The Kingdom of Elias

Maelstrom

Dreamfinder packed a few things in a large carpetbag, including some vials of different colored liquids then placed his hat on his head. He smiled and motioned to the Captain, who turned and walked out, exiting the theater from the back door into an alley. Captain Lear led the group across the plaza. Even though he had seen it several times, Max still marveled at the Aquasphere. It was majestic as it made slow rotations on a smooth layer of water. The moisture glittered in the sun.

Captain Lear led, followed by Max and PJ. Behind them was Dreamfinder and Rex, being tailed by the remaining guards. There were many people out in the mid-afternoon sun enjoying the weather. On the far east end of the plaza was a large decorative wall with vines growing across it and artistic depictions painted in a large display of color and emotion. It stretched across one entire side of the plaza. If you didn't look at the wall it blended in perfectly to its surroundings. It was well placed and was designed to keep your attention in the plaza, but now that Max was looking at it closely he noticed it was immensely large. He wasn't sure if it was the wall to a building or just a barrier, but in either sense it was imposing.

Captain Lear followed it until he was nearly at a corner that led nowhere. The group was confused as it seemed he led them to a dead end. He removed a complex looking key from his key ring and brushed aside some ivy. Underneath was a hidden keyhole. He inserted the key and turned it until they heard two large clicks as the tumbler aligned. There was a small hiss of air as a door began to push open. Everyone except the guards seemed shocked that this wall housed a hidden doorway. It could not be seen standing next to the wall.

What shocked them more than the doorway, was what it hid behind it. The door swung open to reveal a very large hangar. Inside were two more airships. They were smaller than the one Rex had crashed but still the largest craft in the room by a good margin. There were also at least ten smaller craft that looked to hold about ten people. They looked like the large airships, but the carriage had many more pipes protruding from the sides and the envelope that held them aloft were much smaller by comparison. They were only slightly bigger than the actual carriages they were strapped to. Instead of propellers on the back, these craft had 4 pipes that flared out at the rear of the cabin as if to emit whatever substance came from them. After everyone entered Lear quickly closed and locked the door again.

"Gentlemen," Captain Lear began, "you are currently in a restricted area of the Morrow Defense Force. I strongly encourage you to keep what you see to yourself. Follow me."

Max and PJ were stunned by the small ships and stared in awe. There was nothing in any of the realms that rivaled them for sheer engineering success.

Rex leaned in and whispered, "those are the StarSpeeder Class airships."

He made a motion with his hand of a ship crashing along with the appropriate crash sound. Captain Lear looked at Rex clearly not amused.

They walked across the cavernous space until they arrived at a small guard post on the far side. There were two soldiers stationed inside. Captain Lear asked the group to wait while he went in to talk with them. They immediately jumped up to attention when he entered. After a brief discussion he returned.

"We will be leaving shortly. Please wait here until I return." He motioned to a few chairs near the office. "...and don't touch anything," he looked at Rex again. He then turned and exited through another door, down a dark hallway into the interior of the stone building.

Max and PJ walked up to the nearest StarSpeeder to get a better look. It was the same bronze color as the large ships but much more aerodynamic. They didn't touch anything but a few of the guards in the party walked over if nothing more than an intimidation tactic.