Author's note: The US actually did shut down one of its code breaking ventures because, according to then US Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson. "Gentlemen do not read each other's mail." Also, as is becoming my mantra, yes, I am taking liberties with historical figures, and British titles and addresses are slightly different from there to here. So with that in mind, sit back and enjoy!
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As the leading scientists and engineers of Germany, Great Britain and the United States cooperated in Edison's Moon Project (and, incidentally, deepened the ties among those three nations), it should be noted that not all the denizens of St. Lucia came from nations that were prospering in these heady times, or necessarily had the best interests of some or all of the three partner nations at heart.
At the time, the United States was still somewhat puritanical in its outlook on intelligence gathering, although President Grant's newly established Secret Service, with operatives such as James West and Artemus Gordon, was proving useful. Still, the United States had no government spies on St. Lucia. J.P. Morgan, however, had hired a contingency of Pinkertons to keep a stealthy eye on his investments, and the East India Company employed a few individuals whose job it was to look behind closed doors and into locked curios. In addition, Great Britain and the German Empire both had dispatched spies to keep a lookout for trouble. Although all four groups operated independently, there was a certain amount of unofficial cooperation among the four groups, and a list of "persons of interest" was shared by all.
Heading that list of "persons of interest" was Claudette Dubois and Consul General Kido Aritomo.
Officially, Claudette Dubois was the guardian of eighteen year old Marie Olivier who, depending on your source, was the daughter of a major or minor noble, legitimate or 'natural', of the now defunct Second French Empire. In France, the National Assembly was in turmoil, Paris was in the hands of the Commune, and whether the French would find themselves in the hands of a monarchist or republican government by year's end was anyone's guess. Claudette and Marie lived in a small cottage, depending on a stipend provided by the British government and donations from British aristocrats who did not wish to see a fellow noblewoman wanting. Marie, a dark haired, brown eyed woman possessing the physical traits favored by this story's main protagonist, James Davidson, was innocent enough (or so it was presumed), but the powers that be suspected Claudette of being an agent for at least one of the major factions in France and possibly Czarist Russia as well.
Officially, Kido Aritomo was the consular general for the Empire of Japan, which was, thanks to the Meiji Restoration, dragging itself into the nineteenth century. Japan had opened a consulate in St. Lucia since the island was becoming a major commercial, industrial and scientific center. But it was an open secret that Aritomo was there as the eyes and ears of the Emperor into the Moon Project. Aritomo had been a naval officer educated in England, and was a man who could move easily between his old world and his new one. Aritomo had left most of his family at home, though he had brought his youngest son, eleven year old Akihiko, to expose him to western influences. Acting as Akihiko's governess was his eighteen year old sister, Kumiko, who had had an English tutor, but was in many ways the stereotypical shy, young Japanese maiden with doe-like eyes that Westerners picture when they thought of Japan. (Oddly enough, Kumiko also possessed the physique favored by Mssr. Davidson, i.e., petite, trim, "stacked", and with long, dark silky straight hair).
Both Aritomo and Claudette would be watched carefully that night, as both would be at the pre-launch party at India House. Young Akihiko was disappointed that he would not be able to attend, as he relished every chance he got to meet the ethernauts, and hoped someday that he could become one. Akihiko took solace, though, that he would be present for the launch of the Prometheus tomorrow.
After some consideration, Aritomo and Claudette decided to allow their female wards to attend, with the strict instructions to keep within sight of their guardian, and to keep their eyes and ears open. For what, neither Aritomo nor Claudette elaborated. But a young ethernaut might let something slip in a conversation with a pretty young woman that he might not repeat in front of her parent/guardian. Such opportunities could not be missed.
And at India House, preparations were being made for that night's event
The official celebration was, of course, in honor of tomorrow's launch of the Prometheus. But there would be a 'small' corner of the celebration set aside in honor of the birthday of the head of the ethernaut corps, James Davidson.
A number of people would be very happy to see James' birthday and his participation in the Moon Project celebrated. He was a favorite of the British delegation, both commercial and governmental, and his friendship with Lord Brent was seen as symbolic of the growing ties between the United States and Great Britain. And other individuals wouldn't have minded establishing closer ties with James Davidson as well.
Especially one Lady Sarah Brent.
Like a number of the women on St. Lucia, Sarah had entertained romantic notions about the dashing young ethernaut. Sarah was, however, realistic about the near non-existent chances of those notions reaching fruition. She had even said as much in a conversation with her brother a few weeks ago.
"Sarah, dear," her brother had started the conversation, "you know, if you ever thought of establishing a more ... er, hum ... permanent liaison with Mr. Davidson, I'm sure mother and father could be convinced. Oh, I'm sure they would make a fuss, especially mother, but James is a man with prospects, as father would say. He's done, and is posed to do, both Country and Company a turn of good, and one can hardly dismiss a man mentioned favorably in The Times."
"Don't be silly, Willy," Sarah said with an affected laugh that masked the pang she felt at what she knew was a false hope. "Even if I had inclinations of that sort, Mr. Davidson would prove as rigid on matters of rank as any Peer of the Realm. Mr. Davidson sees me as above his station, and thus above his approach."
"James is an American, Sarah," her brother countered, "A breed that can be as republican as any blood crazed Froggy."
"James is a gentleman, Willy. He may consider himself your equal in one of your flying contraptions, but trust me when I say that our Mr. Davidson will not let such a notion cross the mortar of his honor. Now, let us change the subject of our discussion to a less ridiculous proposition."
In truth, Sarah wished she could have entertained the notion of being married to James, but station was station, and both she and James had to honor their respective positions in life.
At the moment, Sarah was in her suite of rooms at India House, as her maid, Kalyani Gupta, helped her get dressed. Kalyani's family had worked for the Brents in India for generations, and Kalyani had been Sarah's companion, servant and friend since both were little girls.
"So how do I look, Kalyani?" Sarah said, spinning around.
