Alien Devices: Tesla joins crew to prevent alien zombie apocalypse (The Secret War Book 2)

by Raven Bond

Chapter 13

  Wind Dancer, Air Tower, Hong Kong

  Lawrence Rogers looked up in surprise at the crowd that trooped onto the bridge. The hatchway guard had reported over the intercom that the Captain and his party had returned. The Captain was indeed in the lead, Rogers saw, followed by Lady Hadley, dressed as one of those London 'New Women' striding next to a tall white man in shirt sleeves. Behind them came an older Oriental woman followed by Brighton, who was naked and covered in blood. Saira held her knives ready, though that was nothing new for her. The extraordinary group was finished off by the thug Guang, who had lost his sword case Guang held his sheathed sword openly in his left hand. Rogers frowned; the tall white man next to Abigail looked familiar somehow.

  “Captain.” Rogers greeted Hunting Owl calmly, keeping a wary eye on the strangers.

  “Lawrence.” Hunting Owl replied, returning the nod. “ I have the bridge,” The Captain said without preamble. “Is Giorgios back from the An compound?”

  “Captain has the bridge, Aye,” Rogers acknowledged. “Yes,” Rogers continued, “Giorgios returned with Tiku some hours ago,” Rogers replied. “Currently he is with Wu in sickbay. Wu says he'll recover in a few days. All other crew accounted for, and we are still on hostile landing stations.”

  “I wanted to make sure about that” Will nodded. “Prepare for immediate cast off.”

  “We have neither clearance from Port Authority nor a Shield opening,” Rogers reminded his captain mildly.

  “We will,” Will said confidently, “Do it.”

  Rogers turned to Naomi and started issuing orders. A series of chimes began to ring throughout the ship. There was the distant sound of running feet as the crew leapt to stations.

  “Michael,” Hunting Owl asked the Aetherwave operator, “What's the chatter on that airship courier that just came in?”

  “HMS Mercury?” McGuire looked up from his station in surprise. “She says they're on a special mission. She is checked out to clear, but Port Authority is pissed as no one seemed to know they were coming. I can try to find out more if you want.”

  “No, don't bother,” Will said. “That'll be someone else's problem.”

  “I see that we have some new passengers, Captain,” Rogers remarked with careful patience. Jarro, the Helmsman and Mattori, the Elevator Controller, raced to their stations. Will turned back towards Rogers.

  “Oh yeah,” Hunting Owl said to Rogers. He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. “That is Madame Chang from Chang's and the tall guy by Abigail is Nikolas Tesla. We have been hired to get him out of Hong Kong by the way. You know Guang. Everybody, this is Lawrence Rogers, best damn First Officer ever.” Rogers eyes actually blinked in surprise.

  “So,” Rogers asked it in the same tone he would use if inquiring about the weather. “we are fleeing Hong Kong on an unscheduled departure, with one of the most important men in the world? We have a sword-wielding member of the one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the Orient, and another, even more mysterious, crime boss?”

  “That's about it,” Hunting Owl agreed. “I will explain it all to you later.”

  “I shall look forward to that,” Rogers replied solemnly. He rocked back and forth on his heels in contemplation.

  “Are we expecting to meet any resistance from the port defenses?” Rogers asked almost musingly.

  “All spirits grant, I hope not!” Will responded fervently. “Still, best to be prepared.”

  “Very good,” Rogers replied. “Mr. Watson,” he raised his voice to address the Bridge Talker, “sound cast-off.”

  “Ship is ready to cast off,” Naomi Watson reported.

  Will gave a nod to proceed to Rogers.

  “Cast off.” Rogers called out. “Come about one eight zero degrees, maintain altitude,” the First Officer ordered. A shudder went through the deck as the ship moved out from the tower. Jarro and Mattori both repeated the First Officer’s orders in sing-song voices and proceeded to carry out his orders. The Towers fell away from the viewports on the bridge.

  “Port Authority grants us clearance on the following heading,” McGuire reported, unable to keep the amazement from his voice. He read off a series of numbers.

  Rogers shot Will a silent question at McGuire's report. Captain Hunting Owl shrugged, giving his First Officer a big smile.

  “Guess we should follow Port Authority’s orders like the law-abiding folks we are,” Will said cheerfully in response to Rogers’ surprised look.

  “Navigation hazard,” one of the bridge lookouts called. “More ships are undocking from the Tower.”

  Rogers frowned at Hunting Owl. Rogers knew that no one simply took off from a place as buttoned down as Hong Kong in the middle of the night. Questions, and hopefully answers, would have to wait.

  “Aye, Aye, Captain,” Rogers said, “Following like law- abiding citizens.” After giving the necessary orders, almost as if it were afterthought, he continued in the same calm voice. “Mr. Walters, sound action-stations, sound ship-to-ground combat.” Having been stationed in Hong Kong when he was in the Navy, Rogers knew that the city's air defenses were formidable. It would only be prudent to expect that they had increased. If they were to acquire problems from the defenses, the situation would be dire. Especially if the Shield remained closed. The ship had now turned full about and was moving forward. Before them the simmering curtain of the Shield parted. They could see the undimmed stars beyond.

  “Shield open,” Rogers said to Will, not hiding the relief in his voice. “What course Captain?”

  “North,” Chang and Tesla both said at the same time. They looked at each other with surprise. Rogers looked at Will in consternation.

  “'North I guess it is, Lawrence” Will grinned back at him. “Let's grab some sky.” The ship moved forward into the night.

  “Something more exact than north would be helpful at some point,” Rogers suggested.

  “I agree,” Will said darkly. He turned and looked at his companions of the evening. They all looked as dirty and ragged as he felt. Normally, he'd give an Away Group a rest period after a night like they'd had. This situation wasn't anything remotely normal.

  “I think that everyone should get cleaned up some, and meet in my day cabin in twenty minutes,” Will called out. Before anyone could answer this, Will pointed at Madame Chang and Guang.

  “Not you two,” he said, “I think that you should both stand back against the wall there and wait.” Guang silently moved back to stand against the rear bulkhead of the bridge. After a moment, Chang did the same. “Lawrence, if either of them moves, or says anything, shoot them.” He pulled at his torn and filthy suit jacket, “I'm going to go get out of this monkey suit. You have the bridge.”

  “Aye, Aye, Captain,” Rogers acknowledged calmly. “I have the bridge. Shoot the guests if they move or talk.”

  Will looked at the other three who were still standing near. He made a pushing away motion with his hands, urging them to leave.

  “Twenty minutes,” Will said shortly. He stalked away from the bridge.

  “Well, we have perhaps time for a quick bath if you'd like to join me,” Saira said moved to stand besides Abigail. She smiled at her and held out her least bloody hand. The smile froze as Abigail flinched away from her outstretched hand.

  “No thank you,” Abigail said, not meeting Saira's eyes. The flinch had not been intentional, but it increased her awkward feeling around the other woman “I should stay with Tesla as he's just aboard, I think. I'll clean up later.”

  “As you wish,” Saira said with a shrug. She lowered her hand. “But when Cap'n Will says twenty minutes, he means just that. Do not be late.” When Abigail didn't reply, she cocked her head at the Scholar for a moment, then turned to leave. “See you at the meeting,” Saira said. Abigail watched her naked form stride away, wishing that she was able to put into words the turmoil that she felt.

  Chapter 14

  Day Cabin, Wind Dancer, China

  Will quick
ly filled in Rogers in on the night's events when the knock came at the cabin door. He was feeling more comfortable now in his usual leather pants and linen shirt. His revolver was at his side; his feet were up on the desk. Rogers opened the door to admit Abigail and Tesla. Will noticed that even though Abigail had changed back into ship pants and tunic, she wasn't obviously wearing her gun. There was still a smudge of dirt on her cheek. Tesla was holding a mug of brew from the mess. He was still in his shirtsleeves and bracers, but looked better than when Will had last seen him.

  Saira ghosted in behind them. His Arms master was wearing her usual pants and open vest without a shirt underneath. Her long knives were at her sides. She had obviously been to the baths as her hair was still wet. She had painted a small red dot on each cheek, which Will knew had something to do with her Goddess. He had gathered from what she’d said when they first returned to Wind Dancer that fighting Petrov had been as much a spirit-battle as a fight-with-knives. He had felt Petrov's power as well; it bothered him that there had been no sign of such power when last they had tangled in Cairo. No one went from being just mean and cunning to also being a spirit fighter in under two years. Then there was the matter of Petrov having the same not-blood as the man at the cabin. He felt as if they had stepped into something bigger than they knew. None of his thoughts showed on the Captain’s face as he greeted the new arrivals.

  “Pull up a chair,” Will said cheerily. He waved his glass over the offerings on the desk. “There is tea, or a couple of bottles. Wu also gave up some of his dim sum if you are hungry.” He nodded wordlessly to Rogers who stepped out to return with both Chang and Guang.

  When everyone was seated, Will sipped his glass of rum and sat the glass on the table. Abigail and Tesla were at his far left, then Guang and Chang. The four of them sat in light, wicker chairs; weight was always a concern on an air ship and most ships used light woods and canvas wherever possible. Saira and Rogers stood by the door as there was no more room to sit. If he was going to keep having meetings this large, he would need a bigger cabin to hold them, Will reflected.

  “It has been a hell of a night for all of us, I know,” Will stated. “But I need to figure out what I’m doing with all of you, as well as where we are going.” He pointed to Guang. “First off, I can still set you down and you can make your way back to the city. We should still be in territory controlled by the British, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem for you. However, you asked for sanctuary aboard Dancer. Tell me why I should do that. Seems to me that we've done our business.”

  “I would agree that the dealings with An Fong that brought me here are concluded.” Guang inclined his head at Will's words. “It is unfortunate that I had to reveal myself at the tower. Now the other gangs and the British authorities will be after me. Are you familiar with the Shining Fist, Captain Hunting Owl?”

  “Yeah. Some kind of secret fighting society, dedicated to restoring the old Chinese ways. There are lots of stories about things their adepts can do.” Will narrowed his eyes at Guang. “Are you going to tell me that is how you can fly?”

  “I am a member of the Shining Fist,” Guang nodded. “We have been outlawed by the British. All we wish to do is restore China to her own people.” Guang gestured around, referring to the movement of the ship through the air. “It is not flying as birds do, nor as we fly now. We have merely kept the knowledge of how to use the Spirit, the Chi.” Guang paused, frowning, then turned to Saira Brighton, the Arms Master. “You understand what I am meaning. I have not the words in English. You are using a form of Spirit working here and now.”

  Saira nodded, not taking her eyes off him. He must be referring to her abilities at truth-seeing, as she customarily practiced in meetings such as this.

  “You are very good,” Saira replied. “I have not sensed the Spirit Power within you.” She smiled at him. “I would like very much to learn that flying trick if you may share it.”

  While speaking so to Guang, she signaled to Will in their secret hand-language that she could not tell if he was lying or not. Will Hunting Owl leaned forward abruptly, pulling his Bowie knife.

  “Give me your arm,” the Captain demanded, holding out his other hand towards Guang. There was one thing he could be sure of, he thought.

  Guang paused, and then nodded at this request. He pulled up the arm of his suit and unbuttoned his shirt cuff. He leaned forward placing his bare arm in Will's grasp, his gaze direct. Will held the eye contact while sliding the sharp edge lightly across the man's forearm. Deep scarlet well up from the shallow cut and Will nodded in satisfaction.

  “Alright,” he said, leaning back. The Bowie disappeared. “You can ride along for a while. I figure what you did tonight pays your way for a fair bit.”

  “Was that really necessary, Captain?” Abigail asked. She stirred in her chair. “We saw Guang bleeding back at the cabin, did we not?”

  “That could have been faked Noble Lady, to allay suspicion.” Guang pressed a handkerchief to the cut as he spoke. “It would have been necessary after the nature of the monster was discovered. I can think of several ways to do such a thing. Captain Hunting Owl was correct to make certain.” He gave a short nod to Will. “Thank you, Captain, for allowing me to remain.”

  “Don't thank me yet, Guang,” Will said. “I suspect that things are going to get a lot more dangerous around us than staying in Hong Kong might be.” He turned to look at Tesla. “Now we come to you. . .”

  “Forgive me, Captain,” Tesla said smoothly, “But I have a proposal that may greatly simplify matters.”

  “I am listening,” Will said neutrally, cocking his head to one side.

  “As I understand it,” Tesla continued, “You have contracted with my friend Bardon to have me delivered like a package to some 'safe' authority. You have also agreed to aid Lady Hadley here in finding her father, whom we have reason to believe is now at the site of his discovery.”

  “Yep,” Will confirmed. “I was thinking of taking you to Shanghai, to the British embassy, then going to find Abigail's father.”

  “I had thought something on that order,” Tesla nodded. “I believe that after tonight you would agree with me that there may be no safer place for me than aboard this ship. Instead of taking me somewhere less safe, I would like to offer to hire you to take both myself and Lady Hadley to Roberts' site directly. I feel that Robert may be in danger there. You must appreciate that if he is correct, and has found an intact Invader artifact, the implications for the world are enormous. I must be there.”

  “Seems to go against what Bardon and I agreed to,” Will replied, tugging on his braid meditatively.

  “Bardon did not know all the facts,” Tesla returned crisply. “If he had, he would have come with us. An invasion of Hong Kong by the Russians, or whoever, is of little note compared to what we may be facing. Besides,” here his mustache twitched, “you know who I am. I can pay better than Bardon, I believe.”

  “That's pretty cold about Hong Kong, your wizardness.” Will looked at the savant with a raised eyebrow. “Besides, I have here a note to draw on the British Empire's purse. Last I knew Her Majesty had some mighty deep pockets.”

  “That may be true, Captain,” Tesla acknowledged. “However you might consider collecting from both the Crown and my humble self. I can also offer, as partial payment, the means to keep your crew safe from the Invader plague, should there indeed be an artifact.”

  Invader plague, as it was known, was a dreaded disease that struck many people who attempted to resettle near an exploded Invader enclave. It also affected, to a lesser extent, people who worked to reclaim land that was blasted by the Spiders’ dreadful smoke weapon. The plague would strike mysteriously; the first physical symptom was hair beginning to fall out, with no apparent reason. Victims often died horribly in a matter of days. There was no known cure.

  “You have my attention,” Will replied appearing non-committal. “Care to explain how you can do that? And also, would you mind adding in a few of
those 'facts' that make losing a place like Hong Kong small beans to the British?”

  “To answer your first question, Captain,” Tesla began, “We have discovered that the plague is actually not a disease. It is the effect of rays that were somehow generated by the Invaders. These rays live on, so to speak, in the soil and other objects that have been exposed to them. I can make a device that will detect where the concentration of these rays is great enough to be harmful.” Abigail could not help but express her surprise at this turn of events.

  “You are referring to some form of radiant activity,” Abigail turned in her chair to look at him. “I follow the journals rather closely. Why has this discovery not been published?”

  “There are some who feel that it is better not to release such information.” Tesla spread his hands. “One theory holds that such areas will continue to be deadly for generations. They fear the response of people who still dream of reclaiming their lands. Among European refugees, such devastation was very heavy. As both a Serbian, and a Scholar, I do not agree with this policy.”

  Abigail began to ask another question, when Will held up his hand.

  “Wait! Let's not get too far off course here,” Will said. “Abigail, is what he says possible?”

  “Yes, it is possible,” Abigail said reluctantly. “There is little that is known about the phenomenon, however.” Abigail was clearly upset about what Tesla had revealed. She gave the Savant what Will would have called a disappointed glance. “Little that is public at least. I cannot believe that such an important area of study is not public. It is outrageous!”

  “I did say that I do not agree with the policy,” Tesla said to Abby. Tesla turned back to Will.

  “To answer your second question, I must tell you a story, Captain.” Tesla paused for a moment. “Before the events with the. . .being who was one of my captors, I was not sure how wide-spread such phenomena was. I have been rethinking much tonight.”

  “I think we have the time for your story,” Will said.