by J M Bannon
“Easy! What is the problem?” said Fletcher.
Azul gave him a shove away and let him go, “The problem is that you have no right to be trying to open me up and move things about. Then there is the issue of this gentleman and sharing the work of the good Sister and Dr. von Traube. Would you want me running around showing your work to every tinkerer that came up to me?”
“I think you're being a bit unreasonable,” said Fletcher.
“When you're a seven-hundred-year-old man trapped in a mechanical body I’ll listen to your opinion on what is reasonable behavior. I suggest you and I discuss this with Miss Caldwell and the Doctor before we proceed. Until then you and your Italian friend here can make a maypole out of your Mechanist Man, as I want no part of it unless the ladies approve,” announced Azul as he stormed out.
23
Tuesday to 30th of July
3:30 P.M. The Studio Arcana Hawkin’s House, Paddington
“Pāora said you were looking for me,”
Rose turned to see the young French girl Angelica possessed standing in the doorway of her Studio Arcana. The space was looking better in that the rubble and damage had been cleaned up, but the arcane laboratory of Rose Caldwell was under construction with unfinished walls, openings to other rooms and even new excavation.
Rose went back to looking at the wall covered in her sketches. She admired the drawings. After drawing up her ideas on the restoration of the house, the design work with Alfie, and finally with working on Project Sundial, she now had an appreciation for designing the details of a project.
Not that there wouldn’t be changes at the workbench and inspiration from failed experimentation, but Rose was proud that she had a design at least half way thought out before smashing together a contraption. Some drawings had notations scribbled in the margins about scale or a note about a particular component, other drawings were shown in an exploded view to provide an understanding of the assembly.
In the past her drawings were closer to the sketches of a school girl daydreaming, trying to get clarity on some idea or device. She would laugh to herself when she saw the old hand sketches of goggles, lenses or projectors.
The object in the plans was a way to subdue Caiaphas at their next encounter.
“I was hoping for some help with a way to apprehend our foe when we next see him,” said Rose.
“I thought you had a ritual?” asked Angelica.
“We did with Pruflas, an ancient rite conducted by the Brotherhood of Hermes to bind the creature to the stone. It requires several participants and takes some time. I also felt that we were lucky that Pruflas was in a weakened state, I worry that Caiaphas will be a more difficult task as he has been free for so long in this world,” offered Rose.
“This Pruflas is in the strong room?” Angelica clarified.
Rose’s flesh pebbled. She had told no one where she had locked up the book that held the demon, “He is, how did you know?”
“Since my return, I have a different perspective. It is as if every crackle of the aether makes my skin tingle. I can feel the tension between your wardings of imprisonment and Pruflas's efforts to escape.”
Rose became concerned. She didn’t need any demons bursting forth in her basement. They were still in the midst of completing the renovations from the portal breach and the attack of Allard’s undead beasts. Her eyes widened, and she looked beyond Angelica towards the door of the Studio Arcana.
“The breach is not imminent, but he will need to be permanently banished from this world,” said Angelica.
“After we get your son back and Caiaphas contained, I’ll deal with sending Pruflas and Caiaphas away. I have some old friends I can call on that could be of help,” replied Rose.
Angelica stepped close to the wall and looked at the drawings, “Rose, I have been spending time with Enzo in the theurgy chamber.”
“Has it been helping?”
“I wouldn’t admit it to him, but it is.”
“How so?”
“Ironically he has strengthened my convictions. I’ve been absorbed with what I want and never stopped to ask why I have been given such formidable powers. You see it is far more than just the faith I’ve been brought up in. Yes, I have learned to become adept in the practice of Voodoo but what has happened to me has given me so much more power, and nothing that I can look to my old ways to understand,” Angelica explained.
“Are you afraid?” asked Rose.
“The old man has helped me to see that spiritual energy is where all good comes from and to not fear my power. My application and intentions are what determines good and bad. Fear can cloud my judgment on how to use the power. It is my humanity, the fear of loss and the unknown that makes me misuse my powers,” said Angelica.
“I understand. People forget those of us with gifts have the same feelings and concerns that the non-gifted have, only the consequences can be worse for us when we become irrational or overreact,” offered Rose.
“Yes. The one who was the best at being Adept and rational at the same time was young Gerrard’s father. I hope in that respect my son takes after him, not me.”
Rose could see Angelica sadden with thoughts about her son.
“Enough of that, how can I help with your device?” said Angelica.
“Well, I know from my work on Azul that I can conduct spiritual energy through a wire. That was the way we transmitted his spirit in the gemulet from the theurgy chamber. My thinking is if there was a way to suck up the spiritual energy, to pull into a container that already had wards of binding that I could expedite the process of his capture,” said Rose running her finger over the diagram to trace how she saw the energy flow through her machine.
“The universe has a natural current, so all energy is flowing on the path of least resistance. When a soul is released from the body, it naturally flows to the afterworld, but through magic, we can alter the path, as in the Pwen Hanaan. I would think we could do the same with your machine.”
“I have this idea that by changing the pressures of eldritch elements I could create a spiritual pulling force. Are you familiar with Bernoulli’s principle?” asked Rose.
“Rose, dear I have little knowledge of your European mystics.”
“No, he was a physicist. He studied fluid flow and – never mind, I think I can draw out spirit energy.”
“I don’t know about that, but what I do in the Pwen Hanaan is more like a lodestone. I naturally attract the spirit to the totem.
Rose snapped her fingers and rubbed her hands together, “that’s it! If you could help me to understand these magnetic properties, I could work with Lorelei to augment, Oh - Oh…” Rose paced about the laboratory then slapped her forehead, “Of course, It all makes sense…”
Angelica pulled her chin in and crossed her arms, “Maybe it makes sense to you, Sister, but you’re not making sense to me.”
Rose shook herself out of her moment of synchronicity, “You see - sorry I see these things all connecting. The means to pull Caiaphas into a gemulet prison is not unlike that horrid device that the Necronist’s made. When we first saw it in Colorado, Lorelei identified it as a creation of the Necronist’s because of the alchemical elements it used. She determined it used thanatalic mystaficato, a rare concoction that the Alchemist’s of Prussia produce for the Necronists. Later Guild Master Saint-Yves shared that the dagger used on you and the device are based on their learnings from your Master in Haiti. You see the elements already exist and the process is tied to you.”
“All the knowledge of the prior Hougans, I now possess. What I do not know myself, I can call upon my ancestors through the Ju Ju Staff. I will show you what you need to know,” said Angelica.
24
Thursday the 1st of August, 1861
10:21 A.M. Haddon Hall, Bakewell, England
Fletcher reread the Wire-type.
TRANSMITTAL 01081861 08:42
TO: BAKEWELL T01
FLETCHER ALFRED
FROM: HAWK
IN T01
CALDWELL ROSE
ALFIE
AZUL IS ONE OF A KIND, NOT JUST HIS PERSONALITY BUT IN CIRCUMSTANCES. WHILE I BUILT THE GEMULET. THE RITUAL WAS CONDUCTED BY ANGELICA. NOT HEARD FROM AZUL SINCE HE LEFT ON TRAVELS. WILL DISCUSS UPON HIS RETURN.
ROSE
He crumpled the wire-type and threw it.
Pacing back and forth he kicked a stool that flew across the room.
Fuck, why won’t they help?
All this good work was being ignored. Earlier through a string of wire types between himself and Mr. Gilchrist he learned that Mr. Gilchrist hadn’t seen Azul in weeks and that Azul was away on research.
Why wouldn’t they share more? Just a month ago he had been integral to completing Project Sundial. His designs had made it possible to search for the portal system of the villain Rose sought and he was fundamental in Azul being able to walk amongst men.
The work being done here at Haddon Hall was equally as important. He and Luca were going to advance the mechanical and material sciences for the good of man. Why didn’t they see it?
Now Rose was giving him short shrift on his need to understand the workings of the gemulet and knowledge about Azul’s whereabouts. He understood the situation was unique and now remembered that Rose wasn’t the one who took Azul out of Preston. He needed Rose to get that grumpy old ghost in the machine to play along.
Azul would benefit the most with a better-designed form and Alfie could show his colleagues the improvements in action.
Until he had a way to animate the new automaton or could get Azul back to try on his new suit his project was at a standstill. He just wouldn’t have it; there was more to this than what that pompous Azul Hassan wanted. It was time for drastic measures.
* * *
11:20 A.M. Palazzo Corsini, Rome, Italy
“May I have a word?” Gerrard asked, standing outside Dimetri’s laboratory.
Gerrard walked next to him looking at the collage on the wall, “I wanted to thank you for your work and your help in understanding all of this,” said Gerrard waving at the map that Dimetri was drafting.
Dimetri was making notes and developing charts of the aether and the other worlds they had sent Gerrard to. He had cleared one of the walls and had begun to hang paper and make notations of the various readings. Each notation on that wall was an encounter etched into Gerrard’s psyche.
< What is it like there?> asked Gerrard pointing a finger at a strange coordinate.
Gerrard had been to sixteen different locations, most in the immaterial space known as the aether. He was coming to see the aether as a place of energy and spirit that was the barrier between realities. Like the wall between two rooms. The wall was something different, and it defined the space it was between.
“I could show you. I can share a memory with you if you would allow me into your mind,” Gerrard openly went in and out of Dimetri’s head without permission, this was just his way of covering his tracks and giving the Russian the feeling, he had some control.
Gerrard projected images from his first scare in the lavender dust with the manta and another scene where a group of six armed beings charged at the gate just before it shut. Within the memory was Gerrard’s feelings of fear and stress. When he let the Russian out of the vision, he observed the mute’s physical condition. He was sweating and visibly shaken.
“I was speaking with Caiaph — I mean the Countess, and she mentioned that Allard, the Necronist was responsible for building me a cohort of bodyguards. His creatures were to accompany me where travels could be more dangerous. How much did you interact with Allard?”
Dimetri looked over at the soul magnet in the cabinet, < He was deranged and attempted to take control of the Nexus. That was my first encounter with him.>
“Were there any notes?”
“I would like to help with the project,” said Gerrard. He now knew from his travels why he might need security and was sure that Dimetri was too busy with the Nexus to spare time on getting him a bodyguard.
It was time to speak with Giuliani at Haddon Hall.
25
Monday the 5th of August, 1861
11:00 A.M. Chilton House, City of London, England
Sir Lester could feel Mr. Healy’s impatience. Mr. Healy stood before Sir Lester’s desk. Healy’s breathing distracted Sir Lester as he did a final read-through of the mid-year partner’s update.
He finished reading the last page then turned the pile of papers over and tidied them. Healy interceded and took the documents and the portfolio, “Everything in order sir?”
“Yes.”
“The partners are waiting.”
“The number of times those two have kept me waiting…”
“Yes, sir.”
Healy was right, regardless of others lack punctuality, Sir Lester Chilton’s name was the first on the door and he was representative of the firm and his family name. That was demonstrated by how he did business and how he conducted himself. Punctuality exhibited discipline.
The two men made their way across the secretary’s lobby to the partner's boardroom. While this was where they had the partner's board meetings, it was never more than a few men. Currently, there were only the three partners and never in the history of the firm was there more than six, yet the room was filled with an imposing walnut table that could seat twenty.
It was theatrics for clients. First that their business warranted a meeting in the partner’s boardroom, then the subliminal message that when those partners met, they required a large number of seats and those imaginary seat holders were looking out for your money. Instead, there sat Strathmore and Owens at the near end of the table on each side with the end left open for Sir Lester to sit as the Chairman. As Sir Lester took his seat, Healy passed out the final documents that Chilton had just reviewed.
“Good afternoon Gentleman,” said Sir Lester. It was then that he noticed Owens’ ashen face.
“Everything alright Mr. Owens?” asked Chilton.
Owens held up a letter.
“That is your copy Mr. Owens, I have one for Sir Lester,” said Strathmore, as he handed an envelope to Sir Lester.
Lester Chilton slipped the letter out of the envelope and read its contents. Without looking up he spoke, “Mr. Healy, could the partners have the room please?”
“Yes sir,” said Healy with a confused look.
“Yes, Healy we need a moment, thank you,” said Strathmore.
“You’re resigning,” Chilton said to Strathmore after the door closed behind Healy.
“Effective immediately,” Said Strathmore both of his thin hands gripping the top of his cane.”
Chilton was speechless at this action. He took it as a betrayal.
“Is there some issue, something you find disagreeable?” asked Mr. Owens.
“Quite the contrary, I find working with both of you enjoyable, and I would say that our collective contributions have put money in the pockets of our clients and each other. It is time for me to leave. That is all,” Strathmore stated.
“What do you mean, leave? You don’t just leave, I mean…” began Chilton with a raised tone.
“I know what you mean, you feel this is sudden, even treasonous, but partners come and go. Usually, it is sudden, and we are left to fight with heirs over capital accounts and property. Let’
s all be honest, I’m an American in a British merchant bank, while you’ve honored me with a partnership I’ll never be the chairman of the firm.”
“Is that what this is about? A title?” said Owens.
“No, ambition. Even if I became the chairman, I would be the first American managing partner and that would be what I was known for, the firm would still overshadow me. Really, gentleman, you are going to sit and tell me that you never saw the day coming when I would tell you that I needed to go start my own business?”
Sir Lester went to open his mouth but what was poised to drop from his tongue would move them into conflict not compromise. He took a breath and then spoke, “You’re right, Randal, this day was inevitable. While you have been an important part of this firm, you too are replaceable. Not so long ago I couldn’t imagine this firm without my father at the helm, yet here we are. I know you well enough that you didn’t come in here without this fully thought through to your optimum outcome.”
Strathmore smiled. “Yes, I don’t look to make a spectacle. In fact, I see a real opportunity for us both here. Let’s be frank, you can’t liquidate my capital and pay me out without this impacting your business, and I am not interested in competing with you. I have a very different type of business planned.”
“Do tell,” coaxed Owens.
“Chilton, Freir, the Rothschilds, all compete and have their strengths in various areas, but all of you are focused primarily on nation-building and financing governments. I wish to focus on this growing merchant class and be a kingmaker of commerce,” said Strathmore.
