A strong wind is coming

"It's a little early, but we have to take off now. Something's come up." Lupin looks at us with a serious expression as we gather around.

"What's happened, Lupin?" I ask.

"Could it be... the wind?" Doreen asks.

"Wind?" I ask.

"The wind is weak now, but it shows signs of becoming stronger. Perhaps even storm is brewing." Doreen says.

I look up at the skies.

Everything is still so calm...

"What?! That's not good! The Ornithopter can't fly if the wind is too strong!" Nemo says.

"Should we cancel the plan?" I ask.

"No... We need to wrap this up before the wind picks up. The mission is already in motion. We can't leave the others behind." Lupin says. I nod in agreement. "Let's go over our steps. Victoria and Van Helsing are likely in the battle on that train as we speak, after which they are to disengage the rear car. While those two attract the attention of the guards, Nemo, you, and I will close in from the sky in the Ornithopter. Nemo will remain in flight to secure our escape route. We'll cut the car the leader is in off and pull it to the branch line. Doreen, once the target arrives, you'll need to secure her. You're in charge of our escape in their automobile."

"Leave it to me." Doreen says.

"Nemo, is the Ornithopter ready?" Lupin asks.

"Of course! It's in amazing condition." Nemo points to the large winged machine sitting in the moonlight. An Ornithopter... A small airship that flies by flapping its wings at high speed... "You look like you doubt me. Like, 'Are you sure you can fly that thing if the wind gets stronger'?"

"N-No... That's not it at all." I say.

"Seeing is believing. I'll show you by actually flying it." Nemo says.

"Then... Let's get going." With Lupin's words as a signal, we quickly board the Ornithopter.

We all manage to get on, but...

"It's so cramped." I say.

"Hey... Why's this thing so small?" Lupin asks.

"This is only meant for one occupant. It can barely accommodate two, so of course it's gonna be cramped with three." Nemo says.

"...Could you built a three-seater model really quick?" Lupin asks.

"Yeah, I'll get right on that." Nemo says.

"Y-You two...! Stop shoving." I say.

"I suppose this is no time to mess around. Nemo, let's take off!" Lupin says.

"Aye-aye! Hold on tight! It's time to take the two of you on a delightful in the sky!" Nemo says.

The machine shoots out a blast of steam, and its wings begin to flap. Suddenly, the machine lifts off the ground!

"It's flying, Nemo!" I say.

The wings start going faster and faster, with tremendous ****.

"This flying machine was created by the world's most brilliant engineer, me! Of course it's going to fly!" Nemo says.

Despite her confidence, the machine suddenly tips, nearly throwing us out into the air.

Lupin reacts quickly and grabs me. "Whoa, whoa! Nemo, can't you control this thing a bit better? We're going to fall out before we get to the train!"

"Like I said, I made it to seat one! It'll stabilise when it gets up to speed, so just hang in there!" Nemo says.

"I'm hanging on!" I say.

"All right, let's go!" With Nemo's shout, the Ornithopter picks up speed.

It flies through the air, cutting through the night sky at great speed.

"Nice...! This piece of junk is doing pretty well today!" Lupin says.

"I'll not have that slur used against my machines! Whatever Captain Nemo builds is always incredibly stable!" Nemo says. I wouldn't call this 'incredibly stable', but for now, the Ornithopter, is travelling at an unbelievable rate. It shouldn't take us long to catch up with the train. I catch sight of the railway below us. Then, I see a lone rail car sitting by itself on the tracks. "Aha... There it is! That must mean our **** team is doing well!"

"Looks that way! Let's follow them!" Lupin says.

However... Only a short time later, Lupin and Doreen's prediction is unfortunately true. The weather takes a turn for the worse, and a forceful wind hits us.

My sense of equilibrium is thrown because of the intense turbulence.

"Gah... Come on, come... on!" Nemo desperately tries to control the Ornithopter, which is being shaken every which way by the wind. "Hey, Lupin, where's the train?! We're going to crash before we reach it!"

"We're almost there! You have to keep going!" Lupin says. We hear the train's whistle from far off. A tiny light shines ahead on the dark rails... That must be the locomotive. "Nemo, can you get us closer?!"

"I'll do what I caaaaaaaaan!" Nemo goads the Ornithopter into more speed, and little by little begin to close in on the train.

I hear the powerful noise of the engine.

Finally, Nemo draws the Ornithopter parallel to the last train cars.

However, we can't go further ahead.

"The car we need to break the connector on is up ahead! Nemo, go faster!" Lupin says.

"We've already at full speed! I can barely keep up with the train!" Nemo says.

As they go back and forth, I hear a gunshot from within the train. "That was... Van Helsing's shotgun!"

"It would seem there are still some guards onboard." Lupin says. "We don't have a choice, Nemo...! Get us as close as you can to this car! We'll take take care of the rest!"

"Right...! Guess it's time to reveal my secret weapon!" Nemo presses a button on the control stick and an intense blast of steam shoots out of the rear of the Ornithopter. The Ornithopter picks up speed, propelled by the **** of the steam. "This won't last long! Jump off when you can!"

"All right! But...with this wind, we won't be able to count on Nemo for help. Monsieur, you stay behind." Lupin says.

"No! I'm going with you!" I say. "You need every last bit of help you can get, the way things are going. We're already shorthanded. And... You trained me. I promise, I'll be useful."

"Hah. That's a pretty speech. I won't stop you, then. Come on!" Lupin holds me tightly to her.

I relax my body, trusting myself to her hands.