AN ALIEN STALKS THE EARTH One of the men in the car was asleep. They had followed the young man for two weeks without result. Soon, though, Sergeant McDermott would have proof that thirty year old Mike Souster, whose behaviour, while not obviously criminal, was more than suspicious. An unemployed loner, who lived with his mother at a boarding house that did surprisingly little business, rarely seemed to venture outside, and when he did, it was more often than not at night time. At this stage of the investigation, it seemed to the Sergeant that this apparently quiet soul could have a connection to several vicious murders and untold disappearances over the course of the last fifteen years. Grainy C.C.T.V footage was inconclusive proof, and on the one occasion that the police had interviewed him, his mother had given him an alibi. His superior had not been satisfied and had assigned D.C Clarke and himself to follow their strongest lead.   At 11p.m, a shaft of light appeared from the front door of the boarding house, and their suspect left, closing the door behind him. McDermott roused his colleague. “C’mon Clarkey, he’s on the move.” Clarke had been a long way away from the rainy street. “Sarge, trust us to have to carry out surveillance on the world’s worst insomniac”, he said as he got out, taking his radio with him.   Their suspect had turned the corner at the end of the road. Clarke was a fit man and would easily be able to keep up, while maintaining a discreet distance. He turned the corner only to find no trace of Mike Souster. Looking around, there was no hint that Mike had entered any of the buildings on the street. “Sarge, he’s gone. I was right behind him in turning the corner and he can’t possibly have made it into one of the houses without me seeing him.” Clarke’s eyes were darting about for any sign of Mike Souster. Even if he had been running, he still couldn’t have got through any of the gates nearby, up the path and into a building. McDermott ran to where Clarke stood, looking stunned.   Above the two puzzled policemen, on a rooftop, crouched Mike Souster, who was adjusting the unearthly looking ring on his right hand. With the ring, he had elevated onto the roof before his pursuer could catch up with him. He knew that the police had been taking an interest in him for some time and realised that he was unlikely to be able to continue living as he had been. His desire to drink human blood was an inexplicable side effect from fifteen years ago, when the human who had drunk his blood became host to his life-force. For Mike Souster was none other than Enok, or what was an aberration of what had been Enok, son of the Doomlord, Vek. His features seemed to melt and flow , revealing his true form. With a domed head, pointed ears and almost satanic face, he peered into the gloom at the policemen below through piercing eyes, his sharp teeth just visible under a large, slightly pronounced upper lip.   For years, he had tried desperately to live secretly among humans, his only relationship with his host’s mother, Mrs. Souster, who was still under the spell cast by his father’s energiser ring, a device with many strange powers. This spell, cast some two decades ago, ensured that even in his true form, his “mother” would see only Mike.   Tonight, his desire for blood was unbearable. He led a lonely existence. With no natural family, he wanted to cure himself of the affliction inside, but sometimes he was weak. Sometimes a human would have to die. Occasionally, he was disturbed in his killing and consequently corpses were discovered when he fled the scene. Mostly though, he was able to disintegrate his victim’s remains with his ring, which would emit a ray capable of making solid matter vanish.   Now, he must think carefully about his next move. He liked living on Earth. He had no link to Nox, his natural home world and now must make plans to leave the woman he called his mother, the only being he could call family. The recent proliferation of C.C.T.V cameras meant a greater chance of discovery, but every so often he must have his fill. The two men below were sure to pursue him. He had been careless when he had attacked the human three weeks ago. As he had been drinking from the man he had been seen. At first, the police officers hadn’t known what they were looking at but were quick to recover. Only Enoks`s lightening reflexes saved him. Pulling up his sweatshirt hood and pushing past them, he ran from the alley. As he did so, his features became those of Mike Souster. Enok would have had still greater cause for concern had he known what chain of events would follow shortly.   In a Whitehall office, a government minister called Stephen Hodges was receiving a visit from a member of a little known branch of the Metropolitan Police. “Sir Marcus, it’s been along time. I didn’t think that there would be a job for you anymore. It’s been so quiet on the E.T. front.” The middle aged man looked gravely at the dark haired M.P. in his thirties as he produced a file from his briefcase. “I wish that were true but I’m afraid that the contrary is more likely. These stills taken from urban street cameras lead me to believe that there is a Doomlord alive and living in our country.” Hodges snatched the pictures from the other man. “I can’t see any features on this person- I…” Hodges realised. He realised more than most. He had always suspected that his father, Sir Mathew Hodges, an M.P. in the 1980`s, had been killed and replaced by such an alien. He would never forget his father arriving home on the night before his disappearance. He had not been the same warm, approachable man that he loved. The distant person in their home that night shouted angrily when he walked into his parent’s bedroom to speak to him. He had been shocked to notice that this stranger cast no reflection in the bedroom mirror. This, Stephen had learned, was a characteristic of a Noxian: that no image of theirs could be recorded. Surely, it couldn’t be a Noxian. How had this alien stayed hidden for so long? Perhaps the photos, which were not clear, did not show evidence that a Doomlord still remained on Earth. “Sir Marcus, there must be some mistake.” The experienced Alien Investigation Division officer looked grimly at Stephen. “I’m afraid not. Owing to the nature of several unsolved murders, which, admittedly, do not bear the hallmarks of a usual Doomlord killing, still lead us to believe that a Doomlord or similar alien is responsible.”                                                             Hodges looked perturbed. “Could it be Vek?” “We don’t believe so.” “Why bring these photographs to me Sir Marcus? I was dismissed as a child for suggesting that my father went missing through alien involvement, even though subsequent events showed that I may have been right.” Sir Marcus ran his index finger back and forth under his chin. “What I am about to tell you is highly classified. On the surface, the police have a series of murders they are on the verge of solving. In fact, the discovery of what we believe is an alien has implications for the entire world. I brought you these pictures under orders from the Prime Minister himself.” Sir Marcus pushed an envelope across the table and waited until the minister had finished reading its contents. “The P.M. believes that you are the man to liaise with the U.S. planner. We are due to attend a meeting with the P.M., the Secretary of State and senior military staff officer’s tomorrow morning.”   The next day was windy and rain poured from the sky. The heavy sound of raindrops reverberated on the corrugated iron roof of the disused factory. Inside, Enok sat alone, deep in thought. Instinctively, he knew a Noxian required sunlight to survive. Despite his predicament, his thirst still led him to take further risks and there he sat his mind in turmoil. Last night, he had taken another human life. The young man had bid farewell to his girlfriend, and, as he crossed the park close to where she lived, Enok had accosted him and, as the man stared in horror at the cruel visage from another world, struck him a blow to the head. In the privacy of some bushes he then sank his teeth into the senseless man’s neck and drank every drop of his blood. Enok had then pointed his right hand in the direction of the corpse and the body of his young victim vanished in an eerie glow.   Enok`s thoughts returned to the present and the sound of the rain, beating down hard above his head. He began to sob bitterly. Before leaving this place forever, he must take one further risk. He would go and say farewell to the woman he had called “mother” and who, despite their bizarre relationship, was the only being he loved. Enok pulled up his hood and, reverting back to his human identity of Mike Souster, who had sacrificed himself so that Enok could live, began walking homeward.   The police would be watching the boarding house. In truth, Enok realised that his returning to see Mrs. Souster may present them with the opportunity to trap him. In a way, maybe he wanted to be apprehended- to finally end what was a truly wretched existence.   As he entered the alleyway at the rear of Mrs. Souster`s boarding house there was no-one around. It was only four o’clock in the afternoon but the daylight was fading already. Lights were on in several of the buildings along the street, including one in Mrs. Souster`s kitchen. He couldn’t see her and called out as he opened the door slowly. “Mum, I’m home. Where are you?” He opened the door from the kitchen to the rear lounge and Sergeant McDermott spoke. “Good afternoon Michael.” Behind him appeared D.C. Clarke, who must have been hiding in the alley. Enok was not surprised that the policemen were waiting for him, but he had been questioned by the Sergeant before and he still had no proof. The hall door opened, and a third man entered a gun in his hand. Before Enok could react, he heard a shot and fell forwards, into oblivion. “I hope to God you men know what you’re doing”, said Sergeant McDermott to the tall, dark haired man dressed all in black who was replacing the gun in it’s holster. “You did your part Sergeant. We’ll handle things from here.” McDermott was frustrated at being used in something he didn’t understand. “For all I know, this man could be innocent- we have no real proof that he is responsible for any crime.” The man knelt by the prone figure of Enok and was removing the ring from his hand. “No, but you are not in possession of all the facts.” Rising, he put the ring carefully into a plastic bag and into his pocket. Pushing the hall door ajar, he called to another man “Corporal, tell the lads in the van to get over here.”            The man in the hall opened the front door and beckoned to the driver of a van across the street. Almost at once, two other men burst from inside the van and brought the stretcher they were carrying into the boarding house. They strapped Enok onto the stretcher and had returned to the van in less than two minutes. The man who had tranquilised Enok spoke again to McDermott “Look after the woman upstairs. She’s in a terrible state.” “Well, we have just arrested her son for God’s sake!” The man had left while McDermott replied. “Clarke, wait here and let the station know we won’t be back for a while. I’ll go and speak to the mother, but heaven knows what I’m going to tell her.” In a remote part of the south of England, stood a military research centre. Although visitors were unlikely in the extreme, the perimeter was patrolled by members of the S.A.S. In the compound a 4x4 and two cars were parked. One of the cars belonged to Stephen Hodges who had travelled there with Sir Marcus Thorpe of the Alien Investigation Division. The research centre had a single storey above ground, but below was a strong room, about 24`x 12` that would be used as a cell. Stephen and Sir Marcus were in the corridor that extended the full length of the strong room, looking through a reinforced glass window “You are sure that this will hold him Sir Marcus?” The policeman was carrying the specifications of the structure. “The walls and ceiling are seven feet thick and the corridor wall is made from titanium three feet thick. The observation hatch is made from a prototype reinforced plastic. This cell is designed to survive attack by most conventional weapons and I’m reliably informed it is far more secure than the cell that held Doomlord when he was captured by an intelligence officer twenty- three years ago. How Doomlord escaped is still a mystery, and what happened to Major Morris, the intelligence officer and another man who worked for him is anybody’s guess. It is widely believed, however, that both men were killed by the alien.” Hodges respected his colleague so felt able to be candid. “I don’t like what we’re going to do to this alien and I have more reasons than a good many for hating him, so it’s a pity we couldn’t come up with something else” When they had returned upstairs, Sir Marcus left Stephen in an office and went to finalise arrangements. As he sat waiting for Enok to arrive, Stephen cast his mind back to the meeting earlier that morning. To begin with, the Prime minister had addressed those present “Gentlemen, I cannot understate the gravity of the situation that our world finds itself in. We are always under threat from terrorist attacks, but intelligence we have received suggests that one terrorist group now intends to detonate nuclear devices in Britain and the U.S.A. The information is compelling and we have to act immediately. The C.I.A. are somehow aware of one of our most closely guarded secrets: the existence of the sample of Doomlord Vek`s blood. Most of you know about it but for the benefit of those that don’t, I will go over how we came by it. Vek`s son had killed his father and was terrorising the Earth. A cabinet minister, Sir Douglas Reeve took it upon himself to inject a sample of Vek`s blood into his bloodstream. The alien blood contained Vek`s life-force and Sir Douglas’s mind and body were taken over until only Vek remained. Eye witnesses said that the transformation was horrific. After Vek had regenerated, he proceeded to stop Enok from carrying out further destruction. My point is that before his death, Sir Douglas had asked Vek to submit a sample of his blood so that in the event of his death, it could be used to resurrect him. We still have some of Doomlord`s blood in a vault. Our allies know about it and intend to bring Doomlord back to life to stop the terrorists destroying the world.”  “How does capturing his son fit in sir?” asked Stephen. The Prime Minister looked across at the minister and was clearly less than enthusiastic about what he had to tell him. “It appears that the Americans were aware that Enok was still on Earth all this time and intend to threaten Doomlord that Enok will be harmed if he doesn’t co-operate. If Vek is successfully brought back to life and can destroy the terrorists then our allies believe he should be lured to the same location as his son and be trapped with him.” The Prime Minister glanced round at the faces of the men before continuing: “At this stage we have no real option but to attempt to revive Doomlord.” “What about conventional anti-terrorist methods sir?” asked Stephen. “Vek will be able to infiltrate the enemy and destroy them: something we cannot possibly do at this late stage. The Americans also believe that had they approached Enok and asked him for assistance, they may not have got the desired response.” Sir Marcus, who may have seemed distant to an observer, had been thinking over what had been said “If, and I mean if, the American plan succeeds, do you really suppose that Vek will fall into the trap with his son? If he doesn’t, what do you think he’ll do to us?” The Prime Minister was sympathetic but at loss for an alternative course of action. Eventually, a decision was made and the American plan which would first involve Enok being captured and imprisoned at a research centre with an impregnable cell was implemented.   Stephen’s thoughts were interrupted as Sir Marcus came back in the office. “The military say they have found a volunteer to be injected with Doomlord`s blood. Apparently he’s one of the team that is bringing the alien here. The two of you will travel on to the clinic where they’re to try and bring Doomlord back.” Sir Marcus had barely finished speaking as they both turned towards the window and the sound of an approaching helicopter. From their office window, Stephen and Sir Marcus could see the stretcher bearers bringing Enok towards the building. With them was a tall, dark haired man. They went into the corridor and watched as the three men went down in the lift. “I hope they used a strong enough tranquiliser”, said Stephen as they waited for the lift to ascend. The tall man stepped alone from the lift. “My men will stay below to ensure that no-one bothers our guest. Oh, I’d better introduce myself- I’m Captain Steele of the S.A.S, the volunteer.” Steele hurriedly shook them both by the hand and he and Stephen made their way outside to a waiting helicopter.   Enok awoke slowly. His head ached. He rubbed at his eyes and realised that he had reverted back to his true identity .The strain had been great and his body may have changed to help him conserve energy. As his head cleared, he remembered being shot by a man. Anaesthetic. In human form, he was vulnerable and the man that shot him had known. He pulled himself up onto the edge of the bed and looked up at the electric lights in the ceiling. Where was he? This room was antiseptically clean and decorated entirely white. Enok rose and walked over to the window into the corridor. He could discern a man dressed in black holding a weapon. He shouted at the top of his voice in despair. His bellow was audible over the building’s intercom system. Sir Marcus made immediately for the lift to the basement level. On arriving downstairs, he went straight to the cell window and spoke into the microphone “Hello Enok, I’m Sir Marcus Thorpe of the Metropolitan Police. I want to make it quite clear that we do not intend to harm you. There is a very good reason why you must remain here for a time.”  Enok stood and faced his captor, his eyes boring into those of Sir Marcus. “I do not fear you human, and if I were you I would hope that I do not affect an escape.” Sir Marcus was shaken but he knew he couldn’t show his fear. The alien suddenly swung his huge fist at the reinforced Perspex. Thankfully, it held. Sir Marcus pulled back from the window and the guard aimed his automatic weapon at the door.  Sir Marcus was well aware that if Enok had managed to break out of the cell, firing at him would have been futile. Sir Marcus edged back to the window. “You must trust me.” Receiving no reply Sir Marcus turned to return to the lift as the pounding began. Pounding that would not stop as Enok attempted to free himself.   The helicopter landed in the grounds of the clinic and Stephen and the Captain disembarked. They walked briskly to the reception area where a grey haired man in a lab coat met them. “Come inside gentlemen- the phial containing the blood has just arrived.” He ushered them into a room where a nurse stood waiting. On a table near a window was a syringe. Captain Steele presented the bag containing the alien ring to the scientist, Doctor Mathews, who having done extensive research into Doomlord, knew to handle it with care. The Captain, Stephen noticed, had quickly rolled up his shirt sleeve to receive the injection. The nurse swabbed Steele’s upper arm and grimly, Doctor Mathews injected him. “God bless you”, said Stephen as the contents of the syringe emptied into Steele’s system. “According to our information”, said Mathews, “It will take about an hour to begin to take effect. Captain, if you need anything, just ask me.” “Let`s just get on with it doc, or I may just change my mind.”   The effects of the alien blood on Captain Steele began after only a few minutes. He had started sweating profusely, and had undone the top two buttons of his shirt. “Doc, I’m so hot. It’s far worse than any case of flu I’ve had!” Mathews, though, was more concerned by the pulsating veins and straining tendons in his wrists. “What the hell’s happening to my hands Doc? - They’re throbbing like crazy. Look at my left one- its swelling up!” Out of instinct, Steele grasped his left wrist with his right hand, which was also beginning to swell. “Oh Doc! You have to do something- the pain- please help me!” Stephen took a step towards him but Mathews put up a restraining hand. “Doctor, surely there must be something we can do!” he said crossly. Not long afterwards, Steele began babbling and, at times, his voice became two. “The man you know as Captain Steele is lost,” said Mathews sombrely. Minutes passed and Steele, his face contorted in agony, sank to his knees, clutching at his head with hands twice the size they had been, and now with a greenish tint to them. The last sound that could truly be said to have come from Steele was a blood- curdling scream that made the three onlookers shudder. All were motionless as the Captain`s features seemed to melt and flow into those of Doomlord.   The alien cast his steely eyes over the humans. “Where am I?” he addressed Mathews. “You are in a clinic in the Midlands. I’m Doctor Mathews. I’ll explain everything.” The alien remained standing and stared at them. “Something is not right. Where is my son?” Mathews took a step towards him and Doomlord`s reaction was to pick Mathews up by the throat and suspend him three feet off the floor in a vice-like grip. “My son, Where is he? Answer or I will kill him!” It was Stephen who spoke. “Please, release Doctor Mathews. Trust me!” Doomlord had lived among mankind for several years and his dealings with them had taught him about human nature. It was this that made him believe this man. Doomlord dropped Mathews on the floor. The nurse moved cautiously towards the Doctor, who lay clutching his throat, desperate for air. “Sir”, she said to Stephen, “Doctor Mathews is going to need medical attention.” Doomlord stood perfectly still, observing the scenario.   Almost at the same time as his father was resurrected, Enok, tiring from his efforts to escape, stepped back from the cell wall. His punches had barely made an impression. His shoulders and head sagged forward. What were the humans going to do with him? In this environment, he would undoubtedly die.  His lack of freedom was already becoming intolerable. The fact that he didn’t have access to sunlight would kill him. A voice sounded over the intercom, but Enok didn’t look round through the window at Sir Marcus. “Enok, I know you don’t trust me, and in your current surroundings I can’t blame you, but a situation has arisen that has forced the government of this country into using you to defeat an enemy capable of killing millions of people!” “Then why did you not simply approach me and ask for my assistance? As you have pointed out, I have intervened to save the Earth before.” Sir Marcus gave his answer some thought. “It was not certain that you would agree to the plan, so our American allies proposed that we use you as a hostage to ensure our enemies are stopped.”                                  Enok turned to face his captor. “Who can you force to do your bidding that will care what happens to me?”  “Your father.” “This is some sort of trick- my father is dead! How can it be…unless...” Enok knew that if the human was telling the truth, then the only way his father could live was if a man had sacrificed himself by introducing his father’s blood into his system. “But my father and I are enemies!” Sir Marcus understood the complications that resurrecting an incarnation of Doomlord from when he had been Earth’s protector would have for Enok, who had seen his father revert back to his original mission of destroying man. “The blood sample that was used to revive your father had been taken on the request of your father’s friend, Sir Douglas Reeve. In the event that your father died, he could be resurrected if a volunteer allowed himself to have the blood introduced into their body. The Vek that lives is not the same one that you last remember and, in fact, believes that it is you who are the threat! With any luck, my colleague will set the record straight with your father too. It is my wish that you be reunited with your father soon. Until then, is there anything I can do for you?” Enok`s voice was full of contempt. “For now, I am in your power and cannot be sure that you speak the truth, but I will be of little use in your plan. Without exposure to sunlight, I will die. If what you say is no trick my father may destroy your enemies, but he will also destroy you!” Sir Marcus bit his lip and he felt a wave of nausea creeping up on him. The Americans hadn’t known that Enok would need natural light, but then, why would they? The reports recovered from the intelligence facility in the eighties were not complete. Sir Marcus spoke quickly. “Trust me; I’ll do all that I can to find a solution!” He walked straight to the lift. As a result of incomplete data, the plan to save the world was in jeopardy.        Doomlord reflected, having listened to Stephen’s account of events. Time was indeed short. He had been gone for so long. It appeared that the humans needed his help once more. His best friend was dead and Enok was being held in order to ensure his co-operation. “Why did you not think that Enok or I would help you without him being held hostage?” Stephen shuffled uncomfortably in his seat. “I’m afraid we had to agree to this plan owing to the urgency of the situation Personally, I don’t like it at all. In fact, the Prime Minister has asked me to give you his assurance that your son will be released.”  Stephen sighed. “We believe that you are our friend. You have saved us from many enemies that would otherwise have destroyed us. The fact is that Colonel Maxwell doesn’t like the idea of having an ally more powerful as you!” Stephen turned as someone knocked at the door. “That’ll be the chopper to take us to London. Colonel Maxwell will be waiting, as will one of the U.S. President’s top advisers.” Stephen rose and handed Doomlord the ring that had been taken from Enok. For most of the journey, they sat alongside one another in silence, but Stephen had a personal question for Doomlord; one that he needed an answer to for his peace of mind. “I need to ask you about something Doomlord. I believe that my father, Sir Mathew Hodges, was killed by one of your kind. You were on Earth in 1982…” Doomlord turned to face Stephen. “I did not kill your father. My predecessor, Servitor Zyn was responsible for the death of Sir Mathew Hodges. Zyn used your father’s identity to help collect data to ascertain if man was worthy of survival. His judgement was that mankind was beyond salvation and should be wiped out. A journalist killed Zyn before he could carry out his plan. I followed later that year to learn what became of Zyn and, if necessary, destroy mankind. I found, however, that mankind is a species worthy of salvation and became its protector.”                                                          At the research centre in the midlands, Sir Marcus had been contacted by Doctor Mathews’s assistant, who informed him what had happened to the doctor. “Blast, I need his help!” “I’m sorry Sir Marcus , but he received serious injuries.” Sir Marcus couldn’t afford to procrastinate. “Are you able to send me Doctor Mathews’s research files?”  “I’ll send you what we have on our system’s hard drive. Hopefully, it’ll contain the information you need.” Sir Marcus waited anxiously at his computer terminal for the information to arrive.   On the floor below, Enok sat, dejected. He would have been delighted to learn he had his father back in different circumstances, but he may not live to see him.                                                                    Inside an office in Whitehall, London, those integral to the plan to stop the terror attacks were assembled. Present, were Doomlord, Stephen Hodges, Senator Victoria Harriman, the U.S. President’s advisor and Colonel Maxwell. Maxwell, a slightly overweight man in his forties with thinning fair hair, was clearly fascinated by Doomlord. “I’m honoured to meet you Doomlord. I apologise for the incarceration of your son, but we couldn’t take any chances.” Doomlord sat in silence and, having already taken a dislike to this man and his methods. Maxwell continued. “You have crossed our country’s path before on a number of occasions. When you were a Servitor, that’s your proper title isn’t it, you killed two Pentagon officers and other military personnel when you took us to the brink of Armageddon!” The Colonel was interrupted by Senator Harriman. “Colonel Maxwell, we haven’t got the time for this antagonism. For the record though, Doomlord`s actions actually encouraged disarmament; not to mention the time he rescued the crew of the space shuttle.” The C.I.A. man looked humbled, pursed his lips and continued. “Look Doomlord, I just want to make it clear that if you follow my plan, your son will be released.” Taking instructions from this human would be hard for Doomlord to stomach, but Colonel Maxwell was the one who felt uneasy. He had been positive that he could control the alien and intimidate him. In the flesh, though, Maxwell was the one feeling intimidated and from that point on wisely stuck to the job in hand. “Senator, gentlemen, as you know we are in possession of information informing us that an extremist terrorist organisation have gained access to powerful nuclear devices and within the next two days, intend to detonate them. We only received the intelligence two days ago and we are in no doubt as to its validity. We knew about Doomlord`s blood sample and his son, so I formulated this plan, which, as we don’t know the location of the bombs, was the only course of action we could take.” “Who are these terrorists? asked Stephen. “They’re led by an American of all people. A man who served his country with distinction but is now a renegade.” “Where did you get your information from?” Stephen persisted. “One of his men was taken in New York. He has been questioned at length, but has told us very little.” Doomlord addressed Maxwell. “Let me see this man. He will be powerless to hide his knowledge from me!” “Ok Doomlord, he’s being held at a top security barracks in Washington D.C. I’ll contact the base commander and let him know you want to see the prisoner.” Doomlord`s ring had various powers; one of them allowing him to teleport to any location. While Maxwell was on the telephone, Stephen asked Doomlord: “Do you think that you will be able to infiltrate the terrorist group in time?” “If the information is correct, then I will prevent them from carrying out their plan!” When Maxwell returned with the co-ordinates, Doomlord adjusted his ring and vanished before their eyes!    Enok had already begun to feel the effects of sunlight deprivation. As time passed slowly by, he felt weaker. Upstairs, Sir Marcus had read everything that Doctor Mathews’s assistant had sent but he could find nothing of any use. He loosened his tie and sat back in his seat. At the desk in his shirt sleeves and with his tie loosened. He could see only one course of action`1 that would save Enok. It would mean deviating from the American plan, but Enok`s life was at stake. He knew that the Prime Minister valued Doomlord as an ally, so he may agree to his proposal to release Enok early.  He reached for the telephone and asked the switchboard for a secure line to number 10.   In Washington D.C., Doomlord`s molecules reassembled inside the office of a startled U.S. army Captain. “Doomlord, I’m Captain Holt. I’ve been instructed to show you the prisoner right away!”  They left the captain`s office and walked a short distance down a corridor. Captain Holt stopped at a cell door and instructed the guard to let them in. “Leave us!” said Doomlord, once they were inside looking at the prisoner. The captain and the guard looked at one another. Maxwell had said to do as the alien said and both were happy to comply with the order.   In the cell sat a dishevelled, but defiant-looking man in his forties. Doomlord stood opposite him. On seeing the alien, the man`s face revealed a flicker of surprise, surprise which turned to shock as Doomlord raised his arm and his energiser ring cast an eerie glow, mesmerising the prisoner. The man was powerless to resist the hypnotic light, revealing the whereabouts of his comrades but knowing nothing about the detonation of nuclear devices.    Doomlord then ordered the man to give him his clothing and dressed in his shirt and trousers before releasing him from his spell. Holt, who had been pacing the floor outside, re-entered the cell, watched awestruck, as the alien features of Doomlord melted and flowed, until he was an exact duplicate of the dazed man sitting at the table. Before Holt could speak Doomlord had vanished!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Sir Marcus Thorpe had conversed with the Prime Minister and it had been agreed with the U.S. President that Enok should be released. Colonel Maxwell had protested but the President refused to listen. He raced to the lift and, on arriving below, ran to the cell. The mechanism hissed as the door moved automatically to one side. Cautiously, Sir Marcus walked over to the bed and put Enok`s arm around his neck and eased him to the floor. Together with the help of one of the guards made for the lift.                                            Once they had reached the surface, the two men pushed open the main double doors and lay Enok down. The rain that had been falling when they arrived had given way to bright sunshine. Within minutes, Enok had sat upright and seemed to be recovering well. He addressed Sir Marcus, who was relieved. “Where is my father?” he demanded.                                                                                       Doomlord, in his human disguise, had re-materialised in a run-down industrial district in New York. Heavy rain was falling from the night sky as Doomlord sensed a human nearby, when a voice called out from the top of a fire-escape. “Raise your hands very slowly!” There were two men. One remained in the shadows, while the other, brandishing a revolver came down the steps. “Ben! How did you get away?” “I shot a guard and managed to escape” The man holding the gun replaced the safety-catch on his weapon and sighed heavily, waving him up. Doomlord assessed that the two men were weary and at close to breaking down mentally. A bitter wind howled as he made his way up. At the top of the fire-escape the door was open, leading into a large room with bare floorboards and illuminated by two candles. The two men stood aside and let him enter. In one corner of the storeroom a man sat at a small table, his hand resting on a pistol. This, Doomlord surmised, was James Curtis, the leader. Curtis barely acknowledged his entrance, his sunken eyes slightly glazed, set in a haggard face. He remained seated even as his comrade`s features seemed to melt and flow into those of the alien Doomlord. The other men were so shocked at seeing Doomlord that he struck them down with two blows before they could open fire on him. Curtis still remained seated, seemingly unaware that Doomlord stood over him. The broken man offered no resistance as Doomlord raised his arm and his energiser ring emitted an hypnotic pulse. From his pain-racked mind, Doomlord learned that James Curtis, a top C.I.A. operative, had had the misfortune to learn of a sinister cartel which had gained control of big businesses across the globe and also had influence in the military and politics. The cartel was now on the verge of dominating the world. Indeed, Curtis understood several U.S. senators to be important members of the cartel, which intended to subjugate the whole world by systematically starving the people of resources, extorting their money legally and otherwise and also by military force. To divert attention from their insidious aspirations, they had concocted fictitious enemies for the people to fear, fabricated evidence against their opponents and killed those who may seriously impede their scheme. Curtis was one such man, and he had been on the run ever since his discovery, avoiding death or capture many times. These desperate men were no threat, unlike the insidious cartel.   Vowing to clear Curtis and his men, he teleported back to London, his arrival surprising Stephen and Sir Marcus. With them was Enok, whose eyes shone. “Father!” Doomlord stared at him for a moment and then embraced him. “We are together again, my son!” Doomlord then held him at arms length by the shoulders, and, without looking at the humans, asked “Where is Colonel Maxwell?” “He left with Senator Harriman a couple of hours ago. They were returning to Washington”, replied Stephen. Doomlord called Enok to his side and together they vanished from the room, leaving behind them a bewildered Stephen and Sir Marcus.   Colonel Maxwell and Senator Harriman had arrived at Heathrow airport and were walking across the tarmac to the waiting government jet. The sudden appearance of the two aliens between them and the `plane startled them. Maxwell had a haunted look on his face as his hand moved furtively from his jacket pocket to his mouth. A moment later he fell to the ground, dead.   Reappearing in Stephen Hodges’s Whitehall office, Doomlord and Enok, having explained matters to a stunned Senator Harriman, were met by a baffled politician and Sir Marcus. “Doomlord! Enok! Will you please tell us what is going on?” “I will be happy to enlighten you”, said Doomlord. “I regret to inform you that several politicians in the United States are part of a criminal consortium that is intent on enslaving humankind. Colonel Maxwell was one of their servants.” “That’s fantastic Doomlord. I don’t know how we’ll be able to repay you!” said Stephen. “Do not be complacent! Those that you will be able to arrest are only some of those involved. Their influence is embedded deeply!” Stephen and Sir Marcus shook Doomlord and Enok by the hand. Doomlord adjusted his ring ready to teleport and Enok joined him. He called to Sir Marcus. “If I might request that a certain boarding house receives no further attention by the police?” Smiling broadly, Sir Marcus answered. “Of course, it’s the very least we can do.”   Doomlord and Enok re-materialised in a quiet alley in Bradfield, not far from Mrs. Souster`s boarding house. Doomlord seemed to hesitate. Enok looked at his father encouragingly. “You will be welcome.” Doomlord had been attached to his landlady and he didn’t want to shock her with a sudden re-appearance after so many years. Enok persisted and managed to persuade him. Doomlord`s features seemed to melt and flow into those of ex- commercial traveller Eric Plumrose. Enok also changed into his human identity; that of Mike Souster. At the front door, Doomlord waited to one side as Enok pressed the doorbell. Mrs. Souster came to the door and her expression was one of tearful joy. “Mike- Thank God! Where have you been? You didn’t phone, and I’ve been worried sick!” “I’m sorry Mum, but I couldn't let you know where I was; although you might like to see who I brought back with me!” Doomlord moved into the doorway and saw that Mrs. Souster was delighted. “Mr. Plumrose!  I’m going to need a sit down and a drink before we catch up.” Doomlord`s human face smiled. “Mrs.Souster, we have come home!”