* * * MARS – MARY * * *

Mary was having fun, she was in her dungeon and she could feel the irritation of her visitors. She was enjoying pushing them. Bluey had helped her paint herself into a corner and now she had to make the best of it.

It was time to show these agents part of her power. Tod was bound to spill the beans so anywhere outside her domain while on Earth was going to be – difficult. But that did leave the oceans.

But she had these two agents and the scared soldier boy with the Silverclaw pack. She knew her mama and Flip were on their way to the party on Parthia. They were with her other me. And the rest of the pack was escorting her papa and his family there too. Now she had to keep these guys quiet for a few hours more and it would be a done deal.

“So what else do you guys want? If I understand you don’t want me to open portals for cheap instantaneous travel. Do you also want me to restrict sales to the US government? Tellin’ you that ain’t happenin’.”

Mary repressed a grin as she saw the muscles in Jerry’s jaw bunch as he ground his teeth. “It would help. I know you have been willing to help our nation in the past. Why not with this. No country wants to loose control of their borders.”

“Fair enough. Already told you you’re welcome to set up immigration checkpoints.”

“But Ms Silvestre, there isn’t room in most of those little shops.”

“Talk with Mr Carroll. Maybe he’ll allow you an’ others to set up in the terminal on the moon. For a price naturally, an’ he’s a Brit so the US won’t get a free pass.”

“Are you sure it’s safe. We got rather tired just stepping through those portals.”

Mary leaned back in her chair and grinned again. “Safe enough. You got enough mana you pass, if you don’t then you stay put. No chance of one of our portals strippin’ a user of all their mana.”

“You need to warn people about the need for mana. And why do the portals need mana anyway?”

“Why? Anyway says so on the ticket. They’re magic, where do you think they get the power they need to bridge space from?”

“Look Ms Silvestre you don’t understand the give and take needed to run a government. You don’t want to set yourself up against the government. You have been cooperative so far. Please don’t change.”

Mary laughed. “Guess I don’t at that. I run my realm as an absolute monarch after all. An’ my conquests are run by my military.”

“Please, this is nothing to joke about,” Jerry ground out in frustration.

“Tell you what, I’m hostin’ a reception an’ party day after tomorrow. An’ it’s not on Earth. I herby invite you an’ up to four other people you choose to fetch along. Be at any of the portal shops tomorrow between twelve an’ sixteen o’clock. Fetch what you need for a two day stay.” And with that Tessa dropped her illusion revealing the grinning Silverclaw pack.

As she watched her guests being escorted out of her presence Mary added. “Hey Roy, you’re also invited. Feel free to fetch your significant other and up to four other friends.”

* * * EARTH – TOD * * *

Tod looked round his room. His bags were packed and he was feeling somewhat torn. He had contacted his new command and enquired as to what they were planning to do about the fact that for the moment he was still a sea human. They had replied with a list of all the swimming pools in the area.

Further enquiries to the pools themselves had confirmed his suspicions they still used chlorine to purify the water.

He was torn. He could see major problems ahead. The water breathing could be resolved but the lack of knowledge shown by his new post was worrying in the extreme. He just didn’t trust them. He decided to go for a last walk in the park.

Tod sat on one of the benches, as far from the high fencing that was guarding the dinosaur dungeon. He studied the security measures that isolated the dungeon and shuddered. Finally he fished out his phone and called Mary.

“Hello Tod. How did the revelation go?”

“So so. Can we talk?”

“Yes, but you must know all my calls are bein’ monitored. If you have anythin’ tricky to say use the Dungeon Exchange chat function.”

“No, no need for that. Just calling to say goodbye and let you know I’m off to Area 51.”

“What! No way could you drag me there. Maybe you’ll find out if the rumours ’bout aliens is true or not.”

“Nope, all the aliens are swanning out by Mars. All that’s out there is a desert and chlorinated swimming pools.”

“That’s not good. Have you told ’em ’bout bein’ a sea human?”

“Yes but— got to go I’ll be seeing you.”

“Bye Tod. Luck.”

Tod looked at his phone and sighed. He glanced at the imprisoned dungeon once again and started searching on his System interface. ‘So that’s what Mary meant... Um...’

* * * EARTH – DUNGEON EXCHANGE * * *

Unamed #26 (PrD): Mary? This is Tod. Can we talk? Is this safe.

Blue Lagoon: Ish... Hiya Tod only dungeons, proto-dungeons and companions can get on here. I don’t think any of them reports to one of the governments.

Unamed #26 (PrD): As I was saying they want me to establish in Area 51 but I don’t trust them. Any ideas where I’d be safe from them?

Blue Lagoon: I could help you with defences and monsters if you want. There are other possibilities.

Blackrock (PrD): Oh Wow! Area 51. That would be so cool!

Alligator Haven: Idiot! Tod’s right to be worried ‘bout the fed.

Unamed #26 (PrD): I’m looking at the dinosaur dungeon. No way do I want to be fenced in like that. What other options?

Blue Lagoon: Other worlds. Parthia, Tarifax or Fragatta. Then there’s the Moon and Mars. Don’t recomend the latter two. Dungeons need locals to thrive.

Dinosaur Caves: Yes, the regulation of visitors I’m under is starting to get crippling.

Blackrock (PrD): But Area 51!

Arena of Blood: Don’t recomend Tarifax. They have dungeon slavery down to an art and the pollution is terrible.

Blue Lagoon: True, and Fragatta is kinda cold though it is getting better. If you want off Earth Parthia is your best bet.

Winter Wolf: If you pick Parthia you must be prepared to kill adventurers. But in moderation, you’ll need something unique. Avoid goblins slimes etc. And absolutely no demons; the locals don’t tolerate demons. They’re not too fond of undead either.

Blackrock (PrD): WTF! I thought they’d killed you you psycho bitch.

Winter Wolf: Surprise!

Alligator Haven: Congrats on your survival Wolfie!

Unamed #26 (PrD): How do I get to you Mary. I suspect I’m being watched.

Blue Lagoon: Go for one last swim from the fishin’ beach. I’ll have you met.

Unamed #26 (PrD): Can do. I suspect one last swim will be perfectly understandable. I should be at the beach in about an hour.

Blackrock (PrD): Oh man, giving up on Area 51!

Alligator Haven: Hey idiot, volunteer for the army man, an’ let ’em know you’re gonna be a dungeon like.

Unamed #26 (PrD): Might work. Mention Commander Simon Meadows. He knows about proto-dungeons now. But don’t tell the man about this channel. You might need it in the future.

* * * EARTH – TOD * * *

Tod returned to the local base. He touched in with Meadows and told him about going for one last swim. Meadows nodded in understanding.

Tod shoved his most important bag into the storage device he’d bought from MagicTech. The discount Mary had given him had been welcome. He got into his car and headed for the beach. Once there he looked around for a while before getting into his swimming gear and taking to the sea.

As promised there was someone waiting for him under the surface. He followed his fellow sea human and soon entered the blue lagoon dungeon domain. He wondered why he hadn’t come swimming in this direction before.

After a long swim they entered a opening in one of the cliffs. Then they emerged from the sea and after taking a shower and dressing he was ushered through a series of portals. Finally he was shown to a room that looked like a fairly average hotel room. There was a small crystal sitting on a letter on the bedside table.

The note simply read: “Tod, use the skill crystal to acquire the local trade language. Simply press it to your forehead and think ‘Activate’. You will get a mild headache but it won’t last.

“The dining room is on the first floor at the right of the stairs.

“See you tomorrow – Mary.”