The Long War

have killed at least three trolls.’
    Nathan asked, ‘Scientists?’
    ‘Biologists. Actually up here to study the trolls, so they say. One of them was the one who called for help; I let him go. The rest—’
    ‘And “secured”?’ Maggie asked sharply. ‘What do you mean by that?’
    Sally grinned evilly. ‘The trolls were captured here for some kind of “experiment” in cross-breeding with other humanoids. Unsurprisingly they resisted and stepped away, heading due West, which led to a chase, and a male and two females being shot dead – at least that number, I didn’t see it all. Left behind one orphaned cub. I’m sure you’re aware of the furore around our treatment of the trolls just now—’
    ‘That doesn’t sanction some kind of vigilante action by you, whoever you are,’ Mac said thickly.
    Sally just smiled. ‘Oh, nobody’s dead. They’re not exactly comfortable, but nobody’s dead . Unlike those trolls. And by the way if your crew try to apprehend me I’ll step out of here faster than you can say “beam me up”.’
    Maggie was all too aware that for all Sally’s self-confidence the slightest evidence of a threat from her would bring down the lightning from the Franklin . On the other hand Maggie needed to get a hold of this situation – and, as she thought she recognized this woman, she saw a way.
    ‘OK,’ she said now. ‘I’ve no intention of trying to apprehend you – umm, Sally . We’re not out here to be a police force. For all I know, these characters deserved whatever you dished out. However I would advise you at the least to put aside those weapons on your back. Let’s just calm tensions here. And then I suggest that you and I stroll over to that clump of woods, where the bodies are, and have a little parley. Get this situation resolved.’
    Sally hesitated. Then she nodded, dumped her weapons, and the two walked towards the woods, leaving Mac and Nathan to sample a little more much-brewed coffee.
    ‘Of course, I know who you are,’ Maggie said quickly, seeking to put Sally off her stride.
    ‘You do?’
    ‘Sure. You’re the woman who stepped out of the Mark Twain with Joshua Valienté. News gets around.’ More specifically, she had cropped up in Maggie’s briefings as a well-known rogue element – and, yes, suspected vigilante – out in the Long Earth. ‘Sally Linsay, right? That’s at least one of the names you’re known by.’
    Sally shrugged. ‘And I know about you, Captain Margaret Dianne Kauffman. Oh, it wasn’t hard to find out about your military career – anybody concerned about Long Earth politics knows all about the Franklin and its officers and the rest of the fleet and their galumphing Starfleet-type mission. Actually I’m kind of glad it was you who showed up; you’re evidently one of the less stupid of the Captain Kirks running around out here.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    Sally eyed Maggie shrewdly. ‘Listen – since you’re here. And since you’re evidently not some military-issue psycho.’
    ‘Praise indeed.’
    ‘I do believe in serendipity. Grabbing opportunities. There’s an idea I’ve been playing with, about law-enforcement.’
    ‘That’s not our role, strictly speaking . . .’ Somehow Maggie was back on the defensive. ‘What are you talking about?’
    ‘You may be less stupid than your peers, but what a dumb mission you’re engaged in. It really is like bloody Star Trek – a handful of ships patrolling an infinity of worlds. Look, if you want to manage the Long Earth then you have to get holistic.’
    ‘I’ve no idea what you’re suggesting.’
    ‘I’m suggesting you need an ally that’s spread as wide as the Long Earth itself.’ She looked directly at Maggie. ‘I’m talking about trolls.’
    That took Maggie totally by surprise. ‘ What? ’
    ‘Use the trolls. Take a couple on your ship, even. Look, they are, or were, being used all over the Long Earth already, wherever people want a friendly hand. Why not the military too? They have an extensive communications system, coupled to a huge folk memory—’
    ‘The long call.’
    ‘Yes. Not to mention being somewhat physically intimidating.’
    This was too much for Maggie to take in. It occurred to her that her mission had evolved a hell of a way from that tough-love speech by the President, to this . On the other hand maybe she should be making some kind of response to this business of the trolls. ‘I’ll need to think about it . . . Why would you want