Chapter 2

"My apologies, it is common in London to refer to all Germans as Teutons regardless of what area of their ever growing empire they hail from, but the term is not used in a polite sense so I shall refrain from repeating it." Dr. Long says. "They attacked the train, what was their motive? Was there someone aboard who was the ultimate target? Are any of you aware of any passengers of status who may have been targeted?"

"I assure you Doctor that those 'savages' are kinder and more civilized than the Europeans that came to pillage and kill their ancestors. So you are quite safe here."

"Lady Fortingall? I am not acquainted with the lady." the doctor remarks. "Are any of her retinue to be counted among the survivors?" he asks.

When Napoleon makes his comment Thaddeus seems a bit taken aback.

"Come now, whatever your sentimentality toward the savages, civilization is measured by advancement and achievement. There is no comparison."

He interrupts the Doctor. "Forgive me, Doctor Long. We must decide in haste whether we want to try to make ourselves visible and stop the incoming train from Boulder City. Or do we wait for the Army to come investigate and seek their assistance? Either way, we have promised not to reveal the location of this dwelling of our hospitable saviours..."

He looks at his companions, gauging their intentions.

Napoleon snorts at Long's comment about advancement and achievement but does not press the issue.

"I think the plan is to find our way back to San Francisco. However we are still looking for the fastest and safest way to do it."

"with the severe damage to the railway, that route is out of the question for days, then. We could try find some horses. Hector, can we buy some mounts from your tribe?"

"Well if those towns are on the route to San Francisco, I'd say that's a good start. We can then restock in Kingman. I definitely have sufficient funds to buy at least one horse..."

"Would everyone want to to the trip to Kingman on foot or do we have the funds to send someone to come back with horses or a cart for the group?"

"It seems we do not need to be overly concerned with haste. Which way did the attackers head after the Lady was presumably taken? Aiding in the recovery of the Lady should be our utmost thought."

Napoléon did not like their odds for going after trained soldiers, or their airship, without numbers, planning or even proper equipment. For him, going to San Francisco to solve the mystery of the pouch was a much better move to identify the assailants and find leverage to exchange for the prisoners later.

In the gringo's defense though, nobody had mentioned the pouch to him yet. Napoléon would certainly not be the first one to do it. The superior imperialist attitude that the doctor was showing represented everything that went wrong in both his forefather's countries of Bas-Canada and Mexico.

For now, Napo hold his tongue afraid of letting out a sharp remark that would make things more complicated that they already were. Instead, he observes the group to have a better grasp of each individual priorities and discernement.