Free Alien Devices: Tesla joins crew to prevent alien zombie apocalypse (The Secret War Book 2) by Raven Bond Page A

music.
    “Who's that?” he asked confused. Abigail looked at him, aghast
    “Who is that?” she echoed.  “Surely, you have heard of Jade
Summer, the poetess of new beat music! She is simply swinging is all!” Much as
the New Woman movement challenged society's conceptions of women and their
sexuality, younger artists had begun combining rhythms and music from the world
over to challenge society's conception of who they were. It was generally called
'beat music,'. The music was engaging and fun in Abigail's opinion.
    Jade Summer, English poet, cellist, and social revolutionary,
was one of the original figures of both movements. Leading an elusive nomad's
life, Summer's art had touched many of Abigail's generation through both the broad
wave and the sonograph. What the artist was doing in an establishment like this
was only to be wondered at. Abigail had never dreamed of seeing the artist in
person. Saira had begun to move and sway in time to the music.
    “I have heard of her!” Saira shouted over the din and then bent
her head towards Abigail's.  “Do not mind Captain Will, he is a Proper Major in
some ways!” Abigail was surprised to hear modern beat slang from the Hindu Arms
master and grinned widely at her. Will shook his head at them both.
    “Alright, I admit that I don't listen to the broad wave that
much,” he shouted at them to be heard over the din. “Can we focus on how we
find this Madame Chang, or her office?” Abigail stopped moving, feeling chagrined.
    “I am sorry Will. It is just that I never thought I would see
her in person. It is a pleasant surprise. I wonder what she is doing here? You
are right though.” Abigail peered through the smoke haze. “We should probably
move towards the back of the hall. The more private areas will be back there.”
    The three of them had just begun to move through the people
when suddenly the man-mountain from the front entrance appeared before them.
Will's hand crept towards his gun. 
    “Madame Chang would like to speak with you,” the mountain
growled in a deep voice. Exchanging a look with Will, who nodded, Abigail
replied for them.
    “Of course,” she shouted. “We would be honored to meet our
hostess.” The giant looked at her impassively. 
    “Just you,” he pronounced.  “They stay.” Will spoke up quickly
at this.
    “No,” he shouted over the din.  “Where she goes, we go.”
    “Absolutely,” Abigail agreed. “My companions must come with me.”
    Still looking impassive, the mountain looked down at them for a
moment then grunted.
    “Follow,” he said shortly. He turned his back on them and moved
solidly forward through the crowd of revelers.
    The giant parted the gaily dressed crowd like a great ship
moving through the waves of a strange ocean, the three of them trailing in his
wake. Abigail heard Jade starting to sing “Absinthe Makes My Lover Grow Fonder”
when they reached the other side of the hall.
    The large man led them past a series of plush divans where
masked revelers where engaged in intimate couplings in groups of three or more.
Saira leaned close to Abigail.
    “I have no idea that toffs had this much fun,” she said in her
ear.
    “It's early in the evening yet,” Abigail replied dryly. “It's
sure to be livelier as the night progresses. Then there also more private rooms
here I'm sure.” Saira looked at Abigail with surprise.
    “And here I thought that you were shy like most English mud
feet,” the Arms Master said.
    “Compared to those here, I most certainly am,” Abigail
retorted. “I have only been to such places with very close friends, I assure
you. When not listening to the music, we used those private rooms I spoke of. Here
we are, I think.”
    The giant had stopped before another red-curtained alcove,
flanked by two well-armed men. One of them twitched the curtain aside to reveal
a door. Turning to see that they were still following, their giant escort
opened the door to a landing with a tall