Beauregard munched on a strip of bacon, then said, “That was my motivation. I enjoy being a Steampunk, but Reb and Giles had to scare me a little bit first.”
“We just told you the truth. It wasn’t about fear,” Giles insisted.
Percy drank some orange juice before saying, “The alternative is much more frightening. Non-grafted humans are only skilled at causing trouble. A few years ago, non-grafted humans tried to live peacefully with Steampunks. We met several of them during the Mardi Gras disaster in Louisiana. Remember that? However, their numbers keep shrinking. I haven’t seen a non-grafted human with a decent reputation for a couple years.”
“Most of them are living in exile. There are a few underground colonies that stay away from Steampunk society. I guess they don’t trust us. Non-grafted humans seem to be degenerating. A lot of them are extremists who are resorting to terrorism as a means of survival. Take a look at the disaster in West Virginia. We encountered a group of non-grafted humans in a nuclear wasteland who converted to cannibalism. Allegedly, they were geniuses and rocket scientists. That really says something about non-grafted humans,” Reb lectured, as she stabbed a piece of fruit with her fork.
Maggie looked at her brother. “Do you have any idea what they’re talking about?”
“Not really, but it doesn’t sound good,” Oliver replied, as he cut up a piece of French toast.
Gable patted Oliver’s head. “Our weird conversations will make sense when you’re older. Enjoy your innocence while it lasts.”
After they finished breakfast, the Nelsons and their companions traveled to the zeppelin’s port. They waited in a long line with other Steampunks to board the massive aerial ship. Many people took pictures of the iron, bronze, and brass zeppelin while it was docked on the ground. It was humungous, sturdy, and the owners claimed it was virtually impossible to destroy with most weaponry. Unlike its predecessors, the current zeppelin was heavily armed with bombs, turret guns, missiles, harpoon guns, and other dangerous weapons. Inside, the aerial ship had several rooms and compartments that were similar to the design of a cruise ship. It included passenger cabins, multiple dining rooms, entertainment rooms, exercise centers, and other luxuries. Despite its muted colors, the zeppelin was a beautiful sight.
Oliver looked at the massive structure. “Were zeppelins always this big?”
“Not even close. A lot of Steampunk creations are much larger than models from the 19th Century,” Gable answered.
“It’s pretty cool. Maybe this trip is a good idea,” Maggie commented.
“I thought you might warm up to this vacation,” Priscilla replied.
Beauregard pulled his luggage through the line. “This airship looks big enough to intimidate terrorists. Maybe we won’t have any trouble.”
Malcolm was skeptical. “Why would it be easy now? Terrorists love interrupting civilian activities.”
“Don’t be so cynical. You’re going to jinx the entire trip,” Savannah remarked.
“Yeah, let’s relax and enjoy the flight. It should be a lot of fun. Maybe you’ll meet some pretty girls on this flight,” Percy said to Malcolm, then winked.
Reb looked at the zeppelin warily. “Do you think I’ll get motion sickness?”
“That’s unlikely. I heard the flight is very smooth,” Giles answered.
Overall, the Nelsons felt confident as they boarded the zeppelin. After everyone boarded the vessel, steam power helped the zeppelin take flight, and then it headed toward Washington D.C.
The Nelsons, Malcolm, and Beauregard all found their cabins and unpacked. When they finished, the group dispersed throughout the flying vehicle to find relaxing activities.
Gable, Priscilla, and their children donned swimwear and relaxed in a public hot tub. The warm water bubbled from steam power as the family chatted.
“I really needed something like this,” Priscilla said. She was clad in a two-piece outfit.
Oliver aimed a squirt gun at his sister. “Yeah, relax and close your eyes so I can get away with this.”
Maggie yelled back, “Oliver, don’t even think about it! I’m perfectly capable of taking revenge on you!”
Gable tried to keep the situation under control. “Guys, can’t we go anywhere without starting a feud? Try to relax and have some fun. There must be a way to have fun without torturing each other.”
“I have a hard time resisting the temptation. Maggie is an easy target,” Oliver remarked.
“It’ll be a different story when I make you beg for mercy,” Maggie growled.
Priscilla turned on her portable media player and inserted the earpieces. “Go ahead and kill each other. I’m going to relax.”
*****
In a different section of the zeppelin, Malcolm and Beauregard prepared for a competitive racquetball game.
Malcolm gripped the ball and said, “Don’t feel bad if you lose badly. I’ll try to take it easy on you.”
Beauregard was armed with his racquet. “You might be surprised. I’m a quick runner with fantastic reflexes.”
“Bring it on. Let’s see who plays best,” Malcolm commented.
He served the ball and smacked it against the wall. Beauregard hit the ball with his racquet and then Malcolm returned the shot.
While they played, Beauregard taunted his opponent. “I thought you would make this game difficult for me! You’re not even trying!”
“So you want a real challenge! That’s fine with me!” Malcolm responded, then he struck the ball again.
Eventually, he defeated Beauregard. The artist was disappointed by the outcome.
“Let’s play a few more rounds. I wasn’t warmed up yet,” Beauregard suggested.
Malcolm was eager to play again. “You know I love sports. Go ahead and serve the ball. I’m going to embarrass you.”
Beauregard served and the two men competed in another game.
*****
Elsewhere, Percy and Savannah spent some time at a gambling table. Percy placed a large bet on the roulette table. The ball landed in a favorable section, exciting the couple.
“Yes! My luck is finally terrific!” Percy hollered.
Savannah chuckled. “I knew this trip was going to be different than our previous vacations. I can tell things are really turning around.”
Percy put more chips on the table. “You’re right. I feel optimistic about this trip. It’s fun and we’re floating miles away from danger.”
*****
Meanwhile, Reb and Giles were standing in one of the corridors. They had found stationary binoculars that provided an excellent view of the clear sky. Reb peered through them as Giles held her around the waist.
She squinted and viewed the blue sky, with puffy white clouds dispersed in the atmosphere. “Impressive. The sky looks so clean and pure. I’ve never seen anything so tranquil.”
Giles took his turn and looked through the binoculars. “There’s nothing in the sky except clouds, but that’s part of the beauty. Sometimes, it’s nice to enjoy something simple and esoteric.”
“We have complicated lives. Occasionally, it’s refreshing to get away from the workplace and urban environment to have a slice of paradise,” Reb mentioned.
Giles felt affection for his partner. “I agree. Let’s relax in the moment.”
The couple kissed each other while they enjoyed the peaceful environment.
*****
While the passengers participated in all manner of recreational activities, the zeppelin’s crew remained busy. Captain Otto Durin stood in a control room with several of his crew members. It was a complex and technological room that had surveillance footage, a communication system, and controls that powered the zeppelin’s weaponry.
Otto viewed several of the monitors. “Everything seems fine at the moment. The weather is perfect for cross-country flights and I haven’t heard any news about sky pirates during the past few days. Trent, do you have any news for me?”
The first mate, Trent Garrison, checked dat
a on his tablet. “The engine room is functioning properly and we have the right amount of steam power to keep the zeppelin afloat. There seems to be sky pirate activity in the Caribbean, but that’s outside this vessel’s jurisdiction. I would say we’re looking at a very good day.”
“Excellent. I need all of you to keep an eye on our security system. We don’t want any trouble from terrorists. This airship is full of passengers and we’re responsible for them,” Otto warned.
Trent put away the tablet. “You shouldn’t be worried, Captain. It should be a very simple trip.”
Otto looked at his first mate. “I hope you’re right. It seems like the world turns upside down on a regular basis. We need to be prepared if something bad happens.”
“Think of it this way. If we encounter sky pirates, we’ll activate the zeppelin’s weaponry and blow them out of the atmosphere. They don’t stand a chance against a grafted vessel like this,” Trent replied in a confident tone.
The airship’s crew continued to work while the Steampunks enjoyed their flight.
Chapter 7
That evening, Percy and Savannah took their grandchildren to the zeppelin’s movie theater. The foursome munched on popcorn while they watched a fun action film that was filled with car chases, gunfire, espionage, explosions, blackmail, and other exciting elements. They whispered to each other, trying to avoid disturbing other audience members.
“This is a really cool movie. Have you seen anything like this in real life?” Oliver whispered to his grandparents.
Savannah rolled her eyes. “All the time.”
“Really? You guys have a really exciting life. I’m jealous,” Maggie grumbled.
Percy munched on some popcorn. “Don’t be envious. It’s not fun when people are trying to kill you.”
One of the audience members hissed at them to be quiet.
Oliver shrugged and quickly whispered, “That’s probably true. I don’t remember liking the mansion in the bayou. We ran into a whole bunch of psycho killers on that island.”
*****
Reb, Giles, Malcolm, and Beauregard enjoyed a fancy meal in the dining room. It was high-end dining that spoiled the passengers.
Beauregard prepared the claw crackers for his boiled lobster. “This looks delicious! I haven’t eaten a whole lobster in a long time.”
Reb was feeling mildly disturbed because the lobster’s beady eyes seemed to be staring at her. “Why did you have to pick lobster? I’ll never be able to eat lobster again.”
“Actually, I think you were more of a crab with your claw arm. Don’t blame the lobster,” Giles said, as he sliced into his own rack of lamb.
Malcolm chewed on a piece of prime rib, then said, “You only had a claw. Beau and I had complete mutations.”
“Exactly. I don’t understand your paranoia,” Beauregard commented.
“It’s different because I remember the details. There’s something freaky about having a claw instead of an arm. You guys don’t remember anything about your transformations,” Reb explained, as she cut into a roast goose.
Giles sipped on a glass of wine before saying, “Those experiences make people tougher. Steampunks are supposed to represent a combination of strength, endurance, triumph, and courage with elegance, morality, sensibility, and substance. It’s difficult to put those elements together. I dislike Steampunks who behave like cowards. It’s a mockery of our subculture and makes us easy targets for terrorists.”
Malcolm continued to eat his dinner but stopped to add, “I’m sure you’re right, but nobody asked for mutations.”
“What do you guys think about the mass production of radiation? Now Steampunks can take samples of modified radiation that grant temporary mutations if they’re in a dangerous situation. Think about it. A monster could scare away our enemies,” Reb discussed.
Beauregard frowned. “I’ve already been through that experience once. The transformation is very painful and I felt hungover afterward. Don’t expect me to take a voluntary dose of radiation.”
Giles was more open-minded. “I would give it a shot in a drastic situation. Radiation doesn’t actually harm us. It just scrambles our DNA for a short period of time. That’s a pretty good outcome, considering radiation can be deadly to non-grafted humans.”
Malcolm shook his head. “We live in a screwed-up world. It’s disturbing because we usually have to choose a bad option or something that’s even worse.”
“And that’s why we’ve earned these fancy meals. If we’re going to survive disasters, it’s a good idea to have some rest and relaxation afterward,” Reb said as she enjoyed her meal.
*****
Meanwhile, Gable and Priscilla were having a restful evening at the spa. The couple enjoyed massages while they spent time together as a couple. It was a decadent experience that helped both of them relax.
“This feels great. We never have time to use the spas in Las Vegas,” Gable mentioned.
Priscilla sighed with satisfaction while the masseuse worked on her back. “Life is really busy at home. During the day, we spend a lot of time working. At night, we take care of our kids. The weekends tend to be busy with housework, activities with the kids, and work that we take home.”
Gable looked at his wife. “I guess we should enjoy this flight while it lasts.”
“What did you have in mind?” Priscilla flirtatiously asked.
Afterward their massages were finished, Gable and Priscilla returned to their cabin. They locked the door and embraced in the small room. Granted, they didn’t mind the intimate size of their cabin. They helped each other undress for a romantic and private conclusion to the night. Gable slowly unzipped Priscilla’s dress while she unbuttoned his shirt. She stroked his chest and successfully aroused him. They gently kissed each other while Gable unzipped his pants. He helped pull down Priscilla’s dress while he kissed her bare shoulder and collarbone. The couple needed to remove several layers of clothing, then they crawled into bed and fell into each other’s arms.
“I’m so glad that we’re capable of keeping the passion alive in our marriage. You’re such a sensual, southern vixen,” Gable cooed, as Priscilla ran her fingers through his hair.
“I love it when you say romantic and sexy things to me. Let’s make it a night to remember. We’ve never been intimate in the sky,” the curvaceous woman replied.
Gable kissed Priscilla on the lips while she placed her hands on his firm back. The southern belle slowly slid her hands down until she reached his backside. He felt even more aroused when she clasped his bottom. Gable kissed his wife’s neck and clutched both of her thighs. Priscilla enjoyed his familiar thrust against her body while they kissed again. She ran her hands along Gable’s strong shoulders while he massaged her breasts. For them, it was an important moment of bonding while the zeppelin cruised smoothly through the sky.
Chapter 8
The following morning, the Nelsons and their companions enjoyed more recreational activities on their way to Washington D.C.
Percy and Savannah had tea and pastries from the café while they relaxed at a small table. “Today seems really quiet. I’m not used to this level of tranquility,” Percy said, as he looked through a porthole and watched the clear sky.
Savannah ate a bite of her pastry. “There’s so much irony in our Post-Apocalyptic world. I thought the Steampunk aesthetic would bring a more tranquil and peaceful environment to America. We adapted to Victorian ideals and rebuilt the nation for a better future. I guess it was just wishful thinking. The workplace is still hectic, our family still has drama, and our culture still has trouble with animosity.”
“You know what? It’s still better than the 21st Century. I think world leaders are being more careful and diplomatic about their choices. The public seems to care more about individuality and ethics. We use our resources to keep the nation strong. I guess some people think America is an industrial wasteland, but it shows that change is an important way to move forward. It’s time for the world loo
k a little bit different,” Percy explained.
“Brilliant. I’m glad you’re perceptive enough to notice these elements. If we could stop terrorism, our environment would be even better,” Savannah commented.
Percy took a sip of his tea. “That’s going to be difficult. Some people are hateful and look for excuses to be violent. Steampunks might wield a lot of weaponry, but our culture has very little crime. Most of the crime stems from those renegade terrorists.
*****
Elsewhere, Gable and Priscilla played air hockey with their children in a recreational room. Maggie had just finished playing a round against her father and she was overwhelmingly the victor.
Gable handed the pusher to Priscilla. “Maybe you’ll have better luck. She’s killing me.”
“They’re both a lot better than us,” Priscilla replied.
Maggie was satisfied with her triumph. “Oliver and I have had a lot of practice. We’re very competitive.”
“This is nothing compared to our video game competitions,” Oliver said, from where he stood next to the air hockey table.
“Yes, I’ve seen your game play. I don’t think we’ll have any trouble from sky pirates on this trip. I think they would feel pretty intimidated by you guys,” Gable mused.
*****
On the deck, Giles and Beauregard sat at a table where they were monitoring an online dating website. Giles tried to help his client find a suitable match. Beauregard wore a relatively traditional Steampunk outfit, but Giles’ attire had a distinct aviation theme.
“What about that one? She’s quite pretty,” Giles suggested, pointing out a woman’s profile on Beauregard’s laptop computer.
Beauregard was not impressed with her. “This girl looks like the type who would use me for money. I’ve learned from Malcolm’s failed relationship. Let’s move on to someone else.”
They flipped through a few more profiles until Giles said, “This woman has a great job. She won’t care about your money.”
“Yeah, but she lives out of state and doesn’t have any common interests with me. I don’t find her very attractive either,” Beauregard muttered.
The Post-Apocalyptic Society: A Nelson and Hyde Vendetta Page 16