Harris found some ball bearings light enough for Metallica to spew out. He was now fastening targets to the deck railing. Albert checked everything to make sure nothing had slipped out of place. He chose to shoot behind the steamer to lessen the wind resistance.

Tamako followed by Izumi and two bodyguards strolled toward them. “I heard you made another demonstration yesterday.”

“I was testing my adjustment, hoping to achieve more endurance on the power source. We can walk the deck with it later, after my presentation.” Albert did not wait for a response. He turned to the metal dragon and started flipping switches and pushing buttons.

Harris stepped away from the targets and ducked behind a post.

Tamako’s guards remained at a distance from him to keep curious observers away.

The first volley of ball bearings fell short. Albert adjusted the height on each head and released more.

“Bulls eye!” he announced. Confident of the range, volley after volley was then released until the targets were in shreds.

“Superb! Your device is all I hoped for. When we reach Japan, you must build a life-size model,” Takako commented.

“As you can see, it must be controlled by hand. Maybe with the larger model, a man can ride it like a horse and direct the actions.” Albert pulled the string to build up the energy again. He released the spark to ignite the unit and start the steam reaction.

Harris pulled down the shredded targets.

“Shall we walk?” Albert asked.

At Tamako’s nod, his guards closed in behind him.

Albert held onto a lever and the metal monster moved forward.

They promenaded along the deck. Passengers cheered as they passed.

A little girl called out, “Timmy said it shoots out bread. Can I have some?”

Busy with adjustments on his creation, Albert ignored everyone.

“I don’t like all this attention.” Tamako glared at the watchers. His guards closed in tighter around him.

Albert pulled the string to build up a spark. Before releasing the charge, he checked the water tank. It was running low. This would be the last burst of steam before refilling with water. Holding onto a lever, he turned the machine around.

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“Power source is getting low; there is only enough left to go back to my workroom.”

Their return journey looked like a parade with Albert walking beside Metallica, accompanied by the emissary, his bodyguards, and Izumi. Harris followed behind the two giant men. Passengers formed a line after them, mostly pointing and whispering among themselves. One boy broke through and petted the metal dragon but was quickly jerked away by a guard. Harris poked the man in his back before he could pitch the child aside. The guard growled and opened his fist to drop him.

Arriving at the metal door to their work area, Harris moved forward and opened it for Albert and the dragon to enter. He then nodded at the group and closed the metal door. “Phew! That was some demonstration.”

“Yes, everything worked as planned. I need to design a larger water tank, though.”

“Maybe, instead, a giant dragon with a massive tank?”

Albert already bent over his drawing, looked up to grin at him. “I had that thought, too.”

Harris twisted the lever and maneuvered the metal dragon to the side. He was covering it with a tarp when knuckles rapped on the door. Assuming it was probably Izumi, he cracked the door open and peeked out. A heavy foot kicked it back. Harris took the full force of the metal door and was knocked against the wall.

Albert turned as a can with a lit fuse rolled toward him. “Bomb!”

The explosion picked Albert up and threw him across the room. His head hit the floor with a hollow sound before everything went black.

Someone was groaning. The noise bothered him. He tried to sit up, but a blinding pain shot through his head. Albert fell back, and the groaning started again.

Harris’s voice woke him a second time. It sounded like he pleaded over and over, “Timmons, come back to me.”

His quivering fingers reached out.

A firm hand grasped his. “Good you’re awake.”

‘Where am I?”

“Infirmary of the ship. You took the full force from the explosion.”

“How long?”

“Two days.”

“Who did this?”

“Mr. Gimpy and his buddy, the one he shot. They used a homemade device. A tin can packed with gunpowder, scraps of metal, and sealed with a fuse attached. When they kicked the door open, it blocked me from the explosion. You were not so lucky. Your head sounded like a hollow drum when it hit the floor.”

“The ship?”

“It is fine, the hull was not breached. The explosion took out a steam engine, but we worked day and night to get it running again. Until then, we were dead in the water.”

“Everything is hazy. Can you turn on a light?”

“They are on. Your lack of focus is part of the head trauma.”

Albert swung his legs over the bed’s edge and tried to stand. A sharp pain in his head caused him to stiffen. The room swirled.

Harris’s strong hands caught him and eased Albert onto the bed. “Take it easy. I’ve seen this happen in the war. Your eyesight will return but may take a couple of weeks.”

“War? What war?”

He ignored the question and lifted a glass of water to Albert’s lips. “We reach port in about a week, so be prepared to be a little unsteady while disembarking. You might need to be carried.”

“What about the dragon, the…?”

Harris gripped his hand to stop him. “Everything is fine. Only you were damaged. Izumi is in the room and has her herb tea. That should ease your pain and help you sleep.

“I will not be carried off the ship. I will walk!”

Harris laughed, “Good. I knew the feisty Dr. Timmons would surface and fight me. So, for the next two weeks, rest and heal. Unless you want me to sling your body over my shoulder and carry you down the ramp.”