by J M Bannon
“I am not a maritime lawyer, Constable…”
“Caldwell, Constable Rose Caldwell,”
“Constable Caldwell, I don’t think you can just go about changing flags as you please on a ship. That might lead others to think you are a pirate.” said the Major.
“I want to clarify, we have English citizens aboard and we mean no harm to anyone,” she replied.
“Are you operating on the Queen’s Business?” asked Reinhold. Rose didn’t answer.
“Are you prepared to tell me the number of troops you have?” the Major followed up.
"We have no troops, there is only a handful of us, we’re on our way to Königsberg to bring a friend back home," replied Rose.
"Interesting, we too are heading to Königsberg, but our problem is we can’t go back until we find Dr. Traube," stated the soldier.
“She is on board,” offered Rose.
“Well let’s go have a chat” The man grabbed Rose’s arm to guide her to the rear bulkhead.
As she stepped into the corridor, she felt the man’s pistol jab into her ribs. One of his crew followed him the others split up to encircle the bridge.
“No surprises, Miss Caldwell or you're the first to go.”
"Wait one second, there is someone in the galley to the left," Rose blurted.
“Call them out,” he demanded.
“Preston, come out of the galley, slowly.” ordered Rose. The Englishman’s hands crept out first around the door frame then followed by his disbelieving eyes.
The tight quarters of the hall worried Rose adding to her own anxiety and to the man whose tense grip was bruising her arm.
“You on the bridge down there, all of you against the window looking out, hands up against the glass. Captain before you get out of that chair I want you to call the engine room and tell them to shut down and proceed down to the bridge,” Reidun complied calling up to the engineer’s deck asking Tommy and Jules to surrender.
The men who split off now reappeared. Two entered in from the port and starboard doors at the ends of the hall and two more appeared outside of the bridge looking in with guns drawn. The two entering the gondola moved to the bridge and relieved the Captain of her weapons.
“You, get in the bridge and face the window with the rest,” Preston quickly stepped onto the bridge with a fleeting glance back to Rose. If he hoped for some signal or plan, she had none.
“Let’s get on to the bridge Miss Caldwell,” said the German with a shove.
“Over by the window, Miss Caldwell” The man took off his mask. He had the face of an athlete, strong and lean the right side was bandaged “Those things make me claustrophobic and this burn is irritated by my sweat. Now who is the Captain of this ship?”
“I’m Reidun Falk,” responded the Captain.
Rose noticed the engines had shut down the background thrum of the propellers, the clanking and hiss of steam was gone. The only noise she heard now was the buzz of the two mini airships circling the Peregrine.
“Greetings Captain Falk. I am Major Caspar Reinhold and on behalf of the Prussian government I have boarded your ship in my effort to rescue a Prussian citizen named Lorelei Traube.”
“I am Lorelei Traube and I don’t need to be rescued,” replied Traube.
Rose watched Caspar as he gestured to his men. One moved Lorelei away from the group, “Major, she has one of our trooper’s pistol belts.”
“Dr. Traube, would you like to tell me what happened to my other squad?” asked Reinhold.
“You mean those thugs that attacked us with gas and killed two in our party?” Lorelei retorted. This could go off the rails quickly if Traube started to treat these soldiers like the hired help, thought Rose.
"By thugs, do you mean the Prussian patriots sent to find and save you even at the cost of life and limb. On that topic, what happened to my men?" Casper walked closer to Lorelei even more imposing over her diminutive stature.
“Three of your men are in the cargo hold guarded by two Turks. The Turks do not speak English or German and will put up a fight. Two of your men were killed in the assault of this ship. I killed one of them, the other by the hand of the Turks. We didn’t kidnap Doctor Traube, we were on our way back to Königsberg, as you can see by our course, when you attacked. She is free to go with you,” added Rose.
“I am not going anywhere with you, Major. I will return to Prussia of my volition, when I please. I expect my father had something to do with your dispatch, I assume you are fully aware the Traube name and influence,” Lorelei spouted.
Rose winced, glancing out the window as she listened to the conversation behind her. She kept looking at the large ironclad that was closing in on them from the horizon, there was something familiar about it.
“Your family is one of the most respected in the Kingdom, I have no doubt of your influence and power. I also have orders to bring you back safely as the holder of information that your Alchemy Guild holds dear; so, important, that I was personally directed by Duke Gorber, another powerful influence in the Landstraad and Court. In short, peacefully, or over my shoulder, you will return with me.” ordered the Major.
“Miss Caldwell, do you have some influence over these men in the cargo hold to encourage them to surrender?”
“Preston is the only one who speaks their language. He could attempt to talk them out but be clear they are not part of this party and may not be as keen to surrender.” answered Rose.
“Excuse us.” It was Tommy and Jules, arms raised, peeking in to the bridge. One of the troopers checked them for weapons and moved them to the window with the others.
The Major spoke in German and three of his men left. He then returned to English, “Let’s see about bringing our boys up, then we can transfer all of you to The Hunsrück and back to Königsberg.”
“What of my ship?” asked Falk.
“I have no opinion about your ship, I will leave that to Captain Kallweit to determine, but you will all be brought to Prussia for the authorities to adjudicate. Maybe since your crew member here likes to re-flag your vessel, Prussia will put her own flag on this old gas bag.”
Rose was startled by the bang of two stun grenades followed by three shots from underneath the floor. She listened for clues on the outcome below deck and assumed the Prussian troopers rescued their comrades by the raucous German cross talk, then another shot and some laughter. That can’t be good.
Now the ship swarmed with Prussians. The two that left early returned to the bridge speaking with the Major. Around the gang way on the outside of the bridge the other trooper and the three that Rose and Reidun had subdued were talking loudly amongst themselves. Rose watched in anticipation as the other ship closed on the Peregrine. One of the shuttle pilots waved and pointed to the horizon catching the attention of the German gaggle on the gangway, the team banging on the glass to get the Major’s attention.
“You two move from the window so I can see” The Major waved his pistol at Preston and Jules.
Rose turned, "I haven’t seen many airships but I believe the only one that big is the HMS Victoria."
27
TUESDAY THE 13TH OF JUNE 1860
9:32 AM, BRIDGE OF THE PEREGRINE
Rose attended the christening of the HMS Victoria as a guest of Dolly Williamson. Such a grand sight to see, this historic vessel, lift off of the dry dock over the city of London. She would never forget it, the first time participating at an official event as a Constable together with her boss.
She was certain now as it turned and circled the Peregrine at a distance. The ship was designed for long range engagement and it had just taken station, flashing a semaphore light.
“Well Major, it appears as though they are also planning to board according the semaphore they just sent,” spat Lorelei spinning and crossing her arms.
"Lorelei, we need not escalate the situation. Major, the ship is here because I contacted my superiors for help in Constantinople. Last, I checked we were allies and our monar
chs first cousins. No one at home will be happy with either of us if we ignite an international incident. And while you may have the upper hand on this ship, Her Majesty the Queen rules the skies today," added Rose.
“Sargent, signal the Hunsrück to standby, then advise the British to board. Advise them that this ship has a full complement of Prussian guard.” The Major switched back to German to bark commands, his troops snapped to attention and took positions around the ship to guard the captives and be ready for an attack.
Rose struggled to conceive how to keep this powder keg from going off.
“Major, could I have a moment in private?” Reinhold nodded and waved her over as he checked his weapon then re-holstered the pistol.
“It may be helpful if you avoid treating the British as captive or hostages and allow me to speak with the boarding party,” suggested Rose.
“I am not some savage, Ms. Caldwell. I am a soldier on a mission to protect our citizens and the interest of the Crown,” the Major shot back.
“My point exactly, the men about to board this ship will have the same sentiment. And might I add, with the son of a Lord and an officer of the Home Office begin held, they may not see your side in this.”
“Well enough, you and your Lord are not my prisoners, but Dr. Traube will return to Königsberg with me.”
“Agreed.” Rose held out her hand to shake on the agreement. Although the two of you may return together in the brig of the Victoria.
Four longboats also used as lifeboats were launched from the Victoria. The craft were larger than the Prussian built dinghies, they resembled traditional sea craft, similar to a whaling boat: primarily wooden with a pig iron and brass undercarriage, that held the torpedo shaped gas vessels.
The British boats could hold a dozen men plus the pilot and coal stoker who stood aft, near the furnace and boiler. Black coal smoke trailed the craft as they approached changing formation.
Three boats preceded the fourth, the first three had a full complement of Royal Airborne Marines; rifles at the ready. The pilots positioned the boats in front, behind and to the port side of the Peregrine. The fourth boat approaching contained fewer men.
“Ms. Caldwell, please join me on the gangway to greet the boarding party,” asked Major Reinhold.
The fourth longboat hovered just off the starboard deck, with two officers aboard. “I am Captain Richards, the Executive officer of the HMS Victoria. This is Captain Smyth of the Royal Marines we are patrolling this airspace and have been advised by the British Consulate that some subjects of the Crown may need our help.”
“Major Casper Reinhold, at your service,” He clicked his heels and gave a nod to the British officers, “Commander of the third reconnaissance detachment of the Prussian National Defense Force. I detained this ship to protect a Prussia national.”
“Major, are there any British citizens on board? And as a matter of formality, I would like it noted that you have detained a ship flying a British flag,” said Captain Richards.
"My understanding is there are two British nationals, one being Miss Rose Caldwell," said the Major as he held an open palm toward Rose.
“Constable Caldwell,” injected Rose.
“One being Constable Caldwell, the other a British aristocrat I would also like you to note that our records show the Peregrine registered and flagged Swiss not a ship under the protection of Her Majesty," replied Caspar.
"Noted Major, may we board the vessel?" asked Richards.
“You are welcome aboard,” the Prussian replied.
The captain signaled the pilot who then maneuvered the long boat against the rail. Ropes were thrown and Reinhold’s men assisted in tying off the long boat to the Peregrine. First over the railing was Captain Smyth followed by Captain Richards.
"Captain, I am Rose Caldwell, a Constable in this special branch of the Metropolitan Police Service. I report to Detective Inspector Williamson, it was I who changed the flag on this ship. That flag was given by Garrett Atwood, the cultural attaché from the British Embassy in Constantinople, after he was sent to meet with me by the Home Office.
Preston Gilchrist and I have been searching for Dr. Traube after she disappeared. We connected with the good doctor in Constantinople and en route to Königsberg when we were stopped by Major Reinhold and his airship," rattled off Rose to get her story out before Reinhold could say anything.
"Constable Caldwell is correct, we stopped the ship with force as Dr. Traube is a prominent scientist and daughter of an aristocrat. My orders are to return her to Prussia safely."
"Major Reinhold, I intend to interview everyone on the ship. Those that are subjects of Her Majesty will be allowed safe passage back to England upon the HMS Victoria if they so choose. Will there be any problem with that?" asked Captain Smyth.
Rose watched Reinhold as he clenched his jaw and cleared his throat before speaking “as I stated earlier my mission is to return Dr. Traube safely to her home in Prussia as long is nothing conflicts with that aim, there should be no issue,”
“Constable Caldwell is it your intention to return with us?” Asked Reynolds.
“It is Captain,” Rose stated. The words felt so good to say.
"Major Reinhold do you have any issue with Constable Caldwell joining me and the Captain?”
Reinhold took a deep breath and squeezed his lips together. Rose waited for the answer, her eyes darting between the Prussian and British soldiers all tense and on the edge.
"To bring clarity to the situation Major, and please do not take this in any way as a threat; just a tactical assessment. My commander is observing, if he believes in anyway these troops or I are in danger, the first order will be to blow your airship out of the sky. All of Victoria's guns are trained on your ship and I can assure you no one on that ship will survive. As far as the situation here, if violence were to break out you seem a capable combatant and will certainly put up a formidable fight against the Captain's Marines, but your mission isn’t to kill redcoats.
You stated the mission is completed when you return the Doctor home. Frankly I'm not interested in any posthumous medals, so as officers let us do our best to reduce tension and make sure all our men get safely to their bunks tonight," offered Captain Reynolds with a soothing matter of fact tone.
“May we begin our interviews?” asked Captain Smyth.
Reinhold stepped out of the way and waved his arm towards the access bulkhead for the gondola.
Once inside the bridge, Reinhold spoke in German and his men took a less aggressive stance they were not at ease but they were also not ready to pull the trigger.
"Who here is a subject of Her Majesty Queen Victoria?” asked Reynolds.
"I am Sir," answered Preston.
Reynolds turned to Reinhold, “is this everyone?”
"Living. There are several dead from altercations on the ship. One of my men and three Turks,” replied Reinhold.
Reynolds looked to Rose, "Any of the dead an issue?"
"Other than being killed in this folly, but to your inquiry none were subjects of the Crown." she answered.
“Well then if you two are ready, we will cast off and report back to the Victoria.”
“I’m not leaving without Lorelei,” Preston’s voice rose as he moved to Lorelei’s side.
‘And I am not going with him,” spouted the Doctor as she pointed to Caspar.
Shit, so close to not starting a war.
“Enough of that, nonsense” it was Falk, red-faced and scowling with her finger pointing at Lorelei. “I've lost crew members, a fortune in ship repairs, and I've lost my patience. I want all of you off my ship now!”
"Is that all you're worried about, your silly little ship? Get me a piece of paper and I'll write you a promissory note to repair and refit your airship; so, stop worrying about broken engines when right now my colleague could fire up the crucible," fired back Lorelei then turning to Major Reinhold "and you, you pompous idiot and your zealous pursuit to locate me and protect Prussi
a! you killed the men that could secure Prussia from the single most terrifying internal threat it has. Why won't any of you listen?"
The cadre of military men were all stunned by the outburst, not knowing what to say. Rose stepped into the middle of the group getting between Lorelei and Reidun. “Captain Falk, be assured everyone appreciates your sacrifice on this expedition; I would not normally ask another thing from you. However, given the number of guns pointing at one other, the last thing we need is for all of these weapons to go off because of frazzled nerves and high emotion.
“And you, Lorelei, for someone with a PhD, you really lack insight; you can't solve this problem on your own, you can't fix it by out-thinking it. The solution requires for us to work together and understand the answer may take compromise from everyone.” Rose wasn’t just talking to Lorelei, it was for everyone in the room and in some respects for herself.
“Preston, I need your objective assessment about the situation with the Emerald tablet,” ordered Rose.
“Ancient myths across several societies have referred to these Outcasts, what they are or where they are from I cannot say. but there are commonalities surrounding cultures that could never have communicated with each other, including use of similar iconography and mythology.
For example, Hieroglyphics in Egypt and carvings in Peru of similar creatures, called gods or demons…”
“Whoa, Preston stay on track I said a quick assessment,” interrupted Rose.
“The Hermetic Brotherhood captured one of the Outcast and sealed them in the Emerald or Sorcerer’s Stone. It is not a magic stone for transmuting material, rather, it is a prison. Their ritual was to be acted out annually to strengthen the wards. Without those rituals and, if as Lorelei has said the stone has been pummeled with arcane forces it would make sense that the enchantments would fail. If we gain access to the stone, I can channel Azul and he will assess the situation. Perhaps there may be an opportunity to reenact the ritual, however, I won't be able to do it on my own and frankly, Rose is far more qualified than I am with this type of theurgy.” proposed Preston in his usual fashion. Rose gave him a smile.