“No wait, zat hazn’t bin tezted yet!” Doc’s voice rang out.

“There’s no time, Doc! I can’t let this fall into the wrong hands. If your theories are good, I’ll be fine. If not- I’ll never know what hit me.”

Cursing erupted behind me, but I knew what I was doing. I leaped outside and gritted my teeth against the cold.

The prototype engine was lighter than I expected. I slipped the harness on and pulled the straps tight. Above me I heard the heavy thrum signalling an oncoming dirigible. The Reds weren’t on their way- they were already here!

A spot light pinpointed me from above. I tried to shake it off of me by changing my direction. Ahead I could see the dark maw of Last Chance Gorge. They would never expect me to go there. I pushed down the fear, doubt, and panic that rose as the lip of the edge approached. One step away, I sank down as low as possible and sprung out, letting momentum carry me into the void.

My thumb found the button and I cheered as the engine sputtered to life- and then died.

I fell.