Manouche *emerges from jungle very slowly, barely able to walk, exhausted.  Feels weak, as if fevered*  B-bloody ‘ell, I hope I got through t’ Raven to stay put.  I couldn’t do no more.  *sighs*  I reckon that were our last hope, t’ be able to reach him.  I could do it … but I won’t if it’ll put him in danger.  No … it’s me own fault I’m here, I’ll take th’ consequences.  An’ I must listen t’ Mr. Blake an’ quit feelin’ guilty fer his fate, it were his choice to come along.  Blimey, s’all I can think about, jus’ settlin’ down next t’ him right now, by that fire.  *looks around, finds some solace in the beauty of the surroundings – the white sand of the beach, the gentle waves lapping at the shore, the mild breeze.  Approaches dying fire … freezes in her tracks as she looks down and finds that Blake is gone.  Trembles as the buzzing starts up in her head again; sinks down to the sand, cries out*  Damn ye to th' depths, y'bleedin' bastards!  W-w-what’ve ye done with me Mr. Blake?

At From Hell Court:

*Abberline and Godley leave Malachi’s apartment, walk back to the bar, Godley orders coffee for them both.  Abberline is trying to make sense of Raven's words, he knows there is something important that he should remember, but he can't catch it.*  Heart and soul ... Gypsy's blood ... Heart, soul, blood ... three things … triangle ... the fourth one … makes a square …  *Suddenly it dawns on him, he grabs Godley's arm and his coffee spills over the table, the cup falls and shatters*  Godley, I know what that means!

Godley:  Are you out of your senses, Inspector!

Abberline:  Heart and soul and blood – that is what the soul box needs, that is how the box is opened and brought to life.  And the fourth one brings them together … 

*Godley stares at him, not understanding a word.*

Latitude, longitude unknown:

Manouche *despite her weariness and the nighttime darkness, with clouds obscuring what little light the moon and stars would provide, shuts out the buzzing voices in her head as best she can and frantically starts searching the island for Blake.  Runs through the brush, stumbling over rocks and roots, calling his name, eventually finds herself on the beach on the other side of the island.  She drops down on the sand, heartsick.*  Blimey, what ‘ave I done?  I should’ve left that cursed box to Portsmith.  What could be worse than this?  Oh, m’ love …  *lowers her head, weeping … then it occurs to her that the buzzing has stopped.  She takes a deep breath, wipes tears from her eyes, looks out to the water, and notices something she didn’t recall seeing the first time she explored the island … a small bay, enveloped in mist.  Peers through the mist, eyes widen as she sees the small boats anchored in the bay, the same ones that had followed her ship earlier in their journey.  She can barely make out shadowy forms on one of the boats.  Her initial fear turns to cold fury as she realizes they are probably responsible for Blake’s disappearance.  She rises slowly, hand subconsciously resting on her pistol for a moment, then swiftly moves back into the brush, hoping to find a way to approach the boats under cover and take them by surprise.*

At Malachi’s apartment:

Malachi *observing Kat and Abberline closely, held back from the scene being played out, thinking if they truly were being watched, it would be best for him to distance himself for the time being, especially from Abberline and Godley.  Now, alone in his apartment, Abberline and Godley having gone to the bar, he considers his options, wondering if he should meet them at The Apparition, or remain behind.  Something is telling him to stay put, but he can’t pinpoint it.*

Malachi *impatient with his indecision*  That’s it, I guess it’s time for me to take my own medicine.  *Goes to small refrigerator in kitchen, takes out package wrapped in brown paper, brings it over to table, sits down.  Opens package to reveal glass vial filled with dark liquid, the opiate he gave Manouche to allow her to see Marchand the Necromancer.  Fills glass pipe with small amount of the liquid, lights it, smokes it cautiously.  Leans back in chair, concentrates … a vision appears, hazy at first, then clearer.  He sees The Libertine Trailer washed up on a beach, in sorry shape … sees Manouche, running through jungle, calling someone, calling Blake … his vision's eye keeps going to a silver chain around Manouche's neck, though he can’t see what’s on the end of it.  Then everything goes dark, like thick fog swiftly rolling in … and the buzzing starts, low at first, then louder, and Malachi brings hands up to his ears, leans over table.  Sound increases in volume suddenly; he curses, and falls to floor.  The sound becomes voices, and he can make out what they’re saying:

She has taken it inland, we can't follow it.

Try calling the boy.

But she is a dreamer too, she can hear it.

We need them to get the box.

*Fog dissipates gradually, and Malachi then sees Manouche, angry, determined, making her way toward two small boats in a misty bay.  Then the voices return*

What shall we do with the watcher?

The time is running out.
Marchand is getting uneasy.
He has grown stronger in the soul box.

WE NEED THEM TO GET THE BOX.

Malachi:  Oh, GOD.  *Hears loud roaring, like a terrible storm, can barely make out what he believes is Manouche’s voice, yelling to be heard over the noise, but he can’t make out her words … then dead silence, and no visuals.  Just thick fog, which soon starts to clear.  He opens his eyes cautiously, sees his room from where he lies on the floor, nothing disturbed.  Slowly sits up, carefully pulls himself to his feet, leans a little unsteadily against the table.  When he feels he can manage, he grabs coat and hat, heads out to find Abberline, to tell him what he's seen.*

At The Apparition:

*Abberline and Godley are waiting for an opportune moment to board the Apparition*

Godley:  My dear friend, you are not making sense at all.

Abberline:  It is all in the lost document, Sergeant Godley.

At Portsmith's office:

Portsmith:  I have a suspicion that he is after the parchment, that document with the key that was stolen and lost, and that he knows much more than he wants to admit.  I can't say what are the Inspector's motives for getting it ... He was very eager to find the box.  Perhaps he is looking after it for himself.  I’d better lock him up.

At The Apparition:

Malachi *breathless, runs up to Abberline and Godley*  There you are!  Inspector, I have something to tell you, something I saw in a vision.  *glances at Godley, then looks at Abberline*  Those voices you heard … I heard ‘em, too, and I saw where they were coming from.  Wherever Manouche is, there are two small boats … I couldn’t make out what the people on board looked like … they were just … shadows.  Inspector, does that mean anything at all to you? 

Abberline *astonished*  You can hear them too? They are the guardians of the box.  *Looks at Godley*  Sergeant, I'd best get all the material I have on the box from my office before someone else discovers it.

Malachi:  What about Portsmith, Inspector?  How did you leave things with her?  This is no time for you to be detained at the office.  We need to leave as soon as The Apparition is ready to go.

Abberline:  What if she finds them?

Malachi *thinks for a moment*  What if you send the Sergeant to pick up the material?  Maybe the Commander will be less likely to detain him.

Godley:  That is out of the question!  Inspector, you will not try to leave me another time.  I don't know what you were thinking about and I don't want to know, but I assume that this abuse ... this stuff ... has done something to your brain for you to be so careless.  There is nothing we can do about that now.  To the port, gentlemen.  Though it may be that The Apparition will not be able to sail.  *Dark clouds have risen over the horizon but the sea is still calm*

Near the Security building:

Corso *approaching Security building to report to Portsmith, stops in his tracks, is nearly thrown off his feet by some unseen force.  He maintains his balance, shaking ... realizes the disturbance came from his bag -- the ancient parchment has begun to shudder, as if it had a life of its own.  Fear grips him, he glances up at the Security building, changes his mind; turns, heads for his house.*

On The Apparition:

Raven *gazes worriedly at dark clouds in the sky, then glances over at Kat, who’s busy preparing to set sail.  He’s fidgety, dying to take some action.  He wonders if he should try letting the voices in again … wonders if he should shift into white raven and fly toward the voices, toward Manouche, wherever they are.  Then his thoughts are interrupted by a vague feeling of trouble elsewhere.  He sees an old parchment that may have something to do with the box everyone’s hunting, that soul box … and a man he doesn’t know, in possession of the parchment, trying to decide what to do with it.  Then he sees another stranger, very official-looking, fancy uniform, large hat and feather.  He’s seen her before, in another muddled vision, knows she also has something to do with the box.  But now, the overriding feeling he’s receiving from her is not her obsession with the box, but her anger toward Abberline … and something to do with Manouche.*

Raven *shakes his head to clear it, looks around, sees Kat working.*  Oh Mother, let’s leave soon, please.

*Godley and Abberline approach The Apparition with Malachi.  The sky is turning a dull and ominous grey and the wind is rising.  Abberline and Godley are arguing*

Abberline:  I can't make him do it, and I can't do it myself, not without ...

Godley:  You began to have visions in those Hell holes.

Abberline:  No, it just enhances ...

Godley:  Then you just have to have vague visions, Inspector.

Abberline:  But then it's Raven who has to let them in and guide the way, and he is unprepared for them.  I can't take that risk.

At Abberline’s office:

*Commander Portsmith is browsing through Inspector Abberline's files and desk drawers. She hasn't found anything important so far, two empty bottles and one half full, cigarettes, a photo of a lady smiling, signed with the name Victoria, Jack the Ripper files, forms, unimportant reports.  Then she notices an envelope under the writing pad and rips it open.  The Fiji files ... *

At The Apparition:

*Godley, Abberline and Malachi stand on dock before the ship.  As they are about to board, Malachi stops them.*

Malachi:  Gentlemen, I’ve made a decision, reluctantly.  I’ve decided to remain behind, to keep an eye on Portsmith.  If something happens and you need to be warned, I can get word to either the Inspector or Raven, seeing as how the three of us have a similar talent for visions, telepathy and the like.  That Raven, you’ll want to protect him, but know this … he’s very powerful, he’s stronger than even he knows.  And he wants to help, so let him do what he feels he can.  Just be sure he knows when to stop.

*Reaches into pocket, pulls out two vials*  Inspector, you may find these helpful.  No worries … Godley knows by now I wouldn’t give you something I didn’t think you could handle.  *glances at Godley, nods*  The brown liquid is an enhancer, of sorts.  It’s primarily an opiate, but I think you’ll find it’s easier on your system than your usual combination of absinthe, laudanum and straight opium, savvy?  Use it sparingly, it’s quite effective, I assure you.  It helped Manouche identify Marchand, and it allowed me to hear the voices of the guardians of the box.  *Holds up the other bottle*  This red stuff will come in handy when you’re finished with the brown stuff.  Let's just say it'll ease your way back into the real world.  *grins sardonically*  Call it a chaser.  *Hands vials to Abberline, shakes hands with him and Godley.*  You don’t know how much I hate to do this.  I’d rather come along, see for myself what’s going on, make sure Manouche … *pauses, sighs*  Anyway … I’ll do anything I can to keep Portsmith from interfering.  Now go, before the weather gets worse.  Inspector, Sergeant.  *touches brim of hat briefly, then turns and walks back toward town, heading for the Security building.*

Latitude, longitude unknown:

Manouche *has moved much closer to the boats.  She emerges from the foliage, starts to draw her pistol, then hesitates.  Feels a growing fear, wonders if she should wait.  Wait for what, she asks herself impatiently.  Before she can think any further, she’s grabbed from behind, arms pulled back, wrists tied, blindfolded and gagged.  It all happens so fast, it’s obviously more than one attacker; another thing she’s able to discern through her terror is that the hands that grab her don’t feel human … almost lizard-like, leaving a slight residue.  They firmly usher her along the beach, up what she believes is a gangplank to one of the boats, onto a deck.  They stop, someone removes the gag but leaves the blindfold in place, and she hears a voice in an accent she recognizes from Fiji*

Leader:  You must do as we say.  We are the Guardians of the Circle … the Sanctuary.  We need that box, it’s extremely dangerous in the wrong hands.  It contains the captured souls of necromancers, white wizards, and shamans’ wisdom.  It’s of no use to you.

Manouche:  Wh-where’s Mr. Blake?

Leader:  He’ll be returned to you safe and sound.  All you have to do is summon the boy …

Manouche *shakes her head*  No deal, mate.  *winces at buzzing of strange voices from the others she hears standing around her*

Leader:  Summon the boy, or you and your friend will die.

Manouche *thinks carefully for a moment, then takes a deep breath*  In any other situation, ye’d have me with that’un.  However, it’s to yer misfortune that we find ourselves at th’ end of the line, as it were.  Mr. Blake an’ I, we’re shipwrecked, in th’ middle o’ nowhere, with no way of repairin’ me vessel.  Even if we were able t’ escape this godforsaken spit of land, we have plenty of enemies t’ choose from.  You blokes’ll have t’ stand in line, savvy?  If I return home, I’ll surely be arrested, most likely executed.  If I don’t return home, I’ll no doubt be pursued by a host of others who’d just as soon see me on th’ receivin’ end o’ the short drop an’ sudden stop.  *lowers voice*  It’s to me infinite sorrow that my enemies are now Mr. Blake’s enemies, by default.  I know it were his choice, an' he has no regrets … but I’ll never be able to forgive meself.  *pauses, raises head*  In summation, gents, I know Mr. Blake would understand me choice in this matter, under these circs.  An' he would agree with me.  Everyone wants that blasted box so badly, it’s me considered opinion that it’s best off left undisturbed.  Its location dies with me, mate.  Do with me as ye will.

Leader:  Then you leave us only one alternative.  You no doubt realize your significance in this matter.  The Romany blood … but we also need the boy.  The connection between you and the boy, the clarity with which you can communicate with each other without a spoken word, over many, many miles … it’s extraordinary.  It wasn’t lost on us, the way you intercepted our attempts to summon him … how your one voice was able to override ours combined.  So we firmly believe he’s in tune with you no matter what, even if you’re not speaking to him directly.  As long as your thoughts are … impassioned.  *Murmurs something to the others in a dialect Manouche can’t understand, then addresses her again*  It’s admirable, your willingness to die for what you believe in.  We can appreciate this, because we are equally determined to get what we want.  You obviously have strong feelings for the boy.  I rather imagine his feelings are mutual.  Since you are to die anyway, let’s try a little experiment, which I feel certain will yield the results we seek.  Let’s find out how quickly he responds to the sounds of your prolonged suffering.  *pauses, speaks in a low, angry voice*  Take her inside.

*Manouche feels the lizard-like hands upon her again; they pull her along the deck, through a doorway, down a small, steep stairway, to the lowest level of the boat*

At Abberline’s office:

*Commander Portsmith picks up the Inspector's notebook and begins to read.  "The guardians are said to be evil, and they are said to be benevolent.  In fact, they are neither.  Humans don't concern them at all.  Their only purpose and meaning is to guard the soul box, keep it alive, feed it.  And safeguard it against greedy humans.  I asked about what he meant when he said that the box is alive.  He answered that the box contains living souls, and all their ancient wisdom – and all their emotions, feelings, thoughts.  In this way, the box may be said to be more alive than its guardians.  He told me that the box can be animated, and drew me a strange pattern, a triangle and a square.  The box needs to be opened by proper rituals and it needs four lives to be animated.  It is said that if someone can open it and harness its power, there is no limit to what he can achieve with it.  He told me that it needs a human as a heart, one as a soul, and the blood that has to be free born – and the fourth life to combine these all.  He said I should not try to trace the box, and it would be best to hide the parchment I found, because it contained the key.  I decided to destroy the parchment after I talked to him, but on the same night, it was stolen … "

*Portsmith stops reading, disgusted.*  Bloody idiot!  How could he let it be stolen like that!  *A small leaflet falls from the file and she picks it up*  "There are more lives at stake than just yours.  If you don't care about your own life, you should maybe take into consideration that you are endangering some others with your stubbornness.  We suggest that you take better care of your beautiful wife Victoria, especially now when she is in a delicate condition.  As you know, anything can happen.  You are warned."

Portsmith:  Sooo ... That's interesting.  Enough.  Time for action.  *shouts*  Constable Crane!  CONSTABLE CRANE!  Get yourself immediately here!  *Ichy appears at the door, Portsmith sweeps the papers back in the envelope and grabs her hat*  You are to take a couple of men and find immediately Inspector Abberline and bring him here.  He is under arrest and suspended from duty.  Dismissed!  *Heads out of the office in search of Corso*

Outside Security building:

Malachi *standing outside, sees first Constable Crane, then Portsmith emerge.  Not sure which one to follow; finally decides to follow Portsmith.  Starts after her, keeping a cautious distance between them.*

At another location, outside Security building:

*Dean Corso watches Commander Portsmith stroll out of the office as if she didn't have a care in the world, and makes a decision.  He is not going to give the parchment to Portsmith.  It has to be destroyed.  He notices also that she has a thick envelope in her hand – she has found the Fiji files, which Corso left in a place that he was sure she would find them in.*

*Ever since he heard about Abberline's involvement, he had been trying to lay his hands on the files that Abberline kept carefully locked away, and finally he managed, in Abberline's and his watchdog's absence, to slink into his office and pry open the safe.  The package the Commander is carrying is a slightly abridged version; Corso has faked the paper where Abberline had copied the contents of the parchment he lost.  If the Commander would be able to lay her hands once again on the box she covets, the parchment will not work.*

*The parchment gives him a nasty jolt when Portsmith passes him, where he is hidden in the shadows.  It is like it were alive and sensed Portsmith ... *