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When they got close enough, he jumped out of the raft, pulling it the rest of the way into the weeds. “You got me off that rig like she wanted. And…you’re still going to help me with the mission. We just have to save Emma too.”
    The sheriff of Gravestone nodded in understanding. “They’re going to take her to the jailhouse in the square. It’s actually pretty close to the clockwork control room and I’ve already arranged for a carriage to take us there.”
    “Then lead the way.”
    Up and over a hill on a grimy side street, they found the carriage. It was tipped on its side and empty. “Looters.” Beatrice took out her pistol and scanned the area. “We’ll have to go on foot. Keep in the shadows and stay close.”
    Tripp followed the curvy blonde. They stayed in the alleyways and moved from one trash heap to another. A rat ran over the tip of his boot when they finally stopped. “This place smells as bad as it looks.”
    Beatrice pointed at the open space ahead. “That’s the square.” It was a patch of bricked ground encircled by tall, decaying buildings. In the center was a platform with a guillotine. Venders pushed carts around while small groups of people shopped in the dismal atmosphere.
    “And where’s the jail?”
    She pointed to a dilapidated structure in the corner. “The building isn’t the problem. It’s the guards.” As she said this, giant robots marched past the alley where they hid.
    “What the hell are those?” Tripp couldn’t take his eyes off of the mechanical monsters. They were at least ten feet tall, with what looked to be cannons for arms. “It’s a tank on legs.”
    “Those are just a few of the clockwork soldiers. The guards are smaller versions.”
    “And this self-destruct plan? Will it take them all out?” The importance of their mission became more and more clear.
    Beatrice shrugged. “That’s what we’re hoping. There is a control center in the basement of the military building—over there.” She pointed at a large stone structure with metal bars on the windows.
    “I’m supposed to get in there?” Tripp quickly realized Emma was safer in prison than participating in this suicide mission.
    “The location of the control center is top secret. Our Intel tells us there’s an easy entrance in the back with little support. For what it’s worth, I think we should shut the clockworks down before attempting to free the Madame.”
    They moved in the shadows and stayed close to the roaming shoppers as they made their way to the military building. Following a vender into the side alley, they soon came across the alternate entrance. A clockwork guard lay slumped on the ground beside the door. It had been shot and its inner wiring had been torn out. The vender moved along.
    “Someone’s already here.” Tripp moved in front of Beatrice. “Give me a gun. I’m going in first.”
    He moved with lightning speed. This job was the only thing keeping him from Emma and nothing was going to stand in the way; including the two other clockwork guards that had already been taken out. Who could be doing this? Are they here for the same reasons? His mind raced with possibilities.
    “Tripp.” A soft voice came from a room to his left.
    Emma? He raised his gun and went in without another thought. She was propped up against another dismantled guard. Her hands were bleeding, each clutching a handful of the guard’s severed cords.
    “It’s about time you showed up.” She offered him a faint smile as Beatrice came running into the room.
    “Ma’am.” The Sheriff had already ripped her shirt in an attempt to make bandages.
    Tripp went over to Emma, gently helping her to her feet. “We thought you’d been captured.” He stroked away her wayward curls and kissed her tenderly on the forehead.
    “Your friend, the professor, came up with an ingenious plan. He met me on the boat and offered to help.” She handed Tripp a package wrapped in newspaper. “He said if the