It took significant more discussion and negotiation to convince Crankshaft, but he eventually agreed to transport us to Koala Lumpur. I pressed him to leave as soon as possible, knowing that my mistress would dislike any undue delay, but he insisted on one final trip to check on some project of his prior to our departure.
“You will come too,” he announced. “That way you will understand the importance of my work.”
I begrudgingly agreed, but pushed for him to make his trip a few days earlier than he had planned. He set to preparing the submersible, which he had named the Hippocampus, while I returned to inform Madame Fog about our plans. She was so pleased at the news that I saw a brief smile cross her face. Unfortunately, she also immediately expressed interest in accompanying us on the preliminary trip.
Nonetheless I convinced her to stay, concerned about her safety...
I acceded to her desires, and the next day we boarded the Hippocampus...