Thirteenth X Clara - Alternative

Chapter 16: The Queen and Ms. Oswald

Albert sat alone in his study working, a thirst for information driving him to continue. He had always had such an intrigue in science and learning about technology and where the world was going. The Great Exhibition being such a success only stoked the flames of his interest and it led him to keep going. He had just finished reading about this burgeoning invention of something called a sewing machine when he heard a knock upon his door and got up to see who it was. He heard chattering whispers before he could open it, only to be greeted by Clara and Victoria.

"Ah hello. What is that brings you two beautiful ladies to my study?"

"My sweet, we really need your help with something. May we come in?" Victoria asked, with a face that didn't seem quite inviting.

"Sure, come right in." Albert said, allowing the two of them to come into the room as they sat down on some chairs opposite to his desk.

"Now. we are really going to need you to trust us on this. Don't fuss and don't question it. We are not lying to you."

"Of course."

"Go on Clara."

She took a deep breath and just let it out.

"We believe an invasion of the Palace is coming, and it's directly involved with the assassination attempts of Victoria these past few days. Now, what we need you to do is to assemble a squadron of soldiers and have them prepared to face an attack from an army. We don't know the number, but we have something to stop them with. But that's the weird part." Clara said, before pausing to speak on what she hoped wouldn't drive him away.

"What is it? Tell me so we can stop whoever seeks to threaten us"

"We need.... soft drinks. Any kind of beverage or liquid that includes the mixture of hydrogen, oxygen and Carbon Dioxide. As much as possible."

"Ok....... Do you intend to give it to them to drink" Albert said, a quick snicker coming out of his mouth.

"Yes." Clara and Victoria both said, serious as a heart attack.

"Oh. I see." Albert said as he watched their faces.

As funny as it sounded to him, it seemed quite serious to his two guests. Victoria, in particular, was not a good trickster. She would give away the joke or trick before it happened because she couldn't keep a straight face, so for her to be this stone faced about something, it was important.

"We're also going to need as many hoses as you can spare. If you can find one to spray them with, bring it. We may need all the help we can get."

"We will give you a signal to mobilize when the army is arriving. Then it's up to your team to take them down." Clara said, much to Victoria's bemusement.

"What signal? You said nothing about a signal."

"Oh yeah. I forgot. Stick these in your ear," Clara said as she took out three earpieces from her pocket. "They'll allow us to stay in contact, all three of us."

The two royals examined the strange devices carefully before a look from Clara prompted them to put it in their ears quickly.

"So what are we supposed to do with these things?" Albert asked, interested.

"There's a small button at the side here. Press it and we'll all be able to hear you as long as we have the earpieces. Use it only when necessary. We don't want people thinking we're crazy."

"How do we explain having these things in our ears though?" Victoria inquired.

"Ummm, just say it's an... ear warming thing. I don't know, make up something." Clara said with a bit of agitation. "Now one last thing, Albert. Only advance when I give the signal. I may give you the location, but that won't be the signal."