“7.9 on the Richter scale, epicentre somewhere in Northeast Africa,” Hallie reported, correlating information from a score of scientific survey sites across the globe and half a dozen satellites above it. “Rainforest mostly, but depending exactly where the shock began it could hit some major population centres.”

“But it’s not an earthquake?” Sir Mumphrey Wilton checked, resplendent in his paisley dressing gown. “Not natural?”

“I don’t think so,” the Lair Legion’s resident artificial intelligence answered. “That’s why it’s so hard to pinpoint. And it doesn’t have the characteristic signature of say a nuclear detonation.”

“Yo is to be thinking we are to be going and looking,” Yo suggested. “Is to be many people might be needing of help.”

“Who’s in the mansion?” Mumphrey enquired. Many of the team were still beaten up from last night’s crisis in upstate Gothametropolis.

“Hatman, CrazySugarFreakBoy!, the Manga Shoggoth, and Trickshot,” Hallie answered. “Visionary, Lisa, and Dancer are around with Donar too, but they’re preparing to head off for a meeting with the Chronicler of Stories. I can ask them to put it off, but…”

“But Donar’s keen to find out where his Ausgardian kingdom’s vanished to, what?” the eccentric Englishman understood. “No, best not interrupt that investigation. Send the others, and see if Uhuna’s willin’ to go along. There’ll be some serious casualties.”

“Shall I try and contact Nats and Al and Lee and DBS?” Hallie suggested.

“Not till we know what’s goin’ on,” Mumphrey suggested. “Let’s get some chaps out there to take a shuftie first, I think.”

“And quickly,” added Yo. “Is to be people will be in trouble!”

• Head straight for a LairJet and get moving for Africa
• Wait in the Comms Room for more information