by M J Moores
She dragged herself back into the basket and sat on her rump, hugging her knees to her chest, rubbing her arms with her hands.
“You Ralph Spooner, enthusimuzzy! Get your head on straight,” she cursed herself out. “You’ve got a job to do, and it won’t get done if you’re fallin’ through the air.”
Her teeth chattered and her occasional shiver evolved into a full-fledged body quake, but finally, the thrusters engaged and brought the balloon above her cloud.
Louisa clenched her jaw and forced the joints in her hands to open. The deep cold seeping into her bones made it difficult to move. She shudder-walked to the first net. Clumsy fingers slipped over easy clasps. She bit her lip and drew blood, but it worked. The edge of the net released and three dozen or so dispersal orbs fell into the cloud below. Louisa sucked the blood off her teeth and pulled her frozen body over to the next net.
As she fumbled with the catch on the last batch, her stiff fingers refused to do what she demanded. Feathers of ice formed on her lashes as steam from her breath crystallized in the air. Each intake of breath stabbed at her lungs.
One more. Just … one … more …
The catch snapped and she tumbled forward.
In the News
THE LONDON CHRONICLE
From Thursday, September 21, to Sunday, September 24, 1876
FLIGHT OF FANCY
By Morrison Tweed
The need for rain has spawned a battle of mettle in the skies above. As Inventors Andrew Bennett and Gerald Sterling refine two different methods for cloud seeding, London waits with bated breath for the rains to return.
Saturday morning’s dispersal test, as performed by Bennett, yielded first a mini powder show before an unexpected autumn shower over Parson’s Green and Fullham.
Due to an oversight by airfield maintenance, Bennett was forced to complete his test with a smaller balloon than anticipated. This turn of events restricted his overall weight capacity and placed his assistant in dangerous circumstances.
Found in a mild hypothermic state, Ms. Wicker was rushed away amidst a long-awaited September shower. At last check, Bennett’s assistant was expected to fully recover.
An anonymous tip to the constabulary regarding balloon tampering just prior to launch is being disregarded as there are no witnesses other than the writer of the tip.
The police refuse to release the sketches accompanying said letter and decline further comment. Based on the composition of the drawings, it is this reporter’s opinion that the anonymous source is none other than the city’s newest guardian, Shadow Phoenix, looking out for the little guy once again.
Meanwhile, Gerald Sterling’s afternoon cloud seeding test produced similar results with a larger balloon and more seed.
Episode III: Oubliette
COMING AUGUST 16th, 2019
Thank you for reading the second episode of
SHADOW PHOENIX
Please consider reviewing this story on
Amazon
Goodreads
or your favorite book site.
Every review an author receives is an honored gift.
Other Books by MJ Moores
The CHRONICLES of XANNIA
Time’s Tempest
Cadence of Consequences
Rebels Rein
Forgotten Fallacy
FLAWED ATTRACTION ROMANCES
Final Year