Doctor Who - Missing Adventures - 14 - Managra by Stephen Marley

Author:Stephen Marley
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, General, Fiction
ISBN: 9780426204534
Publisher: London Bridge
Published: 1995-11-14T08:00:00+00:00

‘Or Transylvania,’ said Maroc. ‘Two of my agents have spotted Miles Dashing a few kilometres inside the Switzian border. Succeeding events also showed that he had spotted them. He rode west for a while, then doubled back in an adroit manoeuvre. The agents pretended that they had fallen for the ruse, and tracked him east with maximum secrecy. While I speak, he is within a few minutes’ ride of the Nosferatu Domain. Miles Dashing is a frequent comrade of Byron, and Transylvania is a region more hostile than any other to Vatican City. Byron and the Doctor may well be heading for a pre-arranged meeting with Dashing in Transylvania.’

Agostini gave a nod. ‘Your agents did well, and your reasoning has merit. As Dashing pretended to ride west, that suggests he wished us to believe his destination was the Villa Diodati. Yes, the villa would present a diversion from the actual rendezvous, and that rendezvous could well be in Transylvania. I propose a maximum sweep of western Transylvania by a large contingent of the Switzia Guardians, replete with sacred talismans and accompanied by a squad of veteran exorcists. Who says Amen?’

‘Amen,’ six voices chorused in agreement.

‘What about Regency Britannia, or perhaps Britannia Gloriana?’ Francisco said, glancing around as though the idea would be met with derision. ‘Byron’s home is in the first Dominion, and he has many friends in the second.’

Agostini frowned, then indicated his approval. ‘Both Britannias would offer him numerous hiding-places.’

‘I propose three regiments of the Switzia Guardians for Regency Britannia,’ said Borgia. ‘And two for Gloriana’s realm. A considerable number of spies will be required for both Dominions – five hundred, would you say?’

There was a general murmur of assent.

‘Very well,’ Agostini said. ‘Now, to another matter...’

Agostini stared Borgia straight in the eye. ‘We have a traitor in the Enclave. And I think I know his identity.’

‘Don’t look at me,’ Borgia snorted.

This time, everyone did.

Sixteen

don’t know – riding west, then riding back east, fair turns me h

‘I ead it does, your lordship.’

‘“Sir” will suffice, Crocker,’ said Miles Dashing, peering out of the cave mouth overlooking Liechtenstein’s citadel.

‘And keep the horse and pony back in the shadows.’

‘Yes, sir, sorry, sir. Are those Vatican agents still on our tail?’

‘I hope so. Do you know what a red herring is, Crocker?’

‘Couldn’t afford fancy fish, not a man of my lowly rank, sir.’

Miles groaned. ‘A red herring’s a false trail, poltroon. By now, the Vatican agents will have reported that we’re heading for Transylvania. Time to eliminate them before they discover otherwise.’ He pulled a dagger from under his frock-coat, and pressed the elaborate hilt to his forehead, eyes shut tight.

‘What are you up to now, sir?’

‘Concentrating. Hold your tongue, Crocker.’

‘Sorry, sir.’

Miles’s eyes sprang open at the same moment his hands flew apart, releasing the long-bladed dagger.

Instead of dropping, the dagger hovered, then rotated slowly until it faced the cave mouth. Then, slowly at first, it glided out of the cave, gathering speed as it veered east.

‘Hey, that’s a good trick!’ exclaimed Crocker.

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