by J M Bannon
I was unable to stop adventuring, Gerrard. For I knew I had only just found the bank of the river and I would not be content until I sought out and found the source of the river. The authorities took my need to explore as a challenge, so my three companions, and I were branded outcasts and as a punishment for our disobedience we were sent to this earthly realm.
Here on Earth, I am powerful, my grasp and control of the arcane is vast. That which is me is not the man you see. This mortal form is one of my puppets, one of many human forms I manipulate on this physical plane," He felt his answer was satisfactory. Then continued with a question. "I am surprised you didn't ask me why you are here?"
"I am here to learn how to use my power. I can feel something growing, an energy and you promised you would teach me," said Gerrard then switched to unspoken communication and pushed his thoughts into Caiaphas' mind. < You will eventually have to tell me why you need me. >
What impressed Caiaphas was that Gerrard knew not to project his thoughts into the head of the man standing beside him, but down into the sub-basement where the true form of Caiaphas resided, in a vast pool of fetid soup.
"Why don't you go to the markets and pick out candies," Caiaphas took out his wallet and handed the boy some Lira. "You have shown me with the question you asked today you are quite the apt pupil. I have been a remiss tutor, having not known of how fast you progress with thought projection," he finished.
"I'm not a boy who wishes to play and eat lollies. I am here to learn and become one that can master the power I feel growing. Each day I gain an answer to help with that control it creates two more questions," said the youth.
"Everything will be fine Gerrard. You may as well know that my design for you is to become the harbinger of a new age, not just here on earth but across the multiverse. I will teach you how to become an explorer just like I used to be and how to pierce the fabric of reality to see and go beyond the realm of mortals.
12
Tuesday the 19th of March
8:20 a.m. Denver City
Denver City didn't have an aerodrome, hell it wasn't a town too long ago. He had been wire typed by a Detective Adolphus Williamson that the Peregrine had stopped to take on coal in Saint Louis and would arrive in two days' time. Elmore questioned what they might need to deal with an airship landing in his reply wire-type.
His British counterpart responded, “open field marked for landing is required and a hearty beefsteak to discuss the case over,” Elmore already like this gent. He informed them the town would set up a tent designating a landing location and light a signal fire between the branches of the Platte River and Cherry Creek near the outskirts of town.
Elmore had witnessed a lot on the range, much of it not fit for mixed company, but this day would be one he would share for some time. In fact, everyone in Denver City planned to come out to see the mighty airship land. It didn't land per se, this Peregrine was massive, like nothing he had seen before. Smoke billowed from three smokestacks and a smaller airship came down from the bigger ship that circled the city and filled the air with the noise of its propellers.
Elmore came out of the tent as the smaller vessel settled in front of the tent. The first to disembark was a gentleman with a full beard wearing a bowler hat and a fine suit.
"Who might be Marshal Quentin?" the man queried.
Raising his hand and walking up to the landing party, "That's me, Sir, I suspect you must be Detective Adolphus Williamson," said Elmore giving the man a hearty handshake. Williamson had a high forehead, dark curly hair and an infectious smile that poked out of his bushy beard.
"Please, call me Dolly, the sooner you get used to that being my nickname the easier it will be when this pack of lasses say Dolly and I answer." said the bearded man with a Scottish lilt to his speech. "May I introduce Constable Rose Marie Caldwell. The two of us will be the primary contacts, with myself being the commanding officer for the Metropolitan Police," offered Dolly.
"That's him saying when it comes time to reprimand me you should report it to him," Rose said sticking out a kid glove covered hand to the Marshal. He grasped her hand and gave it a firm shake that the raven-haired woman returned.
This was the infamous White Witch of London, the foremost paranormal detective in the world's biggest city. She was decked out in woman's western riding gear but instead of gun belts the harness on her midriff fitted with pouches, instruments, and vials. She gave Elmore a cute smile that he returned with a smirk. He rubbed his three-day growth of beard and blurted out, "if I had known you were all so fetching I would have cleaned up."
"What and deprive us of the raw western look we expect. We came to see the wild wooly west. Besides, I am not known for one who keeps to social standards," replied Rose.
"I have to say from what I've read in the newspapers you may belong out here more than in the city," Elmore replied looking to the other woman in pants and leather aviator gear.
"This is our airship pilot and a friend of mine, Captain Reidun Falk," introduced Rose.
"The Valkyrie doesn't need much introduction around here. What brings you back to this part of the World?" asked the Marshal.
"A faster ship than I left in," She said snidely.
"Well, let me be clear as the Lawman of these parts, that if the rumors are true, then there will be no fist fights or carriage races through town. Denver city has no interest in becoming notorious like Deadwood," guided Elmore.
The group looked at the Captain as if this was news to them.
"Seems the only thing faster than my ship is the rumor mill," she shrugged, not offering more.
"Captain Falk is not here in any official capacity, other than she pilots the Peregrine.
"You're all here as guests on my invitation and you will be extended every courtesy, however, you will be expected to obey the law," Elmore met Reidun's eyes.
Dolly stepped in, "Marshal, I am here as requested to observe and report. We will allow you to conduct all law enforcement affairs and ask for guidance as we are unfamiliar with your system of law. I would also like to introduce Doctor Lorelei von Traube, Guild Alchemist and a member of our team."
"Pleased to meet you, Ma'am. Did I hear the name correctly, Traube? Any relation to the Alchemist Traube, who sells the liver conditioning and headache pills?"
The joy washed off of Lorelei's face, "Yes, that is my Father, but I am a scientist and conduct alchemical research.”
"Well, I'll be damned, no wonder you run around with a girl's name, Detective. You are riding with of the most spectacular pack of ladies I have ever met, the fastest woman alive, a doctor that has her name in every medicine cabinet in the country and the White Witch of London. I can't figure out how the hell you got this line up on your dance card and I know there must be some mistake that you all are gathered here on the edge of civilization to help me unravel the mystery of in one street town," mused Elmore as he was hit with the gravity of the situation.
He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his sandy brown hair, pacing as he searched the ground. "I'm sorry Doctor, it’s a pleasure and I have to say your father's tablets have made many an early morning bearable after a late night of drinking," finished Elmore as he regained his composure and shook the small doctor's hand. Of the three women, she was the only one wearing a skirt, dressed conservatively the petite lady returned an energetic smile and spoke with a German accent.
"Marshal it is a pleasure to meet you and while my father's apothecary is renown, I am here to support Miss Caldwell, and her investigation," said Doctor Traube as she extended her hand to the Marshal.
Elmore sensed the fire
in her tone for a woman with a tiny frame he could tell she packed a wallop when fired up.
The Marshal quickly shifted to business. "I would like to get started as soon as possible, maybe we can ride out tomorrow, but first I would like you to look at some stuff I brought back from Harpsichord."
"Marshal, is there any reason we can't travel by airship to visit the scene?" asked Reidun.
"That would be easier and more efficient, as we have all of our investigative equipment aboard the Peregrine," injected Rose.
Elmore thought for a moment. He had just assumed they would ride out and had planned for extra horses and gear. "You will miss out on the full frontier experience of riding the trail,"
"I've got to say, mate, I prefer the prospects of a cabin on the Peregrine and a galley with a cook rather than eating jerky and sleeping under the stars," opined Dolly.
"Not an outdoorsman?" Asked the Marshal.
Rose and Dolly both chuckled. "The inspector here is one hundred percent born and bred in the city. Be it Glasgow or London he needs the clanking of carriages and the soot of the smokestacks to feel comfortable," said Rose.
"I think the starlight would keep me awake. I'm a city rat," offered Dolly as he took out his pipe and filled it with tobacco.
"Well, I have rooms prepared for you over at the Hotel tonight and we have dinner planned to serve up authentic frontier rump steak with all the fixings. I would like us to go over to my office on Larimer Street and review some odd things I found and don't have an inkling what they might be."
"Righto, let's get over there, Laddie and see what you have collected and then we can get on to that steak you keep teasing me with," Dolly offered between puffs of his pipe.
Outside the tent, a horse-drawn carriage waited, Elmore had hired it to bring his guests into town. His horse was liveried in town, so he hopped into the carriage after holding the doors open for his guests. As the carriage made its way into Denver City Elmore provided them the quick tour. "Denver City is the largest and most prominent town in the newly minted Colorado territory. After all the fuss with Kansas and Nebraska the boys out east parceled up the Indian territories, then The Lode was found at Pikes peak and this town took off. I was selected as Marshal and the seat was placed here along with the federal district court. My deputies and I preside over one hundred thousand square miles including three major tribes of Indians who don't always get along, trappers, pioneers, homesteaders, ranchers and every type of miscreant you can imagine who prefer to live on the fringe of society. With all that said, it is a beautiful country,” Elmore concluded.
The carriage pulled up to the Courthouse on Larimer Street. Under final stages of construction, it was one of the few brick buildings in town. Elmore guided the party in through the main door of the Courthouse then down the long hallway to his office. The upper part of the split door read: United States Marshal's Office of the Territory of Colorado, printed with gold leaf on frosted glass. A formidable desk occupied the majority of the simple, open office space. There were maps of the various territories and adjoining states had been posted, along with several 'Wanted' posters. A tall heavy-set man was seated at the desk reading some papers. The Deputy stood up as the group entered. "Good afternoon Marshal,"
"Wattsy, these are the folks from England, we will be working in my office, so git on out, we are not to be disturbed. As far as the ride tomorrow, it looks like we will travel by airship, so can you prepare my gear and bring it over to…" Elmore turned to Reidun for guidance.
"Bring the items to the runabout at the mooring and the pilot will get them up to the airship,"
"Got all that?" Quentin said, pointing at Wattsy.
"Sure enough, any of you folks want some coffee? Got a pot brewed," Wattsy threw his thumb over his shoulder towards a pot belly stove in the corner of the office, a blue and white speckled enamel coffee pot sat at the ready.
"What are these, Marshal?" Williamson was looking at the locked rifle rack positioned on the wall next to the door.
"Detective, while we may be on the edge of civilization we do have a few modern amenities. These here are Henry repeating rifles. The most advanced firearm known to man. Elmore thought the Scotsman would begin to drool. Elmore walked over to the rack and pulled out a key ring to unlock the chain that ran through the trigger guards of the rifles, releasing one and handing it to the Detective.
"One perk of being the newest office in the territory is we have requisitioned the latest equipment,"
"And most of it is shit," injected Wattsy pouring a cup of coffee at the stove.
"But not these. Matter of fact I carry one and find it far more reliable than any revolver,
"Not like those crappy volcanic arms they used to make or a muzzleloader," piped in Wattsy.
"It's a repeating rifle, you see the tube here under the barrel? It's what they call a magazine and you load these," the Marshal handed the rifle to Dolly freeing his hands to open a drawer storing ammunition. He removed a wax paper box and drew out a brass and lead bullet. "The rifle fires a forty-caliber rimfire cartridge. No loading of powder and ball, it's all in this one shell.
"Brilliant, quite remarkable. Rose, you are seeing this?" said Dolly.
Rose walked over and looked at the rifle. "The boss here figures he is a bit of a gunfighter,"
"I carry a Colt Navy Revolver," Admitted Dolly as he held open his Jacket to show his shoulder holster under his left armpit.
"I was wondering what you had tucked under there,"
"You should head over to Pritchard's before we leave and look at the newest pistols that use these all in one cartridge,"
"I will however, I am partial to the ball and paper cartridge. Constable Caldwell here has made up special bullets that are useful if I should run into any of these otherworldly nasties, but I must say this rifle is cracking," said Dolly in admiration of this new firearm technology.
"There is a slide on the side to breach - load a cartridge, but the tube holds thirteen in the magazine, with one in the chamber you have fourteen shots."
"You action the hammer and load a cartridge by moving the trigger guard forward," instructed Elmore.
As Dolly pulled the oblong finger guard forward, a rod drove out from the rifle housing pushing back the hammer. "Careful now, that rifle is loaded," cautioned Wattsy.
Dolly handed the Henry rifle to Elmore. "Here you go," Elmore took the weapon from Dolly and used his thumb to lower the hammer without the gun firing. He then racked the rifle and put the lock back in place.
"Do they sell those at this Prichard's?" asked Dolly with a gleam in his eye.
"They do. Well, it's a similar model a fancy one instead of this brass body, it has an engraved silver housing. These things are expensive and so Pritchard only carries the top of the line model," finished Elmore.
"I know what my souvenir from America will be," Dolly said to Rose, rubbing her shoulder.
"Now, I brought you all here to show you what is in my office," said Elmore.
Dolly, Rose, Lorelei, and Reidun followed Elmore through a door into his office. The room was slightly larger but similar in its Spartan appointment. The obvious point of attraction was an old tarp over some equipment just in front of the desk.
He threw off the oilcloth tarp unveiling an odd contraption sitting on four short legs. A solid brass base with wood inlaid panels centered underneath a protective cage housing a blood - red crystal, naturally formed within a glass dome. A black smoke swirled around inside the dome, appeared to comprised of hundreds of small tendrils.
Rose reached to her neck and grabbed her scrying goggle and snugged them up over her eyes. Elmore watched as she twisted the lenses and adjusted focus moving closer to the device.
"We found this contraption just outside of town in fact, near a wagon that had slid off the trail into a creek wash," offered Elmore.
"And you have no insight into this device?" asked Dolly.
"Nope, the driver of the team was dead. Interesting thing
, he was the only one we found that wasn't decrepit,"
"This thing is loaded with life energy," said Rose. She took out a roll of tools and opened it up then stopped. "Marshal, you mind if I open this up to see if I can determine more about its origin and purpose?"
"Be my guest, that is, as long as you think it's safe?"
Rose crouched down and removed screws and lifted off one of the curved wooden panels. She looked closely at the panel before setting on the floor. Inside she was able to see the ampules, tubes gears, and cogs that drove the device in a slow, sustained movement. She switched from scrying lenses to magnification and peered closely inside, "Could you bring that oil lamp over to shed some light in here?"
Lorelei grabbed the oil lamp and moved to cast illumination, careful not to get in Rose's way. "It's Necronist technology," said Lorelei
"What makes you say that? Rose has been trying to connect them to this case since we first stepped onboard the Colonial," Dolly surmised in eagerness.
Rose scowled.
"The yellowish - green ampules in the device. The alchemical gas appears to be Thanatalic Mystaficatos a Thanatalic Quintessence derivative that the Guild distills for the Necronists," offered Lorelei.
"And you can determine that from looking at that little vial in there?" challenged Dolly.
"I can. I have an eye for color and density, so I would wager it is the molecule I stated. Now would I say that I am certain? Not until we can test the gas, I wouldn't be able to give you the exact breakdown of the alchemy. I expect the nearest provisioning to do so is in my lab at Gilchrist Manor, of course traveling to Königsberg would provide the best equipment," asserted the Doctor.
