Oh my God ?

                          An Oh My Goddess FanFic

                                    by

                                Brett Handy

CHAPTER 14:

     A ray of sunlight streamed in through a small opening in
the curtain and just happened to land right on my face.  Now
waking up like that is something I don't find very pleasant,
what made this worse was the fact that I had a hangover.

     Never having had a hangover before I tried cataloguing
the feelings.  Firstly it felt like a nuclear weapon
(something in the 20 to 30 megaton range) was detonating
inside my skull, every seconds or so.  Then there was the dry
feeling in my mouth combined with a *really* bad taste.  I
also discovered that my eyes were a little sensitive to the
light (did I say 'little', make that: 'the sunlight burnt into
my eyeballs like hot needles').

     Coming to terms with the varied feelings I rolled over
out of the sunlight and decided to get back to sleep.  I lay
for a moment with my head in the pillow before a strange smell
made itself known.  It was pleasant and rather sweet and it
took a few moments to register what it was, I sat up after
suddenly recognising it as Urd's perfume.

     That was a mistake, the headache redoubled and I fought
down a wave of nausea, "What the???", I murmured looking
around the room.

     I found myself in Urd's room, wearing only a pair of
shorts that I usually slept in.  Now logically I remembered
that memory loss was sometimes a side-effect of drinking a lot
so I lay back down and went through my recent memories. 
Everything was slightly fuzzy, but I remembered dancing with
Urd, sitting with Belldandy and Keiichi, getting roped into a
car race.... kissing Urd.... getting slapped by her.....

     I then couldn't remember a thing.  Glancing around the
room I decided I must have missed something *really*
important.  My clothes were scattered on the floor and Urd's
dress was hanging in the open wardrobe.  I was starting to
panic and was about to get out of bed when the door suddenly
opened.

     "Good Morning sleepy head", Urd said in what could only
be described in a sultry voice.

     Now I *really* was panicking, "Nothing like *that* could
possibly have happened", I thought to myself, "I was
unconscious for the whole time, it's absolutely impossible". 
But even as I thought it there was a niggling thought in the
back of my mind that it *was* possible and that maybe I just
didn't remember.

     She walked up the bed and sat down beside me, placing a
tray full of breakfast in front of me.  My stomach turned a
little at the thought of eating, but I grabbed the orange
juice up quickly and was soon completely through the jug.  Urd
stood and walked around the room, picking up my clothes, "I
think we were in a bit of a hurry last night", she said slyly.

     OK, I said that I was panicked before, well now I was
terrified.  She must have noticed because she gave me a small
smile, "I must say that it was a night to remember", she
murmured.

     "Uhhhh... well...", I began, then I realised that I'd
better be straight forward about this and admitted, "Well it's
kinda hazy...".

     Urd smiled, "Well after you kissed me, I brought you back
here, laid you down on the bed and pulled your clothes
off....", she explained.

     I closed my eyes and waited for her to continue. "... and
then went and slept in *your* room", she finished.

     I opened my eyes and looked at her barely-restrained
grin, "Oh, thanks a LOT!", I said sarcastically.

     She laughed and sat down beside me again, ruffling my
hair, "You were a little too far gone for anything else", she
said.

                                  ******

     By the time I'd finished the meal and dressed I had began
to feel a little better.  The nuclear bombs in my head had
been downgraded to the 'kiloton' range and I'd lost the bad
taste in my mouth.  I staggered out to living room, getting a
grin from Keiichi as he saw my condition.

     I scowled at him, "Thanks for the warning mate", I said
sarcastically.

     He shrugged, "Sorry", he said in an unapologetic voice.

     I huffed and sat down opposite him, noticing that he was
studying a road map, "What's that?", I asked curiosity
overcoming me.

     He spread it out, "This is our route for the race", he
explained.

     I looked closely at the map and I realised why I'd been
volunteered to be Keiichi's Navigator.  I was looking at a map
of Northern Australia, in particular it was Cape York. 

{GEOGRAPHY NOTE:  Alright for those that don't know Australian
geography well - grab an Atlas and have a look at northern
Australia... see that long pointy bit at the top??  that's
Cape York }

     I gave Keiichi a puzzled look, "You expect me to help you
navigate through Cape York in the middle of summer??", I asked
in disbelief.

     He frowned, "Summer??", he asked.

     I nodded, "Seasons are reversed", I said shortly, "You
should also realise that summer is what's known as the 'wet
season' - most roads are unpassable for weeks at a time".

     He frowned, "Well according to the map we won't be using
roads very much", he observed.  I looked closer and noticed
that the routes were laid out across rivers (where there were
NO bridges) and straight through what looked like several
lakes.

     I shook my head, "You've gotta be kidding", I sighed.

     He shrugged, "Well Tamiya decided that you would be a
good navigator since you lived there", he explained.

     I grabbed the map turning it over to the larger map of
the whole country, "Look", I said firmly, "This is where the
race is", I said pointing to the top of Cape York.  He nodded
and I continued, "Now.. this is where *I* live", I said
pointing to Brisbane.

     He nodded again, "So??", he asked.

     I smiled thinly, "That's nearly a 1000 miles from the
area that I'm familiar with!", I stated.

     "Oh...", he said, "Well we'll just have to wing it then".

     I covered my face with my hands, "It's too early for
this", I sighed.

     Keiichi grinned, "Don't worry", he said, "I'm sure it'll
work out fine".

     I shrugged, "Well speaking of Australia, I was planning
on leaving this morning", I said standing up, "Where are the
Goddesses?".

     Keiichi shrugged, "Urd's in her lab, Belldandy's out in
the garden and Chia-Yao took Skuld shopping", he said, re-
examining the map.  He looked up at me "Summer?", he asked,
"Wet season?? Tamiya never mentioned that".

     I nodded, "I *had* wondered how he convinced you", I
said, walking towards my room, "But now I know....".

     Leaving him with that comment I went to pack a few things
for the trip.  I didn't need much since most of my stuff was
still at home in storage.  Throwing the bag over my shoulder I
went off to find Urd.  She was busily mixing a potion and I
was happy to see that she was using the Christmas gift I'd
given her (the computer measuring thingo) ... well... anyway I
was glad to see that she liked it.

     "Don't make too much noise", she whispered, "This might
be a little sensitive to shocks".

     "What is it?", I asked whispering.

     She carefully placed it in a metal container and closed
the lid gently, "It's alright now", she said, "That box is
pretty much sound proof".

     I nodded and repeated my question, "Oh sorry", she said,
"That's a concentrated version of Nitro Glycerin".

     "What on earth do you use something like that for?", I
wondered.

     She shrugged, "Remember those bomb-bottles I threw at you
when you arrived??", she asked.

     I winced, "How could I forget.. it's not every day you
almost get blow to ashes...", I replied.

     She smiled, "That's what I use it for", she said.

     Then she looked at the bag I had over my shoulder, "Going
somewhere?", she asked.

     I nodded, "It's time for me to go home for a bit", I
replied, "I don't really like leaving with all the problems
going on at the moment... but I have some things that I need
to work out with my family".

     She smiled, "I understand.. when will you be back??", she
asked.

     "I don't know, it shouldn't be more than a couple of
weeks at the most...", I explained.

     She nodded, "Are you sure you don't want some company?",
she asked for about the tenth time.

     I smiled, "I think It'd be better if I go alone, that'll
make it easier to explain things...", I broke off noticing
that she had lowered her head and was walking a long with an
expression of sorrow on her face.

     I placed an arm around her shoulders, "Hey, don't get
depressed about it", I said comfortingly, "I'll be back before
you know I'm gone".

     We walked outside to where Belldandy was tending
something in the garden, "I see your ready to leave", she said
noticing the bag slung over my shoulder.

     I smiled, "It's only for a short time, I'll be back in a
couple of weeks".

     She nodded, "Chia-Yao thought you'd be ready, he left
this morning disguised as you and I'm happy to say that when I
checked I found no one watching the temple", she explained.

     I grinned, "I hope he doesn't get me into too much
trouble", the I shrugged, "Well it'll be worth it to see my
family again".

     The three of us walked inside and I shook hands with
Keiichi, "I'll see you in two weeks mate", I said, summoning
up the energy to cast the transport spell.

     Skuld walked into the room and noticed everyone standing
around me, "You're leaving??", she asked.  I nodded and she
quickly ran off to her room for a moment.  Skuld reappeared,
holding that infamous Christmas gift she'd made for me,
pressing it into my hand, "Take it", she said, "It'll let you
know if there's anyone magical around".

     "Thanks Skuld", I said, placing it in my bag and turning
back to Urd.

     "Well?", she asked.  Then noticing my lack of reaction,
she stepped forward and kissed me on the cheek, "Take care of
yourself Brett", she said into my ear.

     I nodded, not trusting myself to talk.  Then I completed
the spell and stepped into the clock, teleporting myself to my
old room and the clock above the bed.

                                **********

     I enjoyed the sensation that teleporting brings, letting
myself flow into the clock.  The first time it had terrified
me, the idea of passing into something so small, but I'd
gotten used to it over the last few months.  Urd had insisted
that I practice so much that it had become routine.  A few
seconds later I reappeared in what was once my room.  Landing
lightly on the bed I glanced around in horror.

     My once neat and tidy room had become a nightmare, the
sci-fi pictures on the walls had been replaced by photos of
men in various states of undress (none thankfully all the
way).  I looked in shock at the condition of my bookshelves,
they were littered with old magazines, clothing and what
looked like screwed up efforts at essay writing.

     Dropping my duffle bag I jumped off the bed and saw to my
amazement my computer, buried under a pile Encyclopaedias and
notebooks.  "Aw no", I muttered, digging it out and wiping
some of the dust from the screen.  It looked like it had been
used as a big paper-weight for the last couple of months.

     There was only one thing I could do, "JANET!!!!", I
screamed in frustration.

     "Brett??", I heard a voice call from upstairs.

     I grabbed the bag and walked upstairs, heading into the
kitchen I saw my sister sitting amongst a pile of textbooks
and paper.  "You're back??", she asked in an amazed voice.

     I nodded and gave her an angry frown, "What the hell have
you done to my room?!?!?!", I demanded.

     She did a double take, "Oh...", she said in a guilty, "I
meant to do something about that before you came home".

     I nodded and shrugged off my jacket, it was *HOT* here. 
She looked me up and down, "How'd you manage to get from the
airport in that?", she asked, indicating my jacket and warm
clothes.

     "Errr... the taxi was air conditioned", I replied.

     She nodded, "Well I'd say you should get changed", she
said, "All your clothes are in my old room".

     I nodded, "In a minute", I replied, picking up one of the
textbooks.  "Common Australian Law and Changes Since
Federation", I read the title of the book out loud.  Giving
her a strange look I examined the other titles, they all had
something to do with law.

     "What???", she asked defensively.

     I shrugged, "You got into university then??", I asked.

     Jan nodded, "Justice Studies", she replied.

     I looked at her in shock, "You're going to be a
*lawyer*?", I asked.

     She grinned, "Yup!", she responded happily.

     I grimaced, "I'll go get changed then", I said, turning
around and heading for her *old* room.

     "Hey Bro??", she called after me.

     "Yeah??", I asked, itching to get into something cooler.

     "Welcome home", she said sincerely.

     I gave her a big grin, "Thanks Jan, it's nice to be back
for a while", I replied.  With that I headed off to change. 
After getting into a much cooler shirt and shorts I stepped
out onto our balcony and took a deep breath.  The fresh smell
of the gum tree in the backyard was a pleasant change from
what I'd been used to for the last few months.  Looking around
I noticed no great changes from when I was last here,
everything was as normal.

     Jan closed a her notes with a sigh as I walked into the
room, "I'll get it finished tomorrow", she announced.

     "Sure Jan", I said knowingly.

     She smiled, "Well *maybe* I'll finish it tomorrow", she
said.  She gestured for me to take a chair, "So what was life
like in Japan?", she asked.

     The over the next few hours I talked about what I'd
experienced in Japan (it was a *highly* edited description). 
My parents were overjoyed (well.. at least *very* happy) to
see me again and I spent most of my first night talking about
my 'adventures' overseas.

     I was detailing a description of one of Belldandy's meals
for my mother when Dad suddenly cut in, "So you've been living
with three girls?", he asked.

     I nodded, "Well how's the love life?", he asked bluntly
(my father's never really been shy about asking embarrassing
questions), "if you've been living with three girls I'm sure
you've got lots of good stories to tell".

     "Err... well", I said, "It's fine".

     He nodded knowingly, "I'm *sure*", he said, winking.

     Mum gave him an irritated look, "You *wish*", she said
smiling.

     Dad gave her an injured look, "No one around here
understands me", he complained.

     Jan shook her head, "The problem is that we know you
*too* well", she laughed.

     Dad frowned and crossed his arms, "Well since your back",
he began, "We're going away for a week to the coast, did you
want to come along?".

     I grinned, "I'll be in that!", I replied, "Japan is
sorely lacking good surfing beaches".

     He smirked, "I'm sure you'll make up for it", he replied,
standing.

     He gave me a hug, "Good to have you back son", he said
gruffly.

     I hugged him back, "Good to see you too Dad", I replied.

     He smiled and headed off to bed, "Don't stay up too late
talking", he replied, "Otherwise I might be tempted to join
you...".

     We still talked for another hour or two, I caught up on
what was happening in my absence.  Other than Jan getting a
place at University not much new had happened.  On the other
hand Mum and Jan were very interested in everything I had to
tell them.  Finally I yawned loudly in the middle of one story
and Mum gave me a smile, "Perhaps you should get some sleep",
she suggested.

     I nodded, "I guess I'm in Jan's old room?", I asked.

     She nodded, "All of your stuff is in there too", she
added.

     I grinned, "I'll be lucky to fit in the room then", I
replied.  Mum smiled and gave me a quick kiss goodnight, Jan
grinned and ruffled my hair, "Nite Bro", she said, going
downstairs.

     I lay in the unfamiliar bed, not used to what had been
normal to me before and stared up at the ceiling.  I missed
the quite and peacefulness of the temple.  I also found it
hard to sleep in the heat, there seemed to be no escape from
it.  Then I drifted into a restless sleep, not really
comfortable, but so tired it didn't matter.

                                  ******

     "What is this?", asked the first spirit.

     "I recognise this one", replied another, "He left the
land a few months ago".

     "What is he?", the first asked in confusion.

     The second spirit drifted nearer the sleeping Brett and
sniffed the air.  "I don't know, on occasions I've seen things
like this before", it said, "But I've never really paid much
attention".

     The first spirit drifted nearer, "If I didn't know
better", it mused, "He looks almost like a spirit himself".

     The second nodded, "I'll give you that", it said, "But
I've never herd of one of them becoming one of us".

     The first frowned, "We must observe our 'visitors' more
closely", it said, "if they can change mortals into spirits,
we must be careful".

     The two spirits observed for a moment more, before
darting out the window and into the moonlit night.  They moved
more swiftly than a plane, moving on unseen wings out into the
bushlands surrounding and back to the places they called home.

                                  ******

     I awoke the next day to find the sun already high in the
sky, getting out of bed, I found a note waiting for me in the
kitchen:

     Brett,
          I've taken the car and gone to Uni, see you tonight

      -----Jan

     I grumbled a bit but finally realised that it'd be
quicker and easier to just teleport myself around (so long as
I was careful).  I grabbed up the phone and began ringing
friends, it didn't take long to locate one of them....

     "So how did things go in Japan?", Hubert asked.  We were
sitting around one of the tables at my old role playing club,
it had been a long time since I'd had a chance to just sit and
talk.

     I smiled, "It was better than I'd expected", I replied,
"I picked up a few new tricks for handling memory allocation
in C".

     He nodded, "Yes, Yes", he said, brushing aside the
learning element, "I want to know how things worked out with
that girl... what was her name?? Urd???".

     "Err yes..", I replied, "Well things are going fine".

     Hubert leaned forward, "And?!?!?", he asked.

     I looked around a little self-consciously, seeing that
we'd become something of the centre of attention in the club,
"Well, we went out on New Years", I said evasively.

     Hubert grinned, "How was it?", he asked.

     "Well.. aside from the fact that I got drunk...", I
began.

     "*YOU* got drunk?", came a familiar voice from behind me.

     I glanced over my shoulder and grinned, "Long time no
see", I said to Bruce as he pulled up a seat beside Hubert. 
Bruce had been visiting relatives in England when I'd left, so
I missed the chance to say goodbye.

     "So what's this I hear about you living with three
girls?", he asked bluntly (and loudly).

     Several gasps of disbelief echoed around the club, one
from Hubert in particular, "You're living with three girls and
you didn't tell *me*", Hubert complained.

     "Where did you hear that from?", I asked Bruce curiously.

     He shrugged, "I talked to Jan a week or two ago", he
said, "So anything interesting happen in Japan?".

     Have you ever had a secret that you just *want* to tell
someone??  Well Bruce and I have known each other for about a
decade and I was sorely tempted to blurt out everything that
had happened.  But I found myself responding with a, "Not
really", instead.

     We sat and talked for several hours, various people
coming in and out of the club stopped by to say hi and catch
up with me.  On the whole it was a very relaxing afternoon and
I felt bad that I was leaving in only two weeks.

                                  ******

     Nilthar paced backwards and forwards across the rooftop
overlooking the temple, "Where the hell did he go?", he
demanded of Marller angrily.

     Marller shrugged, "I don't know", she said, "We were off
following that Security Daemon.. remember?".

     Nilthar fumed internally at having been tricked so
easily, they had left the previous morning following what
they'd assumed to be Brett.  But Nilthar became suspicious
when Brett just seemed to be hanging around NIT, not really
doing anything (from observation Nilthar had concluded that
Brett didn't go anywhere without a reason).  Quickly casting a
detection spell, he pierced the disguise and realised that
they'd been duped.

     They had rushed back to the temple, only to find Brett
gone.  "Where's that friend of yours with the information?",
Nilthar demanded impatiently.

     Marller sighed, "She'll be here", she replied, "For now
all we can do is wait, so I'd advise you to sit down".

     A few minutes later Sayoko arrived with a folder, "Here,
this is the information you wanted", she said.

     Nilthar snatched the folder away from her greedily,
"Now", he said, reading, "This should be all I need".

     Sayoko nodded and gave Marller an inquisitive look, "How
is the plan progressing?", she asked.

     "Slowly", Marller replied, "But then Loki was never one
to rush things".

     "Loki?", Sayoko asked curiously.

     "YES!", came an amused voice from above them, "LOKI - the
God of Mischief, Deceiver of Mortals, Annoyer of Thor... and
generally unpleasant doer of things of that nature...".

     Sayoko looked up to see a good-looking young man with an
mischievous expression on his face floating above them.  "You
were perhaps using my name in vain?", he asked Marller.

     Marller sighed, "Can't you be serious about anything?",
she asked.

     Loki landed beside them on the roof, "No", he replied
bluntly.

     Nilthar sighed, "And how are things coming with your
project?", he asked.

     Loki lost his amused expression, "Not good", he said,
"Those damned security protocols are still getting in my way,
I can't access the network except from a primary terminal".

     Nilthar nodded, "I thought it'd prove too much for you",
he chided.

     Loki looked at him indignantly, "Oh?", he asked, "And I'd
like to see you do better.... you stuck up.. ".

     Marller interrupted before things could get out of hand,
"And if we could get you to a terminal?", she asked.

     Loki paused, "Then I'd have the Yggdrasil System down in
a few hours", he replied, "I've already worked out the perfect
viral code.. I call it 'Root Rot'".


{Author's Note:  If you don't understand the Pun.. go look up  
                 what Yggdrasil actually was in Norse          
                 Mythology}

     Nilthar groaned at the pun, "How are *we* going to get
access to a primary terminal?", he asked Marller.

     Marller pointed at the temple in the distance, "There's
one right in front of us", she announced.

     Loki grinned, "Oh very good", he said, "I *might* just
make you my next consort".

     "Call me after Ragnarok", she said, "I'll see what I can
do..".

     Nilthar looked at the temple thoughtfully, "I will cause
a distraction", he said, "Loki, you and Marller go in once
their attention is diverted".

     The Demons quickly headed off to break into the temple,
leaving Sayoko standing on the roof, staring off into the
distance, "Sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it", she
murmured to herself.  Then she remembered Keiichi and how much
she wanted him for herself, "It's worth it", she concluded,
walking downstairs.

                                  ******

     Marller quickly levitated herself over the outer wall of
the temple, keeping her shielding spell tightly wrapped around
herself.  She dropped to the ground and began to silently move
towards the temple, hugging the shadows as she moved.  She
felt a hand on her shoulder and startled slightly, "Well
done... you move very nicely", Loki complimented her in a
whisper.

     Marller gave him an exasperated look and gestured for him
to follow her inside the temple.  The two sprinted across to
one of the temple entrances and silently slid open one door. 
They found themselves in a laboratory, vials and beakers
lining the walls.  Marller carefully moved over to the main
workbench and recognised Urd's handwriting on some of the
papers sitting there.

     Loki moved to the inner door, waiting for Nilthar's
signal, "What are you doing??", he whispered sharply to her.

     "Just having a bit of fun", Marller replied, changing the
labels on some of the containers.  Then she switched some of
the contents around for good measure and joined Loki at the
door, "That should make things interesting around here", she
whispered.  Loki grinned and the two of the waited silently
for Nilthar's signal.

     A few seconds later they felt a surge of magical energy
and a muffled cry of alarm from within the temple, "Slow down
Chia-Yao", came Skuld's shouted voice from outside the room,
"Wait for the rest of us".

     The two Demons waited until the presence of the Goddesses
had left the area and slid open the inner door.  They quickly
made their way to Skuld's room and switched on the computer. 
Loki stretched his fingers and began typing away at the
keyboard.  After a few moments he pulled a small disc from one
of his pocket and inserted it into Skuld's computer, "Now the
system should last about an hour or so and then it'll go
*down*", he said gesturing with his thumb.

     Marller nodded, "Anything else I should know about?", she
asked.

     Loki shrugged, "Well it's also erasing every bit of
information on Brett that it can find, soon as far as
Yggdrasil is concerned he'll never have existed", he finished.

     Marller frowned, "We'd better get out of here then", she
said, turning to the door.

     Loki switched off the computer with a flick, "Loki
strikes again!", he giggled, "Sometimes I amaze even myself".

     Marller and Loki headed out into the night, easily
exiting the temple before the Goddesses returned from their
unsuccessful hunt for Nilthar.

     The Demons met again a short time later, "How did it
go?", Nilthar asked.

     Loki grinned, "Easy as stealing candy from Thor", he
replied.

     Nilthar shook his head at Loki's attitude, "How can you
be so irresponsible?"", he asked in exasperation.

     Loki's face lost it's humour and an evil glint came into
his eye, "It puts my enemies off balance", he said in a cold
voice, "That gives me a tactical advantage".

     Nilthar nodded, "Very well then, I'm going to find
Brett", he said, "I'd appreciate it if the two of you remained
here and made sure that the Goddesses don't interfere".  With
that he stepped into the shadows and disappeared.

     Loki looked at Marller, "I don't know why you continue to
hang around that guy", he said, "You'd do better with one of
the greater Demons".

     "Such as yourself?", Marller asked sweetly.

     "Now that you mention it..", Loki said.

     Marller gave Loki a smile, "Perhaps if you'd tell me why
*you* are helping him I might...", she replied.

     Loki gave her a smile, "Nilthar is doing important work",
he replied, "Brett is a threat to our way of life... and he
must be dealt with".

                                  ******
     
     Jan Handy had just finished having a shower and was
walking past her old room (now being used by her brother while
he was back from Japan) when she heard a furious beeping noise
emanate from within.  She walked into the room and looked
around, "Not the alarm clock", she noted absently.  The
beeping had suddenly increased in volume as she looked around
the room.

     She grabbed up Brett's bag and picked her way through it,
locating a strange looking object.  "Must a computer gizmo he
picked up in Japan", she thought, flicking a few switches. 
She played around with the switches and noticed that there
were several blinking characters displayed on the device's
small screen.  Absently shutting it off she put it back in
Brett's bag and closed the door to the room.

     If Jan had been able to read the language of the gods,
she would have been quite upset at the message displayed,
"Warning... Recall Notice... All Gods/Goddesses/Angels and
like beings are ordered to report back directly to heaven...
Repeat... Serious malfunction of the Yggdrasil System...
General Warning..".

                                  ******

     Dave Handy picked his way through the construction site
with practised ease.  He'd spent twenty years of his life
working on similar sites and he'd become quite familiar with
the day to day operations, so familiar that he'd been promoted
up to managing construction for the company.  He fidgeted with
his tie and wiped his forehead, "So how much longer till we
can pour the concrete", he asked Michael.

     The foreman checked his notebook and sighed, "At least
another week", he replied.

     Dave shook his head, "That's going to be cutting things
pretty fine", he said, checking the job plan he'd written out
months earlier.

     "Sorry Dave", Michael apologised, "But we've been having
trouble with the supports for the upper level... the steel
came in substandard and we had to replace half the floor".

     Dave sighed, "Nothing to be done about it then", he said
regretfully, "I'd hoped to bring this in under time..".

     Michael nodded, "I know", he said, "But we're stuck with
finishing on schedule instead".

     The two men turned from their inspection of the lower
levels and headed back towards the site office, "I hear your
son's back from Japan?", Michael asked.

     Dave smiled, "That's why I'm taking next week off", he
replied, "It'll be nice for the whole family to be together..
even if it is just for a week".

     Michael laughed, "Well say hello to him for me", he said
in farewell.

     Dave nodded and headed off towards his car.  He was
walking past the crane when he saw a curious site.  A pair of
dogs were sitting in the middle of the construction area.  He
stopped beside them and stretched out a hand patting one on
the head, "What are you doing here fellas??", he asked,  "Come
on and I'll take you outside, if you hang around in here
you'll get hurt".

     Dave led the dogs over to the gate, beside which his car
was parked, "Go on... off you go", he said, "I've got to get
back to the office".

     Dave turned to the car and opened the door, only to have
the one dog growl loudly at him and the other start barking. 
He turned to face them, "What's your problem?", he asked.

     A moment later, one of the cables holding the newly
arrived steel to the crane broke.  Three tons of high-tensile
building steel impacted into the driver's compartment of
Dave's car.  Dave staggered back from the car, looking at the
twisted wreck that used to be his vehicle.  Workers ran over
to him and asked him if he was alright.

     "What the hell caused that", Michael wondered in
amazement, "I've never had one of those cables snap in my
whole career".

     Dave nodded, "It was just lucky that these dogs were
here.. otherwise I'd have been *in* the car", he said.

     "What dogs?", Michael asked, looking around.

     Dave turned around, but could see no sign of the pair, he
scratched his head, "You know it they actually looked more
like a dingos than a domestic dogs.. now that I think about
it", he observed.

     "Yeah.. right Dave", Michael laughed, "A dingo in the
middle of Brisbane City...".

                                  ******

     The Bagadjimbiri brothers looked at the confused builders
below them, "Tell me again why we had to save him?", one asked
the other.

     "Call it pride", the other responded, "We can't let a
foreign spirit make a mess of our land..".

     "I suppose you're right", the first allowed, "But why
don't we simply rip it's throat out??".

     The second sighed, "Do you have any idea how messy that
would be?", he asked.

     The first smiled and nodded, "But it'd be fun", he
complained.

     "Tough.. if we kill this one.. more might come... ", the
second said, "It's better to study an enemy first.. remember
what happened the last time we let out appearances startle
us??".

     The first brother shuddered at the thought of their
encounter with Ngariman, the brothers had been a little
insensitive towards their fellow spirit's looks.  It had
resulted in the two brothers being killed by an angry Ngariman
and only the intervention of Dilga (the earth Goddess) had
saved them.

     "Alright", the first agreed, "We'll just watch for now..
but if he tries to kill any more mortals... I'm gonna rip out
his throat and be done with it..".

                                  ******

     Nilthar heard the whispered conversation between the
Dingo Brothers and waited silently for them to leave.  "This
is something I hadn't considered", he mused out loud.

     Every god new that the spirits of Australia were suppose
to be sleeping, to find them awake and active was a shock to
say the least.  Nilthar made his way from the building site,
cloaked in magic.  He took a glance back at Brett's father,
who was shaken but unharmed, "I might try something less
spectacular next time", he thought to himself, "Something more
subtle might be in order".

     Nilthar had already decided on his next victim, following
Brett around for a day or so had allowed him to pick out
likely targets and while he was now unlikely to kill any of
them.... things might start going wrong.

                                  ******

     Hubert Santos wiped his brow and hastily pulled together
his customer's order.  Grabbing everything up he hurried back
to the table, "There you go Sir", he said, "Enjoy your meal".

     He cleared another table on the way back to the kitchen,
lugging the plates over to the dishwasher.  As the dishes were
cleaned he took a moment to relax, the restaurant was packed
with people today.  He walked over to grab himself a drink of
cool water when he spied a familiar figure standing in the
crowd, it was his girlfriend, Lisa.

     Hubert stuck his head around the corner of the building
to give her a shout and a wave, when the call died in his
throat.  Lisa was suddenly hanging all over another guy, she
was laughing happily and kissing the newcomer furiously. 
Hubert felt his anger rise, "What the hell is she doing?!?!",
he thought to himself.  He and Lisa had been together for
months and had been virtually inseparable.

     Hubert pulled off his name-tag and dumped his waiter's
tray.  He ignored a questioning look from one of his workmates
and muttered a quick, "Cover for me", as he walked outside.

     As he drew nearer Hubert stopped in shock as he realised
who the guy was, "BRETT!", he hissed in disbelief.  Hubert
went numb in amazement, Brett was stealing his girl. 
Clenching his fists Hubert began to walk towards them
purposefully.  The couple suddenly turned and walked in the
opposite direction, through the crowded mall.  Increasing his
pace, Hubert began shouldering people out of the way.  He saw
them turn off the main walkway and darted around the corner a
few steps behind them.

     "ALRIGHT.....", he began angrily as he turned the corner,
"WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!?!".  The alleyway was empty, not a person
in sight.  Hubert shook his head in confusion, something was
screwy.  He returned to work quickly, shrugging off a dark
glance from his supervisor and resolved to talk to Lisa about
it tonight at the small get-together they were having for
Brett.

                                  ******

     Lisa was having a hectic day, all morning the coffee shop
had been busy and now the afternoon rush was starting.  She
had just about finished making up the last order when she
noticed Hubert standing across the street outside.  Smiling
slightly she wondered what he'd brought her this time.  Hubert
had the annoying (but welcome) habit of turning up while she
was a work with flowers for her.  She raised her arm and waved
at him, only to get no reaction.  Frowning she walked over to
the window and gaped in astonishment as an unfamiliar girl
walked up and KISSED Hubert.

     Lisa watched as the two continued to kiss and then walked
off hand in hand down the street.  She ground her teeth in
frustration, not being able to leave the shop unattended, "I
think Hubert and I will be having a little talk tonight", she
said to herself.  Several of the customers looked at her a
little nervously and she realised that she'd been twisting a
spoon that she'd been holding into unusual patterns.

                                  ******

     I was having a good afternoon, it was sunny and hot.. and
I was lazing in a pool.  I had swum a few lengths of the pool
earlier, but decided that it was more fun just to laze around
on a day like this.  I was still surprised at how fast this
new pool had gone up, it was quite a big complex (tho it was
much smaller than the one I'd visited in Japan).  I relaxed
against the side and just enjoyed the heat of the sun on my
face.

     An object suddenly obscured my sunlight and I looked up
to see an amused Bruce looking down at me from the side of the
pool, "Hey... no sleeping in the pool", he ordered.  Bruce was
wearing a yellow shirt with 'Lifeguard' emblazoned across it
in red.

     I raised my hand in mock salute, "Yes Sir.. Mr Lifeguard
Sir!", I said.

     Bruce grinned and sat on the edge of the pool beside me,
"So how did you get this job again?", I asked him.

     Bruce shrugged, "I spent most of my time for the last
couple of years earning Lifesaving certificates", he said,
"Unlike some people, who just lazy about in the sun".

     "So sue me", I replied, "I associate swimming with fun..
not work".

     "Aww.. come on", Bruce said, "If you'd be bothered to let
me teach you, I might be able to get you a job here".

     I sighed, "Bruce... If I was staying here I'd probably
say yes", I said, "But the fact is that after next week I'll
be back to Japan".

     "Why Japan of all places?", Bruce asked, "I mean if you
can get a place there, why not try for the US or the UK??".

     "Let's say that Japan has something unique for someone
studying what I am", I replied.

     Bruce slowly smiled, "That girl??", he asked, "Urd isn't
it??".

     I shrugged, "Maybe", I said, "But I'd rather just enjoy
myself here than argue with you for the rest of my holiday".

     Bruce nodded and stood, "Well once I'm off-shift, we're
going to meet Hubert, Lisa and a couple of the guys for
dinner", he said, "So I'll see you...".  Bruce was suddenly
cut off as one of his feet slipped out from under him and
caught on a guard-rail.  He screamed in pain as I heard a
distinct *crack*.

     I jumped out of the pool and rushed to his side, he was
swearing his head off and moving his leg carefully.  Several
of his fellow lifeguards rushed over to us and helped me carry
Bruce over to a chair without hurting his leg too much. 
Looking at the unnatural bulge in his leg there was no doubt
that it was broken, "Did you want us to call for an
ambulance?", one of the asked Bruce.

     Bruce shook his head, "It's not *that* serious", he said
slowly, "Just splint it and someone drive me to the hospital".

     I nodded, "I'll get changed and grab my keys", I replied,
heading for the change room.  Something made me turn and look
over to the other side of the pool, a strange man was watching
us intently.  He seemed familiar and I suddenly got a horrible
suspicion.  Rushing into the change rooms I muttered a quick
spellword and emerged a moment later fully clothed.

     Bruce looked at me in amazement, "That was fast", he
noted.  We carried Bruce out to my car and made him as
comfortable as possible, "Don't worry about your shifts", one
of the lifeguards said, "We'll cover for you till you can talk
to the boss".

     I slipped into the driver's seat and drove out of the
parking lot, carefully avoiding as many bumps as possible for
Bruce's sake.  Glancing in the review mirror, I caught another
glance of the strange figure and I accelerated away quickly.

     "Hey... slow down!", Bruce protested, "It's not that much
of an emergency".

     I nodded and slowed down, but if what I suspected was
true, it *was* an emergency, quite a serious one indeed.

                                  ******

     I dropped Bruce off at his place after getting him fixed
up at the hospital, according to the doctors he'd be off work
for a month at least.  Pulling into the driveway, I noticed
the absence of Dad and Mum's cars, "Isn't anyone home yet?", I
called up to Jan.

     "We're here", came Dad's reply.

     "Well what happened to your car?", I asked in confusion,
"And where's mum's??".

     "It's been a bad day", Mum confirmed.

     Now usually I'm not a suspicious person, but things
seemed to be a little strange.  Firstly Dad's car had been
crushed at work and Mum's car was stolen from the school where
she taught.  Hell, suspicious, I was *sure* that things were
going wrong.

     I confirmed my suspicions when Jan arrived home, "I just
got suspended", she informed us.

     "What happened??", I asked.

     Jan informed me that somehow her department was missing
nearly ten thousand dollars from it's books and unfortunately
*she* was the one in charge.  I shook my head and walked up to
my room, "Someone's trying to ruin my family", I said to
myself, "Now I *wonder* who that could be??".

                                  ******

     John Collins was closing up DreamLink for the night when
he noticed an unfamiliar figure standing at the top of the
steps, "Can I help you?", John asked politely.

     The man turned to face John and smiled, "No thank you",
he replied, "I was just looking around".

     "Well I'm afraid I've got to close for the evening, I've
got to meet a few friends", he said, turning to switch out the
lights.

     "Right", the man replied smiling slightly, "Tell Brett
that Nilthar says hello".

     John turned around quickly, but the man was gone,
checking things over carefully, he finished turning things off
and locked up the doors.  Unfortunately, John failed to notice
a spark leap across to the curtains and begin to smoulder.

                                  ******

     Bruce and I were sitting waiting for everyone else to
arrive at the restaurant.  I'd picked him up after he insisted
that he not be left out of the little get together.  I was
telling him about the Auto Club when Hubert walked into the
restaurant, I raised my hand and waved him over.

     Now I've always been a pretty good judge of people's
moods and I'd say Hubert looked *angry*.  I've never in my
friendship with him *ever* seen him angry before, not once. 
"What's up?", I asked as he reached the table.

     Hubert sat down opposite me, "Did you have a nice
afternoon?", he asked in a cold voice.

     I frowned and exchanged a confused look with Bruce, "Not
really", I replied, "Bruce here broke his leg and I had to
take him over to the hospital".

     Hubert frowned, "You weren't in the city??", he asked.

     I shook my head, "Nope.. why??", I replied.

     Hubert shook his head, "Never mind.. How's Bruce??", he
asked.  We talked for a few more minutes until John turned up,
Hubert forgot his angry mood and we were all enjoying
ourselves.

     "So *here* you are", came Lisa's voice.  We turned to see
her standing over Hubert with her hands on her hips, obviously
furious.

     "Where else would I be??", Hubert asked blankly.

     Lisa gave him a look that could freeze water, "Don't give
me that.. I *saw* you this afternoon.. with some floozy...".

     Hubert raised his hands, "What are you talking about?",
he asked, "I was working all afternoon".

     Lisa nodded, "Oh sure", she said, "Except for that break
you took, walking out without telling anyone where you were
going".

     Hubert frowned, "How did you know about that?", he asked.

     "My sister works on your shift.. remember??", Lisa
replied, "As far as I'm concerned I don't ever want to see you
again...".

     We were interrupted a second later, by a fire engine
rushing past outside, followed by another a moment later.  At
that point a out of breath Robert (who was late) turned up,
"DreamLink...", he rasped, "It's burning down...".

     I jumped up and ran outside, to see the building
DreamLink was in, engulfed in flames, "No!", John cried from
beside me, "I checked everything before I left!".

     I placed a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sure it's not your
fault", I said confidently.

     He nodded sadly, "Well at least that friend of yours can
vouch that I'd turned everything off", he said.

     "Friend of mine?", I asked, confused.

     John nodded, "Oh.. sorry.. this guy named Nilthar was
there when I close up.. he asked me to say hello to you for
him", he explained.

     I froze for a moment, "You did say 'Nilthar' didn't
you?", I asked.

     John nodded, "He said he was a friend of yours", he
replied.

     I turned to watch Lisa storming off down the street,
followed by an apologising Hubert, then I looked over at
Bruce, leaning against the wall.  "This is because of me", I
thought to myself.

     "Could two help Bruce?", I asked John and Robert, "I'm
gonna go and catch those two, meet us back at the cars".

     They nodded and I took off in pursuit of the arguing
couple.  Catching them quickly I stood in front of them, "Hold
it you two", I said, "Something unusual is going on around
here.. and I think I can explain".

     Lisa turned her 'freeze' gaze on me, "Start explaining
then", she ordered.

     I looked around the crowded street, "How about I tell you
in private", I said, "Meet me at my place in an hour".

     Lisa gave me a long look, "Alright, I'll listen", she
said, "But it had better be a damn good explanation".

                                  ******


**************************************************
            E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
   Web Page: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind

  "Imagination is more important than knowledge"

                             -Albert Einstein
**************************************************