Traveler

Clockwork Nessie, Part 16

Robert pointed to the creature’s head curled around the rafters. “That’s also a viewer.” He then lowered his finger to point to a console in a cockpit area of the pod. “The head reflects images through a series of mirrors and prisms to … there.”

“But… how did you get her from the coast to Dog Island?”

“Nessie’s a submersible, my dear Lizzie. Some two hundred meters beneath the surface of Loch Ness is the opening to a series of tunnels that empty into the cave.” He rapped his knuckles against the metal exterior of the pod. “At high tide, Nessie can put out to sea. She is seaworthy enough to pilot along the Scottish coast, provided she’s stockpiled sufficient coal to burn or has access to a supply during her voyage.”

“Which she mines herself, right? I saw her… you.”

“Aye, that she does.” Robert leaned against the capsule, legs crossed at his ankles.

“But why? Why a submersible? Why build it in the shape of a sea monster?”

He launched himself toward me and took my hand. We walked to the far left side of the space to a table with what looked like a spread-out map.

(To Be Continued)