The First Sin
A Novel of The Adventures of Captain Jac
Jessica Brawner
Published by: Story of the Month Club
Copyright © 2020 Jessica Brawner
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
ISBN-13: 978-0-9990629-2-0
ISBN-10: 1477123456
Cover design by: Jessica Brawner
Author Photo by Steven L Sears
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309
Printed in the United States of America
Jessica Brawner’s first book in the Adventures of Captain Jac is a wonderful opening in what promises to be a great swashbuckling ride, filled with exciting twists and turns. Captain Jac is a woman who rejects the expectations of her family’s royal status for the freedom, danger, and open sky of a thief for hire. As the Captain of the airship INDIANA and the leader of a band of well-intentioned rogues, she finds herself taking on one mission that threatens to explode the world’s greatest mystery and bring an empire to its knees. A great read!
Steven L. Sears Writer/Producer "Xena, Warrior Princess","Sheena"
Jessica Brawner’s The First Sin is a rollicking good adventure story with a charismatic and intriguing heroine. Part pirate captain and part French aristocrat, Captain Jacqueline is everything you could want in a steampunk character. Her (mostly) loyal crew remind me of the inhabitants of the good ship Serenity, but these brigands have even more panache. And while the airship Indiana doesn’t travel through space, the Earth it explores is no less wondrous. Ms. Brawner’s prose is well-written and concise, which is a relief in these days of unedited self-published amateurism, and her characters leap off the page and take root in the reader’s imagination. I can’t wait to see where subsequent stories take Capt. Jaq, and only hope she won’t run into any flying sharks.
Thunder Levin
Writer of Sharknado
A lot of love and time went into creating this novel, and I would be remiss if I did not thank some of the people who helped along the way. I couldn’t have done this without the love and support of Steven L. Sears who spent hours sitting on our kitchen floor brainstorming new plots and characters, reading drafts, and encouraging me to get back to writing. I would also like to thank Peter J. Wacks who helped flesh out the original idea, though it morphed significantly from where we started; my beta readers who found the plot holes and helped me tighten up the writing, and my fans, who kept asking ‘When is it coming out?!’
Prologue
I was born to wealth and power, the second daughter of the Count of Valois in the northern regions of France. My father was the younger brother to the king. Insofar as I knew at a young age, the two of them were not close, but neither did they have any enmity for each other. We would on occasion make the long and difficult trip to Paris to be seen at court, my father more often than the rest of us, but for the most part we remained at home. My mother died when I was very young. Influenza I think it was, but I was not allowed in to see her for fear of contagion.
My sister Marguerite, father's pride and joy, was to inherit and become a countess when he died, and as the youngest I had few responsibilities. I was allowed my mechanic shop, and if I missed my deportment and needle-working lessons more often than not, I made it up with an effort to attend my language and mathematics classes. No one yelled too loudly about my lack of decorum. It was assumed I would make a good marriage and further the family name, though my father assured me I would have the final say on who I married.
A tragic accident. Marguerite was thrown from her horse while riding with her fiancée and broke her neck. My father, convinced there was foul play involved, rode to Paris to demand a trial. He never arrived.
At age 14 I found myself the new Contessa of Valois. I tried. I really did. My sister would have made a splendid countess. I am not suited for that life. At 16 I appointed a steward, donned a disguise, and ran away to join the English air corps.
After a time, the King made peace with my decision, approved my choice of steward, and put about an official story. I had decided to sequester myself on my estate finding court life to be too exciting. He did not wish it known that I was piloting an airship like a commoner, and for the English no less. After my commission with the English air corps was up, I took the monies I had earned, plus a loan from the estate, put together a small crew and purchased The Indiana.
Jacqueline
For our sins are multiplied above our heads, and our ignorances have reached up unto heaven. ~ Esdras 8:75
Six Years Later
The Indiana, my pride and joy, limped into the Palermo airfield in Sicily on its last dregs of fuel. The crew looked haggard; the airship was barely holding together; no one had been paid in months. If we didn't get a job, we would be dead in the air. Palermo was new territory for us, but I had some leads.
Today was also my first mate Tyler's birthday, so the crew and I scraped together the few remaining coins we had to take him out for a night on the town.
Even from the street the bar stank of cheap alcohol, sweat and too many drunken brawls. It was perfect. We staggered into the tavern laughing at one of Nina's rare jokes; the sign outside had a picture of a tankard on fire. The Flaming Mug.
The crew herded Tyler over to the bar, calling for a round of drinks. I followed, scanning the room to see if my contact had arrived. I hadn't dealt with him before – Zacharias, one of our former clients, provided the introduction. He knew our skillsets – discretion, disguise, misdirection, mechanical genius, procuring the hard to get.
Two men sat in one shadowy corner talking, their voices muted. At another private table a merchant ate his dinner, looking about with tired eyes. A group of young men sat on the other side of the room toasting boisterously and tossing dice. A crowd around the bar awaited drinks from harried-looking bar maids. I smiled and joined the crowd.
When I went back for my second glass of wine a barmaid slipped a note under my glass and glanced towards a man sitting at the other end of the bar. He was younger than I expected, dark haired and dark eyed with a quick smile. I raised an eyebrow in his direction and he nodded. I smiled at the barmaid and slid a few coins her direction, picking up the wine and the note.
11:30 tonight, upstairs, room five.
Chuckling, I rolled my eyes. This was probably my contact, and not some local who hoped for an exciting tumble between the sheets. I had made that mistake once before though, much to everyone’s amusement. I glanced at the clock; it was only ten. Looking back, the man was gone.
Joining my crew, I slid the note over to Nina. "What do you think? Job or love note?"
Nina chuckled, "If it’s a love note, I’ll buy the next round."
I grinned wryly. "And if it’s our contact, next round is on me. I wish Zacharias had provided a better description. As much as I hate to pull you away from the party, I'll need a lookout."
Nina grinned. "Of course. And if he is expecting a tumble in the sheets, won't he be surprised to have us both there."
Glancing at her sideways I said, "You're impossible, you know that, right?"
She laughed a deep, throaty laugh. "It's why you keep me around."
Tyler was having a grand time with a willing barmaid on one knee and another who made sure his tankard stayed filled. Marie chatted with the men at the adjacent table, clearly enjoying herself. I'd occasionally hear terms like
“overdrive,” “inert gas” and “alloy.” I enjoyed tinkering with mechanics myself, and I was decent at it, but Marie was a genius. She knew what it took to keep an airship flying, and her miniature clockwork creations were marvelous.
Henri, our ships doctor, was as out of place as anyone could be at a bar. His button-down shirt and polished shoes stood out among the rough wear of the patrons. He stared at Marie, longing and jealousy flitting across his face. I smiled into my cup. The crew were laying bets on when those two would finally get together.
It took me a while to find Seamus, our security specialist and supply chief. He was standing at the center of a knot of young men, playing darts. I watched as he flung the fletched objects carelessly. To the untrained eye it looked like he was barely paying attention to the game, but each dart hit the center of the subsequent wedge, spiraling from the outer edge to the inner bullseye.
I shook my head with a grin. Those young men would go home tonight somewhat lighter in their pockets.
At eleven fifteen I caught Nina's eye and nodded towards the stairs. She extricated herself from a group of admirers and joined me.
After the noise in the common room, the upstairs was quiet. The hall ran the entire length of the building, with rooms on either side, the wooden floors worn shiny with years of foot traffic. Gaslights flickered along the walls, their cool blue light illuminating the sparse decor.
Room five was halfway down on the right. I took a moment to compose myself before I entered. Nina leaned against the wall next to the door, the one nearest the exit. As I raised my hand to knock, the door swung open.
A small sitting room greeted me. The walls were a soothing green blue, nothing too garish or exciting—there was no bed, only a modest table with chairs off to the side. The gas lamps around the room burned with a warm, welcoming glow.
The man from the bar was sitting on the far side of the room. "Come in ma belle please, Captain. My name is Franco." He sat on a small couch, foot resting on one knee, drinking what appeared to be brandy. Several men stood around, looking like they would rather be downstairs in the bar.
"Jac." I said as I entered, Nina a half-step behind and to my right.
The man's eyes crinkled in the corners, and he smiled. "I see you brought a drinking companion for my men. Please, help yourself. The brandy is quite decent."
I nodded to Nina, and she joined the group as I sat on the couch opposite our potential employer, taking him in. Dark hair, dark eyes held a twinkle of humor; he exuded an air of careless confidence as he dangled a brandy glass callously by the tips of his fingers. Another glass sat on the low table between us. He raised an eyebrow at my scrutiny.
"Well Captain, do you like what you see?" He winked.
"I'm more interested in finding out if I like what I hear," I replied coolly. "I understand you might have a job."
He laughed and sat up, leaning forward. "Direct, I like it. Your reputation said as much. Yes, I have a job, if you're willing to take it. It may be beyond even your crew's considerable ability, though." He didn't quite sneer, and his tone wasn't condescending enough to take offense at, but it raised my hackles.
"Try me," I replied. "I'll be the judge of what we take, or don't."
"You have handled jobs involving heads of state before.”
It was a statement, not a question, which surprised me. Franco was more well informed, than I thought.
“The job is quite dangerous, and I wish impress upon you the delicacy of the matter and make sure you are capable of completing it, should we come to an agreement."
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to bait me, monsieur? I can’t make a fair assessment of the job until I know something about it."
He leaned back hands extended. "I would never bait someone as lovely as you, Jac. Your reputation precedes you, and because my client knows how risky this job is, he is willing to pay a considerable amount to have it done. Your handling of the Stuart Sapphire heist, one of the crown jewels of Europe, is well known in certain circles. That was deftly done. This will require even more ingenuity."
The small hairs rose on the back of my neck. Zacharias had not known about that job. "Ah. So, we will not be working for you.” I nodded, making up my mind. “When your employer wishes to meet and discuss the job, please be back in touch. I like to know who I'm working for." I stood to leave, catching Nina's eye and gesturing to the door.
I was halfway to the door when he said, "Captain! At least hear the offer.” His voice was tinged with worry. “My employer asked for you specifically, but he deals with no one in person. The rich and powerful do not do their own dirty work."
I smiled to myself. He wanted us. Which gave me all of the negotiating power. I turned back, scowling, pretending reluctance. "Do not waste my time Franco.”
“I have been authorized to pay you a small sum, just to listen to the offer. My employer thought you might be reluctant.”
I raised an eyebrow at that. “I will listen, but only because I find you entertaining. You have one minute. Go."
He nodded, breathing a sigh of relief. "Very well. My employer, who wishes to remain nameless, is extremely wealthy and is a collector of rare religious relics. His collection is quite large, but he requires a very special piece, and absolute discretion. The piece he desires is found only in the Vatican. Naturally, given the risk involved, he is quite willing to pay a handsome sum for its retrieval. He is offering two thousand gold pieces."
I looked at Franco with incredulity and started laughing. “You jest. For that sum you could not even convince me to leave port.” I narrowed my eyes and leaned forward. “If your employer wishes to hire the best crew for this job then he will have to do better than that.”
Franco looked disconcerted and rubbed the back of his neck. “Ten thousand gold,” he muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.
My mind went blank for a moment contemplating the sum, as my heart started pounding. Ten thousand gold pieces was enough to buy the ship outright. Deals like this were things you only heard about. It immediately put me on my guard.
I was surprised to hear my voice sounding cool and collected. "That is a more worthy sum, which means he appreciates how dangerous this job is. Make it twenty thousand gold pieces and we will consider it."
Franco didn't even blink when he said, "Done. You drive a hard bargain, Captain."
I understood Franco’s original offer then. He had wanted to keep the money for himself. Something was definitely off. No one agreed to that kind of money. I extended my hand to shake his. "I'll let you know tomorrow if we decide to accept."
He did blink at that. "I thought you just..."
I smiled, "I believe I said for twenty thousand gold pieces we would consider it. I will give you my answer tomorrow evening after I've consulted my crew. If we accept, then I will get the details about the item."
Franco’s face went through a variety of emotions from surprise to anger, his mouth opening and closing but not knowing what to say. "Captain, I would prefer to get this wrapped up tonight. It is important that I report back to my employer that this has been taken care of."
I nodded. "I'm sure you would, Franco, but I won't do a job this big without the full cooperation and agreement of my crew. As you yourself pointed out, this is not a standard job, and I don't have a standard crew. Shall I meet you back here tomorrow evening, say six o'clock?"
His nostrils flared, and I could see plainly he wanted to refuse me. "Fine. Six o'clock tomorrow. Don't be late."
“And my payment for listening?” I held out my hand and he grimaced. I half thought he had been bluffing, so when he tossed me a small pouch I very nearly missed catching it.
I smiled and tucked it into a pocket in my vest without looking at the contents. "Until tomorrow then. Have a pleasant evening."
Nina followed me into the hall. When we were far enough so I was sure Franco's men wouldn't overhear us, I said, "Round up the crew, get them back to the ship. Now. I need everyone sobered up by
tomorrow morning so we can discuss this. I'll settle the bill here."
Nina nodded in her taciturn way. "Aye, Captain. I'll see you at the airship."
At the table I took a moment to open the pouch and spill the contents onto my palm. A dozen tiny diamonds rolled out, one of them falling to the floor. Nina’s eyes widened.
“Merde.” I carefully poured the contents back into the pouch, hoping no-one but Nina had seen. I didn’t want to make a spectacle by searching for the lost one. By the time I got the bar keeper's attention and settled the bill, Nina had the crew out the door and on their way.
Everything was quiet onboard the ship. I took second watch while everyone else turned in for the night. In the small hours of the morning the ship’s grand poche, the large envelope filled with smaller individual balloons cast shadows on half the deck, creating pools of darkness as a counterpoint to the moon’s bright, clear light. The brass vent pipes snaking up through the deck from the engine room below gleamed, winking from the darkness whenever a cloud crossed the moon. Seamus appeared like some mythical creature out of one of his tales, stepping into a beam of moonlight. "I'm here to relieve you, Captain."
I smiled. "I can't sleep anyway Seamus, you may as well go back to bed."
"Jac, if you don't mind my sayin’, you didn't look real pleased when you came downstairs from talking to that fella." Seamus leaned against the airship's railing, looking off into the distance.
"You would be correct in your assumption, mon ami. The offer is too good, the messenger was too charming, and the job is more dangerous than any we’ve taken on yet. I can't quite lay my finger on it, but either his employer is an idiot with too much money; good for us, bad for him. Or there is something going on. Did you notice anything unusual about the pub?" I leaned back, elbows propped on the railing, staring across the deck.
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