by Clay Moore
“Shine your lights down there. I’ll make the first foray. You follow behind.”
Thomas and Gladys got their clockwork flashlights out. They showed their lights down into the manhole. William climbed down the ladder to the bottom of the sewer; The other two agents arrived at the sewer’s bottom with him. A quick consultation with the compass had them pointed in the right direction.
William knew Thomas and Gladys, so he did not put them in the formation together. He had Thomas on the left wall. William put Gladys on the right wall. If Rowena found out that William walked down the middle of the sewer, he would not survive the tongue lashing he would get. Together they walked very carefully, trying to make as little noise as they could.
They came to a place where there were empty crates on the left and the right walls. The crates were the detritus of the automata. William went to look at some of the containers. The small boxes were actually bars of metal that you could purchase. The thinner and bigger crate were actually constructed pieces, cogs, wheels, and other parts used by the automaton.
The light level in this area also increased. It increased enough that all three agents could actually turn off their flashlights.
William crouch behind the left pile of crates. He drew his pistol. He put his head at the corner and look down the sewer. Here he saw the new workshop. It was not in full production yet, because there were not enough of the worker automaton. By not building the worker automaton first thing, she was limiting herself to only what the few workers they had could produce.
Evangeline had not learned her lessons. They may have lost a lot of the Warrior automata. Doing one run of worker automata would have been a better strategy. Then again, she may have been doing the correct plan for the resources she had. Then he saw her sitting in the middle of a group of automaton.
Then he saw Mortimer step from behind Cover. He aimed his pistol at Evangeline.
It was evident that there were no sentries. None of the other automata saw him. Their sensors were focused on the construction of other automata. Mortimer was able to stand there for a long time. William went out into the workshop, and he also pointed his weapon at Evangeline.
Mortimer was the first to fire. This first bullet hit her in the chest. Just like William said, it was not enough to put her down. William fired his round, which entered her back. Two shots were not enough.
Mortimer then decided that he would fire the entire clip. He kept pulling the trigger. More bullets went into Evangeline than missed her. William realized that Mortimer had the right idea. He also emptied his magazine into Evangeline. The culmination of fire from both sides did the damage.
Evangeline did her best to retaliate; She ordered her guardsman to shoot at Mortimer because she saw him first. They were able to get off the first volley before Evangeline went off-line. He took a few spikes, but one went into his head.
William saw Mortimer drop his weapon. He fell to his knees and then to his front.
Nobody went to look at Mortimer because they didn’t trust the automata not to reactivate. On Evangeline’s death, the central command ended, and all of the automata were awaiting the next command.
After a while, William walked to the body of Mortimer. Mortimer was an outstanding Butler, but he gave his last full measure for the United States people.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Counting the Cost
*****
WILLIAM STOOD ON the quarter deck of the new airship. The ship’s commanding officer was pleased as punch to have one of the Secret Service agents riding his ship’s commissioning Cruise. Even though it was on Monday and tasked to pick up two women for a wedding, this Captain felt like he was doing something for everybody.
The Captain knew that William could’ve used the Aura. That was actually the airship that was assigned to William and Thomnas. The Navy wanted a shakedown cruise, and flying from Washington DC to Chicago seemed like a cruise that would shake down the ship.
The Captain was pleased that the ship was reasonably sturdy from the very beginning. They came to the area where the house was for the two women on the outskirts of Chicago.
The Captain found an empty field and anchored there. He had William go down on the landing platform in a buggy that could carry their luggage and the women themselves. William drove off of the landing plank; He stopped at their front gate. The house was rather small and had a white picket fence. Just about as traditional as you can get. William tied up the buggy, and he walked up the steps to the front door and knocked twice.
The door opened to an older woman. This is obviously not Maggie, so It had to be Mary.
“My name is—“
“William Hazard,” Mary completed his sentence.
“How did you know it was me.”
“Rowena described you as a man that would make you want to spread for him.”
Mary realized what she said to her son-in-law to be. William held up a hand to prevent her from trying to apologize.
“Rowena must have gotten her taste in men from you.”
“Oh, you are so Gallant, Mister Hazard.”
“Your airship is here. Are you ready to go?”
“I have been packing and unpacking and then re-packing. So I think I am completely packed. I don’t know about Maggie.”
“Oh, Mom, I was packed long before you.”
“Good let me take your luggage to my buggy. And then we can get on the ship and go to Washington DC.”
For the past week, Rowena had been closeted with her sister, her mother, and Gladys. She realized that there had been a very steady program of getting her away from William. All of that accomplished was make her exceedingly horny for William. It also made her very ingenious about how to find alone time with him.
As part of William’s gifts, one was a Vow of chastity until they got married. That was another frustration that she had with getting married. She loved how William loved her.
Miranda was doing an excellent job diverting Johnny; Miranda was going to be a flower girl. Johnny was volunteered to be the ring-bearer. William had a discussion with Johnny. He informed Johnny that the confederacy had found out that William was getting married. They would do everything to stop that wedding. And that meant dealing with the wedding rings. With Rowena’s agreement, William gave an empty derringer to Johnny. He could wear it, but he could not use it unless William told him, OK.
This added responsibility really made Johnny perk up; He stopped being such a grouch and actually was helpful. Things are starting to look up for the wedding.
For the first time in a long time, William and Rowena slept apart. He did not know how Rowena was able to sleep the night before the wedding. William barely got an ounce of sleep. He wondered if he should have insisted on sleeping with Rowena. At least he could have done the deed. That might have actually made it possible for him to go to sleep.
Instead, he kept his word to Rowena. It was one night apart against all of the nights they will sleep together once married. William went ahead and drew a bath for himself. Then he got into his tuxedo and went downstairs to see what kind of breakfast was ready.
Someone in the kitchen must have been a man and not able to sleep before the wedding. They had out hot soup and a sandwich bar. They have ice-chilled beer.
About halfway through his midnight rations, he was joined by Thomas, who also put on his tuxedo. He figured that whatever Rowena would do Gladys would also do.
“What is it about weddings make women do these stupid things,” asked Thomas plaintively.
William laughed at Thomas. “They are trying to increase the mystique around the ceremony. Remember the wedding is where they take possession of us.”
Thomas laughed. “I always thought that you had a level head on your shoulders. And I know I disparaged West Point, but I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.”
“Do you think that they will let her be part of our partnership?”
“Don’t tell Gladys this but I don’t think they ar
e going to allow that.”
“Then during the honeymoon week I would recommend that you get her pregnant.”
“She made a cryptic remark about possibly having children. OK, I will not practice any of my birth-control methods. And I will do my best.”
“Rowena for sure thinks that we will produce a girl child. We even have a name selected for it. It changes about every other week. It’s current name is going to be April.”
“The name has a sort of musical quality about it.”
“There is one more thing that we’re going to do. I would like for you both to be there because I would like for you all to witness my adoption of Johnny. This will destroy the Fulbright’s idea of being able to force Rowena to give Johnny to them. And that means Johnny will be known as Johnny Hazard.”
“You have got to be kidding. That name sounds like a dime novel hero for children.”
“I still like the idea of Johnny Hazard. It’s going to be a while before the girls finally deign to get up and get dressed. Do you wanna play some chess?”
Thomas smiled evilly. “I am ready for you now. I have studied a little bit.”
“Let me get my chessboard and my box of pieces. Let’s use that table with two chairs on either side next to the window.
The two Chess-players had enough time to play three games. William won 2 to 1. Then Rowena came down dressed in her wedding dress.
“So, are you vexing my brother with chess?”
“No, I would be vexing your brother if I won every single game.”
“You know, I think he actually let me win one game just to shut me up.”
“Gladys woke up this morning. She was puking into a chamber pot. I think she might be with child.It is too early to tell for sure”
Thomas suddenly had a stupid look on his face, and he said a stupid thing. ”How did that happen?”
“I thought CRIME taught their students the birds and the bees,”laughed William.
“I can’t believe that I said that. Don’t tell Gladys.”
“It might be a couple months before she can tell you for real,” William said.
“When she does find me and tells me, I’m going to have to fake not knowing. I do OK with my characters but I just don’t do OK lying to Gladys.”
William asked for Rowena: “Can I start calling him daddy?”
“William Hazard you will do no such thing.”
“How will you prevent me?”
“Eventually you want to see more than just my pantaloons, right?”
“Rowena you play dirty. I will treat him nicely.”
“I thought that I would tell you about this. Gladys is not the only one who threw up this morning.”
It took William a little bit to parse this sentence into what he thought it said. April might be making an appearance earlier than expected.
“I have to wait a month or two to figure out whether or not I am pregnant. If I am pregnant, I would like to have my mother and sister here too.”
“Is your mother a licensed midwife?”
“My mother is a wonder with babies. We haven’t noticed. There has been quite a large number of cuddlings between the servants. I have a feeling that we are going to be having a bunch of babies here. That is the usual result of man and woman together.”
“Then let’s get married.”
At 11 o’clock in the morning, the wedding party assembled in the secret garden. William and Thomas were waiting at the altar. A Harpist played music. Then Johnny carried William’s rings, followed by Maggie as a flower girl. Then Rowena’s maids of honor came down, followed by Rowena herself. Then Gladys’ nephew came down with the rings followed by Gladys in her wedding dress.
The official chaplain of the Secret Service performed the service. William didn’t hear anything except for the direct questions to which he already knew the answer. He was glad when Rowena also answered in the affirmative to all of the questions.
Then the chaplain of the Secret Service asked the questions of Thomas, who wholly zoned out. William Hazard hit him with his fingers on his back. That was enough to bring him to the here and now. Answered all the questions, and Gladys answered all the questions. Just like that, they were married, now related to each other by marriage. Before the ceremony was over, William turned around to the audience.
“I have taken Rowena to be my wife, but there is something that belongs to Rowena that I would like to belong to me as well. Right now Johnny is a Fulbright. But I would like for Johnny to be a Hazard. This is our adoption papers. It’s my desire, if Johnny consents, to adopt him. That way he will become my son under law. What do you say Johnny, would you like to become a Hazard?”
“No fooling, mom?”
“No fooling. I just became a Hazard. Now you can, too.”
Rowena and Johnny signed the adoption papers. Then William and Rowena signed the marriage certificates.
“OK, padre, Will you witness these papers as well as the wedding licenses?”
“It will be my pleasure.”
*****
In the Excitement of the weddings the Secret Service forgot one thing. In the collection of the destroyed Clockwork toys, Evangeline was nowhere to be found. A clerk made the discovery and presented it to his supervisor. The Supervisor merely acknowledged it without marking it for attention.
*****
William Hazard and Dr. Thomas Derek will return.
Johnny Hazard will return in his own series of adventure books for 9-12 years old and readers of all ages. He will stick his nose into the business of William, and Thomas.
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Other Books by Clay Moore
The President's Wizard
The President's Wizard
Team Phoenix Mission Logs
Team Phoenix Arise
A Haebben Story
Change of Job
The Sand Sea
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clay Moore lives in Houston, Texas. His house consists of a dog, two aquariums and his partner, Pam.
Most days you can see him writing his books. On the days that he is not writing his books he is preparing them for publication or conducting research.
He is a retired computer instructor. He has taught mathematics, programming, networking, and working with various servers. He is a veteran of the US Navy. This is where he learned to operate Nuclear Reactors.
Clay has always been writing. He wrote by hand at nine years old, and with his mother's manual typewriter, and his own electric typewriter which he beat into the ground with his stories. He did not have much time during college or his time in the Navy to do much writing. He just filled spiral notebooks with characters and plots.