Once he had retired to his room, Joe checked the door to his room was closed and opened his case. He pulled out a small mirror case and opened it. Harry Potter's old friend Hermione Weasley had cast a spell of her own creation on the mirror, which would make the reflection cloudy in the presence of monitoring charms. It's clear! Now for this watch MI6's Q-Branch provided – twist the dial case like so and – green light, not red. The bug detector's clear! Now to get my communicator out of its secret compartment. "Joe 90 to Emerald Wasp, Joe 90 to Emerald Wasp…"
A familiar mellow voice sounded. "Hello Joe love! Are you well?"
"Aunt Modesty! I was expecting our non-gangster! Fine thank you. And you?"
"Very well indeed to know you are safe, my dear. Willie's with me."
"Right, Princess," a deeper voice came over the device, in a distinct cockney. "'Ello, Joe."
"Good to hear your voice again, Uncle Willie."
A third voice came over the telephone. This one was calmly amiable, with a slight Yorkshire accent. "Good evening, Joe. How are the locals treating you?"
"Very well, Uncle Richard. They seem really friendly, unless you hurt my new friend Henry. If I didn't know better, I would have assumed Mr Flynn to be remembering some different group of people entirely. They just happen to look and sound identical. I guess someone who takes pictures of food must have some issues. Are Uncle Craig and Aunt Sharon with you?"
"Not yet, Joe," Richard Barrett replied. Since the death of old Tremayne some years before, Richard had been Director of Nemesis. Not that he had retired from active duty on gaining the post. Ever since that ill-starred mission to Tibet all those years before, Richard Barrett, Craig Sterling and Sharon Macready had come as a package deal, particularly when one knew the real reason for their now legendary success rate. "They should be here tomorrow. As you know, Sam Loover's already here. Jack Harkness and Harry Potter are coming with Craig and Sharon. Wednesday Addams is also on her way to join us."
"Great! The more the merrier!"
"Good," the warm light baritone of Paul Reid declared, rather different to the Green Hornet's deeper, more commanding tone. "Will you check in again tomorrow morning, Joe?"
"Same time tomorrow, Mr Hornet. Joe 90 over and out!"
His interrogation with Emma Swan finished (her excuse being some alleged thefts), Mac was now staying with Killian Jones on the Jolly Roger. The rocking of the waves was not a problem for the experienced mariner and working with Sam and Joe had introduced him to far worse characters than the former Captain Hook.
"The sheriff is coming for a pleasure cruise tomorrow, Professor. Along with her boy, the mayor and your boy, of course." The pirate had just descended from the main mast, whilst Mac was finishing scrubbing the deck.
"Thank you, Mr Jones," Mac replied. "Do you know if he's all right"?
"Aye, I saw him just a couple of hours back. Regina and Henry Mills seem to be looking after him well. He's a good kid from what I could judge. Oh, and call me Killian."
"Good to meet you, Killian. Call me Mac!"
The duo exchanges smiles, before descending into the galley to prepare a hearty supper.
In a nearby clearing, a soft voice was saying "So, Owen and Tamara left enough information for us to locate and enter Storybrooke?"
"Yes, brothers and sisters," a deeper, resonant basso profundo stated. "That Dresden menace may have taken us down, but if we can get into that den of vipers, all may not be lost. They may have the means to extirpate all magic from this world!
"Before that however, we must kill as many men and women, from the oldest super-centenarian they have to any baby born this very day, as we can. Then the library and the Dark One's shop will be ours to search and study at our leisure."
Paul Reid, now in the green trench coat, fedora and domino mask of the Green Hornet, sat in the back of the Black Beauty. "Is the satellite link to the Cobalt Club in place, Kono-san?"
"Yes, Paul," Kono Kato replied, dressed in the black chauffeur's outfit, peaked cap and domino mask. "Our uncles should be in position now."
A switch flicked on the dashboard later, images of the interior of a gentleman's club appeared on the screens in both the front and back of the Black Beauty. The Cobalt Club, like the Diogenes Club in London, was ostensibly just what it claimed to be. There were, however, rooms within which were set aside to allow those believed to be urban legends (the cloak and cowl brigade), the secret agents, the private detectives, the gentlemen thieves and adventurers and so on to meet in secret and do business in private. This room was one of these. Kent Allard in his Lamont Cranston identity was talking with Clark Savage junior, Richard Wentworth, Richard Henry Benson, Tony Quinn, Prince Zarkon and Jethro Dumont (clearly a senior council meeting). Johnny Littlejohn was discussing his latest archaeological dig with Indiana Jones. Philo Vance was discussing orchids with Nick Charles and Nero Wolfe. Their various methods of delaying the onset of age were clearly effective – Kent looked very young for 120-odd. Mind you, Craig, Richard, Sharon, Modesty and Willie don't look seventy-plus! They say the first three have barely aged a day since Tibet and Mr Holmes' Royal Jelly is working a treat on the other two. Talking of Sherlock Holmes, he was at a quiet table under his regular assumed name of William Escott. He was a guest of Doc and the Shadow, both of whom he had mentored, not to mention his sons Philo and Nero. The great man's old friend Doctor Watson was opposite. You would never guess the detective turned 160 in January and the medic is turning 162 in a few days.At the bar, Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen were discussing business (the sort that involves batarangs and arrows presumably). Dick Grayson was rolling his eyes affectionately at his adoptive father whilst showing Roy Harper baby photos on his tablet. Matt Murdock was talking animatedly to Peter Parker (I'm guessing the Kingpin's up to his old tricks!). Nick Fury was downing beers with Derek Flint, Napoleon Solo and a visiting James Bond. Tony Stark was arm-wrestling Steve Rogers. Finally, his and Kono's uncles were smiling in the foreground. Back in the 1960s, media magnate Britt Reid of the Daily Sentinel Group and his long-time valet and chauffeur Hayashi Kato had been the second members of their respective families to become the Green Hornet and his nameless enforcer.
"All set for going in, Paul?" his uncle asked him. "Hayashi and I can confirm the club has received confirmation from Captain Harkness that he, Mr Potter, Ms Macready and Mr Stirling have arrived in the States and should be with you tomorrow. Ms Addams is also on her way, as are Ms Romanov and Ms Prince. Mr Dresden has been persuaded by the White Council to sit this one out, as have the Slayers by Mr Giles. Good thing too, although Ms Rosenberg may have been effective. Ms Summers is about as suited to diplomacy as Mr Dresden is."
"That's good, Uncle Britt," replied his concert pianist nephew. "Hi, Hayashi-san. Yes, Kono and I are ready for when young Joe signals."
"Uncle, Britt, Paul," Kono noted, "The Hornet Scanner's Aerial Scout has been picking up signs of movement on the other side of the zone. Do we intervene?"
"Not yet, Kono-san," his uncle answered, "it may be returning Visitors. Britt?"
"We have nothing to suggest that they are hostile, old friend. Your call, Paul!"
"Ignore them for now, Kono. I'll send an emergency contact signal to that watch Q Branch issued Joe. Richard, Sam, Modesty and Willie will need to be informed."
"Uncle, Hayashi, always a pleasure!"
After a volley of goodnights and Paul agreeing to stand as godfather for Dick and Barbara Grayson's new-born daughter (Bruce will be pleased – Batgirl on maternity leave!), the call ended.
"Right, Kono. There's nothing we further we can do, other than return to base.
"Let's roll, Kato!"
"Right, boss!"
Now from within the boundaries of Storybrooke, that resonant bass sounded again. "My friends, the hour of our triumph is at hand! The natives of this world have returned here in triumph, to eternally banish the evils of magic from this planet!
"Today, Storybrooke falls. Within a year, the White Council and all other magical bodies should be no more. The secrets of removing magic are here, I feel it in my soul.
"Onwards then to certain victory!"
His supporters cheered as they set off for Storybrooke.
Joe awoke the next morning. Yellow light on the dial? Someone wishes to contact me!
After retrieving his communicator from the relevant secret compartment of his briefcase, Joe once again found himself speaking to his friends at "Base Camp", a secret underground bunker built during the Cold War. Craig Stirling had been on the panel testing security and it was he who had suggested Richard Barrett obtain it from the United States government after the collapse of the Soviet Union. His old friend had agreed, knowing one entrance was a few miles from the anomaly.
"Kono Kato has detected a number of unexpected visitors within the incursion zone. Keep your eyes peeled for any possible former Home Office agents and let us know, as soon as it is safe to do so, if there are any potential threats, Joe!" Richard's voice was still calm and reassuring, but without the usual dry wit. "We could be with you in thirty to forty-five minutes of you calling us. If you and your new friends can keep them occupied for that time, hopefully you should all be fine. Oh, Wonder Woman and the Black Widow will also be joining us."
"Cool. Wait, Natasha? Colonel Fury doesn't let her out to play very often, unless we're really on a sticky wicket!"
His "uncle" laughed in response, the wry humour returning to his tone. "No, but he would be, and I quote 'damned if a Homeland Security mission in the US of A took place without SHIELD getting in on the action.'"
"Well, Mr Kato, Uncle Willie, Aunt Modesty and Aunt Emma are the only non-powered martial artists on a par with her I've encountered."
"You should have seen Kono's uncle in his prime, Joe. Natasha Romanoff is on a different level to most others, agreed. Maybe that grumpy vigilante in Gotham, his seemingly endless supply of protégées or that equally charming Canadian mutant could match her? Admittedly, the latter is powered, but then you could argue that she is as well. Fu Manchu's son certainly can beat her. That said, if we're on a sticky, we need the best spinner. Who better than a spider?"
"Wouldn't a spinner be more useful on a Bunsen, and a pace bowler on a sticky, Uncle Richard?"
"Probably, Joe, but the point about spiders stands!"
"Dad!" Joe cried out happily, hugging Mac on the dock. "I've missed you!"
"Likewise, Joe, likewise. I believed you have met my host?"
"Yes, Dad. Oh, where are my manners? These are mine, Regina Mills and her adopted son, Henry. This is my adoptive father, Professor Ian McClaine."
"Nice to meet you both. Call me Mac!"
"Hi, Mac! I'm Regina!" She thought for a moment. "Joe's a good kid. Real friendly and polite. You must be so proud of him."
"More than you can know, Regina." Until you are recognised by the Council, anyway.
"Joe says you are a research scientist with an interest in brain waves and jet engines. That can't be a usual combination."
"Amongst others." Anxious to avoid further questioning, he spotted with some relief Emma hurrying along the dock. "Ah, here comes the last member of our party. Are we ready for sail, skipper?"
"Aye, Mac," Killian confirmed. "Good to see you all again, especially you Swan."
"Good to see you too, Captain!" Emma retorted. "Hello, Joe, we only met briefly yesterday. We can have a proper chat now."
"We can indeed, Sheriff," Joe replied. "Henry's being telling me all about you…"
"All good, I hope!" Emma interrupted.
"No, Swan, Henry's been telling everyone you are a psychotic, homicidal child-molester!" Regina interjected.
"No, Mom, I've been telling Joe you are the joint-best Mom in all the world!" Henry reassured her.
"A very diplomatic answer, Henry!" Joe complimented him. "Well, the best Dad in all the world is also with us!"
"Spare my blushes, Joe!" Mac commented in return.
"So, have you been camping before, Joe?" Emma asked.
"Of course, Ms Swan. This is my first time in Maine, though," Joe confirmed. "Did you sort out that business with my dad?"
"Yes, I did."
"Can we still stay a few days?" Joe asked innocently.
"I don't see why not," Regina assured him. "Henry always needs some more young company."
The "cruise" may have been a short sail into the harbour, round the bay and back again. Still, it was great to be back at sea. Growing up on the coast, he regularly took the short boat ride from Culver Bay to Kirrin Island. His 'Aunt' George ran a paranormal research centre from there, linked up with those of her co-directors, Jon Warrender (a physicist based at The Gay Dolphin Hotel in Rye) and "Jigger" Johnson (a biologist and animal whisperer from the outskirts of London). They regularly met up alongside the likes of Jon's wife Penny (or "Newpenny" as Jon called her on account of her red hair) who was the Gay Dolphin's manager; Jon and Penny's journalist friend Richard Morton of The Clarion; George's three cousins; and Jigger's own journalist friend Rex Milligan. The latter was called the "British Kolchak", due to his chasing of suspected monsters and super-villains. He would then record his exploits with a uniquely breathless stream-of-consciousness writing style, frequently relapsing into the weird slang only used by current and former pupils of such celebrated educational establishments as Sheldrake Grammar School and Linbury Court Preparatory School. Uncle Rex is the only Muggle with a regular column in The Quibbler for a reason. I wonder if the wizards have worked out what the monthly "Most Addle-Pated Clodpoll Award" is actually for yet. He would give his right arm to be surrounded by real life fairy tale characters. As he would put it, "Crystallised cheesecakes!" At least, he had managed to mention Gold's strange threat to his dad, who had warned him to be careful. I'll be alright, Dad. Just sit back and relax…
Regina, Emma and Henry were also enjoying the cruise. It was good to see Joe get more excitable in his father's presence. He was also a boy who clearly enjoyed the action and hard work of sailing. "He'll make a true Sea Dog," Killian had opined to them.
There was, however, something that made Emma pause. There's something going on here. Why are they here? What are they up to? There's more to these two than meets the eye. Regina mentioned that Gold had delivered Joe some cryptic threat. Apparently he recognised him as somehow connected to an old foe. What did he mean? Which of his old enemies? How are they linked? Regina got the impression Gold didn't know himself.
That wasn't her only concern. I can feel deep in my bones a sense of utter dread. These aren't the only visitors we'll be having in Storybrooke, I fear. And I suspect, unlike Joe and Mac, some of these will be openly hostile and very dangerous.
