The Fall of the Guilded Goddess

So the story picks up in London. So lets begin.

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Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on January 24, 2013 at 6:17pm

Jack ran in with Anna at Tims yell. He saw the young girl and the older gentleman across from Adolphus, who was sitting there chuckling at the situation. Turning to Anna "Its not a weapon but I still never got your name" Jack looked around the room. "So I take it you all have something to do with Felix.


At the Flat:
Felix sat in the chair as Bell was repairing Phoebe, he was messing with his throwing knives and began throwing them at the wall. "I'm bored, I think I’ll head over to the Dock house, after you put her back together of course." Phoebe giggled as she came closer to being fixed. 

::Confused slightly, Anna shakes her head::  I don't know a Felix.  ::looking at the young girl patching the gentleman, she brushes a dark strand of hair from her face::  But I'm beginning to wish I did.  ::Coming out of her shock, she straightens her shoulders.::  I am Lady Arabella Blackthorne ... daughter of Lord Andrew Blackthorne.  :shamed look::  You already know who the man in the alley is.  ::Moving to help the girl with her aid::  May I be of assistance?  I have a slight bit of medical experience.

Still oogling and the immense size of the man who ran in to the room, Tim removed the cigar from his mouth and said “What’s not a weapon? You clearly don’t need one” Being caught off guard at the woman’s comment, not even realizing she had introduced herself, he though, did someone see me when I jumped in the alley? There wasn't a damn soul in the ship yard. Maybe in the building my coat was stuck in? Asking the woman, “Man in the alley?” Wincing as Arabella finished up wrapping his leg. “I think she’s got it covered, but thank you. I’m Tim.  Who is this titan you rushed in with?”

::moving back, Arabella nods and attempts a smile fit for nobility, even though she is still disheveled and taken aback that she mentioned the alley::  If you are certain.  :smiles at the young woman before answering his question:  And this is ... Jack?  Yes, Jack.  He is my savior, of sorts.  ::Smiling again at the young woman::  Very well done! 

Ara's smile faded. "You know how I'm involved with Felix." She said to Jack before turning back to Tim. "Try to stand up and see how it feels," She said with a softer tone than she had with Jack as she raised herself up. She held out her hand for Tim to take. "M'lady, why so far from home by yourself?" She asked. 

::smile fading, she moves back toward the wall, trying to fade in::  Not m'lady ... please.  Annabelle.  ::looking around the room, wondering who this Felilx was and taxing her mind to think of where to go and what to do next::  I was ... walking with someone and ... got ... separated.  ::eyeing Jack to see if he would betray her confidence before noticing the movement from her bag.::  It's moving! 

Ara squinted and cocked her head in confusion before it clicked. He facial expression widened for a moment and she laughed. "No, it's not. The sassy marsupial inside is." At that moment, Jabber popped his head out, high as a kite and scrambled out of ara's bag. He offered her a eucalyptus leaf. "Really Jabber? sorry, just a second ago he was tearing Tim's leg off and now he's offering leaves of friendship." Ara shook her head. "After two years my partner still confuses me."  

::eyes brighten in a true smile as Annabelle leans forward, her hand practicallly down on the floor, beckoning for the charming creature like an animal whisperer::  Hello, dearest!  ::Looking toward Arabella::  And you are, if I may ask?

Ara forgot that Tim is still seated and straightend  herself out. "Arabella Porter. It's a pleasure." Jabber adjusted his head under Annabelle's hand. "He's definitely happier now that he's high." She said before looking back to Tim. "Let's see if I did this right, shall we, sir?" She asked him, holding out her hand again.   

::chuckling::  Oh, I like to think he would like me if he were, how you say, high, or not.  ::Scratching the creature's ears, she watches the woman helping the man to stand and test his leg.  She doesn't know how, but she has the feeling she can trust this woman.::  You did an excellent job.  The bleeding will be stopped and, if it was clean, there will be no risk of infection.  ::Focusing now on the man, she shows a look of genuine concern::  Is the pain very bad?

"Of course, now the damn thing is happy.."He said, grabbing Ara's hand.  Pulling himself up, wincing a little but then steadying himself "I think it's pretty good, it's not too bad.  Thank you dear." Hopping on the injured leg, just to be sure" Yes, not bad at all." Now that the injury was taken care of, Tim looked at his pants "Well, I guess I"ll need to replace these, won't I."  Looking at the corner of his coat "It has not been a good day for my clothing. Now Annabelle my dear, you mentioned this man in the alley?"

::Annabelle moves back another few steps, disturbing the koala in the process ... her eyes showing an attempt to cover her fear.::  I ... there was a man in the alley ... who was ... attacking me.  I escaped ... and ended up at Jack's door.  ::nodding, wanting to tell it all, but giving only the information she did.  As she sees the man stumble a bit, she instinctively moves forward to help.:: 

Phoebe and Felix arrived shortly to the dockhouse. He paid the driver and walked up to the door, he heard a lot of voices from inside. That's strange, how many people does Adolphus have over???? He opened the door and looked around and saw Jack, Adolphus, Ara, and Three other people he's never met, "What the..."

::Jumping as she hears the loud voice, Annabelle gasps and searches for something to protect herself::

Arabella placed her hand on Annabelle's back. "shhhhhh," she hushed to calm her, "if anyone hurt you in here, they'd have already shot me dead." she smiled. "Whoever he was, he's not going to hurt you here." Ara looked up at Felix. "oh look," said playfully, "the son of a bitch who press-ganged me." She grinned. "I suppose I'm to call you captain now, yeah?" Jabber smiled at Felix. "Excuse my language, Annabelle." 

Relieved that it was not he who she saw in the alley but feeling terrible that he has stirred such awful memories within the women, Tim walked to Annabelle "Please forgive me dear.  I didn't mean to upset you.  I'm very sorry, but glad you escaped safely.  And by the looks of it", he said as he eyed the giant man from head to toe, "You've got one hell of a guardian now." Turning to the man and the lady that just walked in, smirking at Ara's colorful language, "Well now, It sure is getting pretty cramped in here, isn't it."

::soothed by Arabella, Annabelle straightens a bit.::  Press-ganged?  Captain?  ::looks toward the men in the room::  I've heard of that practice. 

::breathing a labored breath, Annabelle nods at the remark of her guardian::  It does seem as if I do ... for the moment.  ::looking around, her nerves get the better of her and a bit of steel comes to her voice.::  And yes, it is pretty cramped in here.  What in bloody torment is going on here?

 Ara looked around the rest of the room. "Well, if we're all going to the same place, shall we actually take this little convention to the ship? With Felix's permission of course." She looked to him for approval and Jabber hopped in her bag. 

"Jack what is going on?" Felix said. He glared at Ara "Piracy has its price my dear" There waws a click as Phoebe walked in, "Put the machine guns up Phoebe, We don't need them not now" there was another click as the gun barrels went back into her arm. "I am a captain of sorts" He looked Directly at Annabelle then straight to Jack. Jack shrugged and went back and grabbed the box "Its ready" he said as he handed it to Phoebe, she looked at Felix and he nodded. She left the house and headed for the ship. Felix Sat down and propped his feet on the table.

::watching the man so casually seat himself, Annabelle coudln't help but admire his confidence and obvious self-esteem.  Clearing her throat slightly, she steps forward::  I am Lady Annabelle Blackthorne.  Your friend here ::motioning toward Jack::  was kind enough to help me when I was in a very sticky situation.  ::Looking around to the others, she sighs and admits::  I killed a man today.

Ara placed her hand on Anna's shoulder. "Are you sure you finished the job? You said you escaped. How did you do it?" She asked. Ara could remember her first kill. It was only three years ago on the night she was first press-ganged by the Silver Widow. "How did you escape exactly?"  The copper, laying on the ground, in the rain. That feeling of seeing someone so lively and in a flash, they're stone still only because you squeezed your finger. 

::turning to Arabella, Anna breathes deeply::  The earl ... Nigel ... was attacking me ... his hands were everywhere.  ::shivering::  He was determined to bring me to his home ... to take possession of me. He and my father had come to an understanding. ::chuckles angrily::  As he was manhandling me, I grasped his cane and broke his skull with the ivory handle.  ::eyes glazing::  There was so much blood.  ::hands becoming shaky.::

Felix just smiled as he pulled out a flask. "Most people around these parts don't take murder too well" He said after taking a sip as he, Jack and Adolphus burst out laughing. He took another sip of his flask as jack pulled out a huge revolver and tossed it on the table in front of Felix. "Finally a bigger gun" Felix said between drinks as he looked around the room. He noticed the Alchemist and the man in the grey topcoat. "They are both looking for work. One to test his creations and the other needs work" Adolphus said as Felix glanced over each one. Felix noticed the burns on the grey topcoat. "Peculiar burns on your clothing there." He said while eyeing them a bit closer. 

Looking down at his coat, then back up at the man, smirking and taking a pull on his cigar, "Good eye, there mate.  There really isn't too much that damage cloth like that, is there" Tim said, trying to stay elusive to the hardware he was toting. "Now the paint tears, well that's pretty easy to explain" eyeing the bag with the koala. "As your friend, Adolphus said though, I am in the market for some work, if that isn't too big an issue"

Arabella sat annabelle down and handed Jabber over to her. "Just take deep breathes. You'll be thinking about this all tonight, trust me, but for now, just pay attention to the furry goodness known as Koala fur. That's what I do sometimes when I'm having a break down." she sat down next to her and rubbed her back. "Just keep breathing and focus on the koala." Jabber sat patiently, awaiting the "stuffed-animal treatment" as it was known. Ara regarded Felix's comment. "What kind of burns are they anyways? Pardon my nosiness." She asked. "Unless Jabber is part dragon now, I don't believe I am responsible for that one." She joked. 

::Annabelle sat there gently rubbing the animal ... even wrapping her arms around him every now and then ... taking in deep breaths and letting them out ... all the while her eyes taking in everything as the hand at her back soothes her::

Laughing Tim asks, "No, this happened before the encounter, although still recent. While we are on the subject, would Jabber has a strange attraction to any peculiar lights or glows by any chance?" 

::annabelle tightened her arms about the animal as his name is mentioned ... fingers kneading soothingly into the soft fur:: 

"Those are energy burns." Felix said as he stood up and opened a cabinet and pulls out a rifle. "Work huh? What kind of work?"

His smirk faded as the man pulled out the rifle and he raised his hands, "Woah there, mate.  I'm not here to cause trouble. Not at all. I just happened to find myself in the area and a bit out of place. I don't happen to have my bill fold on me and it isn't in the close vicinity. I just need to make some currency and possibly a small work area to figure a few engineering things out. I'm pretty versatile, as I told Adolphus." At about that moment, hoping he hadn't reviled too much, Tim was thinking that he would have spent a little more time on that energy protection barrier theory of his and had done something practice with it. "The dock house here, was the first thing I had seen in the area and I thought I would mosy on over and inquire. I've had enough trouble in my past, I'm not looking to cause any more at the moment." Taking a puff from his cigar and removing it from his mouth, the gleam in his eye returning, "So, I heard the mention of you being a captain of sorts, would you happen to have any work available on your vessel?" 

Ara smiled. "why, was something glowing?" She asked. "When he's high, sometimes, only sometimes, things that are shiny, or things that glow become illusions or become parts of illusions." she explained. "That's  just a theory though. I'm guessing this all from observation." She walked up to Tim. "Sometimes he can smell a secret on someone though." Her smile suddenly became very mischievous. "You probably just have something to hide and he took up on the defensive." she joked with a playful twinkle in her eye. 

::Annabelle chuickles::  It seems as if we all have something to hide, doesn't it?  Kind of make us all kindred spirits. ::scratches Jabber behind the ears and smiles::

Jabber's ears flapped back and forth as she scratched him behind the ears. Ara turned to Anna. "I don't have much to hide." she replied. "But yes, I think the secrecy does kind of weave its way in. I'm glad that you're smiling. It lets me know that you feel a bit better." Ara sat down next to Annabelle.

::sighing::  I feel fine, thank you.  I just ... need to figure out what's going to happen to me.  I'm thankful that no one here will turn me in to the authorities ... but ...

Looking at the gun then at Tim freaking out he remembered most people freak out at the sight of a gun. "Don't worry if I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already. But you say your an engineer....I may be in need of one of those." Felix looked to Adolphus "Cynthia is missing she isn't in her shop or in London at all.

Smirking as the man talked, "That I don't doubt, from how you're handling that rifle and from the pistol you pulled out earlier, I can imagine you are far more than capable with a weapon. Don't be so quick to judge though, I have a few tricks up my sleeve" Chuckling to himself at the irony of his statement, wishing the transporter hidden on his left forearm was still functional. "Yes, engineering, physics, and energy manipulation are what I specialize in while in the lab. My partner back home and I, had made quite a few advancements while we were together." Turning to Ara, "A high koala that has hallucinations....." scratching the back of his head he whispered to himself, "Well, that could explain it.."

"explain what exactly?" she stepped back to Tim and slightly cocked her head in curiosity. "you don't happen to have any fairies flying about you now, do you?" she teased. "they might become a problem" she finished, giggling.

::Annabelle chuckled at the fairie connotation::  Fairies don't glow ... they flicker.  ::hugging the koala:: 

"Jabber" Tim replied to Ara, "His fascination with the inner dermal layers of my calf. As for the fairies, he got it on the initial strike" winking at Ara putting the cigar back in his mouth,

Ara giggled again. "you just seem to be having a very magical day, that's all. " she replied. "with mysterious burns, glowing ligjts..." she didn't finish her sentence as she leaned against the table. "i guess that could just be described as strange though."

"Strange....." Tim said as he saw the man with the rifle staring him down as he and Ara talked. "Maybe.... a typical...definitely" Looking at everyone else in the room, trying to figure out his situation, he turned to Annabelle and ask, "How are you doing Annabelle? That destructive fuzz ball seems to be helping."

I'm well, thank you, sir.  ::giving Jabber a final pat and letting him scoot off of her lap as she stands::  And please don't call him that ... you will hurt his feelings.  ::Annabelle smiled softly::  You wouldn't want to do that, would you?

Laughing as the koala scurried back to his bag, "You're right, dear.  I suppose I'm a little tainted after our first encounter." He keeled and tried to grab Jabber's attention, he stopped, scowled at Tim and continued on his way "Well, then.  Maybe next time." Still kneeling he looked up at the rifle and the the man wielding it,  "So, if I may ask.  What kind of engineering needs would you have and what kind of vessel? Anything else you would like to know?" The smoke from his cigar, clouding his face.

Wil sits quietly throughout the entire ordeal between everyone. Finally after everyone has said their piece he gives a deep throated chuckle. His pipe billowing smoke around him. The story of the beautiful young woman killing her attacker did pull at his heartstrings. Seeing an opening he finally stands slowly and offers his hand to the man who has clearly taken charge.
"You must be the captain. Felix I believe. Your ship was recommended to me as an ideal location to test some of my alchemical formulas. The majority of my work requires a certain level of immunity to use without causing some stir." He laughs easily and smiles.
He looks to Annabelle and sees how shaken she is from her tale and takes a step to her. "Good lady please take my seat. You clearly need it more then I do."
Turning back to Felix he gives a small laugh. "I apologize good sir! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Wilhelm Heizeltroff, retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Army of the American Republic. Owner and chief creator of Heizeltroff Alchemical Laboratories."

"You'll see" Felix said to Tim as Wil spoke up, he listened diligently. "Interesting proposition from you both. Be here first thing tomorrow morning with a bag of your things." He said watching Phoebe walk by as he slung the rifle over his shoulder and threw his beret on. He ran out and began walking with her.



Adolphus looked around the room. "So it looks like you all got what you want in some shape or manner, but he addressed everyone. So Miss Annabelle looks like you must get ready to go as well. But Be here around 0530, otherwise he will get antsy" Adolphus chuckled and poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Tim stood up from his kneeling position watching the man with the rifle walk out. He said, laugh to himself, "Bags...hah.  Well I'm good to go." Turning to Adolphus "Morning eh? Well, riddle me this good man.  Where would one find a place to rest till morning? Preferable with a good scotch."

"Ten Bells Tavern, White Chapel district. I can actually get you a room for free instead of paying the fourpence." Ara blurted out, now leaning against the wall. "You seem strong enough so that no one will bother you." She stood up. "What'd you say?" walking towards the door.

Turning to Ara "I happen to have a soft spot for blue eyes and free lodging. You wouldn't happen to know where I could get a free pair of trousers now, would you?" Tim said smirking through the cigar in his mouth.

Ara let out a short laugh and bit her lip to hold back a smile. "Didn't you father ever tell you to watch out for the blue eyed white chapel girls?" she joked. "i can get a five finger discount from a neighbour." she laughed walking backwards out the door.

Tim smirked, following Ara out the door "I'm not one to heed warnings too well. *Winking* I like to run with the risks and see where they take me, ironically, how I ended up here. Now, as for your discount...only because I'm a little tired of my new ventilation holes, and you may owe me...just a little bit... I'll take you up on that" Tim turned around just prior to leaving "Thank you for the hospitality, Adolphus.  It was a pleasure. And to you, Mr...... Heizeltroff...was it? I bid you good night" Tim turns, following Ara out of the dock house.

Wil smiles as the other two leave the building. He smiles as he prepares to leave as well. Seeing the lady still in the seat he gave her he finds himself unable to resist making a bold offer. "Well I find it is time to go. For any who need a place to stsy for the night or just want accomodations shoreside for the night I have plenty of available rooms at my lab. I also have a nice selection of drinks. I can assure you all that any guests will be treated with respect."


He smiles as he opens the door to the dockhouse and waits to see if any will take him up on the offer.

Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on January 24, 2013 at 6:36pm

   Upon their arrival at the East End gates, Ara stopped and turned to face Tim. "There are a few tips you should know when roaming through these streets." She smiled. "Whenever a young boy walks past you, make sure you have a knife out for them to see," She hands him an extra pocket knife. ",and mutter to yourself just loud enough for them to hear. If you tick someone off, just apologize but don't be fancy about it. don't look anyone in the eyes and keep up. There are more than 1,200 whores. They'll approach you. It can't be helped. If they try to undo your trousers, just keep walking. If we end up getting into a fight on the way and kill someone, the police like to ignore this area so we won't have law dogs on our tail. If someone tries to sell you something, pretend that your drunk or deaf. But you won't have to pretend to be anything as long as you keep walking and stare straight ahead, besides muttering to yourself, no acting should be rquiered if everything goes right. Am I clear?" She asked in a soft tone, raising her eyebrows for a response.

Taking the knife and chuckling with a smirk, "Clear we are dear. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Believe it or not, this isn't the first time I've found myself in rough surroundings." Taking the now half smoked cigar out of his mouth, he asked "Would you happen to know a good tobacconist? I'm afraid I'm a bit low. To be honest though, dear. As long as I can get a bar stool and well aged scotch after all of this, I'll be in heaven." 

"Tobacco is sold randomly around here." She explained walking through the gates. "And maybe the scotch can be my payment for the trousers?" She asked as they pushed through the crowd. She saw some whores widen their eyes when Ara passed. It took her a moment to remember that she was apparently "that barmaid that dissappeared." the girls probably recognized her from the Ten Bells.    

Seeing the whores stare down Ara, "Well, they seem to have taken a fancy to you." smirking with the cigar in his mouth. "How is the tobacco around here, decent?" he said struggling to keep up with Ara's pace in the crowd. "Damn, is it always this packed over here? And as long as you can distract the bar keep, I think I can snatch us up a good bottle to drink. Scotch drinker, eh? Rare thing for a women. I applaud your tastes."


"There's been a lot of overcrowding since the immigrants came bustling in. The one's who can't make it to America crowd in here. As for tobacco, i can't say. i haven't been here in awhile.and I'm more for vodka but believe me, the barkeep won't charge for anything. No snatching required." She explained as they reached the tavern. Ara walked in slowly hesitant to grab Aurelian's attention immediately. It was as if she was afraid he wouldn't respond. "Aury," She finally said.  Aurelian looked up from his work and sighed.

   "I didn't think you'd return." He looked back down at the bar and wiped it down in the same spot as before.

Following her in, "Ah, we have a similar issue around Ellis Island, it's a little bit tight for my tastes. When we find them, I'll grab few sticks and see how they fare to my regular cigars." Seeing Ara signal the young man, "Ahh, so you know people, I'm ok with free drinks, it's just a shame I won't be able to tip." Listening to the young man respond to her presence,"I can let you two catch up if you'd like" He said making his way to a bar stool.

Ara sighed. "we already did." she said, sitting next to tim. Aury stared at the stranger. "Bells, who's your friend? You're not..." Ara cut him off. "no. He needs a place to sleep and so do i. Just until morning. I don't care how angsty you are today, you wouldn't send me to George Yard." there was a long pause before aury smiled. Walking into the back room he said, "leander would kill me." this was ara's permission to jump over the counter and pour tim a glass of scotch.

Tim looked at the two with a tired face, "The la.....Ara, just offered me lodging, like she said.  No worries mate.  Found myself a bit far from home." Tim stood abruptly, "Pardon my rudeness, It's been one hell of a day. Timothy R. Harrison" he said extending his hand. "Inventor, engineer, and lets say....philanthropist." Chuckling, "Most pretty much call me Tim though" After shaking his hand, Tim turned and grabbed the scotch from Ara and cupped it with both hands, "Thanks, doll." Tim took a big sip and his body relaxed a bit on the stool. He sighed with a smile, "Thank you very much"

Ara chuckled, "So, American scientist," She leaned on the bar in his direction, "Which state are you from?" she asked, "And who are you running from in such a hurry that you didn't take anything with you?" She looked down in her bag where Jabber was sleeping before pouring herself a vodka on the rocks.

Tim choked a bit when heard the question, being caught a little off guard, "Well, New York, we had the lab there. Now, how i got here.....I'm not running from anything, but it's a bit of story, that's for sure. To be honest, I'm surprised I've said this much already.  I know I haven't had that much scotch so I must be comfortable around you, and I'm a bit exhausted.  It's been one hell of a day, dear. There are people out there that would do a lot to get some of the information I have in this brain of mine."

"Sounds like a dangerous brain you have there. I'll resist the temptation of picking it and let you recharge." She thought for a moment and then picked up her bag. "I'm going to get you those trousers you need. If you'd like to come, you may but you'd have to be quiet and stay outside. I'm going turtle doving." She said, walking towards the bathroom door, pulling out a maid's uniform from one of the west end houses.

 

Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on January 24, 2013 at 6:39pm

The picture in his hands normally rested in his desk but today a special melancholy had fallen upon him and he looked upon it until he had no choice but to get dressed for the party. He laid the black and white photo on the desk near the entrance, who’s subject was the same as the oil portrait which hung on the wall near the fireplace, and went into the platform which held the cases current information. Bell began to forget the photo was out in the open while he became absorbed in the case. Felix had asked about the painting once, which Bell had said was nothing more than a souvenir from a past case. It was partially true, but if he were to see the photo he would know better. Hence the reason it was normally hidden in his locked desk drawer.


Bell looked over the plans of the station placing a pin in the locations of the body, explosives and other important places while fixing his bowtie. Violet walked in front of him and smiled. “You were always so dashing in a bowtie and tux.”

“Well that’s something we can agree to disagree on.” She walked away revealing the plan when bell saw one of the small black dots near the entrance grow. “Ok, why is that pillar important? I wish the hallucinations were more specific sometimes.” It shrank back down as thin lines shot from wall to wall and pillar to pillar. Small numbers appeared next to them.

Bell rushed from the construction plans and retrieved his original designs for the station.

He thought back to the station and the columns and beams through the station when he visited, referenced the two plans and smiled. “Ah. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”

“What?” Violet asked.
“The plan I drew has the columns in their correct position. However when I went there I noticed four extra near the entrance. I didn’t pay much mind to it, explosions and all, but now that I know something bigger is going on and realized the tunnels are more extensive. Well simply put, the columns that aren’t on my original plans don’t support the station. Which means they are for something else.”
“Like what?” She asked
“I’m not sure, but I think I discovered how our murder got in and out without being scene.”
The doorknob turned and Felix Walked in.

Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on January 24, 2013 at 6:46pm

Felix left the dockhouse with Phoebe. He knew the part of town they were going to walk through was known for attacking automatons. Phoebe was able to fool most people, specially from a distance, but there were those who could tell. He also knew that the rifle would scare the smarter one's away. This route was also the fastest way to get to back to the flat in time. 


Phoebe tugged at his coat as they walked past a shop. The most beautiful silver and pearl choker was in the window. "Felix look" She said while staring at the choker. "So it is" He said while looking at her reflection in the glass. He noticed how empty her eyes where. No matter how human she programmed to be she was still an automaton. Her eyes, while beautiful, where so empty. Just like me. Empty and dead inside, yet so full of life.The bell of the store's door broke his trance, he saw Phoebe talking to the shop owner and him remove the choker from the window. He waited for her to come out with the small box. "Happy now?" He said with a slight chuckle. "Very much so" She said ever so cheerfully. They started to walk along the street when a younger gentleman walked up to them. "You robotic filth!!!!" He yelled at her and turned to Felix "You sicken me!!!! Treating a machine if they were human!!!!!" He began to yell as he raised his fist. 


At the Dockhouse


Adolphus and Jack walked out with Wil. "I don't have lodging for the young lady, do you think you could watch her if she was okay with it?" A young airmarshall walked up to Jack and saluted him "Sir the shipment you ordered is in" "At ease and don't salute me" Jack said while walking towards a large cart with boxes on it with the young Airmarshall.

Back To Felix.......


Felix grabbed the man by his collar and threw him against the brick wall next to them. "You really aren't smart are you?" The man just spat in his face. "When you see a man walking down the street with a rifle on his back you shouldn't try to attack him." Felix pulled out his butterfly knife. "Now time to give you a lesson you will never forget" He said while dragging the blade down the side of the man's face leaving a large cut. "Now I don't expect any more trouble from any of you" Felix said loudly as he saw people start to walk away. He let the man go. The man took off in a sprint down a back alley. "You just have to show them you mean business sometimes" He said to Phoebe. "Thank you Felix" She said while giving him a hug. 

The man with his face cut.....


Thaddeus ran down the alley way. "Damn robots!" He yelled while knocking over some boxes. "They aren't all bad" A voice from behind him said. "Who are you" Thaddeus said while nervously drawing his pistol on the voice. "That gun wont stop me" the voice said as two red eyes appeared in the shadows. "I want you to do something for Thaddeus." "HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME!!!" Thaddeus yelled as he felt the cool hand placed on his arm. "I want you to join us" The voice said so calmingly yet creepily at the same time. "JOIN WHO???" Thaddeus yelled, this time so nervously he dropped his gun. "The Congregation of Gears. We believe in using machines as they were designed" The man walked forward from the shadows and was wearing all black and gray mask. The eyes where glowing red lenses, the mask looked like a piece of metal with only eye holes. Thaddeus collapsed from his anxiety "Perfect......" The man said as he pulled the limp body into the shadows, down into the underbelly of London.

Elsewhere...


Bartholomew sat there looking over the city. "Soon Charles. Soon."
"I take it the power source for the machine is ready?" the butler said.
"Close"
"That is wonder-" A knock on the door interrupted the butler as he ran to get it. "Sir the Madam is here" He said as he walked back into the room with a woman in a long red velvet dress. "Be gone" Bartholomew said as Charles left the room.
"So How have you been" She asked as opened a bottle of wine.
"I take it you did your job" He asked while adjusting his shirt cuff.
"As Always" She said while walking up to her carrying the wine.
"So he shouldn't figure it out till its too late right?" Bartholomew asked while taking the glass.
"The plant is too well hidden, it will be gone before he knows it was ever there" She said while waiting for him to take a sip.
"Good." He said as he pointed a pistol at her forehead and pulled the trigger, he poured the wine onto her dead body. "Takes alot more creativity to kill me." He laughed and started walking towards the door "Charles gather my things. We have a train to catch here soon. Leave the body though." He yelled to the butler while leaving the hotel room. He wanted to send a message. 

On the Grey....


Sarah had walked on and into the quarters where M.K. was. She must have put up one heck of a fight she's still out. I guess hiding out will do that to someone. Sarah started to gently shake her to wake her up. She didnt want her to miss the dinner party.
Audrey's Flat...
The young cop was getting into a slimming green dress as she was thinking over how she was going to prepare for tonight. She had her handcuffs and case file in a bag she was planning on bringing. He will never see it coming. She knew this was a big day for her brother though. He was finally being promoted to a detective. He would be responsible for solving cases for all the precincts in London. It was a better job, with a lot more fun. One day I'll get there. She was smiling uncontrollably at the thought of what she was going to do tonight.

Back to Felix(again)....


Felix looked at the street sign and noticed he was only a few blocks from the flat. Almost home. Felix walked in and climbed the stairs to the flat. He walked in on Bell's map. "I heard you talking aloud Bell, everything alright?" 
"Just thinking aloud" Bell said while looking over the map.
"Those look like the station blue prints" Felix said while taking off his shirt to change it.
"Yes, when we were in the station it was different from my blueprints." Bell said while tidying up the desk a bit.
"So something related to the Guilded Goddess?" Felix said as he put on a shirt and beginning to tie his ascot.
"Yes, I may have found out where our murderer went." Bell said as he adjusted his bowtie once more.
"That's good, we can investigate in a few days" Felix said as he put on his pants. He adjusted the suspenders, "So some people came looking for work on the ship." 
"Oh" Bell said while looking over the blueprints again.
"Yeah going to see what they are made of tomorrow" Felix chuckled as he put on the vest and grabbed his coat. "Please don't make a scene tonight Bell. This dinner will be important to Sterling." 
"I will try not to but cannot guarantee anything." Bell said while grabbing his topcoat. 
Phoebe had walked out of the guest bedroom wearing a lowcut, short, black dress. "Let's go boys" She said and giggled. "Not so fast" Felix said as he wrapped a fur coat over her shoulders. The three left the flat and hailed a cab. Felix told the driver the location and the were off. They would arrive at the Gear shortly.

Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on January 25, 2013 at 6:22am

 "Permission to enter, sir?" Ara knocked at the door as daintily as she good before the door unlocked and she let herself in. "Ah, yes, oh," The master of the house gave a dissapointing sigh as he took the tea from the cart. "Margerie, you let the bag soak for too long in the cup." Ara resisted a rolling of the eyes. "Sorry, sir." she responded. "No matter, I'll have a cube with no milk. Then, Margerie, if you would wait for me to finish and THEN take the cart down, I would appreciate it." He looked to his friend without noticing the fail of a curtsy, "How is your family, Ezra?" He asked. "All is dull. Not much happening since the wedding. And you? Has Thomas caught that...uh...sky pirate?" Ara hid a smile.

   "He catches many skypirates." replied the host.

   "The one that vandalized buckingham palace with those vulgar images?" Ara attempted not to laugh.

  "Thomas isn't all that I wish." Her giggles were no longer in need of suppression. "pirates are reckless and usually easy to catch. I had no trouble with them." then why don't you try, old man? "He needs to work harder towards perfection. Hell, Ezra, he lost his badge early this morning. He told me over breakfast. He can't find it anywhere. I always tell him to have a secret compartment in his bureau for it but he insists that he has it covered." Seargeant Dunning left his cup of tea on the cart and Ara left the room, grinning. She made a stop by his chambers and pulled in the cart. these'll do, she thought, pulling out a gray pair of trousers from his dresser. She put them underneath the cart and stood up. She was about to leave when she noticed a framed police badge hanging over his desk....
  As Ara left through the kitchen, a real maid stopped her, "Your shift is over?" She asked.
  "Hell," Ara replied, "I think my work here is done."

"Sounds like a dangerous brain you have there. I'll resist the temptation of picking it and let you recharge." She thought for a moment and then picked up her bag. "I'm going to get you those trousers you need. If you'd like to come, you may but you'd have to be quiet and stay outside. I'm going turtle doving." She said, walking towards the bathroom door, pulling out a maid's uniform from one of the west end houses.


Tim sat as Ara talked, slowly fading way into his thoughts. “Thank you for the offer my dear, and I most definitely owe you for the effort, but as much as I wouldn't mind seeing you in that uniform, if you don’t mind, I think I will just stay here and relax. I could use it after today.” He replied. Ara bit her lip, trying to hid her smile and headed on her way.

Sitting on the stool with a scotch in hand, Tim went over the events that had occurred. It had not been 12 hours since he was last in his lab with Nikola beginning the experiment. First and foremost, it worked. Molecular dematerialization, transport, and re-materialization was possible. The possibilities for technology of this sort were tremendous. Shipping goods overseas that would normally take days could be done in the blink of an eye. Resupplying troops with out putting couriers in danger. So many beneficial possibilities, but, with every benefit there was the absolute opposite. The ability to simultaneously bomb multiple targets without warning, transporting disease and danger at a whim to where ever you would like. With enough resources and power, you could destroy every major city on the planet. Tim sat there for a moment, put his head down and then slammed the scotch in his glass. Waving to Ara’s friend “Would it be too much trouble to ask for the bottle, mate?” “Not for a friend of Ara’s, and by the look of it, it seems like you’ve had one of those days” he replied handing he mostly full bottle to Tim. Tim then tipped his hat and filled his glass. “What have I done..” he thought to himself “I’m always far too hopeful, trying to benefit our race when they take the best of mankind and pervert it. Everything we have, everything we create has its fate weighing on those who manage to get their hands on it. Something can be developed with the most innocent of purposes and somewhere, somehow, someone will find a way to turn it in to something destructive.” He thought of his reactor technology, how his plasma capacitance disruptor came in to fruition, the assaults from Edison’s men on Tesla and their work. “Sometimes you just need to take the offensive..” he thought slamming back another scotch and refilling the glass. He thought of the possibilities of the transporter on a larger scale, the engineering efforts involved in creating power means, thinking back on draining the power from the town, and how feasible it all actually could be. Large scale aetheric extraction, field containment, instantaneously transporting battalions of men to an opposing force, it all weighed him down, cementing him on to the stool in Ten Bells Tavern. “She seems innocent enough, and friendly enough, but I can’t let myself slip like that again. I can’t let this technology get in to the wrong hands….I need to be more careful”

Tim sat there with the 5th of scotch going through all the what ifs, how’s, who’s, why’s, calculating, designing, wondering. “After everything today, what the hell is tomorrow going to bring, this is going to be one hell of an adventure” Tim said to himself with a smirk.

Seconds turn minutes and minutes turned to hours as Tim sat, consumed with his thoughts and completely oblivious to the world. Sitting there, making his way through though the bottle, Tim was completely unaware of the man in a black trench coat watching him from a poorly lit corner of the bar, two red eyes were barely visible. 

Ara strolled in a placed the trousers next to the scotch bottle. "there a whole set." she said. The corner of her peripheral vision announced the presence of a black cloaked figure. She made sure not make eye contact but it made her uncomfortable.

Wil smiles and nods happily to the large gentleman. "I have plenty of room and I assure you the lady will be quite safe and well taken care of."
He turns to Anna and offers her his arm. "My lady if you would care tp join me? I must arrange some final matters. If you would like you may join me for dinner as well. I have reservations at the Wellington and I see no reason not to offer you a fine meal as well. We may as well enjoy this final evening landside I say."

::Annabelle looks up at the gentleman, green eyes wide with surprise, then warming with a smile.  She moves and takes the offered arm::  I would be most appreciative ... Col. Heiseltroff ... is that how it is pronounced? You are very kind to offer me a place to stay for the evening.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do, honestly.  As for dinner ... that is much too generous.  ::Impish smile::  However, life has been so chaotic,  I must admit to not having eaten since ... I'm not even sure I remember the last time.  ::A shiver comes across her as she follows the gentleman out the door and down the street.::  Everything is happening so quickly ... I'm having a difficult time keeping up.  Fear is quite exhilirating when it is mixed with excitement. 

Wil smiles at her warmly and leads her to his auto. She hadn't eaten and that just was not acceptable. Her comment he gave a small laugh* Why you are right. Fear and excitement are exhilirating together! But I'm afraid if you can not remember when you have eaten I must insist that you join me for dinner. My table is always set for two and it is rather depressing to never have company.


He opens the passenger door for her and hands her into the seat before closing the door and moving around to his own side and settling into his seat. Looking at her he chuckles softly.* Would you like to freshen up before we go to dinner? And do you have any luggage or personal items we should pick up?

::Annabelle self-consciously starts to smooth her hair::  Oh, dear ... I must look a fright.  ::chewing her bottom lip::  I'm not certain how to ... or where to ... ::sighing::  I have a few small valises packed at the Beechtree.  I would love to freshen up and then pay my room.  ::Looking at him with something akin to wonder.::  Am I really going on an airship with people I don't know!?

Well then we shall head to the Beechtree first and get your valises. Though I don't see how you can have a proper wardrobe in a few small valises? And no you do not look a fright. You are quite beautiful I must admit. *he smiles at her as they make their way towards her rooms*

::blushes::  Thank you, Col.  That is quite kind of you.  ::sighing::  I put what I could in the valises before I left my father's home.  I didn't intend to go back and knew I would not be permitted to leave if I packed all my belongings in earnest.  ::Saddened::  And now that I have added murder to my list of sins ....

Please, call me Wil. I am retired and set no store by the rank of my military career. It just seems better when dealing with customers. *he laughs. Hearing her quick tale he sobers up then gets a mischievous smirk*


So you mean to tell me you are about to embark on a grand adventure with barely any clothing or means of supporting yourself when you return? And just so you know, murder is an act done in cold blood with malicious intent. You merely defended yourself from a vile beast who happened to appear in the guise of a man. You have not sinned. You have cast a demon back to the depths of hell.

::A concerned look crosses her face::  I hadn't had much time to think of how I would support myself.  My only concern was to leave my father's home.  ::She looks up into his eyes, a determined look focusing in hers::  But I will.  You may depend upon it. 



::As they reach the Beech Tree, Annabelle allows him to help her to the ground and takes his arm.  As they enter the establishment, she hesitates in the lobby.  Turning to face Wilhelm, she looks up at him, her nervousness showing as she chews her bottom lip::  You will be in the lobby when I return ... no? 

He smiles at her and nods at her question. An idea forming in his mind already.* My lady you can be certain that I shall be right here when you return. If it would make you feel better I could accompany you to your room as well.


He smiles as he on her predicament. He was certain that fate had cast them together to help this young lady.

Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on January 25, 2013 at 6:36am

Ara strolled in a placed the trousers next to the scotch bottle. "there a whole set." she said. The corner of her peripheral vision announced the presence of a black cloaked figure. She made sure not make eye contact but it made her uncomfortable.


Ara’s placement of the trousers stirred Tim back to alertness. Slowly turning his head to see the un-torn pants next to the now almost empty bottle, he smiled with tired, half closed eyes and continued through to look up at Ara. “Thank you, dear. I appreciate it. As much as I enjoyed the air vents your friend helped me with, I’ll enjoy having a solid pair of pants on in the morning.” He waivered for a moment and let out a hiccup, which, in turn put a troubled look on his face. He sat up as straight as he could, looked at the bottle again, then back up to Ara. “You weren’t gone that long were you?” He asked. Ara let out a chuckle “No, no I wasn’t, but you seemed to manage to do a good number on that bottle, didn’t you?” Tim smiled, “Yes, I suppose I got lost in my thoughts and wasn’t paying attention. I suppose I should lay down, we’ve got an early morning ahead of us” Tim slowly went to stand and dipped a little taking a step toward the bar, catching himself, “Damn first step, it always gets you.  I shouldn’t drink while sitting” He turned to Ara’s friend and asked for a water “Sure, here you go, it looks like you need it”  Aury turned to Ara, “Bells, are you going to be alright with him” She turned and smirked, “You know I can take care of myself, and I don’t think he’s much of a threat right now” Aury smiled, “That’s a good point, I’ve got two rooms ready upstairs, back and to the left” “Thanks Aury” She turned to Tim, “You think you’ll be able to make it up alright?” Tim stood up straight and started heading towards the stairs, “Yes, thank you Ara. I’ve just been sitting too long.  I’ll be quite alright” Aury threw Ara the keys to the rooms upstairs and the two headed up. “Thank you again for everything tonight, I really appreciate it.  It’s nice seeing a friendly face, especially one so easy on the eyes” She smirked and threw him a key “Just make sure you’re not late, you lush. Felix won’t take too kindly to that”  He grabbed the key and headed to the room, “Dually noted. Just to be sure, if you could stop by on your way out, It’s been a long day.  Thank you again”

As the two parted ways. Ara looked back and the red eyed man in the black trench coat was gone. She stopped, thought about it, and went up to her room. Tim opened the door and took his coat off in the room.  He threw the new trousers on the table in the room and flopped down on the bed. “Well, let the adventure begin” Tim drank the rest of the water, set the glass on the floor and passed out. For it will be quite the adventure that awaits him ahead. 

Felix wiped his face with a handkerchief and spritzed some cologne on, making sure his appearance was flawless,  before the carriage stopped in front of the Gear. "What was with the picture on the desk Bell?"

In the distant future


“Felix, come in this instant!” the grounds where well groomed and warmly lit as Felix limped in. the nurse greeted him almost immediately. “Ah, good morning doctor.”

Felix smiled gingerly at the young woman, she reminded him of so many other young girls he had met in the days of pirates and espionage. Hardly even thought about anymore.

“How is he this morning?”

“as good as ever. Perhaps you could try to get him to eat before you light his pipe for him.”

“I will try but I’ve never been able to before.” Felix said with a concerned smile.

There was a pause before the nurses smile faded. There was a shade of sorrow as she spoke.
“It’s very good of you, to come in every day as you do.”
Felix smiled warmly “Well he does have the most singularly brilliant and insightful mind of his generation.” She smiled sadly and Felix walked in.

“Oh, Felix, I fear the train was sabotaged, please pour us a couple of brandies.”

“Oh bell I believe you may be right. But instead of work lets have lunch for a moment, you can’t work your life away.”

Bells wrinkled face turned to face Felix and seemed confused for a moment. “Yes, yes right. Maybe tonight, no what? Lunch and brandy? Not a bad idea. Grab me my.” He limped over to the table “stone flute, it’s on the shelf.”

As he did every day Felix took the Ocarina and handed it to Bell before placing the brandy glasses on the table. “Sterling asked about you, And Audrey too.”

“His sister?” bell asked

“No you old fool, your daughter.” Felix poured the golden brown liquid into the glasses.

“ah, well I believe Bartholomew is behind the disaster and….” He fingered the stone ocarina, and smiled “It appears I have forgotten how to play.” He sat it down, “how did I do that?” he drank the brandy as Felix thought back on the marvels tunes that used to flow from the instrument under his grasp.Bell pulled out the ancient plans of the station. “It seems there is a false room here.”

“Another successful case for us to write up.” He looked at the face of his old friend. “once again you helped save the day.” He paused “Isn’t that right?”

Silence followed. “We all Miss you Bell, even your wild moods.” He waited there listening to the ticking clock as for the first time in years Bell’s eyes lifted.

 “I know Alex. I do know.” It was the second and last time Felix ever saw Bell shed a tear. “would you light my pipe, please.” His head shook under its own weight. “I can’t get the fog to clear.”

Felix tried to speak but had no words. Instead he placed an old photograph on the table. “Maybe this will help.” He said finally.

Bell smiled. “The small box I gave you, may I have it now.”

Felix reached with shaking hands into his pocket and handed him the small oak box. Bell opened it and took the contents. “Felix. You should leave now I think. Though I’m not really sure.” He paused and then smiled. “thank you.” He laid a small envelope on the table addressed to Felix.

He turned and began to play the small stone flute for the first time in years. It sounded sad. When he turned round he responded.

“Ah, Felix Why are you here? Have you brought the body miss Alistar. I have 14 theories as to how she died.”

Felix left, listening to the tune coming from his room. He paused to hear the ending of Bells interpretation of the old sextet. How he managed it on that over developed whistle would always be beyond him. When the song ended there was a pause, then a thump. Felix waited in the lobby until he heard the shout from the nurse. “doctor!” then silence. He walked out into the garden in front of the home, and opened the letter. Had two lines written on it. The first was “This is 1/3.” The next made equally no sense. “”In the carriage tell me to look left at the first sign of stupidity.”

He tossed the letter away.



Present day

He ignored him at first.

“Felix I have a gift for you, well more for me. I recently read that certain mentally destructive diseases may have to do with our genetic code. If this is true give it to me when I ask for it.”

Felix lifted from his haze of thought for a moment “What’s that?”

“Nothing just keep this for latter.” He brought up the small pattern of blood that had been wiped away. “Why have you been fighting with a middle aged male roughly the same height as you who is apparently in desperate need of money…. And I think he has a cat.”

Felix just stared. “How did you know he was broke?”

Bell laughed. “You smelled horrible.”

He then thought about the picture. And of course Violet. Who was only a few feet in front of them.



Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on January 25, 2013 at 6:44am

Upon opening the door, Ara spotted a wooden crate on the bed with a dirty piece of paper leaning lazily against it. The last time she had opened a wooden crate with unknown contents, a koala had popped out jabbed her in the nose. Jabber couldn't possibly be in this wooden crate though. He was asleep in her bag. She drew her revolver and paced slowly and cautiously towards the box before picking up the note with her free hand.

                                                     These would not be for any other 

  Ara peeped into the crate. Inside, she recognized one of Leander's shirts along with an unfamiliar locket and a giant stack of  what appeared to be journals.  Ara let loose a short forceful exhale before taking a deep breath, pulling her lips into her mouth before nodding almost in confirmation. She pulled the shirt out of the box and held on tightly to it, smiling. Jerk, she thought, we had a plan. Hrer smile faded when she remembered that shewas actually the first one to leave. She thought for a moment before laying down on top of the covers, still hugging the shirt. You would have loved the sky. As the melatonin in her body kicked in, Ara sighed and smiled again. It was time to keep going.

Present Day

Copperpotts felt the weight of the metal and envelope in the interior pocket of her coat. But there was something else there as well: the second message from her unseen friend. It was another envelope that had been found in her belongs after she was processed in New York. When they allowed her to dress before being escorted to the Quad A Airsylum, she had found it in the folds of her skirt. Her name COPPERPOTTS was written plainly across the front. Inside was a London newspaper clipping of a train station tragedy with the words BIG COAL written on the top. She memorized the entire story of the Guilded Goddess and the terrible disaster. But it only left her with more questions.

She had wanted to discuss it with her contact Darkmoon, whom she had so carefully planned to meet aboard the Quad A. However, she was not God and could not control all the circumstances. Ms. Copperpotts met the infamous lord a little too late and was unable to glean any information. And with pirates attacking, she had to make some rather quick, albeit, rash decisions to escape. But Luck finally smiled at M.K. when her path crossed with a certain airship captain. The same captain who was great friends with a man named Bell. Dr. Bell was mentioned in the newspaper article as the genius behind the Goddess.

The silence was broken by Milton," So, what are we to do now?" She glanced over to see him standing very rigid near the door. Kingston on the other hand was leaning back in a chair with his synthetic hair disheveled, top button undone on his vest, and a splash of mud on the bottom cuff of his pant leg. Copperpotts was so deep in thought she had forgotten they had entered the room after she had finished dressing.

"Actually, " she sat back down slowly unto the bed," We wait."

 

Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on January 25, 2013 at 6:45am

Sterling's Party


The carriage arrived at the Gear. Phoebe opened the door and ran through the chilly London air to the party. 
     "Bell why do you have to be so critical?"
     "You know I don't want to be here." Bell said as he stared out the carriage window.
     "Sterling is a good friend, and has helped us countless times. You and I both know we need to be here."
     "We're here, lets enjoy the party." Bell said while stepping out of the carriage.

"You can be terribly difficult sometimes. You know that? And I'll tell you about the riff raff later." Felix said as the two walked towards the bar. Felix knew Bell would be difficult about talking about the photograph. Before he could say anything to him, Bell was already inside and relishing in the free liquor.

     Upon entering Felix scanned the bar, he noticed Audrey in the corner with a few other officers and their wives, Sarah in the center of the room, making small talk with Sterling and some of the other senior officers. Phoebe was surrounded by young men, some of them children of senior officers and others young recruits. Felix sighed and chuckled a little. He noticed Jack in back near all the food. Bell was at the bar enjoying the extensive amounts of alcohol. He was looking around for Copperpots when a familiar voice sounded in his ear "I thought you would never make it"

     "It's okay to be fashionably late sometimes" He said without turning around. His shoulder tensed and relaxed as he felt her hand on his shoulder. He turned to see the the tail of her dress slip into a crowd. He was about to follow her when Adolphus came up and grabbed his hand. "Glad you decided to show up." He said as they started walking towards Sarah and Sterling. Felix gave 'really???' look at Sarah's low cut and short dress. She just winked and smiled.

     "So Mr. Bellicose, to whom do I owe the honnor of you making here to the party" Sterling joked while shaking his hand.

     "The skies can wait for an old friend. And I needed some time to recover" Felix said as he gripped his left shoulder.

     "I read about that. The Grey and the Quad A Airsylum being attacked by some maniacal megalomaniac or something like that. Care to shed some light on that?"

     "Lets just leave it as some messes are in the process of being cleaned up." He said while still having mixed feelings about the Quad. 

     "So if hes a pirate why haven't you arrested him yet, detective?" One of the other officers said jokingly. Felix just stared him. "I wouldn't worry about it too much" Felix said as he pulled out his flask and took a swig. The group continued to chat for a few hours. They discussed new policies and proposed budgets, and old cases.

     "You have quite the amount of new recruits lining up" Adolphus said trying to change the subject.

     "An aristocrat. A shady inventor. An Alchemist. A pirate. and a robot. This is going to be a tough crew to work with but, I see potential."

     "You forgot Murderer." Audrey chimed in while walking up to the group.

     "Ummmmmmmmmmmm, I know pirates usually kill people but that doesn’t make them murderers, necessarily."

     "Not the pirate. You!" She said while pointing at Felix
     "Me?"
     "Yes you!"
     "How?"
     "Alicia Marie Grey"
     "That wasn't my doing and we all know that"
     "I reviewed the case and it all points to you." she said smugly.
Felix was starting to get livid. It was late and he had a big day ahead of him, but now he was ready to yell and fight with Audrey.

     "What do you know Audrey???" Felix yelled as he threw a glass in her direction. She jumped out of the way as the glass shattered on the pillar behind her. Felix stormed out and slammed the door behind him. Jack went to fetch bell and as Phoebe ran outside and watched Felix walk down the street. When Jack came out carrying the drunken Bell the three followed him back to the ship. "Go Get on board" He said while sighing. He loves his free liquor. Felix thought as he saw the drunken Bell. He checked his watch. 0100. In just a few hours he would put the new crew to the test. He sighed as he went to get some travel clothes from the flat.

That Same evening........

     Thaddeus awoke in a dark room. All that was in front of him was  two glowing red dots. Suddenly the room was illuminated for a few seconds. He saw broken and torn apart automatons on the floor. All of them looked close to humans. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the figure in front of him in the center of the room. Their dark forest green trenchcoat with a high collar paralyzed him with fear. The lights flashed again, gears and oil were all over the floors and walls, the figure was holding holding a needle this time. The room lit up one last time as he felt the needle in arm as he fell down and blacked out. 

     Thaddeus woke up to a voice. "Get up" He rubbed his eyes and tried to get up, but his body was heavy. He fell down to his knees. The voice that was neither man nor woman, but sounded as if machine, bellowed again "Get up".  He took a deep breath and tried to fight the heavy feeling, but fell back down again. "Get up!!!" The voice said as he felt a boot end up in his gullet. He spat blood and doubled over. He felt a boot in his back as he was flattened. He suddenly felt like he was up in the air and was finding it hard to breathe. He felt his collar getting tighter on his neck.  He was wide awake as he hit the floor and struggled to get to one knee. He glanced around the room he was in. There was an open door on his left and the agent in the dark green trenchcoat on his right. "Soon you will be one of us."  the agent said in the same mechanical voice as they placed a mask on the table behind them. Thaddeus took that moment to make a run for it. He made it a few feet before feeling a sharp pain and seeing a red glow. Everything went black as he fell onto the floor.

Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on January 25, 2013 at 6:45am



Groggy and disoriented, life began to stir ,just before dawn, in the bed where Tim lay. He went to roll on to his stomach, not aware of just how close to the edge of the bed he was, and had his first encounter with physics for the day. “Son of a bitch……what…where?...oh.  That’s right.” Rolling to his back, Tim pulled out his fob watch to check the time. It was just before 5am. “Well, I suppose I should probably get on the move if I’m going to make it back to the docks on time.”


Struggling a bit to get to his feet, he wobbled and caught himself on the bed post when he finally did. Tim began to unbutton his vest and then threw it on the bed.  He took off his torn, bloody trousers and looked at his wound. “Well, that spunky little vixen did a mighty fine job on this, I’d say. It doesn’t feel that bad at all….well, that or I’ve still got a good amount of scotch in my system, either way, it’s a win win.” Walking around pantless, he went to his boots and pulls out his cigar case, giving it a good shake and letting out a sigh, remembering that he had smoked his last one the night prior. He then walked back over to his dismembered pair of trousers unbuttoned the suspenders and put them on the pair that Ara had acquired the night before.  Slipping them on and tucking in his shirt, he was surprised at just how well they fit. “Huh, well look at that. And I thought I’d be swimming in canvas all day till I was able to get to a good shop”

Tim slipped on his suspenders and then put his vest back on.  Walking over to the sink, he washed off his face and in the mirror, adjusted his tie and cleaned up his hair. Adjusting his gun belt, he flipped the switch to the power module just to make sure his gear was alright and his reactor sprung to life, casting a green glow about the room.  At the same moment, a loud knock rang through his head, coming from the door. “ God damn….too much scotch.  Hold on.” He grabbed his coat, threw it on and made sure the leads to the teleporter were well hidden.  He walking over to the door and opened it. There stood Ara.

“Good morning” she said unnecessarily loud and with a smile.”

                Sighing ,“Hello there. Next time, just jiggle the door a little, will ya?” he said.

               “Now where’s the fun in that? You sure did a number on that bottle last night. You ready to go, we probably shouldn’t be late”

                “Yes, just let me grab my hat. If would could take a route back to the docks that happens to venture past one of those shoddy tobacco shops you’d mentions, I would greatly appreciate it.”
Tim walked over to the bed, picked his topper off the floor and placed it on his head. Looking in the mirror to make sure the angle on the brim was just right he walked back to the door.

                “Shall we?” he said to Ara

                “We shall, as long as you’re sure you don’t need any more time to pretty yourself up”, she retorted with a smirk.

Tim raised an eyebrow and the two headed downstairs. Before heading out of the pub, Tim ran over to the bar, grabbed a bottle of whiskey, pulled out the cork and quickly threw the bottle back.  Ara stood there just staring shooting Tim a strange look.  He then replaced the bottle, fished around  a bit and came back with a bottle of tobasco and some mint leaves. Repeating a similar ritual he had just completed with the whiskey, he placed the tobasco back behind the bar and threw some mint leaves in his mouth. He turned around to see Ara still staring with a puzzled look on her face.

                “What? Hair of the dog, you know?” he said. She lowered her head shaking it and placing her hand on her forehead. “What’s with the greens?” She said bringing her head back up.

                “Freshens up the breath a bit. Care for a nibble?” Tim said with a gleam in his eye.

                “No, I’m quite fine. Thanks. Can we get out of here already?”
Tim just smiled and the two left the bar.





Permalink Reply by Oswin Bernerd McGuinness on February 14, 2013 at 4:36pm

The two headed west back towards the docks, the streets were filled with rowdy drunks as the darkness was coming to an end. Tim stumbled for a moment, fighting with his lack of sobriety from hours before, fitting right in with the crowd but quickly regaining his composure.


“How are you doing back there? You should probably try a little harder to keep up while we are out here”, Arabella said looking back at the sound of the stumble.
Quickening his pace to a brisk jog until catching up, “I’m fine, I just need to wake up a bit more, that’s all”, he replied.


“Oh? Well maybe you have thought about that before you drank so much”, she said with a glare “I doubt that this sky captain will take your shenanigans as light hearted as the normal bloke. He doesn’t seem like the patient type”, she said, quickening her pace.


Smirking while keeping up , “It’s probably a quarter scotch. In that regards, I’m fine, trust me. It’s more so the fact that I haven’t really slept in, oh…” Trying to figure out when he started to prep for the experiment and then taking account the difference in time, “Damn…about two days”, Tim said with a mild look of surprise on his face.

 

Ara looked over with a brow raised as the turned around a corner, “Now what the hell were you doing for so long? No wonder you’re tripping all over yourself”, with a small grin on her face


“I stumbled once..” He said in a playfully defensive tone and chuckling “Well, I was……busy. I had a bit of preparations to make for the day’s work”, Smirking and shaking he head, “And a lot of good that did me”


“Oh, did it now. Well, hopefully you’ll perk up a bit when you get that cigar of yours that you were so adamant about earlier.” She said as the two turned another corner revealing a small market street beginning to stir to life, the sun just beginning to glow beneath the horizon “You better make it quick though, the last thing we need to be is late right now”


Tim’s eyes perked up at the sight and a new found energy sprang about him, smiling he quickly began checking out the various tables, scanning “Oh, I’ll be quick. You are glorious, you are” he yelled back, grinning, already a few paces in front of her.


Tim continued a quick pace, scanning from table to table. Finally, he came across what he was looking for. Out of the corner of his eye he saw an old, grey haired woman rolling cigars and placing them in a neatly stacked pile on her table. She was surrounded by bowls with different colored tobacco leaves for wrappers and a few other bowls with various fillers. He began to quicken his pace to the table when he remembered that he had nothing on him to pay for them. Stopping in his tracks, “Well hell, I can’t ask Ara, she already got me these pants. Stopping and thinking for a moment and sighing, “Well damn it.

I don’t suppose there is any other way” He began walking again towards the table, at a more casual pace than before. The woman, focused on her work, didn’t even notice he was heading towards her.
Now only a few paces from the table, Tim kicked the back of his right foot with his left and tripped, slamming in to the woman’s table.
Meanwhile, Ara watching his back from a distance and laughing at the site, “1/4 scotch my ass”, she said to herself shaking her head.

One of the stacks of cigars fall to the ground as Tim does the same after bouncing off the table.
“Oye! What the hell ya think yar doin ya drunk bastard!” The woman said in a thick scottish accent, quickly setting down what she was working on and rushing to tend to the still falling cigar stack.

 

Quickly grabbing a few cigars and sticking them in the pocket of his topcoat, struggling to get back to his feet while gathering the rest of the spilled pile to hand to the woman, “Oh my, well damn! I’m terribly sorry. I don’t know what the hell has gotten in to me, here, let me help” Handing her the sticks as he lied through his teeth. The woman stopped what she was doing, put her hands on her hips and glared at him, “Oh, I should have known, a bloody yank. What the hell you think you’re doin ’ere? Muckin about me business. Now I need to fix this mess instead of finishing my rollin for the day. Get outta here ya drunk bastard, before I stick the tip of me boot in your arse”


“I’m sorry!” He said, truly meaning it, not expecting her response at all. Gathering the rest of the sticks off the road and handing them to the woman and tipping his hat “I’m sorry miss, do enjoy the day” , He said quickly turning and walking back towards Ara as fast as he could “Have a good day miss, bloody damn yank” The old, scottish woman mumbled as he walked away.


“Now what the hell was that? That was one hell of a show you just put on there”, Ara said laughing as Tim approached. Still at a quick pace, passing her with his hands in his pockets “To the docks?” he said as he continued walking. “Well, alrighty then” Ara replied with puzzled look on her face as she walked up behind him.


At the moment she caught up to him, “OYE! That drunk yankee bastard in the hat took 3 of me finest stick!!”, bellowed the old woman from the back of the street. Tim froze, with a look of shock on his face. Ara stopped as attention was focused on them, merchants and drunks alike. “What the hell did you do??” She asked in a strict tone. Tim just stood there with wide eyed, and lifted the cigars out of his pocket just enough so that she could see them. “I forgot I didn’t have my billfold” Tim replied sheepishly. “Oh, you dumb son of a bitch.” Ara said as a group of men approached them, beginning to close off their access to the roads”
“You steal those cigars, mate?” Slurred out a beast of man from behind them. “A bloody yank? Stealing in my market?” Said another as the retorts continued with the mob closing in.


The two stood there for a moment and the Ara grabbed Tim by the sleeve “RUN!” She yelled, making for the small opening in the crowd. She bolted off, Tim soon behind her.

A small mob of armed drunks and merchants followed closely, waving clubs and shouting every obscene thing one could think of. Ara darted through the streets with no hesitation, taking quick turns whenever she could. Tim doing the best that he could to keep up, looking behind him at the growing mob on their heels, “Well, there’s nothing like starting the day off with a brisk jog, eh?” He yelled up to Ara.
“Do you ever stop?? Keep up, or you’re dead” she yelled back, looking back for a moment glaring.

The two ran from the mob, doing what they could to try to lose them, but they never seemed to let up. The sun about halfway over the horizon, a group of the mob that had apparently split off from the main back suddenly appeared in from on the two. A large, grizzled man with a club at the head of the pack grinned, grinding his teeth and twisting the end of the bat in his hand. Panicking, Ara grabbed Tim by the arm and quickly pulled him in the nearest, open alley.
With the small pack closing them in, the two stood there, staring at the wall that blocked their way, with no means to get over it. “Nowhere to go now you yank bastard” yelled one of the men.

 

Pulling out a pistol from her holster and pointing it to Tim’s head, “I should shoot you now. At least I’d get that pleasure after all this before I die”, Ara said angrily.
Quickly grabbing the barrel and thrusting her arm to the ground, “Just wait a god damn minute, will you? Let me think. Aren’t you one of them? Can’t you do something?” Tim asked.
“I just helped an outsider flee from a mob after he STOLE from our market. I’m as dead as you are.” She replied.

With the roar of the angry mob quickly backing them against the wall, Tim stood there, eyes scrunched, pinching the bridge of his nose trying to think a way out of the mess he had caused. Finally, exhausting all other options in his mind, he let out a sigh and in swift motion, thrusting his left arm up, exposing the black, leather pod on his hand and letting loose the leads to the teleporter, he flipped the toggle switch to the top left of the power gauge causing the inside of his coat to glow green in the dark alley from the reactor. Swinging his arm back down, he swept aside his coat exposing the black leather and copper holster containing his disruptor. Tim drew the weapon and armed it simultaneously by dragging the main power switch on the inside of the holster, held it parallel with his face and pulling the slide back with this other hand, the capacitance chamber quickly hummed to full charge with a green glow in the windows. Taking aim, the tip of the weapon glowed white releasing the focused stream of plasma and light as it did they day before, blowing a hole in the wall large enough to pass a carriage. As light began to shine through the dust cloud, Tim shoved Ara, “RUN!” He yelled with a stern look on his face and she took off.
Quickly turning and aiming at the now silent crowd, looks of shock and awe on the faces of the once unstoppable force, Tim said “Now, I expect to make it to my destination trouble free here on out. Do we have an understanding?” The men stood there and dropped their weapons where they stood. The sound of them clanking on the cobblestone road echoed through the alley. “I thought so”, Tim said with a smirk, walking backwards over the debris. Upon reaching the hole, he tipped his hat and holstered his
weapon, turning off the main power on the holster as he inserted it. He turned and ran to catch up with Ara.

 

Tim finally met up with Arabella at the gate where they had entered White Chapel the night before. As he approached, he noticed a shocked look on her face. “Are you alright?” He said as he reached her. She immediately punched him in the jaw and said, “What the fuck was that??”
“You’re welcome?” Tim said stumbling back holding his face. “That’s one hell of a right cross you’ve got there” Ara stood and crossed her arms and glared.
“Ok. I’m sorry. This,” Pulling back his coat and exposing the now lifeless gun and reactor still glowing green, “is what I don’t want to fall in to the wrong hands. As you can see, for obvious reason”
Ara listened and then nodded at the exposed leads. Tim looked down at his left hand, seeing the exposed leads, “Son of a bitch”, he said under his breath letting out a sigh. He pulled up his coat sleeve, exposing the forearm sized black leather bracer. The leads were connected via alligator clips to two brass capped terminals on either side if a small knife switch. At the center of that, was a glass tube remotely similar to those found on the reactor and disruptor. To the right of that was an incased quartz crystal with cable leading to the terminals at the foot of the device. At the center was a blue, electric disk with a copper housing, a pair or wire leads connected each quarter section of the copper housing to metal plates on the bracer. Sweeping back over the core, were two tesla coil like antennas, silver and brass tipped with dark copper wire between the sections of the antenna. To the right of those was another metal plate. On the left side of the plate were three lifeless diodes stacked vertically on the plate. Next to them were 3 rotary dials, each with 5 discs containing numbers 0-9 around them, to the right of those were three push button switches, marked X,Y, and Z.
“I got the jist of what the other thing was, now that the hell is that??” Ara sharply asked.
“This is what I REALLY don’t want to fall in to the wrong hands. The GSRMD (pronounced Gis-er-mid) Appa..” he paused for a moment and shook his head, pinching his brow, “Geodetic Spatial Relativitator Via Molecular Dematerialization Apparatus. It doesn’t work anymore…well, for the moment” Tim said/ Ara raised her brow and continued glaring, “Now that’s hell of a mouthful, but what the hell does it do and why doesn’t it work?” Sighing, Tim replied “It’s used to transport matter any amount of distance, instantaneously. It doesn’t work because I don’t have enough power. We had sap a moderately sized town of its energy and then amplify that even further for the test” He said walking over to the gate wall, leaning on it and pulling out one of the cigars from his pocket, bit the tip off and pulled out a box of matches, lighting the cigar. A small smile came through on his face as he pulled out the empty cigar case from his boot, filled it with the other two sticks and replaced it. “We?” Ara asked, still piercing him with her eyes. “Nik…Tesla, Nikola Tesla” Tim replied taking a puff, appearing a little more relaxed.
“Wait..what? That crazy Serbian scientist?? You worked with him?” “Yes, that one. He was….is..my friend” Looking at the sun peaking above the horizon, “Now, if you’re done with the interrogation, may we continue? We’re going to be late as it is” Tim said standing up straight and walking towards Ara. She sighed and relaxed a bit, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek “Thanks” she said. Tim looked at her puzzled with the cigar in the corner of his mouth, “What was that for?” “Well, you may have gotten me in to this mess, but you saved my life, besides I already clocked you once.” She said, letting out a soft smile as the two continued to the dock. Tim let out a short chuckle, “Anytime, blue eyes” The two finally made it to the dock yards, just past dawn. The dock house now visible with two men standing inside, one looking like Adolphus and the other, the captain. “Damn, well we better get in there. After the show he put on last night, I have a feeling this won’t be pleasant” Tim said turning to Ara, “And would you mind if you kept the details of all this to yourself, I really don’t want information of this getting out” he said with a concerned look on his face. “You can trust me, I don’t know why, but you can”, she replied with a soft smile. The two arrived at the dock house and entered, the old man drinking his tea and the other pocketing a flask. They stop what they are doing as Tim and Ara enter the room. “It’s about damn time you showed”, said the captain.

Permalink Reply by Arabella Porter on March 7, 2013 at 4:27pm

Ara leaned up against the wall next to the door and crossed her arms, flashing a quick but polite smile at Adolphus before returning her gaze with irritable eyes to an impatient Felix. “We ran into trouble. I forgot about an unpaid debt from awhile back with the Westminster gang and they don’t usually put things behind them too easily,” she winked subtly at Tim, “Either way, when do I get this goddamn bracelet off me, huh?”  Jabber slowly stuck his head out of her bag and they exchanged looks before turning their attention back to Felix again. "And where exactly are we off to first?"

Permalink Reply by Alexander Baker on March 16, 2013 at 7:50pm

Felix listened as Ara complained. "Come on," he headed towards the ship with Tim and Ara trailing close behind. They went up the gangplank and down below, finally stopping at the quaters, he pushed open Jack's door. "Tim here is your room. Be topside in 15 minutes," the simple 6' x 5' room, offered very little space. Felix and Ara walked to the next room and  it was another 6' x 5' room. There were two empty racks and a locker on the wall. "Pick your rack and locker. Be topside in 15 minutes."

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