Tales from the Underground

3: The Dirigible
Wanda La Claire
Copyright 2014 Wanda La Claire
ISBN 978-0-9916725-4-7
Sa!h"ord! #dition
Li$en!e Note!
%hi! e&oo' i! li$en!ed (or yo)r per!onal en*oyent only+ %hi! e&oo' ay not &e re-!old or gi,en a"ay to other
people+ I( yo) "o)ld li'e to !hare thi! &oo' "ith another per!on- plea!e p)r$ha!e an additional $opy (or ea$h
re$ipient+ I( yo).re reading thi! &oo' and did not p)r$ha!e it- or it "a! not p)r$ha!ed (or yo)r )!e only- then plea!e
ret)rn to Sa!h"ord!+$o and p)r$ha!e yo)r o"n $opy+ %han' yo) (or re!pe$ting the hard "or' o( thi! a)thor+
The Dirigible
Chapter 16
erome steps in (ront o( e- &lo$'ing y path+ /0a$hael- I need yo) to go
top!ide again+1
/What21 I a!' $on()!ed &y hi! a&r)pt anner+
/Brent *)!t told e "e ha,e a red light on one o( the pre!!)re gage!+ We need a pla$e to tie
do"n+1 3eroe.! "orried loo' !$are! e a little+
/B)t41 I o&*e$t- terri(ied that I.,e (orgotten all y training+
/5ne o( y $re" i! in !i$'&ay- !hot+ I. a an do"n+1 3eroe thr)!t! a per!onal
$o)ni$ation de,i$e into y hand+ /%a'e thi! 6C78 it.! $harged+1
/B)t41 9ear a'e! y ind &lan'- a! I ()&le "ith the )nit- trying to ad*)!t it !o it "ill (it
o,er y ear properly+
/:o).re trained-1 3eroe $ally !tate!- p)lling y eye! to hi! (a$e+ /;nd I need yo)+1
/3eroe<1 Brent.! ,oi$e ring! o)t+ /I.,e got t"o ore red light!<1
/=o-1 3eroe !ho,e! e to"ard the !tair!+
S$ared and $on()!ed- I $li& the !tair! to the o&!er,ation port! a! I try to ree&er the
pro$ed)re!+ 0)!hing to the $enter o( the roo- I $he$' the ap laid o)t on the ta&le a! I $ontin)e
to ()&le "ith the per!onal $o)ni$ation! de,i$e+ %he 6C7 i! !et (or !oeone larger and I
$an.t !i>e it do"n !o I p)ll it o(( and peer at it- !tr)ggling to (ind a "ay to a'e it (it+ ; !all
*er' !la! e into the ta&le- (or$ing e to drop the 6C7 a! I gra& hold o( the edge to pre,ent
y!el( (ro (lying a$ro!! the roo+
?)i$'ly- I !nat$h the &la$' de,i$e o(( the (loor and ()&le "ith it+ 9inding the proper
ad*)!tent- I (it the )nit o,er y ear *)!t a! a ,oi$e !@)a"'!- /I need a landing pla$e<1
%he !o)nd i! !o di!torted it ta'e! a oent &e(ore I (ig)re o)t that it "a! 3eroe yelling+
7epre!!ing the &)tton- I &ar'- /=i,e e a in)te+1
Care()lly $he$'ing that the 6C7 "ill !tay on- I !tand )p to read the ap+ Se$ond! ti$' &y a! I
!ear$h (or y to"n in order to get orientated+ Aoi$e! !$ree$h in y ear- yelling (or help- i!!)ing
in!tr)$tion!+ It ta'e! a &it o( "or' &)t I anage to !h)t the noi!e o)t "hile I (o$)! on (inding the
to"n+ Beeping one (inger on the ap- I t"i!t aro)nd- !$o)ring the ,ie" (or !oething
re$ogni>a&le+
%ree!- tree!- and ore tree!+ Soe"here in the &a$' o( y ind- I ,ag)ely re$all a !ite that
$o)ld &e )!ed in an eergen$y- one that "a!n.t too (ar (ro y to"n+ S)ddenly- I ree&er the
to"er!+ ;&andoning the ap ta&le- I !nat$h the &ino$)lar! o)t o( their holder+ ;t (ir!t- I !ee
nothing &)t "hen I t)rn the other dire$tion- I !pot the !pire!+ %all- thin pinna$le! in a $l)!ter
a&o)t thirty degree! to o)r port !ide+ Ceat di!per!e! (or the )ndergro)nd $ity+
/Captain-1 I !ay- ree&ering the proto$ol+ /I ha,e a landing !ite+1
/Where21 3eroe deand! "ith an edge to hi! ,oi$e I ha,e ne,er heard &e(ore+
/%he heating to"er!-1 I !)gge!t- a! I *a the &ino$)lar! &a$' into their holder+
/;ren.t "e pa!t tho!e21 3eroe a!'!- !o)nding a little $on()!ed+
/No- they.re ahead o( )!+1 I a!!)re hi+ /%hirty degree! o(( o)r port !ide+1
The Dirigible
/I.,e got the-1 Brent anno)n$e!+ /7o "e land there21
I "ait (or 3eroe.! a$'no"ledgeent &)t *)!t hear $hatter (ro the engineer roo+ ; ,oi$e I
don.t re$ogni>e !ho)t! a "arning that "e ight li!t to port+ %he !ilen$e $ontin)e! a! I !tart
$he$'ing the ap (or a &a$'-)p landing !ite in $a!e "e $an.t a'e it to the to"er!+ %here i!
another $learing ahead o( )! &)t a! I ea!)re the di!tan$e- I (ig)re it "ill ta'e )! a $o)ple o(
ho)r! to rea$h it+ Che$'ing the tie- I reali>e "e "on.t rea$h that $learing )ntil dar'+ Not the
&e!t tie to a'e repair! or to attept a landing+ I. *)!t a&o)t to o((er the !e$ond landing !ite
"hen 3eroe anno)n$e!- /We.re going to land at the heating to"er!+ 6repare (or an)al landing+
0a$hael- I need yo) to 3)p+1
9ear and eD$iteent r)n thro)gh e at the tho)ght o( doing another *)p a! I !tride o,er to
the !tair!- the pro$ed)re (or the tie-do"n (lo"ing li'e a litany in y head+ ;t the head o( the
!tair!- I pa)!e and glan$e &a$' to the !pire!- ree&ering 3eroe pointing the o)t to e on y
(ir!t tran!port r)n+ ;t the tie- "e !tayed a"ay (ro the &e$a)!e they eit !o )$h "a!te heat
(ro the )ndergro)nd $ity that the !)rro)nding area i! )n$o(orta&ly "ar &)t he al!o told e
they "ere an eD$ellent ar'er (or a !a(e tie-do"n in an eergen$y+ =ra&&ing the railing!- I do
the r)n-!lide do"n the !tair! that e,eryone en*oy! pra$ti$ing+
I let go o( the rail! at the &otto o( the !tair! and r)n a$ro!! the $at"al'+ Slaed again!t the
railing- I anage to gra& on &e(ore I !lip )nderneath the rail and (all to the de$'+ Ey !ho)lder
"ren$he! a! I !top y (all and hang- !taring at the de$' !e,eral eter! &elo"+ I ha,e to t"i!t a
&it to get y right hand on the rail and p)ll y!el( to y (eet+ Eildly $)r!ing y!el( (or
negle$ting !a(ety pro$ed)re!- I !tart r)nning along the $at"al' thi! tie holding onto the railing!
"hile (eeling &r)i!ed and !t)pid+
The Dirigible
Chapter 17
acing across the ain (loor- I only ha,e tie to !ee 3onathon and hi! (riend!
h)ddled on the $o)$he! "ith terror on their (a$e!+ When 3onathon !ee! e- he a'e!
a o,e to $oe to"ard e+
/Stay there-1 I &ar'- !triding pa!t the+
3onathon !ettle! &a$' do"n- loo'ing )nea!y "hile ;da (la!he! e a !ile (illed "ith
$on(iden$e+ I don.t (eel I.,e earned ;da.! tr)!t and it a'e! e apprehen!i,e &)t that tho)ght
di!!ipate! a! I noti$e the !$o"l on 6a)l.! (a$e+ Clearly- 6a)l doe!n.t tr)!t e+
/Strap in+1 I !ho)t o,er y !ho)lder a! I !tart do"n to the 7eployent 7e$'+ ;! I near the
la!t !tep- the dirigi&le l)r$he! again- *olting e to the right &)t (ort)nately I. holding onto the
railing+
/We ha,e (i(teen in)te!<1 Bate $all! o)t a! I enter the &rightly lit de$'+
=lan$ing aro)nd I (ind (i,e o( the !tation! (illed and head dire$tly to the epty po!ition+
/0a$hael- than' god-1 the relie( in Bate.! ,oi$e i! $lear a! !he )n$lip! her line and r)!he!
o,er to eet e at the epty !tation+ /I.ll $he$' yo)+1
/%han'!-1 I reply+ /It.! &een a long tie+1
Bate (la!he! a !ile a! !he p)ll! o)t the harne!! and hold! it o)t to e- /:eah- it.! not
!oething yo) "ant to &e r)!ty on+1
;! I rai!e y right (oot to !tep into the harne!!- the dirigi&le l)r$he!- thro"ing e into
Bate.! ar!+
/%han'!-1 I )tter- anaging to get one leg into the harne!!+
/Not the &e!t tie (or a re(re!her-1 !he agree! a! I !lip the !trap! o,er y !ho)lder!+ Bate
ad*)!t! the (it at the !ho)lder "hile I (iD the leg loop!+
/9ini!hed-1 I !ay and ta'e one !tep &a$'+
Bate $he$'! y &)$'le! &y the n)&er!+ In tie! li'e the!e- the drill! help a'e !)re yo)
don.t a'e i!ta'e!+
/Con(ired-1 Bate anno)n$e! and rea$he! (or the rope+ /7o yo) !till ree&er ho" to
*)p21
/I.ll do it &y the n)&er!+1 I a!!)re her "ith a nod "hile I ree&er the thrill o( the *)p+
6art o( e i! loo'ing (or"ard to it+
/Clipped and lo$'ed-1 Bate $on(ir! "hile I !ettle y 6C7 into a ore $o(orta&le po!ition
&e(ore p)lling on y helet+ I alo!t !ile a! I reali>e that the 6C7 $he$' "a! an old ha&it o(
ine &e(ore a *)p- alo!t li'e a ner,o)! tell+ Soe hind part o( y &rain ree&er! "hat to
do+
Copleting the )!)al do)&le $he$'- I !@)ee>e the gate on the $ara&ineer and (ind it doe!n.t
o,e+ /Con(ir- $lipped and lo$'ed+1
Con!)lting her "at$h- Bate $all! o)t- /#ight in)te!+1
With a rea!!)ring !ile- !he !tride! &a$' to her !tation and $lip! in+ 5ne o( the other *)per!
$all! o)t- /Bate- $on(ir yo)r rope<1
Bate !@)ee>e! the gate on her &ineer and it open!+ E)ttering- !he re!et! her gear a! a "a,e o(
g)ilt r)n! thro)gh e+ I !ho)ld ha,e $he$'ed her+
The Dirigible
%he g)ilt di!appear! )nder a "a,e o( eD$iteent a! the *)p tie near!+ I al"ay! lo,ed the
*)p e,en tho)gh it i! the o!t dangero)! *o& on the dirigi&le+ Loo'ing aro)nd- I !ee the other!
ga,e e a rear *)p po!ition- the !a(e!t !tation+ It.! the po!ition gi,en to ne"&ie! and- I g)e!!-
*)per! "ho.! !'ill! ight &e a &e r)!ty+ %hro)gh the (or"ard "indo"!- I !ee tree! and the heat
to"er!+ ; little !hi,er o( (ear r)n! thro)gh e a! I reali>e thi! "ill &e the o!t dangero)! *)p
I.,e e,er per(ored+ I( "e *)p too !oon "e $o)ld &e ipaled on the tree!- too late and "e.ll hit
the to"er!+ I don.t 'no" eDa$tly "hat "o)ld happen i( "e hit the to"er!+ Citting tree! "o)ldn.t
&e a &ig deal (or the dirigi&le &)t the to"er! ight &e di((erent+ Wo)ld the heat daage the
&alloon en,elop2
/%"o in)te!<1 Bate.! ,oi$e !o)nd! tinny in the head!et+
Stepping into the !tation properly- I !et y (eet and "ait (or the $o)ntdo"n+ Ner,o)!ly- I
ad*)!t y helet a &it- a'ing !)re it "on.t (ly o(( on y *)p+
/5ne in)te<1 Bate !ho)t!+
%he door "hoo!he! open and a &la!t o( hot air hit! e in the (a$e+ 6eering do"n- I !ee the
tree! gi,e "ay to dried alo!t &)rned loo'ing gra!!+
/%hirty !e$ond!<1 Bate $all! and !he trip! the $o)ntdo"n !e@)en$e+
;! $op)ter ta'e! o,er the $o)ntdo"n- I "at$h the light- ready (or the *)p+ ;t t"enty
!e$ond!- the n)&er! $hange to yello"+ When the $op)ter $o)ntdo"n rea$he! ten- the n)&er!
t)rn red+ 0ed- red- red- green+ %he th)d o( the an$hor! (iring re,er&erate! (ro the de$' into y
leg! and I *)p+ %he thrill o( the de$elerated de$ent hit! e e,en a! I !$an the gro)nd (or y
an$hor+ 6o)nding into the gro)nd- I (leD y leg! a little too late- $a)!ing a !harp pain to r)n
thro)gh y right an'le &)t no daage+ I ha,e to r)n a $o)ple o( !t)&ling !tep! !o I $an gra& the
an$hor $a&le and "ait (or the $oand+
%en!ion thr)! thro)gh the $a&le a! it !train! to hold the dirigi&le+ Witho)t e,en thin'ing
a&o)t it- I !tep &a$' a! the line goe! !la$' "hen the !hip doe! the &o)n$e-&a$' &)t !till ready to
hit the relea!e i( the $oand $oe!+
Brent.! tinny ,oi$e !o)nd! in y head!et- /#@)ali>ing+1
I "at$h the $a&le $are()lly- "orried that "e.ll ha,e to relea!e+ Brie(ly- I "onder i( the
retra$tor! "o)ld get )! high eno)gh to $lear the to"er! i( "e ha,e to do an eergen$y la)n$h+
/#@)ali>ed+1 Brent.! anno)n$eent !end! a ripple o( relie( thro)gh e+ /Beginning de!$ent+1
%a'ing a deep &reath- I loo' aro)nd at the dry gra!!- !)ddenly a"are o( the inten!e heat (or
the (ir!t tie !in$e I *)ped+ I ta'e a $o)ple o( !tep! &a$' (ro the an$hor and a)toati$ally
$he$' (or daage to the en,ironent &)t it loo'! li'e the an$hor !eated $leanly+ I p)ll o(( y
helet a! I loo' aro)nd+ %he heat eanating (ro the to"er! ha! $reated it! o"n i$ro$liate-
allo"ing tropi$al tree! to gro" in a region )$h (arther north than noral+ %)rning in a $ir$le- I
"onder "hy the to"n ha!n.t ta'en ad,antage o( thi! i$ro$liate to gro" !oe tropi$al (r)it+
%he tree! "o)ldn.t need reg)lar aintenan$e !o the di!tan$e "o)ldn.t &e a &ig pro&le+ Eay&e
I.ll ention "hen I get hoe+ ; !i$' !en!ation t)rn! y !toa$h a! I ree&er the (ire+ Eay&e
there.! no to"n to ret)rn to+
/#@)ali>ed de!$ent $oplete in t"o in)te!-1 Brent.! ,oi$e "arn! e o,er the 6C7 a!
!"eat drip! do"n y (a$e+
I !hi(t y "eight and the dry &rittle gra!! $ra$'le! )nder e+ %he d)!ty air ha! an odor o(
o>one la$ing the hea,y !$ent o( !)er+ Sending o)t y hearing- all I $at$h i! r)!tling and
!$ra&&ling- indi$ating only !all anial! are near&y- o!t li'ely rodent!+ S$anning the hori>on- I
The Dirigible
!ee a pillar o( !o'e+ Clearly- they ha,en.t anaged to !top the to"n (ro &)rning+ I (or$e
y!el( to loo' a"ay+ I. !till on d)ty8 !till ha,e "or' to do to prote$t the !hip.! landing+
/#@)ali>ed de!$ent $oplete in one in)te-1 Brent.! ,oi$e !o)nd! little ore relaDed than a
in)te ago+
%he !hado" o( the dirigi&le gro"! o,er the gro)nd to"ard e a! the !hip de!$end!+ 0elie(
(ro the heat i! only oent! a"ay and anti$ipation gro"! a! the !hado" near! e+ %he
oent it to)$he! y !hoe!- it appear! to pi$' )p !peed- !"i(tly eng)l(ing e a! it $ontin)e! it!
!teady pa$e o,er the gro)nd+ St)nned- I reali>e the !hade ha!n.t a((e$ted the teperat)re+
/Landed- *)per! di!engage-1 Brent anno)n$e!+ /Ni$e "or' people+1
Spinning the lo$' on the $ara&ineer- I open the gate and )n$lip (ro the rope+ Be(ore I
relea!e the rope- I $he$' the n)&er to learn I a n)&er !iD+ Wat$hing y rope a!$end- I "ait
thro)gh the roll $all )ntil I hear n)&er (i,e $lear+
/3)per n)&er !iD- !a(ely di!engaged+1 I !tate a! y eye! "ander o,er to the heat to"er!+
0)&&ing y $hin- "hi$h (eel! oddly !ore- I "onder i( y iper(e$t landing *arred y teeth or i(
I.,e &een $len$hing y *a" &e$a)!e o( !tre!!+ %he $langing !o)nd! o( the eergen$y !tair$a!e
(itting into pla$e (ill! the !ilen$e- !$aring o(( any anial! in the area+
;! I "al' o)t o( the !hado"- I de$ide that there "eren.t large anial! in the ,i$inity+ It.!
hard to iagine any $reat)re !pending tie in thi! heat &)t the dry $ra$'ling gra!! &eneath y
(eet indi$ate! it ight &e tolera&le at other tie!+ 5ther"i!e- the gra!! "o)ldn.t ha,e gro"n+
Eay&e in id"inter thi! pla$e i! not *)!t tolera&le &)t $o(orta&le+ ;n iage o( the !)rro)nding
area $loa'ed in !no" "hile on &are gro)nd anial! lo)nge in gro)p!- "aring the!el,e!
&et"een the heat to"er!- (ill! y ind+ %he tho)ght a'e! e !ile and I !ha'e y head at y
o"n "hi!y a! I !troll o,er to the to"er! (or a $lo!er loo'+
Ey (eet !lo" a! I approa$h the neare!t to"er+ S"eat roll! do"n y $hee' and- a! I "ipe it
a"ay- I "onder "hat the teperat)re i!+ Staring at the le,eled (ield !tret$hing o)t &e(ore e- I
ar,el at the daage that the $itie! !till anage to do to the !)r(a$e e,en tho)gh they are
)ndergro)nd+ Near the $enter o( the to"er!- I !pot an a$$e!! &)ilding $o,ered "ith !oe !ort o(
antenna array+ Sear$hing the perieter- I (ind no other &)ilding!+
I g)e!! it a'e! !en!e+ 5n$e the people de!$ended into the $itie!- they no longer $ared a&o)t
the !)r(a$e+ Cli&ing a !all hill to the (lattened !)r(a$e- y (ir!t !tep onto the plain $a)!e! a
re,er&eration that (eel! li'e !tepping onto a h)ge dr)+ %he !o)nd !end! a $reepy (eeling do"n
y !pine+ Eay&e anial! !tay a"ay (ro here e,en in "inter+ It.! hard (or e to iagine tiid
deer $ro!!ing !oething that a'e! !o )$h noi!e- pra$ti$ally !$reaing Fhere I a.+
/0a$hael<1 a ,oi$e $all! o)t- &rea'ing into y tho)ght!+
%)rning- I !ee Bate "a,ing e &a$' to the dirigi&le+ I !pot the other! "al'ing )p the
!tair$a!e+ S)rpri!ed they already ha,e the !tair$a!e do"n and lo$'ed in po!ition- I !tart "al'ing
&a$' "hen an odd !en!ation $ra"l! )p y !pine+ %he other! o&,io)!ly (eel it too- *)dging &y the
"ay they !top and peer aro)nd+ 9or$ing y!el( to 'eep "al'ing I rea$h Bate "ho ha!n.t o,ed-
eD$ept to !$an the area+
/:o) (eel it- don.t yo)21 !he a!'!+
I nod- /:eah- &)t I don.t 'no" "hat it i!+1
/3eroe told e yo) entered the $ity ye!terday+ 7id yo) (eel anything li'e thi!21 Bate.!
ner,o)!ly (inger! her g)n+
/No-1 I re!pond- !)ddenly ner,o)! that I didn.t ree&er to gra& a g)n+
The Dirigible
Bate glan$e! at y hip and noti$e! the la$'- /7re"< Sandy< 6atrol<1
;&r)ptly- the !en!ation end!- $a)!ing a "eird !h)dder to r)n thro)gh e,eryone+
/Brent-1 Bate $all! o,er the 6C7+ /;re yo) pi$'ing )p anything !trange21
/:eah-1 hi! tinny ,oi$e dra"l! the "ord! o)t+ /We *)!t got !"ept &y !oeone+1
I t)rn &a$' to Bate and point- /It )!t &e the &)ilding+1
Bate loo'! at the !tr)$t)re (or a oent- /0a$hael- "o)ld yo) go "ith e21
/I. )nared-1 I reind her+ /B)t I.ll go+1
%apping her 6C7- Bate 'eep! her eye! on e a! !he !ay!- /7e$'er- gear )p and get o)t here+
5h- and &ring an eDtra g)n (or 0a$hael+1 Cli$'ing o(( the )nit- !he a!'! e- /:o) !till ree&er
ho" to !hoot21
I nod- /Wee'ly pra$ti$e+ It.! !till re@)ired in to"n+1
/0eally21 Bate loo'! !)rpri!ed+
/:eah-1 I t)rn a"ay+ /Con!idering "hat happened today- I thin' "e !ho)ld ha,e pra$ti$ed a
&it ore+1
/Sorry-1 Bate )r)r! a! !he gently to)$he! y !ho)lder+
%he t"o o( )! "ait (or 7e$'er "hile "e &oth $he$' o)t the !)rro)nding area+ Cearing noi!e
on the !tair$a!e- I t)rn to !ee a g)y I.,e ne,er et de!$ending the !tair! "ith hi! ar! ()ll o(
!t)((+ 5)r eye! eet and he pa)!e! (or a oent "hile a !ile !pread! a$ro!! hi! (a$e+ Bate
n)dge! e and "e !tride o,er to eet hi at the &a!e o( the !tair!+ Ce ha! an oddly !@)are (a$e
"ith h)ge eye! !et "ide apart+ ; little $le(t in hi! $hin and a ()ll o)th indi$ate he "a! &orn on
the !)r(a$e+ Nothing a&o)t hi! (a$e (it! "ith the $la!!i$ good loo'! &)t he i! gorgeo)!+
/Wat$h o)t (or hi-1 Bate "hi!per! a! "e approa$h the &a!e o( the !tair!+
With a !ile that.! !tarting to loo' ore li'e a !ir'- he hold! o)t a $o)ple o( &la$' ,e!t!+
/0a$hael- thi! i! 7e$'er+1 Bate anno)n$e! "ith a nod to"ard the ne" g)y+ /7e$'er-
0a$hael+1
/Call e Lia-1 7e$'er leer! in a (riendly !ort o( "ay+
Bate )ndoe! the top hal( o( her harne!! !o I (ollo" !)it &)t "hen I !tart to !trip it o((- !he
!top! e+
/6)t it &a$' on o,er the ,e!t-1 !he in!tr)$t!+ Cer "ord! !end a $hill thro)gh e &)t I $oply
"hile !tarting to regret agreeing to a$$opany her+ I (eel 7e$'er.! apprai!ing ga>e on e a! I
!hr)g into the ,e!t and >ip it )p+ ;! I re(a!ten y harne!!- 7e$'er hold! o)t a g)n+ %a'ing it- I
@)i$'ly $he$' the load and !a(ety+
/Ceard yo) "ere a good !hot-1 7e$'er.! ,oi$e i! @)iet and ello"- !)rpri!ing e a little+ I
g)e!! I "a! eDpe$ting !oething har!her+ ;! he hand! e an eDtra g)n $lip- I loo' )p to di!$o,er
hi! eye! are a light green+
/I.,e 'ept )p y !'ill!-1 I a!!)re hi- thin'ing it.! a little !$ary "al'ing into a po!!i&le (ight
"ith !oeone yo).,e ne,er "or'ed "ith &e(ore+ %he tho)ght a'e! e "onder "hy Bate ha!
p)lled the three o( )! together (or thi!+ I al!o (eel !lightly aa>ed &y the r)o)r ill on the !hip+
Bate entioned that 3eroe 'no"! I "a! in the $ity ye!terday and no" 7e$'er 'no"! a&o)t y
g)n !'ill!+ I.d only &e on &oard (or a (e" ho)r!- a (e" ,ery e,ent()l ho)r!8 I "o)ld ha,e tho)ght
people "o)ld ha,e &een too &)!y (or r)o)r!+
The Dirigible
Chapter 18
ead!" #ate as$s% When I hear 7e$'er $o$' hi! g)n- I do the !ae and
gi,e Bate a nod+
/Spread o)t-1 !he in!tr)$t! needle!!ly+
%he three o( )! o,e a"ay (ro ea$h other a! "e ad,an$e to"ard the &)ilding+ S)ddenly
ree&ering- I $all o)t- /%he !)r(a$e i! li'e a dr)+ %here.! no "ay to approa$h !ilently+1
Bate ner,o)!ly ad*)!t! her grip on her g)n &)t !he 'eep! o,ing (or"ard- $reating ore
!pa$e &et"een the t"o o( )!+ ;! "e !pread o)t- I "onder i( the rea!on (or the dr) !)r(a$e i! to
pre,ent eDa$tly "hat "e are doing+ Chatter (ro the engine roo $oe! o,er the 6C7+
/S"it$h to $o&at $hannel-1 Bate in!tr)$t! ter!ely+
I ()&le (or a oent &e(ore I ree&er it.! a !iple !"it$h on the &otto o( the )nit+
7epre!!ing the &)tton- I anno)n$e- /Aeri(y+1
/I. onitoring-1 3eroe in(or! )!+
/=ood to go-1 Bate re!pond!- "hi$h tell! e 7e$'er already ,eri(ied+
Ey poor rea$tion to a !iple pro$ed)re $a)!e! a &l)!h to heat y (a$e+ %a'ing a deep &reath-
I p)!h a"ay "orry and (ear in order to (o$)!+ I ha,e an ad,antage8 I *)!t need to )!e it+ ?)i$'ly
dialing the 6C7 to ,i&rate ode- I !end y hearing to"ard the &)ilding+ Sen!ing nothing- I p)ll
it &a$' a! I near one o( the heat to"er!+
/I.,e (o)nd an edge-1 7e$'er noti(ie! )!- @)ietly o,er the 6C7+
S"eat !lide! do"n y &a$' a! I $reep (or"ard !ear$hing (or the edge+ Gnder y (oot- I (eel a
ridge- alo!t li'e a $)r& on a !ide"al'+ 6)lling &a$' !lightly- I anno)n$e- /#dge+1
/#dge-1 Bate.! ,oi$e !o)nd! oddly $al+ When "e trained together- !he al"ay! &ar'ed o)t
$oand! in an a)thoritati,e tone+ Strange ho" training doe!n.t re,eal ho" people "ill &eha,e
"hen it.! all real+ /0a$hael- do yo) hear anything21
/Che$'ed+ Nothing+1 I 'eep y eye! !$anning the area- ree&ering not to get too (o$)!ed
on the o&,io)! threat that !oething el!e $an !nea' )p on yo)+
/5'ay-1 Bate &reathe! the "ord+ /9or"ard (or a ten $o)nt- li!ten- and repeat+ 0a$hael- I "ant
yo) to report at ea$h !top+1 %en!ion &)ild! )ntil Bate !ay!- /Eo,e+1
%he three o( )! !tep onto the plat(or $a)!ing a re,er&eration only !lightly lo)der than "hen
I !tepped on it alone+ Co)nting o(( the n)&er!- I (ind y &ody o,ing in !yn$ "ith the other!+
0ea$hing ten- I iediately !end o)t y hearing+ %he &)ilding i! @)iet &)t I !end y hearing
aro)nd the perieter *)!t to &e !a(e+
/Clear-1 I &l)rt and !tart the ten $o)nt again- o,ing in )ni!on+ %he rhyth ight &e
relaDing )nder other $ir$)!tan$e!+ In!tead- ea$h pa)!e $ran'! the ten!ion higher+ S"eat po)r!
do"n y (a$e- a'ing e "i!h I had tho)ght to p)t )p y hair+ Strand! !ti$' to the !ide o( y
(a$e and the &a$' o( y ne$'- (eeling !lightly ti$'li!h+ 9o$)!- I reind y!el(+ ;ll the training
"e go thro)gh to ride the dirigi&le! and it doe!n.t prepare yo) (or the !tre!! and (ear+ 5r- in thi!
$a!e- the !"eat+
%en eter! (ro the &)ilding- "e pa)!e a! I li!ten intently+ ; "hirring !o)nd eanate! (ro
deep in!ide the !tr)$t)re &)t I $an.t a'e o)t "hat it i!+ Colding )p a hand- I $he$' the perieter
$are()lly &)t nothing !ee! to &e o,ing o)t there+
The Dirigible
/Soething i! o,ing in!ide-1 I $a)tion+
/C)an21 Bate a!'!+
/No- a$hine-1 I reply+
/Co)ld &e operated &y a per!on-1 7e$'er "arn!+
Li!tening intently to the interior- I de$ide the "hirring !o)nd $o)ld &e an ele,ator *)!t a! y
6C7 ,i&rate!+ Ca!tily p)lling y hearing &a$'- I hear Brent ,oi$e+
/Hpi$'ing )p otion in the tree!+1 %he tinny !o)nd o( Brent.! ,oi$e doe!n.t hide the "orry
in hi! tone+
Ci! "ord! and tone trigger a oent o( terror thro)gh y ,ein! that di!appear!- a! Bate
$ally deand!- /C)an21
/Can.t identi(y &)t the o,eent i! too $oordinated to &e anial+1 Brent eDplain!+ /It.! a
$ir$le aro)nd yo)+1
/Bate- I "ant yo) &a$' here ;S;6+1 3eroe.! "ord! !o)nd $lipped+
/%he repair!41 Bate &egin!+
/I ga,e yo) an order-1 3eroe $)t! Bate o((+ /=et &a$' here+1
Clearly- "hate,er 3eroe and Brent $an !ee i!n.t good+
/5'ay- let.! o,e+1 Bate &arely get! the "ord! o)t "hen a $l)n'ing !o)nd p)ll! o)r eye!
&a$' to the &)ilding+
/What i!H1 7e$'er )tter!+
/9oot!tep!-1 I anno)n$e- peering aro)nd the perieter+ 7e$'er point! hi! g)n at the door-
"hile Bate !"eep! the edge o( the plat(or+ C)!hed ,oi$e!- (oot!tep!- and !oe $lin'ing !o)nd!
I $an.t identi(y !)rro)nd )!+
=lan$ing &a$'- I ea!)re the di!tan$e to the dirigi&le and reali>e "e.re !$re"ed+
The Dirigible
Chapter 1'
a$e co(er)" Jerome !ho)t! thro)gh the inter$o+ /We.re $oing (or
yo)<1
/Ba$' o( the &)ilding<1 Bate yell! *)!t a! the door &egin! to open+
7e$'er da!he! (or"ard- !lipping to the !ide o( the door+ I d)pli$ate hi! o,e and "ait+ Bate
r)!he! to the $orner neare!t e to $o,er the t"o o( )!+ %"o !hape! !tep &oldly o)t into the heat+
Stepping (or"ard- I !la the &)tt o( y g)n into the !e$ond head+ ;! he drop! to the gro)nd- I
reali>e it.! ;!hton+ St)nned- I !tare do"n at hi "hile 7e$'er !ho,e! hi! target &a$' thro)gh the
door"ay+ Stepping &a$' (ro the door- 7e$'er eDaine! ;!hton (or a oent &e(ore p)lling
!oething o(( ;!hton.! )n$on!$io)! (or+ When I !ee a !il,er (la!h- I reali>e he gra&&ed a 'ni(e+
7e$'er !la! the door $lo!ed and haer! at the door(rae- anaging to dri,e the 'ni(e into
the lo$'ing e$hani!+ With a !ir'- 7e$'er drag! ;!hton a$ro!! the gro)nd to prop hi
again!t the door+
/Eo,e-1 7e$'er gro"l! a! he gra&! y !ho)lder and !pin! e aro)nd+
St)&ling a(ter hi- I ro)nd the (ir!t $orner and !ee Bate $ro)$hed to $o,er )! a! "e !"eep
pa!t her to the neDt $orner+ 7e$'er (latten! hi!el( again!t the "all and- "ith a !harp inhale-
pee'! aro)nd the $orner+ Ci! !ho)lder! relaD !lightly !o I. o,ing to the &a$' o( the &)ilding
e,en &e(ore he !ignal!+ 9inding the $enter o( the "all- I !@)at do"n and &reathe deep+ 7e$'er
drop! &e!ide e $lo!e eno)gh that I (eel it "hen Bate &)p! into hi a! !he !ettle! into po!ition+
/Bate- n)dge e-1 I in!tr)$t and !end y hearing o)t to (ind "here the other! are- tr)!ting
Bate to ree&er that I $an.t hear !oeone right neDt to e "hile I do that+
Wi!hing I $o)ld hear aro)nd $orner!- I !end y hearing o)t to the !ide!- trying to (ind a !pot
"here the !o)nd! "a,e! are not &eing de(le$ted+ ; (e" noi!e! li'e !$)((ling (eet rea$h e &)t
not )$h ore+ I "ait- thin'ing I ight &e a&le pi$' )p a !ho)ted $oand+ S"eat drip! into y
eye! "hile I !tare into the di!tan$e- $on$entrating- trying to hear "hat they are doing+ ; !hado"
!lide! o,er )!- a'ing e glan$e )p- 'no"ing I "ill (ind the dirigi&le o,erhead+ I !nap y
hearing &a$' to noral+ %he three o( )! prepare o)r!el,e! to r)n a! the dirigi&le $ontin)e!
o,ing+
/9la'<1 3eroe.! ,oi$e $all! o)t o,er the 6C7+
9i,e !e$ond! @)iet and then eDploding ro)nd! o( (la' (ire (ro the dirigi&le- $reating a $lo)d
o( noi!e and d)!t in an o,al aro)nd )!+ S)rpri!ed- I reali>e there )!t &e a lot ore people
o,ing in on o)r po!ition &e$a)!e the people on the other !ide o( the &)ilding are in!ide the (la'
$lo)d "ith )!+ 3eroe "o)ldn.t "a!te (la' !o they )!t &e 'eeping other! o)t!ide the o,al+
/Wat$h yo)r &a$'-1 Bate order! a! the re!$)e line! drop in (ront o( )!+ /=o<1
%ogether "e *)p )p and ra$e o,er the gro)nd to eet the ratline! a! they drop+ ; line !la!
into the gro)nd to y right !o I ,eer to"ard it+ I !lide into the gro)nd li'e !liding into hoe plate
and anage to !nag the line a! I !lip pa!t+ 0)nning the rope thro)gh y hand!- I !pill loop! o(
rope to y !ide a! I !ear$h (or the &ineer on the end+ 9)&ling "ith the lo$'- a !all !o)nd and
p)(( o( d)!t near y o)t!tret$hed (oot a'e! e glan$e &a$' to the &)ilding+ 9i,e (ig)re! line )p
along the &)ilding- $o)$hing and ta'ing ai at the three o( )!+ Staying (lat on the gro)nd- I (o$)!
on the $ara&ineer in y hand and $lip it to y harne!!+ =i,ing the lo$' a @)i$' !pin- I "ait (or
The Dirigible
the indi$ator light+ %he light t)rn! green "hile a &eep !o)nd! in y harne!!+ I roll o,er to (ire
to"ard the &)ilding- hoping to pro,ide a little $o,erage (or the other!+ 9eeling otion to y
right- I "at$h the rope !na'e )p"ard! and roll onto y &a$' to "ait (or the *olt a! the &ineer
ta'e! y "eight+ ;nother ri$o$het 'i$'! )p a tiny $lo)d o( d)!t a !e$ond &e(ore I. yan'ed into
the air+
Sho)t! (ill the air &)t the $a$ophony o( >ing! and pop! $reated &y the (la' $lo)d a'e! the
"ord! indi!ting)i!ha&le+ 6eering )p- I $he$' i( I. !"inging too "ildly to get thro)gh the
opening+ Spinning a! I !"ing to port- I !ee that I a eD$eeding the "idth o( the door+ I try to
ree&er the pend)l) r)le8 a! the rope !horten!- the !"ing !horten!- i! that it2
S"inging to !tar&oard- !oething haer! into y &a$'- halting y "ild pend)l) &a$'
and (orth+ I !tr)ggle to &reathe and loo' do"n+ 9ear !$rea! along y ,ein! a! I !ee (i,e g)n!
pointed at e+ Sall *er'y otion! o( the people tell e that the "eapon! are (iring &)t the noi!e
i! too inten!e and $haoti$ to hear the indi,id)al g)n!hot!+ S)ddenly- I (eel "all! aro)nd e and
reali>e I.,e !lipped thro)gh the opening into the dirigi&le+ Sighing "ith relie(- I reali>e y
i!ta'e a !e$ond later "hen I (ight (or air "ith )!$le! !pa!! in y &a$' and !ide+ 7angling a
$o)ple o( eter! o(( the (loor- I attept a !tret$h to !top the t"it$hing )!$le! &)t hanging in a
harne!! i!n.t the ideal "ay to a$$opli!h that+
%he $ra!hing ra$'et o( (la' $)t! o(( to a )((led noi!e- a'ing e glan$e do"n at the !ae
oent I reali>e they $lo!ed the door!+ ; !all *olt $a)!e! e to ga!p and then I. !lo"ly
lo"ered to the de$'+ Cand! gra& e- $are()lly po!itioning e !o I land on y (eet+
/;re yo) o'ay-1 a ,oi$e la$ed "ith $on$ern a!'! e a! I gingerly ta'e a &reath+
/:eah-1 I )tter+ /I got !hot+1
/=ood thing yo) had the ,e!t-1 the ,oi$e dryly $oent!+
Loo'ing )p- I eet dar' &ro"n eye!+ It ta'e! a oent &e(ore I $an !ee &eyond tho!e eye! to
noti$e a ro)ghi!h !ile "ith $roo'ed teeth+
/Can yo) &reathe21 he a!'!+
/:eah-1 I nod+ /3)!t a little !ore+ It.ll pa!!+1 I !tart to ()&le "ith y harne!!+
/Cere- I.ll help+1 Ce gently p)ll! !la$' into y line "hile &ra$ing e "ith a hand on y ar
to a'e !)re he.! not thro"ing y o(( &alan$e+
/When did yo) *oin the $re"21 I a!' a! I )ndo one o( the &)$'le!+
/3)!t eight "ee'! ago-1 he !ay!- )nlo$'ing y line+
/I. 0a$hael-1 I tell hi+
/Lia-1 he replie!- (la!hing that !ae ro)ghi!h grin+ /B)t e,eryone $all! e Sander!+1
/%han'! (or the help-1 I !ay+
/No pro&le-1 Lia la)gh!+ /:o) 'no"- "hen I !igned )p they proi!ed ad,ent)re and
eD$iteent &)t I $an.t !ay I eDpe$ted thi!+1
I !ile- /Belie,e e8 it "a!n.t thi! eD$iting "hen I $re"ed on thi! r)n+1
S)ddenly I !tagger a! y "eight in$rea!e!+
/Steady-1 Lia !ay! a! he !)pport! e+ /We.re doing a rapid a!$ent+1
/3)!t !o long a! it.! not a rapid de!$ent-1 I $oent and !tr)ggle to )ndo y harne!!+
/Brent.! a good pilot-1 Lia a!!)re! e+
I "al' a$ro!! the de$' to eet Bate and 7e$'er at the lo$'er!+ Stripping o)t o( the harne!!
and helet- I hang the ite! )p in the *)per lo$'er &)t ha,e to !ear$h aro)nd &e(ore I
ree&er "here the $o&at lo$'er! are+
The Dirigible
/7on.t (orget- yo) ha,e to $lean yo)r g)n+1 Bate $oent! a! !he !tride! pa!t e to hang )p
her ,e!t+ 6)lling o)t a hol!ter- Bate !ho,e! her g)n in the holder and !ling! the hol!ter o,er her
!ho)lder+ I anage to get o)t o( y ,e!t and hang it )p in the only epty !lot+ Bate !top! e a! I
t)rn to go+ /Gntil I tell yo) other"i!e- I "ant yo) ared+1
Loo'ing at her- I rea$h into the lo$'er and p)ll o)t a hol!ter+ I $he$' the !a(ety on y g)n
&e(ore *aing it into the holder+ ;! I to!! the hol!ter o,er y !ho)lder- I !tart "al'ing a$ro!!
the de$'- heading (or the ain le,el- thin'ing it (eel! li'e a illion year! !in$e I had 5tto.!
9ren$h toa!t+ It.! ,ery hard (or e to &elie,e it "a! *)!t thi! orning+
The Dirigible
Chapter *+
ausing to snag a $leaning 'it- I "arily a'e y "ay )p the !tair!+ I. hal( "ay
)p &e(ore I reali>e the dirigi&le i! (lying !oothly+ %hey )!t ha,e &een a&le to a((e$t
!oe repair! in the &rie( tie "e "ere on the gro)nd+ Warily- I try to $al$)late the tie &)t gi,e
it )p a! a lo!t $a)!e+ Eay&e "e "ere gro)nded (or ho)r!- ay&e it "a! only ten in)te!+ Cell-
ay&e it "a! three day!- I *)!t $an.t tell8 too )$h ha! happened !in$e I had l)n$h in to"n "ith
3onathon+
/7o yo) need e to $arry yo)21 7e$'er.! ,oi$e !tartle! e+
/What2 No- I. good+1 I )tter- a! I !top $li&ing the !tair! to loo' at hi+ /3)!t a little
tired+1
/:eah- it.! &een ()n-1 he $oent!+ ; !lo" !ile !pread! a$ro!! hi! (a$e- a'ing hi loo'
edi&le+
Ignoring hi- I t)rn a"ay and gra& a railing to ha)l y!el( )p the la!t (light to the ain
le,el+ ;! I eerge (ro the !tair"ell- I noti$e it.! !till daylight+ %hat a$t)ally a'e! e (eel e,en
ore eDha)!ted8 the idea that they ay &e ore to thi! day i! *)!t too )$h+ Cro!!ing the (loor- I
head to the h)ge dining ta&le and $are()lly !et the hol!ter- g)n- and $leaning 'it do"n- a(raid that
i( I don.t ta'e eDtra $are I.ll end )p dropping e,erything+
5)t o( the $orner o( y eye- I !ee 3onathon !tand )p and he!itate+ Warily- I !ettle y!el( into
a $hair and t)rn to loo' at the $a)!e o( all thi! tro)&le+ 5'ay- ay&e I glare at the $a)!e+
;da !hi(t! (or"ard to the edge o( hi! !eat "hile 6a)l *)!t glare! &a$' at e- a! i( I. to
&lae (or "hat.! going on+ 3onathon ea!e! hi!el( do"n onto the ar o( the !o(a+ %)rning a"ay-
I (lip open the $leaning 'it and !tart di!antling the g)n a! 7e$'er p)ll! o)t a $hair oppo!ite e+
/Soooo-1 he dra"l!- a((e$ting a $a!)al air+ Leaning &a$' in hi! !eat- he drape! an ar o,er
the &a$' and eDaine! the three g)y! (ro the $ity+ In an in$redi&ly di!i!!i,e tone- 7e$'er
$oent!- /%hey.re a pretty lot- aren.t they21
6a)l t"it$he! a! i( he.! going to ta'e a r)n at 7e$'er &)t 3onathon ge!t)re! (or hi to $al
do"n+ I $an.t help &)t thin' 7e$'er i! the pot $alling the 'ettle &la$'+ Sitting a$ro!! (ro hi- I
ha,e a oent to really !t)dy hi! (a$e and he.! pro&a&ly &etter loo'ing than any o( the g)y!
(ro the $ity+ ;nd yet it.! $lear that 7e$'er.! good loo'! are all nat)ral+ 7e$'er grin! at the
g)y!- $o$'y and !el(-a!!)red- a! i(- no atter "hat- he.! going to "in+
/Stop &eing a *er'-1 Bate "al'! &et"een 7e$'er and the $ity g)y!- deli&erately &rea'ing the
!taring $onte!t+ She gi,e! 7e$'er a hard loo' &e(ore t)rning to glan$e at the g)y!+ Eeeting y
eye!- !he !ile! (aintly and rai!e! an eye&ro"- indi$ating that !he agree! "ith 7e$'er.!
a!!e!!ent o( the a! Fa pretty lot.+ I thin' !he al!o agree! "ith 7e$'er.! iplied opinion that
they.re )!ele!!+
Gnpert)r&ed- 7e$'er !tart! di!antling hi! g)n a! he (la!he! hi! $o$'y grin in y dire$tion+ I
!igh- thin'ing thi! *er' i! going to gi,e e a lot o( tro)&le+
/So- 0a$hael- r)o)r ha! it that yo).re !oe 'ind o( !)perhero+1 7e$'er "ipe! o)t the &arrel
o( hi! g)n+
The Dirigible
I p)ll o)t a tooth&r)!h and !$r)& the (rae "hile !t)dio)!ly a,oiding eye $onta$t "ith
3onathon or hi! (riend!+ 6retending indi((eren$e- I !ay- /I. not a !)perhero+ %hat.! *)!t $oi$
&oo' !t)((+1
7e$'er lean! on the ta&le- /Coe on- I hear yo) ha,e !)perhearing and !oe 'ind o(41 Ce
"a,e! a hand o)t- "iggling hi! (inger!- in,o'ing the idea o( !poo'y+ /6eople !ay yo) $an !en!e
other thing!+1
6eering into 7e$'er.! eye!- I $an !ee that I "on.t &e a&le to a,oid eDplaining+ I !et the
g)n!to$' on the ta&le and glan$e o,er at 3onathon+
7e$'er !@)int! at 3onathon and gi,e! e another apprai!ing loo'- /7on.t tell e yo) need
hi! peri!!ion+1 Ci! tone- $learly eant to goad e into tal'ing- *)!t a'e! e !ile a! I pi$'
)p the tooth&r)!h and g)n!to$' &)t hi! "ord! a'e e reali>e I (eel a little a!haed "ith
3onathon di!$o,ering I. not noral+ I !ilently &erate y!el(+
/Coe on-1 7e$'er $a*ole! e "ith a &ig !ile+ /3eroe !ay! yo) $an hear a pin drop a
'iloetre a"ay+1
I !igh- 'no"ing there.! no "ay I. getting o)t o( thi! $on,er!ation !o I p)t do"n the
tooth&r)!h and g)n!to$'+ I de$ide it ight &e &etter to *)!t get it o)t in the open !o- pi$'ing )p
the &arrel and &ore &r)!h- I !it )p a little !traighter a! I $orre$t 7e$'er+ /I $an hear a pin drop t"o
'iloetre! a"ay+1
%he !t)nned loo' on 7e$'er.! (a$e i! grati(ying &)t- a! I pee' o,er at 3onathon- I !ee a loo'
that indi$ate! he thin'! I. in!ane+
/Serio)!ly21 7e$'er per!i!t!+
I nod- /Eay&e t"o and a hal(+ So long a! there i!n.t a "all or !oething el!e to &lo$' the
!o)nd "a,e!+1 ; little $lo)d o( $ar&on p)((! o)t a! I p)!h the &ore &r)!h thro)gh the &arrel+ I
!tare at the pie$e! (or a oent- thin'ing- $on!idering+
/%"o and a hal( B- "o"+1 7e$'er !it! &a$'- aa>eent !hining in hi! eye!+ Ce !ee!
thrilled &y the idea+
/%here are pro&le!-1 I )tter+
/%he &igge!t one i! that !he $an.t hear !oething going on right &e!ide her i( !he.! !ent her
hearing o)t-1 3eroe eDplain! a! he p)ll! o)t a $hair to *oin )! at the ta&le+
/%hat doe!n.t !o)nd good-1 7e$'er !@)int! at e+
/It $an &e dangero)!-1 I a$'no"ledge- p)lling o)t !oe grea!e (or the pi!tol+
/So- I $o)ld yell in yo)r ear and yo) "o)ldn.t hear e21 7e$'er !o)nd! tho)ght()l- a! i( he.!
rethin'ing "hether or not I. a !)perhero+
/:eah-1 I nod a! I grea!e the !liding part!- a'ing !)re to !pread it properly+
6ointing hi! &ore &r)!h at e- he !ay!- /So that.! "hy yo) a!'ed Bate to n)dge yo) "hen "e
"ere on the gro)nd21
/:e!-1 I agree+ /I "a! trying to hear "hat "a! happening on the other !ide o( the &)ilding+1
/So yo) $an hear aro)nd $orner!21 7e$'er tilt! hi! head in an $al$)lating !ort o( "ay- a! i(
he.! trying to pin do"n all the detail!+
/No- I !ent y hearing o)t the !ide+ %he !o)nd "a,e! o,e o)t in a $ir$le !o- i( I $an !end
y hearing o)t to the !ide- I $an (ind a !pot "here the "a,e! ha,en.t &een de(le$ted+1
/:o) 'no"- that.! dan $ool+1 7e$'er loo'! !o ti$'led &y the idea that it a'e! e a little
)n$o(orta&le+ /S)perhearing- that.d &e *)!t a"e!oe+1
The Dirigible
Chapter *1
eah- super a.esome-" a ne" g)y $oent! in a ,ery !ar$a!ti$ tone+
#,eryone t)rn! to loo' at the ne"$oer+ Ce.! ,ery !hort and yet- oddly- hi! (a$e
ha! a !tret$hed loo'- li'e p)lled ta((y+ Ci! tiny o)th- &)n$hed )p a! i( he !ell! !oething &ad-
radiate! hi! di!plea!)re+
I glan$e &a$' at 7e$'er to !ee a "ary and !lightly !ypatheti$ eDpre!!ion on hi! (a$e+ %a'ing
a &reath- the loo' ,ani!he! to &e repla$ed &y a $o$'y grin a! 7e$'er t)rn! to peer at the ne" g)y+
/;ndy- "ere yo) on &oard "hen 0a$hael here $re"ed thi! r)n21 7e$'er a!'! in a ild tone
that i! pro&a&ly !)ppo!ed to olli(y ;ndy &)t only !)$$eed! in dire$ting ;ndy.! anger in y
dire$tion+
%oo tired to !)on the energy to deal "ith thi!- I !hrin' in y $hair )nder ;ndy.!
"ithering ga>e+ ;! I !nea' a pee' at 7e$'er- he !ir'! at e a! i( he.! plea!ed "ith the t)rn+
/We ha,en.t et-1 I !ay "ith a !all "a,e- thin'ing it ight !ooth thing o,er! i( I got )p
to !ha'e hi! hand- I p)!h y!el( )pright in preparation to !tand+ %he !)dden hardening in ;ndy.!
eye! !top! e (ro a'ing the e((ort+ Soething in hi! loo' !$rea! "e are not no" nor "ill "e
e,er &e (riend!+ I !tay !till and a$$ept thi! en$o)nter "ill not &e plea!ant+
/I! there a pro&le- ;ndy21 3eroe.! ,oi$e i! ,ery le,el a! he $a!)ally pi$'! )p hi! $)p and
ta'e! a !ip- "itho)t loo'ing at the !hort an+
/; pro&le21 ;ndy.! ,oi$e ta'e! on a !lightly hy!teri$al note+
;! y eye! eet 7e$'er.!- hi! (a$e ta'e! on a !t)died loo' o( indi((eren$e+ I glan$e o,er at
Bate to (ind the !ae $are()lly ne)tral eDpre!!ion+
/We.,e &een !hot at+1 ;ndy ,oi$e $ra$'! a &it- a! he grind! the "ord! o)t+ /5( $o)r!e- that.!
a pro&le and it.! her (a)lt+ We all 'no" that+1
/I( "e all 'no" that then there.! no rea!on to di!$)!! it-1 3eroe !ay! in a rea!ona&le tone a!
Brent "al'! into the roo "ith a !teaing $)p in one hand and a $hart in the other+ Brent.! eye!
dart aro)nd the roo (or a oent- ta'ing in the !it)ation &e(ore he loo'! at 3eroe+ With a
!hr)g- Brent "al'! o,er to p)ll o)t a $hair &e!ide 3eroe+ Setting do"n hi! $)p- Brent !pread!
the $hart o)t on the ta&le !o 3eroe $an loo' at it+
I glan$e &a$' at ;ndy and !ee hi dithering (ro one (oot to the other+ %he anger ha!n.t le(t
hi! (a$e and he loo'! li'e he.! a&o)t to !"allo" hi! o"n tong)e+ 3eroe !tare! at the ap &)t I
$an tell that he i! ,ery a"are o( ;ndy.! &eha,io)r+ 3)!t a! ;ndy.! a&o)t to &oil o,er- 3eroe
!pea'!+
/I a $)rio)! a&o)t "hy thi! i! happening+1 3eroe.! "ord! a'e e,eryone t)rn to !tare at
the $ity g)y!+
The Dirigible
Chapter **
o am 0-" I !ay a! I t)rn to regard 3onathon and hi! (riend!+ 3onathon gi,e! an
angry !ha'e o( the head a! he !ay!- /I already told yo)+1
/I didn.t !teal anything (ro yo)-1 I in!i!t &)t !top a! I !ee a !trange loo' $ro!! 6a)l.! (a$e+
/What do yo) 'no"21
6a)l t"it$he! at y in@)iry &)t doe!n.t eet y eye! (or a oent+ Soething $hange! in
hi! deeanor- a !)&tle !hi(t- and he !ile!+ Loo'ing )p- hi! ga>e re,eal! !oething hard a! he
!ay!- /:o) didn.t !teal it+ 3enni(er !lipped it into yo)r &ag "hile yo) "ere o)t o( the roo+1
/Why the ()$' "o)ld !he do that21 3onathon deand! a! he *)p! to hi! (eet+
/Who 'no"!-1 6a)l !hr)g!- !taring at the (loor &)t I $an !ee he loo'! @)ietly plea!ed+
/I thin' another @)e!tion i! "hy the ()$' didn.t yo) tell )! "hat !he did21 ;da.! $al tone
!o)nd! oddly threatening+
/Be$a)!e I tho)ght it "o)ld &e !a(er "ith her-1 6a)l replie!- t"i!ting to peer at ;da+
/With e2 Why21 I deand+
/Be$a)!e yo) "ere ret)rning to the !)r(a$e+1 6a)l eDplain! "ith eDaggerated ipatien$e+
/Be$a)!e I didn.t thin' they $o)ld (ollo" yo) there+1
/5( $o)r!e they $an (ollo" her-1 ;ndy.! !hrill ,oi$e $)t! in+ /%hey pro&a&ly ha,e a "ay o(
tra$'ing "hate,er yo).re tal'ing a&o)t+1
/No-1 ;da.! ea!)red tone $ontra!t! !harply "ith ;ndy.! !hrie'ing+ /I don.t !ee ho" they
$an tra$' )!+1
;ndy !$rea! a&)!e at ;da a! he ad,an$e! on the $ity people &)t 3eroe !tand! )p-
pla$ing hi!el( &et"een ;ndy and hi! prey+ Colding )p a hand- 3eroe !ay!- /Stop- they.re (ro
the $ity+ %hey don.t 'no"+1
3eroe glan$e! at Brent- $learly indi$ating he !ho)ld &e the one to eDplain+ Sitting (or"ard-
Brent loo'! at ea$h o( the $ity g)y! in t)rn- /%ra$'ing a de,i$e on the !)r(a$e i! a !iple thing
(or )! to do+ We don.t need "ire! the "ay yo) do )ndergro)nd+1
6a)l loo'! !$epti$al &)t ;da and 3onathon appear to a$$ept Brent.! !tateent+ Sighing- I
!ay- /6a)l- (ro "hat I $an tell- it.! ea!ier (or the to tra$' the de,i$e )p here+ :o).,e ade a
h)ge i!ta'e+1
/Well "hate,er it i!- it )!t !till &e in y &ag+1 I $oent- !$anning the area (or y
&a$'pa$'+
3onathon rea$he! aro)nd &ehind the $o)$h and li(t! y &a$'pa$' )p+ Settling it on hi! lap- he
!tart! to r)age! thro)gh it+
/Cey<1 I $all o)t- *)ping to y (eet and gra&&ing y &a$'pa$' o)t o( hi! hand!+ 6eering
in!ide- I p)!h !t)(( aro)nd )ntil I reali>e I ha,e t"o $harger!+ ; @)i$' eDaination and I p)ll o)t
the de,i$e I thin' 3onathon "anted+ %he !e$ond $harger i! a little di((erent (ro y o"n &)t the
di((eren$e! aren.t iportant8 they.re *)!t !all $o!eti$ $hange!+
/%hat i! "hat they.re a(ter-1 3onathon anno)n$e! a! he point! to the de,i$e in y hand- a
loo' o( a"e on hi! (a$e a! i( he.! !eeing the Eona Li!a+
/%hat $an.t &e the rea!on-1 Brent re()te!+ /We.,e all got tho!e+ %hey.re a die a do>en on
the !)r(a$e+1
The Dirigible
/No-1 ;da !ay! in hi! $al tone+ /%hat i! a h)ge di!$o,ery+ :o) $an "ind it and it $harge!
&atterie!+1
Silen$e (ill! the roo a! e,eryone in the $re" eD$hange glan$e! and then &)r!t o)t la)ghing+
%he $ity g)y! loo' di!$o&o&)lated a! the la)ghter $ontin)e!+
Brent !ile! gently- /It.! a !iple dynao de,i$e+ %he te$hnology ha! &een aro)nd (or
$ent)rie!+ We.,e all got one+1
3onathon !tare! at e- the loo' on hi! (a$e indi$ating that he doe!n.t &elie,e "e )nder!tand
the gra,ity o( the !it)ation+ 6)lling o)t y o"n $harger- I hold it o)t to 3onathon+ ; !t)nned loo'
!ettle! on hi! (a$e a! he !lo"ly ta'e! the de,i$e o)t o( y hand+
/Co"21 he "hi!per!+
I !hr)g- /%he real @)e!tion i! "hy are they a(ter yo)21
/No- it.! the de,i$e+1 ;da in!i!t!+ /Eay&e it.! old to yo) &)t it.! ne" to )!+1
3eroe !ha'e! hi! head- /We trade "ith the $itie! all the tie+ %hey 'no" a&o)t tho!e+1
The Dirigible
Chapter *3
uiet% 2 crea$ (ro one o( the tie-do"n line! a! the !hip !hi(t! !lightly in it!
ooring!+ Silen$e+ ; !all ping on the radar indi$ate! an anial near&y+ I !pread y
hand! (lat again!t the !)r(a$e o( the ta&le and !tare at the de,i$e+ ; door open! and $lo!e!+
Silen$e+ ;nother door open! and I hear a )r)red ,oi$e !ay !oething too lo" (or e to a'e
o)t+ ; door $lo!e! and there.! !ilen$e on$e again+
%he (ight a&o)t "hether or not the dynao "a! the rea!on "e "ere &eing p)r!)ed raged on
(or at lea!t an ho)r- )ntil the pilot anno)n$ed "e "ere approa$hing o)r tie-)p point- "hi$h !ent
the $re" into a (l)rry o( a$ti,ity+ 5n$e "e "ere tied do"n- @)iet de!$ended on the !hip+
#,eryone di!per!ed to their $a&in!- in$l)ding the $ity g)y! "ho "ere a!!igned the pa!!enger
@)arter!+ No"- "ith e,eryone !leeping or pretending to !leep- the !ilen$e on the !hip (eel! li'e a
,a$ation+
I !it &a$'- dragging y hand! a$ro!! the !ooth !)r(a$e o( the ta&le+ I get )p and !"it$h on
the 'ettle+ %)rning to (a$e the ta&le- I lean again!t the $o)nter "hile I "ait (or the "ater to &oil+
Ey ind !tay! &lan'+ 9atig)e p)ll! at y &ody &)t I 'no" I $an.t !leep+ ;ltho)gh I. not
$on!$io)!ly thin'ing a&o)t anything- the &a$' o( y ind i! &)>>ing "ith theorie!+ I de!perately
"ant to !h)t do"n y &rain and !leep &)t the noi!e *)!t "on.t allo" it+
%he 'ettle "hi!tle! and I @)i$'ly open the ,al,e to !top the !@)eal+ I pop a )g o)t o( it! !lot
and !et it on the $o)nter a! I !ear$h (or a tea &ag+
/Why don.t yo) a'e a pot21 3eroe.! ,oi$e a'e! e *)p o)t o( y !'in+ I t)rn to loo'
at hi and he !ile! an apology+ Stepping )p &e!ide e- he p)ll! o)t a teapot and @)i$'ly
(ini!he! the ta!' (or e "hile y ind !ee! to ta'e a little ,a$ation "itho)t e+
/0a$hael-1 3eroe.! ,oi$e (loat! !o(tly on the air- $alling y ind &a$' to the oent+
I eet hi! eye! &)t "e don.t !pea'+ 9inally- 3eroe loo'! a"ay to gather )p the teapot and
)g!+ Wat$hing hi a! he "al'! to the ta&le- I (eel a !)rge o( g)ilt r)n thro)gh e+ Slo"ly- I
p)!h y!el( o(( the $o)nter and $ro!! the (loor to the ta&le+ I !lide onto the !eat oppo!ite hi a!
he arrange! the )g!+ %he de,i$e !it! &et"een )! li'e an )nplea!ant *o&- !oething that need! to
&e dealt "ith &)t "e.re rel)$tant to get !tarted+
; $rea' (ro one o( the tie-do"n! i! the only !o)nd in the roo+ I !it &a$' in y $hair
)na&le to ta'e y eye! o(( the de,i$e+ Ey hand (all! to the g)n on y hip+ ;! I to)$h the $old
etal- I reali>e I. doing the one thing I !"ore I "o)ld ne,er do again+
/I 'no" yo) hate g)n!-1 3eroe !ay! !o(tly a! he !it! (or"ard to li(t the teapot and po)r o)r
drin'!+
Ey hand (all! a"ay (ro the g)n a! I peer into hi! eye!- trying to deterine "hat ade hi
!ay that+ ;(ter a oent- I de$ide he *)!t 'no"! e "ell eno)gh to g)e!! at y ood+
;! 3eroe hand! e y tea- he a!'!- /Why do yo) thin' 5tto !ent the here21
I !ha'e y head- /I ha,e no idea+1
/:o) thin' 5tto 'no"! !oething "e don.t21 3eroe a!'! intently+
/5tto al"ay! 'no"! !oething "e don.t-1 I reply+
The Dirigible
3eroe peer! into hi! )g a! i( the an!"er! are hidden in the )r'y depth!+ I $on$entrate on
tho!e (e" r)!hed oent! "ith 5tto in the li&rary a! he ga,e in!tr)$tion! (or e to lea,e and
ta'e the $ity g)y! "ith e+
/Eay&e he *)!t "anted the o)t o( the to"n-1 I !ay !lo"ly+ /Eay&e he tho)ght o)r atta$'er!
"o)ld !top on$e tho!e $ity g)y! "ere o)t o( rea$h+1
/Eay&e-1 3eroe agree!+ /5r ay&e !oething el!e i! going on+ I a!!)e yo) tried to $all
5tto+1
/I tried $alling e,eryone &a$' hoe-1 I re!pond a! I p)!h a"ay y eotion!+ /I al!o tried y
(leDi &)t4 nothing+1
3eroe (old! hi! ar! on the ta&le and lean! a$ro!! it+ /It i!n.t that thing+1
I glan$e at the de,i$e- /No- that $an.t &e it+1
/So- it )!t &e !oething el!e-1 3eroe.! ,oi$e ta'e! on an inten!ity I.,e rarely heard (ro
hi+ /Eay&e !oething on one o( the g)y!+1
/Eay&e-1 I agree in a non-$oittal "ay a! I pi$' )p the de,i$e+ /%he !e$ond @)e!tion i!
ho" did they (ind )!2 Brent !"ept the g)y! and thi! thing (or &)g!8 e,erything.! $lean !o ho"
did they (ollo" )!21
/%hat "a! *)!t a patrol- "a!n.t it21 3eroe lo"er! hi! ,oi$e+
I !ha'e y head- /No- it "a! the !ae g)y! "ho atta$'ed )! &a$' in to"n !o they (ollo"ed
)! !oeho"+1
/9)$'-1 3eroe )tter!- the pro(anity !o)nding alo!t $oi$al $oing (ro hi+
/:eah-1 I agree+
/7o yo) thin' they $an (ollo" )! here21 he a!'!+
/It.! pro&a&ly !a(e!t to a!!)e they $an-1 I nod+ /B)t there are no door! near )! !o they
"o)ld ha,e to tre' o,er land+ I don.t thin' they.ll do that at night+1
/%r)e-1 3eroe agree! "ith a gri eDpre!!ion on hi! (a$e+ /We.ll lea,e a! !oon a! it.! light
o)t+1
/%hat "ill help (or a "hile-1 I !ay a! I he(t the de,i$e in y hand+ /We ha,e to de$ide ho"
(ar "e (ly together on thi! one+1
; loo' o( di!&elie( $ro!!e! 3eroe.! (a$e+ It.! @)i$'ly repla$ed &y a loo' o( anger a! he gra&!
y hand- /We "on.t lea,e yo) to (ight alone+1
Ey eye! drop! to hi! hand holding ine- /%hi! i! &ig+ Whate,er it i!- it.! &ig+ I don.t "ant to
a!' anything+1 Siling- I loo' )p at 3eroe+ /I. pretty !)re ;ndy "o)ld di!agree+1
0et)rning y grin- 3eroe let! go o( y hand and !it! &a$'- /I.ll let anyone "ho "ant! o(( at
the neDt port+1
/3eroe41 I &egin+
/No-1 he "a,e! a hand+ /I "on.t lea,e yo) to (ig)re thi! o)t on yo)r o"n+ It.! y !hip- I.ll
de$ide+1
/We $an.t (ly aro)nd (ore,er-1 I re!pond+
/No-1 he nod!+ /B)t "e $an (ly aro)nd (or a "hile- )ntil "e $an (ig)re !oe thing! o)t+1 Ce
pa)!e! a! he glan$e! to"ard the $re" @)arter!+ 3a&&ing a th)& in their dire$tion- he a!'!- /7o
yo) &elie,e the21
/I &elie,e ;da and 3onathon-1 I tell hi+
/B)t not the other one21 3eroe.! eye! narro"+
/Ci-1 I !hr)g+ /I don.t 'no"+ %here.! !oething &)t I don.t 'no" "hat it i!+1
The Dirigible
/Sell21 he a!'!+ 3eroe i! one o( the (e" people "ho 'no" a&o)t y other a&ility+
/Eay&e-1 I loo' o)t the "indo"!+ /Sell i! *)!t not relia&le+ ;nd !oetie! I $an.t (ig)re
o)t "hat it ean!+1
/So- "hi$h i! it "ith hi21 3eroe pro&e!+
Ey eye! !"ing &a$' to ga>e at hi- /Both+1
/9)$'-1 3eroe )tter! again+ It i! !o odd to hear hi !"ear- e!pe$ially "hen it.! !o
heart(elt+
/5ne thing i! (or !)re-1 I li(t )p the de,i$e to !t)dy it a! I t)rn it o,er in y hand!+
/Whate,er i! going on- thi! i!n.t it+1
%o &e $ontin)ed4