by Pelaam
“I believe they used to work on ocean liners, so they’re used to it. And of course, the mechanicals are there to do the physical labor. You can see why they’re important.” Nathan shrugged. “I couldn’t understand why Melbeck didn’t keep them better serviced.”
“I have a feeling that Melbeck doesn’t like to be parted from his money.” Nicolas was glad when Nathan closed the door.
“Yes. There is that. Let me show you your workroom. I have a few jobs to do while the ship is readied for launch. Captain Melbeck wants you on the bridge when we set sail.”
“The engines are at the rear of the ship. How are we going to rise up?”
“Captain Melbeck will explain the basic mechanics. But we don’t use the engines to lift off. That’s done differently. The engines power us once we’re up there.” Nathan pointed upward, and Nicolas’s stomach flipped.
“You’re happy to do this?” Nicolas asked. Then he reached out without thought as Nathan’s expression changed instantly.
“I have no choice.” Nathan whispered and offered a smile that didn’t reach his deep brown eyes. They were so expressive, that Nicolas could almost feel the other man’s pain.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s all right. You didn’t know. Forget it. Let’s go to your workroom.” Nathan turned quickly and walked away, Nicolas following. “The captain intended to greet you personally in there.”
If there was one thing Nicolas was certain of, there was more to Nathan than met the eye. He was as out of place on this ship as Nicolas himself. Nicolas had no right to know more about him, nor did he understand the protective instinct he had for the other man. But, as far as he could, he’d watch out for Nathan.
Chapter Nine
When they reached his workshop, Nathan had been correct. Melbeck was waiting for him.
“Thank you, Nathan. You’re dismissed. Welcome aboard Strawberry Fields, Nicolas.” Melbeck waved a hand at Nathan who immediately backed out without a word.
“Thank you, Captain. I have some tools of my own, but I assume you have a full selection here?”
“This is your outer workshop.” Melbeck indicated a long table with a couple of stools, all of which were fixed in place. There were also stacks of drawers which Nicolas assumed contained smaller necessities like cogs, wheels, and wiring. “Through there is the more specialized equipment and the mechanicals themselves.”
With a soft groan, Nicolas stared at the automatons. They were all in specially constructed restraints and looking at them, Nicolas would be surprised if they still functioned. Each one was a basic model with rudimentary human features in a copper face, these mechanicals were never intended for heavy duty extended use.
On top of the brutal misuse they’d endured, it was clear to Nicolas that Melbeck had skimped on even such necessities as cleaning and maintenance for a very long time. Most of their faces and hands were blackened from the heat and smoke of the furnaces, and it wasn’t just surface soot that could be easily polished away.
“Well? You said you were talented. There they are. This is one half of my mechanical workforce. The other half are still functional.” Melbeck folded his arms as if daring Nicolas to complain.
“I didn’t realize they were in such desperate need of attention.” Nicolas wandered around the immobile automatons, occasionally touching one of them. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at Melbeck. “I may not even get through servicing them in one round trip.” Nicolas was quite certain he wouldn’t but had no intention of letting Melbeck know.
The last thing he wanted was to endure another such trip. Nicolas was still trying to fathom a plan to get Nathan away from Melbeck and Strawberry Fields. He most certainly didn’t want Melbeck expecting him to make another voyage.
“I thought you were talented.” Melbeck narrowed his eyes, dropped his voice, and glowered at Nicolas.
“And I thought I was taking care of machinery that had been regularly serviced and maintained, not left to rot like cadavers with the expectation that I can make them rise like Lazarus.” Nicolas met both Melbeck’s glare and tone. He might be a gentleman, and somewhat naïve, but he was no pushover.
To Nicolas’s surprise, Melbeck chuckled softly. “No. I suppose not. Very well. Do what you can. There are spares for heads and limbs in the outer storage room, along with an assortment of tools. Since neither I, nor my men, know how to do anything more than basics, most are untouched.”
“Thank you.” Nicolas offered a stiff bow in acknowledgement and waited for Melbeck to leave before he sagged against the workbench. With a deep breath he stood, squared his shoulders, and looked at each unresponsive mechanical in turn. There were six of them.
“Well, I suppose I should check the equipment I have at my disposal before giving you my undivided attention, my friends.” Nicolas didn’t think twice about addressing the automatons as if they’d hear him. He did the same with all his creations.
Wandering through the rooms, Nicolas examined everything carefully—tools, spares, even the ancient containers of oil. It was a decent enough selection. Nicolas wouldn’t have too many issues in servicing the mechanicals, apart from their poor state. He just hoped they were still salvageable.
Even having the right tools would be useless if Melbeck had allowed the automatons to deteriorate too far. Melbeck certainly didn’t seem like a man to spend money on keeping things maintained. Nicolas hoped the shell of the ship was sound and kept in better repair than the mechanicals he was to work on.
In addition to those aboard Strawberry Fields, Nicolas had his own set of tools, and a combined spanner and screwdriver that he kept tucked in his jacket’s inside pocket.
Taking stock of his workshop, Nicolas was grateful that at least it was spacious. Although he missed having windows, the metal walls giving him a slight sense of claustrophobia. However, on reflection, Nicolas felt it was probably better that he couldn’t see outside the vessel at the unending darkness of space.
It didn’t take long for Nicolas to get caught up in checking and categorizing each tool, separating them into piles of useful, potentially useful, and those to be cast aside. With his own more complete and specialist sets of tools, Nicolas was certain there would be no issues in that regard.
At the knock on the door, Nicolas looked up, and when he checked his pocket watch, he was surprised to see a couple of hours had already gone by. Hurrying to the door, Nicolas opened it to see Nathan, and his stomach flipped with excitement.
“The last of the pre-launch preparations are complete. Captain Melbeck wants you on the bridge. The crew all have their designated places to be prior to launch. I’ll be on the bridge, too. Before we leave here, you must ensure everything is secured.”
“Right.” This time, the lurch of Nicolas’s stomach had nothing to do with excitement and everything to do with trepidation. With Nathan trailing behind him, Nicolas secured the tools in their fixed boxes, the automatons were already secured. Setting his own box of tools into a chest, Nicolas held up his specialized tool case. “Can we secure these in your cabin?”
“Of course, but we must hurry. The captain wants to launch in two hours. So everything and everyone needs to be in their launch positions.”
“Fine.” Nicolas followed Nathan toward the rear of the ship, where the heat from the furnaces could be felt. He was surprised that Nathan’s cabin wasn’t in the same area with the rest of the crews’ quarters
“I sleep in here.” Nathan unlocked a door, and Nicolas peered inside.
This room had a bed and a small trunk on the floor. But when Nathan opened it, there was nothing inside except a change of clothes in which Nicolas spotted a few pressed flowers when Nathan moved them to accommodate the tools.
“You travel very light.” As soon as he’d said the words, Nicolas regretted them. A wave of pain and sorrow flashed across Nathan’s face, to be replaced by a watery smile that held no sincerity.
“I have nothing. Not even a
past that I can remember. Your tools will be safe in here. The crew don’t come around here, and I can lock my door.”
“I’m sorry.” Nicolas let his hands rest lightly on Nathan’s shoulders and waited for the other man to look up into his eyes. “I truly didn’t mean to hurt you. I would never intentionally hurt you.” Nicolas hadn’t meant to say those words, but they came unbidden and he meant them wholeheartedly.
Nathan turned his head aside, and a shard of fear stabbed through Nicolas’s chest. Then, slowly, Nathan lifted his head to stare into Nicolas’s eyes.
“I’ve only known you a few short hours, and yet, in that short time, you’ve shown me more consideration than I’ve known in the past six months.” Nathan’s voice was rough, and it took an effort of will from Nicolas not to just pull the other man into a tight embrace.
Instead, Nicolas gripped Nathan’s shoulders more tightly. “I don’t say such things lightly. I may be experiencing a period of financial hardship, but I’m the man I always was. I consider myself a man of honor. For what it’s worth, I give you my word, Nathan, that you can consider me your friend. You can come to me at any time, with any problem.”
“Thank you, Nicolas. That means a great deal to me. I don’t have anyone to call a friend on Strawberry. It can be very lonely.”
The note of yearning in Nathan’s voice was too much for Nicolas to bear. He slung a single arm around Nathan’s shoulders and hugged him. Appeasing, at least in part, his desire to be closer to Nathan.
“Then we’re friends. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Nathan nodded, and this time his smile was genuine. “Now, we’d best hurry. The captain doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
As Nathan had said, the ship’s bridge was at the front. When Nicolas went through the door, he stopped. This room looked as if it was a replica of a sea-faring ship’s bridge, complete with ship’s wheel, with a couple of odd stirrups attached to the floor before it. There was a table with maps of stars, and a plethora of instruments Nicolas didn’t recognize.
A control panel with flickering lights and switches caught Nicolas’s attention, and a thrill of fear skittered along his spine. He was really going to fly in this metal ship into space. He swallowed hard, hoping that the tightening of his stomach would pass.
Looking up from where he studied the maps, Melbeck favored Nicolas with a slow smile. “Welcome to my bridge.” Melbeck made an expansive gesture with his hand. “Some call the engine room the heart of a ship. Well, if that’s the heart, then this is the brain.”
“Thank you, Captain. She looks very impressive.” Nicolas didn’t consider the ship impressive at all. But he had no intention of saying so to Melbeck.
“She’s durable and reliable. A little slower these days, but she’ll get us to the station and back.” Melbeck strode to the wheel and slapped it. “I’ve lost count of the trips we’ve made together.”
“I see.” Nicolas clasped his hands behind his back, hoping he looked far more relaxed than he felt. “Nathan showed me my room, and I left my tools in my workshop as he specified. Now what?”
“Now you and he settle yourselves in those seats.” Melbeck jerked a thumb toward seating that looked big enough to seat three. “Secure yourself in. She can rattle a bit when we take off. It can be a bit disconcerting for those unused to the sensation. Once we’re safely away, you’ll be able to walk freely aboard Strawberry. Nathan, I charge you with informing Master Broadberry which parts of the ship are off limits.”
“Yes, Captain.” Nathan nodded.
“Thank you, Captain.” Nicolas sat down, and Nathan settled next to him, offering a reassuring smile.
“If it’s any solace, I thought I was going to die on my first flight. Captain Melbeck had to knock me out. The second and third times, I was given opium. I’m used to the sensation now, but I still don’t enjoy it like the captain. But I’m certain you won’t need any such sedation to cope. Unfortunately, I’m not mentally robust.”
“Thank you for the warning. I appreciate it.” Nicolas took a deep breath. If Melbeck and Nathan could cope with a ship sailing into space, then he could, too.
Melbeck took the communication’s pipe and blew hard. “Is everything ready in the furnaces? I’m preparing to weigh anchor.” Melbeck waited for a reply. “Good, now sound the ship’s siren. We have five minutes before launch.”
The mournful sound of the siren’s wail tightened the knot in Nicolas’s stomach and he clenched his hands into fists, his heart beating rapidly. Melbeck grinned at him, flashing his metal teeth, and took his place at the ship’s wheel. He slid his feet into the strange stirrups before gripping the wheel tightly.
“Strapped in?” Melbeck asked.
“Yes, Captain.” Nicolas nodded.
“Good, then we’re away.” The siren stopped as Melbeck flicked a switch, then the ship began to shudder.
The shock of the sudden upward movement of the ship took Nicolas by surprise. He clasped tightly to the arm of the seat, his knuckles turning white from the power of his grip. Then he felt a touch to his free hand. Glancing down, Nathan had opened his own hand, and laid it palm upwards between them. Nicolas clasped it tightly, its warmth a balm to his agitated soul.
Nicolas risked a quick look at Nathan, but the other man’s eyes were tightly closed. Nicolas decided to do the same. He felt certain his stomach had been left far behind, and the rattling and whining the ship made hardly helped his nervousness. His heart pounded painfully in his chest, and it was now easy to understand why someone of a more gentle nature would have found the experience distressing the first time. His admiration for Nathan grew.
The sensation of being crushed down into the seat would have been alarming to Nicolas, if it hadn’t been for the strong grip Nathan maintained. Gradually, the pressure decreased. Nicolas became aware that the shaking and sound had lessened and that if he hadn’t been secured into the seat, he’d be weightless.
“Don’t worry.” Nathan leaned close and whispered into Nicolas’s ear. “Once we aren’t using the gravity inhibiter, everything will be as it is back on Earth.
“Thank you.” Nicolas murmured his reply and risked a quick glance over his shoulder toward Melbeck. Now he understood the strange stirrups he’d seen fixed to the floor behind the ship’s wheel.
Melbeck stood at the wheel, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, where a panel had slid aside to show the sky. The belt he wore was connected by straps to the wheel, and his feet were in the stirrups. It explained how the captain could remain standing normally.
Then Melbeck laughed out loud. “So immensely stimulating. Didn’t you think so, Nicolas?”
“Yes, indeed.” If he was honest, Nicolas thought that was as far from the truth as he could get. But he had no intentions of showing any weakness before Melbeck.
There was a small tug to his hand, and he realized he still held on to Nathan’s. With a quick smile, he released his grip, instantly missing the warmth and comfort it brought, and wishing he could take hold of it again.
“Ah, good. I will disable the inhibitors and we’ll then rely on the furnaces to power us to the space port. Allow me to show you the most beautiful sight there is, Nicolas.” Melbeck slipped his feet from the stirrups and made his way to the wheel, keeping tethered to it, until he reached the console. He pulled on a couple of levers, and a soft whine grew in intensity.
Directly in front of the ship’s wheel a panel slid aside, and Nicolas got his first real view of the vastness of space. The sight was indeed magnificent, as stars glinted in the blackness. Nicolas couldn’t deny it, and now that the ship was no longer shuddering as if she’d fall apart, he could appreciate the beauty before him.
“This is my view during our journey. The only one to rival it is the sight of our Earth on the return.” Melbeck gazed forward, not even glancing in Nicolas’s direction. “Well, time for you to earn your keep, Nicolas. Nathan can escort you to the workshop. I am aware that Strawberry is a little difficult to navigate your way
around until used to her.” Melbeck pulled slowly on a lever, and then unfastened his straps.
“Thank you, Captain.” Nicolas rose to his feet, hoping his legs didn’t wobble. “I’m eager to get to work on the automatons.”
“Good. Dismissed.” Melbeck waved a hand and turned his attention back to the stars, his hands on his wheel.
“Come on, Nicolas.” Nathan tugged at his hand. “I’ll take you back to your workshop.”
“Yes, of course.” Nicolas was happy enough to go back to what he knew and loved. As beautiful as space was, Nicolas would trade it in an instant for the gardens of his old home. Completing his work for Melbeck was the first step in going back to that life.
Chapter Ten
In his workshop, Nicolas walked away from the mechanical he was working on and went to sit in the outer room. The two days which had passed since Strawberry Fields began her journey had done so without incident, unless Nicolas counted the odd feeling he occasionally experienced.
The feeling was particularly strong when travelling between his workshop and the dining hall, or his own room. A sensation of cold malignancy. Once or twice, Nicolas even thought he’d heard a noise, but he’d seen nothing—so far.
Nicolas was also disappointed not to have seen more of Nathan. The only time he’d seen the other man was in the dining hall, but Nathan didn’t seem to eat there. Nicolas had seen him deliver goods in a box to the kitchen staff, and occasionally take what looked very similar to a tiffin tin away with him.
The other thing Nicolas had noticed was the number of men who’d watched Nathan’s every move. If that was what happened each time Nathan made an appearance there, then Nicolas could understand why the other man would avoid eating there.
An idea came to Nicolas’s mind. Nathan seemed to bring vegetables to the kitchen. He’d told Nicolas the conservatory was at the back of the ship, somewhere above the engine room to make good use of the rising heat. His room as close by. It struck Nicolas that Nathan probably ate in the conservatory. It would be far nicer than in the dining room.