by Lana Axe
“How did you know they were coming?” Emmit asked. He brushed away the saliva lingering on his fur.
“I smelled them,” he proudly replied.
“That’s amazing,” Cali said. “I didn’t smell or hear a thing.” Gadget was proving a handy dog to have around.
“Did you find what you needed?” the dog asked.
“Sort of,” Cali replied. “There were several schematics, but we don’t know which he’ll end up using.”
“He hasn’t finalized his plans yet,” Emmit added.
“When he does, I’ll help you find them,” Gadget said.
“How are you going to do that?” the cat asked.
He tapped his nose with his paw. “They’ll have Morcroft’s scent all over them.”
Cali laughed and nodded. “I’m sure they will,” she said, amused.
“Look!” Emmit said, squinting toward the sun.
A red-and-white-striped balloon flew high across the sky, a familiar humming sound drifting on the wind. Cali zoomed in with her mechanical eye.
“It’s Lionel!” she shouted. “He’s taking another test flight.” Instantly she felt a twinge of regret. She should be in the basket with him. “Come on,” she said, leading the others down from the roof.
“Wait,” Gadget said. “Won’t he be angry that we left without permission?”
“Of course not,” Cali said. “We’re free animals. We go where we please.” She realized that was a departure from what Gadget was accustomed to, but he would learn. He was his own dog now, no longer an experiment gone awry.
Cali led her companions zigzagging through the streets, her sights locked on Lionel’s balloon. It appeared to be heading eastward, but then it turned and began heading south. The feline ground her paws to a halt, and Gadget slid sideways, narrowly avoiding a collision.
“I can’t keep going like this,” Emmit said. “Go on and I’ll meet you later.” He panted heavily, his paw clutching his side. Both of his companions had far longer legs and more stamina. Keeping up with them was a lost cause.
“Hold onto my tail,” Cali told him, regretting she hadn’t made the offer earlier.
The little mouse did as he was told, and the trio was on the move once again. The vessel picked up speed, forcing them to run faster. Gadget started to lag behind, forcing Cali to slow her pace.
“Head down that alley,” Emmit said, pointing to her right. “We’ll save a lot of time.”
“Unless Lionel changes course again,” she replied. Still, he was a savvy mouse when it came to traversing the city. She took his suggestion, saving at least three blocks of running.
A tall building blocked their view, and they lost sight of the balloon for several seconds. When they emerged on the far side of the alley, they found themselves near a park. The tall trees obscured the view but didn’t entirely block it. The red and white of Lionel’s balloon could be seen just past the trees.
To Cali’s horror, the balloon began to sway, its balance clearly off. Zooming in, she saw the connecting ropes trembling with stress as the balloon pulled one way and the basket another. The propeller came to a sudden halt, and a sputter sounded from the engine. Unable to tend the engine, Lionel clung to the wheel in an attempt to hold the vessel steady. He failed.
“He’s lost control of the balloon!” Cali shouted, her heart pounding in her chest.
All eyes turned skyward as the vessel spun out of control. Caught by the wind, it headed straight toward them. Cali swallowed hard, hoping to hear the hum of the engine springing back to life. But all she heard was silence. Lionel was falling.
“Lionel!” Cali shouted as she bounded toward the incoming balloon. Stopping dead in her tracks, she could do no more than watch as the balloon crashed into the trees. Squeezing her eyes shut, she whispered, “Please be all right.” Swallowing the lump in her throat, she padded toward the basket.
Hanging by only one rope, the basket dangled inches off the ground. Where was Lionel? Rustling within the leaves revealed his location.
“Possum feathers!” the tinker shouted as he dropped to the ground.
Cali immediately scanned him for any sign he’d been injured. Other than being slightly hot under the collar, he appeared to be in good shape. She hurried to his side and brushed against his legs.
“Cali? How’d you get here?” Leaning down he stroked the calico’s fur. Luckily he didn’t notice the blue-gray mouse, still clinging to the back of her tail. “You must’ve followed me all this way,” he said. “I’m sorry I didn’t invite you for my second flight, but I suppose it was for the best.” He looked up at his torn balloon and sighed. “I got in a hurry, and you can see how that turned out.”
The calico purred and pressed her face into his hand. She was grateful he made it down in one piece. The balloon could be replaced, but Lionel could not.
Gadget sniffed at a few spots of grass before joining his companions beneath the wrecked vessel.
“You too, Gadget?” Lionel said, surprised. “You brought the whole household, Cali.” Chuckling, he asked, “Is Florence around too?” He looked around but saw no sign of his sister. Brushing his hands together, he said, “I guess I might as well get this mess cleaned up.”
A handful of citizens who had witnessed the crash came racing into the park. “Is everyone all right?” a man in a top hat asked.
“Only wounded pride,” Lionel answered. Three men proceeded to assist him in untangling his ripped balloon from the branches. Bundling it under his arm, he thanked them for their assistance. The crowd dispersed as Lionel placed the balloon inside the basket. “The basket seems to have held up well,” he said. One less thing to fix.
Lifting the engine, he carefully placed it inside the basket. The combined weight was too much to carry home, and he wouldn’t be able to fly without an intact balloon. What he needed now was a carriage with a sturdy horse.
Moving to the edge of the park, he waited for the appropriate carriage. It had to be a larger one; the smaller, lighter versions would never have room for his basket. After several minutes, one came into view that might work. Its roof was long and wide, with a sturdy luggage rack on the rear. Lionel lifted his arm to stop the driver.
“Greetings, Lionel,” the driver said. “Where are you headed?”
“I need a ride back to the gas-lamp factory,” the tinker said. “But I need to load my engine and basket.”
The driver set the carriage brake and headed into the park to help carry Lionel’s cargo.
“The basket and balloon can be tied to the roof,” the driver said. “The engine needs to go on the back, but I’m not sure of the weight.”
“It’s fairly light,” Lionel said, lifting it without too much effort. “Makes the ship much faster.” He smiled, his eyes twinkling with pride.
The driver nodded and headed back toward the carriage. Cali, Gadget, and Emmit followed along. The mouse waited for the basket to be strapped to the top and then hid himself inside it. Cali and Gadget settled into a seat as they waited for Lionel to secure the engine.
“Hello, Nellie,” the calico said to the horse. It was the same black-and-white mare that had carted her about town many times before.
“Hi, Cali,” the horse said. “Who’s your new friend?”
“This is Gadget,” Cali said. “He lives with Lionel’s sister.”
“Pleased to meet you, Gadget,” she whinnied.
Gadget swallowed a bark and said, “You too.” He’d never been so close to a horse. She was a bit intimidating but seemed friendly enough.
“She’s all loaded up,” Lionel announced before sliding into his seat.
Spurring Nellie forward, the driver headed down the street toward the factory. Once they arrived, the driver helped untie the basket from the top and ease it down to the ground. Lionel thanked him for his help.
“Thanks, Nellie,” Cali said.
The horse gave a cheerful whinny before trotting away, her hooves clip-clopping against the cobblestones.<
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Florence raced out of the factory door, immediately running to Gadget. Grabbing the little dog in her arms, she allowed him to lick her face. “I feared you ran away,” she said, squeezing him tight.
“He was out adventuring with Cali,” Lionel said.
“And what happened to you?” Florence asked.
“Had a bit of a problem with the fuel line,” he replied. “It won’t take much to fix it, but my silk balloon is shot. I’ll have to send an urgent telegram to Burtingham for a new one.” He shook his head, disappointed. “It’ll take days to arrive. That means no more test flights. I might not make it to the race.”
“Why not repair this one?” Florence suggested, lifting a section of the balloon. “All this needs is a keen eye and a delicate hand.” She paused before adding, “Well, several hands. The factory girls would be delighted to help.”
“Aren’t they busy?” Lionel asked.
“Of course, but if I tell them to halt work on the lamps and focus on this, they won’t mind one bit.” Sewing was far easier work than crafting glass and steel.
“But production,” Lionel said. “Your profits…” He didn’t want to discourage his sister, but she had obligations to the city and beyond. The gas lamps were vital to keeping Ticswyk safe at night.
Waving a dismissive hand, she said, “They’ll be finished with it in no time. Leave this to me, and get back to fine-tuning that engine.”
“If you insist,” he replied, grinning.
“I do.” She gathered the entire balloon in her arms and headed back inside. “Come along, Gadget.” The little dog trailed after her, his tail wagging.
Cali remained behind, waiting for Lionel to collect his engine and basket. Carrying them to the apartment door, he removed the key from the band of his hat. “After you,” he said to the cat. She trotted inside with her tail high and waited in the kitchen.
Lionel carried the engine inside his workshop and set it on the floor. Then he returned to Cali. “I didn’t forget,” he said, patting the top of her head. Retrieving a tin from the cabinet, he opened it and placed the contents in a bowl.
With the bowl in front of her, the feline inhaled deeply. Tuna. Her favorite meal. She lapped it up hungrily while Lionel watched. When she finished, she licked her paws and wiped her mouth until no flavor remained.
“I’ll be in the workshop,” he said, stroking her fur.
She purred at his touch, then headed toward her windowsill to settle down for a nap. The day’s events had left her exhausted. She needed some downtime to gather her thoughts and decide which course to take next. At least for now, Lionel was safe.
* * * * *
The following day, Cali awoke with an uneasy feeling. Yes, Lionel was safe. He hadn’t been injured by the mishap that occurred during his test flight. And there was no reason to think Morcroft had caused the accident. On the contrary, Lionel was quick to isolate the problem, and it had everything to do with his own oversight.
But that didn’t mean Cali could rest easy. She was still worried about the race and the tactics Morcroft might employ to steal Lionel’s vessel. Cali would have to be ready for anything. Luckily she still had Emmit’s eyes and ears traveling all over the city each day. If there was gossip to be heard, he normally heard it. If strange occurrences sprang up, he’d most likely see something. She tried to take comfort in that and went about her day.
Near the end of the work shift, Cali decided to check on the ladies in the factory. They’d spent all day patching up the holes in Lionel’s balloon. They’d borrowed every magnifying glass the tinker owned to scour the silk for small tears. They’d found several. Its trip through the branches had been a rough one.
Most of the ladies proved to be skilled seamstresses, at least when it came to patching a hole. Florence had provided them with sweets, purchased with her own funds, to thank them for the extra effort. Her gesture had been well-received. By the time Cali arrived, the ladies were seated on cushioned chairs arranged in a circle. Each held a pastry and a cup of tea.
“Cali!” one lady shouted as the calico strutted toward her. She squeezed the pastry, allowing the sugared cream inside to ooze out onto her fingers. Holding them low, she allowed the feline to lap up the sweet delicacy.
Cali was happy to do so. It was one of her favorite treats, after all. She also accepted some cream cheese from a second woman, and a large bite of lemon-flavored tea cake. It was just what the calico needed for a pick me up. She felt better already. Numerous crumbs found their way to the floor, and Cali smiled inwardly. Emmit would have a feast after the ladies had departed.
The balloon lay in a neat pile, repaired and waiting for its owner to collect it. Cali inspected a few inches, focusing on the stitching. The ladies had done a fantastic job. The stitches were tiny but strong. The balloon would hold the warm air it needed to remain aloft. She couldn’t be prouder of the factory ladies. She made a note to visit more often, gracing them with her presence. It was the best way to repay them.
Bounding from the direction of Florence’s office was Gadget. Before he reached Cali, he stopped twice to sit on his haunches and beg for treats. The ladies were most willing to share.
“Dance!” one lady commanded, holding high a bit of pastry.
Gadget obeyed, rising onto his hind legs and spinning in a circle. Cali shook her head and looked away. She would never perform on command. All right, there was that one time, but that was for the exhibition. She hadn’t been trained; she’d just done what had come naturally. No one had commanded her.
“Shake!” another woman commanded. Cali peered at the dog with one eye as he lifted a paw to shake the woman’s hand. Grateful to receive his treat, he chomped it only once before swallowing.
Making his way to Cali, he licked her on top of the head before she could move away. “Hi, Cali,” he said cheerfully.
“Hello, Gadget,” she replied.
“Are you going downtown today?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not today,” she said. It was best to wait a day or two before trying to dig up more of Morcroft’s secrets. She doubted he would finalize his plans so quickly.
“Come, Gadget,” a woman said, patting her lap.
The dog turned to look at her then back at Cali. “I’ll see you later,” he said. His hind feet skidded on the slick floor as he attempted to run away. It took a moment to get going, but once he did, he raced toward the woman and hopped in her lap. She stroked his fur while singing the little dog’s praises.
“Aren’t you the cutest thing ever?” she fawned.
“Dogs are the best,” the woman next to her said. Gadget rolled over, allowing her to pet his belly.
Narrowing her eyes, Cali’s fur bristled. She turned to the nearest woman and hopped into her lap, uninvited.
“Hello, Cali,” the woman said, surprised. She stroked the feline’s fur. “Aww, she’s purring,” she announced.
“Aww,” the two women next to her echoed.
Not to be outshined by a dog, Cali rolled over and allowed the woman to pet her belly. After three strokes, she ignored the urge to bite and rolled back over onto her feet. Tucking her paws under her, she settled in for a good, long sit. She remained in the same position well after the other woman had asked Gadget to hop down. He continued performing little tricks for bits of food while Cali sat with a smug look on her face. She could have more treats if she wanted them, but she wasn’t in the mood to ask.
When a whistle sounded at the end of the day, Cali considered not allowing the woman to get up. But then she decided that would be over the top. Her point had been sufficiently made. Hopping down, she trotted toward the balloon.
Florence waved goodbye to her workers before turning her attention to Cali. “Now where is Lionel?” she asked, as if the cat could answer. “I bet he’s still working on that engine,” she said. Sighing, she gathered the repaired balloon in her arms. “Come along, Cali.” Glancing over her shoulder, she said, “You too, Gadget.”
Together they made their way to Lionel’s workshop, where the tinker was bent over his engine, goggles shielding his eyes from the sparks thrown by his welder.
“Ahem,” Florence said.
Lionel looked up from his work. “It’s finished already?” Jumping to his feet, he removed the goggles and set them aside. Taking the silk from her, he began inspecting the stitches. “It’s perfect,” he said. “Those girls did fine work.” Setting the balloon aside, he grabbed his sister and squeezed her tight. “Thank you, Flo. This means the world to me.”
“I’m glad it meets your standards,” she replied. “I bought some pastries for the girls. There are a few left if you’d like some.”
“Not now,” he said. “I’m almost done here, and then this engine will be ready to fly.”
Cali was stunned. Lionel had never before turned down an offer of sweets.
“You’re all finished?” Florence asked.
“I have two more spots to weld, and that’s it,” he said. “She’ll be all ready to fly in the morning. You’re welcome to come along.”
“No thanks,” she replied. “But I’m glad it’s all come together. I’ll see you off if you like.”
“Around nine is a good time for takeoff,” he replied. “I’ll wait for you.”
“Splendid,” she said. “I’ll see you then.” Calling Gadget to come along, she disappeared through the apartment’s rear door.
Cali lingered in the workshop, keeping a close eye on Lionel as he finished up the engine. Within an hour, he’d completed his welding and double checked every inch. After a more thorough inspection of the balloon, he nodded his approval.
“How about some dinner?” he asked.
Cali would never say no to food. She trotted after him, twirling her tail around his legs. She weaved herself between his ankles as he opened a tin. It was shredded beef, the aroma dancing its way to her nostrils. She purred as he set the dish in front of her.
Lionel helped himself to sliced salami and a hunk of cheese. Naturally the cat finished before him and stared up at him with soulful eyes. After patting her on the head, he shared a bit of his own meal. The pair retired to the sitting room for some well-earned rest. The tinker plopped himself in his reclining chair and invited Cali to his lap.