Revenge of the Mad Scientist (Book One: Airship Adventure Chronicles)

by Lara Nance

  “Armani, I need to talk to you,” she said admiring how viciously the girl took her hurt out on the vegetables.

  The chopping continued and Armani did not look up. “Okay, go ahead. I know you’re going to say I’ve been a fool.”

  Belle smiled. “Armani, put the knife down. Come on, let’s talk outside.”

  With a sigh, Armani jabbed the knife point into the wooden table and left it there with the handle vibrating. She followed Belle to a place where they were out of the way of the bustling camp packing process. A group of palm trees provided some shade and they sank down on the large rocks at their base. Armani sat with head down, a dejected expression on her face.

  “First of all, I don’t think you’re a fool.” Belle rested a hand on Armani’s shoulder. “You’re a young woman who has been through two traumatic events that a lot of people would not have survived. I think that makes you pretty damn strong and smart.

  “As far as Benji goes, he didn’t even know those girls were in his tent. They probably went in after he passed out from all the wine, hoping to attract the new kef. Trust me, nothing happened.”

  Armani looked up and her expression brightened a little.

  “But, I do have to say that I think you are both too young to form a lasting attachment. I know you are dealing with a lot of emotional upheaval right now. You’ve lost your home and family and the future is uncertain, but Benji is not a life line. He’s a young man with his own life and if you have feelings for each other, it will work out in the end. Just be friends for now. Once we’re out of this mess and in more normal settings, you can decide if your feelings amount to something more.”

  Armani looked off in the distance and wiped away a tear that escaped one eye. Then she gave Belle a half smile. “You’re right, Belle. I put too much expectation in my emotions. That’s not fair to Benji. I do care for him and admire him, but I really don’t know how I feel other than that. Too much has happened to me and my mind is all upside down.”

  Belle pulled her into an embrace. “I know, my dear. But we have each other and you don’t need to worry about your future. I will take care of you.”

  Armani hugged her back. “Thank you, Belle. That means so much to me.”

  “Now,” Belle said pulling away. “We have an important mission to fulfill. I need your help as much as ever.”

  Armani wiped her eyes and straightened her shoulders. “I’m ready.”

  “Good. Part of the camp is packing up to make the trip to Manu Picca, so help out where ever you can. We need to leave as soon as possible.”

  “I will.” Armani smiled. “Oh, and Belle?”

  “Yes?”

  “Does Benji know…you know…did he realize how stupidly I behaved?”

  Belle laughed. “No, sweetheart. Men are not that perceptive. Just act like things are the way they were before this morning and he’ll never notice there was anything going on.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief that Armani was going to be sensible about her indiscretion, and knew Benji wasn’t aware of the drama being played out in Armani’s heart. Hopefully the two could go back to their easy friendship at least until this crazy trip was over.

  “Belle, there you are.” Sam wove his way through the people who hurried about packing up their tents for the trip. “We’re almost ready to leave. Do you have everything packed you want to take?”

  “Yes, in my tent. I’ll go get my bag.”

  “Good. Meet us over by Gambit.”

  She retrieved her canvas bag with the few belongings she would need. Everything else could be left in Gambit. She strapped the leather holster around her hips and placed the multi-shooter in it. Then on impulse she picked up a knife from the food tray that had been used to carve cheese and meat. After wrapping it in a scarf, she tucked it inside her boot. You never knew when a knife would come in handy.

  Then she wrapped a long shawl around her head to keep the sand dust out of her face and went to join the others.

  ###

  “Would you stop being so bloody happy,” Rett muttered as he pulled the girth tight on the horse he would be riding.

  “Look mate, I can’t help it if I had a nice evening with a lovely woman and you’re jealous. Admit it, you don’t know anything about women,” Sam said with a broad grin and then continued the tune he’d been humming under his breath as he strapped down a pack on the back of his own horse.

  “I know about women. I know plenty about women.” Rett planted his hands on his hips.

  “Yeah, how to lose them,” Sam retorted.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Rett sputtered.

  Sam finished his strapping, walked over and punched a finger in Rett’s chest. “I mean, you let Belle get away eight years ago and you’re going to let it happen all over again because you don’t understand women. There, I said it. Alright?”

  Rett stared at him. He couldn’t deny it, but he didn’t want to admit anything. “No, you don’t get it, mate. She’s never going to want a sky-jockey like me. I gave up the good life and I’ll never get it back.” He couldn’t stop a surge of bitterness rising like gall in his stomach. “What? You think she would like flying around in a half-broke airship for the rest of her life? She’s quality, man. That’s not the life for her.”

  “Seems like you ought to let her make that decision,” Sam said quietly and walked away to help Benji load the last cannon on a camel’s pack. Rett grimaced and followed him.

  The Mandagol draped a canvas holder over the camel’s hump and large bags that hung down either side each held parts of a disassembled cannon. Benji handed his long distance viewer up to Gesic to strap to the camel as well.

  “Well, I think that’s everything we’ll need,” Benji said.

  Belle called to them as she approached with Jasper and Armani. “Are we ready?”

  Rett thought a woman in her shoes might appear wan and fearful, but there was a glowing aliveness about Belle that made her shine with vitality. She had on her jodhpurs with boots and a white cotton shirt, with a red striped shawl over her head and thrown over one shoulder. Her multi-shooter was in the holster on her hip. A tingling surge of energy shot through him just looking at her, but she only glanced at him with those cool hazel eyes.

  “Just waiting for Solmin to give the word to head out,” he said. “We have horses for you over here.”

  Belle and her companions followed him to the three horses set aside for their use and strapped their bags on the back of the saddles. His hands grazed Belle’s as they adjusted the buckles and a tingling current shot through him. She glanced at him and pulled her hand back as if burned. Had she felt it too?

  A whooping call from the head of the line of camels interrupted the moment and Solmin come riding up on his gray stallion tossing its head in impatience. “Time to leave, Kef Benjamin. Come, you will lead us.”

  They mounted their horses and followed Benji and Solmin. The rest of the tribe who were joining the mission fell in behind. Rett and Belle ended up riding beside each other and when his leg brushed hers she made a pretense of wanting to join Armani and moved her horse ahead of him. Great, now he got to stare at her behind bouncing up and down on the saddle.

  “Damn,” he said and urged his horse ahead of hers to ride beside Benji and Solmin. That damn woman was going to be the death of him.

  Chapter 18

  On the evening of the next day Solmin called a halt as the sun sank below the horizon. They had spent the previous night at a small oasis, but tonight they would be making their final camp among some foothills to remain hidden from the lookouts at Manu Picca. In the gathering darkness, Belle made out the mountain where the rocky citadel was located. She and Rett still had to travel to the top of the mountain to reach the crevices Solmin had described.

  She dreaded the trip ahead. Instead of Benji and Armani, it was she and Rett who were enveloped in tension. They hadn’t been alone since the night of the celebration so there had been no opportunity to discuss anyth
ing about that evening. But now she would be with only he and Gesic as they traveled to the mountain and inside the citadel to rescue her father. She had no idea what to say to him.

  Belle stretched in her saddle and then dismounted. She had to walk around a bit to work the stiffness out of her legs, and then she led her horse over to where the others gathered. One of the Mandagol approached and gathered the reins from her so he could care for her horse. The other members of the tribe went about their efficient process of setting up the camp. In less than an hour, tents would be up and cook fires started for the evening meal.

  “Did you see it?” Benji asked. “Did you see the mountain? That’s one massive structure.”

  “It’s amazing how they carved the entire fortress into the mountain. It must have taken years,” Rett said.

  “The legends say it took a hundred years to complete the initial structure,” Solmin said. “No one from our tribe has ever seen the inside.”

  “Let’s take the distance viewer up to the top of this hill and get a better look.” Benji motioned for them to head up the incline.

  “Good idea.” Belle followed him. She would love to be able to inspect the place they had to infiltrate in more detail.

  They retrieved the viewer from the camel’s pack and made their way up the hill at the end of the camp. Belle noticed Benji and Armani had resumed their old companionable relationship as he helped her over the rougher places in the climb. It was one thing to be thankful for. When they reached the peak, Benji found a rock to prop up the brass tube and began to manipulate its levers and wheels to adjust the focus.

  “Got it,” he said, one eye pressed to the eyepiece. “It’s bloody brilliant. There are openings in the front but nothing you can get to from above. Solmin’s right, a frontal assault would be useless.”

  “Let me look.” Belle poked him in the shoulder. Benji moved away and showed her how to make adjustments to the focus.

  She scanned the rocky face of the cliff with its variety of carved openings in the rock. The formidable fortress had solid rock walls and no externally exposed areas that would be vulnerable to attack. She could see why no one had ever been able to successfully assail this structure. Then she looked higher to the top of the mountain. This is where she and Rett would have to travel to find the crevice—a flat rocky area with no trees or other structure to provide cover. They would be exposed until they could climb down inside the mountain.

  She passed the scope to Rett, and after him all the others had a look. Their expressions revealed their thoughts. No one thought this would be an easy task.

  “Belle, are you sure this will work?” Armani asked, her expression shaded with worry.

  “It has to work.” Belle pressed her lips together.

  “By the time you reach the top of the cliff, we’ll have the cannons and steam generator assembled,” Benji said. “With our launching a frontal assault they’ll be too busy trying to figure out who’s attacking them to worry about three people inside their fortress.”

  Armani glanced at Belle who gave her an encouraging smile. “They’ll never suspect someone can infiltrate their rocky stronghold.”

  “We should be there by dawn if we leave now,” Rett said. “That will put us in position to go into the mountain before full daylight.”

  “Shoot a fire arrow in the air when you are ready to enter the crevice. We’ll start the attack eight hours later to give you time to locate your father,” Solmin said.

  “It worries me that we don’t have any idea of the layout of the inside.” Belle frowned.

  “You’ll have to blend in once in the citadel and ask questions,” Solmin said. “They are not so different from us, so as long as you don’t call attention to yourselves you should be safe.”

  Belle allowed herself to share a look with Rett. She thought she saw determination in his eyes and was thankful for that. She wanted to believe there was a chance they would succeed.

  They made their way back down the hill to the now assembled camp. Benji took Belle’s elbow and pulled her and Rett over to one side of the camp. His forehead was creased in worry.

  “Belle, are you certain you won’t need me?”

  “No one can set up the cannons as you can. Sam can assemble the steam engine they’ll need to power them, but not the cannons,” Belle said. “Besides, what really concerns me is that something unexpected will happen while we’re in the citadel. Benji, you have the ability to think quickly and come up with unique solutions to problems. I will feel better knowing you are here to lead the Mandagol should something go wrong for me and Rett. Remember, all that matters is getting my father out so he can stop the war from happening.”

  Benji looked at Rett. “Do you agree?”

  “Yes. Belle’s right. We need your brain out here. Besides, you are the Mandagol king. They won’t listen to anyone else.” Rett gave him a half smile and punched him in the arm.

  Benji grinned and looked down. “All right then. I’ll do my best.”

  “Of course you will,” Belle said and put her arms around him. She hugged him tightly to her chest, a wave of affection spread through her. She had to think positively to keep going, but it was impossible to completely squelch the spark of fear in the pit of her stomach. “Take care of Jasper and Armani. And Benji…”

  “Yes?” He met her direct gaze as she held his shoulders.

  “If anything happens to me, my will leaves everything to you. You will be responsible for Armani’s future. Do you understand?”

  A flicker of fear lit his eyes and then he pressed his lips together and gave her a firm nod. “Don’t worry, Belle. Anyway, I know you’re coming back, so all that doesn’t matter.”

  She smiled and kissed his cheek. Relief spread through her. She knew she could count on him to do the right thing. “Thank you, Benji.”

  “We should get started,” Rett said. “It’s almost dark.”

  Belle nodded. She had to say goodbye to Jasper and Armani since she might never see them again. Hopefully neither one of them would think along those lines, she really couldn’t take a big emotional scene right now.

  “I’ll go find Sam to get the horses and supplies ready.” Rett jerked his chin in the direction of the camp.

  She gave him a grateful smile for understanding and headed off to find her other friends. The camp was already settling in. They weren’t worried about their cook fires alerting Manu Picca to their presence. Many wandering tribes traveled in the desert area and camped out. The women of the tribe set out meals of meat wrapped in thick pieces of bread with hunks of cheese and a sweetbread filled with nuts and dates. Spices from the bread and meat enriched the air and made her mouth water.

  Belle grabbed one of the bread rolls and took a bite, savoring the subtle spices the Mandagol used. She finally found Armani and Jasper setting up a tent and they had Belle’s bag with them. Good, they could keep it for her while she was gone. Summoning up a bright smile she approached them and said her goodbyes.

  ###

  Sam and Gesic packed food and water into saddlebags. They looked up as Rett approached them. The scene with Belle and Benji left him empty and shaken. It hadn’t occurred to him that they might not succeed with their mission, but now he had to admit it was a possibility. Damn it, he didn’t want to think that way. A month ago he would have gone into any adventure full force without a care for whether he lived or died. Life had been about experiencing adventure and thrills—the rush of adrenaline that came with putting everything on the line. He had nothing to lose.

  But then she had to walk back into his life—with those hypnotizing hazel eyes that melted his heart. His mind drifted to a vision of a different life, one with the woman who now captured his every thought. Damn it. He was no different from any other man—wanting to go on living and fulfill his hopes and dreams. But maybe his dreams had changed now that he had a feeling of what love might be.

  “Time to go?” Sam fastened the last strap on the saddle bag.

&n
bsp; “Yeah. Have the horses been fed?”

  “They’re ready.”

  “Good.” Rett motioned to Sam and they walked a ways from the rest of the tribe. “Listen, mate. I want you to know, if something happens to me…well…Gambit is yours. Take care of her for me.”

  Sam’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about, old friend? Are you crazy? Nothing’s going to happen to you.”

  Rett ran a hand through his hair. He hated scenes like this, but Sam needed to know he might not come back. “Look, don’t argue with me. Okay? Just take care of her.”

  Sam took a step back and blinked. “Okay, mate. Okay.”

  One of the Mandagol led up the four horses they would be using for the trip to the mountain. Rett slapped Sam on the shoulder and headed back to help load the saddles and packs on them. One carried only the coiled mass of the long thick rope they would need to descend into crevice.

  Belle joined them, her eyes red from crying. But she gave him a bright smile. “All set?”

  “I’ll help you up.” He avoided meeting her gaze and laced his fingers together to give her a step into the saddle.

  Gesic mounted his horse and held the reins of the horse carrying the rope. Rett gave Sam a salute and the three of them headed out of the hills toward the mountain.

  They rode in silence for a time--Gesic ahead, with Rett and Belle side by side behind him. The barren landscape carried small sounds at a distance, a buzz of some insect and the occasional cry of a nocturnal bird of prey rang in their ears. Their horses’ hooves crunched on the rocky ground and leather creaked as they swayed in their saddles. The darkness increased and when they emerged from the hill hiding the camp, lights shone from the openings in the face of the citadel.

  “It looks big,” Belle said.

  “Yeah, it does.” But that wasn’t something he wanted to focus on.

  “So, do you think we can do it?”

  “Rescue your father?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, we have surprise on our side. They won’t be expecting an attack from inside.”