The Shadow Play (audio story)

The Shadow Play was the second Faction Paradox story to be released, and the second part of the first chapter of The Faction Paradox Protocols.

Faction Paradox website
Justine finds out how well she fits the glass slipper; a baptism of fire turns into the agony of diplomacy; Miss Lolita gives a lesson in the correct use of weaponry; General Kine discovers that it's easier to disarm a Sontaran than a Cousin; Eliza becomes an accomplice to vehicle theft (on a grand scale); and one Great House falls while another one rises.

BBV Productions website
PRIMER FOR THE SPIRAL POLITIC (POST-WAR EDITION)

2: THE SONTARANS

Era: Last thirteen-million years.

Technology: Military (blatant), limited time-awareness.

It's perhaps unwise to think of the Sontarans as a species, as such. A homunculus breed, hatched by the million and engineered for full-engagement warfare, the Sontaran military machine is regarded by many time-active cultures as an "occupational hazard": a force of nature rather than a race, compelled by duty and genetics to acquire new technologies for its endless war effort. It should be remembered, however, that with the backing of a higher power even the crudest of breeds can become something quite different.

Plot
Now bonded with Grandfather Paradox's shadow, Justine discovers that it possesses an unlimited armoury within. When Lolita offers her an opportunity to switch sides, Justine declines and remains loyal to the Faction. As negotiations for the treaty come to a close, Godfather Morlock notes that the treaty contains a clause mandating the surrender of any Faction member who has committed a serious crime against the Great Houses. Knowing that no living resident of the Empire has committed such a crime, Morlock agrees to sign the treaty.

However, Lolita reveals that, under Faction protocol, Justine is responsible for any crimes committed by Grandfather Paradox. If she fails to appear before trial, the Houses will declare martial law over the Empire. The treaty's enactment means that the spirits won't intervene, causing violent protest among the Faction members. Shocked by this, Ruthven redirects the guards from the timeship to help calm the riot. Believing the coast is clear, Morlock and Eliza take Justine and plan to steal Ruthven's timeship to transport her to safety.

Despite Ruthven's orders, the timeship is populated by Sontaran guards commanded by General Kine. However, Justine works her way through the ship's defenses. Morlock believes that Kine will undoubtably attempt to kill Lolita at some point and so, at his behest, Justine spares Kine.

to be added

Cast

 * Cousin Justine - Suzanne Proctor
 * Godfather Morlock - Ellis Pike
 * Lolita - Caroline Burns-Cook
 * Cousin Eliza / Godmother Quelch - Emma Kilbey
 * Lord Ruthventracolixabaxil / General Kine - Nigel Fairs
 * The Voice - Linda Bartram

Crew
to be added

Worldbuilding

 * The Seventy-Ninth Sontaran Assault Corps are mentioned.
 * House Tracolix is mentioned.

Continuity

 * Lolita mentions that there are hundreds of shadowless agents of Faction Paradox who don't mix with the ones who have shadows. (PROSE: Unnatural History)
 * Eliza says that the lions in Trafalgar Square "gave [her] the shits. Previously, in the novel, Eliza - as Christine Summerfield - was scared of the lions, when they were Sphinxs