by Jim Proctor
“Nice ship,” he said.
The first mate looked up, grunted something under his breath, and went back to watching the crew work.
“Do you frequent the ports here along the coast?” Venandi asked.
The man looked at him and said, “Can’t you see I’m busy? I have a lot to get done before the captain comes back. Get lost.”
“Please, accept my apology. I didn’t mean to interfere with your important work. Being first mate is a tremendous responsibility. You practically run the ship from bow to stern while keeping the crew in line and working hard,” Venandi said.
“That’s right. And what do I get to show for it? Crap wages and derision from the captain, that’s what.”
Venandi sat on a crate nearby. “Exactly! That’s why I just walked away from the ship I was serving on. The captain started bossing me around as soon as the ship touched down, telling me to do this and do that. And then what does he do? He turns to leave, no doubt planning to find a bar stool that needs warming. Well, I’ve had my fill of that. I told him off and walked away. You should have seen the look on his face.”
The man smiled and nodded. “Good for you. So, are you looking for a job on another airship?”
“As a matter of fact, I am. Not just any ship, though. I have an old friend by the name of Angus Beaph who runs his own airship. I worked for him years ago. Leaving his ship was the biggest mistake of my career. I’d like to find him and see if he’d be willing to give me another chance.”
“Where’s he fly out of? Can’t say I recognize the name. Is it a passenger ship? I know most of the passenger ships in these parts,” the man said.
“No, it’s a private ship. He mainly does charter operations for small groups. You know, fishing trips, sightseeing, that sort of stuff.”
“Well, the name still doesn’t ring any bells. What’s the ship look like?” the man asked.
Venandi leaned closer and said in a hushed voice, “It’s a nuclear-electric ship. It has big engine pods with the electric motors coupled directly to the props. It has a red balloon and a light blue composite hull.”
“I might have seen a ship like that a time or two. What’s it worth to you?” the man asked.
Venandi smiled. “My future livelihood might depend on me finding that ship and getting my old job back. I would be extremely grateful for any information that might help.”
“Well, I could probably spare you a few minutes of my time if you’re buying. My captain always goes to The Wheelhouse Tavern when we’re here. I know another bar where we could talk in peace.”
Venandi stood. “Lead the way.”
“Extremely grateful, you said?”
Venandi nodded. Digging in his pocket, he pulled out two gold coins, looked around to see if anyone was watching, and handed them to the first mate. “That’s just the down payment. When we get to the bar, I’m buying.”
The man smiled and stood, slipping the coins into a pocket. “Follow me.”
The man led the way through the port and along the edge of town. He entered The Flight Deck, a rundown dive across the street from the port’s maintenance hangars. This was a bar where men and women with greasy hands and stained overalls would hang out. No airship captain would set foot in here, except maybe to find a delinquent crew member and drag him back to the ship.
The bar was dimly lit, crowded, and loud. Six pool tables were in use to his right. To the left, a wall lined with dartboards had a large crowd of spectators. The rest of the room was filled with tables from the front wall to the bar at the back. The first mate made his way to an empty table in the far-right corner beyond the pool tables.
Venandi sat across from him. “You said you’ve seen my friend’s ship.”
“I might have,” the man said. Waving to a man wearing a stained apron, he offered no more information. The man in the apron approached.
“What can I get for you gentlemen?” he asked.
“I’ll have a beer and a shot of whiskey. The good stuff, understand?” the first mate asked.
“Yes, sir.” Turning to Venandi, the waiter asked, “And for you?”
“Same thing,” he said as he handed the man some money.
The man counted the bills and slipped them into a pocket of his apron. “I’ll get your drinks right away.”
“You were telling me where you saw my friend’s ship,” Venandi prompted.
“Let’s see if the beer and whiskey jog my memory,” the mate said.
Venandi smiled. “I’ve already paid for the first round in advance.”
The mate smiled and nodded. “Ain’t the first round I’m worried about.”
The waiter returned. He set two tall mugs and two shot glasses on the table.
Venandi pulled out a wad of bills and handed them to the waiter. “This is for the next three rounds.” Turning to the first mate, he asked, “Are you satisfied?”
The mate nodded. “Make sure you’re back with the next round before this one is done.”
The waiter nodded and walked away.
“Now, my friend’s ship?” Venandi asked.
“We sometimes take folks over to a resort on the South Sea. I’ve seen a ship like you described a couple of times. Odd thing is, it’s never running along the coast. Mostly it’s going out to sea or coming back in.”
“That’s interesting. What’s out there in the sea?”
The first mate shrugged. “Don’t know. On the chart, there’s some small islands off the coast, but none of them have cities. They’re all too small. Can’t imagine he’d be going to one of them.”
“And where is this, exactly?” Venandi asked.
“Head over to Rockport on the south coast. Buy yourself a chart of the area. You’ll see the islands. There’s seven or eight of them scattered around the sea.”
“Thank you. You’ve been most helpful,” Venandi said as he stood.
“Hey, we still have three more rounds coming,” the mate objected.
Venandi smiled. “I need to go, but I’ll tell you what. You can have six more rounds on me.”
The first mate smiled. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”
Venandi nodded, then turned and hurried out of the bar.
* * * *
“Dolus!” Venandi yelled, standing on the platform next to his ship. “Dolus!”
Dolus came to the railing above. “Here, sir.”
The captain pointed. “Why is the helium supply line connected to the ship? How much helium did you vent?”
“Well, sir, it’s like this… I was working on the vent valve, trying to figure out why it sticks, sir. While I was working on it… you know, making sure it was tight and everything… the pipe snapped off. We lost all the helium from the central buoyancy bag.”
Venandi growled. “I’m going to go broke before we find… our friend.”
“I’m sorry, sir. Don’t you worry about the helium. I’m paying for it out of my pocket,” Dolus said.
Venandi shook his head. “No, Dolus, it wasn’t your fault. This ship is old, and we’ve run her ragged on this trip. She’s way behind on maintenance and general upkeep. I’ll pay for the helium.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Venandi walked up the gangplank and approached his first mate. “I think I know where Beaph lives.”
Dolus smiled. “Really? You found someone who knows him?”
The captain shrugged. “He doesn’t know him, but he’s seen his ship several times over the south coast. As soon as we’re ready to go, I want to get under way. How much fuel do we have?”
“Three-quarters full,” Dolus said.
Venandi nodded. “That’s fine. I assume you were able to fix the vent valve, or we wouldn’t be taking on helium.”
“Yes, sir. Once it snapped off, I replaced it and all the connecting plumbing.”
“Good. As soon as the helium transfer is done, let me know. I’ll pay the bill, and we’ll get out of here. I’ll be in my cabin,” Venandi s
aid. He turned and entered the wheelhouse. Dolus followed. Going to the chart cabinet, the captain flipped through several charts, pulled one out, and carried it down the steps.
Dolus checked the helium pressure gauges.
* * * *
Venandi piloted the ship out of port while Dolus looked over the chart that the captain had rolled out on the chart table. There was a large, red oval drawn around some islands in the South Sea.
“Is this where we’re going? To these islands?” Dolus asked.
“Yes. We’re going to check all seven of them. We’ll head across land directly to the eastern-most island. We’ll start there and work our way along the chain,” Venandi said.
Dolus looked at the chart again, and then at the clock. “It’ll be after dark by the time we get there.”
“It can’t be helped. We’ll look for a place to set down for the night. If we can’t find a safe spot, we’ll have to fly around all night,” Venandi said.
“Hey, maybe we can fly over all the islands tonight and look for lights,” Dolus said.
Venandi smiled. “That’s an excellent idea, Dolus.”
Chapter 21
Angus and Jazeen sat by the fire. She was nearly finished reading The Skylark, and he was engrossed in a book on the architecture of ancient Egypt. Jazeen closed her book and stretched. Angus glanced at her, and then at the clock.
“So, tell me more about your book.” he said.
“Well… I told you about the two sisters. The older girl dies when a horse throws her. The younger girl is devastated. After her sister’s death, she keeps seeing a skylark around the ranch. It seems to follow her, and she becomes convinced it’s her older sister watching over her.”
“That’s beautiful,” Angus said.
Jazeen looked into the fire. “I guess it is, in a way. It’s sad that her sister died, but it’s beautiful that she thinks her sister would come back as a bird and watch over her.”
“Does the skylark save her, or something?” Angus asked.
“No, nothing like that. Besides, the skylark isn’t really her sister. At least, I don’t think it is. She can’t get over her sister’s death, so she convinces herself the skylark is her sister so they can be together again,” Jazeen said.
“Well, people find all sorts of ways of dealing with the loss of a loved one, including not dealing with it,” Angus said.
Jazeen looked at him. He was staring at her.
“Or suppressing their memories,” she said. “I locked away all my memories of Milla and made her into a monster.”
“You were nine years old, Jaz. You couldn’t possibly have comprehended death. You probably thought she chose to leave you, and you hated her for it. You needed a focus for that anger, and it couldn’t be the loving sister you had known all your life,” Angus said.
“Will I ever know the truth? I mean, I still can’t be sure that my dreams and my waking memories are any truer than the monster I created.”
Angus smiled. “You’re on the right track. A lot of those knotted lines in your nimbus have come untangled and are straightening out.”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean I’m learning the truth, does it?” she asked.
“If your memories were more lies, your nimbus would be filling up with more knots,” he said. “I’ll make you a deal. You go ahead and trust your new, emerging memories. If I see new knots forming in your nimbus, I’ll tell you.”
“I’m glad my memories are real. She loved me, Angus, and I loved her.”
“I’m glad you’re finding the truth, so you can let go of your anger and hatred. You’ve been carrying that inside you for too long,” he said.
“Thank you. You’ve been so understanding and caring. I’d be a wreck without you.”
“Well, dear Jazeen, you’ve been a bright, warm light in the dark and cold life of this lonely wizard.” He looked at the clock again. “It’s nearly noon. We should have lunch, and then I need to take you home. If I’m not mistaken, you have to work in the morning.”
Jazeen groaned. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” She suddenly smiled. “Can I fly the airship?”
Angus laughed. “Yes, of course. That reminds me… after we get the airship ready to launch, I have a present for you.”
“Really? What is it?” she asked.
Angus smiled. “After we get the airship ready to launch.”
She jumped out of her chair. “Let’s have lunch.”
* * * *
All the pre-flight checks were done, and Jazeen was bouncing with excitement as she stood in the wheelhouse.
“Wait here,” Angus said as he turned and ran into his cabin. A moment later, the little wizard returned carrying a leather jacket. “This is for you.”
Jazeen gasped. “It’s beautiful! Thank you, Angus. I’m not sure I deserve this.”
“Well, I needed somewhere to pin these,” he said as he held out a small cedar box.
Jazeen took the box. She opened it and stared at the gold airship pins. “Am I an airship captain now?” she asked.
“Slow down,” he said with a chuckle. “These mean you’re an airship pilot, second class. You have a long way to go to become a captain.”
“You mean I’m officially an airship pilot?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s official. Any licensed airship captain can train and certify a pilot. Technically, you should start out as a pilot, third class, but I was a bit late in getting these for you. However, you’ve learned quickly, and I’m satisfied with your abilities,” he said.
“Thank you, Angus. I don’t know what else to say.”
“You could put it on, for starters,” he said.
Jazeen handed him the box before taking the jacket and slipping it on. It was a perfect fit. “It’s wonderful. Thank you!”
Angus pinned the insignias onto her lapels. “Now, Pilot Florence, let’s get this airship underway. I need to be home before dark tonight,” he said.
“Yes, sir, Captain,” she said before dashing to the helm. The electric motors spun up and helium hissed through the pressure regulator. The ship rose.
“Take us out when you’re ready, Jaz.”
Jazeen spun the ship around to face the tunnel and then guided the ship slowly toward the exit. Moments later, they emerged from the underground hangar and climbed into a clear, blue sky.
* * * *
Jazeen walked across the field toward the road leading to her hotel as the airship climbed and turned southward. She proudly wore her jacket with her new, official rank displayed. Of course, few people in Sharpstown would know what the pins meant, but she knew, and that was what mattered.
As she walked, she thought about her dreams, and about The Skylark. She wondered how she had buried those memories so deeply for so long. More memories were coming back, now, even while she was awake. She had been so wrong to hate Milla. Her sister had given up so much for her. Still, she took comfort in knowing she had showed Milla all the love she had for her when she was alive.
She continued along the road until she reached the hotel and went straight to her room. She had left her clean laundry on top of the dresser, so she began sorting it and putting it away. Then, looking at her book with the bookmark near the end, she decided to finish it before dinner. After dinner, if she wasn’t too tired, she’d go to the mall and look around.
* * * *
Angus settled the airship onto the pad and began the shutdown process. Soon, he was climbing the steps to his home. It felt different, coming home alone. He had done it for centuries, but maybe that was the point. He knew now what was missing, what he had given up in his effort to remain hidden. Fluffy and Occisor would be glad to see him, no doubt, but he missed Jaz. He had hoped she would move in permanently, but he knew it would never happen. She was a young girl who needed friends her own age, a mall to visit, television, and network access. She would probably enjoy living here for a week, maybe two. Then boredom would set in. She would soon regret her decision and grow to resent h
im.
He had chosen the solitary life centuries ago, and he had convinced himself that he didn’t miss having company. Jaz had changed that. Stepping through the holographic rock, he paused and looked at his house. For the first time in centuries, he wondered if he could be happy living someplace like Sharpstown.
Stepping inside, he began his routine by lighting a few oil lamps and stacking logs in the fireplace. Occisor lit the fire, as usual, and soon the room was full of warm, flickering light. Despite the dancing flames and the bright lamps, the room felt gloomy. He sat in his chair by the fire and stared into the flames. The dragon flew from his perch and landed on the back of his chair. Fluffy bounded down the stairs and curled up at his feet. Angus smiled. At least he had his pets. Glancing at the clock, he figured he had a few hours before dark, when he’d have to let the fire die down and turn down all the lamps. They might be looking for him. The island would need to be dark before sundown.
Maybe he could move some of the shelves around in the library and move the chairs down there. Then he could read in the evening without anyone seeing the light. It was worth considering. On the other hand, Jaz liked to sit and read by the fire, and he didn’t want to make the place less appealing to her. He’d be devastated if she stopped coming to visit.
Picking up his book, he opened to the bookmark and began reading.
When Angus awoke, the book had fallen to the floor. Occisor was snoring on the back of his chair, and Fluffy was sound asleep at his feet. The fire was little more than a bed of glowing embers, but the oil lamps still burned brightly. Looking at the clock, he struggled to focus, and then realized it was nearly midnight. Jumping up, he ran around the room turning out the lamps. As the last lamp went out, he heard a diesel engine and the thrum of propellers. It was a good way off, but as he stood in the dark, listening, it gradually grew louder. An airship was coming this way. He hoped he had turned the lamps out in time.
