Where Briefcases Dare

The following takes place following: The First Waldonian Empire

The Next Morning...

Wesley hurries through the front door and shuts it quickly behind him. He peers cautiously out the window.

Mayuri wheels up to him, with the octopus-form of Master Devlin perched on her lap.

Mayuri: Thank goodness. You're home.

Master Devlin: What's it like out there?

Wesley: Well it seems Widdlington has transformed dramatically overnight... again. It's like Birdonia all over again out there. The Travers Trooper guard has tripled in number on the streets. They’re harassing everyone... they even confiscated my wine, claiming they were searching for contraband.

Wesley tosses a newspaper onto the counter. The front page reads:

Waldonian Imperial Chronicle: "Emperor's Bold Reforms Begin. Travers' Totalitarian Regime Changes Are Here. Here's Why It's a Good Thing... Real Good... Honest!"

Wesley: It seems The Wallywood Times has been rebranded, and is now the only newspaper in town.

Master Devlin: He's getting worse...

Mayuri starts to weep.

Wesley: There, there. It'll be alright.

Mayuri: I just... I never expected all this from Travers-san... I thought he was a good goberin, deep down.

Master Devlin: I know... I tried my best for him. I even thought I was eventually getting through to him, but Travers has become consumed with greed and madness. We need to put an end to his reign as soon as possible. Wesley, what do the Council have to say about all this?

Wesley: I'm afraid the Council are in shambles.

Master Devlin: Not surprising. The elders will no doubt bow down to his will, though I would expect some of the other Masters to resist.

Wesley: Yes. That appears to be the case. Many of the Masters think Emperor Travers is a "good chap." Others are uneasy but unsure what to do.

Master Devlin: What about your father?

Wesley: My father? ...I haven't spoken to him for some time, actually. Things are… complicated.

Master Devlin: We don’t have time for complications. We need every ally we can get. Bring your father in.

Mayuri: Senpai is right. At times like these, family is more important than ever.

Wesley: I suppose you're right... I'll try. In the meantime, what is your plan?

Master Devlin: We need to rescue Larry and Ermintrude. If we find Goblin Slayer first, he can help us free them. Hopefully, he can also restore me to my proper body. Then we deal with Travers.

Wesley: Very well. But where should we look for the Goblin Slayer?

Master Devlin: I don’t know. I suppose we can go to Larry’s practice to see if he’s there.

Wesley: It's worth a try. I have the keys to the clinic. Mayor... "Emperor" Travers put me in charge. I shouldn't have much trouble getting there, but I'm not sure about you.

Master Devlin: That won't be a problem. I’ve been practicing my morphing.

The Master shapeshifts into a green briefcase.

Wesley: Ah... Well then, that improves our chances considerably.

Briefcase Devlin: Mayuri, will you be alright here alone?

Mayuri: Yes, Senpai. Don't worry about me.

Wesley: Yes. She's quite capable.

Wesley and Mayuri embrace. They share a gentle kiss.

Briefcase Devlin: Right, well then... shall we?

****

Wesley leaves his Victorian terrace home, carrying the briefcase Master Devlin, and walks briskly but cautiously to Dr. Frasier's practice, using the narrow back streets of the Waldgate district of north-west Waldobury.

He comes out of Winnie Lane and steps onto Wilford Brimley Rd, noticing a much more prominent police presence. Heading north along the main street, passing many Travers Troopers without incident, he keeps his head down, trying to avoid the attention of the aerial drones darting above.

Shortly after crossing Waldshire Blvd and continuing on Wilford Brimley, he's stopped at a checkpoint—several Travers Troopers and a large black truck block his path.

Trooper: Where are you heading, citizen? State your business...

Wesley: My name is Master Wyndam-Pryce of the Masters Council. I'm on my way to open up the clinic in Waldford Heights... the Emperor put me in charge.

Trooper: Let’s see some papers...

Wesley: These are my Council credentials.

Trooper: Hmm... okay, everything seems to be in order. Let him through...

Wesley: Thank you...

They begin to let him pass. Suddenly, another Travers Trooper speaks up.

Trooper 2: Wait… just a minute.

Wesley: ...

Trooper 2: That’s a strange-looking briefcase...

Wesley: Yes, I believe it’s reptile skin. It belonged to my predecessor... an Australasian witch doctor.

Trooper 2: Uh huh... Open it!

Wesley hesitates, looks around, then slowly opens the briefcase. The Trooper peers inside to find various items.

Wesley: Inventory for the clinic shop. Various mystical healing items, that sort of thing... I'm afraid I’m also quite late.

Trooper 2: Right… move along.

Wesley continues north along the road.

Upon reaching the clinic, he avoids the main door and heads to the alley entrance. He notices the padlock on the door has been smashed. He lets himself in cautiously. It’s dark and looks ransacked. He moves through the room.

Suddenly, a large metal hammer swings down and narrowly misses Wesley, who jumps aside. He sees Goblin Slayer in the shadows.

Master Devlin: Goblin Slayer! It’s us. Lower your weapon.

Goblin Slayer recoils in surprise as the briefcase morphs into the Master's recent default octopus form.

Goblin Slayer: Hrmmm. I see...

He has a large wound visible through a hole in his armour.

Wesley: You look a bit worse for wear.

Goblin Slayer: Injured. Needed supplies. Place to hide.

Master Devlin: How did you get injured?

Goblin Slayer: The Goblin's guards tried to arrest me. They're all dead—but one got a lucky hit.

Master Devlin: Figures. Well, Larry, his associate, and Ermintrude were taken too.

Goblin Slayer: I know.

Master Devlin: Wesley, can you help with his wound?

Wesley nods, examines it, and begins preparing some healing items.

Master Devlin: Goblin Slayer, do you know where they were taken?

Goblin Slayer: My wife... They took her in one of those horseless carriages. Said she was to get treatment. I know it’s a detention centre but I don’t know where. They ambushed me after — about fifteen of them.

Master Devlin: I see. Well, I’m sure it is for treatment. I doubt Travers wishes her harm... but if she ends up back as his assistant, it could turn sinister. I also worry that if she doesn’t heal properly, Travers will have her put down. He’s lost his mind.

Goblin Slayer: How?

Master Devlin: He’s not thinking clearly. He’s paranoid. Delusional. Greedy. Descended into madness. His oil changes have become a conveyor belt of different girls. He’s starting to look very dehydrated.

Goblin Slayer: Cow Girl said he was a good goblin. She trusted him. He was an ally in the war. I let my guard down. Should’ve known.

Master Devlin: We all did. Now he’s drunk on power, ignoring his advisors. He locked me away.

Goblin Slayer punches a hole in the wall in rage.

Wesley: Let’s try to avoid structural damage, shall we?. What matters is what we do now.

The EMH (Emergency Medical Hologram) suddenly appears.

EMH: Excuse me, gentlemen, but this may be of some interest...

He turns on the waiting room television.

Traverscast: ...I’m also pleased to announce that I’ve successfully received a full moustache transplant, as well as some necessary reconstructive surgeries, following the vicious and spiteful attack on my visage. Do not be alarmed at my appearance. Just listen to the sound of my voice and be assured, the swelling and receding hairline are only temporary side effects of the treatment...

Master Devlin: Good lord. He’s starting to look like a cross between Joseph Stalin and Saddam Hussein! — I mean with the obvious Jack Nicholson traits still.

Traverscast: …And finally, a message for my old comrade, Master Devlin. Come home, my friend. What you did was terrible treachery, yes — but I’m a magnanimous goblin. I will forgive you. Give up this absurd rebellion. Turn yourself in, and I promise your safety. After all, I could never harm you. Nobody wants a war! Let’s just shake hands, and that'll be that. Then you can retake your place by my side. Think it over! And with that... Goodnight, and Ed bless my Imperial subjects…

Master Devlin (to EMH): Doctor, any idea where Larry and Ermintrude are being held?

EMH: I have no idea. I'm a doctor, not a tourist information board...

Wesley: Presumably he's taken Ermintrude somewhere with at least basic medical facilities — unless it’s just a warehouse with equipment hauled in. In any case, we might need help. Could we trust any of Travers' men?

Master Devlin: Possibly. Mr Boothe and Mr Konrad seem like options. Boothe is full of regret as he has been made to do things… diabolical things for Travers. Mr Konrad is somewhat the same and knows that Travers is a villainous dog. But I believe he has a family to look after, and Travers seems to have his claws well-embedded into him. Still, he might be swayed to help us. Mr Raymond is more hired muscle, and only loyal if he’s being paid. He would probably help, for a price.

Wesley: I see... Well, you know them better than I. I'll leave it to your judgement. Regardless, we will have to build a network of allies before we can achieve anything. I will trust you to make the decision.

As far as other allies, I'm not sure who we can count on. I've detected a certain apathy towards Travers’ behaviour these past months. The sentiment seems to be, "Well, at least he's not the bird..."

Still, I know at least one who is skeptical of government power... Master Miller. I'm sure he’ll be on our side when it comes to it. I spoke to him a few days ago at his van. Apparently, he had to switch suppliers after his bun supplier was burned to the ground by the Waldo Beast. And of course, there was that time Waldo stole his identity. He's always been somewhat unwelcoming towards both of the goblins, it seems.

Travers: Is that so? Well, thanks for the tip, Wes! I'll need to have a word with him... Can’t have Masters going around, speaking out of turn...

They turn, startled, to find the strange-looking cactus by the cash register morphing into Travers.

Travers: Surprise, traitors!

Season 7 continues in Rebels on the Run