered handing the phone back to me.

I could hear some conversation in the background and what sounded like Michael complaining about something.

"Anything?" I asked over the rotor noise

"Nothing I can pinpoint. I was seeing some very white flashes on IR, but they're gone now," Michael replied.

More time passed with mumbled noises.

"Still nothing?" I called.

"Too dark to see and the area is getting colder. I think we lost them for sure," I heard Barbara reply.

"Midnight your time," Michael called. "What next?"

RJ took the phone from me and answered "We're operating UNODR."

I could hear someone protesting loudly through the radio headset and then he flipped the radio off and hung up the phone.

"We are now officially on our own. I vote for landing in the street and checking it out," he said.

"Do we get a vote?" Elisa asked.

"Nope."

"I like this plan. Lets do it," she replied.

And damned if we didn't land in the street in front of the Dome of the Rock to the screams and shouts of the people who watched us.

"You know somebody is going to call the police," I shouted over the noise.

"So we work fast," RJ replied leading the way.

Our route paralleled the wall that surrounds the mount and we kept moving as quickly as we could, staying in the shadows as much as possible as we heard the sound of sirens in the distance approaching rapidly.

The path led us to a dimly lit tunnel that seemed to run under the mount, blocked by a locked iron gate. Peering through the bars, we could see a stack of objects placed against one wall with a tarp laid over them.

"Any ideas?" Elisa asked.

Moriarty smirked at her and reached into a pocket and pulled out a small case and then looked at RJ.

"Time me" he said.

"Just do it and don't show off," he replied.

We kept watch behind us as Moriarty diddled the lock and then we heard a pop and click.

"Let's go kids," he said tossing the open lock to RJ who snagged it on the fly.

Moriarty took point and I took the trail position as the four of us hurried to the pile of materials and started searching, all the while keeping our eye on the end of the tunnel.

"It can be too far inside if we can believe the information your people provided," RJ said.

"If Michael thought he saw something, he did," I snapped listening to the sirens come to a halt and seeing the reflections of the police lights flashing against the side of the tunnel.

"We have a winner!" Moriarty hissed, looking out from under the tarp, and showing us a metal drum about the size of a small trash can.

"That's an atomic bomb?" Elisa asked.

"It ain't chopped liver," he retorted, going back under the tarp.

Before he could reply there was a shout from the far end of the tunnel.

"What are you doing there!"

I pressed myself into a niche in the wall and stood silently and looked towards the sound.

There were three police officers standing at the mouth of the tunnel guns drawn.

To my surprise Elisa started walking towards them speaking in Hebrew and gesturing.

"What is she doing?" RJ asked softly.

"Damned if I know," I replied." We haven't spent that much time together and besides, she's still technically the enemy."

"I don't think this is the time for that," Moriarty suggested from his position under the canvas. "I would really like to make sure this thing doesn't go off now or later."

"Keep working. Even if the cops bust us, they may not find you." RJ replied keeping a wary eye on Elisa's conversation with the police who still hadn't come any farther towards us.

As we watched, Elisa called for RJ to join her as the police holstered their guns and relaxed.

He shrugged and walked up to the gathering and was saluted on arrival.

"The cops are saluting," I said quietly.

"That's nice," Moriarty replied. "Leaving would be nicer. I need a little more light to do this properly."

"I don't think I want to know what happens if you don't do it properly."

"If I don't, you'll never know it sweetheart."

He was right. I was standing just about four feet from ground zero if it blew.

RJ and Elisa continued talking with the police like they were old friends and I was beginning to relax at least a little when I heard a muffled exclamation of annoyance.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I triggered the damned thing. Good thing the little shitheads who built this did it from a comic book. I'm surprised it didn't go off earlier. Can you believe they tried to build a gun type bomb with plutonium?" he said poking his head out of the tarp.

I couldn't help it. I pissed myself.

I watched as the police saluted again and walked away as RJ and Elisa walked back to us.

"That was just plain fucking weird," RJ swore softly when he reached us.

"I have friends in low places. As well as high," Elisa said with a smirk.

"What was that all about?" I asked stepping away from the cold and now damp stone wall.

"It seems that your friend here hasn't been quite truthful about herself," RJ said.

"You never asked, so I never told." she replied smugly.

"You want to let us both in on the joke?" Moriarty said crawling from under the tarp.

"Not really." she said with a shrug.

"Look, can we get out of here now?" I asked.

"What about the bomb?" RJ questioned.

"Already done. Not the best work I've ever done, but adequate," Moriarty said dusting himself off

I started laughing.

"You set the thing off," I choked.

RJ just stared at him and he shrugged.

"Hey everybody is entitled to a mistake."

RJ just shook his head and the two of them pulled the now disabled device from under the tarp.

"I suggest we go out the back way. I don't know how long it will take before the cops figure out that they've been hosed," he said.

"Who says I hosed them?" Elisa said. "I told them the absolute truth."

"Right."

Riding in a taxi with a nuclear weapon, even a disarmed one is a disconcerting experience and it was a long ride, all the way to Tel Aviv where RJ and Moriarty got out at a nondescript house in the suburbs carrying the package.

"Ladies, it's been interesting working with you. Hopefully we won't have to do this again anytime soon," RJ said as he paid the driver to take us to the airport.

"Hold it, we're not done quite yet boys," I objected. "What about my sister?"

They both looked uncomfortable at that question

"If we arrange to have the body released to you, we'll have to turn in a full report to our people. And I'm not sure you want that to happen. That is if you were telling me the truth about secret societies," RJ finally said in a low-pitched voice

The son of a bitch. They wanted to not only sweep the whole issue with the bomb under the rug, but Minx and Lydia's bodies as well.

Before I could say anything, Elisa intervened, motioning the two men to move closer.

"Let's just call it professional courtesy," she purred. "After all, you wouldn't want to appear prominently in my report either. And I am letting you keep the plutonium, which technically should be returned to the Indian government."

Moriarty looked as if he wanted to say something, but RJ cut him off.

"Deal. I assume you can arrange for someone to claim the body in Germany?"

"Bodies. We want both of the women. You can have your people perform the postmortem and identify the remains, and we'll pick up the bodies." I said.

"Give it about two weeks," he said. "I'll let you know."

"I suggest you do so. I think you know how to contact me," Elisa said.

He nodded curtly and the two men went into the house and that was the last I saw of them or the bomb.

Elisa was strangely quiet for the rest of the trip to the airport, other than commenting on the smell of urine and complaining about the cleanliness of the cab.

I wasn't going to say anything at that point. I did plan on tipping the driver heavily though. It wasn't until we reached the airport and we were looking for a quiet corner for me to call the Rancho from that she said more than two words.

"I need to tell you something before you call your people. I'm going to take care of the Prime Minister in my own way. Don't interfere, and don't do anything," she said.

I shook my head.

"If you think I'm going to let Kali assassinate or blackmail him, you're dead wrong," I objected.

"Do you want to know why the cops backed off?" she posed.

"I would actually."

"Shin Bet. I guess you'd have to say I'm a double agent, or working with you a triple agent. I work for Kali because I believe in Lydia's vision. I work for Shin Bet because I love my country," she explained. "That's why RJ became so cooperative. If I informed my government that he was here it would cause a lot of trouble that he'd rather avoid. We'll deal with Habibi in our own way. He'll just be out of a job and unable to influence anything."

"And I'm supposed to believe you?" I asked suspiciously.

"You don't have to. But then you can keep wondering how I convinced the police to back off and how I convinced RJ to release the bodies."

I thought about it and shrugged. I might have my trust issues, but I couldn't prove anything.

"I'll buy the story if you'll tell me one thing. What's your real name?" I asked.

"Vicky Feldshiemer. Why?"

"Just wondering," I said pulling out my satphone and dialing the Rancho.

<Michael's tale resumes>

I was right about interesting because a few minutes later the whole scene lit up on the security cameras with the flashing strobe lights of a helicopter that settled neatly into the center of one of the screens as four people leapt out and started running towards the wall.

"I think the Marines have landed," I said.

We kept watching as the cameras flashed on and off and noted the arrival of the police on the scene.

As I watched, it occurred to me that both Yoni and Isis had been gone a long time and I commented on it to Susan who frowned.

"Yes, it has," she said looking at the clock on the wall. "Isis should have been here to relieve me almost an hour ago. She said she was going to see Anna when we left, but that was hours ago."

"Mistress, I think something is very wrong," I said a cold feeling touching me.

She picked up the phone and dialed a number and frowned.

"No answer from Dr. Ruth. I'm going to check on her," she said turning her chair and pushing her way towards the door. "You stay here."

I started to object and then stopped as the door closed behind her.

I was torn between following her instructions and going with her anyway. If there was any kind of trouble, I wanted to be there.

Miriam patted me on the hand and followed her without being asked.

I tried to focus on the display as more police arrived on the scene and what looked like an army truck pulled up.

I looked at the clock on the wall.

It was after one in the morning on Christmas Day in Israel, three in the afternoon here. Still no word from Mei Ling as to if she had found the bomb or if anything had been done at all. I still hadn't seen anybody brought into any of the camera views under arrest anyway, which was something at least.

The phone at my desk rang startling me from my reverie.

"It's me," Susan said. "Dr. Ruth just shut the phone off to make sure that Anna was not disturbed. She said that Isis was here this morning, but she hasn't seen her since. She did seemed preoccupied about something according to her."

"How is Anna?" I asked.

"She's sleeping a lot now. Dr. Ruth says not too much longer," was the sad reply.

"Ah. Listen, Miriam is headed your way, so watch for her."

"Why is she coming?"

"She knew I was a bit concerned for your safety and decided on her own to follow."

"When I see her I'm going to spank her and then send her back to you. I want her in the situation room as my backup, not traipsing about."

"Aye aye," I said and hung up.

When Miriam did return she was rubbing her ass and wincing.

"Damn she can swing hard," she complained.

"Yes Mistress," I agreed formally, turning my attention back to the screens again.

"Mistress?" she said quizzically.

"Mistress," I repeated with a genuflection. "By command of the Mother of Many. Seems you are the senior officer present and in command of the mission."

"Mistress," she said with a delighted smile as she sat down at the main desk.

Well, Merry Christmas for somebody anyway.

The situation didn't change much on the displays, the police finally left and the helicopter took off leaving the area more or less deserted again.

And that's the way it stayed for another two hours. Susan returned from seeing Anna and Isis finally turned up limping slightly and with skinned knuckles.

I looked at her and got up to stand alongside her.

"You OK?' I asked.

"I'm in better shape than the other guy," she said with a slight smile.

"You know, this time I'm glad to hear that," I said.

"Why Michael, going soft in your grief? Thinking about changing sides?" she purred.

"Keep dreaming." I replied.

She actually looked hurt at that statement and I couldn't help apologizing to her.

"I'm sorry, I said that. You've kept your word about everything and it was uncalled for," I replied lamely.

"I'd like you to know that I admire you in a lot of ways, but when we win, you will be my personal toy and you will be trained to serve me as I see fit," she warned with an evil look.

I felt a cold chill despite the warmth of the room.

"You'll have to catch me first," I choked out.

"I know. You don't seem to realize that with your Mistress dead and Lydia as well, the rules of the game have changed."

And with that she forced her tongue into my mouth, raping it then broke off while Susan and Miriam stared aghast at me.

"Someday your ass is mine," she said and walked away to sit at one of the desks.

Susan rolled her chair up to me with a frown.

"Under normal circumstances, I'd be demanding an explanation, but I'm not going to. I do expect you to show a little restraint in my presence."

"Yes Mistress," I said without even trying to defend myself. I wouldn't be believed anyway since the whole discussion had taken place away from the rest of the group.

I was literally saved by the bell at that point as Mei Ling called in and informed us the bomb was found, disarmed and in if not friendly hands, at least better than they were.

"What about the Prime Minister?" Susan asked.

"I have been informed unofficially that he'll be dealt with. What about the Right Reverend?" was the reply.

"That I haven't got an answer for. Anyway, get back here as soon as you can. We have a lot to discuss and I want to see your written report."

"Yes Mother, " she replied and hung up.

"Ladies and others, Ay'esha and Kali have just stopped World War III," Susan announced formally. "Congratulations."

The room filled with applause and quiet cheers, but some of us sat silently, too drained to do anything. Miriam and I looked at each other and then clasping hands walked out of the room.

Dinner was festive as the word of our success spread, although tempered by our losses. Toasts were proposed and a lot of things were said, some serious and some silly, but not one addressing the loss of our comrades.

I finally spoke quietly to Susan and she signaled the room to silence.

"Michael would like to say something," she announced.

I took my place at the center of the main dining table and looked as the people assembled there and then looked at Miriam who nodded and smiled.

"Mistresses and others present. I would like to propose a toast, not for the dead, but for the missing. Absent friends," I said raising my glass of cider.

"Absent friends!" they said and drank.  

I didn't spend much time with the rest of the group, but instead went back to Minx's rooms to think about how things had changed.

When she took me I was a lost and lonely man, filled with self-loathing. And over the years she has brought me to realize that I was a very special man in many ways, and even more so, worthy of the love of a beautiful woman.

I sat, just thinking and I heard her voice in my mind, saying the words that had comforted me on one dark, terrifying night.

"I will never leave you."

"Michael, why aren't you at the party?" I heard Miriam say, startling me from my thoughts.

"I'm not much of a party person Mistress," I said looking at her.

She shrugged.

"Neither am I, but we are expected to make an appearance. She wouldn't think much of you hiding in here while the party is out there."

"I'm hiding from Isis," I said." I know what your thinking, but she kissed me. As well as making threats to my person."

"Bitch," she spat. "The Mistress warned me about her, but even I didn't believe it."

"Believe it. If Lydia is really dead, she's going to take control and in some ways she's a lot more dangerous. Lydia is a fanatic, and Isis is more subtle. And frankly with the change in politics around here, I don't think there would be a retaliatory strike on Kali if something did happen to me."

"Don't bet against it. You're still considered pretty important even with Minx gone," Miriam reassured me. "Let's go back to the party."

"OK, but I'm not going to dance with Isis."

"Who says I'll let you?"

I didn't dance with Isis but only because she had disappeared again, but Barbara and Miriam were polite enough to deal with my two left feet and I was even blessed with the favor of a dance from Grace who had arrived in my absence.

"And how is my favorite patient?" she asked as we did a slow waltz around the room.

"I'm doing as well as can be expected I suppose. I always get depressed around Christmas anyway. Minx understands though that it's not a happy time of the year for me," I replied.

"So she said. I understand that you feel the report of her death is a bit premature," she said smoothly.

"I do. I can't tell you why, but I don't feel she's gone. I guess you'd have to call it faith," I said carefully.

"Or denial," she countered sharply, then softened her expression. "But you are the best judge of that."

"Thank you I think," I replied. "Measuring me for a strait jacket?"

She laughed.

"Not after you spent the weekend with Dennis. I know damned well he taught you how to escape from one," she replied.

"And that was before I met you," I sallied.

The dance was interrupted by the arrival of Isis, dressed as Mrs. Claus in a sled pulled by a group of pony (reindeer?) boys. Instead of a boy in the lead, I was more than slightly amused to see Yoni gagged and in a slave harness, reins attached to her nipples, with a brightly painted red nose.

Isis dismounted the sleigh after an additional lashing of the whip across the slaves and walked over to where Grace and I were standing.

"Wasn't easy convincing her to do that," she said, nodding towards the obviously embarrassed and totally furious Yoni.

"I believe that. I'm more interested in how you managed to convince Susan to let you do that to her," Grace pondered.

"Might have something to do with her being a Judas goat. It seems she made a call to Virginia just before Miriam was to meet with the Right Reverend," Isis explained.

"That explains my invitation tonight," Grace replied. "I guess I need to make a few revisions in things," she said and excused herself.

"Well little boy, what do you want for Christmas?" Isis teased.

"World peace actually," I replied looking for Miriam to rescue me.

"That you got. How about you personally?" she continued.

"Nothing I can think of. Minx being at home when I get there maybe," I mused. "Nothing practical."

She started to reply and then walked away as Susan wheeled herself up to me.

"Michael, Anna is awake and wants to see you," she said urgently.

I didn't waste time waiting for her, I sprinted for the door.

Dr. Ruth stopped me at the threshold of Anna's door with a warning.

"She's very weak and still doesn't know about Minx and Lydia yet, so don't tell her," she warned.

"Does she know we stopped the plot?" I asked.

"Yes, She asked and I told her Mei Ling had reported mission accomplished."

I moved to Anna's bedside and looked at her.

"Mother?" I said softly.

Her eyes opened and then focused on me slowly.

"I understand that our daughter has finished her mission, " she said weakly.

"Yes Mother," I replied." You should be proud of her. Proud of all of your daughters," I replied.

"And a son," she said fumbling for my hand.

I clasped it tightly.

"I just did as I was told, nothing more," I replied thinking, "And a whole lot less than I wanted."

"Please don't minimize what you have done, Michael. You had the insight to see the problem between Isis and Yoni and suggest a solution. When Minkin returns, I want you to tell her you are to be rewarded."

"You can tell her yourself," I said." She should be home soon."

She sighed and closed her eyes again and her hand slipped from mine.

"Mother?" I said feeling for her pulse. Nothing.

"Ruth," I said turning towards her.

She shook her head and walked slowly towards the bed and checked her pulse as well

"She didn't want to have any fuss made when she passed on," Ruth said placing her hand on my shoulder. "She was very old Michael, older than you know. It was her time."

I felt the first tears seep from my eyes and turned away to hide my embarrassment.

"Don't be afraid to cry. You cared about her and she about you," Ruth said.

"It's just damned hard to deal with right now. Anna is gone, Minx is missing and the people who started this whole mess are going to get off without a scratch."

"You know that Minx didn't believe in revenge. Neither did Anna. They believed in justice. You argued for Susan on that basis. Would you trade that now for revenge?" she questioned.

"No, but I'm angry and frustrated and scared and I don't know what all. Grace is checking out my mental state, Isis is after my body, Minx may be dead, it's Christmas and I'm depressed!" I snapped.

"You're hiding it well," she said walking me away from Anna's body.

"And I don't need sarcasm either," I replied hotly.

"It's not intended to be sarcasm Michael. If I had all these things happen to me in this short a time I'd be more than a little upset myself."

I calmed myself and spoke in somewhat less challenging tones.

"I'm sorry Doctor. I always get wired at Christmas anyway and this year is worse."

"You'll survive. Go back to the party and send Susan in. And don't say anything to anybody," she warned.

I went and found Susan in a tight conversation with Grace and Isis.

"I'm sorry to intrude, but Dr. Ruth would like to see you in Anna's quarters," I said.

Susan shook her head.

"I'll be there as soon as I can. There are a few loose ends to clear up here," she advised. "I may need you later, so be where I can find you."

"If you don't see me here, I'll be in the situation room. There's probably something on TV worth watching tonight, maybe White Christmas. That's one of my favorites."

"Go ahead. I'll have someone bring you some hot chocolate later," she said indulgently.

I do know my Christmas movie schedules well; I managed to catch the film about ten minutes in as I settled down in a comfortable chair in the situation room. Of course being a guy, I started channel surfing and picked up a rebroadcast of the Grinch That Stole Christmas and watched that as being more appropriate to my mood.

Miriam came in after a little while with the hot chocolate and a plate of Oreo's and started lip synching the story as Cindy Lou Who while I did the Grinch.

It was then I finally started laughing and crying as the tensions of the week broke upon me. Miriam didn't hesitate, she held me and rocked me in her arms until I got control of myself.

"I'm sorry," I sniffled. "Not setting a good example for the troops."

She kissed my cheek.

"It's just you and I, and if we're going to work together, I might as well see all of it. Besides, you held me, I hold you. It's only fair."

I thought about that for a minute and then hugged her tightly.

"Deal," I said tiredly." I guess I'm just getting old."

"No Michael, you are not getting old. You are getting stressed and depressed and you're worried sick about the Mistress," she scolded.

"Yes Mistress," I replied reaching for a napkin and blowing my nose.

She snuggled next to me and as I started to change the channels with the remote I spotted a commercial with the Right Reverend.

"Please join me for my Christmas sunrise broadcast from Jerusalem with my special guest live via satellite, the Prime Minister of Israel," he said broadly with an inviting smile. "I'll be bringing my message about the battle against Satan to your home."

Miriam shuddered involuntarily at the sound of his voice.

An announcer came on to add that the Right Reverend would be taking questions from callers to an 800 number.

I got an idea. An awful idea. A wonderful awful idea.

"I think we should call in this morning," I said with an evil Grinchy smile." You could ask how his ankle is."

"They wouldn't let that call through anyway. I'm sure they prescreen them," she said with a wistful smile.

"True, but there has to be a way to take advantage of that show. Although I have to admit, if that little bastard thinks he's going to be watching Jerusalem go boom in the morning, he's going to be very disappointed," I agreed. "This is a job for Kevin Mitnick."

"Who's Kevin Mitnick?" she asked.

"He hacked the AT&T 800 phone system in order to win a contest at a radio station. He made sure that only his phone would ring in. Of course he did a few other things too that really pissed off the powers that be and now he's in prison."

Then it struck me. Isis's three blind mice.

"See how they run," I sang softly under my breath." Mistress, do you know where Isis is?"

"The last time I saw her she was in one of the training rooms demonstrating her prowess with a single tail on some poor boy."

I watched the submissive shivering in chains as Isis cracked the single tail next to his ear, reminding me of a day when I stood outside while Minx used one on me.

She finished her playing and tossed the whip to another Domme and walked over to where we were standing.

"I needed that," she said wiping the sweat from her brow with a leather-gloved hand. "Been too long."

"Your friends, the ones you call the Three Blind Mice. Can they hack the 800 system in the US?" I asked.

"Why?" she said as we walked back towards the main area of the Rancho.

I outlined the plot I had in mind to her and listened to her evil cackle as the idea sank in.

"That would be glorious if it can be done. Would Susan approve though?" she snickered.

"Don't know about that. But it would get the point across that he needs to watch his ass," I said.

Susan wasn't in the main area where the party was slowly winding down as it got later. It wouldn't be much longer until sunrise and the broadcast, so we were running out of time and options.

"I can call my people and see if they can do it," Isis finally said after a futile search. "You keep looking for Susan."

I was pretty sure that Susan would be with Dr. Ruth and Grace in Anna's chambers, but I wasn't going to share the news of Anna's death with anybody.

"Could she be with Anna?" Miriam suggested.

"Probably, but I have orders not to disturb her."

"Then you're not going to be able to get permission from her," she observed.

"Not at all. After all, you're the senior Mistress present on this mission. The emergency hasn't been officially ended. So you can approve it," I said cheerfully.

She looked at me and shook her head negatively.

"Oh no. This is another one of your schemes again Michael. You're getting me involved in a scheme."

"I'm pointing out your options as the senior officer present. I do the same thing for Mistress Minx as well," I retorted.

"I am not going to do anything like that without Susan's ok."

"Like what," Barbara said from behind us.

We both turned to see her in a short leather skirt and boots, wearing a leather corset and on her head was perched a Santa hat. She was twirling a riding crop like a baton in one hand as she spoke.

"Michael wants to make a phone call to the Right Reverend on his TV show this morning and rattle his cage."

Barbara smirked.

"Oh I'd go for that. Put the fear of the Goddess in him," she agreed. "So what's the problem?"

"Susan hasn't approved it and I'm not about to do it without her approval. After all she is the Mother of Many now," Miriam explained.

"Too bad. I think it would be a hoot," she said gripping the crop properly and tapping me gently on the side of the face before she walked away. "You do have an evil mind little boy."

"Goes with the evil body," I leered as Miriam glared at me.

"Michael, heel!" she said sharply.

I did as I was told of course, but I could tell that Miriam was not going to be quite as liberal as Minx is about other young ladies.

Isis returned with the news that her people could do it, but only once.

"I really don't want to waste it. After all Kali may need to do that, and while I'm not averse to sharing resources in this case, I've got to say no."

"Make you a deal. Michael for the phone call." Miriam said to my shock.

"Excuse me?" Isis said. "You're willing to let me have him, for the phone call?"

"For a few hours, here, yes." Miriam amended, "and of course subject to Susan's approval of the call."

"I don't think..." I started to say.

"No, you don't," Miriam said and led me aside to speak in private. "The only thing she wants is you. So, we trade your services for the phone access."

"Mistress, considering what I've been dealing with, what if I can't...?" I said

"Get it up?" she said gently. "Has it occurred to your ego she might not want that from you?"

I snorted.

"With all due respect Mistress, I know she wants that, mostly as the icing on the cake."

"Well with her, don't go bareback," she said and led me back to where Isis was waiting, ordering me to kneel.

"Do we have a deal?" Miriam continued.

"I'll do what you ask of me... Mistress," I said looking into Isis's eyes.

She stared at me and then an evil smile flickered across her face for a second.

"Deal. And I won't do any permanent physical damage to him," she said leaning close to me and whispering." Just mental."

I could tell I was in deep shit, and I hoped not literally this time.

Susan finally reappeared along with Grace and Miriam explained the plan to her, carefully leaving out the terms of the arrangement with Isis for my services.

It didn't take Grace more than a minute to consider the psychological impact on the Right Reverend and give it her medical approval. Susan on the other hand was less convinced of the wisdom of it.

"And you're sure that your people can do this without getting caught," she said skeptically.

"They say they can," Isis confirmed," But there isn't much time to decide."

Susan looked at Grace and then nodded.

"Get it set up. I'll make the call myself. Grace, I'll want you to write up something that will make the proper impact on him."

A small group consisting of Isis, Susan, Miriam, Grace and I all gathered in the situation room as watched as the Right Reverend's broadcast started opening with a shot of sunrise over the Old City and the announcer babbling the usual nonsense and then introducing the Right Reverend.

"Good morning my friends. It is the last Christmas of the Old World and the first of the new. Soon you will see the great battle against Satan joined, starting here in this land that our Lord and Savoir once walked," he said looking into the camera and then holding up a Bible.

"Megiddo, where the Bible says the Last Battle will be fought is near here," he said with a flourish," and in this Holy City is the Alpha and Omega of the old order."

The camera pulled back to show a panorama of the Old City behind him.

"What's he doing there. I though the last place he'd want to be is in Jerusalem," Miriam murmured.

"Special effects. It's a green screen trick," I replied. "I could look like I was on the Moon using a system like that."

We listened to the Right Reverend rave on and then he calmed down a little and introduced the Prime Minister.

"I'm happy to meet with my good friend the Prime Minister on this glorious morning," he said expansively.

"And Merry Christmas to you and your viewers my friend," the PM replied. To my eye he looked a little rumpled and less than TV show perfect. I wondered if someone had told him about the double cross.

"Minister, I'd like to take this time to ask you a personal question," the Right Reverend said with a quick glance off stage." Do you believe in God?"

"I believe in my God, yes," the Minister said with a frown.

"And are you ready to face him now?" the Right Reverend thundered.

"Of course," he replied startled.

"Then meet him!" the Right Reverend yelled and paused.

Three...two...one ... nothing

The camera held steady as the Minister took a cloth from a pocket and polished his glasses and waited for the Right Reverend to continue.

The Right Reverend took a deep breath and continued, looking a little foolish and nervous.

"Meet him in all his glory in the new times that are coming," he continued, again looking off stage.

"Where's the KABOOM? There's supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM," I said smugly in the voice of Marvin the Martian.

"Someone stole his explosive space modulator," Isis commented to my surprise. Never thought of her having that much of a sense of humor.

"Children please. I think that the phone call should be just enough to finish him off," Grace said as she studied him on the screen.

"I'll get it set up," Isis said and dialed a number from one of the phones at a workstation.

It became very evident that the Right Reverend didn't have anything to say to the Minister, who he expected to disappear in a nuclear fireball at any moment and they soon turned to the call in portion of the program.

The first couple of calls were pretty mundane and Grace nodded and listened to the responses.

"He's getting some of his confidence back. I think it's our turn now," she said.

Isis mumbled a few words into the phone and then switched the speakerphone on.

"They're going to piggyback the call on another one to get past the censorship delay," she explained.

We heard one voice start to speak and then the voice of the Right Reverend came on.

"God bless you caller," he said.

"We know all about Project Megiddo. We know all about you and the Prime Minister." Susan said in a quiet voice and signaled for the line to be cut.

The expression on the Right Reverend's face was a joy to behold, matched only by the sick look on the Prime Minister's face as the call relayed through to him.

The show went to commercial almost instantly.

"I think that should be that," Grace said with a satisfied look. "Now to deal with Yoni."

"What are you going to do with her?" Miriam asked.

"She betrayed you to an enemy who could have killed you. She may have revealed information that endangers Ay'esha. What do you think we should do?" Grace asked glancing at Susan.

"Did you ever find out why she did it?" I asked.

"She was jealous of Susan," Grace explained. "She expected to take over for the Mother of Many, and when you convinced Anna to replace her she lost her temper and called trying to make it look as if Susan's plan had failed."

"Miriam," Susan said. "You were the one hurt the most. What do you want to do?"

Miriam looked uncomfortable at that question.

"Well I know that she was really humiliated by what Isis did. I don't want to hurt her in return. Well, yes I do. I want to see her hurt," Miriam finally admitted.

"Now that's more like it," Isis cheered." Good healthy hatred."

Miriam faced her.

"No, more like a desire to see her corrected. I understand her motives, I really do."

" Well I was called her to make sure she never does anything like that again. Of course she'll be a vegetable, but sometimes you have to take steps like that," Grace admitted.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"This doesn't concern you Michael," she rebuked. "This is a matter for us to decide."

They started to walk off and Miriam called after her.

"I want to know what you're going to do to her," she said sharply.

"I'm going to inject her brain with Novocain and lobotomize her," Grace said calmly and started walking away with Susan beside her.

I didn't know what to say to that. I was horrified by that idea. Since I am nothing but the sum of my memories, losing any of them is a bad thing. I still resented the tampering with my mind by the Temple and Mei Ling's intrusion over Fortinbras.

"Goddess! You talk about our cruelty, but you're worse than we'd ever be," Isis spat.

Grace smiled coldly.

"I'm sure some of your sacrifices would feel differently. The ones that Lydia discarded after, shall we say, modifying them."

Isis looked slightly ill at ease.

"That was not a matter of policy," she protested.

"No!" Miriam objected.

"I beg your pardon?" Grace said formally.

"Why don't you just kill her instead?" Miriam charged. "That would be much kinder."

"It is not your decision to make, it's ours," Susan retorted. "The tradition is to avoid killing and Ay'esha has lived up to it for many years. I'm not going to change that now. If Dr. Denoblis and Dr. Ruth think this is the best way, then I'm not going to interfere."

"Then you'd better plan on doing it to me too," Miriam threatened.

"And me," I said.

Susan looked up at Grace and shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I guess I'm not the right person for this job. I can't let you do that to her either," she said and started to remove the ring of the Mother of Many.

"I'd keep that on if I were you," Grace warned." It's a little early to abdicate your throne."

Susan shook her head.

"I told Anna I wasn't suited for this job and she didn't listen. We'll she's gone now and I'm stuck with it, and I just can't do it," she sighed.

Dr. Ruth walked in at that point and nodded to the assembly.

"Is this a private conversation or can anybody join?" she asked.

"I won't let you lobotomize Yoni," Miriam said. "You're a doctor! How can you approve this?"

"Lobotomize? Miriam, have you been hitting the eggnog a little hard?" Ruth replied confused.

Grace raised an eyebrow towards her.

"Oh that. Well dear, sometimes you do have to cut out a little healthy tissue to remove a cancer," she said after a moment.

"Well you don't take a healthy tissue and make it sick," Miriam continued.

There was a moment of silence before Grace shrugged.

"You're right. We don't," she admitted. "I've spoken with Yoni and she's going to go back to the Institute with Dr. Ruth and learn the things she needs to. She didn't have the formal training she needed and she just let her own desires get in the way."

Susan looked furious and Miriam looked relieved.

"How could you do that to me?" Susan demanded of the two older women.

"It was easy. We just lied. Do you really think that we'd do something like that to anybody?" Ruth said.

"It was an interesting test for the both of you," Grace said." And I am sorry, but we did need to know if you could say no to something like that Susan."

"You could have just asked," Susan said hotly.

"And we might not have gotten an honest answer," Ruth observed. "I was just concerned that Michael would say something."

"I remember reading Minx's story and how she had the same qualms about killing. I just couldn't believe that you would propose something worse than death," I admitted.

Isis laughed.

"Only you would consider that worse than castration," she said.

I looked at her and shrugged.

"If my brain is dead, then what do I care about the rest anyway?"

"Men have only two brain cells anyway," she retorted.

"If that's how you feel about it, then your time together is going to be pretty boring for you," Miriam countered.

"Time together?" Susan asked curiously.

"Blabbermouth," I hissed at Miriam. "Isis had some terms for the use of the phone tap."

"Yes, he agreed to serve me for a few hours," Isis said sweetly. "And do anything I ask."

The two older Dommes looked at each other and shook their heads.

"Michael, the things you'll do for a little attention," Ruth said. "You remember the last time you volunteered about something like this."

"Yes Mistress, I remember, " I said with a nod. "But a deal is a deal. Besides, I trust her not to permanently damage me."

"If I had known you had made a deal with the devil, I would not have approved of the call," Susan said sternly.

"I think I resent that," Isis said. "I'm much more like Astaroth than Asmodeus."

"Who?" Miriam asked.

"Never mind," I replied kneeling before Isis. "As it shall harm no one, do as thou wilt shall be the whole of the law."

"And I shall," she said taking me by the chain with the medallion of Ay'esha and tugging me to my feet. "Ladies, I'll return him later."

I was expecting her to lead me to one of the training chambers that was equipped for some very serious abuse, but she surprised me instead by taking me to one laid out more as a boudoir than a dungeon.

Not that most boudoirs have chains attached to the bed, but the room was more of less conventional arrangement excluding the mirrors over the bed. And the chains.

She lit a series of candles arranged throughout the room and then ordered me to strip after dimming the overhead lights.

I did, folding my clothing neatly as Minx had taught me and then knelt before her as she sat in the large bamboo peacock chair in one corner of the room.

"Oh get up. When I want you on your knees I'll tell you," she said with a smirk indicating the footstool.

I sat down uncomfortably on the rough bamboo, feeling the rough texture on my ass and not knowing where to put my hands, sort of cupped them in my lap.

"Take your hands away from there. I do want to see your cock and balls," she said firmly.

I assumed my training posture, hands resting on my knees, cupped, facing upwards and waited, head raised, looking into her face steadily.

"Some would take your looking into the eyes of a Mistress as defiance," she said.

"I am proud what I am. I know my place and that is to serve," I said quietly.

"Even those you don't like?" Isis pressed.

I smiled at her.

"I serve Mistress and I try not to let my feelings get in the way," I said honestly.

"What I want from you is those feelings. I want your passion, your fire, your desire," she said harshly.

"Oh those. And what makes you think I have those things for you? Considering the circumstances? "I said politely.

"Bastard," she snapped slapping me across the face. "I'm far more woman than Minx or that little tart Miriam will ever be. "

"Perhaps you are. But I love them. It does make a difference."

"Love? You think with your cock just like any other man when you get turned on," she laughed grabbing it and squeezing hard.

"And you love it that way. You enjoy the power over men and women you have using your body. But you don't care about them. You're selfish or at least self centered."

"Silence," she commanded. "Get over on that bed and lay down face up!"

I did as I was ordered and lay there passively as she chained me to the bed.

"Now," she said after stripping off her clothing, revealing her firm breasts and smooth dark body, "We will see if you can control your passions with me. I'm going to take them from you Michael and humiliate you with your own lack of control. I'm going to fuck the pride right out of you and reduce you to a grunting animal for my sexual pleasure."

"Give it your best shot," I thought to myself.

She threw herself onto me and started licking and kissing me, teasing me with her mouth and fingers, stroking my temples and crooning softly to me of her desire to give me pleasure.

I just lay there as she continued her sensual touch thinking of my beloved Minx, of her loving touch and her stinging blows, her whispered words of love and her stern correction of my errors.

Isis soon shifted her attentions to my cock, placing her ass and pussy in my face and ordering me to lick it.

I ran my tongue across her delicate openings and considered the sweet taste of Minx's, the joy of her scent, the thoughts it stirred in me while Isis attempted to force me to erection with her tongue.

It was futile on her part and her frustration started showing in the way she handled my cock and balls, pulling harder on them to try and arouse me.

"Damn you," she finally said. "I will have you inside me and I will have your seed this night."

I wanted to laugh. The last time a woman had said that to me it was my beloved wife the night she conceived our daughter.

It was Beltane eve and a full moon shone over the field our little house sat next to. Denise had prepared a meal and insisted we go into the fields to eat it. I shrugged and agreed as it was a warm night and carrying a blanket and a basket we walked into the night.

After eating we lay together and snuggled into each other. I suppose I fell asleep, because when I awoke I was naked and she was stroking my cock gently.

"What are you doing?" I asked sleepily.

"I want your child Michael. I will have you inside me and I will have your seed this night," she said and started sucking me until I was fully erect and then she mounted me. Slowly she moved up and down on my erect member, with each stroke murmuring words that were unfamiliar to me.

I reached towards her head, fingers spread and touched her temples as she touched mine and then there was the rush of sensation as we both came, not just in our bodies but in our minds, a shock of feeling that tore a cry from me as I felt her muscles contract around me, trapping my cock in her.

"Yes my love, you deserve a child, a daughter that will love you as I do," she said shuddering in pleasure.

I didn't know what to say to that. A child. I was worthy of love to the point where she would bear a child for me. I knew it would be hard for her, maybe even dangerous to her health, but she wanted it. Demanded it.

"How do you know it will be a girl," I asked panting.

"Because I asked the Goddess for one and this is the night," she replied. And if it takes all night, I will have all your seed in me."

It was dawn before she released me and we fell asleep, waking only when a morning rain shower sprinkled us gently. We laughed as we gather up our discarded clothing and walked back to the house naked in the rain as a rainbow formed in the sky, the pot of gold being at the entrance to our house.

"A good omen my love," she said.

"Casa poco dinero," I said with a shake of the head.

It was a house of little money, but overflowing with love.

"I hate you," Isis cursed breaking me from my reverie." You keep fighting me and I'll take you by force."

"As you wish," I replied. "If that will give you pleasure."

Her only response was to sit down on my face and put all of her weight on me, covering my mouth and nose, smothering me.

I struggled against her as I fought for air and only receiving the smell of flesh. I felt myself become erect as a red haze crept over my vision, and she laughed in triumph.

"If I have to choke you until you get hard, I will. You had to fight me and now look at you. If I hadn't promised not to harm you permanently, I'd keep this and you up for hours," she crowed.

I tried to throw her off me, but the chains and the lack of air made it impossible for me to get enough leverage to do it. She rose off for only a moment and I gulped air into my staved lungs before she resumed her seat.

"Now, are you going to serve me as I desire or do I continue?" she demanded.

Before I could say or do anything, I heard Miriam say "No." and heard the sound of flesh striking flesh and then I could breath again.

As my vision cleared I could see Miriam rubbing her hand and wincing.

"Are you all right?" she asked anxiously.

"Oh yeah sure," I replied fuzzily. "I was just rescued by a girl."

"What?" she snapped.

"Yay!" and then blacked out.

I woke up back in Minx's rooms, tucked into bed with Miriam sitting beside me reading a book.

"What time is it?" I asked groggily.

"About ten. Merry Christmas," she said brightly.

"Humbug, I said sitting up slowly and closing my eyes in pain.

"You pulled a couple of muscles last night in your neck, but Dr. Ruth says you'll survive," Miriam responded, marking her place in the book and shutting it.

"Do I want to?" I asked opening my eyes slowly.

"Yes you do. After all it's Christmas and you haven't even opened your presents yet," she scolded.

"I got one big one last night. Where is Isis anyway?"

"Back in the City. I'm sure when she wore up she had a black eye at least," Miriam said proudly.

"Well another case of winning friends and influencing people," I groaned." And thanks."

"You're welcome. You'll feel better after a nice massage and some breakfast," she reassured me.

She was right about feeling better after a massage and most of the joints in my neck popped back into place after some serious pummeling from one of the training Mistresses.

"Better?" Miriam asked after the masseuse had gone.

"Some. I still feel like I just did the Cardassian neck trick," I said turning slowly.

"Let go down to the dining room and get you fed," she said, plucking a robe from a hook and throwing it to me.

I ate quite a bit more than I usually did, realizing that my body will still running on a couple of sandwiches from the day before and a serious amount of caffeine.

I noticed that the Christmas tree in the dining hall still had a few gifts under the tree, not many but a few.

"Looks like everybody was here this morning already," I commented.

"They had a pretty good party this morning. I decided to stay with you though," she agreed.

I felt badly about that. Just because my Christmas wasn't going well wasn't a reason to ruin hers and I said so.

"I didn't want you to wake up alone this morning," she said. "Not on Christmas day."

I looked around carefully then kissed her.

"Don't want to ruin your reputation being seen kissing a slave," I teased.

"And I don't want to ruin your reputation as a pain in the ass, so I won't tell you what I think of that excuse," she replied.

"By your command," I intoned.

"Come on Lucifer, let's see what's under the tree for you," she retorted, pulling me to my feet.

She knew exactly what she was looking for under the tree and pulled out two packages, one heavy and one light one with my name on it and the other just marked M-5.

I felt a slight chill upon seeing that tag as it stirred memories for me.

"You were peeking when Santa got here," I accused regaining my composure.

"A little, "she admitted. "The Mistress was going to bring us here for Christmas anyway, so she sent the packages up here before she left."

I shook the light one first and heard a small jingle inside.

"You don't suppose she...?" I said and opened it.

Nestled in a bed of tissue paper was a new collar with an engraved silver tag attached to it.

I just sat looking at it, tears filling my eyes.

"She knew how much you missed it. She wanted you to have a new one, even if not to wear. Just to let you always know that you were hers," Miriam said quietly.

I blinked back the tears and opened the second package.

Inside was a leather bound book, the title faded but legible.

I carefully opened the volume and looked at the publication date. A first edition published in 1887.

I turned the pages reverently until I came to one passage in particular.

Not in the waste beyond the swamps and sand,

The fever-haunted forest and lagoon,

Mysterious Kor thy walls forsaken stand,

Thy lonely towers beneath the lonely moon -

Not there does Ayesha linger, rune by rune- .

Spelling strange scriptures of a people banned

The world is disenchanted; over soon

Shall Europe send her spies through all the land.

Nay, not in Kor, but in whatever spot,

In town or field, or by the insatiate sea,

Men brood on buried loves and unforgot

Or break themselves on some Divine decree,

Or would o'eleap the limits of their lot-

There, in the tombs and deathless, dwelleth SHE.

I handed the volume to Miriam at that page and walked away for a moment to reflect its truth.
In my heart I knew that She lived.

Chapter 29 Sections 1 to 10

Prologue to Eve of Destruction
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
The Bomb Run
We'll Meet Again
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
It's Slinky
There's got to be a morning after
Burning Bridges
American Pie