Captain Clockheart, Lexi and Gadge wriggled and struggled but were unable to escape from the cuffs and chains suspending them from the ceiling.
“We’re only here for our cabin boy,” said Captain Clockheart. “Give up Pendle and we’ll be on our way.”
“Yes, of course, your cabin boy,” said Mr Swift. “Tesla, bring in the one they call Pendle. Faraday, come and say hello, too.”
A pair of identical mechanical soldiers stepped out from behind two pillars. One had its arms wrapped around Pendle, the other was pointing its gun at the pirates.
“Captain?” said Pendle. “You shouldn’t have come. He means to kill you!”
“He wouldn’t be the first to try that today,” said Captain Clockheart, letting out a gassy chuckle.
“How remarkable,” said Mr Swift, stepping closer, “you have even learned how to replicate human emotions.”
“Swift, you scurvy scoundrel,” said Captain Clockheart. “When I get my iron hands around that pink little neck of yours, I’ll squeeze so hard you’ll wish you’d never made us.”
The inventor clapped his hands together excitedly. “And what colourful language. Unfortunately for you, my Electrical Soldiers may have something to say about that. They’re designed to follow my orders.”
“WE WILL OBEY,” said the soldiers.
“There’s that word again. Electrical…” Lexi’s word-wheel whizzed around. “What does it mean?”
“It’s new,” said Swift. “Unlike you lot, who are looking very old, if you don’t mind me saying. If I’d known you were going to run off to sea I’d have made you out of something better suited to a sailor’s life. Tesla and Faraday are made from the finest steel.”
Pendle struggled. “You think you can control these things, but don’t you see that once you have given something life, it is out of your control?”
“Everything looks under control to me,” responded Mr Swift. “I can give life and I can take it away. Now, for the final time, what happened in that kitchen back at the king’s birthday party? What did Pendle do?”
“You can’t make us talk,” said Captain Clockheart.
“No, but I can do this.” He clicked his fingers and Tesla stretched Pendle’s arms wide, making her cry out in pain.
“Just tell me what I want to know and this ordeal will be over,” said Mr Swift.
“It was me!” squawked Twitter. “It was me!”
“Be quiet,” snapped Mr Swift. “I’m not interested in this talking pet.”
“Actually Twitter is correct,” said Lexi. “Back in the king’s kitchen, he put thoughts of freedom in my head. He loosened the captain’s valve and he wound up Mainspring. I don’t know how, but it was Twitter who freed every one of us.”
“The parrot?” Mr Swift grabbed a pulley and lowered the cage until he was eye to eye with Twitter. “You mean to say that the bird is responsible for all of this chaos?”
“You call it chaos,” said Pendle. “We call it life.”
“I don’t care what anyone calls it. It’s time for it to end.” Mr Swift opened the cage and grabbed Twitter by his neck.
“You’ve got your answer. Leave him alone,” protested Pendle.
Twitter flapped his wings and tried to peck Mr Swift, but his grip was firm. “I have part of my answer. Next I will need to take this bird apart cog by cog to learn how it was made. You see, I must ensure the loyalty of my army. The king won’t want them unless I can guarantee they will stay faithful.”
“WE WILL OBEY,” the two Electrical Soldiers said.
“Don’t hurt Twitter,” screamed Pendle.
“He’s a machine,” snapped Mr Swift. “Machines don’t feel pain. They don’t feel joy. They don’t feel anything.”
“I don’t know about that,” said Gadge. “I feel pretty fed up right now.”
“I know exactly how you feel,” said Captain Clockheart. “And I feel like sorting this mess out.” He swung his legs back then rocked forward and kicked the chain attached to the cage that had held Twitter. It hit Mr Swift and sent him reeling. As he tripped, he released Twitter, who flapped his wings and flew out of reach.
“Quickly now, Twitter! The locks!” yelled Captain Clockheart.
“Electrical Soldiers, destroy them. Destroy them all,” ordered Mr Swift, as he scrambled to his feet.
“WE WILL OBEY,” replied the soldiers.
Tesla pushed Pendle out of his way then joined Faraday in taking aim and firing at the pirates.