Kevin took a long sip of his whiskey. “So, I should consider myself lucky.”
“Consider yourself damn lucky,” Niles said, lifting his glass again. “You’re fortunate to have gotten out of the tunnels alive.”
“Most fortunate indeed,” Cunningham added. “Not sure of the wisdom in heading down there alone. But it sure took some gumption.”
Kevin sipped his drink and seemed to quietly ponder the events in the park. The beasts had caused havoc, killing innocent people and maiming others. Sarah suspected that he couldn’t quite shake the bloody carnage from his mind.
Cunningham seemed to notice his ruminations too. “Drink up, son. There’ll be better days ahead of you.”
“Sure thing,” Kevin said, taking a sip. “What happened to everyone?”
“Lost two soldiers and three civilians,” Cunningham replied. “Many others are in hospital. Some are severely wounded and we’re not sure if a few of them will pull through.”
“Considering the havoc the Rhino-pards had caused,” Niles added, “things might have been a lot worse.”
Running the events through her mind, Sarah couldn’t think of much else they could have done. She started to wonder if tracking in the tunnels had been careless. Maybe they drove the beasts to stampede in the park.
Kevin polished off the drink and propped against the bedroll. He glanced toward Sarah appearing despondent. Despair overcame him. Perhaps the thought of being partly responsible for the deaths and catastrophic injuries to others was daunting. And he had to feel horrible for those that were injured and would live with the fiasco the rest of their lives.
Sarah wanted to climb down from the chair and scoot across the floor and comfort him. The drink seemed to buzz Kevin’s head. He sat still as if longing for something. She knew that her life demanded that people act like adults, take risk, and endure suffering. Sarah wondered if Kevin lived in a world that was merely a protected shell.
Aside from rare acts of violence, accidents, and random wild animals, he might never have to think about harm, or pain and loss, especially loss suffered on account of his shortcomings and failures. Life in her city was clearly more daunting.
Maybe he hadn’t loaded the Gibbs properly, she thought.
Niles might not have been injured, and perhaps the Rhino-pards wouldn’t have taken a last pass through the crowd. He could be thinking something like that, anyway, even if it were not the case. Kevin seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it, lad,” Cunningham finally said, as though reading her mind. “There was nothing more that could’ve been done out there. These beasts are very keen. Nothing like what we’ve ever gone after in the past.”
Niles struggled to sit up. “Indeed, the Frenchman has really outdone himself this time. Those creatures are scientifically enhanced, brutishly strong but agile. And very smart.”
“Very smart, indeed,” Cunningham added.
“Who is this Frenchman anyway?” Kevin demanded.
“Doctor Jean Priolet,” said Niles. “A most brilliant and disturbing scientist.”
“So, you’ve come across him before?”
“Most certainly.” Niles sipped his whiskey. “He’s been involved in an assortment of shady dealings, and some of them have involved questionable scientific experiments. But nothing quite like this. This is the work of a diabolic and most depraved mind.”
“Certainly a depraved man,” Cunningham agreed. “And heavens no, we’ve never encountered anything quite like this before. Nothing like this at all, in fact.”
“The intellect of those creatures sets them apart,” Niles continued. “That may be the most significant difference.”
The Great Hunter waved his hands to everyone. “Let’s get the boy something to eat. Shall we?”
And with that, Sarah rang the bell for Alice.
****
Later, nibbling on a sandwich, Kevin sat quietly, listening to the hunters talk about various tracking methods. After some discourse, Niles eventually threw his hands up in frustration.
“Silas, I am not sure the precise tracking method is going to matter.”
“Why on heavens not?” said Cunningham.
“What are we going to do once we get the beasts pinned down? Our weapons don’t really seem to work on them.”
Cunningham rubbed his chin. “Sure, sure. I see your point there. A most troubling situation. Most troubling, indeed.”
The room fell silent. Kevin listened to the crackling fire and glanced around at the artwork, paneled walls, and high ceilings. The sandwich tasted good and helped settle his stomach from the whiskey. Cunningham helped himself to a third sandwich. Kevin suspected the hunter already had a few while he was asleep on the floor.
“Well, I have an idea,” Sarah said, breaking the silence. “My thought is that we should trap the creatures.”
Kevin noticed that her eyes lit up proudly. She smiled at him and he felt a twinge of warmth.
“Blazes, what in heaven is the girl talking about?” Cunningham bellowed.
“She is suggesting that we trap the beasts, instead of plotting to take them down in the field,” Niles explained. “Not the sort of approach we’ve taken in the past.”
“We couldn’t possibly trap them,” Cunningham said, quizzically. “I can’t think of a trap that would hold the beasts. And that certainly wouldn’t be hunting.”
“Well, I thought that your charge was to destroy these horrible creatures in order to prevent them from causing havoc in the city,” Sarah said, as she adjusted her dress and pouted, discontentedly. “There most certainly is a way to trap them. Just like capturing a grizzly bear. Hunters in our wild west dig large pits and cover them with brush. The bears fall into the pits and are taken down inside them.”
“We’d have to build large pits and find a way to get them to fall in,” said Cunningham. “These creatures are smart and might not fall for it. And we’ll have the same issue once they’re trapped. How do we kill them?”
Niles grinned confidently. “Well, this gives me an idea. But we’ll have to consult with the Royal Society of Steam and Power-Plant Engineers.”
****
After Niles detailed the plan, Sarah sat quiet sipping tea. Kevin lay back on the bedroll. He folded his hands behind his head, intent to catch up on needed rest. Cunningham would definitely work him hard before the day was done.
“Sounds like we’ve got ourselves a plan,” Cunningham said, pouring two fingers of whiskey. “Mighty good stuff. Your colonies have surely done something right.”
“That and tobacco,” Niles added. “The cigars from the Virginia and Carolina colonies are profound.”
“Why thank you,” Sarah replied. “We try to pride ourselves on the various strong points that each colony has to offer. You should try some of the shellfish that come from our Massachusetts Bay Colony while on your visit.”
“Your companionship and guidance are much appreciated,” Cunningham said to Sarah. “This hunt is such a major endeavor that we’ve little time to consider such particulars as where to dine.”
Sarah flashed a coy smile. “Gentlemen, I would be most honored to accompany you to dinner this evening. After we discuss a few further details about our hunt.”
“Now, it’s our hunt,” Cunningham repeated, slightly alarmed. “I dare say, how did that come to being?”
“Why, with Niles laid up,” Sarah explained, “it only makes sense that a strong woman joins in this most sordid affair. Those atrocious beasts must be put to rest for the public good.”
She patted the edge of her dress as though there was nothing left to discuss. Cunningham raised his eyebrows, dismissing the idea of a debate without heated discussion. Sarah noticed that Niles seemed to ruminate over the prospect of having her join the hunting party. This wasn’t lost on the Great Hunter.
“What is it my man?” Cunningham demanded. “Out with it!”
Niles nudged his elbow into
the sofa, sitting up to look directly at Cunningham. He took a moment to gather his breath before speaking.
“Well, pray tell us what you have in mind?” Cunningham insisted.
“My recollection of the Rhino-pards,” said Niles candidly, “both in the tunnels and on the field today, suggests that they prefer feminine prey.”
Cunningham’s eyes stretched wide in obvious protest. “You’re not suggesting that we use the girl as bait, are you?”
“Heavens no,” Niles replied, snickering. “I dare say that we use both of them.”
“Blazes!” Cunningham stormed. “That’s the worst possible idea I’ve heard yet.”
Sarah calmly patted her hands upon the sides of her dress. “Well, I am the only person to survive an attack by the beasts… at least until today,” she offered.
The room dropped into a lull of unsettled silence. All three men apparently sensed her dismay, and turned toward her. They seemed to anticipate that she’d make a bold statement, but they were utterly unprepared for what she had to say.
“Niles makes perfect sense,” Sarah finally expostulated. “Something needs to be done to lure the beasts into our deadly trap. We are perfectly capable of standing our own in the face of the horrible creatures. And there is no reason why our lives should be put before the lovely compatriots who are constantly at risk about the city.”
“Well, I guess that settles it,” Niles said, cheerfully.
Cunningham shrugged, defeated at the hands of Sarah’s wit and determination. He swallowed the remainder of his whiskey in a single gulp.
“Besides,” Niles continued, “the two of you have a distinct advantage over others.”
Kevin looked toward the injured hunter perplexed. “What on earth do you mean?”
Putting the whiskey glass on the tea table, Cunningham stood and stepped over to his gear. He reached behind a pile of equipment. “I mean this,” Cunningham said, holding out the Ray-gun.
Kevin hadn’t noticed that something was missing from his person, even though he seemed a lot more comfortable lounging on his back than he’d appeared earlier in the day. With all of the commotion and surprise, it hadn’t registered that something was gone. Cunningham’s eyes were lit up in excitement.
“What do you say, lad?” Cunningham said, mockingly.
Kevin was at a loss for words. A panic engulfed him. The sight of the Ray-gun sent consternation through him, a dismay he didn’t seem to quite understand. His face turned color, a complete loss of breath. It was as though Cunningham brandishing the Ray-gun, somehow, had revealed him as a fraud.
“Well, I’d say the boy has gone completely speechless,” Niles commented.
Kevin shrugged, obviously not knowing how to respond.
“Come, lad,” Cunningham insisted. “Tell us what this is about.”
“I really don’t know,” Kevin said. “It’s some kind of weapon.”
“Some kind of weapon indeed,” Cunningham repeated. “Tell us what you know about it. From the start, son.”
“There’s not much to tell,” Kevin explained. “I was waiting for the inbound train and a man asked me to hold his briefcase. The train arrived and I boarded, but the man never got onboard. I found that in the briefcase and some clothes. That’s about it.”
“Those clothes suit you well, lad,” Cunningham said. “Except for that hairdo from the Orient, you fit right in around here.”
“So, the weapon was in the portmanteau that you brought in here,” Niles clarified. “And the suitcase was filled with clothing tailor-fitted to you?”
“That may seem odd,” Kevin conceded. “But I do have an average build. So, it is not surprising that the clothes fit.”
“Are you saying that the weapon doesn’t belong to you?” Cunningham griped.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“Who did you get it from?” Niles questioned.
“A man named Roland. He was on the platform for the inbound train.”
“Rubbish!” Cunningham hollered. “Absolute rubbish! That weapon doesn’t belong to anyone but you.”
Kevin raised his hands, pleading.
“The boy obviously doesn’t comprehend,” Niles suggested to the Great Hunter. “Seems entirely ignorant of many things, including the Ray-gun.”
Cunningham nodded. “Indeed, he’s absolutely ignorant. Or playing us for fools.”
“I’m telling you the truth,” Kevin protested. “The Ray-gun belonged to a man named Roland.”
“There he goes again,” Cunningham said, throwing up his hands.
“Why don’t you believe me?”
“Because we know that you fired the Ray-gun in the tunnels.”
“So, I admit that.”
“See, he admits it,” Cunningham quipped.
“But the weapon doesn’t belong to me—”
“We know,” Cunningham muttered, “it belongs to this Roland fellow. Rubbish!”
Kevin turned to Niles. “I’m telling the truth, honestly.”
“You can’t be telling the truth, lad,” Niles said. “How can you admit to firing it, but then claim that it belongs to this Roland chap?”
“That’s precisely what happened.”
“Rubbish!” Cunningham ground his teeth. “The weapon cannot belong to anybody but you.”
“Why do you keep saying that?”
“Because you bloody well know,” Cunningham yelled, waving his arms. “You fired the blasted thing.”
“So?” Kevin questioned. “I don’t understand.”
“Only the rightful owner of a Ray-gun can fire it,” Niles replied, grinning.
Sarah shook her head in dismay. The boy sounded too naive to be telling anything but the truth. She just hoped that he had the stuff to carry out the plan. His protested ignorance was confirming her belief that he’d come from somewhere a lot cushier than Massachusetts Bay.
Chapter Fifteen
Floating high above the city in a two-man airship, Kevin scanned for possible access points in which the Rhino-pards could surface from tunnels. He used a long telescope. The extended tubes and eyepieces were brass, but the main housing was wrapped in hand-stenciled teak veneer.
Cunningham stood beside him, manning the air balloon. The Great Hunter’s pudgy face was squeezed into a pair of brass goggles. His walrus mustache fluttered in the breeze. Cunningham obviously enjoyed flying the airship, cackling at the control stick. Kevin could hardly keep the telescope focused. The Great Hunter sailed the airship along, swaying the basket from side to side, as he navigated it through the sky.
“Cheer up, lad,” Cunningham jibed. “This could be a lot worse, so you might as well make the best of it. Try to enjoy the ride.”
Kevin nodded. “But we’re out here to get a job done, and I can hardly focus with the balloon swaying back and forth.”
“Airship,” Cunningham chided him. “How many times do I have to tell you… it’s a bloody airship. Self-propelled and all.”
The airship looked similar to hot air balloons from Kevin’s world, except the basket protruded at the front and came equipped with a steam boiler in the rear. It had an iron cylinder stoked with coal for heating air in the balloon. A long tube ran to a burner above them. Cunningham occasionally reached overhead and pulled on a platinum handle. A flame roared and heated the air, raising the balloon higher.
The airship had a peculiar engineering aspect that Kevin couldn’t understand. A propeller was attached to the rear by intricate wooden buttresses that ran up to a brass ring at the base of the balloon. The propeller appeared to be solid mahogany.
Even as it spun through the air, Kevin noticed a shiny laminate, as though it was well kept. A rudder extended from the rear of the basket and a control stick jutted from the basket floor, similar to bi-planes used in the Great War. The entire airship was immaculate, not unlike the steam train he’d ridden on.
Kevin used the long telescope to search for signs of the Rhino-pards. He understood the beasts would
exit the tunnels beneath the city, and so he knew enough to scan areas adjacent to established infrastructure.
Blueprints of the underground systems fluttered in the breeze. Kevin used them to determine where the steam lines ran. All the piping went through tunnels, so he had a good idea where the passageways were located. By confining his search to the adjacent areas near the park, he’d narrowed the effort. Some of the tunnels ran beneath streets and under buildings.
Despite the pilot’s antics, Kevin was able to spot a few paths leading from heavily wooded areas in the park, and a few occasional embankments located near open lots, overpasses, and railway bridges.
He marked up the blueprints with a colored pencil. They had passed the major strategic points a few times circling around the city. Kevin gave it a last, hasty scan. Everything seemed to be documented as well as he could expect.
Turning toward Cunningham, he rolled up the blueprints and collapsed the telescope. “Think we’ve got it.”
“Well, hold on then,” Cunningham said, driving the stick to the left. “We’ve got to make another pass around, for good-time’s sake!”
“What?” Kevin responded, being thrown about the basket.
“Hold on, lad,” Cunningham chirped. “You haven’t got your sea legs yet.”
The airship took another pass over the city. Cunningham made sure to make a grand play of it all. He cut the rudder back and forth, gliding the airship through the sky. Maneuvering the vessel at a brisk speed, he dived toward the park, buzzing pedestrians, and then whipped it back around the trees.
Zipping along, Kevin was unable to utilize the spyglass. But he strained to make every effort to continue his surveillance.
“Just sit back and enjoy the ride, lad,” Cunningham hooted.
Kevin was about to relax when he noticed something. “Wait! Take us by there again,” he said, pointing to a clump of trees.
Cunningham worked the stick and pulled the handle releasing more hot air. The airship rose up and swung around. Kevin leaned over the basket with the spyglass in hand. A small grove of trees stood on the edge of the park. He’d focused on the large track of wooded area in the center of the common and overlooked the small cluster of trees.
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