Führer der Luftschiffe Böhm was correct down to the minute. Just after ten in the morning I was on the bridge and recognized the Grey Sisters’ mansion come into view despite us approaching it from the rear. What I saw behind it was new to me though; a small valley that was surrounded by thin woods with a long wooden structure running half its length. Its roof was made of rough wood patchwork planks and painted with a blend of the colours mimicking its surroundings. As Böhm gave orders to the crew, we came about and made for the long building, venting gas to lower us into the valley. As we neared I could see men on guard duty around the perimeter and others pushing back tall door panels, making a large opening.
“Flugzeughangar,” Böhm said, “Zeppelin Haus.”
“So close to the troubles?” I asked, seeing the clusters of haphazard buildings that made up the settlement I landed in beyond it.
“We have two. This is one.” he said, “Heavily guarded at all times. Peacock believes we are neutral and that our gaszellen are filled with hydrogen so any sabotage would result in his men being verbrannt … incinerated.”
“Is that true?”
“Which?”
“Both.”
Böhm studied my face then smiled.
“Nein.” he said, “Helium.”
Böhm had the engines cut once we were low enough for the ropes to reach the ground and the nose was pointed into the open doorway of the hangar. From then on it was manpower, pulling the zeppelin into the hangar, easing it in carefully until at ten, thirty-two the nose was clamped to its mast and the ropes secured to the docking cleats.
It only took them minutes to lower Bone Shaker to the hangar floor as Böhm and I waited.
“Homecoming.” he said and smiled.
“Yeah. How about you?”
“This is my home.” Böhm said gesturing at the zeppelin looming over our heads.
“So you’re off again?” I asked.
“Nein. Tonight I meet with the Colonel and we make our plans.” he answered, “You will be there, of course?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there.” I said, “I’ve got a couple things to do first.”
“Auf wiedersehen, Max. Until tonight.” he said and shook my hand.
Bone Shaker started on the second kick and I idled it out of the hangar, the impossible bulk of Böhm’s airship hanging above me. As I picked my way through the thin forest around the hangar I could see why it was hidden from the clusters of buildings a couple miles away; there was no reason to come here - no forage, no food, nothing to draw someone there at all.
I was tempted to scoot through the streets and make a flat-out run around Peacock’s little kingdom, letting Bone Shaker’s straight pipes trumpet my return and put fear into the heart of the twisted messiah that I was back. But that was just ego, so I idled my way to the The Horseless Coach and tucked Bone Shaker away out back and walked around toward the front.
“I see you.” I said to the girl with a wakizashi half hidden in her jacket as I passed the lean-to shed. She was hiding in the rafters, still as a rabbit - only her eyes moved as she tracked me.
Jack was posting sentries so things had gotten bad in town.
“I’m Max.” I said as I continued on.
“I know who you are.” she said quietly.
"BETWIXT - where the dead things go"
