The Cross (A Leviathan Fanfic)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Deryn raised a fist to knock, then lowered it and unclenched her fingers. Glancing behind her, she could see only an empty corridor. There was nothing to be afraid of. Sighing, she raised her hand again and rapped her knuckles on the fabricated wood.

Almost immediately, Captain Hobbes opened the door and ushered her inside. “Mr. Sharp,” he announced to the lady boffin, who was sitting at a table in the bridge. Maps were spread out on the surface of the table, and Dr. Barlow momentarily looked up for a quick nod. Deryn straightened her back to stop her trembling and took a seat as the captain did.

“I hope you’re not considering abandoning this mission?” Captain Hobbes asked, noting her trembling fingers.

“Oh, uh … no, of course not. Just a bit of nerves,” Deryn sputtered. “Sorry.”

Captain Hobbes smiled. “That’s all right, it’s okay to be nervous. Just don’t let it get the better of you.”

“Aye, sir,” Deryn replied, forcing her hands to be still.

“Now, on to more pressing matters,” the captain continued. “This map here …” He pulled a large sheet of paper toward him. “ … is of Germany. We will come to a low hover around here …” The captain pointed to a spot on the map. “And you will have to drop to the ground as we move. Of course, it will be at a low speed, and you’ll be sliding down a rope, so it’s not as dangerous as you think. But you must do it quickly, as we will be precariously close to military territory.” Captain Hobbes then indicated a second spot, perhaps a few centimeters above the first one. It was circled in red and labeled with a scrawled Dachau. “This is where the camp is. It’s about ten or fifteen miles, but it’s the closest we can get without alerting the Germans to our presence. After you get there, you will have to somehow get control of the communication and administration.” He steepled his hands and gave Deryn a grave look. “Exactly how is up to you, but you’d best not fail.”

“Aye, sir,” Deryn said quietly.

“Very good, Mr. Sharp.” Captain Hobbes gave her a nod. “You will also have to take along medical supplies, food, water, and blankets. You will not be needing many, as the Leviathan will come a week later with more supplies, but it’s best to be prepared.” He then nodded at Dr. Barlow, who got up, took a covered cage from a hook on the wall, and brought it to the table. “And if for some reason, it’s imperative that the Leviathan not come, you have this to take the message to us.”

The lady boffin uncovered the cage, and a strange cross between a cat and a bird blinked in the sudden light. Its body was like a bird, but there was fur laced into its feathers, as well as larger talons than usual. It had strange furry ears and little paws on its chest, but other than that it looked like a rather large canary. Deryn stared at it, perplexed. “How will this get a message to you?”

“It will fly, of course,” the lady boffin explained. “The cat lifethread gives it the uncanny sense of knowing where the Leviathan is at all times, and it will return to you after its first round if necessary. All you have to do is blow this whistle, and it will find its way back.” She smiled. “Very useful if the danger to the ship clears after a bit, and we can safely come to pick you up. It’s called a felavian.”

Deryn nodded. “Aye, of course. Thank you, Dr. Barlow.” She reached out and took the cage, peering more closely at the so-called felavian. It blinked innocently back at her.

“Any questions, Mr. Sharp?” the captain asked, interrupting her ponderings.

“Hm? Oh yes,” Deryn blinked out of her reverie. “Sorry. But no, I don’t have any questions. Thank you for the felavian.”

“Of course, Mr. Sharp, but please don’t let anybody see it,” Dr. Barlow advised. She threw Deryn the cover and nodded at the cage. “Cover it, if you would?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Deryn dutifully replied, and fit the cloth over the cage.

She lingered there for a moment, unsure of what to do. But eventually the captain noticed her, and said cheerfully, “Well, Mr. Sharp? I suggest you get some dinner and a nice sleep. You’ll need it for tomorrow.” Deryn nodded, relieved, and hurried out of the bridge.

“Don’t forget - don’t tell anybody else about these plans! Anybody!” the lady boffin called after her.

“Aye, ma’am!” Deryn yelled over her shoulder, and found the ladder up to the main ship. Quickly, she tucked the felavian’s cage under her arm and scrambled up it. She could smell potatoes, and she really didn’t want to miss dinner if that was the case.

After a swift stop to her quarters to put down the beastie, Deryn was flying through the corridors toward the mess hall. “Potatoes, potatoes!” she was exclaiming quite madly, and it was a wonder nobody stopped her an accused her of lunacy. But she managed to get to the mess in the nick of time, swiping the last heap of potatoes from the pot. The people behind her groaned collectively, but she just grinned and brought her plate over to where Newkirk and Alek were sitting.

As she slid into the table next to Alek, the prince gave her a strange look. Deryn paled for a moment, wondering if he knew her secret, but then he nodded at the potatoes. “You really like those, don’t you?” he said, shaking his head. “It’s a wonder we still have potatoes on the ship at all.”

Relieved beyond caring, Deryn grinned and punched his shoulder. “It’s wonder you’re still alive, your princeliness. Alek.”

He let out a muffled exclamation of surprise, rubbing his shoulder. “Ouch, Dylan!” he grumbled around his mouthful of potatoes. “That actually hurt!"

"Did it?" Deryn replied. "Sorry, your princeliness," she chuckled. "But I couldn't help it. You look so barking funny when you're in pain!"

"Quite a morbid outlook, Mr. Sharp," Alek shot back. "Ironic, considering we're in the middle of a war."

"Aye, that we are," Deryn was forced to agree. Her face took on a somber expression for a moment, as if regretting her brash words. Alek let himself believe he had won. But then she grinned and brightened again, clapping Alek on his injured shoulder. "But that makes no difference! You're still barking hilarious!"

"Ouch," was all Alek dared say, rubbing his shoulder again.

Newkirk stifled a laugh into his thick leather gloves. In retaliation, Alek swiped a biscuit off his plate. Deryn just smiled, amused by her friends’ antics. She wished it would be like this for ever and ever. But she knew in her heart that someday it would have to end.