“Wait a second!” Mick, who had remained quiet at Alec’s side this whole time, jumped to his feet and pointed at Henry. “Why is he so fired up about getting the machines out of the city? It could be part of their plot to steal them!”

“That is a good question,” Alec said.

“They’ll tear the city apart to find those machines because without them, you have no revolution.” Henry shrugged slightly. “Really, even with the machines you haven’t much of one.”

“Then what’s that going on out there?” Colin asked, gesturing in the general direction of the fires.

“It’s fighting. That’s different from revolution. Do you have a plan to bring down the colonial government? If you do, do you have a plan for what will replace it? Do you have plans for extending the fight beyond this one small part of the city and into the rest of the colonies so that you stand a chance against the British Empire? Or do you expect the colonials to spontaneously rise up at your example and take matters into their own hands?”

“I suppose you’ve got all that worked out?” Alec asked, his voice sharp.

“Not yet, which is why I’ve been laying the groundwork instead of provoking fights with the British and showing off what I have in my arsenal. Tonight’s little foray is driving you out of town and could have lost you your machines. Was it worth it?”

Alec smiled tightly. “You have no idea.”

I stood and pounded on the table. “Boys!” I shouted in my sternest governess voice. They stopped arguing and turned to look at me. More conversationally, I continued, “We can debate the merits of our respective revolutionary plans later. But for now, the soldiers are closing in on us, and you’re running out of time. We’re offering assistance. Do you want it?”

Alec stood and gestured to his comrades. They went off into a corner, and muffled sounds of discussion came our way, but I couldn’t make out any words. “So these are your friends?” Henry asked.

“I thought they were, at one time. But that’s too long a story for tonight.”

“If they don’t let me help, this will become more difficult.”

“How so?”

“Stealing their machines would be the biggest heist I’ve ever managed.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“I’d have to. We don’t have the slightest chance of winning a revolution without those machines, even with some magisters on our side.”

The Mechanics returned to us, and Alec stood facing Henry. “We will accept your help.”