Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

The Trident

At Dorsal Finn library, the metal box retrieved from the drop pod sat innocuously on the reception counter, subjected to the curious gaze of its six liberators.

They had found out quickly that the lock on the box was unconventional: a circle with three holes, two at the top and one at the bottom, creating an inverted triangle.

‘I could get an FBH from me van to open it,’ Dennis offered.

‘FBH?’ Elmo asked. ‘Sounds major.’

‘To you it means Flippin’ Big Hammer,’ Dennis laughed.

‘Very major,’ Elmo concluded.

‘Now, now, Dennis,’ Maud said. ‘We don’t want to be man-handlin’ the box an’ messin’ with its innards now, do we? Kid gloves are needed if we’re goin’ to make sure nothin’ that ain’t already broken stays that way. ’

‘I guess so,’ Dennis said after some thought.

Agnes was quiet and distant.

‘What are ye thinkin’ Agnes?’ Maud asked.

‘I can hear Klaus again,’ Agnes said. ‘He’s so faint but he’s there—that voice of his, strong and wilful. But I can’t und