XXIII  OUTRAGEOUS EXERCISES

PRISCILLA BARNES PACKAGE OF THE MONTH
The country music star Priscilla Barnes, a blonde, buxom beauty from Texas, is PACKAGE OF THE MONTH of the bondage magazine PACKAGED DELICACIES. The photo series shows the young lady in skin tight red rubber stocking, gloves and corsage, gagged with a red ballgag and roped up with stout brown Texan cowgirl rope. Priscilla is cited: “I am honoured to be package of the month. I like being tied up as well as tying another girl. We Texans know well how to do this. We have much experience in tying up and gagging all those Indian savages and Mexican bitches in the past.” A controversial remark, but we must admit, the blonde is a very hot package.”
CBS Radio News, September 4th, 1938, 20 hours


Mellowmouth Castle, Headquarters of The Queens Own Commandos, Scottish Highlands, September 7th,  1938, 18.25 hours

“Attention, ladies, Colonel Lady Knight Mountbatten!”
“At ease ladies, please. Well, here we go. You all know very well that our outfit is a very new one, and the concept and details of our mission are completely new. In the coming exercise, we will put our doctrine, our gals and ourselves to the test for the first time. 
We will be part of “Autumn Endeavour”, this seasons army exercise to start tomorrow. We are part of Blue force, which is tasked to defend against the assault of superior Red force. The flow of the tide in the combat exercise is only of peripheral interest to us.
Our mission, as it is, calls for taking out the head of Red force, Brigade General Lady Berenike Montgomery. We wont just “kill” the subject, our objective is to bring her to our own lines alive.
First phase of the operation will see our infiltration into enemy territory and advance on enemy HQ. In the second phase we will take out the facility, again without virtual bloodshed if possible. The third phase will see us venturing with our prisoner back to our lines. 
Any questions, myladies?”
Lois Mountbatten was in a foul mood. The dog was rid of the worms at last, but all other parameters of her life hadnt changed to more positive settings. Foremost her job. It was just plain nonsense to play cowgirl and Indian instead of training for some real fighting. Even if the mission succeeded, it would only convince the politicians that this mumbo jumbo was for real. On the other hand, failing would harm her career, nearly the only thing left in her life after the disappointments in her family. Well, there was the dog...
It was First Luitenant Justine Stockbottom who had a question. Although part of the planning team and all too well informed of procedures and details, she looked about in utter disbelief, her pretty face slightly red.
“But, Lady Colonel, surely we will use a substitute as prisoner, wont we? I mean, we cant really dare to abduct the Lady General herself and drag her 30 miles through the highlands...”
“Dear Luitenant, thats exactly what we will do. The General is part of the exercise and a legitimate target. Its an important element of the test, you see. A corporal will calmly follow her captors, but I trust the Lady Montgomery to be very angry about events. Thus, she will be difficult to deal with. You can expect nothing less of a German Superfrau of Generals rank, so we better try it out beforehand.”
“But, but, the Lady Montgomery will not be amused. When the exercise is over, she...”
“Luitenant, if you fear for your career, now is the time to leave the unit. This is an all volunteer force. Well?”
Sure, all volunteer except myself, Lois thought while starring coldly at the young officer.
Stockbottom hesitated. She couldnt quit know, could she? What would harm her career more?
Some time passed. The other officers were quiet. At last, Stockbottom snapped to attention and roared:
“I am part of the team, Mam!”
“Very well, Luitenant. You will be responsible for the security of our subject.”
“I... yes, Lady Colonel.”
To embarrass the proud Montgomery was the only fun in this whole endeavour. Perhaps the resulting storm in the Generals ranks would put an end to this ridiculous nonsense. Probably it would end her career too. There was always the dog, though.


Laboratory of Lady Einstein, Princeton University, New Jersey, USA, September 9th, 1938, 11.06 hours

“In the name of Newton and Kopernika, what is THAT, Albernia?”
“Impressed, Jane? Its only a small experiment, working on it for a year now. You know, the funds. Have to do nearly everything by myself.”
“You havent published lately. Noodles, dont go near it!”
“It isnt dangerous, Jane, the energy cant teleport more than a rat. Noodles is too big – yet.”
“Teleport? You dont want to tell me thats a transmitter to teleport objects through space?”
“Uhh, Jane, its exactly that.”
Jane Oppenheimer eyed Albernia Einstein in disbelief. Noodles looked much less impressed, but probably he controlled himself much better. 
“Noodles, come back to me, immediately. You say... rats? You have already tried it with animals?”
“Sure, it works just fine, they are disoriented, the small things, but only at first. 40 feet is the farthest I have accomplished yet. When finished, it will be possible to journey from New York to London in the blink of an eye.”
“How have you... you must share that with the community.”
“Bah... they are all into this atomic thing. Thinking the Germans will build a bomb out of it. Far in the future I gather. I will be ready much sooner. And this is peaceful, nothing with bombs and the like.”
“Whats the next stage?”
“I will need a bigger facility, and some help. Care to join? We can work with Noodles next.”
The poodle decided to bark once.
“He likes the idea,” Albernia exclaimed.
“Dont you dare set Noodles into this thing! Albernia how can you ever think of that. Noodles, dont go near her.”
“It was a joke, Jane, a joke. I would rather test it on myself than harming good old Noodles here.”
“He isnt old.”
“Oh, sorry. I thought his lack of excitement...”
“He knows how to behave. At least HE...”
“So, what do you say? Forget this atomic playground and build the TRANSMITTER with me.”
“We will need a bigger lab.”
Jane was deep in thought. Albernia smiled and blinked to Noodles. Noodles dog face was hard to read, as always. Albernia was nonetheless sure he approved of developments...


“The ministry of sports is proud to announce that the German National Hockey Team will journey to America in spring 1939, visiting the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil and conducting friendly games against the teams of aforementioned countries. The new national coachess of the Reichs team, Frau Hertha Gernsback, wants to test her new team against the best teams of the world, which, she said, are found across the Atlantic in the new world.”
DNB, Deutsches Nachrichtenbuero (German News Agency), Berlin, September 11th, 1938



The Bloody Axe, Inn of Shrewdottry, Scotland, Temporary HQ of RED Force, September 12th 1938, 23.52 hours

Lady Brigadier General Berenike Montgomery was very satisfied with developments. The exercise of the previous days had been very pleasant indeed. She had nearly annihilated Lady Alanbrookes Blue force and would win the exercise in the last two days, no doubt about that. Her methodical planning and remorselessly pressed attack had overwhelmed the defenders. The umpires were clearly impressed with developments. 
Berenike was clearly the rising star among the Queens Generals. She knew it, and some said she showed it a bit too often. Fouls, all of them. They couldnt compete with her intellect and discipline. But she must not get lax in the end. Better to have a look again at developments.
She left her quarters and headed for the main room of the inn, where her staff worked over the maps. 
All snapped to attention as she entered.
“At ease, ladies. Developments?”
“3rd Battalion has taken Hill 148 one hour ago. Securing the position. Only minor resistance.”
“Very well. 2nd   Battalion to advance on Triplegarn immediately.”
“Yes, Mam.”
Berenike approached the umpiress, Major Vera Prescott, with a slightly arrogant smile.
“Cigarette, Lady Major?”
“Thanks, Lady General.”
“I think there is hardly anything that can go wrong for Red now. There is nothing to say against a well planned engagement.”
“Indeed, Lady General. Might I say that it was a brilliant plan.”
“Attention to detail is the key.”
The Major lit a match and Montgomery leaned over to light her Winona Filter. Suddenly, the room was full of dark clad, hooded figures, armed with the new submachine guns and pistols.
“Hands up, all of you. No one moves!”
Berenike looked wildly about.
“What is the meaning of this? I demand...”
“Mylady, you are our prisoner. All of you, over here.”
“Is that you, Lois? What are you doing?”
“Lady General, you are prisoner of Blue force. Please put your hands behind your back.”
Berenike looked over to the umpiress. The Major dared to grin and lit her cigarette.
“Well, looks like you have been ambushed in your own HQ, Lady General.”
“But! Hey what are you doing, this is an outrage!”
Two commandos started to tie the Lady Montgomery up with black silk rope.
“You, you cant, I mean... Lois, you cant be serious.”
It WAS Lois Mountbatten under this hood. Did she know about the one night stand Berenike had had with her husband last Eastern? No, that couldnt be. A coincidence. What were these brutes doing? They tied her like a turkey.
“You will never get away with this! Major, I demand that you rule out this outrageous action, immediately.”
“This assault is legitimate, I am afraid, Lady General. Until you get free, you are prisoner of Blue Force.”
“You... well, I see. Eh, has it to be so tight? Its against the Geneva convention to tie prisoners, and...”
“In reality, you would surely prefer the ropes to a bullet in your head, wont you?”
Mountbatten looked at her. Was she grinning under the hood? The commandos were tying up her whole staff, some led the guards and the communication personnel into the room, already bound and, for the goddess sake, gagged too.
One of the brutes said to her:
“Open your mouth, Lady.. ah.. prisoner.”
“You wont gag me. I order you not to gag me. I...”
Lois said, clearly enjoying this part:
“A necessary security measure, Lady General.”
“No...mmppff!”
The packing was fixed with a black silk scarf. Berenike didnt really believe developments. The umpiress feared for a second the Lady Brigadier might faint, but the moment passed.
Five minutes later, the commandos had left, leading the trussed and gagged General by a leash, leaving behind two dozen helpless soldiers of her staff. The umpiress was the only person left not bound and gagged.
Major Prescott eyed the room and the very angry prisoners.
“Sorry, but I am the umpiress. I cant release you. I am sure someone of Red Force will appear shortly. Just relax, ladies.”
A very interesting operation, she thought. She was glad she witnessed it. The look on Montgomerys face had surely been worth all the days enduring her arrogant behaviour.
Prescott smiled to herself. Wonderfully outrageous...



Hill 511, Scotland, forward positions of BLUE Force, September 14th, 1938, 6.35 hours

The commandos had finally reached the blue lines successfully. All search parties of RED force to locate them and their prisoner had been in vain. Two nights and a day through mud, rain and occasional sunshine were behind them – and the prisoner. Never released of her bonds, forced to conduct her human needs under the eyes of corporals, and ungagged only for food and water, the Lady Montgomery was exhausted and a bit angry. No, not a bit angry. She was in a mood to kill.
Luitenant Stockbottom couldnt wait any longer now. She had to remove the Generals gag, as there was no need for it anymore. She did so and steeled herself for the coming storm.
Montgomery gulped in fresh air and moved her numb jaws. Her eyes shot daggers at the young Luitenant, who had removed her hood.
“This will have consequences, I assure you. Dire consequences.”
Stockbottom tried to meet the prisoners gaze. She wished for Lady Mountbattens presence, but the colonel was off to see the commandress of Blue Force. 
“We had our orders, Lady General. After all, the mission was a success, you must grant us that much.”
“So, a success? Surely succeeding in ruining my day.”
And your hair, Stockbottom didnt dare to say.
“Why, in the goddess name couldnt you use a substitute for your silly game?”
“Lady Mountbatten ruled that out, Lady General. I think it were orders from above.”
“So, you think so. What happened to the exercise?”
“I just heard Blue Force counterattacked while your staff  was still... ah... out of action. Blue has won.”
“No... that... Lois Mountbatten, I will...”
Berenike stopped, eyed Stockbottom with narrowing eyes.
“You should think about leaving this cowgirl outfit, Luitenant. It will do you nothing good. Believe me.”
“Mam?”
“You hear me.”
Stockbottom wished herself to, well, China, or the backside of the moon.
Montgomery continued to stare at her...


“GERMAN EXERCISES AT CZECH BORDER.
A military spokeswoman of OKW confirmed that the autumn exercises of Wehrmacht involve over 500.000 troops this year and are conducted near the Czech border. In light of the worsening crisis about the Sudeten issue this can hardly be seen as deescalating. We asked our military counselor, Lady Flora Weston, former commandress of 2nd Division...”
International Heraldress Tribune, September 15th, 1938


Studio The Quiet Power, Atlanta, Georgia, September 18th, 1938

The “Chinese” lady was in fact Japanese. And she looked totally harmless and innocent in her white dress. Small and diminuitive like Maria Cipoletti herself.
The studio didnt look as if the small lady made much money with it. She had all time of the world too. Bowing deeply, smiling, inviting her customeress to tea.
Maria now sipped this green tea, which tasted not very promising. The dark haired Delta wished for a cigarette, but couldnt imagine smoking to be allowed here.
They sat cross legged at a small table. The oriental lady, Imiko Yamazen, still smiled at her.
“Ahh, I would like to learn the art of tying someone up, and of getting loose if tied myself.”
“Why would you want to learn that, Lady Maria?”
“Uhh, I ... I have an enemy. An enemy who is an expert in this art.”
“A dangerous enemy?”
“Yes. A very dangerous enemy.”
“But you dont want to kill her?”
“No, I want to take her prisoner.”
“You were her prisoner once?”
“Yes. What do you charge?”
“You will be able to afford it. What do you know about tying?”
“Not much, I am afraid. I know some knots, and like many girls I played with it in the sheets back in high school and so.”
“But you dont want to learn it for kinky games now.”
“Yes.”
“Are you ready for your first lesson?”
“I... well, why not.”
“Lay down. Breath...”
“Breath?”
“Breath calmly. Try to feel your body, your breath, the blood in your veins.”
The first session did last for two hours. No ropes featured in it. Maria just breathed. It looked like more was involved in this than she first thought.
At the end, Imiko told her to come back tomorrow evening.


“TENSION RISING OVER SUDETEN.
As armies in Europe are mobilising, diplomacy tries to find a solution to the worsening crisis. Rumours have it, Prime Ministress Nadine Chamberlain of United Queendom will visit Chancelloress Hitler in Germany...”
International Heraldress Tribune, September 20th, 1938