by Raven Bond
“By no means, Lady Hadley,” He said firmly. “I can easily return at another time. Please do come in.” She turned back, taking in that the august savant was fully clothed with mustache in full twitch with humor. She opened her mouth to make some other excuse, when Saira's voice chopped through the air.
“Will you both stop standing there like proper British twits, letting in the cold air, and git in here? I swear you English are all mad,” the Arms Master said with a sigh. The two of them entered the cabin sheepishly.
“Fakir,” Saira ordered. “Close the door. I am thinking that Lady Abigail needs all her friends about her now, yes?”
“I don't know,” she said dejectedly. Abigail made a hopeless gesture with her hands.
“Arms Master Brighton was kind enough to allow me to question her about her magic,” Tesla said to Abigail. “I fear that I must correct you Arms Master, I am Serbian, not English.”
“That is like saying to the monkey that you are a collie and not a bulldog,” Saira replied. “Sit back in the chair, fakir.” Tesla lowered himself into the wicker chair across from the bunk. She patted the end of the bunk with her hand. “Come Abigail, sit here. How are you doing?” The dark skinned woman was sitting tailor style at the far end of the bunk. She looked at Abigail with softness to her expression.
As Abigail settled on the edge of the bunk, she saw Saira lift the two long needles that lay in her lap, to take up where she had left off with her knitting.
“You, you are knitting,” Abigail stammered, blankly.
“Yes,” Saira agreed. “I find that it is calming to the soul, and keeps the hands supple. What of it?” She looked up at Abigail. “Oh,” she giggled while the needles moved. “You actually thought that the fakir and I were in puja?” She giggled even louder. “Fakir, she thought we were making the beast with two backs!”
“Arms Master, please! There is no need to be vulgar.” Tesla protested uncomfortably. “It is difficult enough with you sitting there, unclothed. Let us please observe some decorum at least.”
“I am told that I have none,” Saira replied. “I believe that I already mentioned that if you wish to talk to me here, you must endure how I choose to dress, or not, in my own cabin.” She looked at Abigail. “But come, Abigail,” she said. “I can see that you are troubled.”
Abigail found herself blurting out everything. About her conclusions about the evil, her resolve, and her conversation with Will. By the end of it she was feeling almost as angry as when she'd left his day-cabin. Both of them listened until she stopped. In the pause that followed, Saira spoke without looking up from her knitting.
“He is right, you know,” the Arms Master remarked.
“Yes, most certainly,” agreed Tesla.
“What!” Abigail exclaimed.
“If you will allow me, Arms Master?” Tesla cleared his throat.
“Go right ahead, Fakir,” Saira said. “I shall listen to your wisdom also.” The needles continued to click.
“Lady Hadley,” Tesla began, “I have not had the privilege to know you for long, but it is my observation that you are brave, determined, and most of all, intelligent.” He held up a hand. “I say this only as background to what I believe the Captain was attempting to say.” He paused running a hand over his mustache.
“I believe that you are aware of my own small accomplishments on the world stage,” Tesla continued. “I say small, because they are objectively just that. I have always wished to see mankind rise above his current place squabbling in the mud. I had hoped that my inventions would see man raised up in brotherhood to the heights he should occupy. Instead I have seen many of them turned to death and destruction, and I have learned that mankind is sadly far from what I know is possible for him.” He waved off whatever Abigail was about to say.
“Oh, I grant you that the Invasion in its dark brutality changed many things. Some in ways I believe move us a little closer to a lofty goal.” Tesla's eyes took on a faraway look. “The night I saw my first invention so clearly I could touch it, was the night that my brother died.” He looked at them with a sad smile.
“I have never been sure if my gift came about because of his death, in some horrible exchange thrust upon me by the universe, or if the two are merely coincidental.” Tesla moved a hand in negation. “I have discovered that it does not matter, ultimately. Despite all that I have done that is evil, and all that I attempt that may yet be good, it is Danilo's voice that I hear saying to me, 'Niki, keep believing, it is not the evil that matters but how you face it that does. If you keep to the goal of leaving the world better, you cannot fail. And so I believe.”
Into the silence that followed, all that could be heard was the clicking of Saira's needles. She smoothed out the cloth that she was knitting on her knees. “I believe that it is almost done,” she said. Leaving the bundle on her knees, she regarded Abigail seriously.
“Sister, I have said that I will fight by your side, and that is unchanged. Remember when I said that true warriors fight for love? You seemed surprised that I do this,” she said patting the knitting. “I have learned that it is as important to create as it is to destroy. I believe this is your moment to decide. Will you fight for love or for pain?”
Chapter 22
Wind Dancer, Bridge
Rogers hid his astonishment as Brighton, Lady Hadley, and Tesla walked up to the entry of the Bridge. Instead, he came to meet them. “There you all are,” he said. “I just had Mr. Walters attempt to phone each of you with no success.”
“We are sorry, Mr. Rogers,” Lady Hadley said. “We must have been on our way here. May we see the Captain, please?”
“Interesting that you should ask that, Lady Hadley,” he remarked mildly. “The Captain wishes to see you in his day cabin. He rapped once at the door and held it open for them.
Will sat in his usual place behind the desk, his feet propped up on it. Chang stood in the corner, her silk suit now exchanged for one of dark grey cloth. Behind Will, the porthole showed another cloudless, sunny day. Abigail thought there was something very wrong with that. It should be cloudy and storming, the way she had felt inside. Perhaps it was a good sign it was clear outside. She chided herself that soon she would be as mystical as Saira at this rate.
“Lawrence, that was quick,” Will said, “please stay too. Thanks for coming everyone. Pull up a seat.” Will waited while everyone except Chang sat in one of the wicker chairs. Rogers stood by the door as if on guard.
“Madame Chang was just telling me that she wishes to leave. She asked that she speak with all of us before she does. She has been telling me some interesting stories.”
“As I said, Captain,” the old woman replied. “It is not my wish. I must leave.” She looked at the assembled group. “Now that all are here, I shall begin again. Are any of you familiar with the Hidden Kingdom?”
“I have heard the stories,” Saira said to her with narrowed eyes. “It is a magical kingdom hidden somewhere in the wall of mountains to the north of here. It is supposed to have a magical city ruled by wizards in it. No one is supposed to return from there, which makes the origin of the stories something of a mystery.”
“It is no mere story,” Chang smiled, “for I am from the Hidden Kingdom as we call it.” She folded her hands together in the sleeves of her coat. “It is time that you hear the truth. My true name is Tsi-ying Chang. I am what you would call a secret agent for our ruler, His Holiness, the Dali Lama.” The silence that greeted this extraordinary statement was complete. When no one responded to this, Chang continued.
“Many thousands of years ago,” she began in a singsong voice, “the evil you call the Invaders, attacked this world as it was. There was a war even more terrible than the war that has just been. My ancestors retreated to the fastness of the mountains to await the Evil's return. We have been watching ever since.”
“If what you say is true,” Will asked, “why did you not come out when the Spiders attacked again?” Chang frowned at this inter
ruption.
“Our sages determined that the time was not right,” Chang answered. “Not all agreed with this, nor do all agree with it now. I am defying the will of my superiors to tell you as much as I am. Having seen the no-men monsters, as they are called in our ancient tales, I cannot remain silent.” She looked directly at Abigail.
“I am so sorry for what happened to Robert, Lady Hadley” Chang said woefully. “Please believe me that I never dreamed that the Evil was still alive within the crash. I would never have let him come to harm if I had.”
Abigail found that she felt remarkable cool during these revelations. It was as if having made her choice, she could look at the issues as she would a scientific experiment. It felt both freeing and frightening at the same time.
“But you had knowledge of what danger might be possible,” Abigail said coldly. “Yet, you did not share that with my father, nor with us when we came to the artifact.” The older woman's face twisted in agony.
“I could not!” Chang exclaimed. “For ten thousand years we have been in hiding. Our scared mission is save the whole world. It was not my choice to make! Now, with the No-Men moving among you, you must understand the danger!”
“Alright, you are making the choice to tell us now.” Will remarked. “I think that we have already figured out the danger of these 'No-Men'. So what can you tell us about how to detect them, fight them? Have you got something that can take on the Spider war machines if they show up again?” Tsi-yang Chang looked down, unable to speak.
“Aiya,” Will drawled in contempt. “That is what I thought. You know, I don't think much of either you or your people, Chang, or whoever you are. I think that you're hiding because it keeps you safe. If you really meant what you said, you'd have come out during the War. You'd be helping us now.”
“Perhaps you are right,” Chang admitted. She looked pointedly at Saira. “As for detecting the No-Men, I think that your witch here may be of more use than any instruction I may give!” Chang continued before anyone could reply to this assertion.
“I must, however, leave you now,” she said. “My superiors must learn of what has occurred.” Chang gave Will a wan smile. “Will you let me go, Captain? I wish to go home. I find that I no longer have the spirit to continue a life of lies and deception.” Tesla stirred in his seat at this.
“It would appear that our people and yours would have common goals here,” the Savant ventured. “Certainly, a common enemy from what you have said. Might we not be allies?” Chang bowed towards him
“There is wisdom in your words Sage,” the secret agent said. “Whether my superiors will agree with you I cannot say. I can promise that I will convey your wisdom.” Chang frowned. “I must warn you they may disagree. Indeed, they may decide that you are a threat for your knowledge of our people.” Rogers, standing near the door, crossed his arms upon hearing this.
“Are you saying that your leaders may also be a threat to us?” Rogers asked. Chang nodded towards him.
“I pray it is not so, but yes, that is what I am saying,” Chang said to him. She bowed deeply towards Abigail. “Your father was a very good man, Abigail Hadley. Know that I loved him and I believe he shared in that love. Know also that he spoke of you with great love and pride every day I knew him. My failure to protect him I shall regret all my days.” Abigail found herself looking at the woman in silence, unsure what to say. She spoke into the silence between them.
“If anything you have said is true, then I am glad to hear that he found happiness with you,” Abigail said. She tilted her head at the other woman. “If you wish me to forgive you for lying to us, and more importantly, to him, I am not sure that I can. Certainly I cannot now. I am sorry, I wish it were different.” Chang smiled sadly Abigail’s words.
“I could wish the same thing, Lady Hadley. The wheel will turn as it will.” She turned to the door to find Rogers blocking her way, his expression very unfriendly.
“Let her go, Lawrence. Trying to keep her won't help anything,” Will said resignedly. Rogers uncrossed his arms and moved reluctantly aside.
“As the Captain orders,” he said, disapproval in every syllable. Chang turned back to address Will.
“You are a noble warrior, Captain Hunting Owl,” she said. “Perhaps as noble as the warriors of old. I hope so.” Chang turned again to the door.
“Chang,” Will called out. The woman turned back towards him, her face now impassive.
“I assume that there are Aetherwave sets in that Hidden Kingdom of yours?” The Captain asked.
“But of course,” Chang replied. Will reached into a drawer and broke open a paper packet. He tossed a glittering crystal to Chang, who caught it deftly.
“That is half of a Farley set,” Will said. “You need us, give a wave.” The woman looked at the crystal in her hand and nodded wordlessly.
“Lawrence, would you see that she gets escorted off the ship, please?” Rogers nodded, tight-lipped, and punctiliously opened the door. Will addressed Chang, “It is a long way to the mountains. You need anything? Water? Supplies?'
“No thank you, Captain,” Chang replied. “I will be fine.”
“Yeah, I suspect that you will,” Will said shortly. With that, she turned without speaking and left the room. The silence that followed her departure was finally broken by Tesla.
“I believe that you said the country was filled with bandits and other dangers, Captain,” the Savant remarked in a neutral voice.
“They are, Tesla,” Will said to him. “If she says she will be fine, she will. I am not inclined to be more helpful than she wants. I do not see as we owe her more.” Lawrence re-entered the room and nodded at Will.
“I see,” Tesla replied, frowning towards the floor. After a moment, he raised his head to look at Will again. “The revelations that Madame Chang has just shared with us only highlights the seriousness of the proposal that I wish to make to you, Captain Hunting Owl. Perhaps now is a good time, with all of us present?”
Will leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, taking up an attentive pose.
“Go ahead, I am listening,” Hunting Owl said, closing his eyes. Tesla's straightened to a more formal stance. He pressed on in his speech.
“It appears that matters are much graver than my initial fears,” Tesla said. “I feel it safe to say that the hypothesis that the Invaders have returned is one that cannot be ignored. Simply put, we may be at war again, although the world does not know it yet. This is much more than a conspiracy of disenchanted nobles who have somehow found a way to transform themselves into something other than human, as I first suspected. The forces of the enemy may look like anyone, be anyone. I must trust that they have not suborned Her Majesty Victoria or we are doomed already. The only other people I may trust are here in this room.” Tesla paused.
“I wish to engage you and your ship, Captain,” Tesla offered. “The ‘job’ as you would say, is to determine if the Invaders are indeed making a far more insidious attack on mankind than their first. If possible, to learn how to stop them. I believe that I can offer you sufficient incentive if that is required. Although, after what you have seen yourself, I do not see how you cannot wish to see this evil stopped.”
It appeared to Abigail that Will had possibly gone to sleep, as he sat with arms folded and head sunk on his chest, eyes closed. As Tesla finished speaking, Will stirred. Without moving his head, he spoke.
“Huh!” he exclaimed. He raised his head and looked at Tesla. “Well I would point out that both Petrov and Lord Hadley are dead. The only Invader we know of is blown up and buried under a lot of rock. What you're talking about could take years to do.” He turned to look at Abigail. “What do you say Abigail?”
“I believe that I wish to save the world.” Abigail sat up straighter in her chair, as she said it.
“You believe you do? “Will squinted at her. Abigail waved her hands in irritation.
“That is the best I have for you!”
“That is a good ans
wer, Lady Hadley.” Will grinned at her. He then turned back to Tesla, “I will not join up with any government, not ever again. Sorry.”
“I am not a government, Captain,” Tesla leaned forward, “Oh, I am head of the science council of the Alliance of Nations, but we both know that the Alliance is only a pipe dream that has never come to fruition.” Tesla shook his head dolefully.
“We had such high hopes in those early days. A united humanity,” Tesla said sadly. “An end to nationalism, conflict, want. Perhaps we are not ready.” He shook his head again. “No matter now,” Tesla said in dismissal of his own rambling. Tesla focused on Will again.
“You would not report to any government. You would report only to me, Captain,” Tesla said. “No one, I repeat, no one, would know of this. While I believe that I may trust Bardon, for example, I do not trust his superiors. I will not interfere with how you go about the business; I have never believed in telling an expert how to do their job. I only require that you accept Lady Hadley on this assignment. She is now the foremost Scholar in the world on the Invaders’ abilities. I would ask that you keep me informed of your progress.” Tesla paused again. Will looked at him in silence.
“I can offer considerable resources Captain, not only financial ones,” Tesla continued when Will did not reply. “For example, would you find it useful to be able to detect other ships before they were in sight? Perhaps have a portable Shield for your ship? With what we have discovered about the Aether pump from the Invader vessel such things are possible.”
“Forgive me, but you nearly destroyed the ship!” Rogers snorted from where he stood near the door. “You do know that the coil-cannon is now useless slag, and we need it to defend the ship?”
“Yes well,” Tesla said with a shrug, “I had calculated that a tiny fraction of the pump’s output would create a much stronger effect that would generate both plasma and cause the guidance beams to deliver many times their usual energy. It appears that I was correct. You cannot expect to use equipment that is not designed for such a purpose and not have it damaged.” Tesla turned back towards Will. “It did,” he said quietly, “save our lives.”
