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Libertine Rush - Domino Dynamo
01/01/2008 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
A new Psi-Kicks story introducing Libertine Rush – the lady from Haiti with the interesting dead brother. From the pen and twisted imagination of one G.F. Willmetts. Maxine Caruthers was royally pissed. As this was her normal attitude to life, the world and people in general it would not surprise anyone inside the Stable Consultancy. Those without learnt not to be too surprised after a while as well. Had it been possible, she would have been kicked out of the Stable after being nearly gutted by the Fey, Kataya Oberon, for not doing her job properly and giving due respect to her charge. An internal report cited her as being too bossy, verging on irresponsible when she didn't get her own way. Maxine had torn up her copy of the assessment, thinking it was just an annual blip. Even so, until now, she had been left high and dry in duties after her recovery.
As Blanks were thinner on the ground than Psionics, which was growing every time redhound Sara Seeker went sniffing them out, Maxine had been assigned to meet a new recruit. The notes were suitably sparse as if Sara never had enough time to include details as she wasn't coming back from this fishing expedition yet. Maxine bet she was using the trip as an excuse to getting some sun while all she had was a cloudy London heading towards rain.
The plane, a commercial flight, was coming in from the Hispaniloa with an apparent Librarian on board. A psychosymmetrist. Read things like a book. A low-key talent at most. Hardly likely to be let out in the field unless it was for a forensic identification.
Big deal! She looked at the customs officer and sniffed. Why should she have to give a red carpet treatment to a minor talent? What obstacles could entering the country cause? All Sara had left note was that this Librarian was bringing all her possessions and to acquaint her with procedure and get her safely through customs. Then deliver her and luggage to the nearest Stable Compound. If she didn't want to be lumbered with this Librarian, Maxine decided she'll have to make herself disagreeable just enough to get re-assigned. Maybe take the scenic route through a noisy town or city. Psionics tended to get overwhelmed with too much input. A foreign Psionic even more so.
The passengers passed through the gate. Maxine looked over the immigration officer's shoulder inspecting the passport scans looking for the right name before giving the nod for one name to be pointed out and whisked off down a different corridor with minimum of fuss. As far as Immigration were concerned, the Blank was just picking out an incognito diplomat or celebrity. Far better than standing there looking gormless with a name scrawled on cardboard.
What kind of name was Libertine Choisi Rush-Eshow anyway? As far as she could look up 'Eshow' also meant 'Rush'. Libertine Rush-Rush. Names sometimes matched psionic talents. Look at Sara Seeker but if this Psionic was going to rush around, she could think again. Maxine already decided she'd lay down who was in charge from the beginning. If nothing else, getting up her nose would mean a quick reassignment without marking her own copybook again. If not, a stranger new Psionic to the UK would have to rely on her for guidance. That gave her some control. Wouldn't know any better to complain, especially if the Psionic was a one-note talent. The one saving grace was that Psionics could not scan Blanks. Her thoughts were private.
The immigration officer was looking at her. There was no one left.
'You sure she's on this flight, ma'am?'
'Can I see the passenger list?'
The officer shrugged. The woman was a pain in the arse. Standing around for hours and barely saying a word. Sour-faced and bitchy when she wanted anything. Who killed her last servant when she demanded coffee? At least, everyone had sense not to invite her to the canteen. He flicked a button and the list came up on the screen.
Maxine wandered her hand down the names in case she missed anyone.
'What happened to this one? Baroness L. Saturday. She isn't marked off.'
'Hasn't come through yet.' The officer consulted the computer screen. 'Over at Freight.'
'And passport?'
The officer picked up a phone, a few words and looked up, 'Showed a diplomatic passport and walked to Freight. Seemed to know her way. Is she yours? Do you want her detained?' Oh God! Please say no.
Maxine Caruthers curled her lip, 'No! Which way to Freight?'
Bloody self-serving Psionics! Doing what they liked...
...oooOOOooo...
Knew her way my ass. A psionic talent to scan would make any unfamiliar place as if she were born here. Psychosymmetry would make it as easy as a touch. What kind of shitty name is Baroness Saturday? Who gave her a title like that to use? A diplomatic passport wouldn't have come from the Stable...yet.
Maxine looked down the corridor. She was sure that Immigration had sent her the long way round just to piss her off. Why hadn't that cow Psionic come the right way? Who was going to steal her luggage? Well...she might be right there. If it wasn't handlers then it was luggage missing the plane. How many times had it happened to her? What if this 'Baroness' didn't wait and left without her? Psionics were capable enough. Would she go to the desk or go to the Compound directly? That would take some explaining. What if it wasn't her? What if she got a later flight? Shit! She'd be lucky to be getting any fieldwork at this rate.
The Blank hastily rushed to the end of the corridor only to confront a closed door, a keyboard and no access. She thumped on the door. Needing to get someone's attention, Maxine peered through the window slot. Someone walked past and smiled, not making any effort to see what she wanted.
Bastard!
Maxine dug into her bag and picked through her credentials, finally choosing the one for Customs and Excise. It would have to do.
Laugh this one off, dickhead!
She thumped on the door for ten minutes before someone came and flashed her clearance. A swarthy man looked at her through the wired glass.
An intercom came on. 'If you pressed the button you could have talked to someone. We thought we had rats in the ventilation.'
Maxine looked at the keyboard and then saw the button with a mike attached but flat to the door.
'Caruthers. C and E. You have a VIP of mine in there.' It wasn't a question. She thrust the ID at the window.
'What would a C and E want with a VIP?'
'For cryin' out loud. I was told to come this way. No one told me I needed a friggin' number to get in. Open up or do I call your boss?'
The man shrugged and tapped some numbers into the keyboard on his side of the door which immediately sprang open and Maxine was in.
'One of the passengers off a Hispaniolic flight came here instead of Immigration. Take me to her.'
The man stood and waited.
'Please.'
'Does she have a name?'
'Saturday. Baroness Saturday.'
'You that Caruthers?'
Maxine nodded.
'She's been waiting for you by Bay 9. Follow the signs. Treat her good. She's a stunner.' He said before walking off.
This was not going to be a good day, Maxine decided as she followed the signs, hooking her ID to her coat. Not much point in looking like a little girl lost here for all the attention these people were giving her.
Bay 9 was an exit point facing out into the rain. It had started raining much to Maxine's disdain while she'd been waiting inside. Can the day get any worse?
'Here Damballa!'
Maxine felt something flying past her as a large bird swept past her to land on an out-stretched arm from between some crates.
The Blank followed the arm to the rest of the body. A coffee Hispanic in a trenchcoat. Medium height plus, depending on how high her heels were. High prominent cheekbones. Broad nose. Eyes that radiated energy. Shoulder-length, thick dark shiny hair that surrounded her face. She paid no attention to anything but this large owl on her arm which turned and looked briefly at her.
'Ah know dat, baby. She late getting here. Have youse eaten enough? Fine. Shoulder position. Fresh air good after confinement, huh?'
The owl flew briefly up into the air and landed on the woman's shoulder. Only then did the woman look Maxine directly in the eye. There was a wicked smiling gleam as the Psionic's gaze penetrated her.
'Sara said dat be unsettling not scanning youse Blanks. Didn't know where youse was, chile'
'And is it?' Find your limitations, bitch. I can think what I like at you and you won't know a thing.
The Psionic closed her eyes briefly. A long moment.
'Dat not de only thing youse immune to.' She held her hand out, 'Ah'm Libertine Rush-Eshow.'
'Maxine Caruthers.' She shook the hand briefly. 'Where's your luggage?'
'Yourse transport jist collected it.'
''I haven't ordered any transport.'
'Casse-brise!'
'Shit! Didn't you scan them?'
'De nice men here arranged it. Already loaded. Ah assumed dat was Stable efficiency. Dey jist took off.'
'These cons happen all the time. We'll spring you a new wardrobe.'
'And the bodies of ma mother an' brother, chile? Dey not a catalogue item.'
'You brought dead bodies?'
'Couldn't leave dem in Haiti. Ah has Enemies.'
Libertine closed her eyes. Why me?
The owl just looked around before looking dolefully at Maxine and blinked its disdain.
'North!'
'I can get my car.'
'Do dat but wait here. Follow instructions. Look after ma body. Let it dance. Keeps the muscles limber. Dambulla will protect it. Wait here, chile. Ah be in touch.'
'How?'
Libertine shrugged. 'Ah body jockey. Bon ange fin.'
'Bon what?'
Libertine held out her arm. Damballa flew up into the rafters as she swung around.
'WAIT!'
Too late. Libertine Rush's body went slack and then slowly began to dance around in a circle. Her eyes were now dull, dilated and wide open. Damballa landed next to Maxine and watched.
Oh fu...
...oooOOOooo...
The hours drifted away. Maxine Caruthers fiddled with the controls of her epod radio picking up various police transmissions through her ear-piece. The freight people had changed shift and the new lot left her alone after giving her a small table and chair after a lot of talking as to do who would do the honour. She was sure she'd get splinters. Wouldn't even get her a cup of coffee.
Whatever Libertine Rush could do wasn't restricted to one body jump. There were various reports of various people left by their cars, dancing slowly away. She had, after some thought, alerted the police. Not only the stolen bodies or luggage. That would have been hard enough to explain. The instruction was simple. As long as these people were not in danger, they were to leave them alone. What else could she do? She definitely didn't want them to follow the Psionic. Every new Psionic opened up a new rulebook. At least this one covered her back.
She might be new to the country but Libertine Rush wasn't stupid Maxine decided. A good tail should always be capable of not looking like one was straight out of the manual. Bet no manual had a name for what? A body jockey? What part of her being a Librarian was that? What about the bodies left along the way? What did that mean? Who was going to restore their minds? The Bureaucracy would have to pay off a lot of claims if it got out or just to keep things quiet. Either that or claim it was a promotional stunt for attention.
Inwardly, Maxine groaned. As the Blank, she would have to square things with the authorities and so far that meant two police forces as the reports came as she zig-zagged across two counties. She'd already been ringing around telling them to observe but not touch if they saw anything else odd. Home Office authority had its uses. Should have dug out that ID when she came looking for Rush. That would have made them do as she said. Showing conflicting IDs was not on. Even Five didn't do that. Would force them to check up on her. Maxine looked at her watch. It looked like a long trail but then what? For Christ's sake, it was only luggage. Hmmm...
The Blank looked around. None of the workers here had came near her since she sat down and cordoned off Bay 9 and brought her car around. She had to ring out to the restaurant and then all they would send were sandwiches and wanted cash not her credit card. It was hard enough getting up to take a pee with the owl always keeping an eye on her and the dancing Rush body. Damballah occasionally would fly up to the rafters, scoot down and return with a mouse or something in its mouth and swallow it in front of her. It never left her for long.
Stretching her legs, Maxine found a manifest list on top of one of the crates for one Baroness L. Saturday. Certainly enough for a large van. A legitimate looking chitty from the thieves was there as well. The Stable was probably covering travelling expenses but bringing two coffins? Haiti? Maybe she was smuggling drugs in under a diplomatic banner. The Stable should never employ foreigners...even Psionic foreigners. Would always want to take advantage. The Psionics thought they were a law unto themselves. Without their powers they would be nothing. Then again, as much as Maxine hated admitting to herself, so would she as this job depended on her being psionic-proof. A Blank.
Landing this job because she was a Blank had been the way to getting any authority but the real power on assignment belonged to the Psionics. Blanks could advise but the Psionics got things done. The only time she could really inflict authority was dealing with the Normals in the wake of whatever the Psionics did. If there was something that needed some serious memory loss, one of the other Psionics would step in. Rarely happened. Certainly not on her shift lately. Off assignment, damn paperwork and reports. Lackey jobs. How did Courtney Adams get around this?
They never gave her the good jobs. At least she'd avoided working with the Harbinger. Mary Travers, too. You had to be really crazy to work with her. Now she was landed with an unknown talent. When that was discovered, the Bureaucracy would no doubt find someone else to work with Baroness bloody Saturday. Too important to leave with her. A Blank with more experience. Well, they were welcome to her. At least she could move on with least fuss.
Damn! This was worse than being a spare wheel. This wasn't even an official assignment. Maxine checked her watch again. Nine o'clock. Wherever she was going to have to go, at least she might avoid traffic jams. Eight bloody hours! Her stomach growled. She'd have to order food in again and collect at the door.
Her mobile phone rang.
Shit! The only people who would show any concern would be the military at Compound H and that was only if they thought about it. They guarded the place not the people.
The owl landed on her shoulder and pulled Maxine's hair, its claws digging into her shoulder.
Maxine pulled open her phone. 'Yes?'
'Dat youse, chile?' Ah is near some place,' a deep voice spelt the name. 'I ain't botherin' ta pronounce it. Meet me dere.'
'Who are you? How'd you get this number?'
'Dis is Libertine Rush. Do what ah say. Meet me dere. Damballa, Mordez son oreille!'
'OUCH!'
The owl bit her ear, drawing blood.
'We understand each other, chile? Damballa will guide you. Take ma body. Be dere befo'e midnight local time. Try ta be early, chile. Hate this midnight shit! So ruins ma sleep after ah long flight.'
...oooOOOooo...
Once upon a time, Maxine would have manoeuvred a map with driving. Now she just followed her sat-nav guiding her on the quickest route to the village where Libertine's conscious mind was waiting. Military issue. Would avoid the mistakes the commercial version was prone to make. The Psionic's body was safety belted on the back seat. The Blank was taking no chances that it might suddenly wave its hands in front of her while driving. The owl had watched her and after the bitten ear, she resisted putting a banana up her ass. The Psionic's eyes just stayed wide and rarely blinked. Very unsettling. Maxine adjusted the rear-mirror so she avoided its starring eyes. She'd pulled the headrest off the front seat when the owl had started pecking at it. Damballa then used the top of the seat as a perch, ducking down as it looked out through the windscreen.
Under her breath, Maxine silently cursed. Obeying a Psionic's commands while they were in pro-mode was a given since the school but she didn't have to like it. That and the need to link up with the Psionic when needed. This was also a mess that needed to be sorted out or she would be pen-pushing or worse, working for Harbinger, for the rest of her days. She could see the questions being asked already.
'Why didn't you obey your Psionic?'
'I was on temporary assignment. A pick-up. Nothing was said that she would run off like this or she was a body jockey. Sara said she was a Librarian.'
'And you didn't come to her aid when she asked? Prompt aid?'
There would be no excuse. Apart from observing Psionic activity, Maxine reminded herself, part of a Blank's role was to carte blanche through the authorities where appropriate without ruffling too many feathers. Libertine Rush had done that all on her own and hadn't ruffled feathers. Everyone liked her. In the privacy of the car, she didn't have to bother about who was listening to the reports coming in of odd people's behaviour by the roads. She was taking the direct route. Her iPod radio now on regular audio. Cars stopped. Headlights full on and the driver in a dance in front of them. Mostly in lay-bys. No passengers. Police baffled. Maybe it could be explained as a new fad. Everyone would be doing it by the end of the week.
Libertine Rush seemed to be selective of whom she chose. It was a good thing it hadn't happened on a motorway. She'd be close when she'd started passing these...these zombies. They must have led Libertine Rush on a merry dance before thinking they'd lost her.
Lights ahead. Not moving. Maxine slowed down. In front of a car's headlights was a man doing the slow shuffle similar to Libertine Rush's body at Freight when she jumped. Very slow. Eyes wide open and dilated. They reflected in her headlights. She looked in the car mirror. Libertine's eyes looked the same way but there was no reaction to being near another body. No one else around. The police would be way behind if they were looking. They'd have no idea what was going on or where. This body jumping seemed to be over short intervals and why didn't the original minds go back after she left them? It was just like a series of dominoes. If they were left brain-damaged there would be hell for insurance cases. How would it be explained to their relatives that the host had been left brain damaged by psionic intrusion? This was adding up. One or two would be easy enough but there were so many. Libertine Rush's activities would be restricted to key assignments only.
The sat-nav indicated only another few miles to go. Driving one handed, she dipped her hand into her bag and slipped the automatic into her belt. More for re-assurance than anything. Once on the job, the Psionic tended to protect the Blank but with a new recruit, Libertine might not be aware of that. Changing bodies would put the wrong people at risk. Why were these Psionics so keen to get in on the action once they joined the Stable? Damballa stretched his wings and peering out the windscreen.
Turning a corner after a crossroads, Maxine practically ran into a police blockade. The Blank sighed and dug out her warrant card this time. At least, the police was one thing she could always get her way.
She wound down the window. 'Yes?'
'You'll have to go back, ma'am.' The police officer bent over looking into the car.
'I'm here on official business. Detective Inspector Maxine Caruthers. Detached duty. Shine your light on my warrant card.'
'And the owl and prisoner?'
'Evidence and suspect. I didn't have a cage. Are you in charge?'
'The chief inspector is.'
'Can I speak to him?'
'Certainly. Would you follow me, ma'am.'
Muttering to herself, Maxine got out of the car but didn't spot another officer behind her as he smothering her face with a wad loaded with ether.
...oooOOOooo...
'Caruthers. Caruthers! Wake up, chile.'
Maxine's dream ended abruptly. One moment she was being held in the coils of a giant snake and the next finding her arms tied to her side by ropes. The gun in her waistband was gone. She winced to the bright lights as she opened her eyes. Her mouth felt both dry and sweet.
'Wake up, chile. Only us here.'
Maxine looked up and around, quickly taking things in. Some fresh air had cleared the ether from her lungs. It could be worse.
Some small warehouse judging by the number of boxes. The blindfolded face facing her belonged to a man, a total stranger, also tied in a similar fashion to herself with ropes pinning his arms to the sides and hanging from a wall hook. At least she could rest her feet on some boxes. Nothing subtle like just tying their hands. They didn't want her to move. She struggled to her feet and found that some sod had rigged the ropes on a pulley and weight so she couldn't sit down again. Shit!
Rule out of the Blank manual. Look around and assess the situation before speaking. Don't give anything away that could be exploited against you. A Psionic will know if the place is bugged and act accordingly.
But was it Libertine Rush in front of her?
It wasn't anyone she recognised. A man. Blind-folded. White face. Dark hair. Medium build. Heavy jowl. Early forties maybe. Casual stripped brown suit. A total stranger. Except this could also be whatever made up the mind of Libertine Rush. Did it?
'Who're you?'
The man shrugged. 'In ma own body, Ah is Libertine Rush, chile.'
'Prove it.'
'Damballah is ma owl.'
'And...?'
The man shrugged. 'Sara Seeker. Redhound. Found me in...'
'A Normal wouldn't know that. Do your hosts keep your memories?'
'He ain't here ta hear dem, chile.'
'Let's deal with that later. Can we talk? How come they caught you?'
'Ah gotta mouth, chile. Only has the capacity of ma host. Got surprised after ah ring you.'
'What do they want? Who are they?'
'Me ta release ma brother, Tullius. Who could be anyone. Dese hired help.'
'I thought your brother was dead. In one of the coffins.'
'We similar, chile.'
'Two body jockeys?'
'Tullius ma twin, chile.'
'But dead?'
'So far.'
Maxine paused to think. 'So why's he important?'
'He Baron Samedi.'
'So? You're Baroness Saturday...Samedi?'
'Chile, you dat ignorant? Where'd ah come from?'
'Hispaniloa?'
'Which is where?'
'Dominique Republic.'
'Youse no heard of Haiti?'
'I'm not that ignorant. The Voodoo place.'
'Vodun.' Finally. 'Do you know Baron Samedi?'
Maxine could barely shrug in the ropes. 'I saw the Bond film. Isn't he supposed to be the Voodoo leader?'
'Lordie! Youse is getting quick, chile. No film. Tullius de real thing.'
'And someone wants 'im back. And he's a real Psionic...just like you?'
'Only brother less helpful.'
'In a bad sort of way?'
'Real bad, chile. Dat why dey want 'im back.'
'No shit!' Maxine struggled with her bonds. 'Is that why you fled Haiti?'
The man smiled, 'All ta do with synergy an' good fortune, chile.'
'You call this lucky? What are they waiting for? Why you blindfolded?'
'The witching hour. Midnight. Dis blindfold ta stop me jumping. Ah'd like to see who ah'm jumping inta.'
'So why am I here.'
'You got da eyes, chile. Look around. Dey ain't 'llowing me ta see. What else in dis place?'
Maxine looked around. 'Could be your luggage. Was everything boxed up? One of the...coffins I think. How are they going to do this?'
'Force me ta try jumpin' inta youse body, chile, then inta my brother and push him out inta ma body.'
'But I'm a Blank. I'm immune. You can't do that.'
'So ah goes directly to Tullius' body. Him inta ma body. Complete the loop when in ma body. Youse dere to limit ma choices.'
'Loop?'
'Everybody's soul back where dey belong, chile....'cept mine!'
'Shit!'
'You make smelly pants doin' that, chile.'
'Do you always joke before your funeral?'
'Can't do it after, chile.'
Maxine tried to shrug. 'Then don't jump.'
'Don't work dat way, chile. Been in dis body too long. Too many bodies. Need ta jump. Own body best.'
'Then we're fucked...or you will be.'
'Not on first date. You, too, chile. Probably rape then death. Won't waste youse pretty white ass. Put bag over youse ugly head. Dey ain't keepin' no witness.'
Maxine paused to think. Libertine was wittering away but at least she had some information...for all the good it would do her.
'Must be getting on for midnight. Where's your owl?'
'Damballa smart. Him flew off.'
'Great!'
They both lapsed into silence again. With them both immobilised like they were, there simply wasn't much that could be done or said. Someone could be listening. Libertine already said she was limited by the body she was in. The Psionic didn't sound as though she was in pro-mode. Just resigned to her fate. Maxine wrinkled her nose. The nearest thing she could do to scratch. She needed to motivate the Psionic but had no idea how but had an urge to scratch her nose prevented by the ropes.
The wait was less than Maxine thought it would be. A door opened to a white light from which several figures walked into the room. The Blank was ignored as they prepared a table below them. The coffin lid was opened, displaying a corpse.
Maxine gingerly looked down. Libertine's brother seemed well preserved. Almost asleep. A tall, thin bald black man in a trenchcoat. A top hat was placed on his chest. Baron Samedi didn't look so dangerous. Well, if whatever was his soul was still down there, that wouldn't be surprising. Several plates full of food were brought in. A large sword was placed across the coffin. Fires were lit in the corners of the room. The extra light revealed they were in a small warehouse with not much else beyond where they were. To the Blank's eyes it looked like they were going to party after the transfer. Quite what an enormous sword was for, she had no idea but the body containing Libertine Rush twitched with its presence. Where was Libertine Rush's own body?
For the most part, they were both being ignored as the preparations were carried out quietly. She had already made the decision now not to speak until spoken to. It was also quiet. Maxine tried hard to remember anything about voodoo but the most she could recall was the James Bond film and wonder if there were drums and false bottom coffins and Samedi laughing on the train leaving at the end.
Not that would do her any good. Training had taken over. Never to ask questions of your Psionic or give unnecessary information to the enemy while on assignment. Even an unasked for assignment. The one disadvantage of being a Blank was she wasn't much different from a normal human except the Psionics couldn't read their thoughts or spake at them. She silently cursed that she hadn't asked Libertine whether or not she could spake. At least she could have tried to contact someone listening out in the Stable...assuming they'd realised they were late!
The drums started up leading a procession of six people entering the room beneath them. They were a low beat rhythm. In between them was Libertine Rush or rather it was her body still in its zombie state with its eyes wide open, dull and starring. It wasn't dancing now. If anything it was now quite sedate although still wearing the trench-coat. She briefly saw its dull eyes as it turned to face the table. Nobody home. Even when their minds returned to the right bodies there would be no memory to guide them here...to their bodies. They walked out and the drumbeats walked out with them. The door closed but the vibe of the drums could still be heard.
'Don't pee, chile,' Libertine said suddenly. 'Last thing youse want is being laid to rest in smelly panties.'
Maxine gave a slightly twisted smile. 'I'll piss if I want to.'
'Not over ma dead body. Ah'd be alive and trapped down dere.'
'How can you joke at a time like this...'
'Ah jokes when ah want. Ma funeral. What dey doin'?'
'Gone out. Drums.'
'Chile, ah can't see. Ah is not deaf.'
'You...your body is by your brother's coffin. There's a meal for a party.'
'Anything else?'
'A sword. Resting over the coffin.'
'A cutlass?'
'How am I supposed to know? A sword's a sword.'
'Long and sharp.'
'How would I frigging know? It's what they're going to kill us with. Can't I be scared now?'
'Deep breaths, chile. Rein in dat temper some.'
'It's not you who's going to have their head chopped off!'
'Think ah likes being confined in Tullius' body for eternity, chile?'
Maxine stuck her tongue out. Bitch!
'What are they waiting for?'
'Midnight.'
'Is that significant?'
'Not ta us but ta dem. Dey inta the ritual.'
'But if it makes no difference...?'
'Dey told it that way so dat de way dey do it.'
'Would Tull...Tulli...your brother like that?'
'Keeps the disciples busy. Dey like da mumbo-jumbo.'
'Swell! Hope the food's cold and they choke on it.'
'Keep angry, chile. Beats fear any dey.'
The drumming started again, rapidly increasing in tempo. This time louder as thirteen men walked into the room. Maxine thought they should have wore ceremonial dress but just in colourful short-sleeved shirts and jeans. Two were beating the drums. Two were carrying a ladder which they placed by the side of the body jockeyed by Libertine Rush before joining the others around the coffin. Another man slowly climbed the ladder to the beat of the drum. The men beneath all put on blindfolds. Libertine would be deprived of any eye contact with anyone but herself as the man on the ladder did the same herself.
The men all started chanting.
'Baron Samedi! Baron Samedi! Baron Samedi!'
Louder.
'BARON SAMEDI! BARON SAMEDI! BARON SAMEDI!'
The drums stopped. Libertine's blindfold was gone. For a brief second, Maxine saw the man's eyes briefly turn opaque and then darken. For herself, she felt nothing. Twisting, all she could see was Libertine's original body jumping onto the table.
She pulled the giant sword off the coffin and swung it around. In easy motions, the heads of the men standing there were chopped off. Too quickly to have any fuss and they couldn't see what was happening or their fate. The drums stopped in mid-beat as the drummers was beheaded. It was that fast. The man on the ladder had taken off his blindfold and his scream cut off as the sword pierced his chest. Straight through the heart and out again.
'Talk about biting the hand that rescued you.' Maxine muttered.
'Ain't Tullius' hand, chile.' A deep feminine whisper called.
'Libertine?'
'Dat me, chile.' The voice was deep but feminine now. 'Quiet now.'
'WHOSE WAKENS BARON SAMEDI?' Libertine called out.
The sword slashed again, straight through the Blank's bonds.
'WHOSE WAKENS BARON SAMEDI?
'Stay here while ah look around, chile. Don't want any more surprises.'
Maxine looked at the dead body on the ladder. She would have to move it to drag the ladder over. Her arms ached from being tied for so long and swung them getting the circulation going. She wasn't going to get down quickly. It had been so quick. Libertine's last male host was shaking his head slowly coming around.
At least that was one innocent casualty adverted. How much would he remember? Not to mention all those other people around the county who were going to wake up in front of their cars. If anyone compared notes, it would turn up in the papers. A priority D-notice would have to be put out...just in case. And the friggin' Psionics don't get the paperwork. Just for one day, Maxine wished she had a fraction of their powers.
Finally, Maxine kicked the dead body which fell to the floor. Shrugging, she climbed slowly down the ladder. If she left the man there, they could see he was the victim and someone else killed these people. As long as she and Libertine weren't here they might get away with it.
The floor felt sticky to her and then looking at the decapitated bodies around the table, realised what it was.
Blood!
Inner resolve was quickly forgotten and she puked into a bowl of fruit.
'Youse better, chile?' a voice asked by her side after a few minutes. Same inflections but still female. Libertine Rush.
'You killed them.'
'Obvious, chile. Dey out-number us. Quick as quick as Mama always say. Don't want dem telling de next group where dey went wrong.'
'There's going to be more of this?'
'Not's every week.'
'But more of the same?'
'Chile, in dat coffin is ma twin brother, Tullius. He also Baron Saturday...Baron Samedi? Youse know nothing of ma culture, do youse? Dat's all right. Let's say lots o' interested parties want 'im back.'
'But his body's dead and he jumps bodies like you do?'
'Not at de moment.'
'So where is he?'
'Mama's got him.'
'But she's in the other box.'
'Youse getting quick, chile. Dey chose de wrong box.'
'So what's stopping him jumping?'
'Mama won't let 'im.'
'But she's dead.'
'Ah dinna say that, chile. She'd miss dey company.'
Maxine looked up. Libertine Rush stood in her heavy trenchcoat and top hat, tilted in her mane of dark hair, knocking down the lid on her brother. The long cutlass held over one shoulder to take its weight. The blade was clean. The Psionic had obviously found time to clean it. On her other shoulder stood her owl, looking around inspecting the room. Libertine picked up a piece of meat off the table and fed her owl.
'We shouldn't stay here.' Maxine offered. 'Let the police think it's anything but us.'
'Sara said Stable in wit' de police here?'
'When we have to. Would be a more difficult call with all these dead people. Too much explaining. Favours to take.'
'We takes what's mine.'
'How?'
'Van 'round back. Belongings safe. Damballa found it.'
'And the two of us carry the coffin there?'
'No, chile. We's use Charlie up there.'
'Then what do we do with him?'
'Leave him by his own car. Him think nightmare an' go home.'
'No loose ends.'
'Dat what you want, chile. Easy ta do.'
'Look. My name isn't Jill. It's Maxine.'
'Ah ain't been calling you Jill. Chile. C. H. I. L. E. As is child.'
'I'm not a child.'
'Only got youse word fer that, chile. Youse so young.'
'Please do not patronise me. I'm as old as you.'
Libertine smiled. 'No one 'live here ma age, chile. Youse asshole, too.'
'So are you.'
'Just so we's understand each other, chile. Youse cast under ma vodun spell. We's bonded by blood. Secrets ta keep.'
'Not our blood.'
'Kin do dat if youse like, chile.' Libertine eyed the cutlass on her shoulder. 'Youse give a little blood.'
Maxine shuddered. 'Seen enough blood today...thank you'
'Shock. Youse get used ta it.'
'Working with you?'
'Youse an asshole, chile. Youse also ma Blank. Obey orders an' dat. Ah's in charge. 'Member dat. Youse do as ah say. Wese git on fine.'
Libertine smiled and for a brief moment, Maxine felt something cold walk over her. She was supposed to be immune to Psionic skulduggery.
Maxine surveyed the scene and shrugged her shoulders and then helped the Psionic release the captive man after manoeuvring the ladder and boxes under him. Libertine cut the bonds with one stroke of her cutlass. She would have to ask later about Libertine being a Librarian.
Libertine Rush was a powerful Psionic. If nothing else, it would prove to the Bureaucracy that she could still be a field agent. But what to report in? Should this be reported? They needed each other. That was the only reason Libertine was keeping her. Someone to stretch the truth. She'd have to lie a little. What was unusual about that? Now she was doing it for a Psionic. A powerful Psionic who wanted her to keep her secrets. Had to be better than being assigned to Harbinger or Mary Travers. She was a Blank for a powerful Psionic but if she thought she would have it all her own way then the bitch was...
'Get dat white ass o'youse movin', chile. Ah needs my beauty sleep. What's da hotels like 'round here?'
'Shitty!'
'Good. We's both be at home den.'
Business as usual. God! I hope she's not too crazy.
end
Libertine Choisi Rush-Eshow, Maxine Caruthers,
Tullius Rush-Eshow, the Stable Consultancy and Psi-Kicks are
(c) GF Willmetts 2007 all rights reserved
For those who need a little creole french:-
Casse-brise - Lucifer's nickname 'the breaker of things'
bon ange fin - human consciousness
French
Bit her ear - Mordez son oreille !
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