Chapter 11:
"A Covert Affair"

August 4, 1915
Red Star Chemicals
Research Laboratory Headquarters

The Brigade's message could not have been clearer. We have total control. We will go to extremes to achieve our objective, and if anyone tries to stop us, they'll have to pay in blood.

And it was Deryn's blood that would be spilt.

The moment the message lizard's body stilled, Dr. Barlow sprung into action. "I shall contact Vost at once and inform him of the situation. Alek, Volger, it is likely that the boy who delivered this message is long gone, but fetch one of the Society's automobiles and search for him. We cannot allow a single lead to slip through our grasp."

Several hours of searching for the messenger proved fruitless, however, and Alek and Volger returned with no more information than they had before they'd left.

When they returned, haggard and weary from lack of sleep, Dr. Barlow was dressed formally and instructed them to do the same. "We have received an invitation to Red Star Chemicals' research laboratories. Vost is there waiting for Aleksander and I. He has necessary equipment to inspect the message lizard. He and his scientists may be able to determine its prior location. The Count shall follow behind us and remain hidden, just in case he's needed. " She gave Alek a very pointed look. "This may be our singular opportunity to investigate within Red Star Chemicals itself," she began. "Aleksander, you are the least likely among us to draw suspicion. Vost trusts you. You must take advantage of this situation if we are to discover anything noteworthy about Black Star. This must be a… a covert affair."

Alek nodded grimly. "I understand, Dr. Barlow."

The Count watched wordlessly. Alek could not tell if his expression was one of disapproval or simply indifference.

While Red Star Chemicals was in possession of multiple production and manufacturing facilities scattered throughout Europe, its research laboratories and headquarters were located only forty miles outside of London. Though it took nearly two hours to reach by automobile, Alek still did not feel prepared when they had arrived.

Despite the guilt gnawing on him from inside, Alek could not allow himself to give in. It had been his idea to deceive Eliot Vost and take advantage of his desperation. It had been his strategy, a betrayal of his design. He would not go back on his word.

Alek's father would have been sorely disappointed in him. He imagined what the Archduke would say- Where is your honor, son? Did I not raise you to be a man of integrity?

But Archduke Franz Ferdinand was long dead, and Alek had sacrificed the throne. He forfeit his nobility, and therefore, he had no obligation to live a life of dignity and honor. He had no princely duties to his country. Alek had been given a choice, and he had chosen to serve his own personal ideals rather than his country. And he did not regret it. He would make the same choice every time.

Alek didn't have to enjoy lying to Eliot Vost. But it had to be done, so he would do it. Even if it meant he had to reject his own morals and sell a shred of his soul.

Chester Sullivan's mansion had been enormous and luxurious, yet his company headquarters seemed oddly...underwhelming. They were the complete opposite of what Alek had been expecting. Instead of massive, imposing buildings constructed with with stately, expensive architectural design, these were unimpressive. A clump of several featureless, blocky gray buildings squatted low to the ground, enclosed by a tall barbed wire tipped fence.

The automobile halted abruptly at the gate. Alek leaned a bit so he could catch a glimpse of what was going on outside. A guard approached the driver's window. Alek studied the man carefully- his uniform seemed to imitate a military style. He appeared to have a gun holstered in his belt. Even the way he moved was austere. This was no inexperienced rookie. This guard was clearly a professional.

"The majority of the facility is underground," the guard explained to Dr. Barlow through the window after he verified her identification papers. "Drive through the main gate until the road ends and from there the guards will escort you into the lower levels of the building." He surveyed the passengers in the car. It must have been a coincidence that his eyes locked with Alek's as when said flatly, "be sure not to get lost."

Alek resisted the urge to look behind him. Volger had followed in an automobile of his own, but he'd hung back to avoid being seen at the gates.

Dr. Barlow and Alek were led by a trio of guards through the Red Star facility. Alek gave up on trying to memorize the maze of corridors they passed through on their way down the lower levels to meet with Eliot. There were far too many, and the guards escorting them kept an eye on them all. "The floors are numbered from top to bottom," one explained as they led the way down a bare white hallway. "So the lowest floor is the sixth floor, and the floor above that is the fifth." They turned a sharp corner that led to a narrow stairway. "The laboratories are all connected. There are five in all: Lab A, B, C, D, and E. Mr. Vost is waiting for you in C3. The third level of laboratory C." Alek paid close attention to the guard's description.

Eliot Vost greeted them with an expressionless nod and dismissed the guards with a wave of his hand. If he had seemed upset before at his partner's abduction, he was utterly distraught now. The fuzz on his chin suggested he hadn't shaved in several days and dark circles beneath his eyes were more prominent than they had been before. His shoulders slumped beneath his white laboratory coat, which was rumpled and stained- it was obvious he'd been working on something long before they'd arrived.

"You and your partner have quite a remarkable laboratory," Dr. Barlow said as a greeting. "It's quite large- how do you get around?"

Vost seemed uninspired by her compliment. "It's not particularly difficult. The laboratories are all connected on the fourth floor."

"My, it all seems quite confusing. Where would you possibly keep the animal subjects?" The doctor pressed on. Alek was grateful- she was asking these questions to be sure Alek didn't draw any unnecessary attention or suspicion to himself.

"All our live tests subjects are on the fifth level." Vost answered. "It's soundproof and there's a ventilation system that keeps the smell from permeating throughout the rest of the building. Speaking of animal subjects, have you got the message lizard?"

"Ah, yes. I must apologize for my small talk. It's an atrocious habit." The lady boffin produced the envelope that enclosed the small creature.

Vost examined the contents with a look of disgust and pity on his face. "You described that it had been mutilated, but...this is an abomination." His voice was shaking. "What madman would be capable of such cruelty?"

"We don't know. Yet. But if we can discover the location this message lizard was at before it was sent to us, we'll be able to hunt down that madman." Alek said firmly. "Have faith. This is our best chance."

"Right you are, Aleksander." Vost agreed. "So let us begin."

"Oh, dear, I seem to have forgotten something…." Dr. Barlow said, patting her pockets. "Yes, I wrote a note detailing the exact words the creature said. I must have left it up in our automobile. I do believe I remember the words quite well, but just in case...Alek, would you mind fetching it?"

"Nonsense! I'll have a guard bring it down." Eliot retorted.

"No, it's all right." Alek said quickly. "Truth be told, just looking at that poor mutilated creature makes me feel lightheaded. Actually, perhaps I am feeling...ill. I think I'd like some fresh air."

"Very well," Eliot agreed, offering a sympathetic smile that made Alek's guilt triple. "You are still young. I understand how overwhelming this situation must be for you."

You haven't the slightest idea, thought Alek as he stepped out into the hall. I may be in over my head.

...

August 4, 1915
Unknown Location

Deryn felt immediate relief the moment she stripped off her sweat-soaked, grimy gown. The air on her bare skin felt absolutely wondrous after spending so long trapped inside that cage of a dress. Without that barking corset constricting her lungs, she could finally breathe.

"There," she breathed, and kicked the dress away. She was standing only in her undergarments now. "That dress was pure dead awful." Sullivan, gentleman that he was, was facing the opposite direction.

"Well, now I can easily say that I am certain that you are not a member of the royal family," he chided.

"Well, now we won't need to come up with a distraction when Edward comes in." Deryn explained. "The sight of a lass in her skivvies is sure to shock him."

"Not to mention that he's smitten with you," Sullivan commented, still averting his eyes. "He'll blush like a schoolboy when he sees you like that."

"Smitten with me! That's a load of clart. I don't know much about romance, but even I know that it's a squick rude to abduct the lass you're keen on and lock her in a room for a week."

"What an impressive vocabulary you have," Sullivan noted dryly. "However did you contain it these past few days?"

"I practiced with a prince," Deryn said curtly as if that explained everything, when suddenly she heard the locking mechanisms begin to click. "Sh! I think he's outside."

Sullivan stepped to the side of the metal door so that Edward wouldn't notice him when he walked in.

It squeaked open so painfully slowly that Deryn felt a twinge of fear. Perhaps Edward realized that they'd been using him, that they had come up with a plan. Fortunately, this was not the case. Edward stepped inside, oblivious as ever, and didn't even notice Sullivan wedge his wooden spoon between the door and the frame to keep it from closing. A bucket in one hand and a towel in the other, Edward's expression bore no sign of suspicion.

"The best I could do was some cold water. Now you've got to be fast, or-"

He finally noticed Deryn's neglige. His eyes bugged out almost comically, and his face grew fiercely red. "Wha-" he spluttered, but before he could choke out another word, Sullivan had wrapped his bootlaces around the unfortunate boy's neck. Deryn brandished her wooden weapon as if it were a dagger.

"Take off your clothes," she ordered, remembering to switch back to her false British accent. She would keep up the royal facade as long as she possibly could, just in case the escape went south.

Edward's expression of utter confusion and surprise was particularly satisfying. He took a breath, as if about to say something, but Sullivan yanked the shoestrings tighter around his neck.

"I did not tell you to speak. I told you to take off your clothes." Deryn ordered, her voice humorless.

Edward almost imperceptibly shook his head no.

"I might be royalty, but I will not hesitate to jam this into your throat and take those clothes off your dead body," Deryn bluffed, waving her makeshift weapon. She had no remorse over threatening Edward, but she knew she would never stoop so low as to take his life.

Edward gave her a vicious glare as he kicked off his boots and slowly took off his trousers. Deryn simply smiled at him as she pulled them on. She was a bit taller than he was, so the legs were a bit short, but they would do. They were miles better than that blasted gown had ever been. The boots were far too large- they would only hinder her. Deryn didn't bother to put them on, and left her feet bare.

"Now, the shirt." She continued. He unbuttoned it, his gaze vindictive. It was much too large for Deryn, but she rolled up the sleeves and tucked in the front. She looked fairly ridiculous, she was sure, but it was better than nothing. She was disappointed that Edward hadn't been carrying any weapons. They would have been useful.

Deryn gave Sullivan a sharp nod, and the man deftly pulled the bootlaces from around Edward's neck and used one to tie his hands behind his back and the other to secure his ankles together. For a man of Sullivan's size, his actions were impressively precise and quick. He used one of the bootlaces to secure Edward's ankles together, as well, and roughly shoved him to the ground. Deryn would be lying if she said didn't feel a twinge of guilt when he cried out.

"You can't leave me here like...like this." Edward protested. "In nothing but my undershirt and briefs!"

"You could always try on my dress," Deryn suggested impishly. "Although I'm not quite sure it would be to your taste."

Edward's demands turned into pleas. "Please don't do this. I'm begging you not to do this." Deryn felt like laughing. All the bravado he'd flaunted when he'd abducted her at the gala, and he was already begging? Edward might have pretended to be a dauntless, dashing adventurer then, but it was nothing but an act.

"It's fitting, isn't it? Now you're the one tied up and at the mercy of another."

Sullivan snorted. "I've never been one to enjoy poetic justice, but this is oddly gratifying."

Edward's reaction was immediate. "What? You...you're not... you're supposed to be insane!"

"And you are supposed to be the captor, not the captive. Yet here we are." Sullivan mused. "How intriguing." Deryn had to admit that she agreed with Sullivan. "It's such a shame that we haven't got the time to relish in the moment." The boffin turned towards Deryn. "We must be on our way."

"NO!" Edward shouted, his eyes huge. "Please, you can't do this. If he finds me here, in such a shameful state, he might kill me. Or worse. I would be an embarrassment to him."

"I assume you mean your employer. Why would he care that you're such an incompetent weasel?" Sullivan asked.

Edward bit his lip and averted his gaze.

"Well?" Deryn asked.

Edward seemed to be working up the courage to speak. When he finally did, he didn't meet her eyes.

"He's more than my employer. He's...he's my father."

Sullivan was unmoved by Edward's confession. "We haven't the time for this nonsense," he said pointedly to Deryn. "We have to leave. Now."

"It's not nonsense, I swear!" Edward urged. "You have to believe me!"

Deryn looked at him, hard. His dark hair and eyes, his narrow brow, his prominent chin. They did bear a resemblance to the monster that led the Brigade.

"What's his name?" She asked.

Edward remained silent.

"Tell me what his name is, and we'll take you with us instead of just leaving you here," she offered. Sullivan gave her a hard look, but she held up her hand to stop him from speaking up.

"You swear you're not lying?" Edward asked.

"I swear it." Deryn promised.

"Damian. His name is Damian." Edward sighed.

"The surname?" Deryn probed.

'I'll tell you after you untie me."

Ignoring Sullivan's evil eye, Deryn untied the bootlace that bound Edward's wrists together.

"His name is Damian Smith. He had his last name changed before he begun his more...radical work within the Brigade. I don't know what his surname was before he changed it."

"Do you recognize the name?" Deryn asked Sullivan. The man shook his head. "You cannot be serious about taking him with us." The boffin groaned.

"Not to worry." Deryn assured him, closing her hand into a fist. "I was lying."

Before Edward could even open his mouth, Deryn punched him. Edward was completely unprepared, and the blow laid him out flat on the floor. Deryn grinned.

"That was...surprisingly impressive.' Sullivan observed, staring at the unconscious Edward.

"He didn't seem like the type that could take a punch." She elaborated, retying the bootlace around Edward's wrists and fastening it with a square knot.

""We should gag him before we leave, just in case." She proposed.

Sullivan obliged by removing one of Edward's socks and stuffing it unceremoniously into the unfortunate boy's mouth. Deryn winced. That was sure to be an unpleasant sensation. She had to admit, she didn't like lying to Edward. She couldn't remember the last time she'd gone back on her word.

Then again, she couldn't remember the last time that someone had abducted her and locked her in a room for a week, either.

"I'd say he deserved that," Deryn remarked casually. "Now let's get out of here."