S1: E18 "Double-Double Cross"

Midnight, early morning

An Interesting Partnership

Thomas walked along the dark cobbled lanes surrounded by his once assassins, now turned captors. They eventually reached a tall wooden fence which had seen better days. One of the orcs pulled three of the rough planks aside where they leant against the barrier and the group passed into rutted yard. A large warehouse loomed up from the dark interior. Thomas could barely see in the darkness, but he thought he saw piles of scrap and broken lumber piled haphazardly. Two orcs pushed aside a heavy iron braced door, the heavy beams of lumber notched and worn down, but still retaining their rigidity after all this time. Once inside, a fire was rekindled, a dirty lantern lit and set on one of many pillars that supported the interior of the long building. Thomas guessed it had been a factory once. The walls were high, and a ladder connected to a second story gangway on either side. A few planks had been set on either side for ease of crossing back and forth overhead. Chains and heavy ropes dangled from pullies and eyelets which had once been used to transport large loads back and forth across the interior of the factory. Empty crates, wooden stalls and a few piles of scrap were all that remained.

As Thomas was instructed to sit, he took in his surroundings. Joe was beside him, the Ogre doing a poor job of keeping an eye on them. There were not many exits. Besides the main door, there was a smaller door barred from the inside a few yards down just visible in the yellow lamp light. The soot-covered windows were set slightly higher than normal but could be scrambled through in a pinch. A crude wooden ladder could be scaled to reach the upper gangway. There was little else in here. A few beds made of straw and wool blankets were positioned near the fire along with some personal sacks or bags. The smells of a stew being revived over the fire started to fill the air as the orcs and humans took up various positions. 

Thomas decided to break the silence by asking some questions. The answers were a few grunts, a harsh laugh and an inquiry into whether his curiosity extended into the knowledge how well a knife would fit up his nostrils. Thomas decided that his curiosity was satisfied. He did learn that this rag-tag group was not affiliated with the Spring-Heeled Jacks. It wouldn't have taken a detective to surmise this just from the few details presented.

It was not long before a carriage pulled up through the gloom and parked just outside the firelight. It was a smart looking carriage, unlike its driver. You might remember the surly Orc who had pronounced a death sentence upon Thomas & Friends. Turnball was even more enraged, which some might think impossible. But Orcs are known for their rage. It's a trait praised in battle, encouraged in slaughters and sung about in yore. But among civilized people it really is a nuisance. Turnball was arguing with his orc companions for a while in their native tongue, a speech made even more terrifying when roared through bared canines. Thomas waited until one of the Orcs who had captured him told him to go to the carriage. "Someone wants a word with you." Remembering the quip about the knife up his face holes, he left his seat and walked over to the coach. Turnball was waiting nearby, his fury barely contained, as it boiled and seethed behind his eyes, like a fire behind grating where it licks desperately trying to consume anything it can.

The door opened and a feminine voice beckoned him to enter. He did, settling down across from Jacqueline Parsons. It was amusing watching the gears click into place. This was not exactly who he expected to appear in his hour of trial. But luckily for Thomas, she was in a generous mood. She tried to explain and justify her position of course. Miss Parsons was of course born to ambitious parents who wanted her to excel at university and marry up in society. Their daughter had ambitions of her own. Though her family forbid her, she married a technologist named Benjamin Parsons. It was a contract of opportunity, and by her own admission, he was not a bad person. He just cared more for his inventions then he did for Jacqueline. She used his endless thoughts and theories and made something of them. The Spring-Heeled Jacks were born and had terrorized those who already had too much, buying their silence with shame and fear of scandal. She had proven her cunning, execution and leadership. She had demonstrated a level of competence to sell her invention and fund her next project independently. But others she had trusted and loved romantically had gotten greedy and only saw the smaller picture. They were content stealing. This had complicated her plans when they had struck the local guilds and drawn the ire of the upper class and detectives. She had cut herself on her own blade, in a manner of speaking. Hence of use of the old adage "the blade of the assassin cuts twice" was a fitting description of what happened. (Humorously, her use of the proverb from the Voice of Truth was a slight misquote. The original had gone "the blade of an assassin cuts once. The blade of a friend cuts twice.")

She had become intrigued by Thomas' own cleverness. She tried to maintain the illusion of his own blackmail, even though she admitted after that she knew he was bluffing since all of her own Jacks were accounted. She had intended to pay him off and leave it at that. But Turnball had forced her hand. He had taken things into his own hands, and it was only by a stroke of luck she had learned of his plans. He had become arrogant and dangerous. Thomas seemed like a much better fit for the next part of her plan. Jaqueline offered Thomas a partnership; his prosthetics with her own Spring-Heeled apparatus. Thomas wanted assurance of mutual friendship and respect as partners. Jaqueline granted this without hesitation. But she also become curious why Thomas had been so interested in her activities. It was then that Thomas revealed his connection with Roald. Thomas might have noticed the change of expression, the fear that flashed across her countenance at the name of the underworld figure. If Roald had taken an interest in her work, she had was in an excellent position or a very dangerous one. She petitioned Thomas to help her gain an audience with Roald, negotiating an equal place at the table in exchange for the Spring-Heeled Jacks disappearing from the public eye. She just needed one thing from Thomas; Turnball had become uncontrollable. She needed him "removed" before any deal could be reached. Surprisingly, Thomas protested being involved in any intentionally dubious activity. He drew the lines at theft, deception and blackmail. Being the triggerman was where Thomas drew the line. Jaqueline didn't press the issue any further.

As they parted with plans forming in both of their minds, Thomas exited the carriage and proceeded to collect his things and the young gardener, Joe. I would like to explain what happened next as those who observed this next scene might not understand what happened. Turnball was not a man who was known to control his own temper very well. Something about Thomas walking away a free man, somehow having beaten Turnball at his own scheme, infuriated the Orc beyond his last strain of self-restraint. It was a thin line, and the Orc could not stand being undone by a greasy-thumbed dandy. Turnball, overcome by rage and smarting from his scolding by Jaqueline, advanced on Thomas with his pistol drawn. Consequences be damned.

The Bela and the Brante.

A portrait of Vengarl. The artist tried to make him look
younger, much to the chagrin of the captain of the guard.

The amusing scene taking place some few blocks from the attempted assassination of Thomas Thompson was worth noting as it pertains to the current situation. Otherwise, it was largely inconsequential. Lindion had managed to drag herself towards the carriages with the help of Philip, who was very concerned and chiding himself for not being a braver man. Butlers were routinely asked to do things not normal to their position. But this was beyond the normal responsibilities he had been tasked with during his time as a manservant. Arthur and Vengarl had managed to catch up with them at this juncture. The sight of Arthur and Vengarl was surprising. 

Some men might have felt smug and a little self-righteous in this position. This reversal of positions would have made some men feel superior. She had scolded Arthur for his own sister's behavior, as well as his guest, Yuko. Now he had "caught" her in a scandalous position in which a lady of good breeding would never have found herself for fear of losing her position. Not that Arthur enjoyed such things. But Lindion had gotten under his skin, and he disliked the feeling. Moreso, Arthur found her enchanting, confusing, aggravating, sympathetic, like-minded, proactive, and completely opposite of himself. He was cold towards the type of woman that society had carefully curated. Lindion looked and behaved like them, but on the other hand had traits many would find contrary to the modern woman. He liked contrary. And so he was, by and large, not sure what to make of this enigma of a woman who had entered his life and seem determined to challenge him. Arthur was a man who was one thing. He hated duplicity in other people and in himself. Being in politics was a game of compromise, and one he loathed. He was careful to be one thing and never faulter. It was a fine line to walk, but he thought of himself as a man who walked on a consistent line and not one who crossed over whenever it suited his purposes. Maybe that was why there was a bit of satisfaction putting Lindion in her place. He thought he knew what had happened and made the mistake of assuming Lindion's role in the events of the evening. A mistake he quickly regretted. He might have regretted the little jabs and cutting remarks he made if he had noticed the wound sooner, or Lindion had actually given him the rebuke she thought he so richly deserved. Maybe it was her physical control which made him second-guess himself. 

Arthur did notice the wound Lindion had suffered and understood better the situation Lindion had entered. He did not approve of her putting herself at the mercy of some rogues, but he admired her tenacity and prudence. There was more to this woman after all. After examining her injury, Arthur and Vengarl insisted Lindion return to Belabrante Estate and the two would carry on after the young boy and missing accomplice of Lindion in hopes of freeing them both. Thus instructing Philip and Lindion, Arthur and Vengarl picked up the trail of the kidnappers and closed in on the warehouse.

The Lymington Gentlemen

While Turnball was savoring murder and Thomas was observing a short life flash before his eyes, another factor was about to come into play. Thomas was lucky, if not touched by something divine. For at that moment a man by the name of Benedict Mayflower was training his flintlock pistol on the Ork who was about to murder his newest prospect to his private philanthropic organization. The blast of his pistol caught Turnball directly in the back. At this signal, the other members of the Lymington Gentlemen descended upon the warehouse, armed with weapons which they discharged upon the Ork. The legends of Ork resiliency were not underrated. Turnball seemingly shrugged off the attacks like the Angel of Death. Thus distracted, however, Thomas had a chance to flee. 

Arthur and Vengarl had arrived while this gunfight ensued. Vengarl rushed in, threw the doors open and issued a warning to flee or be vanquished. The other Orcs and Humans who had been employed by Turnball had seen many things in their time. They had thrown down with the best of them. But something about a giant of a man bursting through doors of thick oak beams, brandishing a great axe and wearing chain with death in his eyes, has a way of unnerving even the most stalwart of warriors. Even the Lymington Gentlemen were a little hesitant to attack this assailant. The goons thought better of attacking this foe and fled. The Lymington Gentlemen turned their attention to Thomas and pulled him from the building as Turnball, who was made of tougher stuff then his friends, drew out his weapons and fell upon the unwelcome intruder. 

This was when Jacqueline stepped out from her carriage and took advantage of the chaos to take matters into her own hands. I always admire a person who is proactive. She drew out a specially designed electric pistol and fired into the back of Turnball. It hurt, but not enough to kill him. He spun around with a roar and discharged a barrel of his shotgun which he kept underneath his coat. She caught the blast and flew backwards. She was saved by the intrusion of Vengarl, who gripped the barrel of the gun and spared her the full fury of the blast. But poor Vengarl took the other barrel in the chest at point blank range. Somehow, he managed to shrug it off, a miracle if you believe in such things. I think it had something to do with the special chain he was gifted by his master. It had rare properties even he was not aware of. Though that would not have stopped him even if he did. He always flew into the fray no matter the odds. He had many a battle scar to prove it. The two wrestled, landing blow and blast upon each other as Arthur fired round after round into the Ork, who refused to go down or be intimidated. 

Eventually, the truth that Turnball was abandoned and betrayed, he chose to seek his revenge from a more advantageous position. He pulled a smoke bomb from his coat and pulled the pin, running as the canister dropped at the feet of his adversary. The smoke enveloped Vengarl, who resisted the poisonous effects. It was an ingenious invention by Miss Parsons and had aided in their getaways on more than one occasion. As Vengarl cleared the smoke, Arthur trotted up with his rifle trained on the empty space. Their prey had escaped. And Thomas and Joe had been spirited away in the confusion by someone unknown to them. Even Miss Parsons had vanished. They took her carriage and pursued Thomas and Joe, who they managed to gain on until they could keep them in view. 

During this final altercation, The Lymington Gentlemen had followed the lead of their leader, Benedict, and taken Joe and Thomas to the waiting cab and fled the scene. It was then that Benedict introduced himself and his fellows, Joe listening and Thomas gleaning the meaning of this welcome intrusion. Benedict explained that he wanted to fight "degeneracy" and restore Newhaven to its former glory. They had taken it upon themselves to combat the criminal element they thought the primary cause, illicit drugs and its trade. This campaign against crime was a mission they hoped to succeed at with the help of Thomas Thompson. They needed stealth suits, armor, and weapons. Thomas agrees to join their cause.

Making a small detour past the house of Lindion, they dropped Joe off at his residence and departed for Benedict's flat and home of their operations in Newhaven, on Lymington St. They failed to notice the carriage which kept a safe distance behind but followed them all the way to the flat and then parked around the corner. Thomas entered the wonderful home of his new friends and patron, talking of their plans and enjoying his newfound luck. Benedict gave Thomas his own Lymington suit and showed him the rough idea of plans for their future success. Thomas then bade his new friends farewell and retired to his own dwelling where he was going to enjoy a good night's sleep. But as he pushed the door open to his rooms, he noticed a telegram envelope which had been slipped up his door by the landlady. The telegram was from Richard and contained the message: "Discovered Idenity of engineer. Rumored Breakthrough in electrical engineering. Lives in Redsmith. Known as Joules Verne. --Richard G"

My, how the plot thickens...