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"Oh, for goodness’ sake, Sophronia, cut me down, do? My arms have come over all numb"

"Riddle me this, Monique," Sophronia responded "How dark are yourthis journey? Did they file it with the controllers, or do we risk our lives on every new stretch of track?"

Monique would have shrugged if her shoulders hadn’t already been up by her ears "That’s why they have signals, isn’t it?"

"That’s a very lax attitude when hauling valuable equipment on an important covert mission"

Monique looked away out the , past Soap and into the gray countryside "Little do you know"

"So why don’t you tell ing mechanicals? Is it only to discredit the Pickle on? You realize society would cruo that far I’ve been living without their use for almost a year I assure you, human staff are perfectly serviceable Perhaps not quite so strong, but better able to follow co off point "Why ‘Rule, Britannia!’?"

Monique looked genuinely confused "What are you on about?"

Monique had either gotten better at playing duIt hadn’t been na co the end result? But that idea didn’t sit right; so it with only one crystalline valve?" Sophronia persisted "I thought the technology meant you would need one for each ain and shook her head "I assure you, Mr S the necessary, with the syste that they were talking at cross-purposes If anything, Monique seemed as frustrated with Sophronia as Sophronia ith her Monique would enjoy avoiding questions and being difficult, if she knehat Sophronia wanted Clearly, she didn’t

Monique returned to griping "Really, Sophronia, I knew you were thick, but how can you be on their side? Don’t you realize how dependent we have become on mechanicals? How lazy and slothful"

"For certain, Monique I can certainly see you washing your own laundry Making your own tea Dusting your own china"

Monique alrowled "No, you idiot, not that! Who controls the overnment? We have allowed them too much power We have allowed them too much control"

"Funny, there are many who say exactly that about vampires It’s all a matter of perspective"

Monique actually squealed in annoyance "And you have the wrong perspective Letto spot you"

"Who is?"

Monique’s gaze fixed on the side for near Soap "Too late," she said "Too late"

Sophronia, although she knew it could be a trick, turned to see what Monique was staring at

Out of the clouds, a little to the front of theible Noastoward them

"Outrun them," advised Monique "Get away now, Sophronia Shovel coal as if your life depends upon it, because your life just hten me Who are they, anyway?"

"Flyway, the British Navy? Get away now! They aren’t going to take this lightly, and they are going to think it’s co"

Sophronia only said, "I think they’ll see reason, if I explain hter "My dear, even you are not that persuasive You do knoe have been doing, don’t you?"

"Messing with mechanicals"

Monique shook her head "Silly child"