Clockwork Firefly

Clockwork Firefly - Chapter Fifteen

Just as she had each day of the past week, the impressive woman found herself at the door of Walter Manor. Shown into the parlor again by the same metal man with the deep gingery mustache.

"Please. Come inside." He motioned for her to pass, then closed the door behind her and her retinue. "The Colonel wishes me to tell you that you are welcome to have a seat in the parlor. He will be out very soon."

Nodding, she took a post in the parlor, but didn't sit, waiting with her imperious posture and the slow turning of the cane in her gloved fingers. When the Colonel made his appearance, he was obviously dressed to travel and she almost smiled. "Good. I have had news only last night where he has escaped to. Also, this news tells me that it was not only the nkondi that was broken in the struggle. It appears my son is not so bad a shot as we supposed."

So the men were her sons. At least one of them anyway. She did not seem old enough to have such grown children, but in his eyes, neither did he. "We were never properly introduced. You obviously know my name, Madam, but I do not know yours."

"Natombe Adjaye" She said smoothly.

"A pleasure, Madam Adjaye, I have packed my things, and I await your guidance." He gave a polite bow of his head.

She returned it and tapped her cane against the floor twice. From inside of his pocket, a small folded sheet of paper was removed by one of the men who flanked her and held out to the Colonel. "Do you know this place?"
He scanned the flyer and nodded. "Yes. It's not that far from here."

"That is where I am told we will find him." She walked out of the room, and he fell into place beside her.

"I have a car, if you wish to ..."

"No, Colonel Peter A. Walter. We will take the cab we have waiting. Your car might be recognized." She paused at the door. "Convey your good-byes." She motioned to the line of robots and people which now occupied the base of the stairs. "We will wait in the cab." Without another word, she was gone.

Peter the first set his hands behind his back, his head held up, his stride like the soldier he was. He walked the line one way, then the other. When he reached the end of the line, he turned and snapped his heels together. "Rabbit, you're the oldest, so I need you to promise you'll keep an eye on everyone and do your best to keep from making trouble, yes?"

Rabbit doffed his hat and held it tucked against his side, his chin up wanting to be a brave example for the others. "Yessir, Pappy."

"Stop calling me Pappy, Rabbit." Peter had to work hard to keep from smiling as it was one of those words he just found humorous, like sassy and caterwumpus. "Spine, you are in charge of seeing everyone keeps in practice. You were made for music, and though this last trip proved a little less than what we all would have hoped, we'll give it another go one of these days and I want you ready when we do."

"Yes, Sir." Spine gave a nod and touched his hat brim.

"That goes for you too, Jon. Practice every day while I'm gone and do what Peter tells you." He reached out and patted his shoulder. "I will be back soon." Catching Jon's eyes. "Everything is going to be fine." He chucked him under the chin gently and turned to Upgrade. "Now, I need you to help me with something special. Miss Mickleson is the only girl here except for you. She'll probably be happy to have another lady to talk over dresses and ... perfume or whatever it is ladies talk about. Can you do that for me?"

Upgrade nodded, her lashes flickering as if near to tearing up, a pretty handkerchief plucked from the wrist of her dress and dabbed at the corners of her eyes. The moment the Colonel turned his attention to Hatchworth, she made quiet sob sounds and set her face against The Spine's chest, prompting him to set his palm on her forehead and push her firmly, but gently, back to independent stance.

The Colonel spoke quietly with Hatchworth who nodded once or twice before responding in his clipped and half-halting manner of speech. "I can most certainly do that."

Lastly, he faced his son and moved to offer a handshake. "I'll be back soon, Peter. Keep the ship afloat until I do."

"Be safe, Father." He gave the hand still in his a last squeeze to convey what he did not say with his mouth before he dropped the handshake and slid his hands into his front trouser pockets, slowly moving back up the stairs.

A last look at the group and he turned and walked out, pausing only to collect his leather bag and canvas satchel. When the sound of the cab pulling away from the front of the mansion faded, the group looked around at one another. The air was tense, concern etched into every face. The Jon, sniffled, his lip quivering.

"I never even got to tell him those three little words everyone should hear before they go." He wiped at his eyes with the back of his ragged-edged gloved hand. "You think I should say them now anyway?" He looked up at the Spine who gave him what was his most consoling look of sympathy and understanding.

"Well of course you can say them,The Jon." Patting him on the back softly.

"Okay... If you're sure." He nodded, lip pouting for a moment before his whole face shifted to a grin. "TAG! You're it!" He punched Spine in the arm and ran off laughing maniacally.

"Jon, come back here!" Spine took a step toward him, at which time both Rabbit and Upgrade squealed.

"The Spine's it! Don't let him get ya!" Rabbit sprang to motion and followed suit, though he took off down a different hallway than Upgrade who was skipping off, her hands flouncing her skirt so the petticoats fluttered all pretty and pink, inviting him to feel free to chase her.

"I'm not ... " He gave a frustrated huff of steam and set his steps to follow where Jon had gone, raising his voice and trying to sound authoritative. "We're not supposed to play tag in the house. " He vanished from sight, though his voice did not, still audible as he grumbled loudly. "And why do I always gotta be it?"