Voyage of the Lanternfish

by C S Boyack

  James fondled one of the ingots. "More than okay. They're each worth about five of the coins, and they're a damned sight better than the local coinage."

  "Go back too?"

  "Did you see the assassin?"

  "No."

  "Might as well go back tonight then. Take everyone and several jars."

  "I I I I."

  James placed the jar in the bottom of his closet. Bill delivered breakfast.

  "Have you seen Mister McCormack?" James asked.

  "He left early, Captain. Said he was gonna get some wagons and help move cannon. Things ain't goin fast enough to suit him."

  "Good man, McCormack. I was going to suggest the same thing."

  "Stuttering Lewis would like to see you, sir. I made him wait until you had a chance to eat."

  "Nonsense, send him in."

  Bill left and sent Lewis in. He carried a burlap sack over his shoulder. "C-c-c-c–"

  "What do you have there?"

  "Fer, M-m-m mister, Phfff, Phfff–"

  "Just open the bag."

  Lewis pulled out a new wooden leg. He'd cut the shaft off the figurehead of the Hollish ship to make a shining silver peg. The cup where Dan's leg would fit was covered in the tanned skins of bay frogs, their warty pattern making an attractive leather. The fitting was decked out with a copper rim that would patina and enhance the frog skin. Above the cup was a sequence of leather straps and harnesses.

  "Go get Mister Philson, and knock first, there's a lady present."

  "Y-y-y-," Lewis ultimately saluted and left.

  James spread butter on a second biscuit, and Fala burst in. "What're you doing? All he can do is hop on one leg."

  "Then you should help him." James placed the leg on the table where she could see it. "Time for him to take on some limited duties. You too."

  "I, um... I don't know how I feel about this."

  "Doesn't matter how you feel. No matter what either of us think, this is Dan's future. Today, tomorrow, it's inevitable."

  "I'll help him over." She spun and went out the door.

  Dan hobbled inside with Fala's help. He paused in the doorway and stared at the wooden leg. Then he gripped a chair and sat down. "My old dad is going to be so pissed. Went and lost a perfectly good leg."

  "We'll explain it together. It was all to help Bonnie."

  Dan grabbed James' teapot and helped himself. "I knew this would happen, but I'm still not ready for it."

  "We'll have to trim his pants," Fala said.

  "I, k-k-kin d-do it," Lewis said.

  "Thank you, Lewis," Dan said. "And not just for the pants. It looks like a right good leg." He slid his pant leg up then grabbed the peg.

  "Th-th them straps goes up th-the out s-s-s–"

  "The outside?" Dan asked.

  Lewis nodded.

  "Oh let me do it," Fala said. She knelt down and fussed with the buckles.

  "Looks good," James said.

  "Not good as a real foot," Dan responded.

  James offered a hand, and Dan accepted it. He pulled his friend upright.

  Dan wobbled and leaned against the table. "Makes me feel even again. Might take some practice getting around."

  "At least we're in port," James said. "Easier than a rolling sea to get your legs under you." He turned to Stuttering Lewis. "Have Bill bring another place setting. You made this for my best friend, and I expect you to eat with us."

  After breakfast, they went in different directions. Dan to his cabin, Fala on an expedition for work, and Stuttering Lewis to shorten Dan's pants leg. James went to awaken Serang.

  Serang slept in her uniform. Her hair was disheveled and tangled about her face and shoulders.

  James organized the crates of huangjiu until he could sit upon one stack. "We may have a problem. Since we left Loremont we've been pursued by these assassins. I don't know if they're secret police, or what LeForge calls them. Mister Philson took one of their captured outfits, all in black with black cloaks. Have you seen anyone like that around?"

  "No, my Captain."

  "I sent the monsters out, but they never saw anyone either. Maybe it's all my imagination."

  "Perhaps, but we should be safe. What would you have me do?"

  "When you're ready, maybe you could look into the situation. I don't know if they're staying here and have no idea about us, or if they're onto us and plotting against us."

  Serang bowed. "If he exists, I will find him and make him tell us."

  James went back on deck. McCormack drove down the dock on a buffalo cart. It only held four guns, but it was four more than they had. "Got another cart right behind me, sir. The locals will bring the wagon around noon, but I think we can make three trips before they get here, and several more after."

  "You amaze me, sir. Keep them moving, and let's work deep into the night if the fort will let us. We have plenty of men lounging about who can drive carts or load cargo. Most of them spent their portions and are waiting to set sail."

  "Aye aye, Captain."

  James went to find Johnny Jump Up. "I need the decks swabbed fore and aft."

  "Those decks are spotless, what're you thinking?"

  "They're only going to pose as swabs. What I want them to do is move the mortars to focus on that fort. We may be leaving in a hurry, and I don't want one of their cannons taking us out before we get away."

  "We ain't got many shells left."

  "I'm aware of that. Exactly how many do you have?"

  "Three."

  "You're joking."

  "No sir. We took this ship, and the galleon with them. We've never restocked."

  "Well there's no sense saving them. If we have to leave under fire, we'll put them on their gun placements. Use my telescope and get a good survey of where the guns are. Aim the mortars in advance, and hope we don't need them."

  "Aye aye."

  "Oh, and in my cabin is the fancy chair we took from the Hollish Captain. Have it moved up to the wheel. Mister Philson is resuming some duties, and might need to sit on occasion."

  "Good to learn, sir. The men have all been worried about him."

  "Oh, and I don't see why we can't clean up the swivel guns and leave them placed along the rails. Make it look like a work detail, just cleaning and maintenance."

  "Makes sense to me. I'll see to it all."

  Serang appeared on deck. She wore her traditional wrappings, shorts, and coulee hat. She carried her glaive with her.

  "What about our ruse?" James asked. "You need the uniform."

  "Those clothes are too restrictive. Once I am away from the dock, nobody will associate me with the ship. I am a wanted woman here, and the glaive will make them forget about the ship and identify me for who I am."

  "Maybe you could leave it and take a pistol and sword."

  "I am proficient with swords, but have no experience with pistols. Besides, I can't exactly fight an assassin using a flute, can I?"

  "No, I suppose not."

  "Then with your approval, I will go about my duties." She pushed her hat back until it hung by the cord from her neck, descended the ramp, then took off at a jog into the morning glow of the city.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  James fussed. He paced the decks, checked on the galley, then ultimately returned to his cabin. He stared at the dividers on his desk when Dan came in, unassisted.

  "Looks like Stuttering Lewis did a good job on the pants leg," James said.

  "The man's amazing. What do you need me doing?"

  "Mostly getting around and getting used to walking. When Fala gets back, we need the wood stowed below decks. Then you can get men building gun carriages, but I want all the work below decks. In fact, do it all the way down. Some of the locals might be unloading cargo on the second deck. I don't want them seeing what we're up to."

  "Heard we don't have any shot for the new guns. Probably don't need carriages right away."

  "Then just worry about getting better. We've used decoy guns before, and I don
't see why actual empty guns wouldn't make decent decoys."

  "I'm not saying that. I'll see to it. Don't have to be so testy."

  "I've got a lot on my mind," James said. "I have to worry about posing as the Hollish Navy for the locals, making sure the galley gets stocked, keeping my crew out of opium dens, and getting them all back before we set sail. On top of that, I have a pirate ship with either no guns or no ordinance. When are we going to get this thing outfitted properly?"

  "I'll help however I can. Maybe we can get ordinance at Tusconi, since we already have guns."

  "We're going to have to, and I hope we don't have to shoot our way out of here."

  "Me too." Dan hobbled to the door and held it for James.

  Fala returned, and deliveries went on all day. Wood, the buffalo carts, food, canvas, and cloth.

  Eventually, they had enough guns to fully outfit the ship. More remained as part of the Hollish order, and James made them take all of them. Leaving part of the king's order would blow their cover.

  James dug through the flags and chose a long, narrow blue pennant. He ran it up the main mast to tell everyone to return to the ship. Men trickled back in.

  James tapped Johnny on the shoulder. "Who is that man, and why is he smiling at me like that?"

  Johnny snorted and ducked his head. "That's old Chappy. Spent his take on false teeth. Wanted you to see them."

  "Why are they so white? It's almost blinding."

  "Ivory, sir. The doctor here carves em from ivory. You should say something to him."

  "Looks very nice, Chappy," James shouted down from the quarter deck.

  "Thank you, sir. Man gets tired of soup after a while. Ain't never et so much in me life."

  "Here's to many years of happy eating."

  Some of the pirates limped aboard, evidence of what they'd been up to in port. Others had black eyes, or stomach cramps. Don Velasco kissed an Eastern woman at the ramp, then left her behind.

  Activity went on deep into the night. Underneath it all was the sound of men sawing wood and hammering dowels into place. The monsters returned with jars full of gold ingots. James dumped them in the closet, then gave the jars back. Sending the monsters into the night once more.

  James awoke to the sound of Dan and Fala moving jars of gold off the table. "Looks like you slept in," Dan said.

  "They must have left it there after their last mission," James said. He sat upright and looked toward the table. Fala was in her full pirate regalia. She'd braided some of the Cheng Shi Hua coins into her hair. The anvil bird paced across a chair back. "What about your uniform?"

  "We're all loaded up," She poured Dan's tea, then one for herself. "I'm no artillery man. I'm a pirate."

  "I think it's about time to get out of here," Dan said. "It's only a matter of time before we blow our cover, so why stick around for that to happen?"

  "You may be right. Did everyone make it back to the ship?"

  "Everyone except Serang," Fala said.

  "Then we have to keep up our performance a bit longer. We can leave when she gets back."

  "You know, we like her too," Fala said.

  "Can't let her jeopardize the whole mission," Dan added.

  "Agreed, but we can afford some time. And you," He pointed at Fala. "Seems to me she saved your life. All we have to do is cast off and set sail. Confine everyone to the ship. Nobody leaves now. We'll leave this afternoon, with or without her."

  James made his rounds, and fussed about everything. He ordered men to clean the swivel guns once more, but mostly to have crew near them in event of an emergency. Johnny's men wheeled bronze eighteen pounders into place on the vacant starboard side of the ship.

  The sound of lions roaring spread across the harbor. He pulled Johnny away from the rear swivel guns. "Get riflemen up here and make ready. If she comes back at all, she may need cover."

  Musket fire broke out in the city, then grew quiet. The roaring of fu dogs remained.

  James yelled down to Don Velasco. "Make sail!" Men clambered aloft and unfurled the canvas.

  The female fu dog came into view and ran down the dock. She carried the body of the assassin in her jaws.

  Serang came next. Her wrappings and face were covered in blood.

  Muskets fired once more, and the ringing of a brass bell announced their impact with the male fu dog. He roared in defiance, but blocked the soldiers from firing at Serang.

  The grey fu dog leaped aboard the ship with her prize.

  Serang sliced the mooring lines, then looked back.

  The male fu dog ran down the dock. She climbed aboard, and kicked off the planks.

  The Emperor's soldiers came into view with spears and bayoneted muskets.

  "Open fire," James yelled. He sprinted for the ship's wheel.

  Rifle fire erupted from the Lanternfish crew. Some of the Emperor's men fell.

  Three rockets shot from the parapets of the fort. They wobbled behind a red fiery glow and fell harmlessly in the harbor.

  Johnny unleashed one of the swivel guns and tore the dock apart to slow the pursuit. He moved rapidly to the next one then gave them another round.

  The brass fu dog leaped toward the moving ship. His face came above the rail, then dropped out of sight.

  Serang ran to the rail. She fell to her stomach and reached.

  James ran to the rail alongside the poop deck. The creature missed his mark, but was firmly anchored by his claws to the side of the ship. "Don't just stand there. Drop those empty rifles and help her."

  Pirates scrambled to the edge. Gun ports opened below, and men pushed. Eventually the animal scrambled aboard then limped over to his distraught mate. They looked back at the city and roared in defiance.

  Smoke belched forth from one of the guns at the fort. The shot tore a large hole through the forward mainsail, then skipped across the harbor like a stone. It sunk a small fishing boat. The echo of the blast reached them several seconds later.

  "There's your mark. Don't give them time to reload," James yelled at Johnny. "I'm going to head for the river current to gain some speed."

  Johnny didn't respond. He left the swivel gun then adjusted the mortar. He fired one of their precious shells. It was several seconds later when it exploded directly above the gun crew.

  Mirrors flashed from the top of Serang's former temple. They were answered by flashes from the small temple atop the rock formation in the harbor.

  "Leave the mortars," James ordered. "Wheel out the guns. I think we're about to have a ship to deal with."

  "They're all still on the port side, Captain," Johnny said.

  "Then we'll fight them from the port side. I doubt we can outrun them in this thing."

  Two more cannon fired from the fort, but missed the moving target. Several more of the ridiculous rockets fired, but they curved and spun across the harbor.

  Johnny scrambled below decks.

  Serang sprinted to the end of the bowsprit to set the jibs. It provided a minimal speed increase, but gave the ship some maneuverability.

  A Hollish frigate appeared beyond the narrows ahead of them. James kept the Lanternfish moving through the gap toward the open sea.

  In frustration, he grabbed Dan and pulled him behind the wheel. "We're to big to turn around. Keep moving through the gap, and try to get them on our port side. Whatever you do, don't run us aground or we'll all lose our heads tonight." He leaped over the rail then sprinted for the lower decks.

  He grabbed Johnny and nearly pulled him off his feet. "Wheel out the eighteen pounders too."

  "We don't have any shot for them," Johnny protested.

  "I know that, but they're all smoothbores. Load them with eight pound balls, twelve pounders too. Five eights, three twelves, a bucketful of rounds for the swivel guns. Make a guess, God damnit!"

  "Aye aye, Captain."

  "And double bag them. If we give them enough charge, they should pierce that frigate."

  "You heard the captain. Wheel out the big guns..."


  James sprinted back for the helm.

  Dan's only option was to get through the narrows. Once he hit the open sea, he tried to move to starboard, but the coast left him minimal room. The frigate passed ahead of them then gave them a volley. One round passed through the officer's quarters, and left a swath of splinters in its wake.

  James grabbed the wheel and turned hard to port, bringing the starboard guns into play. "Let's pray Johnny carried out his orders," he said to Dan.

  Tense moments passed as the frigate reloaded then moved into position. James gave the wheel back to Dan and peered over the railing. His own guns were aiming outside, one at a time.

  The frigate's guns started coming back out.

  "Fire, damn it!" James yelled toward his gun ports.

  Lanternfish belched forth a fifty gun broadside, three decks of cannon went off at once. The ship lurched to the side from the recoil.

  Smoke obliterated any view of the frigate. It burned the eyes, and smelled of sulfur so bad Dan broke out coughing.

  A huge explosion crossed the gap. The smoke parted, and the shockwave rippled the sails of Lanternfish.

  The frigate was blown to bits and stinking fast.

  "We must have hit her powder magazine," James said.

  Dan stumbled into the chair behind the wheel. "Doesn't look like we'll be welcome back in Chingy Ha from now on."

  The anvil bird landed on the back of Dan's chair. "Opium and maggots."

  "Set a course for Tusconi," James said. "I have to do a damage assessment.

  James' own quarters lost one of the windows and gained a porthole looking out over the quarter deck. Wood splinters covered his floor, and a large wooden spike stuck in the wall above his desk. He saw Flattop and ordered some monsters up to the crows nest.

  Below decks, the gun crews were jubilant. Men danced with each other and cheered.

  Johnny grabbed and hugged him. "I heard stories during the last war, but I ain't never seen anything like that, mate."

  "Any damage down here?"

  "None to speak of. I think they aimed high, caught one of those waves near shore, something."

  "There's some up above, but not bad. How long to get carriages on the port side guns?"

  "Nother couple days. Miss Fala chose some good dry wood, and the boys have a pattern down now. One team cuts them out, another assembles, and a third places the gun."