Gaslit Armageddon (Clockworks of War Book 2)
Page 31
“We have to see Lincoln.”
“Mr. Shepherd,” Bill said, his tone stern. “In case you haven’t noticed, we are not a combat ship. We’re a materials transport. The only artillery we have is for the crewmen who guard the cargo when it’s being loaded and offloaded. Those two gunners outside are packing more firepower than we can handle. I’d prefer not to tempt fate.”
“Stall them,” Kane said. “Find a way. It’s important.”
Morse Code receiver began to sound off, the tapper chattering rapidly. Carlton was writing it down on a piece of paper, transcribing as he went.
“Captain Bill, sir,” he said, not looking up. “They’re demanding to know why we haven’t veered to the new course yet. Please advise.”
Bill kept his eyes on Kane as he spoke, his tone low.
“If any of my men are killed, Kane, it’s on your hands.” He called over his shoulder. “Mr. Carlton, please advise to the Special Forces that we are having mechanical difficulties, and that they are almost resolved. Five minutes until nav to new course.”
“Sir.” Carlton leaned over and began to tap the Morse Code handle rapidly, sending Bill’s message on to the Special Forces.
Kane turned and moved to the front viewing window, looking ahead as Tabitha joined him. She grabbed his hand, squeezed as she leaned in close. She was trembling, her voice shaking as she spoke.
“Kane…oh, no.”
The sky was getting darker, the purple hues growing deeper, but it was still bright enough to see the large plumes of smoke rising from the airfield ahead. Burning cinders floated up with the smoke, ash raining down like black snow as the ship flew closer. Kane looked down from observation window as the yard began to pass below. There were a few structure fires burning out, the remains going to glowing embers. The ground was scorched, the heat rising from the burned soil and asphalt coming up in waves, giving Kane the sense that he was looking at the destruction in a dream. The silos, cargo bays, and hangers were all gone, each structure now a shell crumbling in on itself, falling into glowing kindling on the ground. Kane reached out with his hearing, tried to find someone, anyone still alive. The entire field was quiet, the only sound coming from the earth as concrete and asphalt cracked from the heat, the sharp sound accompanied by the dull, low sound of burning ember and ash.
Kane heard Tabitha’s whisper.
“Two hundred…two hundred…”
He looked at her. She stared down at the carnage with white eyes, her face drawn as she muttered the same phrase over and over. He squeezed her hand gently, but she gave no reaction.
“Tabitha?” He turned her away from the window, holding her by the shoulders as he tried to get her attention. “Tabitha. Hey, are you there?”
Her voice was airy, dazed.
“So…so many voices…all at once. Screaming…run…”
He led her away from the window, helped her sit down in a bolted-down seat next to the navigation desk, and buckled her in. Carlton looked down at her.
“What’s wrong with her? Does she need a medic?”
“No,” Kane said. “We need to get out of here. She’s picking up on what happened here. Whatever it was, it was bad.”
Carlton nodded.
“Captain, sir, we’re ready! Pull to Port, forty-two degrees due West.”
“Aye, Mr. Carlton.” Bill looked over his shoulder at Kane, his tone haunted and low. He looked as if he’d seen a ghost. “Why in God’s name would they do this?”
“This was a Battle Cruiser,” Kane said. “They wanted to make sure whatever was happening got snuffed out completely. They did the same thing to Charleston.”
Captain Bill nodded, turning back to the wheel as he gave it a quarter-spin to the left. The ship began to bank, leaning only slightly. The Morse Code receiver chattered away, Carlton transcribing as it went. Kane looked down at Tabitha. Her eyes were going back to normal. She looked up at him, tears welling as she spoke.
“Most of them lived in Hidden Valley. Some lived in worse places around the city. Husbands…fathers…sons…no one went home tonight.”
“Captain Bill, sir,” Carlton said, looking up from his notes. “They’re demanding we land as soon as we’re clear of the fires. There’s an open pad coming up on us in five.”
“Prep for landing, Mr. Carlton,” Bill said. “Signal to them that we will comply.”
Kane stood.
“Bill, you can’t,” he said. “It’s a trap. They’re looking to search this ship.”
“Then I suggest you find a way off before they get on board, Mr. Shepherd,” Bill said, not looking at Kane.
Kane stepped in front of him. Bill looked hardened, set.
Defeated.
“If they find us, they might kill you for having seen us,” Kane said
“Then save my life and make sure they don’t find you,” Bill said. “Kane, I have two gunners on my ass. I’ve no doubt their cannons are aimed. I’m not willing to risk my men. It’s my duty to lead them, and to protect them.” He shook his head. “If you two were members of the crew, served at the mast of my ship, I’d do the same for you. But you’re not. I have to choose my men above all else. It will never be a matter open to debate.”
Kane stopped himself from arguing. He looked at Tabitha, saw the rest of his friends flash in his mind. Bette. Ralphie. Antonia.
He held his hand out to the Captain. Bill took it, giving it a strong shake.
“Fair winds, Kane Shepherd,” he said.
Kane nodded to him.
“Fair winds.” He went to Tabitha, helped her to her feet. “We need to get out of here,” he said. “How far can you take us?”
Kane’s hearing opened at the telltale sound of a cannon being made ready to fire.
* * *
THE END…FOR NOW
Acknowledgments
This one was tough, and I wouldn’t have been able to step up to the challenge without the help of Melissa, my editor Susan, and the members of my wonderful writing community who push me forward and keep beating on me to get the next book out! Big thanks to John Hartness, who took the time out of an insane schedule to whack me over the head and tell me “Hey, this book ain’t done, son. Get to writing, pen monkey.”
My beta readers are amazing. Donald Kirby and Leona Strong did a fantastic job helping me get this ready for edits.
Thank you to everyone who took a chance on The Clockworks of War with Gaslit Insurrection! You guys helped make this continuation in the series possible!
About the Author
Jason Gilbert is an avid reader, writer, and movie-goer who keeps busy with (probably) more projects than can possibly be healthy. He started his dream of writing stories in middle school, and has been at it since. He opened his movie review blog, Fail-Flix, in 2010. Since then, he has published a collection of reviews in hardcover, and has launched a digital short story series called The Rifle Chronicles. He lives with his wife and a rambunctious daughter who manage to keep him somewhat in line. Somewhat.
Web: www.JasonHGilbert.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Jason.Gilbert.3726
Twitter: @JasonFailFlix
Also by Jason Gilbert
Clockworks of War
Gaslit Insurrection
* * *
The Rifle Chronicles
Saloon Opens at Five
Rifle Returns (The Rifle Chronicles, Book 6)
* * *
Bad Movie Beware!: 100 Moves No Human Being Should Ever Watch
* * *
Anthology Contributions
We Are Not This: Carolina Writers for Equality
Curious Incidents: More Improbable Adventures
* * *
Find Jason on Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/Jason-Gilbert/e/B017CHMXJE
Gaslit Armageddon © 2018 Jason Gilbert
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying, recording, or informatio
n storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Editing & Formatting: Susan H. Roddey, Clicking Keys
www.ClickingKeys.com
Cover Art: Melissa M. Gilbert, Clicking Keys
www.ClickingKeys.com
ISBN-10: 1722101261 | ISBN-13: 978-1722101268
PRINTED IN THE USA