This man was far more dangerous than Captain Napoleon. An undercurrent of ruthlessness flowed from him. Albert stood petrified with fear. He had just watched Harris being led off, possibly to his death. Harris’s presence reassured him he was not alone. In a strange country, dependent on Izumi to translate, Albert was trapped. Now standing in the vast throne room, while Emperor Meiji waited, for a few moments his brain refused to function.

Squeaking wheels echoing down the hall broke through his panic. As the cart loaded with his mechanical dragon turned into the room, Albert commented, “I can grease those wheels and add steam power. More efficient and less disturbing.”

“Another time. But that would be helpful.”

His dragon was lifted from the cart and positioned on the floor facing the emperor. It did not look intimidating with blank eyes and gaping mouth. If anything, the device looked comical. Albert ran his hands over its gleaming skin. In several places, he felt ripples in the metal. Someone tried to pry it open. Knobs and levers were also turned and flipped. Relieved to discover this was his steam powered model, he chose not to comment about the snooping.

“I will need several pitchers of water and some hard rolls. I don’t think you want me to fire off bombs like we did on the ship. Also, my tool kit. It’s the black bag. A few things broke loose in transit and require adjustment.”

Meiji stared at him with dark, penetrating eyes. He smiled suddenly and nodded. The lie was accepted.

Albert maintained a calm expression, but fear made his stomach quiver. He glanced down to break the contact and stroked the metal leaves.

An out of breath servant entered the room and dropped to his knees in front of the emperor. With nose to the floor, Albert’s black bag was shoved forward.

“I set up a relay system. Each man runs as fast to the next, trades off, and keeps going. I do not like to wait.” The emperor nodded at one of his guards who picked up the bag and dug through it. Finished with inspection, the man bowed. At Meiji’s wave, he handed the bag to Albert.

“Can a table be brought over to spread my tools and parts I have to remove?”

While an ornate table was brought into the room, Albert started unscrewing metal pieces. He lost track of time as he worked on the dragon. A couple of removed pieces had to be bent back into shape. There were a few clockwork mechanisms out of synchronization. He methodically reset them.

In the background, Emperor Meiji held court and transacted government business. Albert ignored the people entering and leaving the room. His concentration focused on putting the device back in working order. He bent over to do the last adjustment and opened the water tank. His hand reached out for a water pitcher and only encountered a hot teapot.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Need several large pitchers of water.”

A servant gave a nervous glance at the emperor who was busy talking to his advisor. “So, sorry. Thought you wanted to drink. Brought tea. I hurry.”

Albert nodded his understanding and poured himself a cup of tea. He stood sipping it and nibbling on a roll from the plate beside him.

The emperor approached and asked in a soft menacing tone, “There is a problem?”

“No. Just told them I am ready for the water. Then I can turn it on.”

The squeaking cart returned filled with sloshing jugs. Albert poured water into the tank and closed the lid. In the background, he heard Meiji clap his hands and the sound of scurrying feet as people left the room. Pushing the button to initiate a spark and start the heat reaction, he waited. A small whistle of steam indicated the dragon was ready. It would be amusing to see the man’s expression when hit in the face with a roll, but not a good idea. No telling how the man would react. Using a lever, he turned the dragon around to face away from the emperor.

“Turn it back. I want to see how you control the device.

Albert slid the lever sideways and forward. Sending out puffs of steam the dragon spun around. Next, with a twist of a knob, all three heads rotated and eyes focused. He pushed a button and gapping mouths sent out bursts of more steam. “I have chosen to call it ‘Metallica’.”

“Impressive.”

“Built on a larger scale, a man could ride it like a horse and control the levers and buttons.”

“Emissary Tamako mentioned your demonstration.”

“Yes. For him, I used live ammunition, but in here, these rolls will be safer.”

He loaded them in the tubes of each neck, punched a button, and bread flew out. The projectiles hit mirrors, tables, and a vase almost toppled over. A guard at the door stoically got one in the face but did not flinch.

“Adjusting the neck height like this, you can change the range.” Albert dropped in more bread and slid another lever. This time they shot out at a higher angle. A couple cleared the open door and hit windows in the outside hall.

“Superb! May I shoot some?”

Servants removed all vases and stood at attention. Albert stepped back and pointed to each button and lever in sequence.

When the last roll hit his reflection in the mirror, Meiji asked, “How does it work?”

“Powered by steam. I push this button, it creates a spark that ignites the engine, which in turn heats the water, and builds up steam. The water must be checked and filled to this level.” Albert lifted the tank’s lid and pointed to a notch.

He poured in more water and punched the spark button. As the steam built up, he showed the emperor how to control the mechanical dragon. Metal feet slapped on the tile floor as it stomped around the room. Its metal tail swished side to side. Steam flared from all three nostrils.

The emperor took over operating the machine and walked it around the room. “You said, a bigger one can be ridden. How big?”

“Maybe twenty feet tall. I will need to gather metal supplies and have a place to work. A heat source for shaping the cogs and wheels. On this larger scale, I can’t do it alone and require Harris back to help me.”

“The workshop is prepared, and your crates are there already. My men are prepared to help. You can have Harris back when I am finished with him.”