Chapter 79 - The Kraken Gate
Travelling by air would never replace trains. James had initially refused to join us. He thought that airships were flimsy and unsafe, and preferred the idea of taking the land train back to Emberly. It was hard to argue against him when we were all finally aboard. The seating was miserly, and because the airship was so much slower, we would have to sleep sitting upright overnight. Although heat from the gas turbines was channeled through pipes in our cabin, it was never much warmer than ice cold. Furthermore, the gondola only had space for one tiny head. Ellen and I had a fit of giggles when we happened to catch sight of James trying to back into it. He was bending down and easing his shoulders in sideways. I had no idea how he was going to pull his britches down but decided not to ask him.
Shortly after takeoff, a steward had walked around the passenger section offering refreshments, but by the following morning, when we had eaten little more than snacks, I was ravenous, and dreaming of a plate full of greasy food at the Diadem Inn.
Na-Su had charmed her way into the cockpit. There was no heating at all up front, but that wouldn’t bother her in the least. Inigo was fast asleep, his skinny legs draped over the seat in front of him.
What I was struggling to adjust to more than anything was that Mahkran had already left. He had been summoned home by the Prince of Gulreimia. I hadn’t had any reply to the letter I’d sent to the prince, and Mahkran hadn’t been able to elaborate on why he was being recalled. I felt sad at the parting, but consoled myself with the knowledge that he would be home soon. He would see his wife and child, and they would remind him of the important things in life.
At seven bells of the morning, just as dawn rose over the Straights of Meniah, our noses were pressed against the portholes for the approach into Emberly. Our course brought us in from the west. To the right lay The Sea of Souls, its emerald shallows along the shore giving way to frigid blue in the deeps. A steamer sketched a trail of white through the billows, chased by dark shadows cast by the great clouds sailing overhead.
Spread out below us on the left, the snow-covered city looked like a toy town. The airship did a loop out over the sea to line up for a landing into the wind. The glittering teal depths of the Sea of Souls gave way to grey beaches and then fields of white. Then we were over Rostov Park, the ruins of Winslow Hall still visible, and after that we glided over the Commercial Zone. Below us, people and horse-drawn carts scurried about like ants. This view alone made the cramped conditions we had suffered worthwhile.
Chancellor Gordon left his private cabin to join us in the final approach. He looked at me, but his words were for all of us.
‘You may be curious to know what happens next,’ he said. ‘I want you to know that I have made representation to the The Council of the Republic on your behalf. They remain disappointed with me, and with the Head of S.I.S. for allowing you access to the Gate with which you entered the Nallian Collective. That said, they, no… we, are all pleased at the outcome. I, and many others recognise the courage that Lockhouse Security has shown in its actions over the last few cycles.’
‘We’re all very grateful, Chancellor. May I ask whether the warehouse was searched?’
‘The one being used by Andrew Banks?’
I nodded.
‘It was raided. Five people were apprehended on the premises and were taken away for questioning. I am not at liberty to tell you any more on the matter, so please do not press me. What I am able to add is that Andrew Bank’s parents have disappeared, along with their daughter and several members of their household. Max believes they travelled from Fuldron to Denborough where they joined the Nallian forces as they were evacuated.’
‘Do you think there are others involved who we don’t know about?’
‘I’m certain of it, Ms. Derringer. Max is also concerned, but refuses to give me details on their current investigations. She is taking no chances.’
‘That’s understandable, given the breach in their security that was Captain Banks. May I ask what will happen to Harman’s businesses and the Koulomb Gate?’
‘Secretary Lampton has been appointed as Acting Director of Harman Industries. He has been instructed to honour the contract that you had with Director Harman. You’ll be paid up to the end of the next cycle.’
‘Thank you, Chancellor. That will give us some time to find another contract.’
‘Ah, about that…’ Emberland’s elected leader drew himself up. ‘I have another long report to make to the Council tomorrow. When that is done, I shall be putting in a strong recommendation that Lockhouse Security is appointed as the official “first contact” team for every new planet visited using the Koulomb Gate.’
My team were all silent, trying to work out what that meant.
‘Will the Council object?’ I asked.
‘I sincerely doubt it, Ms. Derringer. Whilst the events in Lannerville, and your role in ending the war will forever remain secret, the Council’s relief that that the conflict has been nipped in the bud is very real. You should also be aware that many in the Council believe that this role you’re being offered is something of a poisoned chalice. Personally, I shall tell you that there’s no one else I would trust with the job.’
Everyone cheered.
‘New planets?’ said Ty Rendish, with a frown. I slapped him on the shoulder and laughed.
‘Don’t worry, Ty. We won’t make you camp out on them all alone.’
‘Draxil be praised. Plain and simple food, Emberlandian or Caddrian, that’s what I like. That alien stuff gave me the shits.’ Even the chancellor laughed at that.
‘You’ll be better prepared next time, and it will be easier without people trying to sabotage the gate all the time.’ The chancellor beamed at us, happy to have another surprise announcement. ‘A second facility will be built in Cobensbad to speed up the exploration. Once a new planet is identified and seen to be viable, a first-rate team must be involved in the first touchdown; a team with experience of dealing with alien creatures and unfamiliar conditions. In time, you will be required to train a new offshoot of Emberland’s military who will take over, but until that outfit exists, Lockhouse Security will be our eyes and ears in distant lands, and keeping our people safe from whatever is on the other side.’
The chancellor’s words provoked a heated discussion among the members of the team. Na-su insisted she would be first through the gate on the next mission, since she had yet to make a traversal. Ellen’s hand rested on James’ shoulder and he was bent forward to hear what she was saying. Inigo was poking fun at Ty, something to do with eating rats.
As the airship began its descent into Emberly, I drew Chancellor Gordon to one side. ‘I trust that the unexpected withdrawal of Nallian troops will play well for you at the elections in two years time, Chancellor?’
The man smiled. ‘I very much hope so, Ms. Derringer, but people have an astonishingly short memory when it comes to these things. Who knows what troubles they’ll be laying at my door when polling opens?’
I held his gaze, wondering just how shrewd he was. I didn’t have to wonder for long.
‘You and I have an unfinished conversation regarding your father, do we not?’
‘Could we forget that the first conversation took place?’ I asked. ‘I’ll make a more civilised representation than I did last time.’
THE END
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