Chapter 3:
At sunset, the clouds to the west were aglow. The combined crew of the two airships gathered as the time came for the party to head into enemy territory. At least that was how Alexei and Ludmila described it. There had never been love between the Ottomans and the Russians, a few centuries had proved that. Now Alexei was venturing into their territory with several women of Helena’s crew. She wasn’t comfortable with the idea, but Alexei presented a compelling argument.
Helena wasn’t sure how the launch would reach the water. This was just one more surprise the Russian held until the last moment. It seemed he was addicted to making an entrance. A steam whistle sounded behind the bulk of the Kampfhund, and a new pillar of smoke moved behind the black airship. The bow of the launch
