Undercover

Clockwork Nessie, Part 17

“This is a map of the inner caverns of the mountains around the loch that separate us from the ocean. Hundreds of years ago, the water level in the loch was much lower. Dog Island would have been at least ten times its current size. The entrance to the caves was at water level, allowing easy passage for a small vessel. The hidden chambers attracted seafaring types of a less than scrupulous nature.”

My brows shot up. “You mean like pirates?”

“Aye, those too, but mostly Vikings. The men were a bad lot who amassed a great fortune in their raids. They hid it and themselves in the caves. But, as thieves often do, they eventually turned upon each other. The last of the notorious marauders of the Northeastern Scottish coast, a man named Rathburn, hid his treasure in these caves so well it was presumed lost forever.” He tapped his finger on a point on the map. “This is where we are.” He traced a line to the upper right side of the map. “This is the North Sea and to the east is Norway. Following the Scottish coast south before crossing the sea, we arrive at Germany, Belgium and France. Plus tis always wise to have clandestine escape routes should we ever find ourselves at war.”

“So you and my father have been hunting for Rathburn’s treasure?”

(To Be Continued) 

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)