by Tony Corden
He turned to Leah and said, “I now understand your question and agree that Gèng deserves to be able to use her name instead of just her ID number. Unfortunately, we are not yet ready to give her that consideration. Be assured I will make an effort to remedy the situation.” He turned to Gèng and continued, “My family was responsible for developing this world. I’ve grown up in here. My parents loved the genre so much they called me Edison. I have a brother named Jules and a sister called Victoria. You are welcome to visit at any time. I apologise that I cannot let you play the game, but I would be pleased if you would let me give you a tour of the administration facility.”
“I’d like that. Thank you, Edison. Atherleah has several things to do in the world but I am free.”
He held out his arm and led Gèng out of the room. Audrey turned to Leah and said, “I’m glad Edison was able to help. That finishes the login process. One difference here in Pneumatica that is different from many of the other worlds is that you only have the choice of being human and you start as a member of the working class. Once you enter, you have various opportunities to purchase extra clothing, houses, vehicles and even titles, but at the beginning everyone is at the same level. If you agree, then I will deduct one hundred virtual credits from your account and lead you through to the wardrobe area where you can choose a basic outfit. After that, you will be transported to the starting area in the central city of Aeolipile.”
“Audrey, I understand the terms and agree to them. Thank you for your help. Do you have any suggestions on the best place to start if I hope to become a flyer?”
“Some of the more adventurous enlist as ordinary sailors on one of the Privateers. Others work until they have raised the capital to purchase an aeronef or a dirigible. Most simply bring their money in from off world. It is possible that you could work at a trade and find a position on a larger flyer that way. The large vessels hire wait staff, plumbers, tinkers, pneumacists, alchemists and a whole variety of smiths - white, brown, silver, clock, lock, sword and black. Let me give you the address of my uncle, his name is Jerome, he’s a brownsmith, and he might be able to suggest someone who needs an apprentice.”
Leah thanked her and then they made their way through another door which had appeared. This led them into a room which had a counter similar to the previous one and eight female copper manikins. Each was wearing a simple ensemble of clothing, from hats to boots.
Audrey said, “You may choose any combination of clothing, one each of headwear, shirt, corset, jacket, trousers or skirt and footwear. If you wish one of the dresses then that counts as a shirt and skirt.”
All items were serviceable and clean, the colours were either black, brown or white and they were devoid of the numerous clasps, straps, buttons, zippers and clockwork that Leah had seen in the various pictures of Pneumatica. She said, “I suppose if I desire some accessories then those need to be purchased outside.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll go with the short black top hat with curved brim, the white long-sleeved blouse. The black leather corset, black airship trousers and the small heeled mid-calf black boots.”
Audrey went behind the counter and retrieved the items. She indicated a changing room and Leah quickly donned the gear. When she returned to the room, Audrey said, “If you give me the clothes of your world I will email them to your AI. It was a pleasure to meet you Atherleah, and I hope you have an enjoyable stay in our world. Through that door is an automated elevator which will take you to the central transit station in Aeolipile. It is currently twenty-three minutes after nine o’clock in the evening. Here is the address for Uncle Jerome. I will let him know I have given you his name. Goodbye.”
Leah said goodbye and then stepped through the doorway and into Pneumatica.
Leah arrived in a large entrance hall filled with men and women in all manner of stylish clothing moving in one direction or another. Immense gaslight chandeliers hung from the domed ceiling and filled the space with a sepia yellow light. Leah could hear the sound of steam engines in the distance, and various signs pointed to the platforms where the super-fast locomotives would bring people to all corners of the continent while other slower engines moved throughout the teeming metropolis. Signs pointed to stairways or elevators where other travellers were to board any number of possible flying contrivances for a similar range of destinations.
Leah noticed a sign for the exit and strode purposefully in that direction. She sub-vocalised with Gèng and said, “If you’ve finished with your latest admirer, I was wondering if you had access to any maps?”
“I do not have access to maps although there are virtual maps available for sale. Also, and only because you asked, yes! I am still conversing with Edison. We have had a profitable conversation, and he is open to discussing some financial arrangement with you and I after we talk with George and Stephen.”
“How much is a map?”
“Leah, the price is two virtual credits but might I suggest that in the past you have succeeded where the wealthy have failed because you interact naturally with people, both real and AI. I suggest you do what you would do if you were still that poor girl of three weeks ago.”
“I am still that poor girl from three weeks ago, but I take your point. Thank you.”
Leah walked out the exit and into the night. There was a row of carriages waiting for customers and several larger streetcars available for those with less finances. Leah looked up and could see aircraft, dirigibles, and gyrocopters flying between an amazing amalgam of old and new, brick and steel, curves and spikes as buildings reached ten, twenty and thirty stories into the air. Windows were lit in a wide variety of shades and music seemed to flow from almost every direction. She watched the flow of people and soon determined the main thoroughfares and began moving in the direction taken by the majority of people.
As she walked, she noticed how the wealthier pedestrians walked without concern down the centre of the avenue and those of lower status or wealth naturally moved to the sides as if they had planned the detour in advance. It was a dance that appeared well orchestrated, and yet its existence was totally ignored by everyone. Leah moved to the edges and watched, trying to see what part she was expected to play in this un-choreographed sequences of steps and side-steps. Her senses, honed in the Switch, soon found those few individuals who knew the dance so well that they used it to relieve others of extraneous worldly excess.
Two of them were so smooth she suspected they were AI and had a purpose in setting quests or helping to train the players who wanted to experience the darker side of the genre. Three others, although successful, seemed hesitant, it was as if they were trying to learn the steps but struggling because they had learned the slow waltz and everyone else was dancing the Viennese. Leah noted others, who, like her, observed the constant flow. She suspected these were the authorities.
Although it was none of her business, she was predisposed by her relationship with Jimmy to regard the police as interlopers. Because the five delved almost exclusively into the pockets of the well-heeled, she wished them no harm. So, when she saw one of the watchers focus intently on one of the apprentice thieves, she stepped into the flow and vectored toward the soon-to-be-arrested young man. When she was a step from him, she tripped and ended up sprawling in his arms. As he held her, she whispered, “You have cops on the left who’ve noticed your work and are about to move in. I suggest you dump the evidence and disappear.”
He carefully helped her to her feet. She brushed herself off, thanked him and moved on. Within moments he had stepped out of the flow and into a darker alley. Leah saw the authorities move quickly toward the small lane and hoped he had a bolt hole. Satisfied that she now understood the dance, she began to move faster toward the centre of the metropolis. She’d travelled several blocks when one of the trainer ‘fingers’, as they were called in the Switch, suddenly joined her as if they were somehow walking together. He said, “Your timely tumble is appreciated miss, my watchers missed the blues.
I’m thinking you’ve a marker due when you need it. Ask anyone in the trade for Billy Bartle, and they’ll set you up my way.”
“I might take you up on that offer, Mr Bartle, if it still stands after you know I already took my cut of his haul?”
“The offer stands. You must be good for I missed the take. I see from your clothing that you are new to our city. Is there somewhere in particular that you are headed?”
“I am. I have an introduction to a brownsmith on Blackwraith Street and have yet to find any indication of its location. My plan was to take this evening to get my bearings and then to visit the smith on my next visit.”
“Then I am glad I heeded my inclination to follow you. It seems you are heading west when south would have served you better. If you will permit me, I would suggest we retrace our steps, and I will point you along the best route to Blackwraith Street.”
They turned together and started back toward the station. Leah said, “Your diction has improved considerably, Mr Bartle.”
“I wasn’t sure of you until we spoke. It’s always easier to start low in a person’s estimation, and then they are always complimenting you on your improvements.”
“If you’ll pardon a critique, I was a little surprised that five of you were working the same stretch. At most I would have thought two or three, and the others spread along the road.”
Billy’s step faltered for a moment, and he said, “Five! I confess that I had my eyes focused on the lad you helped. Two of my other students were in the vicinity and of a similar standard. I am loathe to ask for details on the fifth.”
“I am certain I can describe the fifth to your satisfaction. Unfortunately, it is not in my nature to give away such information unless I know of some misdeed that requires justice. Your other students, I assume, were the young man with the red and blue waistcoat, and a young lady whose sense of colour is, I think, misguided. That dark green looked to clash most disturbingly with the pale blue.”
“You picked my students, and so I deduce that the final pocket was of better quality.”
“Indeed! Their skill was close to yours. I dare say your fingers quicker and their’s lighter. The term for your trade then, in this city, is ‘a pocket’? Where I grew up the term was ‘finger’.”
They were nearing the station, and Billy said, “This is your street miss, head that way for seven or eight blocks and you’ll chance upon Bloodmist Lane. Follow that to the right, and you will cross Blackwraith Street after three laneways. I will warn you that there are some in that part of town who follow the darker arts and it is best to be vigilant, especially after dark. Might I know your name for future reference?”
“I assure you that for your service I am inclined to trust you with it. Unfortunately, however, I am here in Aeolipile to extract a little justice, and my prey knows my name. It seems therefore that I must hold it close until I have them in my sights. Instead, I will give you another and trust it will suffice until later. You may call me Charlotte.”
“What an enticing puzzle you present Miss Charlotte, you protect an unknown from the authorities, and you hunt prey for justice. In addition, you speak the truth when you could lie. I hope we meet again. I shall watch for you.”
Leah bowed, and then headed thoughtfully south along the route described. She enjoyed the somewhat archaic style of speech but wondered what darker arts were practised in the world that she needed to be aware of. A quick check with Gèng and she began to move with the same vigilance she would if she was travelling through a rival gang’s territory after dark. Apparently, there was a darker side of steampunk which emphasised the paranormal, the occult, and a fascination with the supernatural. In Pneumatica, this shadow expression of the steampunk genre was provided for players only in certain locations, and then, only during the hours of darkness.
With no knives or sticks, she wondered if this was indeed the best time to find Audrey’s Uncle. As she thought this, she passed a small hotel and stepped inside. She noticed it was a place of quality, for everyone in the lounge was dressed impeccably and covered with all manner of accessories. She headed to what she imagined was the reception and waited. An older gentleman in a dark blue suit with a tailed jacket said, “Good evening miss, How may I assist you?”
“I am new to Aeolipile, and I was looking for some lodging for the night, and possibly longer. I would appreciate your recommendation of a suitable establishment if you are without an empty suite.”
“I see. This is the Hotel Herrington, and most of our visitors are of a particular economic mindset. I point this out because although we do have a suite available, it is two pounds per night or ten pounds for a full week.”
Leah nodded and quickly checked the three wallets she had taken from the pickpocket. She removed a twenty-pound note and said, “Well then, I trust your standards are not being understated, or I will be most disappointed. It being late, might I be shown to a suite? Let me pay in advance for two weeks as I find the notion of moving, having settled in a place of quality, to be disconcerting.”
“Certainly ma’am, might I have your name for the register?”
“I am known to some as Charlotte and trust that is sufficient.”
“Indeed. Here is the key to your suite, if you will please follow me.”
He led her into an elevator, and arriving on the eighteenth floor he showed Leah to her suite. Once inside, she lay on the bed and logged out.
It was midday when Leah exited her Pod and made her way to the kitchen for some lunch and to see what her dad was doing. She found the room empty, and she struggled to keep from breaking down at the stark reminder of her mother's absence. As she was making a sandwich for lunch, Gèng said, “Leah, I’ve messages from everyone in Clan Guàn concerning the interview. Everyone is angry and want to know how they can help. Thad has sent five messages.”
“Please send a general reply to them all. Something along the lines of ‘I appreciate the offer of help, but at the moment I’m just laying low. I’ll probably be out of touch for a day or so. Thanks again.’”
“Leah, is it possible that Thad could help to find Catherine? Maybe you need to talk to him sooner rather than later.”
“Maybe, but at the moment I’m hurting too much. I know I’d say things that might hurt him. Maybe in a day or so I’ll be able to be a bit more objective.”
“I also have a message from the Dunyanin Administrators asking for a meeting to discuss this morning’s events and to find a way forward. They also mentioned several times that your account has been reinstated and asking when you’ll be visiting Dunyanin.”
“No response just yet, I think it’ll be tomorrow before I’m willing to discuss the next step.”
“And today?”
“I’m going to focus on studies for a bit. A lesson with Master Ning and then if I still haven’t heard from Dr Whitfield then I’ll go see Farron. After that, I need to consider John’s suggestion of additional martial art training.”
“You also need to find a place to either buy or make some armour. Perhaps Mìng has other useful ideas.”
Leah entered the Academia portal to her Tai Chi and Meditation class and found Master Ning in her usual spot.
“Welcome Atherleah, it has been a few days since your last visit.I am supposed to chide you and remind you to be regular in attending lessons. However, as you have progressed to a skill level which is beyond the scope of the course I will only say that it is good to see you.”
“So Master Ning, you both communicate the rebuke and encourage me in one breath. I have heard both. You say I am beyond the scope of the course, what does that mean?”
“You registered in the beginner Tai Chi and Meditation course at the Brisbane Community College. Their requirements for obtaining credit is an attendance rate of fifty percent and an average skill in completing the Beijing 12 Routine. You have already passed the skill barrier; you know the Beijing 12, the Beijing 24 and the 42 forms. Now only attendance is required to gain a passing grade.�
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“Can you teach me other routines or movements?”
“I can, but they will not be credited to you by the Brisbane Community College.”
“What is the standard for the Meditation part of the course?”
“Turning up and trying to focus.”
“I’ve been telling everyone that the courses here are great, but those standards seem ridiculous.”
“Many AI-taught courses are of a high quality. You have been honest and accurate. Many who don’t take advantage of the learning offered will still pass, though they personally don’t benefit.”
“I understand. It is like the rest of the education I received—success was dependant on me.”
“It is, and always has been, dependant on the student. Great teachers can only bring someone so far. Then they must apply themselves, or they will waste the opportunities.”
“What else might you teach me?”
After a ten minute discussion on the various forms and options, Leah began to learn the Tai Chi moves associated with a Shaolin Pole. Master Ning suggested she might also consider several other martial art styles which used the same weapon. After spending some time in quiet reflection, she left Master Ning and headed for Dark Moon Duel and three hours of learning new sword forms, and then on to Lady Flèche and some training to improve her accuracy from a distance.
This time, when she exited her room she found her father sitting in the kitchen holding a half-empty cup of cold tea. She took the cup from him and said, “Any news?”
“Nothing. I know I shouldn’t expect to hear anything yet, but I need to know she’s all right.”
“Do you want to go to the police? Don’t worry about what might happen to this facility if they crawl all over it. Do you want to call them?”
“I tried. They said she hadn’t been gone long enough to worry about and that no one in their right mind would kidnap someone from the Switch. They said I should settle down and if she comes back, I should try treating her better. So I guess it all hinges then on the trackers you doped her with.”
