The Terror: Part Sixteen

Lady Sylvia lay back on her sun-lounger, closing her eyes as the sun beat down on her trim form.

"And the Green Man just killed the man?" the young aristocrat asked.

"There are some things that have to be destroyed," Ms. Madison shook her head. "And the Terror was something that the world will never be ready for. The A-bomb is bad enough, imagine a weapon that could kill an entire army and leave no damage to property. The country that had the Terror would have been invincible."

The brunette nodded soberly.

"I guess you're right," she conceded, "but what if more countries had it?"

"The extinction of the human race," Ms. Madison replied. "The Terror gives the impression that a war with this weapon can be won. The moment the atom bomb was used, people realised how terrible it was, the Terror was more terrible. No-one would understand how terrible it was until it was too late."

"And the human race would be destroyed, or as good as," Lady Sylvia nodded. "So we take it on ourselves to keep it from humanity?"

"Who else is there?" Ms. Madison sighed. "Sylv, I've been in this longer than you, and I learned ages ago that there are some things in this world that must be fought, evils from the pit that should never escape. And when a person embraces those evils, sometimes it is necessary to destroy them."

Lady Sylvia made no reply. Again, all that could be heard was the thunder of the falls. But this time birdsong mingled with it.

The Vengeance of the Green Man: Part Fifteen

"Yes," the Green Man stepped further into the room. "I knew that Trevelyan was one of your people, that he was a plant. He will serve you no more..."

"You can't!" the monocled man exclaimed hotly, "the terror stands ready."

"One of the dishes that send the terror no longer works," the Green Man explained. "Your man Trevelyan broke it when he fell through it."

"My men..." the man exclaimed, face blanching.

"Have been drawn into the bush, to be destroyed by tribesmen," the Green Man laughed.

"So, the Green Man seeks to take the terror for himself," the man laughed.

"No," the Green Man shook his head. "Your machine will be destroyed. There are some things that should never see the light of day."

"You would destroy the terror?" the man laughed. "It has been built! You will never hold back progress."

"But I will keep you from unleashing this evil on the world," the Green Man replied. "Maybe another man will make the same discovery as you, and maybe I will have to kill him as well. But a weapon of this sort is a crime against humanity. For this reason, it will not survive."

"You can't..." the man drew a gun from his waistcoat. The Green Man's gun spoke once. The man crumpled to the ground.

"It's over..." Ms. Madison rose, moving towards the Green Man.

"A fitting end for his kind," the Green Man looked down on the corpse.

The Terror: Part Fourteen

The monocled man turned pale at the words of the scornful blonde. He rose from his seat, holding in his monocle. Confusion was written across his face.

"You're what?" he demanded.

"I'm the Green Man's secretary," Ms. Madison spoke defiantly. "I work for the Green Man. And you have been noticed."

"Then there's no time!" the man grabbed for an intercom. "Control room!" He spoke urgently. "Activate the device!"


The blonde stood slowly. Now Ms. Madison was enjoying herself.

"What range does the device have?" she asked idly.

"Far enough," the man with the monocle smiled back. "It can reach as far as Cape Town. So today Cape Town will find one of its suburbs full of dead people - people frozen to death."

"Not if the Green Man stops you first," Ms. Madison shook her head.

"But I," the man laughed, "can stop the Green Man. You see, I have planted an agent in the camp of the Green Man, and he will lead then into a trap."

"But he will fail."

At that very moment, the Green Man stepped into the room.

The Terror: Part Thirteen

Ms. Madison looked at the monocled man, as he glared across the table at her. She could not help but think that he bore a marked resemblance to Joseph Chamberlain.

"If... If you don't mind," she spoke falteringly, "I'd rather skip the supper."

The man laughed softly, shaking his head.

"You are a funny girl," he said, "and it will be a pity to see you die."

"That's easy to change," she replied swiftly, "just don't kill me." She smiled appealingly.

"That is not an option," she was told. "You will know the secret of the Terror. You already know too much as it is."

"I always do," came the cool reply. "Now, would you mind awfully telling me the rest?"

"That's easy," he smiled. "I have created a machine that can suppress all but the most elemental forces. As you know, I can block out all sounds. I can also block out light and heat. With my machine, I could freeze a whole city to death on a hot day, or plunge a country into darkness."

"And the disappearances?" the blonde enquired.

"A few months ago," the man declared, "one of my research assistants left here. My agents killed him, but not before he was able to let the secret of my machine get out. A number of people came to Victoria Falls to find me. I have had to slay them. You will be the next to die."

"If you knew," Ms. Madison smiled sweetly, "how many times people have said that, "you really would be surprised. Any questions for little me?"

"Just one," the man leaned forward, "who are you working for?"

The blonde laughed mockingly.

"You fool," she told him. "I'm not just some agent of a bad guy. I'm secretary to the Green Man."

The Terror: Part Twelve

Ms. Madison was not pleased that the men did not leave the room while she dressed, but waited, drooling as they watched her every movement. She resolved to do them some serious harm at the earliest possible opportunity. Preferably life-ending. But as things stood, there was nothing to be done but do as they said.

Still blushing, the blonde followed the men down the long corridors of the mansion, down a big flight of stairs, towards a mighty room, lined with marble columns. In the middle of the room was a great table, weighed down with food.

"Your meal awaits you, girl," the men told her, rather callous.

Ms. Madison stuck out her tongue at the men, as they left the room. Once sure she was alone, she waited there, sneaking a few nibbles of the food, while her tummy rumbled disturbingly. Maybe it didn't look stylish, but she was one hungry lady.

Needless to say, Ms. Madison was not surprised when a voice from the door caused her to start violently, dropping some food.

"Good evening, my dear," a monocled man spoke softly. "You have come a long way. "And you will eat well. Then you will learn the secret that hides here. After that, you will die."

The Terror: Part Eleven

Lady Sylvia came to slowly, her head throbbing nastily. She sat up, rubbing the back of her head. She could feel a large bump developing there, and there was a great deal more mobility there than there should be. She winced, swinging badly grazed legs off the bed on which she was laid.For once, Lady Sylvia was glad there was no mirror in the room. She had to be an absolute mess!

Hoping that the windows did not reflect too much, she crossed to them. Itwas clear that she was now inside the house, which was a classical-style mansion, hidden deep in the African jungle. This had to be the base for the mysterious activities which had been spooking Victoria Falls.

The parched grounds were patrolled by more fierce looking mercenaries, something that surprised Lady Sylvia not one whit. With the sun sinking low on the horizon, it was clearly nearing six o'clock. Close to the tropics, Zimbabwe's night and day are almost equal in length. And then there were things that might be done.

Not so far away, Ms. Madison was sat down, looking over the lawn. Dressed in pink silk undergarments, she wished that her captors had chosen to supply her with more in the way of clothes. Even so, she was planning some mayhem.


Before she could plan any more, the door of the room opened. There stood two mercenaries and a black girl in a white uniform.

"You must be good," one man declared. "The commander wants to see you."

The Terror: Part Ten

Lady Sylvia followed the track along which the car must have gone, towards the falls. She turned away abruptly, following a barely visible track, noting some freshly broken branches. Clearly her years as a Girl Guide had not been in vain. Breaking through the undergowth, she was soon out on a broad plain. Impala ran, scattering at her approach. It was warm and deinitely romantic, as the young aristocrat drove across the broad plain.

She saw the land-mine just in time. Leaping from the vehicle, she rolled, covering her face. She felt the haet scorch her body, and earth shower her. But she heard no explosion. As she ran for cover, all she could hear was the thunder of the falls, even though she was crashing through undergrowth. The jungle tore at her legs, pain shooting through her, as the shapely limbs were cut in numerous places. By the time she fell to the ground, sure that she had not been followed, her legs were a mass of irritating small cuts.

Now afraid, she moved on slowly, following the trail's course, still hearing none of the sounds she knew she must be making. A little way on, she saw a white wall through the jungle. Lady Sylvia headed towards it, heart beating with anticipation and fear.

There, in the middle of the jungle was a rather severe-looking mansion in the Greek Revival style. Attached to it by a conservatory was an octagonal tower. And the windows of this tower were pulsing with light.

Before Lady Sylvia could investigate further, she felt the cold (okay, warmish) steel of a rifle press into her back.

The Terror: Part Nine

And the thunder of the falls was everything that Lady Sylvia heard. No other sound disturbed her thought - and that was enough to concern her a great deal. Looking about her, she saw the guests looking at the exit, presumably towards the spot where the bad guys had left. Wrapping her robe about herself, Lady Sylvia ran in that direction. He feet made no sound on the flagstones of the hotel, as she ran out of the hotel compound, and onto the streets of Victoria Falls, quite unconscious of her personal safety. Seeing Ms. Madison being loaded onto a car by a group of armed men, the young Aristocrat launched herself at them.

Somehow, the bullets all missed her. One sandalled foot connected with the jaw of a mercenary, and he slept.

The car with Ms. Madison in it sped away, as Lady Sylvia mixed it with the remaining mercenaries. The training she had received since joining the Green Man's team showed, as the dangerous beauty avoided all but the most trivial of blows. Conducted in absolute silence, there was an unreal quality to the battle, until the last punch. Lady Sylvia heard that one, and the sound the man made when he hit the ground.

She found the keys still in the ignition, seated herself behind the wheel, and started up the vehicle. Careless of her state of dress, the brunette let in the clutch and started off.

There was only one way she could go. Towards the falls.

The Terror: Part Eight

Ms. Madison ran out onto the terrace, gun in hand, expecting to see all sorts of battle, murder and sudden death. There she saw a short man in a pith helmet, hands behind his back. And around him were a number of grizzled mercenaries in jungle kit. All started at the sight of the slight blonde in a bathing-suit.

"What the..." the man turned, eyes flashing.

"Ms. Lynette Madison." The girl raised her gun slowly. "And you?"

The man started towards Ms. Madison. She shot one of his goons in the leg, before slugging another with her gun. In spite of her relaxed, aristocratic bearing, she was a thunderstorm of violence, as men went flying.


The man in the pith helmet swore, as another blow from Ms. Madison's fists sent men staggering this way and that. Her little gun spoke a few more times, men crumpled before the girl's attack.

But it couldn't last. She was only one against a skilled unit of mercenaries. And one of the men who had not been knocked out was able to get in the one blow that was all he needed to knock her out.

By the time thatLady Sylvia made it out onto the terrace, Ms. Madison was no-where to be seen. But she didn't notice that at first.

All she could hear was the thunder of the falls.

The Terror: Part Seven

Ms. Madison looked up at the azure sky and sighed. She felt the hot sun on her slim form and decided that, all things considered, there were decided advantages in working for the Green Man. A little way away, Lady Sylvia lazed under the sun, dangling one hand in the pool.

"Why hasn't anyone been killed yet?" she asked idly.

"Maybe because this evil needed to take a rest," the blonde sighed. "There have been long gaps between these disappearances, Slyv. One reason we're here now is the last disappearances."


"Then why the gaps?" Lady Sylvia enquired.

"Some sort of machine, I'm guessing," Ms. Madison replied. "That sort of thing probably needs a lot more juice than they can regularly supply out here. The Green Man's looking for the source right now."

"And us?" the young aristocrat asked earnestly.

"We stick around here and wait for our mission to present itself," Ms. Madison laughed. "Which is fine by me."

Lady Sylvia laughed happily, stretching under the sun. Even so, she checked her pocket pistol.

Which was just as well, for, moments later, a terrifying scream split the air. Ms. Madison started to her feet, lost her balance, and fell into the pool with a scream. Lady Sylvia ran for the source of the sound, gun in hand.

The Terror: Part Six

The sun was setting over the falls by the time that the Green Man, the stranger and his party reached the place where they were to camp. The tribesmen who had been detailed to watch them began to pitch camp. The Green Man examined the deep jungle with fascination.

"The Great Jungle God is worried?" Trevelyan asked.

"No," the Green Man replied. "I have never been worried until I have known the foe I fight. At the moment, all I know is that people have vanished."

With those words, the Green Man walked into the jungle, the South African agent at his side. The tribesmen made to warn them, only to be warned away by the Green Man. The men walked back, allowing the Green Man to move on, unmolested.

"What is it?" Trevelyan asked.

"Nothing," the Green Man replied. "Do you hear it?"

"Hear what?" Trevelyan asked curiously.

"Nothing," the Green Man chuckled. "Not a bird, not a monkey. Nothing."

The agent fell silent. The Green Man walked forward, until they came to a clearing. There, they saw the sunset glinting off a massive satellite dish.

The Terror: Part Five

The Green Man followed the wild-looking girl through the thick jungle. Even without his gun, the Green Man was not afraid. After all, he would have beated the letter on his own. The man looked up at the Green Man, confusion on his face.

"If you don't mind my asking," he spoke softly, "who the hell are you?"

"I am the Green Man," he spoke swiftly. "You?"

"Paul Trevelyan," the man replied, "agent with the National Parks Service of South Africa - at least that's what my passport says."

"I do not have a passport," the Green Man replied grimly. "Why are you here?"

"The mysterious disappearances," the man replied. "I tried to shoot that leopard, but..."

"I know," the Green Man smiled. "something plucked the gun from your hand. It must have something to do with the things that have been going on."

"You right," the girl spoke, looking back. "Is terror. The Terror hurt my people. You stop it."

"That's what I do," the Green Man smiled. "Just show me the way."

They paused, close to the falls, while the girl let out a wild cry. At once, they were surrounded by armed African warriors.

"Take them to place where Terror is," the girl commanded them.

The Terror: Part Four

The Green Man reacted with the leopard, leaping forward towards it. He struck the creature on the jaw, knocking it backwards. Pressing forward the attack, the Green Man dealt it another blow. The creature headed away, towards a fallen and savaged man. The Green Man followed.

By the time he reached the man, another had intervened. A young woman wearing skins (mostly, regrettably her own), leapt on to the leopard (not a tiger), and plunged a knife into the creature's neck. By the time the Green Man reached her, the leopard was dead.

"Who are you?" the man on the ground asked, looking at the two strange figures.

"I Jeanette," the girl in skins replied, in best Tarzan fashion. "Who you?"

"Robin Calder," the man spoke weakly, "I was a soldier - a mercenary. Who's that?" He looked to the Green Man.

"I not know," the girl looked to the Green Man. "But he looks like spirit of Jungle."

"I am the Green Man," the Terror of the wicked introduced himself.

"Spirit of Jungle," the girl nodded. "You come with me."

"Where to?" the Green Man pressed her.

"You come with me or many people die," the girl ignored his question. "Spirit of the Jungle come with me."

"And me?" Calder asked.

"I shall support you," the Green Man helped the mercenary to his feet.

The Terror: Part Three

The Green Man looked out at the thundering waters of Victoria Falls. There, amid the spray, was a rainbow. Around the falls, men and women watched it in awe. His green garments hid in from view, as he moved stealthily through the jungle. Around him, creatures looked on in fear, not sure what to make of the phantom in green, as he moved forward silently. It was as though he was some primitive nature spirit.

The thunder of the falls seemed to mask all noise, forcing the Green Man to listen more intently, watching for any sign of danger. He knew many of the traps that might be set, and watched for them.

Advancing the verdant jungle that rimmed the Zambezi, the Green Man slowly drew his gun, as a leopard approached. As he did so, however, something snatched the weapon from his hand. Before the Green Man could react, the creature sprang...

The Terror: Part Two

Ms. Madison posed in front of the Falls, drawing a laugh from Lady Sylvia, as she trained her camera on thelovely blonde. Within the civilised sanctuary of the Victoria Falls Hotel, they were unbothered by the horde of hawkers who otherwise bother tourists.

"Does the Green Man ever just pay for you to gon on holiday?" Lady Sylvia asked curiously.

"No," Ms. Madison shook her head. "I have to sting Mike for my holidays."

"And I have to ask Ambrose," Lady Sylvia laughed. "Do you think Mike 'ld pay for us to go on holiday without him?"

"If I pout long enough," she shot back, grinning. "How do I look?"

"Pretty and classy," the young aristocrat told her. "Why are we here this time?"

"Mysterious disappearances," Ms. Madison smiled. "A film crew and a group of mercenaries who were planning to sever the Falls Bridge, among others. Not just isolated people, but whole groups."

"And we get to be the next people?" Lady Sylvia looked dubious.

"No," Ms. Madison reassured her. "We stay here and wait to see what happens next. The Green Man will be investigating. And he..." she wrinked her pretty nose, "will probably be staying in some derelict hut someplace."

"I'm just glad to be in another place where you have to dress for dinner," Lady Sylvia nodded.

The Terror: Part One

The thunder of the Falls almost drowned out the speech of the men in combat dress, as the moved through the bush. White men, armed with the very latest weapons, they were just another group of the mercenaries who have blighted the life of the African continent for so long. Moving along beside Victoria Falls, they were inense, scanning the environment.

A great train rattled by on the bridge that spanned the might Zambezi, and the mercenaries ducked. Once the train had passed, they rose and resumed their progress, scanning the bush. The leader of the group looked back at the others, before motioning for them to spread out.

One of the men started, looking back at his fellows, a look of alarm on his face.

"You...!" he began.

But the man said no more. At that moment, the silence of the bush was broken by the report of a machine-gun.

All that remained was the roar of the Falls.