The music for this Chapter is Hybrid: Higher Than Skyscraper
watch?v=Ia80dt6pNeY&list=PLF53468C1BF5D911A&index=7]
The dropping from a rope and onto the disguised airship was just as Dmitri feared it would be like to land on a puffy cloud-shaped balloon. Yes, it was soft but also very bouncy.
Panicking, he felt himself careening uncontrollably toward the edge of the blimp. Finally, by flattening himself, he managed to stop just in time, leaving only his feet dangling over the side.
Heart beating a mile a minute, Dmitri exhaled shakily. Then cautiously glancing over the curved side, he saw that the blimp had multiple spherical shapes, like a bumpy ball. Not wanting to take any chances standing on the slippery canvas, the Russian agent crawled forward. Stopping at the flat strip at the center of the airship, he laid there for a moment.
After controlling his terrified heartbeat, Dmitri noticed the prop plane buzzing over him. He saw the wings dip in a pattern that he knew should mean something. But he had never been part of the Russian aviation core and figured it must mean good luck or some other pithy English platitude.
Slowly he got to his feet and stretched out his sore back. Unfortunately, an hour of sitting in a cramped bi-plane did not help his twitching muscles any.
Suddenly, he heard a loud clang at the front of the flattened portion of the blimp. Startled, he watched in surprise when a small rectangular panel slid open.
What emerged resembled the metal skeleton of a small wiener dog, but with additional arms. Behind it, a horde of the same miniaturized robotic Dachshunds followed. These twenty or so metallic devices might have been cute, except that they all carried sharp blades, needles, and pointy screwdrivers.
Because of the armaments they wielded, Dmitri figured their job was to fix any mechanical or deflation problems. And their improvised weapons would be perfect for chasing off birds that decided to roost where they should not.
But when all turned toward him, he was sure they also worked well against any unwelcomed visitors.
They were the Swiss Army Knife of attack dogs, Dmitri thought with a grimace.
Having once been chased by vicious German Shepherds, Dmitri took a tentative step back.
Spying their retreating prey, these tiny mechanized repair droids took a synchronized step toward the Russian.
Fearing that any sudden movement might cause them to charge as one, Dmitri began to backpedal slowly.
Suddenly in mass, the robots surged forward. The clicking noises they made as they moved sounded like enraged typewriters.
Near panic, Dmitri quickly stumbled backward until he was dangerously close to the edge of the blimp. Though tempted to try to shoot them, he feared he might ignite the airship by mistake.
So instead, he leaped up in the air just as they pounced. Coming down, he smashed on top of them, and they quickly skittered away from under his feet. Pleased, Dmitri noticed that two of the robots had gotten shoved into the blimp's smooth fabric, and they tore it as they frantically wrestled free.
When five quickly began sewing the tear in the canvas material, Dmitri realized that their original programming must supersede all other commands.
Taking his chances, Dmitri started bouncing away from them, desperately looking for a way into the blimp. He could not see any doors and wondered just how well camouflaged the entrance must be.
Quickly finishing their programmed tasks, the five robotic Dachshunds joined the others in scuttling after Dmitri.
The Russian had hoped he would get further ahead by bounding across, but the machines easily caught up to him. In moments all had sped past him, and he found his progress cut off by these mechanical menaces. Bouncing to a halt, Dmitri crouched as if he was gearing up to hop over them again.
The small robots must have anticipated his leap, for they all jumped in unison toward him this time. Even the ones who had been quickly gaining from behind did the same. They would have easily stabbed him had he not dived across the slick surface instead. Now all sailed over his sliding body, and he heard them crash into one another. The sound was music to his ears, and he grinned victoriously.
In moments he stopped gliding across the slippery material. Unfortunately, the two that had been too damaged from earlier to follow their brethren's hurdling actions skittered painfully across his back. It felt as if a cat was pressing tenderly into all known pressure points. This caused Dmitri to hiss in anger when their hard steps found his still healing injuries.
Before they could jab him with their improvised weapons, he rolled over and grabbed them. Quickly, he hurled them both over the side of the balloon. He watched, horrified when they scurried back over the lip and made a beeline for him once more.
This time instead of leaping to his feet, he scooted back on all fours, trying to distance himself. If he could somehow damage the blimp, he knew they would get distracted long enough for him to escape.
Suddenly he found himself at the edge of the dirigible. Quickly standing, he watched the metal mechanics rush toward him, their clicking noises a cacophony of agitation.
So, without a thought, he fell backward.
He found himself sliding down the curvature of the bumpy, puffy blimp. As he skimmed the uneven surface, he twisted around so that he was now facing it, his feet pointed down. He could not stop and tried to grab onto any large lumpy section, but he was going too fast.
Dmitri saw the mechanized terrors charging after him. A few got close, and they slashed at his flailing hands. Timing it just right, he snatched the nearest one.
As the mini automaton thrashed about in his grasp, he stabbed the knife it wielded into the side of the blimp, puncturing it. Making sure to keep the sharp edge slicing through the slick material, he cut a long gash in his wake.
The metal mechanic's pursuit instantly stopped as they quickly went about their jobs as repair machines. As they got smaller and smaller in the distance, Dmitri realized that he would soon run out of fabric and knew he had better stop.
He recalled a story that his old Naval Captain had told him one evening about how pirates would knife their enemy's mighty sails. The swashbuckler would twist the blade to its dull side to slow down.
Turning the knife, Dmitri instantly decelerated and came to a quick stop. Having almost run out of surface, his feet kicked about in the air. Whistling at his luck, he stared at the damage he had wrought. It seemed he had also made his own entrance into the airship, and his smirk became a cocky grin.
Parting the large flaps of the sliced-open dirigible, Dmitri looked within. The inside was made up of multiple various-sized balloons. Some were as big as a house, while others were the size of a car or even smaller. He thought it was rather ingenious to enclose them in a huge canvas tarp to make the blimp resemble a puffy cloud.
Unfortunately, he could not squeeze between the balloons to get past. Instead, he would have to slash his way through.
Poking his head in, he did not smell anything suspicious from the balloons he had sliced during his descent. He vaguely recalled that helium and hydrogen did not have a smell.
Well, just to be sure, he would not use his gun in case the balloons were filled with hydrogen. And unlike that highly combustible gas, helium was not poisonous to breathe. But due to the lack of surrounding oxygen, even that inert gas would make him dizzy and sick. Regardless, both gases would kill him if he did not get through to the enclosed middle where the gondola section was fast enough.
Still holding the squirming blade, Dmitri pushed his way inside. Soon he was slicing anything that was in his path. Continuing to slash forward, the balloons began to deflate and gas leaked free around him. He knew this blimp section had to end soon. He just hoped that the after-effects of so much gas would not be permanent or worse, deadly.
As his hacking knife continued to damage the airship, Dmitri heard the continuous whoosh of more escaping gas, and part of the tarp began to sag behind him. He was pleased that his cutting actions were slowly collapsing this area of the blimp.
About halfway through, he felt the dirigible start to list sideways, abet slowly. Though he knew those little mechanized pests would eventually repair the fabric, he wondered if they could re-inflate the balloons. Regardless, hopefully all the damage done would force the blimp to land sooner.
In moments, Dmitri slowed down as he began to feel faint and nauseous from too much exposure to the gas and the lack of clean air.
Then he heard the muffled screams of agony from a woman nearby. Fearing that Zdenka was being tortured, he plunged further into the blimp, praying that he could make it to her in time.
Baron Zemo frowned when he noticed that the liquid in the beakers on the lab table had tilted slightly. He strode to the radio, and barely waiting for it to be answered, he barked, "What is going on? Why are we listing?"
The panicked voice sounded younger than its years, "Sorry, father. The intruder has damaged the right side of the blimp. The mechanics are fixing the issue, but we will have to land shortly to replace some balloons."
"Understood," Zemo growled out.
Signing off, he then glared at his two guests.
Turning on his heel, he motioned for one of the Fem-droids to follow him. To the other one, he ordered, "You stay here and keep an eye on them. Make sure she doesn't die. There are still two other serums that I wish to test on her." He leered dangerously at Peggy, but she was in too much pain to smartly retort.
The female robot nodded, and Zemo marched out of the room with the other one sharp on his heels.
Peggy wanted to laugh at Zemo's unexpected predicament but was too preoccupied withering and screaming from horrendous torment. Somehow it was getting progressively worse, and it now felt as if her blood was beginning to boil. She could barely hear Howard over the roar in her ears. She screamed until she was hoarse, and still, she kept screaming.
Howard's soothing voice finally broke through the excruciating pain, "Peggy, Margaret, stay strong."
If she could, Peggy would have cursed him using her proper name.
She heard him yell to her robot doppelganger, "The serum's too strong. She is going into cardiac arrest!"
Peggy didn't think that was the case, but she was too busy trying not to die to notice her heart rate.
Curious, the machine bent over to check on her. Through a pain-filled haze, Peggy gazed into the dull brown eyes of her double. Seeing this abomination caused all of the previous effronteries to crash through her fiery agony.
And the more she thought about what Zemo had done, the angrier she got. How dare that arrogant bastard use her likeness, or worse, use Steve's for these metal menace's outward appearance?
As her outrage intensified, Peggy was surprised to find that her rising temper was replacing the burning agony from the serum. Grabbing onto this stronger emotion as if it was a life preserver, Peggy fed her intense pain into this blossoming rage until it became a scorching fury that superseded all reasoning.
In moments her vision became overly bright, the edges practically sparkling. It was as if she was heading toward the sun. No, she was the sun and would explode if she did not get an outlet soon. Seething, Peggy focused her wrath on her duplicate.
"Come closer, you sack of bolts. I have a few things I want to tell you," Peggy snarled threateningly as she struggled violently against her bonds, her fingers flexing toward the robot. When the Fem-droid straightened just out of reach, Peggy seethed, "What, are you scared of me because I so easily bested your substandard sisters? You will never beat me, you oversized toaster!"
Zemo must have programmed the machines to be a bit too much like her. When it smirked down at her, Peggy easily recognized that look. She knew that cocky expression far too well. It was the same one she reserved for any smug asshole who got in her way. It was her patented, 'Challenge Accepted.'
Growling, Peggy goaded further, "You are nothing more than some wire and plastic, you inferior hunk of junk!"
Affronted, the sneering robot snatched Peggy by the front of her shirt and jerked her upwards.
Baring her teeth, Peggy was too overwhelmed with fury to feel the binding straps cut into her as she was yanked against them. Demanding satisfaction, the undeterred robot ripped off the bonds that impeded her actions. Suddenly, Peggy was lifted off the table and held midair.
Peggy should have felt some pain from all this, but her outraged ferocity pushed every boundary off the charts. Zemo wanted her fiery blood to boil. Well he was about to get his wish.
Now free, Peggy's rage went full-on nuclear.
The machine might be strong, but Peggy was now an uncontrollable executioner, hellbent on destroying this walking transistor. She grabbed the robot's arm that held her aloft and screamed in rage.
With the fiery serum fueling her anger's amplified strength, Peggy shoved her feet against the side of the robot's head and torso. Nothing could stop her driven determination, and she wrenched the mechanical arm free from the robot's body with a guttural war cry.
As Peggy dropped to the floor, sparks shot everywhere, and the Fem-droid staggered backward. The automaton leaned against the wall as it tried to get its bearings.
Blind from fury, Peggy barely heard an impressed Howard whistle softly in wonder, "Woah, that red serum must mimic Cap's super strength."
Rising to her feet like the Phoenix reborn, Peggy brandished the sparking arm overhead like a cudgel. She then barreled into the robot, knocking it to the ground. Standing over it, Peggy began to beat the machine's face in with its own twitching appendage.
With each hit, Peggy roared empathically, "You. Will. Never. Be. Me!"
Howard watched this attack slack-jawed and a bit turned on. As he studied the destroyed robot's head, he saw that there wasn't much left of it. And when Peggy didn't stop her attack, he became horrified at the violence that his friend exuded. Fearful that the loud noise might bring in reinforcements, Howard tried to break through Peggy's uncontrollable rage.
As she continued to bash whatever was left of her doppelganger's face, Howard hissed, "Peg, Peggy—" Finally, he yelled what he knew would snap her out of her fury, "Margaret!"
It worked a bit too well, for she turned on him. Howard swore her eyes had turned bright red from wrath. Flinching from her dangerous glare, he loudly gulped.
"Don't call me Margaret!" She shook the metal skeletal arms remains at Howard, and his eyes widened further in fright.
Suddenly, Dmitri charged into the room. He looked at this odd tableau askew, unsure what to make of it.
"What happened? Where's Zdenka?" He asked and then became mortified. His usual low Russian voice was now a high-pitched squeak that happened from too much helium.
If anything was going to snap Peggy out of her drug-induced rage, it was hearing the normally gruff Russian sound like a dog's squeak toy.
She and Howard busted up laughing as Dmitri rubbed his throat in horror.
But as their laughter lessened, Peggy's anger did not. Though no longer uncontrollably homicidal, she was still too enraged to trust herself to speak. Seeing this, Howard replied to Dmitri's question, "Long story, and we don't know where Zdenka is."
As the Russian cursed, Peggy forced herself to think past the fury that wanted to go supernova again. Thankfully by destroying her robotic twin, the vigorous exercise helped her concentrate over the rage that wanted to consume everything in its path.
Dropping the still twitching mechanical arm to the floor, Peggy's hands shook from the fiery drug and adrenaline as they battled for dominance over her blood. As she tried to control these physical reactions, she indicated for Dmitri to free Howard. While he did so, she unsteadily went to check the exit. Looking out, she was thankful that no one had been alerted from the noise of her bludgeoning the robot to pieces.
She then registered that though the blimp was still listing to the right, it was no longer descending. "We need to sink this bastard," she snarled dangerously.
Howard and Dmitri shared a concerned look. Howard reassured him, "Don't worry, I am sure Zdenka safely is nearby."
Nodding gratefully, Dmitri once more focused on Peggy and asked with his high-pitched voice, "Are you alright?"
Peggy nodded quickly. Though her rage seemed to be somewhat dissipating, her body felt as if it was overheating. And her hands would not stop shaking from anger.
As she mopped her sweating brow, she watched as Howard grabbed the vials of the concentrated blue and white serum out of the refrigerator and pocketed them. He shrugged at her frown and mumbled, "Might be beneficial for our escape."
Barely holding it together, Peggy stuttered her head and then took the lead. She grumbled, "Where do you think the Baron is keeping Zdenka?"
Still embarrassed by his voice change, Dmitri let Howard do all the talking, "Only one way to find out, pal. Just be careful."
Peggy snapped, "Oh, but I am looking forward to busting apart more robotic heads."
Cautiously walking down the corridor, they checked the remaining doors toward the back of the dirigible. Finally, they found Zdenka locked in a small room. It seemed more of a storage closet, for there was food and other provisions stacked around her.
Watching the door, Peggy let the men deal with the Russian Doctor. Bound to a chair, Zdenka was groggy from drugged obedience.
Concerned, Dmitri shook Zdenka. As she came out of it, he breathed a sigh of relief and quickly freed her.
Beside him, Howard exhaled, pleased that the scanner and his fanny pack were on a crate of canned caviar. He quickly slung the scanner's strap over his shoulders and then buckled the fanny pack around his waist.
"I knew you would come for me," Zdenka murmured dreamily when she saw Dmitri. Staggering into his arms, they hugged and kissed. Peggy and Howard quickly looked away to give them some modicum of privacy.
Finally, Peggy growled from impatience.
Worrying that his friend might snap again, Howard stated, "Come on you two lovebirds, your reunion will have to wait."
Beaming, Dmitri helped Zdenka along, and the two Russians followed them out of the room.
"How did you get to this blimp, Dmitri?" Peggy asked through gritted teeth. Though she was trying to keep her mind preoccupied, she still felt that horrid serum coursing in her veins. Thankfully it had lowered from a rolling boil to a simmer.
"Mr. Jarvis got a plane and flew us here," Dmitri explained and then sighed, relieved that his voice was back to normal. "I cut my way through the blimp to get in here."
Her grin feral, Peggy sneered, "Good, then that is how we will get out. Where was the hole you made?"
Indicating that she was feeling better, Zdenka stepped away from his support. Nodding, Dmitri then led them down the bumpy walled corridor at a brisk pace.
Glancing around as he hurried, a determined Dmitri murmured, "It should be near here somewhere." He strode further down the grated walkway. Suddenly, he stopped by the middle of two metal support columns that bracketed the lumpy cloth. Frowning, he studied the huge stitched seam that went down the once damaged fabric. He pointed at the sewing marks, "Well, that was where I had come through."
Determined, Peggy pushed past them and was going to rip it open with her enhanced strength, when Howard loudly cleared his throat.
In one hand, he held the vial of blue serum and the other he grasped the white one. He stated matter-of-factly, "Well, he told us what the blue serum does, so let's try this concentrated white one first."
Peggy took a step back and he poured the bottle of opaque liquid on the large stitches. As the white liquid dribbled downwards, it melted everything in its path. Soon the sewed fabric was gone, and when the caustic serum dripped onto the grated floor, part of it corroded away until a small hole appeared.
Gulping, they looked down at the passing water far below.
Peeved that this was going to be her fate, Peggy sneered and wished she could choke Zemo here and now.
Intrigued by all the damage the acid had done, Howard's attention was quickly pulled away when he caught a glimpse of the balloon's interior that kept the blimp aloft. Impressed that it contained helium balloons of various sizes, he nudged Peggy's shoulder, "I tell you, Peg, we should think about building something similar as our new mobile headquarters."
She grunted her answer. Soon the white acid serum had dissipated enough that they could enter the hole without fear of getting any of the acidic liquid on them.
But before they could do so, they heard the quick approach of loud boot stomps against the metal grate. Spinning around, they looked to the front of the blimp. The last Fem-droid was charging toward them.
Snarling, Peggy geared up for a fight.
Behind the sprinting automaton stood an intrigued Baron Zemo, who had stopped to watch what was about the happen.
Seeing her human nemesis, Peggy grabbed the blue serum vial from Howard's hand. Heaving it at Zemo, she yelled, "Why don't you try some of your own medicine, Baron?"
As it flew toward his cowering form, the advancing robot leaped protectively in the way. The glass vial smashed against the Fem-droid's chest. Instantly, the concentrated icy blue serum spread outwards, and the robot suddenly seized rigid.
Enraged that her plans had been derailed, Peggy raced forward. Suddenly, she slammed through the frozen robot, shattering it into pieces.
Zemo was pelted with the bits of icy robotic debris and yelped from surprise.
Running full tilt, Peggy's furious gaze focused on the shocked Baron. But before Peggy could catch him, he dashed back through the doorway he had just emerged from. He quickly slammed the thick metal door behind him, and Peggy heard the heavy bolts lock it tight.
She crashed into it, but it hardly moved. Pounding on the door proved futile, even with her enhanced strength. But like the fiery serum in her veins, that ability seemed to be slowly diminishing, too.
Stopping, she glared at the door. Aware of her friends, she ordered, "Get out of here."
Instantly by her side, Howard grabbed her arm, "What are you talking about? We leave together."
Adamant, she wrenched her arm free. She noticed Howard staring at her shaking clenched fists, and she exhaled. But still, she was unable to calm them, "I have unfinished business with Zemo."
"Peggy," Howard added a pleading sound to his words, "We don't have time for your personal vendettas. And even if we did, you won't get through that."
His words broke through and he could see her relaxing a bit. Resigned, she nodded. "Alright, but this airship goes down, now."
From the melted opening behind them, they heard a skittering noise nearing.
"Perfect," Dmitri grinned, "And I know just how we do it."
Suddenly, the small metallic mechanics began flowing out of the gaping hole as if a water tap had been turned on.
Horrified, Zdenka shrieked, "What are those?"
"Not to worry, they are more intent on repairing the blimp than attacking us." True to Dmitri's words, the robotic machines began to work but were having trouble due to the size of the gaping hole.
Fascinated by these industrious little mechanized creatures, Howard snatched one up and held it close for inspection. As it stabbed menacingly at his face with the long sharp needle, he cooed as if was a baby, "Well, look at you. Aren't you just the cutest little thing?"
Unable to corral her anger, Peggy snapped, "Howard, focus."
He shrugged happily at her.
Ignoring the metal critters, Dmitri climbed into the balloon section, and his friends entered behind him.
Along the way, Dmitri grabbed one of the metal mechanics and began to use the knife implement to slash apart the balloons that were in their way. His friends followed his example, and they started cutting through without a word. Instead of heading toward the side, he led them upwards. To ascend, they spread out so they could use a few balloons to climb to the top.
As the majority of various-sized balloons deflated behind them, Dmitri and the others became light-headed from the lack of oxygen. But still under the effects of the fiery serum, a barely affected Peggy took over. Marshaling behind her, they groggily followed the SSR Agent as she vigorously hacked a path to freedom.
Helping as best they could, the small group worked their way up through the balloons until blue skies greeted them.
Peggy figured they must have popped at least a third of the balloons along the way. And even better, some of the smaller ones escaped out the large hole they had just made. But their victory was short lived.
Though they had made it to the highest point of the blimp, the slippery fabric was collapsing around them. As the crumbling tarp began to fold over, they scrambled to reach the uppermost part of the blimp, where it was the safest.
Finally, they made it to the flat ramp. Panting, they rested as they got their breath back.
Glancing over the edge, Peggy realized that the dirigible was sinking closer and closer toward the coast of Istanbul. The area dubbed 'Old Town' was visible as they neared Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. In moments, they would fly over the long serpentine Strait of the Bosporus Sea.
Hearing the buzz of the prop plane, all looked up and saw Jarvis fly as close as possible, the rope still dangling from the rear cockpit. Though he could not land, he was low enough for someone to grab onto the hanging rope.
Peggy indicated for the Russians to have the first go at it.
On Jarvis' next flyover, Dmitri and Zdenka successfully snagged the low rope. Tightly holding onto it as the plane flew on, the two Russians pulled themselves upward. Soon they were in the cockpit behind Jarvis. On the next pass, it would be Howard and Peggy's turn.
"You go next, Howard." Her high squeaky voice could not mask the resignation in her tone, "There's not enough room for all of us on board. Besides, I am burning up and need to cool off." She glanced over the deflated edge at the inviting blue coolness of the Bosporus Sea.
Howard pursed his lips. The dirigible might be sinking low enough that she would not get hurt from the fall, but he couldn't be sure. Dropping to his knees, he reached into the exit hole they had just created and pried out an inflated balloon the size of a car.
As he began to float upward, he waved her close. His voice was high-pitched, "Forget that, Peg, it's too dangerous. Grab onto me, instead."
She quickly clutched his legs in fear that he might float up and away. The added weight had him lowering back down. The next thing Peggy knew, the wind currents pushed them off the crumpling blimp, and they began a slow descent toward the water below.
Howard stated clinically, "What did I tell you about wind currents, Peg, too unpredictable. Instead, we should use multiple blades positioned like a helicopter to keep our new mobile headquarters afloat."
"Table that for now, Howard."
"So you're changing your mind about it," he said enthusiastically, "that's great!"
Peggy would have been petrified of their descent if she did not have such fiery blood flowing through her veins now. Instead, she glanced up and saw that the dirigible was slowly sinking as well.
She then looked at Howard, and he seemed to be enjoying the trip. As they leisurely fell, he yelled out a squeaky, "Weeee!"
Thinking that he sounded adorable, Peggy chuckled. It was all rather absurd, and she nearly choked on her laughter when she heard a hysterical twang to it.
"It's alright, pal," Howard smiled reassuringly at her.
She blamed the serum and the fact that painful torture always brought out her worst traits. Getting her uneven emotions under control as best she could, she nodded her head quickly in response.
Peggy then watched as Jarvis flew close to them. He was near enough that Peggy could see his stricken features. By his expression, she figured he must be worried to witness his boss and good friend sink toward the water. Dmitri and Zdenka also looked at them in concern.
Risking her tenuous hold, Peggy waved to signify that all was well. She then motioned to the large reddish-pink squat building near the shore and shouted, "Land at the Hagia Sophia!"
Jarvis wagged the plane's wings to indicate that he understood and flew toward the iconic religious building.
Soon their small balloon's descent had them close enough to the water for a safe splashdown. Nodding that she was ready, Peggy let go and dropped into the dark blue water.
Relieved that she had survived, Howard soon released his hold on the ascending balloon, and he fell in next to her.
The cool refreshing liquid helped diminish some of Peggy's simmering blood. And seeing the quickly sinking dirigible falling nearby also helped.
Bobbing on the watery surface, Peggy and Howard cheered when the blimp crashed into the sea. As portions of the bumpy canvas tarp continued to collapse around the large floating gondola, Peggy was surprised that the carriage hadn't sunk under the waves from its weight.
She then heard small explosions. Puffs of smoke escaped from where the larger balloon portion was attached to the airship's main cabin. Amazingly, the solid section easily separated from the deflated part of the dirigible.
Peggy and Howard watched astonished, as the propellers that were located on either side of the gondola turned to the back. The carriage then began to slowly move, leaving the saggy cloud balloon to slip off and drift away.
Seeing all this, Peggy sputtered in disbelief, "You have got to be kidding me."
Howard gushed wistfully, "Amazing."
Now free of the bulky balloons, the gondola motored off. Surprisingly, it did not aim for the nearby shore but went in the opposite direction.
Howard frowned, "Think we scared em off?"
"I rather doubt that." Peggy sighed, "I guess we will find out soon enough. Come along." Thankfully the shoreline was not that far away, and they began to swim toward it.