Dawn of Steam: Gods of the Sun

by Jeffrey Cook

  Exploration of Australia in recent years has included a route through the mountain range here, found and described by a Mr. Blaxland. (14) News has reached us, via the handful of camps that dot that route and the tribes that trade with one another, that two women crossed the mountains. Even more, they pushed on to the west, possibly with the hopes of reaching the western regions documented by both the French near the beginning of this century, and the Dutch before them. Rumor has it that they are traveling by riverway as much as they can, making some effort at keeping maps as they go. So far, this is only rumor and supposition, but it seems to neatly support Sir James's theory.

  In turn, Sir James has focused a great deal upon learning all he can of the mountain range which so frustrated exploration of this land until very recently. Before Blaxland, they were thought to be impassable, and even now, they present significant difficulties. With the establishment of a few camps where supplies and rest might be found, it is becoming more common for people to meet with success, but is certainly not a regular event. The lands beyond are largely unknown, so it is possible we will soon have some of the best accounts of the lands to the north and west of us. In the meanwhile, Sir James is speaking with the explorers who have made the trip through the mountains before whenever he can. Perhaps he is trying to learn what obstacles they might encounter and when we might expect more news.

  Relations between Sir James and Eddy have improved. Eddy insists that Sir James address him by the more formal Mr. McBride, but any talk between them is progress. That the talk is now in quieter tones that previously also holds some promise. The apologies and Sir James's sincerity seem to be slowly winning Eddy over again. Certainly, as another war veteran, he can understand some of the difficult necessities in that time of conflict.

  Dr. Mitchell remains among us, and has now taken a great interest in Miss Wright's documentation of the trackless engine used by Wyndham. He and Miss Coltrane have considered some possible alterations to the battle suit in anticipation of another meeting, though work is slow and careful. There is only so much room in the construct, and it would not do to reduce its overall functionality and versatility in order to better prepare it for a single confrontation.

  They are fairly certain by now that Wyndham's engine is most difficult to run for any prolonged period and is unsuited to most of the tasks which the battle suit can accomplish, but it was ideally constructed for one-on-one, small field confrontations such as those we have found ourselves in. Either Oxford has not found an efficient enough design to make it more widely available, or his design was never shared, for there is no suggestion that Wyndham's engine has seen any wider creation beyond his own prototype.

  We have still had no news of York or any of his crew. Had they come to any part of Australia with any kind of habitation, we certainly would have some word by now. I do not know how severe the damage to their vessel was, only that they definitely took some. Obviously they were able to travel further than we did with it. For now, though I worry what else they may have gotten up to, I will take no news as good news.

  At least, should we have some confrontation here, we are more familiar now to the locals, and the tribesmen here do not seem at all as warlike as those of New Zealand. York also could not travel back to England now, and some parts of the American colonies are likely closed to them as well. After being abandoned as they were, I am certain none of the soldiers who gathered in the South would be any too pleased to encounter York again.

  We have had no news from England or the Americas in some time, and another ship is not anticipated in the near future. As much as these colonies may need supplies, most here accept that in a time as rough as this past year has been, almost everything extra would be needed to support England and the American colonies. It is fortunate that these are hardy people, for in the darkness, the soil has not produced well. If more arable land is found west of the mountains, there will likely be significant new movement soon, unless this year begins to look more promising than the last.

  We are almost certainly headed for some conflict of interest as well, for Mr. Franzini has been growing ever more insistent that we should be prepared to defend ourselves by the time we move on, as well as needing a more fully staffed engineering crew. Sir James has not moved on the point, and has told Mr. Franzini directly that if we are to add anyone, it will be at Sir James's discretion and no other's. This new sign of clear distrust has not sat well, though both men have at least adhered to the tenets of polite behavior. I cannot say how much longer this will last.

  (14) Mr. Gregory Blaxland (1778 – 1853) was born a fourth son of means in Kent, England. He, Mr. Wm Wentworth, and Lt. Wm Lawson made the journey in 1813, but his Journal of a Tour of Discovery Across the Blue Mountains was not published in England until 1823, when Blaxland revisited the motherland and consulted a publisher in person. -C B-W

  December 13th, 1816

  33º51' S 151º12' E

  My Dearest Cordelia,

  With the holiday fast approaching, I find my thoughts very much drifting back to England and something of home. We are making some effort in this strange land to make our own festivities. Sir James plans to once again bring out the spirits intended solely for marking Christmas, which are most welcome. At least there shall be something familiar to home when the time comes.

  Our numbers have been somewhat diminished since the same festivities last season. Miss Penn and Miss Bowe are still gone and have not reported back. Our last word of them was old news, last month. Mr. Franzini has made some new friends here, and he clearly intends to mark Christmas with that slowly growing group of new companions. Though he is a useful man to have about in some circumstances, I find that when trying to be of good cheer, I do not miss his presence. We shall see what he decides to do when we are ready to be away.

  That time may be fast approaching, but it is hard to say for certain. Sir James is almost entirely recovered to his former robust health. He works almost full days now about the ship, readying for our next journey, studying maps, questioning the Captain, and looking through our orders.

  Eddy and Sir James have begun speaking again. They are not yet back at playing cards, nor do they speak as old friends any longer, but they are at least civil to one another. They have retreated to some degree of privacy to try to somewhat work out the difficulties between them. Sometimes Miss Coltrane joins them for these discussions; sometimes she remains among the rest of us or with Miss Wright in the workshop.

  Dr. Mitchell visits often, though he also returns to his home and workshop fairly often. His health is slowly deteriorating. Though his mind is undiminished, he grows more and more easily fatigued. He has been taking longer each time to recover from the small hardships of the two day journey between his two current homes. We have ventured twice more to his workshops as well, seeking some advice, or just looking in on him when he spends extended times at home. Each visit, his home was more neatly organized and freer of clutter than the last time. I do not believe he is working on any new projects beyond making plans for what next to work on that will aid us in our travels. As such, Agnes has had primary run of the house, and has been better able to keep up with the Doctor's ability to produce the oddest of clutter.

  While Dr. Mitchell is away, I understand that she has begun to attend the colony's social affairs and has become friendly with one of the shepherds there, a man of her age and reasonable means. In talking with her, I am more convinced than ever that so long as he lives, her first duty will remain to Dr. Mitchell, but should he pass on, I do not believe she will be leaving Australia. After all she has been through in dealing with the Mad Doctor's homes for so long, I can only hope that she finds happiness here when that time does finally come.

  It seems something of an oddity, even now, but in the meanwhile, Captain Fisher and Dr. Mitchell seem to have become close friends. It certainly has everything to do with the loss of their wives, each to tragic, if widely different circumstances. In hearing them speak from time to time, I
have very much come to believe that Dr. Mitchell's current deteriorating health is very much owed, at least in part, to his wife's death. For as much as he may have helped to hasten it, there is no doubt in my mind that he loved her deeply and loves her still.

  No matter the differences between the men, I am glad they bring some comfort to one another now. Captain Fisher has needed all of the help and support he has been able to get, and this first holiday without his lifelong companion will be an especially difficult time. We have done what we can, but he has done better with the condolences and support of the church and people of his generation who have similarly outlived their spouses by whatever cause. Even now, when aboard the ship to help out as possible, I still feel as if something is missing.

  I am sorry I cannot be with you, my love. Though I miss you greatly, circumstances remain difficult here as far as arranging any kind of return to England, and we still have important tasks assigned to us in the coming two years before we may return. At that time, I will promise you now that I shall do my level best to never be absent for Christmas again. In the meanwhile, I have collected some presents for you. Though I cannot send them now, any more than I can send you this letter immediately, I will hope that you will forgive me, and that these artifacts of Australia will inspire your mind and active imagination when I am finally able to deliver them to you myself.

  I shall try to write again soon, my love, and perhaps find some occasion where I might be able to once again get some news to you, for with so little reaching England, and what communication there is being so slow, I am certain you are concerned for all of us.

  My thoughts and prayers are with you, your father, your house, and your health, much as I am certain yours travel with us. While this will, of course, come far too late to mark the occasion properly, I will also wish you well on your upcoming birthday in the new year. Hopefully, for all of us, it will be better than this last.

  My love, always,

  Gregory Conan Watts

  From the private correspondence of the Bowe family, undated

  Father,

  Being here in Australia brought back old memories, and I thought I'd at least try to write again. I know, since the war, you've been content to let folk think you're some kind of wonder-tale writer. I still don't think everyone is out to see the land just so they can stick their flag on it, though. Even if you don't care none about your books, at least you have to like the spirit of the thing. Trip around the world, bringing back news of everywhere – and now they even have this thing, Gregory calls it a camera, that lets him bring back pictures of places and people. Maybe you'll see some in the papers.

  Australia doesn't need any pictures though. Most of it is just the way I remembered it. Sure, a few trading posts here and there since some fellow mapped a mountain pass, but once you get out past the hills, there's just all this space that goes on forever. Up 'til now, all those things you say about the world just getting smaller and smaller the older you got made some sense – but not out here. Keeps seeming like we might find just about anything if we just walk far enough. Not so many people about, but we've stayed with the Koori here and there. I even found one old woman who remembered me some. Kind of wish Gregory and his camera were along for that, keep some kind of record.

  Most of the others are resting back in the English colonies in the south. Julietta was the only one up for coming this way with me. I think you'd like her, Dad. I didn't think much of her when we first met, but that wasn't under the best of circumstance. She's powerful accurate with her divination: the darkness, the storms, various. She put an awful fright into the African occultist with the crew we're chasing down too. She hasn't told me much yet whether she could have cursed him or not, but pretty sure he thought she could.

  That was about all that was good about that bit of the trip. Not sure that folk shouldn't have brought the Maori the potato and the musket, but I am pretty sure they shouldn't have brought them both at once. After all that, was glad to see Australia, though even here, I got to admit, it was nice to get away from the colonists and see if I remembered Awabakal and Pitjantjatjara as well as I thought. Meanwhile, half the Koori end up talking to us to see if their English is any good.

  We'll keep traveling a ways. I'm enjoying showing Julietta some of the land. She's keeping notes, and trying to map some as we go, kind of the way you always used to. I really do think you'd like her. Maybe, when we get back to the American colonies, you'd be okay if I brought her by some time? She loves picking up on stories and legends and all that, so I bet you two would have plenty to talk about.

  We're talking some about doing some more traveling when this trip is done. Still a couple years to go – but there's also a lot of world out there we're not going to get to. Either way, I know she wants to get away from the card cheat she'd been traveling with. All the things you used to tell me about folk with loaded dice are true. James always said we needed him. Let's see what he says when he's well. Sooner we're rid of Franzini, the more pleasant the air aboard the ship.

  Speaking of James, they still want him in Japan next. Japan! I know you told me some about it, but it'll be exciting to see it for myself. I guess their Shogun is real curious about some of the things they're making in England these days, so we'll get to spend a few days there.

  I know there's no way for you to write back. We'll be back in the colonies in a couple years, and probably in England before that. If you want to send word to the Coltrane estates there, maybe you can let me know if it's all right to come visit. Maybe let me know if I can bring Julietta along too. We may not see a lot of things the same, but maybe that's okay. We can disagree some, and still appreciate a lot of the same things too. I've got you to thank for opening up a lot of the world most folk will never see, after all.

  Regards,

  Sam

  From the diaries of Julietta Penn

  December 22nd, 1816

  We are very far inland now. Far enough for my cowardice? Past mountains, we've forded rivers. Sam insisted on lending me a pair of pants for the process. For once, no one was scandalized.

  We're alone. No Koori or Anangu about right now. The place is called Uluru. From what has been said, adding up the blood between the two of us, one white woman has seen it now. I asked Sam about her passing. It seems it's mostly that she doesn't care what people assume. I pointed out she cared when people assumed her father's work fiction. She said it's different. Lying about the world does more harm. She knows who and what she is and doesn't care who else does “unless I feel like sharing.”

  There's a change in perspective, having gotten into Sam's pants. She's brought me out into a corner of her world. Who would have thought things could be like this?

  Everything changes. People change. Usually it hurts. But Sam is immutably Sam. She can keep me safe.

  The rock glows red in the dusk. It's a sacred treaty space. It's safe.

  I crossed the cards, my Hermit and my Devil, and read. My fears are there – with the World and its turning – but so is the truth. It has to be told. I'll tell her now.

  From the journals of Gregory Conan Watts,

  January 18th, 1817

  33º51' S 151º12' E

  We have the first news in some time of our wayward travelers. By the most recent word from usual erratic channels, they returned to the western end of the mountains, and should make contact, if their progress is being charted correctly, with the westernmost camps soon. Surely they will have some fascinating accounts of the people and the lands they encountered. Or at least Miss Penn certainly will, being by far the more talkative of the two.

  Far from being dissuaded by Sir James's refusal to add new crew and guard to our number, Mr. Franzini has set about recruiting a larger number of mercenaries to his entourage. He has been successful enough in bringing an organized game here that he now owns a stake in one of the area's seedier bars – which, I must say, is quite an appellation given the generally rough character of this land and many of the people. The
new free arrivals and ever larger Catholic population settle this somewhat, but it is still quite clearly a land colonized by criminals.

  He has hired a number of individuals to help provide the bar, particularly his game, with some amount of security to ensure a fair game. Coming from Mr. Franzini, I am unsure if he has truly decided to try to rely upon the advantage held by the house and truly runs a fair game, or if the added muscle is simply a way to ensure he does not draw too much challenge. So far, he must not yet have run into too many accusations of cheating, for he still draws a considerable crowd, and has begun training two of his fellows to deal cards to expand the operation.

  It has gotten to the point now that each time I see him, I begin to wonder if perhaps this next one will be the time he will no longer take no for an answer. I know Sir James and Eddy alike are trying to keep an eye on him, and none of us meet with him alone any longer. Given his shift in demeanor and posture, I begin to wonder if he takes this as some sign of respect.

  For whatever reason, he seems to very much be concerned that Miss Penn and Miss Bowe should return. I know he still does not like Miss Bowe a great deal, but I am uncertain if this is the whole of it. Still, the two times now that he has come across us while we were discussing the news of their impending return, he has had to try to hide a look of great distaste, and perhaps, concern. I wish I knew something more of the nature of the conflicts between him and Miss Penn now.

  The news – and hint that we might be considering leaving soon – has also cheered Eddy and Miss Wright considerably. While Eddy has taken quite well to Australia, I think now he is trying hard not to get too comfortable here. The closer we get to leaving, the more he seems to remind himself he is not quite ready for retirement to a farmer's life just yet. He has also not yet joined the card games between myself and Sir James again, but has looked in a few times, and his tone towards Sir James has softened somewhat.