The Navy yard was a place of thriving activity at all hours with thousands of workers busily erecting and repairing ships in massive, cemented and wooden dry-docks. They also constructed armaments for all the military men who resided in the vicinity and employed them. Although slowly coming into it’s own in the last decade, the neighborhoods beyond the Navy Yard were hardly a sight for sore eyes. While the Yard itself was run by a strict chain of command, the neighborhoods did little to honor their heritage as a Naval region. There was a stark contrast between the cleanliness of the ports and disorder of the streets to passive observers. Merchant ships were not allowed in the Navy Yard and commerce was driven out of the vicinity, leaving many piers and docks idle. These sections and crumbling warehouses had served their time for the present, and were left to rot in neglect.

Susan awoke in darkness surrounded by the pungent odor of the East River and the ominous noises of creaking wood and water lapping against the abandoned piers. It was the sound of distant ship bells and echoing voices of the more rowdy Irish town residents that awakened her fully. The chloroform solution Drake had used on her was highly effective. She still felt woozy and didn’t know how long she had been unconscious. Susan tried to rub the bump that had formed on the back of her head but her hands were wrapped with a rope. Her arms were strewn behind her back and she was bound to a small and uncomfortable wooden chair.

Her lips and throat were parched from the salty air and also from apprehension. She didn’t know how long Drake was going to keep her here, or if he would even keep her alive. She tossed her head back to control her tears, but they fell unbridled down her cheeks.

‘You foolish woman! Why didn’t you listen to Phineas? Then you wouldn’t be in this mess!’ She thought forlornly and angrily at her herself.

Susan craned her neck to remove the cricks in her muscles and gazed about. Slivers of moonlight allowed her to see where she was. She was trapped in a small, abandoned dock house far from the hub of activity. It was empty, save for a crooked table with an extinguished oil lamp and empty box of matches on top.

‘You got yourself into this, you will get yourself out!’ She thought wildly.

Susan was not about to become a helpless victim to Voyager Drake or his cronies. She twisted her hands through the binds, forcing herself to ignore the burning sensation on her skin from the dry ropes. The knots were tight, but her wrists were slender. She cupped her hand and fingers tightly and slowly tugged it out from the binding. Her right hand was soon free and she smiled as the rest of the ropes loosely fell from the other. She wriggled herself out from under the ropes around her chest and slid her body down off the chair with a gasp of relief. She clutched her arm; her dress fabric had rubbed heavily against the small whip wound she had received. The blood from it had dried upon her sleeve.

Susan staggered to her feet. Dizziness overwhelmed her and she nearly tripped as she fumbled for the doorway. If anyone were to catch her now, they would think she was an inebriated stenographer who had wandered here from one of the flophouses. She shoved herself against the wooden door, but soon realized they had put up a wooden block on the opposite side. There were windows in the dock house and she scurried to one of them and tried to force it open. Her next idea was to use the chair to smash it, but it was too late. She watched fearfully as the door rattled and the knob turned. She heard two voices on the other side. It was Drake and his wicked partner.

Susan backed away toward the chair and in a desperate attempt to thwart them, raised it over her head. She crouched in the darkness as they entered.

“I’m tellin’ ya, triple D, let me handle it. I know how to operate the caisson…believe me. It’s already filling up now, but we have to be quick about this before anyone else realizes.”

Drake peered into the house with his lamp and his eyes flared with surprise.

“Where is she? I told you to let me do the binds, you imbecile!”

Susan took her chance. She sprang from the corner with the chair and in a swift movement, struck Mikey across the shoulders with the chair legs. The chair smashed against him and fell to pieces. Mikey let out swear words and was knocked off his feet. Susan raised her skirts and raced past Drake down the pier. She made an attempt to scream, but Drake was on top of her in an instant. He clamped his moist hand over her mouth and they tumbled to the dock, hard. Susan struggled for her life, trying to cry out. Drake yanked her hair loose from its disheveled bun and dragged her to a standing position.

“You think you’re so slick, don’t you, my dear? I see your self-defense training at the Academy served you well…but you are no match for me!”

Drake shook her hard, but refused to move his hand from her mouth. All Susan could do was glare at him in hatred with a tear-stained face. Her body was growing weaker with pains. He had hurt her. Drake growled and called toward the dock house.

“Mikey! Get up and let’s go, we have to get her to the dry-dock immediately!”

-Oo-

Jeffrey had been horseback riding many times, but he had never rode so urgently in his life. Phineas proved to be a master equestrian and maneuvered Blaze expertly through the cobblestone streets and alleys Jeffrey told him to cut down. The wind whipped around him and he closed his eyes and shielded his face in Phineas’ back. The first stop at Susan’s apartment proved fruitless. Her landlady, Mrs. Holly, was bowled over at the sight of Phineas, but told them that she had never returned home that evening. Jeffrey knew she was the tittle-tattle kind. Mrs. Holly was sure to have the news spread up and down the neighborhood that a dashing and heroic suitor came to Susan’s door demanding her whereabouts. He hoped it didn’t cause a scandal for her.

Phineas was growing more vexed and restless by the minute; he had one more stop to make, The Voyager Academy laboratory. He knew that at least a handful of engineers would be wide-awake, tinkering with the omnichron parts and mapping out schematics. When they rode up to the building, it was mostly darkened, but Phineas had his eye upon some of the lighted windows in the lower floors. He kept Blaze situated out front.

“Jeffrey, I’ll only be a minute! I need to get something very important.”

“Can I come?”

“No, just watch the horse and stay on her. I’ll be right back.”

Phineas didn’t let the boy protest anymore and took off toward the rear of the building. He approached the window to the laboratory and rapped quickly upon the glass. He heard movement from inside and a large shadow came up from behind the shades. The window opened and Voyager Bobby Peters thrust his head out. He had his reading glasses and disheveled attire on, and a thick book in hand. He tossed the book aside.

“Bogg! Crikey! What are you doing here? Come in!”

Phineas stared gravely at the tall, young man. “Bobby, there’s not much time to explain, but I need the brass omni! It’s vital!”

Bobby’s gray eyes went wide. “But Phin, it’s not finished! It’s capabilities can only take…”

“Trust me, I know where you are with it! It’s all I need! Please, I’ll return it with haste soon. I have to go to the Navy Yard…I have a terrible feeling that Voyager Drake has done something to harm Susan.”

“NO! Not Susan!” Bobby slammed the sill and shouted, and then lowered his voice. “What’s he doing taking her to the back of Bourke? Why, that dirty Bushranger! When I get my hands on him…”

Phineas grasped his arm. Bobby could easily fly into vengeful rages. “Bobby, please, just give me the omni! I’m handling it!”

Bobby raced away from the window and returned a moment later with the gleaming brass model in hand. He handed it to Phineas.

“I don’t have to tell you to take good care of this one…but more importantly, you make sure Susan is safe!”

“Yes, that's my priority. Even if I can’t capture Drake, he’s not working alone. He has one of the Hester Street boys on his side…maybe all of them.”

Bobby cracked a wide smile. “Not all of them…I hear tell you are just about a pater now, Phin! Good for you.”

Phineas hid the omni within his coat and bowed. “Just about…look, can you do something else for me?”

"Name it and it's done yesterday!"

"I want you to tell any of the Voyagers that are on the police force to be on an extra sharp look-out for Drake...specifically in lower Manhattan and around downtown Brooklyn and the Navy Yards. I have a feeling he is planning a hostile take-over of the Academy."

“That Drake is cunning as a dunny rat! But we’ll get him. I’ll alert them now!”

“Good, catch ya later!”

Phineas jogged around the building toward Jeffrey. The boy perked up when he saw him.

“Did you get what you needed?”

“Yes! Now we have to get to the boat! Grab on tightly!”

“I know that! You were already racing before.”

“Are you kidding? That was just a trot. This is racing!”

Phineas cracked his whip in the air and Blaze galloped with even greater speed in the direction of South Street, where his boat was docked. They arrived within fifteen minutes and Phineas jumped off the horse. He pulled Jeffrey down. He quickly led Blaze to the Harbor Master’s quarters and knocked on his door. An elderly, weather-beaten man opened up with white hair and watery, blue eyes.

“Harold! I need you to keep an eye on my horse…perhaps overnight. I will pay you for the services.”

Harold put on his glasses and gasped. “Why…Phineas Bogg! I haven’t seen you round here in a long time...though I know you lost yer feel for the ocean after all the tragedy...still.. I’ve been keeping the Sonora mighty spiffy for ya. What be your rush, boy?”

“I have to get to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and meet a friend. Is the boat in working condition?” Phineas demanded as he gave Harold some money.

Harold was pleased with the amount and did a quick count. “Of course! Brings me lots of business ya know…but she’s all yours. I’ll bring ya horse around back for ya, give her some vittles.”

“Thank you!”

Jeffrey was lingering at the edge of the pier and Phineas waved to him. He pointed out his vast, dark painted schooner. Jeffrey gaped in wonder at it, counting over ten full sails. They were already raised and the boat was geared up for travel.

“Come along, Jeff! We must hurry!”

-Oo-

Drake and Mikey dragged Susan across the harbor until they reached the abandoned dry-dock number two. This particular dock was out of commission for a few months because of a faulty caisson wall. Drake felt it would be a perfect place to hide Susan’s body. Susan stared into the mucky depths of the curved aperture, and watched horrified as East River water poured into it from the caisson’s automatic valves. Mike yanked her out of Drake’s hold and was ready to push her off, but Drake slapped him and pulled her away.

“NO! I’m going to bring her down…she’s still a lady after all…”

“Well, you better hurry yaself up! It only takes forty-five minutes to fill the depth and it’s been fillin’ for over fifteen. Someone’s goin’ to come sooner or later!”

Drake tugged Susan down the cement stairwell. She resisted the entire time, but her mouth was gagged and it was trying for her to scream for help. Drake walked steadily toward the front end where the walls curved upwards to support the back hull of incoming ships. Water lapped and splashed against their feet. He pushed Susan onto the cement and crouched alongside her, making sure her hands were tied more securely.

“You see, I’m being a gentleman about this and keeping your hands in front. That will afford you a little more time...though it may only give the illusion that you would survive. I’m sorry it had to end it this way…but you know my credo…the end justifies the means. That old goat Garth told me the only cause I serve is my own…but it’s a wonderful cause!”

Drake grinned malevolently and pulled out a bottle of vodka from his inner jacket. He opened the top and took a swig, then poured the rest of the contents over Susan. Susan burst into tears and thrashed about as the stinging alcohol poured down her face. He calmly lit up a cigar, clipped the end tip and placed it in his ivory holder. He took a long drag before addressing her.

“We can’t have anyone think this was something more than a foolish, drunken accident, now can we?”

Drake kissed her forehead and stood up. He dusted off his coat and pulled at his ears.

“My! Now I understand why the caisson pressure can be deadly to a man after a while, my ears are already popping! Goodbye Sweet Susan!”

As Drake and Mikey made their get away, Susan cried out with all her might. However, her frantic shouts were drowned out by the pumping water. Susan attempted to scramble up the wall while still on her backside, but it was too slippery. She slid down and thrust out her boots to halt her body from sliding directly into the water. Her soles slid against the soaked cement and her legs fell halfway down into the water. Susan threw her body backward and tried to push herself up again, but she only found herself sinking further into the deadly pool. She glanced upward, hoping to see if anyone was approaching the rim of the dock, but she only glimpsed the night sky.

-Oo-

Had the situation not been so dire, Jeffrey would have enjoyed the brisk sailing trip. Phineas told him that he named the ship after his mother. Jeffrey discovered yet another fantastic attribute about Phineas, that he was an excellent sailor with full command and knowledge of the vessel and it’s parts. That wasn’t hard to believe, given Phineas’ nautical upbringing. The schooner coursed through the river as if it were on wings. Jeffrey supposed it was the way the sails were positioned, until he was let in on a secret. Phineas had also installed a small, motorized rudder, which ran on a slew of large, dry cell batteries from within the hull. Phineas steered the boat away from the naval ships and toward the abandoned docks. He ran to the dock and hopped off, hastily tying the ropes to the post. Jeffrey followed uncertainly, glancing around. The Navy Yard was huge, with many places to hide a hostage. He pulled Phineas’ jacket.

“Bogg, how will we know where she is? How do we know if she’s even here?”

Phineas tugged the last rope. “I’ll have to go with the bowline knot…it’s faster…believe me, boy, I know it…I have this horrible feeling in my gut that she’s here somewhere.”

Jeffrey backed away from him and raised his hands. Phineas was a man on a mission and so far, his instincts were correct. With his boat secure, Phineas raced down the pier onto the mainland. He scanned the Yard, hoping to catch a glimpse of one or both of the perpetrators, when Jeffrey suddenly called out.

“I see him! I see the man! That’s the man I took the pocket watch from!”

Phineas whipped in that direction to see Drake trying to catch up to another person. It was definitely his form making haste away from an active dry-dock. Without a word, Phineas broke into a fast run with Jeffrey sprinting behind.

“Stop, Drake!” Phineas commanded.

Drake came to a halt and staggered forward. The rat Mikey had practically left him behind and picked up speed when he heard Phineas shout. Phineas dug into his pouch and pulled out a small copper globe. He crouched down and rolled it swiftly across ground. It bounced along until it came to a stop near Mikey. The boy turned and stared at it in confusion. Suddenly, two bursts of steam blew out from concealed holes. The acrid smoke billowed into his nostrils and he gagged and clutched his throat. Mikey fell to his knees, gasping, his eyes watered and he could barely see before him.

Phineas grasped Jeffrey by the arm. He reached behind his back and pulled out a pair of cuffs.

“Go over there the moment the smoke clears and put these on him. Don’t delay; otherwise the effect will wear off! Can you do that?”

Jeffrey gripped them tightly. “Yes! I can get him!”

Phineas shoved him forward. “Good boy! Go now! I’ll handle Drake!”

Jeffrey sprinted away toward Mikey. He covered his nose as the smoke dissipated and was forced to swallow his fears. Mikey was choking and had fallen upon his back with his hands over his throat. He was moaning that he was going to die. Jeffrey took the opportunity and pounced on his chest, knocking the wind from him further.

“I wish you would! But Bogg is a man of honor, he wouldn’t kill deliberately!”

Mikey’s face contorted in rage.

“You! You little gutter wretch! I’ll kill you with my bare hands!”

"Not if you can't use them!"

Jeffrey slapped the cuffs upon his wrist and Mikey put up a struggle when he tried to grab the other one. Jeffrey drew back his fist and rammed it into his jaw. Mikey fell back, stunned.

“That’s for Jimmy!” Jeffrey cried out, feeling overwhelmed at his own heroics.

The punch had hurt his fist and he hoped he didn’t break any knuckles. He secured Mikey’s other wrist into the handcuffs and turned him on his stomach. Jeffrey didn’t know what else to do, so he sat upon Mikey’s back to keep him from escaping. He gazed up and watched in amazement how Phineas took a flying leap into Drake’s midsection and forced him to the ground.

Drake gazed into Phineas’ blazing eyes with a triumphant grin.

“You’re too late, Bogg! Precious Susan is probably drowning at the bottom of the dock right now. This is my first victory, and there will be more!”

Drake rose up and shoved Phineas off him with a sudden burst of force. Phineas' gaze diverted toward the gushing caisson with alarm. Phineas bounded to his feet. He swung his arms behind his coat and revealed the circular blades. They whirled to life and he stooped low, running with them across the dock and splintering the wood in half. Drake slipped and the planks beneath him wrenched apart. He fell into the river with an angry shout. It was not yet the end of the wicked Voyager, but Phineas had to let the mad man go this time. Phineas shut off his blades and took a running leap. He landed onto the soil with a tumble. He rose up and ran to the outskirts of the dry-dock a few yards away. Jeffrey didn’t want to be left alone with Drake on the loose and after kicking Mikey he rushed after Phineas.

“Wait for me! I’m coming too!”

The noise had drowned him out and he clamored toward the edge of the dock, nearly slipping until Phineas yanked his collar and dragged him back. Phineas fell to his knees and peered into the darkness below. He cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted.

“Susan! I'm here! Answer me!”

When he received no response he tried over and over until his voice grew hoarse.

Susan was literally up to her chest in the murky waters when she vaguely heard a familiar voice calling down to her. She looked up and saw a figure lying halfway over the dock’s ledge and waving down. A surge of strength enveloped her. She raised her arms and shook them, trying to scream as loudly as she could through the gag.

“Phineas! Phineas! I’m down here! Help me!” She pleaded, eventually just letting out unintelligible shrieks and shouts to get his attention.

Susan endeavored to stand and reach higher toward him, but the waters were too deep. She lost her footing and with a final scream fell into its depths. Phineas clamored to his feet. He had seen her, and now she had fallen. Guilt sliced him as he realized he might have hastened her death. He tore off his coat and rushed to the stairwell.

“Bogg! Don’t! It’s suicide!”

“You stay up here, Jeffrey!”

Jeffrey attempted to jump in front of him and Phineas pushed him down.

“Outta the way, boy!”

“But, Bogg, you can't!”

“A Voyager doesn’t leave a fallen comrade!”

Jeffrey refrained from stopping him again. The poor young woman was dying before their eyes and he was blocking Phineas’ rescue. Would he have wanted someone to do that to him? Would he have denied his parents the help, even if it seemed hopeless? The answer was a resounding no. He turned away briefly, awash with guilt. He felt Phineas grasp his shoulder reassuringly and looked up at him with bright eyes.

"Hurry, Bogg! Save her! I know you can save her!"

Phineas smiled at him and then ran down the stairwell two at a time and when he was close enough, dove into the water. Jeffrey rushed toward the edge again and when he didn’t see him, he screamed out until he was red in the face.

“Bogg! No! Where are you!”

-Oo-

Phineas rose up from the water with a gasp. Through the darkness and muck, it was hard to see his way. He noticed a figure struggling a few yards ahead of him. It was Susan and the water was overtaking her. She was trapped within a straight, narrow channel between the curved walls. Susan kicked her legs furiously to keep afloat, but she was weakened. Just before the waters engulfed her, she saw Phineas swimming furiously in her direction. She raised her arms again to alert him of her position and then sank.

Phineas plunged beneath the rushing waters and forced his way toward her. The pressure was intense, as they were already thirty feet below sea level. He couldn’t give up on her. Phineas came up for a quick burst of air and then dove under again in the spot he had last seen her. He waved his hands around trying to feel for any extremity he could, when his arm brushed her sleeve.

Susan was still alert, trying to keep her eyes squeezed tight and her mouth clamped shut. She was nearing the bottom of the dock and her lungs ached. She all of a sudden felt an arm flit past her blouse. She opened her hand and faintly wriggled her fingers, hoping that Phineas wouldn’t miss her. Her heart burst as she felt his strong fingers clasp through hers and then he started to pull her up against him. He had not given up on her.

Phineas needed to surface, the heaviness of the water and their clothing was weighing them down. With one arm he hoisted Susan up and she frantically tossed her arms over his neck. They floated for a moment and Susan nuzzled her head upon his chest, She had full confidence in him. He sensed her body growing slack as the last of her air was nearly spent. Phineas grimaced and reached for his belt. He unlatched his grappling gun and poised it over his head.

Jeffrey was on his knees rocking and crying. He had lost sight of them both and it seemed like forever had passed. He wanted to run back to Phineas’ home and jump into the time machine to go back…but where would he go and how would that help to save them? He had no clue how to adjust the machine. He heard a bunch of loud and angry voices coming toward him. The night crew had finally realized there was a major problem. One of the sailors wrestled Jeffrey away from the rim.

“NO! My friend is down there! He had to help her! She was drowning! Let me go!” Jeffrey tearfully begged.

Before the man could dispel his story, a long cable shot out from below and a set of metal talons sprung into the air. They opened and landed upon a red crane beside the dock. The workers watched startled as the talons gripped into the metal. The wire went taught and two drenched figures appeared to fly into the sky from the depths. Jeffrey’s head shot up and he let out a shout of joy. He gathered Phineas’ belongings and ran away from the edge. The workers ran around attempting to stop the flow of water before it started to flood the entire Yard. The rest of them all followed after the two flying people.

Phineas had to keep his hold on the clamp. There was only one way to land without killing themselves. He judged his distance and swung himself and Susan adjacent to the crane. He released the clamp before they could sway backward onto dry land and the talons unhooked and enclosed themselves. The wire streamed into the grappling gun and Phineas and Susan once again plunged into the river. Phineas let the gun sink, but he also lost his hold on Susan. She had thankfully not fallen into unconsciousness and the trip through the air stirred her senses while she took in heaving breaths. She struggled for him, but with her hands still bound she started to sink. Phineas' reaction was quicker this time and he pulled her to the surface with speed. He swam her toward a pier and lingered for a moment to catch his bearings.

Susan gazed at the heroic Voyager with large, sad eyes. Her mouth trembled from fright and excitement. Phineas' heart went out to her as he imagined the terror she experienced from Drake. The vicious Voyager had escaped capture again, but Phineas vowed to find him. He would not get away with this cruel act against the woman he cherished. After he removed her gag, she rested her head upon his shoulder.

“Ph…Phi…Phineas! You…you found me! My darling! You saved my life!”

Phineas gently caressed Susan's face and brushed away her tears with his thumb when she looked upon him again.

“I would do anything for you, my Susan…I knew you were in danger. I had to come.” He mustered out.

Susan broke into sobs. Phineas wrapped his arms around her shivering body and hugged her closely. She placed her arms over his neck. He compulsively lowered his face and ran his lips across hers. Susan responded favorably. His full and reassuring kiss softened her trembling and it lingered, passionately…fervently…until they heard Jeffrey calling for them.

Furious dockworkers and military men that had heard of the damaged caisson were chasing him down and some even bore arms. Jeffrey glanced over the pier. He cried out, seeing neither Phineas or Susan. Surely they had died. He fell to the planks defeated, ready to let the dockworkers catch him. Suddenly, Phineas’ hand thrust up from the water and seized his arm.

The dockworkers and soldiers rushed to where the boy was and scratched their heads in utter confusion. The water beneath the pier lay undisturbed and they hadn’t seen him fall in. There was no sign of the two people who flew out from the dry-dock. It was if they all disappeared into thin air.

End of Story 2. To be continued in the 3rd Installment, 'Prisoners of Time: All the time in the world'