Let's Play The Spirit Engine 2
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Chapter 2: Gunpowder and Steel
Part 4: Safest Way to Travel
It was smuggled across the border less than a day ago. It's dated within the Defense Ministry less than a week before that. We've not been able to get much more out of the agent who delivered it.
The brave sod walked the length of the Great Plains with a bullet in his shoulder. He died shortly after arriving, and wasn't making much sense, anyway. The doctors said it was heatstroke that finished him off.
None of this makes much sense, Horatio. I might believe the Yaegarans were wicked enough to attempt such a thing, but *capable*? It was my understanding that their alchemic corps were years behind ours.
Unless we have been deceived by a misinformation scheme of the highest order, they are. There is no explosive compound known to man capable of doing such a thing.
Let us hope not. We both knows there has been extensive, albeit unproductive, research on both sides of the border. Could the Yaegarans have finally made a breakthrough?
If they have, sir, and they are prepared to use it, then God help us all. There would be no stopping them.
This piece of paper is troubling, but I would be negligent if I did anything other than forward it. I only hope it is indeed a hoax. Is our resident Rakari representative still away?
I believe so, on urgent business. They have sent no replacement in its absence.
That's a shame. In that case, I want this document escorted on the balloon flight to Porto Vale and Admiralty House before the day is out. Better it arrives slowly than not at all.
Yes, sir. I shall see to it immediately. Lieutenant Grossman! I'll need you to find three other men you trust and meet me in the drafting room. I shall be back shortly, Captain.
Ara watch over us and God preserve us, this is ill news...
A ray of sunshine on an otherwise dark and foreboding horizon. Thank you, Lansdale, I shall see them now.
Welcome to Longreach, citizens! I cannot thank you enough. I hear that your timely intervention has saved the lives of three of our soldiers.
Your bravery is fit to be rewarded with the Blue Star and I shall make sure that you receive it, regardless of how much paperwork I have to fill out.
A medal? You do me and my country a great honor, sir. I shall wear it with pride.
That's all we get for risking our lives? Is there a great demand for these things on the market?
We came to Longreach hoping to speak with you, Captain. We have a favor to ask of the establishment.
Of course. Speak freely, and I shall see what I can do for you.
Our request concerns young Isabelle here. We three recently saved her from an attack in the depths of Bluefeather Forest that killed both her brother and her guardian, for reasons unknown to us all.
We fear these murderers might strike again. For her safety, we were hoping that you could take custody of her until such time as her safety beyond these walls can be guaranteed.
I see. Did you get a good look at these assassins? Were they, by any chance, dressed in white and green robes and wearing bronze-horned masks?
Why yes, how did you know? Is this not the first of these incidents?
Sadly not. Mountbatten, I want you to find this young lady the finest and most secure quarters we have available. The rest of us need some time alone to talk.
Honestly, Captain. This is a military installation, not a day-care center. Who would want to look after her?
Come now, Horatio, what is the Great Army of Lereftain for if not to protect its people? I'm sure you can think of something, old friend.
Hmmph. She can probably be housed with the Godwins. Lady Godwin's lodgings are on the far end of the fifth tier and probably safer than this hall is.
I'm sure the staff won't mind one more mouth to feed, and she should get along fine with the Godwin children.
Excellent! Follow Mr. Mountbatten, young lady. He can show you to your new accomodation.
I... Thank you, PyanPau, Denever, Ionae. You've been so kind to me. I don't think I can ever thank you enough.
Think nothing of it, Isabelle. We wish you all the best, and we shall try and see what we can do about your situation while you're safe here.
We'll be back to see you again soon, we promise! We'll get to the bottom of this.
So long, Isabelle. Don't worry, you'll be a lot safer here than you were with these two idiots leading us across a firing range.
Now that we're alone, we should get down to business. I believe the people involved in the attack on young Isabelle belong to a cult who call themselves 'The Keepers of Order'.
They've been implicated in a wave of senseless and unprovoked murders all across Lereftain in these past few months, from Maraset to Amara.
The only connection between the victims, so far as I've heard, is their lineage. There's no other pattern in the killings. Young and old, rich and poor alike have all been slain.
It looks like some ghoulish attempt to exterminate an entire bloodline, no matter how thinly it is scattered across the country and the classes.
Apparently these Keepers are quite a widespread group, though few in number and very secretive. I cannot tell you whether they are religious or political activists. They've made no declaration of their intent.
They've caused little trouble in the past and so they've been left well alone, even though the Rakari have authorized corrections of similar such odd gatherings of minds.
A nationwide warrant for there arrest was issued late last week, accompanied by a substantial reward raised by Parliamentarian Batiste and a few others. Almost thirty thousand credits.
It is amazing that so much time, and direct Parliamentary involvement, has been required to invoke a serious reaction from the Inspectorate, Somebody wants this matter kept quiet. The story hasn't even made the daily newsprint.
I don't know why the authorities are so disinterested. I can see no political gain in these killings, but I'm no longer content to sit here and let them pass.
Unfortunately, tracking their movement has been difficult, and I know little more than I hear from the local constabulary or friends and contacts in Kelstarin. This sort of matter is not within the army's jurisdiction.
You think that something more could be done to stop them?
Not by my order, certainly. The balance of power between Parliament and Army is fragile at the momenet. But if a few concerned citizens took it upon themselves to investigate - well, I would have no power to stop them...
I'm feeling fairly 'concerned'. What can you tell us, Captain?
My sources say that these Keepers have recently gone into hiding. THey used to have a meeting hall in Porto Vale. They may still be nearby, or they may have left some clues as to their destination when they moved.
So that would be a good place to start looking? Very well, then, I shall travel to Porto Vale and see what I can find.
I'm not about to leave the job half done. I'll accompany you, Denever. You'll need all the help you can get if we're serious about helping Isabelle.
I'm in too, if there's money involved. Those shiny printed discs seem to be the easiest way to purchase oneself respect and power around these parts.
And perhaps a pre-emptive strike is the best way to counter the threats of these murderous cultists. I have allowed myself to be too easily intimidated. I have a lineage to uphold.
I'm glad to see all three of you are interested. There's a balloon flight leaving for Porto Vale this afternoon, scheduled to ride on favorable winds. I can see to it that you're given free passage.
Good luck, citizens. Be cautious and keep a low profile. Remember that you didn't hear about this from an army officer. I hope to see you back here with good news soon.
We have a goal!
Let's get the hell out of this neck of the woods.
In any other setting, that sign would reek of 1984!
Last area of Chapter 2!
Yes. We're on business in Porto Vale. Why do you ask, sir?
The forecast is changing. A bitterly cold front is moving up from the Kalorics, bringing heavy gales. Cloud Children are on migration in record levels. Now is not a good time to travel, especially bysuch a novel and unrefined mode of transport.
I would advise you to skip this flight and take the next.
I see you have a ticket yourself. You're still flying?
I need to personally attend to an urgent matter. I cannot afford to miss this flight, no matter what the forecast. I am sure that you three can, though.
We appreciate the advice, but I don't think that it'll be a problem. The most modern balloons have an excellent safety record, and I doubt the crew would fly if the forecast were so poor.
We're not superstitious enough to be afraid of aerial travel, are we, PyanPau? Ionae?
Afraid? Of flying? Hah! Haha! Goodness no.
...
I see, then. Never mind, my friends, I shall see you later.
That was awfully nice of him. A lot of people wouldn't have bothered to warn you like that.
Several hours later...
What? No, nothing to drink. How long until we reach the moorings at Porto Vale?
Another eight hours, I'm afraid. There's a strong Westerly wind which we're having to tack against. That's normal for this time of year.
I see. Thank you, miss. Please keep me updated.
Yes, toward the back of the cabin, sir, just beside the emergency exit.
Thank you, this is rather urgent. I'm... sorry.
Good afternoon. Would any of you like a drink?
I thought you'd never ask. A bottle of your strongest intoxicant, please, and hurry.
Nothing for me, thanks. I don't know what you're so edgy about, Ionae. If there's any trouble with the balloon, you're the only person here with a genuine set of wings.
They don't work! How many times do I have to keep telling people this? For someone accustomed to soaring between endless possibilities, being suddenly held aloft so helpless is quite an awful ordeal.
Especially when a glance out the window reminds me that we are suspended twenty thousand feet above some very sharp looking mountains, at the mercy of the winds and the skills of an unknown pilot.
I will not be happy until we return to firm ground. I wish they'd hurry up and make this thing go faster.
Try not to worry, Ionae, and just enjoy the greatest vantage point man has ever occupied. I'm more than a little nervous myself, but I wouldn't miss it for the world. THe view is simply breathtaking.
Yes! They're beautiful! What are they?
No one really knows. Airmen call them the Cloud Children. The same phenomena have been observed throughout history from the ground, but often confused with the Southern Lights.
Are they... alive?
It appears so. They can only tolerate a cold climate, and every year, as winter approaches Lereftain, they ride the Trade Winds overhead down to the Frozen South where they spend the rest of the season.
Airmen have reported seeing great formations of many thousands of lights drifting South together. Indeed, they tend to navigate by them on dark nights when they outshine the stars.
There have been some odd reports of them following and attacking airships, but I'm not sure how much truth those hold.
Still, airmen are wary of them and always plot their courses as far away from formations as possible. The skies are a new and untested frontier, filled with dangers.
The nature of the Cloud Children remains a mystery, one that we are only now beginning to probe as man's exploration of this wonderful blue horizon brings us closer than ever to them.
It is said they are as ancient as the Rakari, and that the two hold a grudge. Perhaps that's just an old folktale. They seem to leave each other well alone.
Pssh. If I'd wanted the guided tour, I would have paid for it. It all looks pretty boring to me, just amonotonous, churning ocean of white cloud, stretching from horizon to horizon, as far as the eye can see.
...What the hell...?
Stewardess? Stewardess! Quickly! There's a man out on the pylon!
Are you sure, ma'am? I can't see anything out there.
He was right outside my window, I swear! Don't look at me like that. I know what you're thinking, but he was.
I see. I wouldn't worry too much about it, ma'am. The thin air at this altitude often plays tricks on the minds of passengers unaccustomed to it. You'd best lie back and try to get some rest. And I think I'll take that drink back.
The air temperature must be close to minus eighty degrees up here, Ionae. Anyone who would try and climb outside in such harsh conditions would have to be suicidal.
I know what I saw. There's a man on the pylons.
There you are again. What are you doing out there?
No, don't do that! Not the main rigging! I need my rifle. Where's my...
To be continued!
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