Eric glanced at the Major who said, "She's been ready for a few days; just waiting for you to ask for her... Actually, she's been ready several times. The problem with scientists and engineers is they keep wanting to fiddle with things even after they're working."
"How much is this costing me? I don't know if replacing the steam engine twice is considered travel expenses."
"That's a matter between our two countries. You don't need to worry about it."
Eric asked me, "When are you thinking of departing?"
I asked, "Is late afternoon too soon to wrest her away from your engineers?"
The Major said, "You won't need to pry their fingers off it. They'll let go willingly. They cannot wait to find out what you think of their work."
"It's a nice day. Let's not keep them waiting."
I sent Gerald off to pack our things, locate the pilots, and to inform Felix and Mary to get ready. Felix's business had concluded successfully and I had offered them a free ride home. Eric had things to do, as usual, so it was just the Major, Bradan, and I driving a wagon out to see my airship.
We stood on the hill as the ground split again and my ship rose under her own power. When the opening was closed, a dozen men came out of her and tied her down. We walked down the hill while they lined up in front of the cargo door. The Major introduced me to each one. When it was their turn, they explained what part of my ship they had worked on.
Two of them had repaired the damage to the outside. I couldn't tell where it had been shot now. Four of them had worked on the engine and one had repaired and properly installed the buoyancy control. I asked him if I really needed it. He looked to the last man in line before answering, "Now you do." I didn't dwell on that for long. I guess the last guy would tell me. The next two had worked their way through the entire ship making minor improvements. The tenth man had worked out a better harness system for Bradan which allowed him to secure and release himself.
That left the last two introductions. They were shy and I could tell they felt the same way around me that I had around Jim Anderson at dinner last week. I would have to get them talking. "Besides giving me a comfortable sleep, what does the buoyancy control do now?"
"It balances the recoil from your cannon," answered one. "We shortened all the feedback loops, increased the shifter power, and connected it to the firing console."
I looked at the Major. "What cannon?"
"We had a high-level meeting and at the insistence of the King, you were given that railway gun to take back to England. The scientists refused to put it in a crate arguing you might need it for defence on your flight back. I had to agree with them since you have no other weapons installed on your ship. The engineers mounted it to the airframe just above your suite."
The man added, "I secured it really well so the buoyancy control would work with it. It's not going to move an inch."
The Major said, "I gather that means they'll have a difficult job removing it when you get home."
"That's wonderful. Now I have more explosive material above my bed," I said.
One guy said, "We produced special non-explosive ammunition for it that you can use on targets. I bet with practice, you could bulls-eye a dartboard in a pub five miles away."
"How can I thank you guys for everything?"
The Major said, "I think that's all they want; someone to say 'Thank you'."
We drove around to where everyone was staying to pick up their luggage and all the things that Mary and I bought. I wanted those stowed properly in advance so we wouldn't forget anything at the last minute. Bradan was wonderful when it came to arranging packages. I figured that he learned it from watching the stevedores. I asked the Major to stop at the castle for a few minutes. While I was content to wave at most of my new friends as we left, I had a very private farewell planned for Eric and I didn't want him to suddenly get busy before I could give it to him.
Since I hadn't told anyone a specific time, we left when everyone had arrived. It was a smooth takeoff. We flew low over the exhibition and all of us, except the pilots, were halfway out of the windows waving at the people below us. When we reached the coast, the pilots took us up above the clouds. I asked them what they thought of the airship now. They showed me a set of new gauges that would tell them before anything like what happened before could occur again.
I said, "Unlike the last time, I would appreciate it if you can get us across the North Sea as fast as possible. I'd like to be in London before sunset."
It was smooth flying for the next hour. Then one of the pilots pointed to a silver speck to our port side and closing.
I took out a telescope and looked where the pilot indicated. I could see the distinctive shape and a black flag flying at the rear. I passed the telescope to Gerald to confirm what I had seen. He agreed with me that it was the same airship that we had encountered going the other way. I turned towards Mary and Felix to give them the bad news.
Felix asked, "Are you sure?"
Gerald said, "We know that airship. I doubt if they'll settle for stew this time."
Felix asked, "What are we going to do?"
I said, "I will miss the rendezvous with my friends if I stop to play with the pirates too long."
Mary asked, "Is that all you're concerned about?"
Gerald said, "It appears we don't have a choice but to fight back. They are headed for us with their gunports open and they are faster than us.
Felix asked again, "What are you going to do?"
I said, "The pilots are going to swing us around to point at them, then you and I are going target shooting."
He protested, "I don't know anything about shooting."
"Just follow me!"
I addressed the pilots, "As soon as we are in position, turn off the fans and run the engine full throttle. I will need all the power for the cannon."
Gerald asked, "We have a cannon now?"
"I'll tell you later... Felix, let's get moving."
We went up inside the superstructure of my ship to the fore section where the engineers had secured the railway gun. I turned to Felix and said, "It takes two people to work this. I need you to watch the gauges and adjust the controls while I aim and fire."
"How do I work it?"
"It's technical," I said and then laughed. "You have a minute to figure it out while I load it."
While Felix pondered the problem, I searched for the shells. They had taken my concerns seriously and moved the ammunition far away from my suite while I was gone. The non-explosive ones were in a crate while the mortars were laid out on special shelves. I grabbed an apron-full of mortar shells and ran back to the firing platform. As I fed the shells into the chute, Felix figured it all out. "They made it easy enough for army officers to work," he stated.
I looked out of the telescope at the pirate ship. She was getting in position to give us a broadside. In an even fight, that would be devastating for us, but this wasn't going to be a fair fight when we got the railway gun working. The engine increased speed and it was very loud in the enclosed space. I shouted to Felix, "I want to fire eight shells as fast as possible. How long until we are ready?"
"Hold on... Now!"
The pirate ship had six gunports and a cannon in each one. I lined up on the left one and fired. I knew it was going to miss as the gun wasn't sighted in yet. I checked where it had hit with the telescope. I adjusted my aim and put the next six into their cannons. The scientists did a good job. I had barely felt the gun or the ship recoil as I fired.
When I checked the pirate ship again, I saw smoke rising. A minute passed and I saw the blinks from their signal lamp. I hadn't had time to learn more than a few letters so I didn't know what they were saying. They also brought in the black flag and replaced it with a white one. I knew what that meant.
Felix and I returned to the sitting room and I had the pilot idle the engine. Gerald spoke first, "They wish to approach and discuss terms."
I looked around at everyone. They were all
looking at me for guidance. "You don't need me to approve of that. We certainly don't want them to have time to think about it and reconsider."
The pilots sent my reply. That gave me a minute or two to think.
When they were about 50 yards away, I opened one of windows and shouted, "Ahoy on the pirate ship! Are you in need of assistance?"
Captain Benton replied, "No Miss! We can still fly. I would like to congratulate your gunners. Their skill is impressive."
"Why, thank you Captain. I accept your compliment, having fired all the shots personally."
He was quiet for moment then shouted, "This is absurd; dealing across the sky and shouting at one another. May I board so we may discuss the terms of my surrender in a civilised setting?"
"Do I need to request you come alone and leave your pistols behind?"
"I'd be disappointed if you overlooked that."
I closed the window. "Mary, you know I'm not one to ask for favours..." I started to say.
"...but could I cook up something appropriate for you and the Captain to have while negotiating?"
"If you don't mind."
"It'll be no bother."
I addressed everyone, "I'll be in my suite. An escort of two men will be sufficient to satisfy his ego."
I closed the partitions and lit the lamps. They seemed brighter; likely one of the minor improvements. I stood near the table and waited. Gerald and one of the pilots showed the Captain in. He had his hat in one hand and my large pot in the other. I had to smile when I saw that. I told the men to deliver the pot to Mary in the galley and then dismissed them. I motioned for the Captain to sit on one side of the table as I sat across from him.
I let him start. "You did a good deal of damage to my ship. Did you forget that we helped you the last time we met?"
"I remember one of the last things you said to me. Did we put up enough fight for you to let us go?"
He said, "I see your point. It was bad manners on my part to leave you with a threat. From what I saw of my ship, you could easily have scuttled her before we came into cannon range and I thank you for not doing that."
"I don't want us to be enemies, and I have a simple question for you. If I were another pirate, what would I do with you now?"
He thought on that for a moment before answering. "It is within your rights to demand all of our plunder and to either make us swear allegiance to you or to swear never to darken your skies again."
"The first part is obvious, but I am puzzled about this swearing allegiance to me."
"That means me, my crew, and my ship are yours to do with as you see fit. We fly your flag and fight in your name."
"I believe it would be better for me if you flew your own flag somewhere far away than flying mine around here."
"You are probably right. One pirate working for another seldom ends well for either."
I said, "Now about taking your plunder. I don't know if I want things that you have taken from people by force."
"I have the solution to your dilemma. On our last raid on the English coast we took in a good amount of gold and silver items: platters, rings, and heirlooms. It would not be a hardship for you to take them from us and return them to those we took them from."
"I can rest assured you won't be going back for them again as you'll be swearing to stay out of my skies, as you put it."
He asked, "Now we have the conditions of my surrender concluded, would you satisfy my curiosity? How did you fire six shots that quickly and accurately? We had to be over a thousand yards apart."
"To be truthful, I fired seven shots. The first one was high and to the left. The next six were on target. I hope I didn't hurt anyone with the one that missed."
"If you wish to be evasive, I understand. We all have our secrets. You could at least tell me what kind of gun you were firing? I don't think it was one of those rifles on the wall behind me."
"You are correct. The British Army let someone steal a weapon from them. I recovered it and have sworn to return it. That's all I can tell you."
Mary knocked on my door lightly and entered with a tray of tiny biscuits and a pot of tea. I introduced Mary to the Captain, explaining that she and Felix were passengers.
We had barely time to enjoy the refreshments before Gerald knocked on my door and entered the room. I told myself the next time I was negotiating with pirates, I will close and lock the door. "The Captain's crew may be looking for another fight," he said. "They replaced the white flag with the pirate flag."
"What do you think, Captain?"
"I think they need to see I am okay and still in command."
I addressed Gerald, "Would you escort the Captain to the cargo hold so he can keep his men from doing anything stupid. They will be transferring some of their plunder to our ship per the terms of their surrender. I believe Bradan can be of assistance as well."
I looked at the Captain. "Should we ever meet on the ground, where honour does not control our actions, I would be pleased to share drinks and swap stories with you. For now, this must be our farewell."
"One last thing," I said to Gerald. "Before you send him back to his ship, make sure his crew hears him swear that these are now my skies. He knows the right words." I went to the other side of my suite and closed the partition, planning to sleep away the rest of this day.
• May 12
The pilots had dropped Gerald off in London while I slept. None of them dared disturb me. I would have liked to see him before he left to thank him for everything he taught me. I didn't know if we would have survived either crossing without those lessons.
As the sun rose, we landed near where we lived to let Mary and Felix off. I had one more obligation. I had to show my girlfriends my wonderful airship and how nicely it flew now.
End
FOUR
'Tis always unexpected.
• July 19
I came out of the fabric store to see a tall, thin man talking to Bradan. This was not as unusual as it sounds. Bradan can attract people just by being himself. I've gotten accustomed to him being the centre of attention when we go into town.
He asked me, "Is this mechanical beast yours?"
I replied, "I don't own him. He's my friend."
"Then you are the one I am looking for. We have need of your services again."
I thought about it and realised that I was easy to find since Bradan and I were seldom far apart. We'd probably be lost without each other. People tell me that he paces about whenever I am out of his sight. I know that there is no grass outside my bedroom window anymore.
I asked, "Do you need my services or his?"
"Just yours, but I have no issues with it coming along."
I handed my bags to Bradan. They weren't heavy, but he didn't object.
"I've finished my shopping so we can talk on the walk home... If you guys keep dropping by without warning, it would be nice to have some kind of identification so I know who you are."
"Do I look like a jeebee?"
"That's a start. But I'm not the kind of woman who goes off with just any guy who walks up... My name is Fianna, what is yours?"
"My name is Reginald. I work for Mr. Balfour."
"I haven't heard from you guys for months. You could send a postcard periodically to let me know what is happening. I thought I was joining a team and would be working with it."
"We consider you more like the person we call on when we have no other choice. There are many articles we read that turn out to be nothing. We'd be wasting your time to involve you on issues such as families leaving the country for the colonies without informing their neighbours."
I asked, "Why didn't Mr. Balfour send Gerald? At least I know what he looks like."
"That was his first choice, but Gerald refused; something about too much excitement."
I had to laugh. "I am pleased to meet you, Reginald. Are you going to teach me something too?"
"It wasn't part of my assignment. Gerald did say that no-one thought it odd for a y
oung lady to travel with a private tutor. I have been writing a paper comparing Oriental stage fighting with European dance if you are interested."
"I'm very interested in hearing about that," I replied. "I presume this involves a trip for the both of us."
"It's a short trip and I will be going along to assist you. Before I forget, Mr. Balfour sends his appreciation to you for clearing out the pirates along the East coastline. Gerald won't tell us how you really did it though. He keeps making jokes about Irish stew."
"I'd rather not talk about that. It was very stressful dealing with pirates... Where do we need to go and how soon do we need to be there?"
"We will be travelling to Northern Ireland and can leave whenever you are ready. We'd like you to look into some strange events that happened last month; families that disappeared and haven't been seen."
I asked, "Wouldn't this be a job for the constabulary or one of the great detectives?"
"Would you be surprised if I told you that we went to one of those detectives and he suggested that we'd be better off with you?"
"That is a surprise... Is my airship all ready to go?"
He said, "When you are ready, it will be."
"Where is it this time? The last time it was in London waiting for me."
"Have you seen the new aerodrome by the train station? We had a hangar built there."
"I noticed it and heard some rumours. You guys are spending too much on me."
"Your Dutch friends paid for half of it. What do you think about that?"
"That isn't as surprising as you might think. People feel they are indebted to me when all I did was what I had to do. All of you guys are perfect examples."
Fianna Kelly Versus the Jeebees: A Collection of Steampunk Stories Page 15