Bookworm walked to the elevator of Miss Solano’s warehouse. At this point, her men had grown used to seeing her, and understanding that there was now an alliance of sorts, so they continued their work, letting her make her own way to Miss Solano’s office.
Violet looked up from her desk. “Don’t wait on formalities, Hienrichs. Have a seat.”
Bookworm nodded, making something of a show of setting her rifle aside before she took the proffered chair. “Good afternoon.”
“The young man Leon get safely to you?”
“He did. I… wanted to thank you and your employees for rescuing him.”
“Well, they weren’t going to leave him to the wiggies.” Miss Solano smirked a little as she rose from her desk, joining Bookworm in the seating area.
Bookworm nodded. “Your men got a description of the airship?”
“From what I’ve been told, it’s large, has no visible gas bag, and propellers for lift, and, of all things, sails for maneuvering.” Miss Solano listened as Bookworm related the information Leon had given her on the ship’s armaments, nodding to herself over those points. “My captain’s doing his best to keep track of it.”
“Is there any place in particular it seems to favor? Or is it just traveling randomly?”
“It comes out over the sea at regular intervals to get water.” Vi paused. “If we got it over the Fells, we could cripple it with the cavorite ram. Rip some propellers and sails off of it. It won’t go down pretty, but better than a sea landing.”
“Mmm, yes. Easier access for us, too.”
“Other than that, your only option is an aerial boarding.” Miss Solano looked at Bookworm keenly. “And how are your men? I heard the hospital was attacked.”
Bookworm’s expression went rather stony. “We are… coping.”
Vi leaned forward intently. “Hienrichs, I’m only going to say this once. Prometheus needs to die – not just be arrested. Alive, he’s still a danger. I know such an idea is against your delicate morals,” and her voice veered toward a rather sneering tone, “but it’s true.”
“I’d prefer not to,” Bookworm replied levelly, “but I’m well aware it may well be necessary.”
“How many militia bodies are lying in the morgue?” Vi asked vehemently. “How many more do you want to pile up?”
Bookworm bit back a comment about how many militia bodies Miss Solano’s men had put in the morgue, though it was very difficult. “I don’t operate under the ‘eye for an eye’ ethos,” she said firmly.
“At this point, Hienrichs, it’s not about an eye for an eye. It’s for the greater good of the city. How soon before he starts to burn whole neighborhoods to make his point?”
“I am aware of these issues. We will stop him–one way or another.”
“There is only one way, Captain. And you know that.”
“We will see.” Bookworm rose from her seat. “Do let me know what more you learn about the airship.”
“All I can.” Miss Solano was back to her more insouciant tone.
“Thank you.” Bookworm turned to leave, before something was said that could shatter this fragile alliance. But Vi had one last thing to say. “Hienrichs – remember you don’t have the option of wrong decisions.”
Bookworm picked up her rifle from the doorway. “No one is more aware of that than I.” With that, she left, heading back to the hospital.
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