The President Has Left the Building
The following takes place following: Where's Travers?
Vice President Konrad’s airship touched down on the Waldhouse lawn. He stepped out to find Master Devlin waiting for him.
Master Devlin: “Mr Vice President.”
Kyle: “Steven. How is he? I heard he’s awake?”
Master Devlin: “Yes, he woke this morning, but I’m afraid he’s having another episode.”
Kyle: “Episode?”
Master Devlin: “It’s best you see for yourself…”
****
They headed inside the Waldhouse and followed Master Devlin up to the President’s dimly lit bedroom. The First Lady stood in the corner with her arms folded, glaring at them with open suspicion.
In the centre of the room, Dr Larry Fraser hovered beside Dr Linda Shawn, who sat in a comfortable-looking armchair. On the floor at her feet, the goblin President was smashing toy jets together. His hair had been clipped into a stark jarhead cut, and he wore nothing but a pair of love-heart boxers.
Dr Shawn gave a small nod, and Master Devlin stepped forward, kneeling beside Travers.
Travers: “Alright boys. We’re going in hot. Watch my six.”
Master Devlin: “Mr President?”
Travers: “Ah, Major! Is that you? Good—you're right on time…”
Master Devlin: “Do you know where you are, Travers?”
Travers: “That’s Havers, Major. General Havers. Don’t you know your commanding officer’s name by now? Pfft. Young people, no respect… And of course I know where we are. We’re about to take Erusia. Gentlemen, let’s plough the road!”
He began making machine-gun and explosion sounds.
Travers: “Nice shot, Count! Let’s keep this formation tight and clear the skies. Squadron, stay sharp—enemy reinforcements could be inbound. Let’s show ’em why they should never mess with us!”
Master Devlin: “Who are you talking to, Tr— um… General?”
Travers: “My squadron, Major. Who do you think? Come on, boys… President Ryder is counting on us. She’s a national treasure… not to mention a damn fine dame…”
Dr Shawn: “That’s me, apparently.” 😏
Travers: “She’s rather severe though. Plus she has no sense of humour and she speaks out of turn all the time.”
Dr Shawn: 😒
Travers: “She tried to put me behind a desk when she promoted me, but I said, Nooooo, Madam President… you are speaking out of turn. Haverses never sit behind a desk. We belong in the skies!”
Master Devlin: “General, the Vice President—”
Travers: “Just a second, Major… I’ve got him… Fox Two away! Splash one bandit—”
The Vice President stepped forward.
Kyle: “Doctors, what’s wrong with him?”
Larry: “Physically he’s fine, aside from the psittacosis still in his system. The problem appears to be psychological.”
Dr Shawn: “Yes. He seems to have retreated into the fantasy persona of General Trenton Havers — his fictional counterpart in the Edverse novels.”
Larry: “Dreadful books…”
Kyle: “How did this happen?”
Dr Shawn: “He’s been like this since he woke up. It’s likely a coping mechanism triggered by the trauma of the press conference, where his sense of identity took a severe blow. The humiliation was more than his ego could withstand, and his mind clung to a persona he associates with strength and certainty. A hero. Someone fearless. Someone who’s never weak.”
The Vice President knelt down and spoke directly to Travers.
Kyle: “Mr President? Can you hear me?”
The President’s ears twitched, but his eyes stayed fixed elsewhere.
Travers: “You’ve got the wrong channel, pal. The President’s not here. This is Lt General Trenton Havers, United Sovereign States Air Force…”
Kyle exhaled, a touch of frustration crossing his face.
Kyle: “I see. My apologies, General. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Travers: “Wait—hold on… is that you, Captain Conroy? What the hell are you doing? I told you—radio silence! You’re calling out of turn! This mission is classified!”
The Vice President didn’t respond. He stood slowly and turned to Master Devlin and Dr Fraser, his expression grim.
Kyle: “Well, it’s clear President Travers isn’t currently home. Master Devlin, notify the Cabinet to assemble. I’ll be assuming control until further notice.”
A sharp hiss came from behind them as the First Lady glided rapidly into the centre of the room and scooped Travers into her arms like a mother protecting a toddler.
Fiona: “That’s not necessary. He’s fine...”
Travers: “Damn it… I’m having some kind of mechanical malfunction, boys. I’m gonna have to head back to base…”
Fiona: “Just give him a bit of time.”
Travers turned and looked directly at Kyle.
Travers: “Captain, is that pale-looking redhead still hanging around back at Command? She’s pretty hot, but she gives me the creeps…”
Kyle: “Clearly not fine...”
Fiona: “You have no right to just replace him. ”
Kyle: “I have every right, Mrs Travers. That is my job. He’s clearly incapacitated and can’t continue as President.”
Master Devlin: “I’m afraid Kyle is right, Mrs Travers. Until Harris is able to resume his duties, the Vice President needs to stand in as Acting President.”
The First Lady’s eyes flared with fury.
Fiona: “Stand in? You think he’s just going to hand it back? He just wants the power for himself! ”
She snarled and grabbed Kyle by the collar, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. Maintaining his composure, Kyle calmly reached into his jacket and produced a small crucifix, holding it towards her. Fiona hissed violently, her body contorting as she recoiled, sliding backwards toward the door in an eerie, serpentine glide.
Kyle: “Apologies, Madam First Lady…”
She bared her fangs at him as he paused to straighten his tie.
Kyle: “I take no pleasure in that. But you need to cool off… perhaps grab something to eat.”
Fiona: “You won’t get away with this, Kyle!”
She hissed at him once more before turning and heading for the door.
****
An hour later, the cabinet room buzzed with tension as the Vice President briefed the suspicious Joint Chiefs.
Kyle: “I’ve been transparent about the President’s condition, General. Dr. Fraser and Dr. Shawn have confirmed it. He’s not fit to lead right now.”
General Hayward: “Right… a witch doctor’s spirit in a floating wooden mask…”
Master Devlin: “Well, the patient is a goblin, General. And Dr. Shawn is the President’s principal psychologist. A human.”
General Hayward’s eyes narrowed, glaring daggers at Devlin before turning back to Kyle.
General Hayward: “Yes… Dr. Shawn of the Council. Convenient timing, isn’t it?”
A murmur rippled through the room.
General Pierce: “General Hayward’s concerns are understandable. I dare say many of us share them. Wouldn’t it be best if we were allowed to see the President ourselves before making such an important decision?”
General Hayward: “Exactly. I demand we see him first.”
Kyle: “I see no reason why that can’t be arranged. Master Devlin?”
Master Devlin: “Of course, if you insist. But he’s currently being moved discreetly to the Council grounds. Once he’s settled, you can see him.”
General Holt: “Why was it necessary to move him?”
Master Devlin: “Dr. Shawn felt treatment at the Council grounds would be more effective. She judged this environment was not helping him. I trust her judgement.”
General Hayward: “Again, very convenient… I don’t like it. First all that business with the bird lobby, now this… And frankly, Master Devlin’s, uh, vaguely avian appearance doesn’t exactly inspire trust.”
Devlin’s fist tightened on the table, but his voice stayed measured.
Master Devlin: “I’m a dragon, General. Not a bird. But I’ll overlook your lack of decorum. This is a critical moment—baseless accusations serve no one.”
General Hayward: “One winged beast looks like another to me…”
The room fractured into factions, voices rising, tension thickening.
Suddenly, a loud, urgent knock silenced the chaos.
Agent Mitch Mathers, head of the President’s Secret Service detail, stumbled in—suit disheveled, face bruised. Behind him, Dr. Shawn followed, clutching a swollen bump on her forehead. Kyle rose, alarmed.
Kyle: “Mitch? Doctor? What happened?”
Mitch: “Mr. Vice President… The President is gone. Escaped.”
Gasps filled the room. Devlin slammed his hands on the table and stood.
Master Devlin: “WHAT?”
Dr. Shawn raised a hand, her voice calm but grave.
Dr Shawn: “As we escorted him through the secret tunnel under the Waldhouse, he became increasingly agitated. He accused me of treason—of selling out Edonia to the Erusians—and became violent. I’ve never seen Travers act aggressively like that before…”
Mitch: “We tried to restrain him, but that’s when the First Lady intervened.”
Dr Shawn: “She appeared out of nowhere and overpowered us with her abilities.”
Mitch: “She knocked out three agents without breaking stride…”
Kyle buried his face in his hands.
Kyle: “That bloody woman…”
He lifted his head, glaring at Dr. Shawn.
Kyle: “Did she kill anyone?”
Dr Shawn: “No. She held back. But she believed we were a threat to her husband. She also seemed convinced you and the Council were conspiring to take power from him.”
General Hayward: “She’s not the only one.”
Master Devlin: “Then what happened?”
Dr Shawn: “She took him and disappeared further into the tunnel.”
Tension rose as factions re-solidified, the generals muttering among themselves.
Master Devlin: “We have to find them immediately. We must—”
General Hayward: “With all due respect, Mr. Vice President, I’m not buying this story. Especially not on the word of the Council. The President and his wife are eccentric, sure, but to suggest the First Lady has kidnapped the President? It’s preposterous.”
Master Devlin: “Regardless of what you believe, General, the President isn’t here and we don’t know where he is. It’s only right that the Vice President steps in. If you can’t see the issue, perhaps you should reconsider your position.”
General Hayward: “Who the hell do you think you are? I will not be lectured by some Council agent!”
Kyle: “Enough. The President is incapacitated, and I am assuming control. Any objections will be noted.”
The room fell silent.
The Waldoverse continues in TBD