Something stirred, something rustled in a dark half empty office illuminated only by occasional beams of light cast by passing cars coming through the dusty window.

Paper and cardboard tore as sharp ebony claws opened a way for the small basalt dragon golem. In it’s mouth was a crystal sphere. The little dragon shook itself free of the damaged box, seemed to look around then jumped off the desk gliding to the floor. It moved to a clear area, dropped the crystal and curled round it.

A blue fog seemed to emanate from the little animated dragon statue and when it coverd an area of one meter in diameter a shimmering appeared above the crystal. Then a small portal snapped into existence and a armed and armoured figure stepped through it into the room.

“All clear Mother,” said Lissa.

Mary stepped through the portal closely followed by Tessa. While the leopard twins kept watch Mary concentrated and spread her domain out to the boundary fence and a bit beyond.

Mary studied her newest extension and scowled. “That beep security firm has gotta go.”

The leopard twins giggled, “but Mother, this place is—” Tessa peered out of the window, “—a dump, it doesn’t need security.”

“Possibly, but I expect more than a sleeping night watchman regardless, mmm,” Mary grinned, ‘k we will have security Mock Turtle style.”

The twins grew solemn, “Erm, Mother this is Florida, we’re on Earth not Parthia are you sure?”

Mary concentrated and chuckled. “Oops, should have been alligators not crocs. Oh well I’ll fix it later, now to get that boathouse erected.”

In the dark yard six crocodiles found themselves nice shady ambush locations near the fence and settled down to wait with reptilian patience.

In a corner of the yard near the eastern fence a huge pile of debris settled slightly as it fused and became the walls, roof and hidden doors for a large boathouse. Dirty water flowed in from the gulf and a large portal opened at the landward end. Moriarty and Kent Clarkson sailed the Storm Dolphin through the portal and tied it up to the interior wharf. They turned and watched as a set of concealed doors closed hiding the portal.

A opening appeared in one of the walls revealing a set of carpeted stairs heading down. Moriarty headed down and admired the large cool room. He nodded approvingly as Mary recreated the best computer she had found in Pearl Harbour.

Mary felt Moriarty’s approval, « Anything else you need James? »

« Not just yet Mother. Later could you integrate one of the hybrids I’m running on please? »

« No probs— Beep! Got a visitor with a can of gas. Jerome! »

Mary turned to stare to the west; the fact that she was looking at a wall didn’t stop her sensing Jerome slip through the boundary fence carrying a can of gasoline.

Jerome was grinning madly, ‘I’m going to show that little bitch she can’t diss with me. When the two repair jobs are up in flames, and maybe the office too, no way the bitch will cover the penalties.’

Jerome stumbled over some loose junk and swayed as he walked. He didn’t see the waiting croc until it swung its tail and broke his legs. Jerome screamed, then he screamed again as he saw the crocodile lunging at him with open jaws.

Mary’s lips thinned in annoyance, “come on ladies, we’ve got to get to the Storm Dolphin.” She said over the terrified screams of Jerome, “Sleepy has just woken.”

The three moved out of the office as Mary dismissed the small portal and scooped up her little dragon with a “come along Rocky.” They headed at a trot away from the screams and to the stone jetty that was rising out of the gulf. The Storm Dolphin emerged from the boathouse and made for the jetty.

The crocodiles, including the one dragging Jerome headed for the gulf. Jim the night watchman arrived at the seen of the screaming as the crocodile plunged into the gulf trailing Jerome. Jim opened fire more in hopes of scaring what he thought was an alligator than actually hurting it with his .38 special.

The croc, already irritated at having had to decamp, dove and rolled ripping off Jerome’s leg before following its brethren into a new tunnel under the boat yard to a comfortable, for crocodiles, cavern.

Out in the gulf Mary settled in her fighting chair and prepared to relax with her rod. Around her her people relaxed as Tessa took over the controls.

* * *

« Mary, we have complications. When our version of the Mock Turtle dungeon took a life, the surge, um, it linked our fourth level to your and aunty Trish’s fifth level. And— and Lewis Carroll the— »

Mary stared up at the stars, « Jerica, you sayin’ my DM on Parthia wants to run our version as well as his own? »

« Yes, only he thinks our version is just a – another exit of his, of the Mock Turtle dungeon. »

« ‘K why not, saves havin’ to do it. Me an’ me just have to remind of the differences. »

* * *

Mary watched the sun come up, then her attention was taken up by a fish. Once the shark was stored in one of the Storm Dolphin’s storage devices they had gained the attention of a coast guard helicopter. Mary glanced at it and dismissed it. She put away her rod and moved to the bridge.

“Take us in Tessa, feel free to open her up.”

* * *

The Coast Guard officers watched the fast looking boat that was idling well out in the gulf and watched them haul in a fair sized shark. Cesar lowered his binoculars. “That’s a first, they are using one of those new magic storage thingies to store the catch.”

“You know Cesar, those things will really make our job difficult when it comes to finding hidden contraband.”

“The people that sell them also sell magic detectors.”

“Oh wow! Look at that thing go!”

Down the below the boat’s wake curved until the boat was heading north rapidly picking up speed.

“Never seen her before, her name’s the Storm Dolphin,” said Cesar.

“What, the Storm Dolphin’s on the list. We’re supposed to report all sightings but she’s supposed to be in Hawaii. Here let me call up a clip.”

The three men watched the clip and studied the photos while their pilot followed the boat.

“Looks like her. Says here she is tagged.”

Cesar looked and keyed in a command. “Definitely her. Fuck, she was positively ID’d in Maui three days ago.”

* * *

Mary checked the time as the coast came into view, then she phoned her father grinning as she felt her latest enchantment working. Those Coast Guard creeps were trying to film or photograph her and at best they were getting a blur.

“Mornin’ papa, hope I didn’t wake you but got somethin’ to show you.”

Mike groaned and rubbed his face, “Mary it’s not eight yet and it is Saturday. Couldn’t it wait another couple of hours?” Beside him his wife stirred and grumbled to herself.

“Hey the sun is shinin’ an’ I’ve just caught a nice big shark. Then I’ve got a coast guard chopper followin’ me.”

Mike blinked confused, something didn’t add up. “The sun is shining?” he asked.

“’Course it is papa, just look out of the window.”

Mike noticed that Jenny was regarding him with disfavour. “What does your daughter want dear?”

“Sorry love, I think she said something about having something to show me.”

“Yeah, that’s right papa, an’ I guarantee you and those two geeks you work with will love it.”

“Mary it’s not nice to call people geeks.”

“Hey! I’m a geek too. Geeks uber alles, yeah?”

Jenny grabbed the phone from Mike, “Mary where are you and why are you calling us at this hour.”

“’Mornin’ mom, me, I’m just a mile or so from the coast of Florida an’ I’ll be at my new boat yard in ‘bout half an hour. Got somethin’ to show papa an’ his friends. You’re welcome to come along with Susie but I suspect she’ll be very bored. I suspect you’ll have fun seen’ papa drool over some tin boxes.”

Jenny shook herself, “Look Mary let us have breakfast then we’ll call you back. ‘K?”

“’K. Till soon.”

* * *

Mike and Jenny came fully awake over their second cup of coffee.

“Ok Mike, what did Mary mean about her ‘new boat yard’? And why, how is she off the coast of Florida and half an hour from the boat yard?”

“Hi mommy, dad can I have some of that coffee I smell. Why are we all awake?”

Mike poured a cup and passed it over. “Here you are princess.”

* * *

Walt was not happy, Bubba had woken him at the crack of dawn and insisted he come down to the yard. He had not been best pleased when he found that the employee who had been killed by an alligator was Jerome.

It had taken Bubba and him both to convince the police that Jerome was an ex employee, that he had been sacked Friday morning. Then there was the can of gas. That had been the thing that had convinced the police. A disgruntled ex employee snuck in at night and stumbled across a gator.

Naturally the place was infested with animal control types now.

Then he and Bubba had seen the speeding boat heading for the jetty that had appeared overnight.

“Walt, isn’t that the Storm Dolphin?”

The officer in charge of the alligator hunt was trying to wave the boat off so Walt broke into a trot and headed for the jetty and tried to explain while the boss ignored him and brought her overpowered toy alongside.

* * *

Mary noted that the boat yard was sort of busy. Tessa brought them in and ignored the man trying to wave them away while Walt was arguing with him.

Mary jumped onto the jetty immediately after Lissa while Tessa covered them from the bridge.

“Mornin’ Mr. Byers, didn’t expect to see you here today. What are all these people doin’ on the site? They’re gonna be a plaguey nuisance when construction starts.”

“They’re here for the alligator. And please call me Walt Ms Silvestre.”

“Sure thing Walt, I’m Mary. What alligator? What’s an alligator got to do with us?”

“Jerome Sanchez, the guy you sacked snuck in with a can of gas and stumbled over an alligator. It killed him.”

“Trespassing with incendiaries eh? We have a fence and it’s posted. I’ll tell Jensen to stop his cheque and we can give the gator a medal.”

Mary turned to the shocked head of the animal control people. “Is the gator on my property? You’ve had time to search it right?”

“No, of course it is not. But we still have to find it. It killed a man.”

“In that case go find it elsewhere. We have things to do to get this place fit to open on Monday. And Walt and Mr Jensen should be at home seeing as it’s Saturday.

“Walt don’t forget to record your hours, not your fault you were dragged in so no reason for you not to be paid. Please tell Mr Jensen to come see me. ‘K no need, here he comes.”

“Please call me Bubba boss, I take it you’ve been told about Jerome?”

“Yeah, he was trespassin’ with incendiaries and kicked a gator. Be sure to stop his cheque come Monday. And Bubba, please call me Mary.”