In which we continue our adventure, while at the same time, laying seeds for future adventures, because it's kind of like an old fashioned serial type thing. Never a dull moment when you're in Steelhead City.
Following Here and Here
Somewhere Above The Pacific Ocean
The USS Liberty was a large airship. The same size as Caledon's Steam Sky City, to be precise, but where Sky City was more friendly looking, The Liberty had a more militaristic look to it. It was used by all branches of the US military, as well as several government agencies. Angelica stepped off her airship onto the landing deck of the Liberty and walked down a corridor. She stopped to see two guards and another gentleman, who was looking ashamed. The guards were part of the security of the Liberty. The gentleman was Jim Taylor, a resident of England, who was also an operative of Pinkerton.
"Sorry, Miss" Jim said, "The Admiral caught me."
"It's ok, Jim." Angelica said, smiling. She then looked at him puzzled, "Caught you doing what?"
One of the guards motioned for her to continue walking down the corridor. Soon they were brought into the office of Admiral Eastland, commander of the Liberty, and at present, Angelica's superior. Eastland sat behind his desk, his thin gray hair was neatly combed. Beside him, a woman, approximately his age sat quietly. Eastland looked at Angelica and Jim as they walked in.
"You are familiar," Eastland began, "with the policy of using our resources for personal missions?"
Angelica looked puzzled, "I have not been doing any personal missions. I merely asked about the situation in the Celestial Kingdom, to find out what my brother was getting himself into. Much as I'd like to, I have no intention on involving myself in the situation." she looked at Jim, "I have nothing to wear."
Eastland cleared his throat to let her know he wasn't finished, he then continued, "This has nothing to do with that situation. Although, this does have to do with your brother, the sheriff."
Angelica raised an eyebrow, then turned to Jim. "What did you do?"
"Nothing." he said, "That is, except for take a package that Miss Adler sent me to give to you."
"Irene?!?!"
"On a mission," The Admiral said "infiltrating the air ship pirates. Her main mission was to infiltrate the crew of Iron Paw. Unfortunately, the pirate met with a setback at the hands of a...."
Eastland looked at the report, then looked up at Angelica.
"werewolf."
Angelica smiled.
"However," Eastland continued "she did infiltrate with another crew. During their scouting for a ship to raid, a submersible was found."
Angelica's eyes narrowed, "Submersible? I don't understand."
Eastland picked up a box and placed it on his desk, "She found this, sent it to Mr. Taylor here with the intention on sending it to you."
Angelica slowly opened the box, the gazed wide eyed at the black top hat that was inside the box. She looked at the Admiral, "Was anyone in the submersible?"
Eastland ignored the question and continued, "Now, you and Agents Lockhart and Adler are the only women agents in Pinkerton Intelligence, and I'm aware that having to deal with some of the men who are old fashioned, the three of you have formed some sort of bond...."
"Was anyone in the submersible?"
"...but this is not the time for personal vendetta's. I understand the sheriff is your brother, and that...."
Angelica slammed her hands down on Eastland's desk. The desk shook from the vibration. Although she was not a Lycan like her brother, from time to time, when she was extremely angry, she would have the lycan strength.
"WAS ANYONE IN THE SUBMERSIBLE?" she snapped
"No." Eastland replied
Angelica calmed herself before asking her next question, "Where was the submersible found?"
"150 miles east of Caledon." Jim replied. "Be a helluva swim for him."
"Agent Trescothick," Eastland continued, trying to remain authoritive "you have returned to duty with Pinkerton. For the time being, personal agenda's are on hold."
Angelica nodded, "I understand, Admiral"
"Good," The Admiral said, smiling, "now, you and Mr. Taylor here are to leave for New York to join Agent Lockhart. There've been a rash of robberies at museums in several locations around the world. Realize that it's merely detective work, but it is a case that we need our best agents on the job, and whether the male agents like it or not, our best agents are all female."
"Of course, Admiral." Angelica said.
As she and Jim left the room, the Admiral turned to the woman sitting next to him.
"I really should scold her for raising her voice to me like that." he said
"And leave me a widow?" the woman replied, "Oh no you don't.
In the corridor, Jim kept apologizing to Angelica.
"It's ok, Jim." she said, "The Admiral's right. Besides, as you've said, it's quite a swim to Caledon. Maybe we'll be lucky and Jobias'll be eaten by some sea serpent."
"All the same, we need to let your brother know." Jim said
Angelica nodded, "Right now, it's a comfort to know he's safe and sound in the most violent war torn country in the world. We'll drop by Steelhead City on the way to New York."
She stopped and thought for a moment, tapping her chin.
"I'll have to leave him a letter." she said, "Hopefully, nobody'll open it. If that town found out there was a possibility that Jobias Barthelmess was alive.....Jaeger's were attacking complete strangers stepping off the train."
Jim smiled
"So," Angelica continued, "tell me about Sally's investigation. What's this about robberies."
"Certain artifacts were stolen from museums. One from each. The Molet Chalice in Paris. The Dagger Of Anubis from Egypt. Berlin Museum had a display featuring the Crown of Cornelius, till it was stolen. New York recently reported the Golden Tock Lobster stolen."
"Those were all stolen before." Angelica said, "Throw in the Belt of Lady Chasity in England and the Caledon Cross, and you've got my brother's first adventure after becoming sheriff of Steelhead."
"Wow.....right back to your brother, again. You'd think the universe revolves around him."
"Oh God, please don't tell him that. Last thing we need is a werewolf with a swelled head.
Fusang, The Celestial Kingdom (aka China)
Dogg sat on the hill and watched the fight below. She turned to see Fuzz and the wolves walking up to her. From the looks of the groups fur, they had a few fights with the Fusang army on the way to the castle.
"You're late." Dogg said
The werewolf shrugged and nodded towards a particular fight down below, "Who's the green guy?"
"That's that Lieng guy we've been trying to save Hotspur from."
Fuzz nodded, "Shapeshifter. Naturally. Who cares about making it easy for everyone. What's the fun in that?"
*Fenris' Bane,* one of the wolves said in Wolf Speak *our fight is not over*
*Yes, I know* Fuzz replied. He noticed Kim Chang hiding behind a statue of a dragon as several Fusang soldiers fired towards his direction. Fuzz turned to the wolves, *There is another of Western decent here. I am not sure where.*
Another wolf looked at the castle *Perhaps in that cave of white stone.*
*Go, search the cave. Take the feline with you. I shall join you shortly.*
Fuzz turned to Dogg, and started to speak.
"Oh come on," Dogg said, "357 IQ, familiar with 150 languages, 145 dead languages, and you think I don't know Wolf Speak?"
Fuzz howled, followed by the wolves howling. Fuzz leapt towards the courtyard, Dogg and the wolves headed towards an entrance to the castle.
Behind the statue, Kim tried to figure a way to escape. Unfortunately, he was trapped.
"Mr. Paladin," Kim whispered, "I'm afraid I will not be returning to San Francisco."
Suddenly, he heard a scream, and saw one of the soldiers fly past, hitting the wall. Followed by another, then another. He peered around the statue and saw the werewolf fighting the soldiers. He picked up a sword and ran to assist Fuzz. Fuzz looked over the courtyard to see Lieng fighting what apparently was once Hotspur.
"Hey, he's a shapeshifter." Fuzz said, "What's next? Baron Wulfenbach makes coffee?"
Fuzz turned to Kim Chang, motioning towards the castle that several heavily armed guards were charging out of. "I need to get into the castle."
Kim nodded, then shouted out in Mandarin. Several of his comrades ran towards the two and then, they all ran towards the heavily armed guards. Suddenly, a scent hit Fuzz's nose. A very familiar scent, and he knew who had magically teleported to Fusang.
Wonder if the Duchess is also a shapeshifter? he thought
To Be Continued
(Hopefully a lot sooner than the last time)
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