by Mark C. King
The group continued for a few minutes with different people having side conversations. Sigmund didn’t say a word, just continued to look around the room, half expecting someone to realize he was there and ask him to leave.
Finally, the Prime Minister spoke to the group, “Let’s all quiet down and begin this meeting. Group Captain, please start us off.
A mustached man who was nearer the end of middle-age than the beginning, stood up, leaned forward on the table, and placed both hands down to support himself. He didn’t raise his eyes and said with a tired voice, “I am Group Captain Randal Faulkner. I led the first wave of dirigibles against Grimkraken’s ship.” He let that sink in for a moment – he had faced Grimkraken’s ship first hand, and had lost – then said, “We have asked you all here because we are desperate.” Raising his head to look at the men around the table, he continued, “Our dirigibles have not been able to withstand the power and range of Grimkraken’s airship. I would like Richard Sutton, Chief Engineer at the Academy of Advanced Science, to explain what we are dealing with and then ask for suggestions.”
Sutton waited for Faulkner to sit and then started, “There are two things of note about Grimkraken’s ship. First, as you all are fully aware, it is able to fly by use of propellers, not a balloon. In addition to making him less vulnerable, it also makes him much faster and more maneuverable than any craft that has ever be made by man.” A few of the military men grumbled at this statement but raised no overt objections. Sutton went on, “The second item we are dealing with is the main cannon of the ship. This is a little speculation on my part but all evidence points to it being a Gauss Cannon.”
“And what exactly is that?” one of the military men asked.
“The cannons that we are all familiar with use an explosive charge to propel a payload. The distance wanted and size of the payload dictate how much of an explosive charge is needed. In addition, the bigger the explosive charge the thicker the barrel needed to contain it. The Gauss Cannon does not use an explosive charge. It uses electromagnets to move a payload down its barrel and launch it. It can propel a payload much faster and much farther than a cannon of equal size.”
“Bah! Magnets? Stronger than gunpowder?” the Prime Minister asked unbelievingly.
“Electromagnets can be very strong and, when used with precision timing down a barrel, can move an object at tremendous speeds. To put it in perspective, the difference in speed that the Gauss Cannon can produce, compared to one of our ship mounted cannons would be similar to the difference between me flinging a bullet at you with a child’s slingshot and shooting you with a rifle. Believe me or not, but that weapon is well beyond anything we currently have.”
The table erupted in conversations. “How can we defeat that?” “What can we do?” “It can’t be possible”
Faulkner again reined everyone in, “Gentleman! Whether or not you believe what Sutton has said, I want you to know this: That cannon is far better than any of ours. I’ve seen it firsthand. We have lost men and machine because of that weapon. We need to proceed with the assumption that what Sutton has said is true.” He glared around the table daring anyone to disagree. No one did, although the Prime Minister rolled his eyes. Faulkner then asked, “Are there any vulnerabilities or weaknesses?”
Sutton thought for a moment and said, “The only weakness I can think of is that the Gauss Cannon needs very precise timing in order to work. It wouldn’t take much to ruin it. But that leaves us with the same issue, getting close enough to attack.”
Faulkner nodded in understanding, “Thank you Mr. Sutton.” Then turning his attention to the group, “Gentlemen, I would now like introduce Mr. Samuel Tilford.” He raised his hand at a man towards the back of the table. “Mr. Tilford represents the Coal Union.”
Sigmund looked at the man that Faulkner had indicated – he was a large man with a finely trimmed black and grey beard. His eyes were dark and seemed darker behind his large red cheeks. His clothing was exquisite, a man who radiated wealth. In a heavy voice, Tilford said, “Thank you, sir.”
One of the military men spoke up, “Why is he here? This is a military operation!”
Faulkner responded immediately, “From what I understand, Major Ripley, the Coal Union proved quite important at the Battersea Battle.”
“Quite right,” agreed Sir Bradford, “If it wasn’t for their arrival we would have lost many more men.”
Major Ripley did not look particularly satisfied but made no more comment.
Tilford started again, “Gentleman, we have, or at least had, a man inside of Grimkraken’s operation.” This was greeted by many looks of surprise. “We don’t currently know our man’s whereabouts but it was from him that we learned of the designs that Grimkraken had been working on. It was from these designs that we were able to build a few of our own war machines – although quite limited compared to the original design.”
“So you knew of these?” cried out the Prime Minister. “And what of the airship?”
“We knew, yes. The airship was also known to us but quite beyond our technology to recreate.”
“This is an outrage!” yelled the Prime Minister. “You should have told us! We might have been able to avoid this entire situation!”
“Tell you?” laughed Tilford, “With all due respect, Mr. Prime Minister, members of your government, your military, are behind this situation! Who should we have told? Who could we have trusted? We can’t even say for sure that there is not someone in this room that is working for Grimkraken.” This comment started much yelling, accusations, and pleas of innocence.
“Enough!” screamed Faulkner. The group slowly grew silent as he stared them all down. “There will be plenty of time to talk about culpability when this is all over. For now we need to tackle the problem at hand. Mr. Tilford, is there anything else you can tell us?”
“Just that I can verify what Mr. Sutton has said about the Gauss Cannon. It is an electrically powered gun. I, too, wouldn’t have believed it capable of much but it clearly is a formidable weapon. However, the amalgam cube was so intrinsic to the generator design that our engineers didn’t even bother trying to replicate it. We have no answer for that cannon.”
Sir Bradford turned to Sutton and asked in a near pleading voice, “Richard, is there nothing at the academy that can work against Grimkraken’s ship?”
“Nothing that hasn’t already been discussed previously.” Responded Sutton. “We need a new approach, bigger ships, stronger weapons, and all of that takes time. We are outclassed in every way. It’s like David and Goliath but David is losing in our story.”
Sigmund thought about the analogy. A giant, Goliath, a battle hardened warrior going up against one young man. One man? Sigmund fixated on that thought for a moment and then exclaimed, “I think we are looking at this wrong.”
The table of men turned to the previously mute Sigmund. Faulkner cocked his head, “How so?”
“Grimkraken’s ship is too powerful for any kind of frontal assault. Our weapons and ships cannot match his. Instead of trying to think of ways to overpower him, we should try to outsmart him.”
“I’m still not following…”
“The only way to approach his ship is through the air. When we try that, our dirigibles are spotted and shot down before they have a chance to attack. They are too big, too easy to see! They can’t hide their approach. What if we think smaller instead of stronger?”
Faulkner responded, “You know what happened to the scout ship. It was small and fast and it still didn’t have a chance.”
“I’m thinking even smaller. We have one cube, I say we use it against Grimkraken. It produces enough energy to power a small engine and enough heat to fill a small hot air balloon.”
Sutton, his engineering mind kicking in, spoke up, “How small? That cube wouldn’t power much.”
“The engine would be worn on the back of a person and the balloon would be attached to a harness that the person strapped into. There is no basket
or cabin, just one man, an engine, and a balloon.”
“What good would that be?” the Prime Minister asked, clearly annoyed at the very suggestion.
Sutton, not noticing the Prime Minister’s question, said, “That might be possible. We have parts at the academy. We could build it fairly easily. But then what?”
Sigmund’s mind kept running, trying to think his plan through, “This one person, being small, avoids detection and lands on the ship. From there he makes his way into the ship and takes out the cannon. You said yourself that it wouldn’t take much to render it useless. I’m sure I could figure something out. And then–”
Holmes interjected, “You? You will do this?”
Sigmund nodded, “Yes. Look, the reason I’m part of this whole situation is because of my ability to sneak into places and do things while remaining unseen. That sounds exactly like what we are talking about here. Besides, I’ve been blown up, drugged, and shot since this all started, what’s left that they can they do to me?”
Mills now spoke up, “And if you run into opposition, you will kill them? I saw you at the battle, I don’t think you can.”
“No. I’m not killing anyone. If it comes to a gun fight, anyone who is sent would be hopelessly outnumbered. It is better to not be detected – it’s the only way.”
Faulkner, evidently not caring who would be the one to go on the mission, added, “If the main cannon could be removed then our ships could approach. We could give Grimkraken a real fight. We have a few destroyers left here and there is another squadron of ships a few hours away just waiting for our plan.” His excitement seemed to grow with every word. He then commanded, “Sigmund and Richard, build this machine. If you need any resources, do not hesitate to ask. The rest of us will continue to discuss any possibilities and prepare for action. Can the device be built by tonight?”
“Yes, I believe so,” responded Sutton. “The Academy has everything we need. I also have some other items that might help.”
“Very well,” said Faulkner, then, recognizing that the Prime Minister should be the official voice of the meeting, Faulkner looked at Balfour and said, “With your permission, sir, I would like to dismiss these two to work on their plan.”
The Prime Minister clearly was not impressed with the idea and looked the two men over. After a few seconds he concluded that he didn’t really care about the participation of Sigmund or Sutton, so he waved his hand in agreement.
“Okay, “ Faulkner said, “You two are dismissed.”
* * *
By Tuesday evening, Sigmund, Sutton, and a few of the Academy men finished the device. Sigmund took out his watch, 6:30, returned it to its place, and looked over their creation. It was a wooden and copper box about the size of a large briefcase set on its end. There were several leather straps attached to it that could be harnessed around a person, much like a hiking pack. Out of the top of the box was a copper pipe that extended straight up about three feet and a second shorter pipe that pointed straight out of the rear. The back of the box had a two bladed propeller attached to it. With the box strapped down to a table, the propeller hanging over the end of the table so not to hit the top, Sigmund flipped a switch to activate the amalgam cube. After several seconds the engine housed inside could be heard. Sigmund watched the pressure needle climb and then moved a lever part way which caused the propeller to start turning. A few more seconds and the propeller was moving quickly, producing some thrust. Sigmund flipped another switch and air could be heard coming out of the long copper pipe – hot air to fill the soon to be attached balloon.
“Stand clear everyone.” Sigmund said as he was about to activate the third switch. Seeing that no one was standing behind or directly in front of the table, the third switch was activated. Immediately steam jetted out of the rear facing pipe. It pushed the box, and therefore the table, forward a few feet before stopping.
Sigmund looked at Sutton and said, “We did it.”
Sutton smiled and nodded. “It’s a clever piece of machinery. We have a balloon ready, we only need to attach it.” Sigmund turned off the device and Sutton told one of his men to get the device attached to the balloon that was prepared.
Sutton told another one of his men to inform Northolt Base that the design was ready and then turned back to Sigmund, “I have some other items that you should use.”
Curious, Sigmund said, “What do you have in mind?”
Sutton walked off and said over his shoulder, “Follow me,” and led Sigmund to a table with several items on it. “I’ve had my men collect some items that could help you on this mission. Of course there is some armor, leather and metal, that can give you some protection.” Sigmund nodded in appreciation.
“Pick that up,” Sutton said, pointing at a gun like device.
“I’m not killing anyone.”
“I know. That is precisely why this is here. It sprays a stream of an ether concoction that should knock out most anyone.”
Sigmund picked up the gun and examined it. He could now see a vial of clear liquid attached below the barrel.
“We also have,” Sutton continued, assuming Sigmund’s approval of the ether gun, “a spring loaded grappling hook and line that you wear around your wrist.”
Sigmund looked at the device, a leather gauntlet with brass mechanisms on top. He could see the small hook, and a spool of rope that looked way too thin to support him. “Is this a toy? That string is far too thin.”
“You would be surprised what we can come up with here. Granted, you will not use it to move a piano but it can support your weight if needed. You are going to be approaching an airship and eventually walk on its surface – while it is in flight! You might like to have something like this to give you a little safety net, so to speak.”
“When you put it that way…” Sigmund smiled.
Sutton now pointed to two small metallic devices that were cylindrical in shape, about five inches long, and said, “These are for the Gauss Cannon. They are explosive devices. To operate, you lift this metal flap, turn the wheel that is exposed and that will ignite a fuse.”
“How long do I have?”
“About fifteen seconds.”
“About?”
“Give or take a second. Don’t worry. This size device doesn’t produce too big of an explosion. You will have plenty of time to get to a safe distance.”
“And what’s that?” Sigmund asked, pointing to a device that looked like a spyglass but without any lenses.
Sutton lifted the item off the table and handed it to Sigmund. “This is for signaling the fleet when you accomplish your task. You will need to get to some sort of window or door to the outside and then light the fuse in the same way as the explosive devices, lift this flap and spin the wheel, this will fire off a flare that can be seen for miles.”
Sigmund looked over all the items for several seconds. Eventually his mind wandered away from the table and the gadgets in front of him and to all the things that could go wrong on his mission. The doubts that he had held at bay were starting to make headway. Lieutenant Mills certainly didn’t seem to like his chances and Sigmund couldn’t help but wonder if anyone else felt differently, despite them not saying so. Sigmund sighed and asked, “You don’t like my chances, do you?”
A few seconds ticked by and Sutton answered, “It is a tough mission. But if it helps at all, I think you have as good a chance at pulling it off as anyone else.”
They were both silent for some time. Sigmund was grasping the reality of what he was going to do. It was amazing how different everything sounded while talking at the base, but now, with the device built and his start imminent, it had quite a different effect.
With a determination that he didn’t really feel, he said, “Help me put this stuff on.”
An hour later, Holmes, Mills, and Sir Bradford arrived at the Academy. The three of them and Sigmund walked out the back of the building, near the Thames – the launching spot – to await the final moment. They had looks of res
pect for Sigmund and it felt good to have such quality men look at him that way. Sir Bradford walked up to him and placed his one hand on Sigmund’s shoulder and said, “The entire Empire is looking to you tonight. It is not fair for any one man to bear that burden but the need arrived and you took it. I thank you, Sigmund. I believe you can do this.”
Sigmund felt a bit choked up and decided that he shouldn’t speak. He nodded in acknowledgment of what was said.
Before Holmes or Mills could speak, Sutton, exiting the building, called out, “We’re ready.” He was followed by three men, two carrying the device and one behind them carrying the balloon.
Holmes smiled and said, “Sigmund, I believe you are a man of remarkable talents. You have eluded the entire Scotland Yard, which is no easy feat – no matter what Mr. Doyle says. I too trust that you are the right man for the mission.”