“Put them over there”

Now onboard the steamship, porters delivered the six boxes full of Albert’s equipment. Lined up in the suite, there was only enough room to walk around.

“Hope I can find the sofa,” Harris grumbled at the now full living area.

“Yes, and I want table access, also. Your ‘benefactor’ came through again. This two-bedroom suite with an adjoining living area will give me room to work. The steward said maybe a month to cross the Pacific. My time must be productive.”

Harris stretched out on the sofa. Glancing at the boxes, he said, “I feel like we are in a fort.

The hall buzzer rang.

“Don’t get up, I’ll handle this. You look too comfortable.” Albert opened the door. A delivery boy stood there with a huge basket of fruit. He gave him a tip and placed the fruit on top of a crate.

“Who sent it?” was his friend’s lazy question.

“Father, or at least it is signed, ‘The Admiral’.”

“Probably, Roosevelt.”

“It says,

Albert, so you are off on a great adventure. Keep in touch.

Father”

Harris stood and snagged an apple from the basket. “Roosevelt has extra protection for us on the ship. They will contact me by code.”

Albert paused and stared down at his drawing. He stood bent over it, lost in thought. “Hmm. No, that’s not right. It needs to be here.”

Two hours later, Harris’s stomach rumbled. “The ship is underway. Dining room should be open by now. Don’t suppose we could eat?”

“Yes, just one more modification.”

“The last one took 2 hours. We go now, later you can draw all night.”

The gurgle from Albert’s stomach caused him to laugh. “Certain wisdom in that. But, before we go, there are a few things I want to take with us. They were packed in box #3.”

With a sigh, Harris stood and untied his knot. Lifting the lid, he glanced inside to discover strange lumps wrapped in paper and cloth.

Albert stood opposite him and reached in. He unwrapped a cloth. A weird looking gun emerged. “This is for you. Neat invention. I call it the ‘pulser’. Pull this string several times to build up a charge. This button releases the spark. Guaranteed to disable an assailant for a few seconds. Here, let me show you.”

He pulled the small ring, extended the string, and then released it. A spring rewound the line. Albert repeated this in rapid succession. With a mischievous grin, he reached across the box and pressed the device against Harris’s arm. The gun sent off a blue spark.

His friend’s eyes widened with surprise. Off balance, he tripped backward and landed on the sofa.

“Works every time. A good deterrent against an attacker.”

Harris leaned on the box and stood. In a raspy voice asked, “How many times do I pull this?”

“I’ve done charging upwards to five times. That’s what this was set on.”

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“Can I try it?’

Something in Harris’s tone warned him. “Another time. The gun belongs in this holster and fastens on your wrist. Oh, and here is an extra set of spectacles. I keep mine in my coat pocket. Made with different colored lenses stacked on top of each other, mine saved me on Napoleon’s ship. You can see in the dark with them.”

His arm shook as feeling came back. With an unsteady hand, he shoved the spectacles in a pant pocket. The weird gun and holster were cautiously set aside.

“Now this is a little bulky. It’s an emergency escape balloon.” Albert started to lift out a heavy object.

“Maybe later. We need to find the dining room.”

“You’re right. Ah, here it is. What I really searched for. My emergency door lock. Keeps unwanted visitors out.” He pulled out something that resembled a mechanical spider the size of his hand. A small wooden pipe protruded from its top. This was removed and dropped in his pocket.

Ties straightened. Shirts tucked in. They slid on coats and prepared to leave. In the hall, Albert turned and stuck the spider-appearing device on the doorknob. He used the pipe to whistle a short melody. The spider’s legs contracted and wrapped tightly around the metal knob.

“It also sends out a spark if anyone touches it. Kind of on the same concept as the gun.”

Harris glanced down at his arm. The holster fit snugly up his sleeve.

“Don’t worry, the device will not discharge on its own. Just be careful how you lean on the table.” Albert laughed at his shocked expression.

The corridor was quiet. Harris commented, “Not many people return to Japan. Those that do travel first-class. The dining room should be busy but not crowded.”

Albert stopped in the doorway and glanced around the room. Skylights with intricate glass patterns spread across the ceiling. Chandeliers glowed with the help of Edison’s inventions. Each table was set with gleaming silverware on top of a white cloth. The effect seemed boring by its sameness.

The head waiter approached them, his name tag said ‘Naples’. “Mr. Harris you are to sit at the captain’s table, over here. Captain Marcus received a telegraph from your father. They are old friends. He made sure special foods were stocked for you. And Dr. Timmons, a great honor to have you with us as well.”

When seated, a trolley was wheeled over filled with covered dishes. Each was placed on the table and their covers removed. The last platter to be placed was a huge steak. Travelers at other tables stared at them in awe.

A large, red-faced man beckoned to Naples. “I’ll have the same as that table.”

“Sorry sir, that was the captain’s special meal. Only served at his table.”

Harris waved the waiter toward him, “The captain?”

“He is unable to join you. Maybe at dinner tomorrow night.”

“Give him my thanks, and also, compliments to the chef.”

Albert finished the last piece of steak and scooped another helping of mashed potatoes on his plate. Harris had long ago finished and observed with amazement the massive amount of food his friend consumed. Albert leaned back and sighed.

“Dessert, sir.” A waiter with the name tag, Dominic, stood beside them with giant slices of chocolate cake.

“Later, in our cabin along with a fresh pot of coffee.”

“I will refill your cup, now.” He poured the steaming liquid and at the same time slid a piece of paper under the cup.

Harris slipped the message into his hand and tasted the coffee.

“Secret admirer?” Albert questioned.

“No. Maybe my contact. Let’s walk off this food along the deck. I will read it then.”

The Japanese Emissary passed their table followed by the geishas and the guards. One of them glared at Albert. He held his fist tight to his chest.

Albert grinned. “I think my door lock worked. I gave it a few extra pulls.”

Izumi bent down and listened to Tamako for a moment, nodded, and approached Albert. “Emissary Tamako requests you join us for dinner.”

“Please give him our apologies. As you see we ate already and are rising for an after-dinner stroll.”

Her eyes glinted with anger at his refusal.

“By the way, when will you let me examine the mechanical dragon? I need to inspect it to continue developing my plan.”

“I will convey your message.” She walked off with body held straight, not with her usual graceful stride.”

“Ever wonder just who is in control? Izumi or Tamako?” Harris asked as they stepped outside. He stopped next to a window. In the light from the room, he read the message.

“Tamako, it is a male dominated society. But Izumi knows where all the bodies are buried and maybe added a few to the group. What does the note say?” Albert asked.

Roosevelt sent me. I am your contact. Meet me on deck B by the aft stairs. 10:00 tonight. Important news.

Dominic

“Seems straightforward for me. The guy is your contact.”

Harris tucked the note in his pocket.

Closer to the time of the meeting, Albert watched his friend stick an extra pistol down his boot, and a knife in a holster tied across his chest. “I’m going with you,” he announced.

“Alright, not too close and stay behind me in the shadows. Something about this meeting doesn’t feel right.” As a last precaution, he strapped the pulser to his right wrist and pulled the sleeve over it.”

Albert rummaged through the box and pulled out more of his devices. The see-in-the-dark glasses he dropped in his coat pocket. The derringer went into the other.

Harris calmly walked out and down the hall. A few minutes later, Albert reattached the pulser spider to the doorknob and followed him.