Fianna Kelly Versus the Jeebees: A Collection of Steampunk Stories (28 page)

He
said, "The Colonel knows you both have strong feelings on the
matter."

"What
good does that do?"

"Officially,
it doesn't do anything, if you know what I mean. The Colonel signed this order
so you can leave whenever you are ready. He's gone home for the day so isn't
here to wish you a safe trip."

As
he left, Gwen looked at me funny. "That was another one of those saying
things without saying them, wasn't it?"

I
said, "Let's go back to my ship."

And
we went back to my room in silence again. If these guys couldn't say what they
meant in public, I was going to be careful too. I said, "When I first took
on this job, I was told that it was strictly unofficial. The man in charge
didn't want anyone to know what we were doing for him. So when Albert said the
Colonel couldn't help us officially, he meant that we will get more help
unofficially."

Gwen
said, "I get it. This is one of those two negatives equals a positive
riddles."

"And
since the Colonel is out of his office and not signing orders, no-one at the
base can follow us until tomorrow."

She
added, "He must suspect traitors in the senior ranks."

Asher
ran up to my stateroom. He said two men had a delivery for me.

I
looked out my window and recognised them after a second. We followed Asher and
I opened the door. "Gwen, I'd like you to meet Lieutenant Mills and
Lieutenant Reed.  Gentlemen, this is my friend, Gwendoline MacGowan."

Lieutenant
Mills said, "Hello. We heard it was your birthday so we brought you
gifts."

I
replied, "That was so nice of you. Would you please come in?"

When
I closed the door, Lieutenant Reed said, "Actually, the Colonel ordered us
to deliver these personally and help you with them."

Lieutenant
Mills added, "We are itching to know what's in the boxes."

They
handed me two cardboard boxes. I opened one box. It had a pair of shiny black
boots that looked like they would come up halfway to my knees. The other box
contained an army dress uniform. I asked, "What does he want me to do with
these?"

Gwen
suggested, "It appears he wants you to join the army... or for them to
join you. He did say you guys were to help us, right?"

I
picked up a shoulder board with a red and gold crown on it. Lieutenant Mills
said, "It looks to me like you've just skipped ten years of service and
are now eligible to become a Major."

I
asked, "Is that a good thing?"

He
said, "Well, you can give us orders. That is if you want to. The Colonel
could have meant for us to help you decide if that was what you wanted."

"I
was telling Gwen that we needed soldiers if we were going to fight the jeebees.
Welcome to my army, Gentlemen. For my first order, I'd like you to move a heavy
crate from the cargo area. It probably isn't work for officers, but you are all
I have. 'Tis also delicate work that I need someone I can trust to attend
to."

Lieutenant
Reed asked, "What is in the crate?"

"It
contains the mortar shells for the railway gun."

"Pardon
me, Miss Kelly, but why do you have those?"

"I
have them because the gun is mounted at the front of my ship. 'Tis a long and
painful story."

He
said, "You can tell us later if you wish. Where should we take them?"

"There
are special padded shelves at the rear of the ship where the shells should be
stored. Please do not drop any."

"We
will treat them with the care they deserve."

I
told Gwen, "These are the only two men to have fired it in a battle. It
was still mounted on a flatcar then."

She
said, "That is why they are here! Colonel Reynolds wouldn't have known
about me and assumed you needed these men to help fire your cannon."

I
said, "That begs the question. Who should fire it, them or us?"

She
said, "I think we should all fire it together."

I
saw another man at the door. He said, "We thought you two ladies might be
getting hungry so we brought you something to eat." He indicated a cart
filled with food. I guessed there was enough on it to feed my family for a
week. Everyone followed as I walked outside to the cargo door and opened it. I
pointed out the mortar crate to the Lieutenants and Bradan suggested a spot for
the latest packages.

The
man said, "I also brought you these for later." I looked in the crate
that he indicated and saw it contained boxes with a variety of pistol, shotgun,
and rifle cartridges; enough for a small army. Was it just coincidence that as
I thought of a small army, one came marching in my direction? I doubted it.
They were pulling something on large wheels behind them. Someone must have
expected the vote would turn out wrong and planned for everything I would need.

I
recognised the Sergeant in command as well as a few of the men in formation. He
said, "The men and I would appreciate it if we could have an airship tour,
if you get my meaning."

Gwen
said, "Of course you can. Hi, I am Gwendoline, your tour guide for today.
My, you are a big group. Why don't I start with the cargo area? Would the last
man in please close the door behind him?"

I
looked confused. She turned to me and said, "A tour is another name for
the time that soldiers spend in combat zones."

One
soldier asked, "Do you have someplace we can put this for a short time? It
was just serviced and we don't want it to get wet should it rain."

I
said, "Just wheel it in here. You'll probably have to tie it down so it
doesn't roll out."

I
looked under the tarpaulin and was surprised to see a Gatling gun. I said,
"This is wonderful! I've wanted one of these for years. How did you
know?"

The
Sergeant said, "We weren't sure you'd like it, but it was just sitting
there waiting to be used... An added benefit of this one is the cartridges it
uses contain Cordite instead of black powder so you can fire without taking it
outside of your airship."

Gwen
turned back to the soldiers. "Welcome aboard, Gentlemen. We don't have
rooms for everyone so you'll have to double up."

I
was so used to just looking at soldiers, I hadn't realised these were all
wearing pistol belts and knapsacks. I now had my platoon. I went outside in
order to get to the main door without having to go up and down the stairs. I
called in, "Gentlemen, please get her ready to depart. We are leaving post
haste. I just have to show them our papers."

The
flight controller was an older, rotund man who smiled when he saw me. He said,
"I was expecting to see you today. I personally made sure the water and
gas tanks on your ship were refilled as soon as you touched down."

I
replied, "Thank you very much."

 "Your
papers are in order and you are cleared to takeoff. I wish you good hunting and
a safe return."

I
ran back to the Clover, waved at the soldiers releasing the mooring lines, and
watched out the door as we left the army base below us.

The
men were all standing about the sitting room looking lost. Seeing as the
Colonel gave them to me, I figured I should dress for the part. I located Gwen
in the cargo area talking to Bradan and we went to my stateroom.

"Remember
yesterday when you said I'd have to tell you how I dressed," I said.
"Now, I need your help with this too."

We
found some modest undergarments that would not show. Gwen helped me arrange my
hair into something she called a French braid. She also showed me how to do my
face so it looked as if I hadn't. I took a long look at myself in the mirror
and I liked what I saw. A stark white blouse with gold buttons at the cuffs
above a dark blue skirt. It did not flare out much and came down to just over
my knees. That was good as I was not proud of my knees. The uniform included
black stockings which came up to my thighs.

Gwen
helped me put on the dark blue Frock coat. It was double-breasted with two rows
of gold buttons and a red sash about the waist. It was fitted close, but not
too tight. The caubeen looked absurd on me and kept falling off so I put it
back in the box. As a final touch, Gwen fastened the shoulder boards onto the
coat.

She
said, "May I say Major, that you look very good in uniform and I am proud
to be in your command."

I
said, "There are a few things missing." I put an ornate gold bracelet
on my left wrist, put on my gun belt, and put my new goggles on my forehead.
"Now I'm ready."

We
went down to the sitting room and the men stared at us, as expected. I called
to the aviators, "What direction are we headed?"

Ethan
replied, "We are headed North, Major."

I
said, "Now don't you two start that! I've only been in uniform a few
minutes and everyone is treating me differently. North is a good direction.
Take it nice and easy and head toward Liverpool. When we get there, turn
towards Edinburgh. If anyone or anything is watching, we want to be seen going
between cities."

I
looked about the room. "Sergeant, please give the men something productive
to do, or arrange for them to have a sleep break, or whatever you guys do when
you are headed into battle."

I
glanced at Gwen. "Let's go back to the cargo area and talk."

I
greeted Bradan and asked if there was anything he needed.

SYSTEMS
ARE OKAY

I
asked Gwen, "Do you have any questions left or have we solved all the
puzzles?"

She
replied, "I just have one question. Why you?"

"I'm
not sure what you mean. Could you be more specific?"

"Why
is it that you, a normal Irish woman, is suddenly in command of an armed
airship, 21 men, and me?"

"I've
been so busy today, I haven't had time to think about that. A few days ago, I
was talking with Felix about destiny. This could just be the result of that one
night when I shot those two jeebees instead of running away like a scared
little girl. It's not something I have asked for. You have seen that I asked
for nothing today. From what I can tell this was all set in motion when you
sent the telegram."

"Do
you ever get the feeling that you are just a pawn being played on a giant
chessboard?"

"I
have felt that way before. To continue the comparison, today I have reached the
last row and have been promoted to a Queen. Let's see what I can do when I'm
not being pushed down the board in a straight line."

She
asked, "Have you made any plans for when we reach the mountain?"

"I
haven't. Have you?"

"I
plan to shoot everything on three legs until they stop moving."

"That's
a very good plan."

A
soldier interrupted us. "Excuse me for disturbing you, Major, but the
pilots say you are needed."

Gwen
said, "I'd like to stay here and see if I can find any chocolate in these
boxes; with your permission, of course."

I
smiled and said, "You have my permission to share anything sweet you find
with me."

When
I got to the sitting room, the men were looking at the windows on the port
side. I felt like I had seen this before.

Ethan
said, "Your pirate friend would like to come visit."

I
said, "Signal that we are headed to war."

A
few minutes later he said, "He insists that you talk with him... Hold
on...  He is saying he won't detain you long."

"Okay.
Gentlemen," I said. "Prepare to be boarded." The soldiers looked
about them; clearly confused. I laughed and said, "That means open the door
and get out of the way."

The
contraption set itself in place and then Captain Benton came across.

He
looked about the room filled with soldiers and said, "I wish you a good
evening and I come bearing gifts. First, let me tell you that I do like your new
uniform. It suits you very well. You might consider a sabre on your right; just
to balance it out."

I
blushed and thanked him.

He
continued, "Let me show you the fish we caught. I believe they belong to
you."

A
sailor arrived next. He seemed familiar. He exclaimed "Wow! What a ride. I
bet people would pay for that." When he saw me, he asked, "Permission
to come aboard, Major?"

I
replied, "Permission granted." That continued for another dozen men
ending with Captain Plumer.

I
said, "Are these the gifts you mentioned or are there more surprises in
store?"

He
smiled and said, "These are all I have for you tonight. They had little
left when we pulled them out of the bog."

I
said, "You were correct that I have a destiny. It appears that you have
one as well. Mine is taking me into a war in command of all these men. Do you
know where yours is taking you?"

He
said, "My destiny appears to be helping those who cannot help
themselves..."