Chapter 29
A corridoor of clouds was the spectacular view given to the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as the Luftpirat traversed the misty firmament. Frequently the passengers would look down to a God like perspective of the vista below. They had flown down the Suez canal, over the horn of Africa and into the vast splendour of the Indian Ocean.
Gregor was often approached to confirm that his senses were still on the super zeppelin's trail, especially now that he was leading them into an oceanic nowhere. The man insect was confident; the pheromonal breadcrumbs left the perfect aerial trail.
Tom Swift shared the luxury view the League had. When he was thrown before them in the lounge; a few words from Biggles about his achievments regarding the Great War Tank; had the group welcome him into their fold. Captain Mors lifted his domino mask and showed all the pleasant social graces of European aristocracy; Biggles treated him like a valuable co-pilot and Gregor gave a playful articulation of his limbs. Both Tarzan and Irma showed a good deal of joviality towards him, but he kept his contact with these two to a minimum. Yes, they saved him from Fraulein Doktor's trap but the savagery they employed was frightening.
The instrumentation on the deck fascinated Tom even more than the view of the Earth below. This gadgetry the crew were constantly monitoring is what removed all fear aviators would have when flying through clouds. It stopped the airship running into a solid obstacle, a storm or turning upside down unawares. The young stowaway's new welcome was clearly limited when the crew barred him inspecting the strange instrumentation. Mors and Izzy Buttons soon forbade him to go in the instrument room, engine room and control room. This technology was clearly not meant to be copied.
Lindo was setting up a tripod and camera in the lounge; this was one of the few rooms left for Tom to be in. He was assigned a cabin but preferred the wondrous view the ornate suite offered. Biggles, Mors, Irma, Tarzan and Gregor all lined up as Lindo poured magnesium powder into the flash lamp. Biggles was in his pilot attire. Mors in his Captain's uniform and domino mask tucked away. Irma in her black burglar's gear and dark eye shadow. Tarzan was stripped to his loin cloth while a quiver of arrows was the sole adornment up above; his bow was held in his hand. Gregor stood erect on his hind limbs for the shot.
When the flash bar exploded in bright light everyone relaxed their poses. As Lindo began to pack away the camera, a general discontent came over the League members. All had noticed Tom Swift watching the proceeding and bade Lindo to prepare the camera for a second shot; this time with the young American beside them.
Tom was elated; although not designated by M, he had virtually joined the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Lindo took the second picture with a smiling Tom Swift standing with the expanded group.
Gregor resumed his post, keeping track of the aerial trail. Mors went back to the control room, the others sat down in the lounge and briefed Tom on the mission.
The vastness of the Indian Ocean began to take its toll on morale. Only the occasional island broke the monotony of flying over the big blue, and they were becoming rare. Many considered both their position and destination as "The middle of nowhere."
Finally, Gregor gave indication that they were closing in on the now stationary super zeppelin. As the League members directed their stares ahead, an island began to appear through the cloudy mist. Mountains dominated the surface, all dwarfed by a huge volcanic crater in the centre. Mist and swamp vapours circled the many cliffs which made a purely ocular speculation difficult. Mors ordered the crew to lift the Luftpirat into the clouds to be kept hidden.
All observation was to be done through the scope. A full circle of the island was completed from cloud cover. A zeppelin base and shipping harbour was seen on the far side. Although predominately mountains, there was both swamp and jungles. No village could be seen, all human activity seemed to be people going in and out of the mountains.
Mors Said. "They must have a huge residential and industrial complex within the mountains' interior."
Biggles asked. "How can you tell about the industrial activity?"
"Look." Replied Mors as he pointed through the scope at vents in the rocky surface. "Theirs black smoke coming out of those vents. They are effectively chimneys."
When the scope focused down the volcanic crater a metallic interior could be made out with multiple catwalks and ladders fixed to the inner side. Bright flashing lights could be observed deep within the crater and the shape of a rocket could be just made out.
"Tom said. "So there is scientific activity within that volcano."
"Yes" Said Mors. "The volcano is clearly dormant, probably even extinct. But this is where Unit 11 is and Totenkopf will be there, overseeing all research and development.
A brief discussion ensued about what to do. Irma advocated bombing the crater from above, thus obliterating the works. Mors responded with a restrained disgust that he has no bombs or any other destructive weaponry that belongs in the realm of war. Tarzan suggested flying to Kenya and gathering colonial forces to storm the island. Biggles' reply was that it was best if the world remains ignorant of this mad science. M sent them here to deal with this horror themselves.
"We land on the island." Said Tom. "Then we make our way into the mountain complex discreetly and closely observe this science in operation. Shouldn't be hard to seek out some volatility then exploit it."
"You mean." Asked Irma. "Throw a spanner in the works."
"That's right." Answered Tom.
Mors and Biggles turned to each other then back to The brash young American.
"The lad is right." Said Mors. "He's nailed what we need to do."
"Hang on." Objected Biggles. "If we land on that island, they will surely see us coming."
"Quite right." Answered Mors. "The Luftpirat will stay out of sight. We can approach the island by boat.
Biggles gave a reluctant approval. Being without an airplane was bad enough for the ace pilot, traversing enemy ground on foot was so out of his element.