Carnage on the HIgh Seas: Fourteen

The sailing yacht cut through the clear blue water, heading for a small island, one of the outlying islets of the Bahamas. The Green Man, masked and swathed, was at the whell, while to informally attired girls constituted the crew.

"What beats me," Lady Sylvia sighed, "is how you managed to track us down," she gave the Green Man a signifiacnt look.

"Ms. Madison," the Green Man explained, "carried a tracking device. I gave it to her rather than to you when I learned Rostov would be on board the liner, and that one of his associates had been on each of the liners from wich people disappeared. Knowing that the late Colonel had a soft spot for Ms. Madison, she agreed to appear to yield to his manly charms in order to find out exactly what was going on."

"And what if Rostov had rumbled her?" Lady Sylvia sounded worried.

"There was never," Ms. Madison sighed, "a danger of that. Rostov was such a conceited thug that the moment I melted in his arms he stopped suspecting me. But I'm not doing that sort of thing in a hurry. For one thing, Mike would never forgive me. He's waiting for me in Nassau, you know."

"Is this where we say goodbye?" Lady Sylvia looked concerned.

"Until the next time," Ms. Madison laughed. "You're flying back to England Post-Haste, back to Mainstone, then on to Prior's Hill, just outside Norwich. I've got a holiday booked - and we're needed."

Carnage on the High Seas: Thirteen

Ms. Madison drew back, her breath catching in her throat. Lady Sylvia screamed so loudly that Ms. Madison was afraid she might be left deaf. The Sheikh laughed at the girls, anticipating their helplesness.

Until Ms. Madison shot him through the head.

"Come on!" she grabbed the young aristocrat's hand, "we have to get to the control room before the Royal Navy gets out of range! This island has a private army on it!"

"And Rostov?" the brunette asked.

"Dead or about to die!" Ms. Madison shouted back, as she sprinted through the door of the control room. The men there saluted her, allowing the two girls to make short work of them. While Ms. Madison smashed up the control device, Lady Sylvia ran to the microphone.

"Royal Navy squadron!" she exclaimed, "come in! This is Lady Sylvia Vaughan."

"Slyv!" a hearty voice came through the ether, "this is Admiral Sir George Brett! How's my favourite niece?"

"All the better for hearing you, uncle!" Lady Slvia laughed with relief. "Listen, I'm on Colonel Rostov's secret island base. Home on my signal!"

"Wilco, Sylv!" the noble Admiral laughed. "We're onto it!"

"Well?" the Green Man stepped into the control room. "Did you speak to them?"

"Well, of course!" Lady Sylvia laughed, "and the officer commanding's my uncle, George Brett. That means they've got at leat one carrier with them!"

"In that case," the Green Man told the girls, "we just need to get out of here."

Carnage on the High Seas: Twelve

"You can't win, Green Man," Colonel Rostov snarled, dawing back from the masked figure. "I am the finest swordsman in Europe."

"Everyone has to lose some time," the Green Man moved forwards, his blade darting at the Colonel's face. The vicious mercenary was only just able to dodge. Drawing a knife from his belt, he thre it at the masked figure, who only batted it aside with something akin to contempt.

With a snarl, Rostov leapt forward. Hero and villain crossed blades. Rostov glared at the Green Man, as he easily absorbed all the blows rained on him. The Green Man laughed, parrying another thrust.

"Do you think that I could be the terror of the underworld and not be able to match a villain like you?" he mocked, his blade grazing Rostov's side.

"You are a devil!" Rostov cried, "a devil and not a man!"

"No," the Green Man shook his head. "Soon you will know what a devil is."

Rostov saw the Green Man drop his guard for a moment. He took his chance. Too late, the ruthless mercenary realised that he had miscalculated. He felt the burning pain, as the Green Man's sword punctured his chest.

Rostov's lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

The girls ran down a corridor, Ms. Madison leading the way.

"So you only pretended!" Lady Sylvia cried after Ms. Madison.

"And Max fell for it!" the blonde laughed. "Now we have to get the control room before they restore power! Before the Sheikh can activate his device."

"That will be hard when you are dead."

The girls came to a dead stop. There, in front of them, was the Sheikh, a gun in each hand.

Carnage on the High Seas: Eleven

"The Green Man..." Rostov chuckled, before turning to Ms. Madison, a look of sly regret on his handsome face. "So, my darling Lynette, you have betrayed me."

"No," Ms. Madison shooh her head firmly. "I have betrayed no-one, Max. "And you should have known me better than to think I would. I just distracted you."

"Which you did very capably," the mercenary bowed gallantly. "But you have made one fatal mistake, my love. The Green Man must have been on that liner, and I have the passenger list."

"My yacht lies just of the island," the Green Man laughed, "hidden by radar jamming devices. So you can forget that, Rostov. Your wicked plan is finished."

"Not if I can finish you first!" Rostov cried, drawing his sword.


"That's some 'if.'" The Green Man drew a sword, shedding his hat and coat. "En garde, Colonel. Ms. Madison, Lady Sylvia, find that transmitter and destroy it. Then send a radio signal telling anyone who may be listening that this is a nest of international mercenaries."

"But who'll listen?" Rostov presented arms. "This island if off the shipping lanes, and I have an army here."

"The Royal Navy is steaming past here in a few hours," the Green Man replied, "on their way to a joint amphibious exercise with the United States. Several frigates and an aircraft carrier loaded with Commandos."

"But you will not live long enough to enjoy your triumph!" Rostov sprung on the Green Man, thrusting his sword at the masked man. It was parried easily.

"We shall see, Colonel," the Green Man chuckled, "we shall see. Girls, don't stay and watch, do as I told you!"

Ms. Madison and Lady Sylvia ran from the room, leaving the Green Man and Colonel Rostov locked in deadly combat.

Carnage on the High Seas: Ten

Lady Sylvia waited in the luxurious room she was locked in, wondering just what Ms. Madison and Rostov were up to. Her first mission for the Green Man, and her senior colleague had been a bad girl, joining with a dubious adventurer who was working with Islamic extremists. Even in her best party clothes, Lady Sylvia felt awful.

"Hi!" Ms. Madison strolled through the door, looking very elegant in a white satin dress and pink gloves. "Enjoying yourself, Lady Sylv?"

"No." The young aristocrat pouted. "And I don't know why I should speak to you."

"Because I'm speaking with you?" Ms. Madison smiled. "Now, come on, grumpy, it's tea-time."

Lady Sylvia followed Ms. Madison out of the room, down the corridor. She was not happy at seeing Rostov's men salute Ms. Madison. The room they entered was an elegant banqueting hall, where Rostov stood by the table, liveried servants waiting on him.

"It's lovely to see you, Lady Sylvia," he told the brunette.

"I'm just sorry you're still alive," Lady Sylvia told him.

"No elegance, I'm afraid." Ms. Madison crossed to Rostov's side. "But she didn't see all that wonderful equipment, the device that'll destroy the world, leaving only us."

"Hang on!" Lady Sylvia exclaimed, "aren't you working for some Islamic nut?"

"That's what he thinks," Rostov chuckled, "but the machine he made is under my control. When it activates, I, not he will be the master of these men and women."

Ms. Madison smiled, holding Rostov's arm, looking straight at Lady Sylvia. As the brunette watched, Ms. Madison gave her a stage wink. At that moment, the lights flickered and dimmed.

"This can't be!" Rostov ran to an intercom. "Control, "what's going on?"

Only static came through the receiver.

"Do you have a problem, Colonel?"

The new voice caused everyone to gasp. There, standing in the doorway, was the familiar figure of the Green Man.

Carnage on the High Seas: Nine

Lady Sylvia walked behind Ms. Madison and Rostov, as they stepped onto the islands. Two men, who seemed to be guards and members of Rostov's private mercenary army, saluted Rostov. He saluted back, and Ms. madison giggled kittenishly. Something, Lady Sylvia thought, was very wrong with Ms. Madison. Or the world as a whole, she told herself. But there was nothing she could do about it, so she tagged along.

"You will both dine with me tonight," Rostov announced grandly. "For now, Lady Sylvia, you will be kept safe. Lynette, you must come with me, so I can introduce you to my current employer."

"Our employer," Ms. Madison smiled foolishly, as Rostov stroked her cheek.

As Lady Sylvia was hustled away, Rostov led Ms. Madison through into a large control room. A big man in in Fez was watching a man in a chair through a screen. Lights were flashing in the man's face, as three men busied themselves around him.

"Back already, Colonel?" The man turned. A bear of a man, with a thin face and dangerously intense eyes, Ms. Madison could not help but tremble at his approach.

"Lynette," Rostov gave her a comforting squeeze. "This is Sheikh Ali Haseed of the Islamic Jihadi Army. Sheikh, this is Lynette Madison, a good friend of mine."

"I can see that," the Sheikh did not look impressed, as he eyed Ms. Madison. "And are you sure you can trust her?"

"No," Rostov replied at once, "but I'm sure she won't get off the island. Lynette, the Sheikh invented the brainwashing device, but he needed someone to get the people."

"A job you have done most well," the creepy Sheikh announced. "Soon there will be enough agents planted to destroy the West."

How will they be activated?" Ms. Madison asked.

"A radio signal which the Colonel will broadcast via the media's satellites," the Sheikh laughed. "The West will be doomed by its own technology."

He started to laugh insanely. After a while, Rostov joined in; even Ms. Madison was able to laugh a little.

Carnage on the High Seas: Part Eight

Lady Sylvia watched, as Ms. Madison stepped off the submarine, her arm in Rostov's. She could not believe her eyes - Ms. Madison, the Green Man's capable and talented assistant - falling for such a swine. And the way she looked at him!

"So," Ms. Madison asked Rostov, eyes big and misty, "what's the plan?"

"Look there," Rostov pointed to seven people in civillian clothes being led off the submarine.

"The people who vanished from the liner?" Ms. Madison enquired, still gazing into Rostov's eyes.

"You're smart, Lynette," Rostov gave the girl a squeeze, drawing a giggle from her. "The men and women we took this time."

"Who are they?" Ms. Madison asked girlishly.

"Could be anyone," Rostov shrugged.

"What?" Ms. Madison started.

"Just people," Rostov told the girl on his arm. "The sort of people you'd never notice. The people the West runs on, ordinary men and women in the street. At the moment."

"And what 're we doing to them?" Ms. Madison asked earnestly.

"I like that 'we,'" Rostov bent to kiss the blonde again. "You're a cute trick, Lynette."

"Yes..." the blonde laughed. Lady Sylvia wondered just what was wrong with her. "So, what?"

"My employers - our employers now, Lynette," Rostov smiled at Ms. Madison, "are brainwashing them, to send them back programmed to commit acts of terrorism and sabotage. To bring the West to its knees."

Lady Sylvia blanched, but all Ms. Madison did was gaze lovingly into Rostov's eyes, as if he'd told her the most wonderful thing in the world.

Carnage on the High Seas: Part Seven

The submarine glided into a speacially constructed pen in the tiny island, Ms. Madison and Lady Sylvia watching as the sub was moored.

"Go on," Ms. Madison turned to the smiling Rostov, "tell me more. I'm impressed."

"I knew you would be!" Rostov laughed in triumph. "Are you sure you don't feel even a twinge of love to me."

"Honestly?" Ms. Madison smiled coyly. "No, but if you tell me just what's going on, Max..."

"That's simple,"Rostov replied brutally. "My employers are going to destroy your world, Lynette. And that means soon all there will remain of the West will be with me. And that means..."

"I'll have no choice but to yield to your Teutonic manliness?" Ms. Madison sighed deeply. "Who are you working for this time, Max?"

"Who are there now?" Rostov leered at the blonde.

"Islamic loonies," Ms. Madison rolled her eyes. "I suppose you know they'll kill you when they've done with you, Max?"

"That,"Rostov told her taking her arm, "is what they think, Lynette. Now, come with me."

Before she could object, Rostov turned to Ms. Madison and kissed her. Much to Lady Sylvia's surprise, the blonde kissed back.

Carnage on the High Seas: Part Six

As the girls watched, a submarine surfaced close to the liner, huge and threatening. Lady Sylvia gasped at the sight, while even the well-travelled Ms. Madison registered surprise.

"I think," she told her companion, "we've found our answer."

"You're right, my beautiful Lynette," Rostov spoke from behind them. "And now you and your friend know too much. You must come with me."

"Since I personally think we don't even know enough," Ms. Madison shot back, "it 'ld be a pleasure." She completely ignored the gun that Rostov carried. "How did you stop the liners from picking up your submarine on the last few trips?"

"I don't," Rostov replied coolly, "but the ship's doctor hypnotises anyone who does see it into foretting."

"And you don't trust me to forget?" Ms. Madison smiled.

"No," Rostov laughed, "I just want to kidnap you."

"The perils of being assistant to the Green Man," Ms. Madison shook her head, "well, let me tell you..."

A jet of gas in her face rendered the blonde unconscious. Lady Sylvia was gassed a moment later. By the time they came to, the submarine was cruising on the surface, and it was no longer night. Forced up on deck, they saw a stark rock, jutting out of the Atlantic.

"My base!" Rostov laughed. "Enjoy yourself, Lynette!"

"Don't worry," she drawled languidly, "I will."

Carnage on the High Seas: Part Five

Ms. Madison sighed, before drawing a wicked-looking automatic from her purse. She smiled, shaking her head.

"The first man who takes a swing at me gets a hole in the head." The blonde smiled dangerously.

"And that goes for me, too," Lady Sylvia laughed. "Go away, you nasty men."

"Beat it, slugs," Ms. Madison translated in a threatening drawl.

"That, too," Lady Sylvia added.

One man took a swing, Ms. Madison shot him in the head. The other thugs turned and ran in panic.

"And now," Ms. Madison sighed, "we add to the list of mysterious disappearances. Lend me a hand to heave this guy over the side, will you, Sylv?"

As they made to do something, the girls looked into the water. They drew back at the sight of a white wake heading towards the liner.

Carnage on the High Seas: Part Four

"So who is Rostov?" Lady Sylvia asked Ms. Madison as they walked the deck after dinner, looking out over the moonlit Atlantic. "I mean, what does he actually do?"

"Like I said," Ms. Madison smiled, "he's an international mercenary and peddlar of plots. He was a Colonel in the East German Army until 1989, when the army was largely disbanded. After that, he organised an elite mercenary squad, mostly composed of former special forces operatives from the old Eastern Bloc countries. Since then, he's been involved in about seven revolutions in the world, as well as a few wars. He fought for the Croats in Bosnia and with the rebels in the Congo."

"So he's a tough guy then?" Lady Sylvia looked impressed.

"A tough guy for hire," Ms. Madison confirmed. "He'll fight for whoever pays the most. Trouble is, that means that if Rostov's a part of this set-up, we can't really know who're actually behind the scenes."

"So what do we do?" Lady Sylvia leaned on the rail, looking out at the broad ocean. "I mean, if we can't..."

"We wait," Ms. Madison smiled. "Now Rostov knows I'm on board, if he is up to something, he's sure to show his hand sooner rather than later."

"How?" Lady Sylvia looked worried.

"I think you know." Ms. Madison grinned. "And you're right, Sylv, that's likely to be a bit strenuous."

"You're right, girlie." A litle crowd of tough-looking men approached the two girls. "You're poking your cute noses in just where they're not wanted. So we're going to teach you a lesson."

"Okay," Ms. Madison adopted a fighting stance. "Let's start school, boys."

The men closed in on the two girls, drawing an assortment of weapons from their garments.

Carnage on the High Seas: Part Three

"Watch out!" Lady Sylvia hissed, "he's seen us!"

Sure enough, the man who had so stood out strolled over to the girls' table, a smile on his handsome, if cold face. Pausing by Ms. Madison, he bowed stiffly to the well-dressed blonde, clicking his heels.

"My dear child," he smiled. "What a surprise meeting you here. May I ask what the Green Man's most accomplished agent is doing on a transatlantic liner?"

"Right now," Ms. Madison smiled sweetly, "I'm having dinner."

"And the fact that you are on the same liner as I is pure co-incidence," Rostov shook his head. "And you expect me to believe that, my little vixen?"

"Frankly?" Ms. Madison told him, "no. Given your giant ego, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you thought I was chasing you because I was madly in love with you."

"I had forgotten your sense of humour," Rostov tried to look annoyed.

"You know you don't mean that, Max," Ms. Madison purred dangerously, "you've never forgotten me, have you?"

"You laugh now," Rostov growled, "but soon you will plead with me for just a smile, Lynette."

And with those words, he stalked off, glowering.

"And that," Ms. Madison told an astonished Lady Sylvia, "is how you get the suspect to confirm your suspicions. Prime suspect is now Max Rostov. My old friend."

Carnage on the High Seas: Part Two

The saloon was half-empty as the girls went to dinner. An orchestra was playing, and a girl singer was seated by the stand looking bored. Lady Sylvia looked around her, smiling at the grand scene.

"You know," she reflected, "I never went on a cruise liner before. And I've got a title, too."

"I've been on millions," Ms. Madison laughed, "and my father's a policeman."

"But you work for the Green Man," Lady Sylvia nodded. "And I've started working for the Green Man, and my very first case I get to cross the Atlantic in a cruise liner."

"The Green Man strikes again," Ms. Madison grinned happily. "Where do we go from here, Lynette?"

"We take in the scenery, Sylv," the blonde told her new colleague. Just keep our eyes open and see what comes up. Right now, all we know is that people have been disappearing from these ships on a regular basis. So tonight we're playing the good, old-fashioned game of 'spot the suspicious person.'"

"And that works?" the young aristocrat asked.

"Normally," Ms. Madison informed her friend. "And especially on a cruise ship like this, where people can't keep out of sight forever. I..."

Suddenly, Ms. Madison fell silent. She looked across the room and tried very hard to keep her mouth closed.

"What is it?" Lady Sylvia demanded, leaning over the table towards the pretty blonde. "What is it?"

"There," Ms. Madison indicated a distinguished looking man with a neatly clipped moustache and a military bearing. "That man is Colonel Maxillian Rostov."

"And?" Lady Sylvia looked confused.

"Colonel Rostov," Ms. Madison told Lady Sylvia, "is the most dangerous international mercenary in the world. He sells revolutions and treachery to the highest bidder."

Carnage on the High Seas: Part One

Lady Sylvia Vaughan looked out over the bustling docks from the deck of the giant cruise liner. She shook her head, before looking across at Ms. Madison, who was waving good-bye to Michael Rake, blowing him kisses and waving.

"And you told me it wasn't serious between you two," she sighed. "Why don't you just marry him and be done with it, Lynette?"

"Can you really see me as a housewife, Sylv?" Ms. Madison laughed, indicating her fashionable outfit. "I haven't finished with being young and irresponsible yet!"

"But of course," Lady Sylvia sighed, still shaking her head. "You realise you're the loudest 'good-bye' shouter on deck, don't you?"

"No," the blonde replied artlessly. "And I have to. After all, this is a trans-atlantic cruise, isn't it?"

"And work as well," Lady Sylvia smiled. "My first case!" she smiled sweetly. "Why are we here, Lynette?"

"Worrying reports," Ms. Madison replied snappily. "Apparently the White Feather Line's ships have been docking in port missing significant numbers of passengers."

"And that's not good, is it?" Lady Sylvia shook her head. "What's our job?"

"We have to find out what it is," Ms. Madison told her new colleague. "And put a stop to it. No matter what it takes. The last liner came in with twelve passengers missing. All types and classes."

"Any pattern?" Lady Sylvia leaned forward.

"Yes," Ms. Madison shot back. "They were all passengers on a trans-Atlantic cruise."