‘Free the manta? You’re mad,’ said Maggie.

‘I know,’ Jupiter moved around the edge of the water court, eyes on the grounded skyship. ‘But you share this madness? Don’t you Maggs?’

The presence of the tortured manta pulled at him, like an ache he could not reach. But he knew where the nakharavi — the manta lay within its skyship prison.

The boom of unseen the gharumal sounded long and deep as it echoed around the fortress walls. Jupiter could see from the angle of the tow rope from the black skyship, the huge creature had stopped close by. Did the tow beast sense unease now it had come so close to the torture victim?

In the old ship’s dead heart, lay its centre of mass. There the zharaqsa powered flight engine lay shrouded amongst the decaying bones of the wooden vessel. Jupiter remembered the raid on the flight works with Gan. That poorly manned wreck on Zenska had been easy for them to invade. Defence forces had been distracted by the rebels attacks on Vanukam, and the threat the rebels posed to the skyship fleet high on pylons in Zenska’s port.

But when he and Gan had captured the zharaqsa they had maimed the Imperial Navy, and powered the rebels in turn.

This fishing town has less of the military presence that made Zenska the northern naval base, and yet…

‘Tamm. The garrison here,’ said Jupiter. ‘How big is it?’

‘Five hundred lankhaka — soldiers to provide relief and supply to passing skyships. They are not fighters. They are old, and nearing triaj. They serve in support.’

‘But still…’

‘Still formidable. And there will be a smaller force of young lankhaka trained and eager to prove themselves.’

‘It’s hopeless.’ But Maggie kept close to Jupiter as they moved along a colonnaded covered walkway.

The had skirted the side of the courtyard, and now examined the other flank of the skyship. A larger opening had been opened in the hull. At this stood two tall and powerful manisaur soldiers. Jupiter believed all Tamm said. The naval officer remembered his old life. That Tamm had become loyal to him remained a wonder.

But imprinting is dangerous. To hold such power over another is not right.

‘There’s no way we can get in,’ said Maggie as they drew back out from sight.

‘No. Not even by impersonating servants and an imperial officer.’

Jupiter’s eyes snapped to the black skyship just above the rooftops. Nothing had changed. The ache from the tortured manta on the ground throbbed under all he felt. It wearied him, muddied his thinking. And above, within the black skyship…

‘There are more mantas there,’ Jupiter said and he pointed an accusing finger at the black skyship. ‘They are uninjured, though uncomfortable out of water.’

‘They know we’re here.’ Maggie said.

‘Yeah. That is where the sense of hope comes from.’

‘It’s madness. But somehow they help the tortured manta. Together they ease its pain.’

‘And ours…’

‘What are you talking about?’ Tamm turned to them. ‘How do you know that?’

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‘Tulanvarqa. The mantas speak to us,’ Maggie said. ‘So close. But separated.’

‘You talk as Thalunashi — mystics of the word. I cannot…’

Breeze dropped to the ground. Tamm drew a knife. He readied to throw. Jupiter stayed his hand.

‘Together… Connexion… Tulanvarqa…’

‘Yeah dude. I get it,’ Jupiter said.

And he did. A flash of insight came to him then. A plan. Either from within, or from connexion, it did not matter.

‘I know what we must do,’ Jupiter said. ‘But first we need to get closer to that black skyship.’

‘But there will be two hundred crack troops on board. Not just the five hundred old soldiers on the ground.’

‘Tamm, this will work.’ Jupiter grinned as hope swelled within him. ‘Come on.’

He led them away from the water court, between the buildings and along a wide open-roofed lane. The way took them deeper into the crumbling stone fortress.

But Jupiter had a sense of the way. And a plan to execute.

In the slot of sky above, the bow of the skyship cut like a shadow through the brightening blue of the fresh morning. The line of the tow rope curved down behind the wall of the building ahead. Like an arrow it pointed Jupiter towards his destination.

‘Tamm. Give Breeze your knife,’ Jupiter said. ‘He’s got some climbing to do.’

‘No,’ Tamm said. ‘If there’s climbing I will do it. I am quevantaq. Your imp has but one thumb.’

Breeze gave an incoherent squawk but ran on beside Jupiter.

‘Alright then. Let’s find that gharumal.’

The wide space where the gharumal stood reminded Jupiter of pictures of European town squares. Even Piazza San Marco in Venice. The tall buildings on three sides, the fourth side opened to the bay, and the line of pylons that formed beginning of Qhawadha — The Way to the heart of the continent.

‘The fortress parade ground,’ said Tamm. ‘This is a dangerous place.’

‘No problem. We’ll be spotted,’ said Jupiter as he examined the skyship. ‘But who would imagine we could be a threat?’

‘How can we be?’ Maggie said. ‘Look at that beast. It’s huge. We’ll be squashed flat.’

The gharumal rocked back and forth on its thick column-like legs. Jupiter guessed that although larger than an elephant, the enormous beast weighed less. If these creatures were related to birds, and effectively evolved dinosaurs, their bones would be hollow, yet strong. Their lungs and breathing system more efficient. Their size deceived, but they did remain heavy.

A huge harness had been strapped about the beasts muscled shoulders, and while ballast bags bulged from its sides. The strength of the beast to carry the ballast, and to also tow the skyship astounded him. The gharumal stood at least twice, or maybe three times the height of an elephant.

Not that I know elephants very well, or at all. But definitely a lot bigger.

The gharumal lowed another mournful cry. Perhaps it too felt the pain, of its efforts, the weight, but also the nearness of the mantas.

‘What’s this mad plan of yours?’ Maggie said. ‘I have a feeling I’m not going to like it at all.’

‘I’m not sure I do either. But we have to try.’

‘So what? You’re our leader now.’

Guilt and fear jolted through Jupiter and he saw Maggie react as well.

‘Sorry. That did not come out right,’ said Maggie and she rested her hand on his shoulder.

‘Yeah. I know you know we know.’ Jupiter sighed.

‘Yes. And no one else has any idea of what to do. Let’s hear it then.’

‘If we can free that beast, it would distract the soldiers enough for us to perhaps…’

‘Wing it from there?’ Maggie said.

‘Yeah. Something like that.’

‘It’s a good plan,’ said Tamm. ‘I will climb and release the harness.’

‘Better. If you can cut the tow rope. But not that heavy ballast. That might help…’

Jupiter saw Maggie’s protest coming before she said anything.

‘Releasing one rope is better than dealing with the mess of the harness. Besides. Stage two…’

‘If there is one…’

‘There will be. Breeze. New plan. You’re on. I need you to get up that tow rope. To the skyship… mess with them. Do your agent-of-fate thing.’

Breeze bounced up and down. Jupiter had to grin. ‘Be careful though. Scared people are dangerous.’

Breeze bounded across the plaza. He drew the attention of the soldiers holding the gharumal and some rushed in pursuit. This left two remaining.

‘Tamm. Can you get onto the gharumal?’

‘I go now. I will release the tow rope.’ He strode off in the loping manisaur manner, his head rocking forward and back.

Not at all like a chicken.

In his military uniform Tamm fitted in with the rest of the now milling soldiers.

‘Now what?’ Maggie said.

‘Give it a minute. Then we’re going to join Tamm.’

‘You’re mad. How are we going to get up?’

‘We climb. There must have a way to clamber to the top of it.’

‘You think.’ Maggie said.

‘I know. Listen to the tulanvarqa. Something is helping us.’

‘I feel it. A sense of…’ Maggie laughed.

‘Yeah. Anticipation.’ Jupiter stepped away from behind the column. ‘Get ready to run… Go!’

And they ran. Not since the hunt had he run like this.

But this time I’m the hunter.