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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3161534" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 190, “The Zeppelin”, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 10:30 AM Chester goes to return the prisoners to jail. The Deputy states, "Hey, Riff. Hope the Territorial Prison is to your liking. 'Cause you're going to be there a long time. Either of you want to tell us who tried to kill Deputy Rodriguez?"   They are silent.  Chester is then told by Berg to bring McNally to Morand's Cartage rather than to the jail. When they arrive Zack Morand ushers them into the building, keeping his shotgun leveled on the prisoner. He tells Chet, "Undo the hand cuffs and both of you find some coveralls in that pile to change into."Chester pulls out a set of coveralls that look like they fit McNally. He throws them at the prisoner. "McNally, put those on first." McNally growls, but does as he's told. Chester picks out a set and changes into them. "Are we putting the manacles back on him?"  Morands says to Chester "Yeah, he gets the manacles back, but put them in the front. He can hold something in his arms so they won't be noticed." Berg arrives with the other prisoner Ambrose Gamlin. McNally looks like he's ready to jump up and strangle his former friend. Berg says, "Okay gentlemen, it's like this. You've all heard what happened to Lane Gifford. It's safe to say that you'll suffer the same fate if you don't cooperate. We have a way to get both of you out of the county without any of the townsfolk or Cowboy Gang knowing where you've gone to. The only other option is to go out by stagecoach, on a schedule that everybody knows. So Let's get on these coverall. Get some coal from the stove and rub it on your face and grab a hat from that hat rack. We're all riding out of town on a Morand ore cart, looking like a bunch of mine workers heading out to one of the mines."Both prisoners have their manacles covered with burlap bags. The two lawmen, Chester Martin and Mitchell Berg, keep their weapons out of sight. Zack Morand does the driving while his men Bud Newkirk and Doug Manson sit on the end of the wagon with shotguns in hand. The wagon pulls out of town and proceeds to the northeast, in the direction of the Fisk Mountain mine.Chester says, "Keep your eyes peeled. Those cowboys have a sixth sense about these kinds of things." He says to Ambrose and Riff, "Do you boys know of any rescue attempts? In all the excitement, you just might end up shot by your friends. So, if you know anything, you better tell us." Chester cradles his rifle, hidden under a burlap bag, and looks for an ambush.Ambrose says, "I told all I knew." McNally angrily exclaims, "Idiot, that'll get us both killed." "Enough of that, keep quiet," Marshall Berg exclaims.  Chester has ridden this route enough to realize after a few miles that they were exactly traveling the route to the Fisk Mountain Mine. He realizes that Berg's plan, whatever it is, may work as a Morand ore wagon full of workers is a regular sight these days, especially on a Monday.Chester says, "We're in luck, Marshall. I've ridden this route before, so I know where likely ambush points are. I'll tell you before we get to them."  The trip goes without any problems. As they near the mine, within a quarter-mile of the small mountain, the driver turns off the roadway. Rather than going to the side where the mining is taking place they head to the opposite side of the mountain. Right in the middle of the valley between Fisk Mountain and Bowie Mountain Chester sees an amazing sight. Both prisoners are also in awe of it. Before them is a long black cigar-shaped hot air balloon. It is 240 feet in length and 60 feet at its widest point, with a rudder on the back. Beneath it are cables, ropes and rigging that support a rectangular compartment with windows on all sides, twenty-five-feet long and ten-feet high and wide. The compartment is on the ground with several people near it. A number of ropes attached to various anchor points hold the contraption down.Chester gives an impressed whistle. "That is some hot-air balloon. I heard stories from Civil War veterans about these being used as spotting platforms. This one looks like it can move. Is it taking the prisoners to Prescott?"  Berg says, "No, we're not going that far. But it'll get us out of the county. We'll bring them up to San Carlos in Gila County, a little under half-way to Prescott. Arizona Rangers will take them from there."   Chester nods. "We should be a lot less vulnerable to the cowboys hundreds of feet in the air." Chester is greeted by the Aeronaut (pilot) Hans Schmidt, who he has met and had meals with at the El Parador. Schmidt had previous told Chet and Kate that he was the professional driver for Arcade's Gang, but it is quite a surprise to see the vehicle that he drives for them.   Schmidt shakes hands with Chester and Berg. "Nice to see you, Herr Marshall Berg and you as well, Herr Deputy Martin. Isn't my zeppelin a wonderful thing?" Chester replies, "You told me you were a driver, but I thought it was a wagon, not this." He waves his hand at the zeppelin. "I didn't realize Arcade's Gang was this rich."  Berg says, "It was very nice of them to let us borrow their zeppelin and you, too. I appreciate it, Mr. Schmidt. Getting these gentlemen to Prescott is a lot less dangerous now." Chester starts to light a cigarette. Schmidt says, "Herr Deputy Martin. I must ask that you not smoke near the zeppelin. It is filled with hydrogen, which is highly flammable."  Chester pales and puts away the match. "Sorry about that. I didn't know. I imagine a thing that big would burn a long time."Chester spends most of the flight watching over the prisoners. When Berg relieves him, he takes a peek out the window. "This is an amazing view, Mr. Schmidt. I can see why you became an aeronaut. How long are we going to be up here? I'm a bit nervous leaving my friends behind." "Not long, Herr Deputy. We will give these men to the Rangers and then we can go home, ja?" "Yep."The zeppelin arrives at the outskirts of San Carlos just after sundown. Waiting for Chester and the others are a few men wearing badges. On Schmidt's orders sandbags are tied to the aircraft, holding it down on the ground. Berg, Schmidt, Chester, and the prisoners exit. An older man with a mustache walks over to the group. "Which one of you is Marshall Berg? I'm Captain Burt Mossman of the Arizona Rangers." Berg comes forward and shakes hands with the man. "I'm Mitchell Berg. This is my deputy, Chester Martin and our pilot, Hans Schmidt. And these are the prisoners, Riff 'Alabama' McNally and Ambrose Gamlin. Here's the paperwork from Judge Isby." Mossman looks over the pages, "Everything looks to be in order. Let's get these guys to the jail for the night. Follow me, gentlemen." Chester and Berg take the arms of Riff and Ambrose. The Rangers surround them, weapons drawn, and escort them to the town jail. Once they drop off the prisoners, the Rangers show the men from Promise City the hotel they'll be staying at for the night. Schmidt explains, "I cannot fly when it is dark. Landmarks would be too hard to see. We'll get aloft early tomorrow morning." The group retires to a nearby saloon to swap stories and to give advice to Berg and Chester. Jake chats amicably with Biff Johnson, asks about new comers to town and his festival plans. "Should be good for your business before the big dance ball."  When he is finished he heads back to the Lucky Lady. Once upstairs, he practices again the rapid shot with his Colt empty of rounds.  After practicing and cleaning his pistols he goes down stairs to wait for Ruby. Bored he retrieves the letter from Maggie that Katherine returned to him. He stares at the letter a while wondering if it could be true.   After her afternoon with Jane, Ruby returns to the Lucky Lady and finds Jake staring at a letter. She enters the room silently, and he doesn't hear her anyway, he's lost in his thoughts. Ruby leans on his back, looking over his shoulder. "Hello, lover, what'ca looking at?" She recognizes the letter and comments, "I don't see why we can't take a trip to see if we can find her...You know, a vacation. And if we can't, well, we'll enjoy ourselves anyway. And if it is..." she lets her voice trail off.Jake smiles up at her. "I don't even know if this is her. I have always wanted to see California. It has been a long time since I've seen an ocean. No time for that now, maybe some day." He pulls Ruby down to his lap. "That's better."  "Much better," Ruby says, then nuzzles Jake's neck. "I've always wanted to see California too. And you have to admit, it does sound like it could be her..." Ruby nuzzles some more. "I have some things to tell you, but maybe later. Let's be lazy now," she says with a grin.  ...and they are. During the afternoon Jake keeps an eye open for Jeff Mills or Mitchell Berg, both of whom he wishes to speak to.  Time passes in the afternoon lazily at the Lucky Lady. Out of the blue Jake decides to take a walk and see Pierre. "I want to ask him about the ammunition Brower said was stolen. Then we can visit Senor Valdez for a few minutes." Ruby agrees to go with him and they wander over to the gun shop. Jake chats with Pierre briefly, giving him his condolences about the theft. Jake also tells him that Brower told him about the stolen rounds but only in general. "I understand you would wish to keep them from being a topic of discussion in public. However since I seem to be in a struggle with the Cowboy gang any information you could share on what they now have or how I could protect myself would be greatly appreciated. Understand that I would not share what you tell me publicly."   Pierre says, "Oui, it is not a subject that I care to discuss in public. There could be...consequences. Perhaps you can stop back later when you are alone." They chat with Pierre a little while longer before wishing him well and heading over to Senor Valdez's church.   They find that the church locked and the priest not around.  Jake tells Ruby he'll meet her back at the Lucky Lady in a few minutes. "I'm going back to see Pierre. I was surprised that he wouldn't talk in front of you. I'll find out what he has to say and meet you shortly." Ruby is only slightly offended that Jake wouldn't speak up for her right then and there when Pierre asked him to come back with out her. Ruby hated to be excluded from anything.   She heads back to the Lucky Lady. Niles is behind the bar. "Afternoon, Mr. Hoover. Have you heard what happened with the Marshals? And have you by any chance heard where Mr. Rodriguez is recuperating?"Niles replies, "I haven't heard anything more than what was said at the court trial, but there is somebody who usually knows what is going on in this town. He's been waiting for you for around ten minutes now." He gestures over to a table in the corner where Chumbley is sitting, drinking a beer."  "Thanks Niles," she nods. She heads over to Chumbley with a fresh beer for him. "Afternoon, Chumbley. How are you today? Hard to keep up with all the news lately, isn't it?" she laughs.  He has a more serious look on his face than usual. He says, "Yes indeed. I had planned to have a Wednesday paper, but I now have so much news that I'm going to be getting a paper out first thing tomorrow. I just came by to clarify a few facts from you about a couple of stories. First, about the attack targeted towards Deputy Martin and second about the love affair that you are having with Judge Isby.""Does my love life make the news now, Mr. Chumbley?" Ruby asks trying to keep a serious face in return. She pushes the fresh beer in front of him and sits.  He replies, "Not at all. I don't print gossip in my paper. But I do not think that you're having an affair with him at all. What the two of you are up to may indeed be newsworthy."She states, "My, aren't you nosy! Well, he's taken me to dinner a few times, what's wrong with that? He's lonely and doesn't know too many people around here. It's rather boring to be honest. Of course, if you believe the gossip, I'm sleeping with him as an arrangement to keep Jake out of jail. Don't really know who would believe that about Judge Isby." She raises an eyebrow at him. "What do YOU think we're up to?" she says, a half grin coming to her face.Chumbley takes out his notebook and opens to a specific page. He slides it across the table to her. It is a darkened page that was clearly the one beneath the page that she had written her note on, which he has done a coal rubbing on the impressions made by her pen. She can clearly read the words: "What's your point?" asks Rub casually. "I thought he would want to know what happened here last night since it involved those two Cowboys he was sentencing. Berg was already informed but I thought the Judge might have some extra questions."  Chumbley says, "This doesn't read like a love letter. I think there's more going on here. It's no secret that you and Mr. Cook have clashed with the Cowboy Gang before. And absolutely nothing was said earlier about invisible dynamite. Makes for a good story though.""I never said I loved him, did I? I told you, I wanted to give him that information in case he wanted to ask questions before or during the trial, to help give those Cowboys what they deserve." Ruby face gets more serious. "You know Chumbley, I thought we were friends, that you would spy on me like this is very disheartening. Friends don't do that to each other. And you mentioning this in your paper could have very bad consequences for me and my friends and the place where I live, put our lives in even more danger than they already are."He replies, "We are friends which is why I'm here talking to you. Do you think Baxter or any other newspaperman would? And I'm not spying on you, you wrote that in my notebook! I realize that printing that about the Lucky Lady could cause you trouble. What I want to know from you is what parts of this can I print, either now or at some time in the future? I have an obligation to my readers too."She says, "No, Baxter would just make up his own story. I wrote that on a piece of paper that came out of your notebook. You used extraordinary means to read what I wrote in private and now I just don't know if I can trust you. I am disappointed in you."  She sighs, "If you have to print anything I suppose you could mention that Johnny Ringo is coming back to town and for people to be on alert, although how you know that should be kept a secret. Then again that might cause a panic among the people and ruin the festival planned for the weekend, which is supposed to bring this town together." "The fact that the two of them met in Texas and came from Galeyville, I don't see why you can't print that."" "As for the attack, I think I would prefer you keep that out of your paper for now. We'd lose all our business. And the fact that magical dynamite would terrify some people in town so I wouldn't print that now either, too many questions will come from it. Maybe after all this is finished you can print your story."He says, "Okay, that sounds like a plan. I'll minimize what I write now in return for an exclusive later. Ruby, I don't want to upset you, but you have to understand, we Halflings are a very compulsive race. We have an ingrained curiosity about everything, which is part of what makes me a good reporter.""I don't mind talking to YOU Chumbley. I DO mind the printing of information that could get me or my friends or the people I loved killed. And you might not want to count on that exclusive, I might not be alive to give it." She says this as an exaggeration but realizes it is more true than not. "And from now on I won't be borrowing your notepad."  She starts drinking Chumbley's untouched beer. "Any more questions for me? Why don't you run some stories on the festival? Or perhaps you should do some investigating about that Finnegan fellow who keeps beating the tar out of everyone.""  Chumbley replies, "No, I ran the Finnegan story last week, no point in repeating it. I'll print a story about the festival, although the event schedule still hasn't been finalized. I planned to also do a story about tomorrow's Merchant's Association Meeting, but Judge Isby has asked them to postpone it until later this week.She asks, "Do you know where Mr. Rodriquez is recuperating then? I was thinking of stopping by."  Chumbley says, "Yes, he's at the home of that wood elf witch-woman Jaminez. Doc Eaton's fit to be tied over that, since he thinks she's unqualified to help anybody, Valdez too. He may have a point, Eaton's a skilled surgeon with lots of experience with weapon wounds, so Rodriguez probably would have done well under his care."'Witch woman, huh? Well, I still think I'll stop by." Ruby stands and starts heading back over to the bar before turning back to Chumbley.  "For the record, I'm NOT sleeping with Judge Isby." With that she sits at the bar and asks Niles for a whiskey instead of the beer.She asks, "Have you seen or heard from Jeff today?"  Niles replies "Yes, he said that he'd need most of today off but that he would be back tonight."  Ruby breathes a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear, thanks." She finishes her whiskey then heads upstairs to her room. Quickly disposing of the restrictive clothing she lays on the bed, getting lost in her thoughts.Jake headed back to the gun shop and Pierre to learn what he can before going back to the saloon.  Pierre welcomes Jake into the building and locks the door behind him. The Frenchman says "Thank you for coming back. It is important that you know about this. I am know that you and Deputy Martin are aware of my...well...special talents. I wasn't sure about Miss West and her opinions about those who use wizard magics."Jake says, "Miss West can be trusted to be discrete. Someone close to her was persecuted for being associated with the arts. She would be very sympathetic to your need for secrecy."  Pierre says, "Nice to know, I wasn't sure. Mr. Martin had shared with me that you and he knew of the Hand Cannon, so I knew that you knew what I had shared with him. We like to keep these things quiet. But I guess that Ringo knew what I was doing. They somehow managed to crack my safe, took everything in it. I lost twenty-five cases of special ammunition. Fifteen were those that I made myself, basically regular cartridges that have a spell cast on them making them magical. It's usually a temporary spell but in this region the magic stays on it. The other ten boxes were more powerful, things that I got from elsewhere. Three full boxes were 52 caliber exploding shells for the Spencer Carbine rifles. Another partial case had the same thing for the 50-calibur Sharps Big 50 rifle. Another box has Long Distance 44-40 shells which could be used in either a Winchester rifle or Colt Frontier revolver, but could go four times the normal distance. Another box had 45-calibur shells for a Colt Peacemaker or Smith and Wesson Schofield revolver that cause wounds that cannot be magically healed.” Jake has a shocked look on his face.  Pierre continues “Another partial case of 45-caliburs physically draw themselves to warm-blooded targets. Another partial case had Derringer shells that induce sleep once the shell is into the blood stream. Another partial case had 44-calibur Henry rifle ammunition that cuts through any magical armor. Last there was a full case of 41-calibur Colt Thunderer shells that make whatever gets hit by them temporarily disappear. I don't mean invisibility, whoever is hit literally vanishes, reappearing in the same spot a few minutes later."  Jake listens intently. He manages to restrain himself from crying out 'Mierda' several times as Pierre describes the ammunition.  Jake asks, "Ringo has some kind of protection against bullets. He's been hit and they bounce off. Do you have any idea what it might take to get through that protection?  Pierre says, "Well yes, those Henry rifle shells would have done exactly that."  Jake asks, “Is there anything that can be done to protect against any of those special rounds of your?”  Pierre replies, "You'd have to ask a more powerful wizard that I. I'm afraid that I am very specialized in my abilities, basically magical ammunition, and only the simple ones at that. I've heard that some wizards can enchant clothing, essentially create magical armor not unlike those used by the knights of old. That might be your best option." Jake asks, “Any chance you'll be getting your hands on any new rounds soon that might be useful against these guys if someone was buying? " When they finish speaking Jake heads back to the Lucky Lady.”  He says, "Not anytime soon. There's a guy down in Mexico who specializes in those, in fact, he's the man who made that Hand Cannon for Curly Bill. Your employee Jeff Mills knows him. But that's over 300 miles away and most of it across open desert. It would take you the better part of a week to travel there each way."</blockquote>

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