The Nullification Engine (The Alchemancer: Book Two)

by Scott Marlowe

  "Get him out of here," Thorvid said.

  Jacob looked up from Dougal's body to see two men grab hold of Lundy. For once, the bosun's mate wasn't grinning.

  "Commander!" Lundy said. "Don't let them— Don't let them take me!"

  Jacob almost raised his voice to protest, but one look at Thorvid's hard countenance convinced him of the futility. The two men dragged Lundy back into the warehouse, where they disappeared into some unknown corner. Jacob heard a door slam, and then nothing.

  "Now, Commander, we have business, you and I."

  Two men took hold of Dougal's body and heaved him into the river. Jacob did not see if he immediately sank or simply floated away.

  "Both of you," Thorvid said, "on your feet. Can't do business with a man when he's on his knees. And stop scowling at me like that, Sergeant, or you'll find yourself in the river next."

  Jacob stood, his blood-soaked frock dangling from one hand. Thorvid said something to him, but the words were lost amidst the fog taken hold of him. He'd seen men die, but never like that.

  "Commander Madison!"

  His name brought him back to the here and now.

  "Didn't figure you for the squeamish type," Thorvid said.

  "I'm not... I'm not squeamish. It's just that, what you did to that man—"

  "Is the same thing I'm going to do to the one my men dragged inside. Only he isn't going to go so quick."

  "What about us then?" Tippin asked. "What do you plan to do with us?"

  "I intend to let you two go back to your ship."

  "Just like that?" Tippin asked.

  Thorvid shrugged. "More or less."

  "So you believed Jacob's story?"

  "I wouldn't have if my daughter hadn't already told me her version of it. She made me promise not to harm either of you. She's a sweet girl. A very sweet, very sick girl."

  Jacob had wondered. The blood he'd seen her coughing up during their first meeting had been the first clue. Then, when they'd brought the carriage to a stop and he'd opened the door to check on her, she'd been so pale.

  "I saw her condition in the carriage," Jacob said. "Is it... What's wrong with her?"

  "No one knows. I've taken her to see the best doctors in the fiefdom. Not one of them has been able to identify the cause of what's happening to her."

  "What is...? If I may ask, what is happening to her?"

  "Her body fails her. A little bit more each day until, one day, it will fail her completely. Some days, she's good. Others, she's bad. You've not seen her on a truly bad day."

  Jacob felt something sink deep down inside him, and he hung his head. "She's dying." He'd never thought her situation so dire. A temporary malady or some other sickness perhaps, but nothing without a cure. Then his head shot up as it hit him why Thorvid wanted Erlek's research so badly. "You think we brought you a cure."

  "You almost did. But it's incomplete. As long as it remains so, the rest of the material is worthless."

  Jacob walked to the waterway, looking down and across its steady flow. Then he remembered Dougal so recently tossed into its waters and he looked away.

  "I saw what the original owner of the research did with it," Jacob said. "I'm not sure Bella would approve of the process, or want to drink what comes from it."

  "Bella will never know where the cure comes from or how it is made. She'll know it allows her to keep on living and nothing else. Without the missing information, the rest of it is a moot point, no?"

  Jacob let out a deep breath. "We think the previous owner of the materials had a journal on him when he disembarked. This journal is likely the crucial piece you need."

  Thorvid sniffed, but said nothing. Jacob had his full attention, though.

  "I can't guarantee anything, but I at least know where to start looking for it. We'll have to leave the city to retrieve it, though. The journal isn't here."

  "To business, then," Thorvid said.

  Jacob stared at him in confusion. "What business?"

  "I'm taking over as owner of your airship."

  "You're what?" Jacob was sure he'd not heard the man right. But the look on the dwarf's face spoke of nothing but sincerity. "I will not allow—Captain Kreg will not allow—you to do such a thing."

  Thorvid waved in dismissal. "It's already done, or will be shortly. Don't worry. I intend to honor all outstanding contracts, including yours...Captain."

  Whatever protests Jacob was about to level at the dwarf died on his lips.

  "Ah," Thorvid said, "I see I have your attention now. Good. You said you knew where to find this missing information, or at least where to start looking? Then that is what I want you to do. Immediately."

  Jacob didn't know what to say. But he did know he'd no intention of allowing Thorvid to harm his captain. No matter that Blyden probably deserved it. It was a matter of precedent and a black mark on the commander's reputation if he did nothing. Unless it was already too late.

  "What have you done to Captain Kreg?" Jacob asked.

  "Nothing yet. But he'll answer for what he's done. Bad enough he sells me worthless goods. But his scheming to gain leverage by using my daughter is something I cannot allow to stand. When you return to your ship, some of my men will accompany you. You're to let them onboard and tell your crew not to interfere. They'll be out of there in no time and you can begin preparations for takeoff."

  "The men will never abide by that. They may have varying levels of respect for the captain, but they'll not just let you take him."

  "They'll allow it because you'll order them to, Captain. If, after that, the situation remains disagreeable, then I'll simply clean house and find a new captain and crew who can more properly stomach the work ahead."

  "You can't do that. We have men with certain expertise. You can't just find those skills wandering about. Besides, most of these men have given everything to the Griffin. You can't just set them down on land and expect them to go about their lives."

  "Then accept my offer and make this situation a whole lot easier for everyone. I admire your loyalty to your now-former captain, Jacob. It's a quality I have not overlooked. But it's misplaced now."

  "So instead of giving my loyalty to a conniving bastard, I should give it to a murderous dwarf?"

  Thorvid's gaze narrowed, but he went on in the same calm voice. "Loyalty to someone like myself has to be earned. I understand that. So don't do this for me. Do it for Bella."

  Jacob's gaze met Thorvid's.

  "She will die, Jacob, if a cure is not found."

  Jacob had not forgotten that. But having it said so plainly forced him to face the possibility. He wouldn't sacrifice his captain to satisfy one man's need for revenge. But the line became infinitely more blurred when considering the life of an innocent woman. He sighed, knowing that despite the protests continuing to linger in his mind, he'd already made his decision.

  "For Bella and for the Griffin and her crew, I'll agree to your terms. But this captain business you keep throwing around... We'll find the missing information. Once it's delivered, I resign. That's the deal."

  "Save my daughter's life and what you do after that is your own business. The sooner you get underway, the better."

  "About that. We can't depart right now. We're still waiting on some very specific parts which won't be ready for at least a couple more days."

  "I have a solution to that," Thorvid said as he walked inside the warehouse.

  Jacob and Tippin followed. Some of the crime boss's men loitered about inside, and had to jump out of the way as the dwarf walked into their midst. He went to a crate whose lid was ajar. Inside were the very parts Jacob had commissioned the tinkerers to manufacture for them.

  "Your captain wasn't the only one seeking leverage. My men will help get these to your ship. Now, how soon can you be ready for takeoff?"

  Jacob gave the question some thought. "By midday tomorrow, I think. It'll be round the clock until then, but the men can sleep it off in shifts once we're underway."

&nbs
p; "Good. Rolf!"

  The man stepped forward.

  "Pick a few of the men to get these goods to the airship. Then, after Captain Madison gives you the go-ahead, collect Blyden and lock him up with the other one. I'm only going to the party to make an appearance, so I'll be back soon to take care of them."

  Two of the men dashed off to a back corner of the warehouse and came back wheeling a cart behind them. They started to load the crate.

  "My accountant will pay you a visit shortly. He doubles as my attorney, so he'll draw up your new charter. Also, he'll see to it you have a generous line of credit to cover any unforeseen expenses or to bring on new hands as needed. Any costs you've incurred thus far while docked in Brighton will be refunded to you. Consider it part of the initial funding for your new voyage. Anything you wish to ask me before I leave, Captain?"

  Jacob did have one more question. "How do you know I won't just fly off and forget all about this business?"

  Thorvid drew himself up to his full four and a half foot height. "Because I'm a good judge of character, because we're doing this all legal-like with signed documents, and because I know you won't let my Bella down if you can help it. I saw the way you were doting over her at the antique shop. Also, you came after her, going against your captain in the process. That in itself tells me you aren't going to just fly off and forget all about this. But, just in case I'm wrong, my accountant will remain onboard until the journal is found. He's a man of many talents, so use him as you see fit."

  Jacob accepted all of that with a nod.

  "Safe voyage, Captain," Thorvid said, flashing him a mock salute as he turned and exited the warehouse. Half of his men followed him out.

  Of those remaining, one manned the cart, now loaded with the parts for the airship, while the others took up positions around and behind it. With Jacob, Tippin, and Rolf in the lead, they navigated the city streets until they passed through Slum Gate and outside the walls. They stopped just short of the Griffin. Jacob took a deep breath to ready himself while two of Rolf's men unloaded the cart. That, apparently, was as far as they meant to take the goods.

  "Stay here until I give you my signal," Jacob said to Rolf.

  The man nodded, crossing his arms as he leaned against the cart to wait. The others did likewise.

  Jacob and Tippin strode to the airship and boarded. Best to get this over with as soon as possible. Blyden wasn't abovedeck. Good. He took another breath and let it out slowly. Meanwhile, Mr. Gyles came to greet him.

  After exchanging salutes, Jacob said, "Mr. Gyles, I want you and Sergeant Tippin to round up the men, if you will, and quietly. Have them all go belowdeck. Make sure there's a clear path to the captain's cabin. When I give the signal, have everyone assemble on the quarterdeck. I'll address them there."

  Though Mr. Gyles flashed the commander-now-captain a curious look, he went with Tippin to see it done. The look on Tippin's face suggested he didn't like this business any more than Jacob, but Jacob felt he'd made the best decision given the poor selections available to him. This was Blyden's bad decision-making catching up to him. No more, no less. At least this way the Griffin kept her crew and maybe took on a noble cause for once. Jacob watched the remaining crew members scramble below. He gave them an extra few minutes to reach their bunks before he leaned over the ship's rail to wave at Rolf and his thugs.

  The moment they were onboard Jacob issued them curt instructions on how to reach the captain's cabin. As they disappeared below, Jacob waited, playing out in his mind their actions: slamming open the captain's door, the immediate protests from Blyden, the inevitable struggle, and, last, Thorvid's men dragging the Griffin's now former captain out onto the quarterdeck. It happened almost in time with his thoughts, for Rolf and his henchmen just then reemerged with Blyden between them. Though stumbling and dazed, Blyden saw Jacob. The moment he did, his face twisted into a snarl.

  "I knew you were a part of this, you damn, bloody mutineer! You'll hang for this, Jacob! I'll see to it myself! I'll—"

  Rolf cracked the man across the jaw, silencing him as he sagged in his captors' grasp.

  Jacob walked right up to Blyden. Dazed but not unconscious, his shirt was torn, one side of his jaw was red, and the flesh around one eye swelled. Confusion and perhaps a little fright lined his face, but so too did hatred. Hatred for Jacob. He saw it in the man's one good eye, and it damn near made Jacob shiver.

  "For what it's worth, Captain, I am sorry. But you brought this on yourself. You should not have gone after the lady."

  Jacob stood aside and let the men do their work.

  In moments, they had Blyden off the airship. At the cart, they cracked him over the head once more, dumped him inside, and covered him with a tarp they'd stowed there. They rolled away without a single glance back.

  Sergeant Tippin emerged unbidden. The crew followed. Jacob looked at each of their faces as they came out. Some nodded at him. Others stared back, uncertain. Jacob waited until everyone assembled across the deck and settled in before he spoke.

  "You'll want to know why."

  He then proceeded to lay it out for them, down to the last detail, including how they all now worked for one of Brighton's most notorious crime bosses.

  "Captain Kreg and Mr. Lundy will face Thorvid Kelm's particular form of justice. There's nothing I, nor any of you, can do to change that. You may not like what I have done. The Old Gods know I don't like it. But I did what I felt best for the airship and her crew. The Griffin will keep flying. That, I think, is the most important thing of all."

  Nods and murmurs of agreement went all around. Not from everyone, but from most.

  "Mr. Kelm has made me captain and he's said he'll honor all existing contracts. I, however, understand some of you may not be pleased with these new circumstances, and so I'm offering to purchase outright any man's contract and release you from duty. I'll buy no man's loyalty, but if—"

  "You can buy my loyalty!" someone shouted from the back.

  A chuckle swept over the crew.

  Jacob allowed himself a brief smile. "In all seriousness, anyone who stays on and completes this voyage will receive a ten percent bonus in their final pay. Those who choose to leave now go with my blessing and a full honoring of their existing contract. Any money owed to you will be paid in a lump sum. Mr. Kelm's accountant is on his way, so we'll settle up tonight. Last, lest any of you think I had any part in this other than what I have described or that I stand to gain personally, know that I intend to resign my position as soon as we return to Brighton with the missing journal. It will have been an honor to have served with all of you, but the circumstances of my promotion dictate I follow no other course."

  Jacob paused, both to let that settle in and to allow any who wished to speak to do so. One man, Miles Stanworth, stepped forward. Miles was senior amongst the mates.

  The airman looked to his left and right as if sizing up those nearest him. Then he removed his cap and said, "Sir, I think I speak on behalf of most of the crew when I say this: To hell with Captain Kreg!"

  A boisterous chorus rang out in support.

  When the noise subsided, Miles went on. "Never met a meaner, more rotten son-of-a-bitch in my life, sir. I, for one, am damn happy to have you as our new captain."

  Another round of bedlam sounded.

  Then Miles turned and raised his arms. "Let's hear it for Captain Madison! Hip, hip, hurrah!"

  "Hip, hip, hurrah!" the airmen sounded back.

  Three times Miles raised the cry, and three times the airmen replied in unison.

  Jacob kept the smile from his face with effort. He was the captain now, and the events of the day did not dictate such joviality, so he went about returning the crew's minds to the business at hand.

  "I told Mr. Kelm we'll be ready for takeoff by midday tomorrow. Ms. Stratum!"

  Rebecca stepped forward. She'd streaks of grease on arms and one cheek.

  "You'll find the remaining engine parts you need in that crate just off the
starboard side. A gift from our new benefactor. The rest of you, let's get the wings back on the old girl so we can get back into the air."

  Men and women went off to their duties with new enthusiasm. Jacob stayed on deck, overseeing the activity for a time. Sometime in the course of it all he realized he was still doing the job of a first mate. He'd have to find someone to fill that position as well as that of bosun's mate. Two assignments he'd have to deal with later. For the time being, the mates knew their duties. With the sun setting, lanterns were struck. Everyone knew there'd be little sleep this night if they wanted to make their deadline. Tippin reinvigorated their spirits with the promise of extra rations of grog with their meals once they were underway. Not man or woman didn't cheer to hear such a thing. Finally, with nothing left for him to do but look over men's shoulders, Jacob retired belowdeck.

  Halfway to his cabin he realized he'd gone the wrong way. The first mate's cabin wasn't his anymore. He'd have to have everything moved, but for now he simply changed direction and headed for the captain's berth. The door was ajar from when Blyden had been taken. Inside, a few things had been knocked over, but no serious damage done. Laid out on the captain's desk—his desk now—was an assortment of papers and ledgers. Jacob slumped down in the chair and did his best to not look at them right now. Mr. Kelm's accountant was welcome to them.

  A soft knock announced Sergeant Tippin's arrival. Jacob hadn't bothered to close the door, so he stepped in after a wave from Jacob.

  "Settling in?" Tippin said. He hadn't quite a smile on his mustached face, but neither did he seem quite as perturbed as before.

  "Resting," Jacob said. "It's been a harrowing, though unusual, day. Have a seat right after you pour us some of that brandy."

  Tippin obliged, placing a glass in front of Jacob and another for himself at his side of the desk. He pulled a chair up and sat.

  Tippin raised his glass. "To new beginnings."

  "I'll drink to that," Jacob said, raising his glass and drinking. "You staying or leaving? Technically, you're not part of the crew, so you're not bound by its new owner."