by Tony Corden
As they finished, Mary stood and said, “Well Charlotte, at least when you do come, it is when you are most needed. I must let Commander Abbotsford know she has the harpoon at her disposal. Come with me and then we shall see to the next assignment.”
Leah followed Mary, and for the first time that morning was able to look around. The sky was blue and there were no clouds. She could see several dirigibles and at least two multi-engined gyros. Muzzle flashes and the occasional blaze of some sort of light or plasma weapon could be seen. The Fury was heavily outnumbered, but was holding its own because the other craft were much smaller in size. Leah assumed they were pirates.
When Master Fallon reached the quarterdeck, she waited at the entrance until Commander Abbotsford noticed her and then approached when called. Leah tagged along behind.
“Master Fallon, I take it you and your apprentice have completed assembling the harpoon.”
“Indeed we have, Commander. Charlotte appeared at just the right time to expedite matters.”
“Good, your next task is up top I’m afraid. The Port Foremast was damaged by some chain-shot. The carpenter is aloft and has requested the mast have copper bands for reinforcement. I have need of the sail to outrun these miscreants so please be about it if you will.”
“Very good, Commander.”
Mary led Leah back to the main deck and then to the base of the foremast. Along the length of the mast was a thick bronze strip with bars extending horizontally every foot all the way to the envelope 100 feet above. Mary started to climb, and Leah followed. When they reached the envelope, the ladder led them inside, and Leah could see the numerous gasbags which filled most of the airship. Mary led her along a gantry toward the port side of the envelope and to a point halfway toward the top. Here, Leah discovered another exit. This led to the outer skin of the envelope. Mary helped Leah into a harness and then clipping herself on to a cable, she made her way outside.
Leah discovered that Maelstrom’s Fury not only had masts above and below the envelope but was also able to raise or lower additional masts on the port and starboard sides of it. The additional masts were only half the length of the vertical masts, and were used only when there was a need for extra speed, or to help with rapid turning. Immediately they could see the port foremast which was lying along the envelope and several people working at its upper end. Mary, with Leah’s assistance, added three copper rings to help strengthen the carpenter’s hasty repair. Altogether this took fifteen minutes and as soon as they were done the sailors began to raise the mast and attach the yard. Mary said, “It is best to wait until we see if it holds under sail before seeking another task.”
Leah nodded and tried to take note of everything. Something flashed in the distance beyond the front of the airship, and she turned to see what it was. Finally, she could make out an airship with red sails speeding toward them. She turned to Mary and said, “Is that friend, or foe?”
Mary looked, and then with a curse hollered to one of the sailors, “Message to the captain, ‘ship ahead, two points to port down two.’” Then she turned to Leah and said, “Out here there are no friends. Though the detail is yet a fog, I can tell from the colour of her sail that it is likely the Tempest. She is half the size of the Fury but she’s fast and deadly. We best be getting back to the Commander, she’ll have a task for us, no doubt.”
Leah nodded and followed the brown smith back through the envelope and down the mast. When they arrived at the quarterdeck Commander Abbotsford approached and said, “Your sighting of the Tempest was timely Master Fallon. Still, I fear we shall not escape.”
“It was my apprentice who first spied the sail Commander. Have you another task for us?”
“Nothing urgent, I would suggest you remain nearby and at the ready. I fear we may need your skills even more this day.”
Leah and Mary moved to the side of the deck to wait.
As they waited, Leah said, “Mary, I’m new to the skies of Pneumatica. Is this Tempest a known pirate craft?”
“That, Charlotte, is a complicated question. She’s a company ship for Theodore’s Emporiums and has a Letter of Marque from her Majesty to operate as a Privateer. Many aeronauts suggest she provides both supplies and succour to one of the pirate fleets in this area. I believe we will find ourselves able to proclaim with certainty the truth of such assertions. While I am elated at being able to provide this verification, it is not likely I shall be alive to support the claim. They leave everyone either dead or enslaved, or so it is said.”
“What of those like myself who are able to return through the vial of death?”
“The authorities are restrained by the law. Those from the Aether Worlds are not permitted to give evidence in a court of law. The matter would be dismissed.”
Even though she had turned to run downwind, the Fury was still being harassed by seven assorted aircraft. Leah could see the Tempest clearly now—it was three points forward of the port beam and slowly angling up toward the Fury. It had no dirigible. Its form was different from the aircraft Leah had yet seen; it was formed like two naval frigates that had been joined at the waterline, one upright and the other upside down. Surrounding the entire hull at the point where they joined was a copper pipe at least a pace in diameter. She turned to Mary and enquired, “Pardon me, Master Fallon, I believe the Tempest is kept aloft by the copper pipe that surrounds it. How does this work?”
“It looks like copper, but I assure you it is not. That is a very expensive alloy called Maxwellian Bronze. It is 74% copper, 22% Zinc, 3.9% Beryllium and 0.1% Lorentzium. The expense is the Lorentzium which runs to almost twenty-thousand pounds per hundredweight. The upper side of the tube is perforated to allow the air to be drawn into the topmost chamber which has been coated with a fine glaze of powdered Lorzentium, silica, and potassium oxide. The Lorentzium interacts with the air in such a way as to highly charge the nitrogen. The second layer is a series of rapidly spinning disks which create a magnetic field. The particles of charged air are rapidly expelled through a system of nozzles at the base of the tube, keeping the Tempest aloft. The system requires large amounts of power.”
“How long can it remain aloft?”
“Almost indefinitely. When the nitrogen becomes charged, the oxygen forms a solid compound with the Lorentzium, this compound is highly flammable. It is collected and blown into the engines where it burns to heat water, and the steam is used to power the engines. When the compound burns, it releases the Lorentzium which is then collected for reuse.”
“Besides the Lorentzium what is added or released in the combustion chamber?”
“Nothing else is added save for some air to blow the powder inside. It has been shown that there is less oxygen released than was injected into the combustion chamber and some have suggested the oxygen molecules themselves have been transferred into energy.”
“Do those who work on such a ship have any health issues beyond the average?”
“None that I know of. There are, however, very few ships like the Tempest. They are very expensive and are owned only by the very wealthy. It is strange indeed that she sails as a merchant and Privateer.”
“Strange indeed! At what distance might we begin to fire at her? Already she is closer than several of the other craft.”
Captain Barnsdale had drawn near without their notice, and he answered, “Master Fallon, my apologies for interrupting so interesting a lecture. Still, regarding this topic I am well acquainted. Also, it is a Captain’s prerogative to take centre stage upon his own quarterdeck.” Turning to Leah he said, “Charlotte, the same magnetic field which powers the Lorentzium Engine also repels most metallic projectiles. It has been said that the Tempest can sit within a hundred paces of its foe with impunity.”
“Captain Barnsdale, with respect, how then does she fire upon other vessels?”
“They coat their projectiles in a very thin layer of Maxwellian Bronze. It is ruinously exorbitant but as they only fire when close in and most ships surre
nder rather than fight I understand they rarely are faced with a situation requiring them to use their cannon. For many, slavery is better than death. Fear not however that we might be so cowardly, we shall resist to the last man.”
With a slight touch of irony in her voice, Leah said, “Indeed a comforting thought, Captain.”
He bobbed his head and returned to join his officers. Leah and Mary resumed their discussion of the Lorentzium Engine while the Tempest drew steadily closer. Suddenly there was a large booming sound from the direction of the Tempest, followed by a whistling noise and then a crunching sound from the area above where Leah and Mary were standing. Leah could see a line connecting the two ships. This was followed by several more similar lines which connected the Tempest to different parts of the Fury. The cables all met at the upper forecastle of the Tempest. Sailors on the Fury began to make their way to the cables and started to hack at them, but to no avail. Mary said, “Covered in Maxwellian Bronze, I dare say. I must apologise for such a short apprenticeship Charlotte; I believe you would have made an excellent Smith.”
“Thank you Master Fallon, but let’s not give up hope just yet. I have an idea.”
Leah stood and walked calmly toward the Captain and said, “Captain Barnsdale, I do apologise for interrupting, but I believe haste is required. If it pleases you, I would like a small bomb. I suggest that as I am from the Aether Worlds and am able to return then it is of no moment should I find myself aboard the Tempest. The cables all join to a common point on the upper forecastle of the Tempest. I shall descend upon one rope and by use of the explosive make certain the release of the Fury. I believe you will be able to make good your escape while the miscreants affect some needed repairs.”
The Captain looked carefully at Leah before nodding and saying, “An admirable offer and one I am ashamed to say I must accept. Please attend Commander Abbotsford who will arrange matters. Should we meet again then you shall have a place on my ship, as you will.”
Leah nodded and said, “Thank you, Captain.” After saying farewell to Mary she left the deck at a run behind Commander Abbotsford. It took several minutes to climb to one of the cables which had embedded itself through a large copper band and into the skeleton of the envelope. Commander Abbotsford explained how to arm and set the bomb. A sailor had been sent for Leah’s waistcoat, sword and pistol. After donning them, she grabbed the arm-length piece of thick cable she had requested and said, “Take care Commander Abbotsford, I should like to see you again.”
Just then a fully loaded marine arrived and said, “Begging your pardon Miss Charlotte but I’d like to join you. The Captain has agreed. I’ve no time for my story, but it is enough to say that the Tempest and I have a history.”
Leah nodded and said, “I’ll not begrudge someone the chance to make amends or to seek justice. I do insist however, that while I live you follow my commands.”
Commander Abbotsford interjected, “My pardon, Miss Charlotte, but have you experience at the command of others? Major Daniels here by rights should insist you follow his orders.”
“Indeed Commander, I do have such experience I have no time to discuss it right now. Yes or no, Major?”
“Aye, I’ll follow orders.”
“Good, then let us be away.”
Leah threw the cable over the bronze rope and switched the ends to the opposite sides so she could pull on the rope if necessary to slow her descent. Then she stepped off the Fury to slide toward the Tempest. She was careful not to gain too much speed and kept an eye on both the Tempest and the rope above her head. The trip was all of thirty seconds, but as she drew near the Tempest, she saw a sailor waiting. He had a grin on his face and had a musket aimed at her. She expected that the weapon would only work within the confines of the magnetic barrier, so she started to rock back and forth. Then, as she passed over the bronze tube she brought her body forward and let go of the rope. Her move surprised the sailor who fired in surprise before being bowled over by Leah who crashed into his legs. Before either of them could rise, the Major landed and killed the sailor with a thrust of his bayonet.
Four other sailors were watching the cables, and Leah didn’t wait to stand before using the pistol on one. Two of the remaining sailors drew swords and attacked the marine while one came at Leah, sword ready. Leah stood and threw a knife at the man who raised his arm to deflect it and didn’t see Leah stepping in to finish him with her sword. Looking over, she saw the marine finish the last sailor off. She said, “Keep the deck clear while I arm the bomb.”
She quickly placed the bomb at the centre of the rings through which the cables ran. She could now see that they travelled under the deck and were being wound onto large spindles to keep them taut. It only took moments to arm the explosive and then she went to join her companion. As she did, she noticed her right boot felt squishy, as if full of water. She looked down and saw blood seeping through her trousers from a hole in her thigh—the first sailor had managed to hit her. Leah quickly tore a piece of cloth from her shirt and tied it over the wound to slow the bleeding. She knew it must hurt, but after the episode with her change, her body was far more tolerant of pain.
The sailors from the Tempest had reacted to the attack and the major was now facing three adversaries, and Leah could see another three already on the deck. She grinned as she realised she had missed the adrenaline of a purely physical battle. She reached down and took one of the swords from a dead sailor and then with a small laugh attacked the three. None of them was proficient, and she found that she’d finished them before the major had been able to kill more than one. She quickly came to his aid and as she thrust one sword through a sailor’s heart said, “We had best finish these and step off the deck, I don’t want to be here in another thirty seconds.”
He nodded as he ended the last one and said, “Port or starboard?”
“Starboard! You go first as my leg is a little weak at the moment.”
They had just stepped onto the main deck when the bomb exploded. The whole ship rocked with the explosion and Leah could hear yells from below as the snapped cables recoiled and scythed through flesh and bone with abandon.
In the sudden confusion, she and Major Daniels moved steadily along the Starboard side of the ship, dispatching any pirates they came across. The marine said, “Ma’am, at this rate we might even take the Tempest.”
“Please Major, call me Miss or Charlotte. I will even answer to Charlie in a pinch, but I am not at all sure that I will respond, even though the situation be one of life and death if you were to call me Ma’am again.”
“Then Miss, you must feel free to call me Ian. I do apologise for the lack of a diminutive.”
“Ian it is.” She then said to Gèng, “What is the procedure in Pneumatica if I want to capture a ship?”
“You need to have the escape, surrender, or death of all on board, including the Captain. The Fury is away, and both you and Ian are now considered independent operators. As the Tempest was attacking you, then there is no concern with the authorities that you have taken the ship by piracy.”
Turning to the marine, Leah said, “Ian, I agree with you. I suggest we head for the quarterdeck and have the Captain surrender.”
“Charlotte, I am loathe to say it, but I must. My comment was made in jest. There must be another hundred souls aboard at least.”
“In jest or not, it was well said. Now let us stay the course and see where this takes us.”
All through the conversation they had been slowly moving along the deck and dealing with each pirate who came at them. Altogether they had finished over twenty of the Tempest’s crew. Suddenly the number of attackers dwindled, and they had a moment to take a breath. Looking around Leah could see the pirates congregating at either end of the deck and along the port side. One of their officers had managed to bring order to the attack and stop the slaughter. Already she could see several muskets being handed around. When all was still, a figure in a blood red jacket with silver embroidery, white shirt,
black breeches, and black boots made his way through the circling crew. Leah thought, just for a moment, that it was Thad and her heart sank until she began to notice the differences. This man was shorter, and it was clear that his eyes would never crease in the smile she often saw Thad give. Even so, she was certain he was a relative, and a close one.
“My name is Captain Tedrick Emmerson, and you two have cost me a pretty prize. I assure you that you will pay before I allow you the sweet release of death. You, girl. I see you are from the Aether Worlds. When I am finished with you, you shall promise to serve me for all time. Now down your swords and I may shorten your punishment.”
Ian responded, “No Captain, I will fight to my last breath. Besides, I’ve heard your word is about as valuable as your father’s. They say, ‘better a note be written by a drug-addled vagrant and scribed in wet dung.’”
Leah smiled and said, “Sorry Teddy, I haven’t the eloquence of my good companion, but I suspect his assessment is true. Even so, I imagine your veracity can be counted among your most favourable characteristics. With a certainty your intellect is not among them. Not only has the prize flown, but without a doubt, you and your crew will be forever branded as pirates. No more will you be able to visit civilised establishments. Your true nature is now revealed for the world to see. I suggest you shoot us from a distance as neither you nor your crew have the skill, fortitude, or honour to face us with cold steel and have even a hope of survival.”
