throat. "That is an Austrian Stormwalker, is it not?"
"And carrying the Hapsburg seal," Dr. Barlow said.
As Alek translated for Volger, he remembered Klopp's plans to disguise the palace guard walker. But somehow a fresh coat of paint had never seemed terribly important while they'd been running for their lives.
"Explain that we're political opponents of the emperor," Volger said. "And that he's seized the war as an opportunity to get rid of his enemies. We aren't deserters. We had no choice but to run."
As Alek translated this into English, he marveled at Volger's quick thinking. The explanation was not only believable; it bordered on the truth.
"But who exactly are you?" Dr. Barlow asked when he was done. "Household retainers? Or are you Hapsburgs yourselves?"
Alek paused for a moment, wondering what the Darwinists would do if he told them he was the grand-nephew of the emperor. Take him back to England as a war prize? Publish the story of his escape as propaganda?
He turned to Volger. "What should we tell them, Count?"
"It might be wise," the man said in a hard whisper, "not to address me by rank."
Alek froze for a moment, glancing at Dr. Barlow. Either she hadn't heard the word "count" or she was too clever to show it. Or maybe she didn't speak German after all.
"Tell them we prefer not to discuss such a thing with foreigners," Volger continued. "Suffice it to say that we are neutral in this war. We certainly have no grudge against a shipwrecked crew."
Alek translated this carefully, thankful he'd been practicing his English with Dylan.
"Most mysterious," Dr. Barlow said.
"But certainly hopeful." The male scientist leaned forward. "Perhaps you can help us. What we need is quite simple: food. Lots of it."
"Just food?" Alek frowned.
"This is hardly some dead Clanker machine," the man said pompously, as if repeating a catechism. "The ship can heal herself, if we can just feed her enough."
Alek turned to Volger and shrugged. "He says all they need is food."
"Well, then. We'll give it to them."
"We will?" Alek asked. "But just yesterday you - "
"Your foolishness has given me a chance to reconsider," Volger said. "As we planned our attack this morning, they sent carrier birds aloft. Calling for rescue, no doubt. And worse, the Germans might be looking for them."
"So the sooner they leave this valley, the better," Alek said, feeling his humiliation fade a bit. If his reckless trip across the snow had forced Volger to help the airship's crew, perhaps he'd done the right thing after all.
"Besides," Volger said, "they'll want us to trade something for you, my annoying, useless young friend."
Alek glared at Volger, who smiled placidly back at him. He was only playing down Alek's importance, of course, in case Dr. Barlow could understand them. But Volger hardly had to relish it so much.
Alek gathered himself, then said in English, "We're happy to give you food. What kind does your ship need?"
"Raw meat and fruit are best," Dr. Barlow said. "Anything a bird would eat. Sugar and honey are useful for our bees, and we can dissolve starches, like flour, in the gastric channel."
"But how much?" he asked.
"Six or seven tons in all."
Alek raised an eyebrow, trying to remember what an English ton was. Almost a thousand kilograms? God's wounds, this was a hungry beast.
"I'm afraid we have no ... honey. But lots of sugar, meat, and flour. Will dried fruit do?"
Dr. Barlow nodded. "Our bats are very happy with dried fruit."
Bats? Alek shuddered a bit as he translated for Volger.
"Your little expedition is getting expensive, Alek," the wildcount said. "But we can spare it. And in return we'll take you away from here - now."
Alek faced the captain. "We'll trade you the food for my freedom."
The man frowned. "We'll be happy to send you home, of course. Once we have the food in hand."
"I'm afraid you'll have to release me now." Alek glanced at Volger. "My family will stand for nothing less."
Dr. Barlow was smiling. "Their concern for you is touching, Alek. But there is one problem. Once you're no longer our guest, that walker could easily destroy us."
"I suppose so," Alek said. He turned to Volger and said in German, "They want to keep me as insurance."
"Offer them a trade. Me for you."
"I can't let you do that, Volger. This is all my fault!"
"It would be difficult to argue with that," Volger said. "But we'll need two skilled pilots to move that much food."
Alek frowned. He suspected that the real reason was to keep