REVISED -Chapter 1 - In the Shadow of the Clocktower or The one about Mondragon Ambassador and the Babbage Military Intelligence Chief

The Major was late. As he walked briskly down the boulevard, he could here the distant chimes of Clockwinder Tower alerting the city to the early morning hour. The fog was lifting a bit, but still smelled of soot and wood. The noises of grinding and churning from the brewery and the metals forge pierced the early morning. The trains rattled overhead. Two street sweeping Tik-Toks slowly swept the street and cleans the mixture of soot, ash, broken glass, feces and other unspeakable debris from last night off the sidewalk. 

He entered the Brunel hotel quickly. A security detail in the lobby ignored him as he walked directly to the staircase. So much for a discrete meeting. If we had to have so many soldiers as guards, why not meet at the ministry? When he arrived outside the suite, a uniformed Babbage Marine opened the door to allow him access to the conference room. 

The Mondragon Ambassador was seated nervously, while the Admiral paced. “Thank you for you coming, Major”

The Major nodded, “Sir”.

“Anything news from the Prime Minister?” 

“The Prime Minister has not been informed of anything out of the ordinary. I stopped by the Ministry of Communications on my way over. Radio Gabe Reel is not covering anything out of the ordinary.” 

“Caledon News Network?”

The Mondragon muttered “Fake News...” 

Ignoring the pirate, the Major continued his report. “Caledon has not official acknowledged the attack. Sphinx-Templar Bank is still trading with no interruptions. We can’t confirm....” 

The pirate interrupted, “The Doctor confirmed. She personally made sure the dosage was deliver to Sakura. We are certain, the poison was administered.” 

The Admiral interrupted: “Albion is unreliable. She doesn’t understand Neko Physiology. She isn’t even a medical doctor isn’t her specially avionics?” 

“I thought it was Roman Chiropractics?” 

1 

“Whatever, the point is...someone made a mistake. He isn’t dead. We don’t have a body. We have people on staff at Sakura. There is not a confirmed kill. Admiral, I suggest you tell the Clockwinder. Because if the Neko is alive...” 

“You want me to tell the Prime Minister of Babbage that his members of his military attempted conspired with Mondrago to assassinate a Caledonian Duke? One who happens to own one of the largest stockpiles of Thumatergic ore in the steamlands?” 

The pirate interjected: “The Atherium was in Armada before Armanda was destroyed and the Neko is dead. The doseage of Poison was strong. We have several agents inside Sakura and in the Household of the Duchess herself. 

“You mean before we lost track of the floating city. Armada can moves. That is the point of it.” 

“Admiral, We have found no evidence of it Armada in any direction. The Kraken Storm took it.” 

The Major spoke up still ignoring the Mondragon. “Sir, as I was saying, If the Neko is alive and he makes it back to Caledon. He could disrupt the plot. The Clockwinder needs to be informed. Caledon might strike first against us.” 

The pirate shook his head. “No, Caledon is about to be preoccupied with another problem. Much larger than one of a missing Neko...” 

“Major Bennett, please sit down. Our friend from the south has something to share with us.” 

The pirate opened a leather case and produced a file folder. The Major could see it was filled with papers and blueprints. Structural drawings. He recognized the name and the shape of the structure. “Iron Cloud”. 

Major Bennett laugh “Sir, you intend to build another Iron Cloud? It will take years.” “No, Major. We are not intending to copy Iron Cloud. We are going to destroy it.” Major Bennett was gobsmacked. “Uh.. that seems, uh like a difficult..” 

The Admiral interrupted, “I thought the same thing, a load of tosh. Absolute Bollocks. Besides attacking Iron Cloud to disrupt one wealthy Moreau-Cat? Why not find the beastie man and put him down?” 

Major Bennett look at the admiral, yes sir, I would agree and..” 

“However, this isn't the average Beastie man, he is alleged royalty to the cat people and he is a Caledonian Peer. This makes things complicated”. 

“Sir, we now that the Atherium Stockpiles violate the Treaty of Bellefluers. Caledon and her allies agreed to disclose the development of any Thaumaturgic weapons and they agree to the Magickal Test Ban”.
Also, Ambassador was not Calla Mondrago a member of the Magick Axis in the War?” 

“Yes, true. But our magistrate and high council believe the Commonwealth is misguided into allowing the creature to conduct his work”. 

“So you would attack the Commonwealth’s most
important military asset. Even if you succeeded, the aftermath would be overwhelming”. 

“Major Bennett, perhaps you should listen to what our friend is offering. 

The Ambassador slide a file folder over to him. The folder had Arabic and English writing on it. The folder said “Talismanic Quantum Banishing / Weaponized Tactical Reality Distortions”. “ 

“But before he begins, Major you know the drill. This mission does not exist. If it is ever disclosed by any means, the Clockwinder and his government will disavow any knowledge or sanction of these activities. Additionally, you and your family will guilty of Crimes against the Clockwinder and New Babbage”. 

“You do understand and agree, Major?” “Yes, Admiral”.
“Ambassador, you many proceed”