Steam Spy: Steam and Mirrors

Steam and Mirrors: Act 3

As the robot climbed back into the gondola of the airship that now sailed far above the Atlantic Ocean, Davian Cruge turned away from the controls and regarded the mechanical beast.

"Excellent job," he said. "Now return to your post, I need to contact the base." Obediently, the robot backed into a dark corner in the back of the gondola and powered down. Cruge turned back to the controls and activated a device he had added into the control panel. A small monitor appeared with the logo of the Diamond Club and, after a brief burst of static, was quickly replaced by a stern looking face.

"What do you want?" the figure asked with a sneer.

"Inform control that the mission is progressing with utmost efficiency. We will be at the Algerian location within 3 days. The attack on the Navidad Pharmaceuticals location will occur before sunrise on Thursday."

"Acknowledged, we will confirm that Das Wort reporters are in place to witness the catastrophe." The voice replied. "What of the artificial?"

"The first one has been performing exactly as expected. Once the others are assembled, they will be unstoppable."

"Agreed. This will be your last transmission to us; we cannot risk being tied to your operation. Deliver the robotic components to our safe house in Morocco; we will extract you from there."

"I understand," Cruge replied. "Over and out." He deactivated the communicator and turned back to the zeppelin controls.

Meanwhile, Matt, Hector and Natasha were quickly approaching the zeppelin. Each agent wore a backpack with a bulky wooden apparatus attached, from each pack a stanchion rose with 4 blades that spun over their heads creating enough lift to enable them to fly after the airship.

"You see Natasha, your organization don't have a complete monopoly on transportation devices." Hector yelled across the open sky.

"I have to agree that these are pretty vondrous, Hector." She smiled back at him.

"There she is!" Matt pointed ahead as the blimp appeared ahead of them. "We're catching up."

As they drew closer more details could be made out, and eventually they were able to spot the princess strapped precariously to the nose of the zeppelin. Even from a distance it was possible to see her kicking and screaming as she dangled over the ocean far below.

"I've got her!" Matt called back as he angling his propeller forward and shot ahead.

"No, don't." Hector said half heartedly.

"It's not vorth fighting with him. He'll never learn." Natasha sighed. "So vhat are ve going to do?"

"You're obviously the only one who can take control of the zeppelin, so we have to get you onboard."

"But what about the robot? Vithout Lau Singh how can ve stop it?" Natasha asked.

"I guess that will be up to me." Hector said without much confidence.

Meanwhile, Matt had used his flying apparatus to race ahead of the blimp and was circling back to reach the princess. However, his rash approach quickly set off the proximity detectors and arrays of automated defenses were activated to open fire on him. Twisting and banking the controls he pushed the maneuverability of his helicopter pack as much as he could. But try as he might, his attempts to edge closer kept being repelled as streams of hot bullets pierced the air around him.

At the airship controls, Davian Cruge noted the automated activation of the defense system and was scanning the skies.

"We're under attack!" he called out, activating the robot. As it rumbled forward he looked over to see Hector Jordan fly alongside the starboard flank of the airship and take a couple of useless shots with his small handgun. "It's the Englishman. Get him!"