Revenge of the Mad Scientist (Book One: Airship Adventure Chronicles) (4 page)

She passed the booths for the traditional flight companies, Chase-Carter and Durable, then followed the signs to the area where airships were available for personal hire. Several men lounged around in leather flight jackets and helmets with goggles flipped up on top of their heads—the captains of the for-hire vessels, waiting for someone to enlist their services.

At the charter counter, a young man greeted Belle courteously and inquired how he could be of service.

“I need a fast airship for a long trip. There will be three passengers.” She looked at her companions wondering how long they would last on this journey. She could only hope they were both fully aware of the danger.

“And the destination?” The young man made some notes, then looked up at her expectantly.

“Carabarras,” she said.

The clerk raised his eyebrows and sent a sideways glance to the captains. “Carabarras?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Well, That’s a very long and dangerous journey, I don’t believe we have a ship available for such a …”

“Did you say Carabarras?” A loud voice sounded behind her.

She turned and confronted a short, heavyset man in the typical captain attire of leather jacket and helmet. He looked to be in his fifties with a short gray beard, piercing blue eyes, and an air of confidence she appreciated.

“Yes, that’s right.” Belle studied him as he squinted at her, obviously sizing her up.

“Well you won’t find many to take on that type of charter. It’s clear across the world.”

“I’m very aware of its location. But my trip is important and urgent.” She moved closer to him and spoke in a low voice only he could hear. “And I’m willing to pay top price for the voyage as long as it’s a fast ship.”

He glanced over to her companions and back to her. “A fast ship you say?”

Belle nodded.

He took her arm and pulled her to the side of the waiting room. The other captains ignored them as they showed no interest in going anywhere near Carabarras. Benji and Jasper followed.

“I have one of the fastest airships you’ll ever find. As it so happens, I’ve been to Carabarras in the last year, so I know the route well and how to avoid trouble, if you know what I mean.” He gave her a wink.

She assumed he meant air-pirates. They were rampant in parts of the world less regulated than Urbannia.

“Then you seem to be the perfect choice. What would you need in payment for the trip there and back?” She hoped he wasn’t trying to simply fleece her.

He closed one eye and bit his bottom lip. “I’d say for such a trip, considering all the danger, a fair price would be four thousand gold slips.” He leaned back and crossed his arms as he waited for her response.

It was a large amount to be sure, but she had to admit it was actually a fair price given the distance and potential danger. She had expected to pay more. That argued well for this man.

“Very well, two thousand now and the rest when we return.”

“Three thousand now and the final thousand when we return. I will have to provision the ship along the way.” He raised one brow.

She hesitated a moment then held out her hand.“Done.”

He nodded and shook her hand. “I’m Captain Joseph Carter, you can call me Captain Joe. My ship’s named
Fantasy Flyer
. When do you want to leave?”

She released his hand and pulled some bills out of her pocket. After counting out three, one-thousand gold slips into his hand, she gave him a steady look and said, “I’m Lady Arabella Trunkett and I would like to depart now.”

He whistled. “You
are
in a hurry, My Lady.”

“Yes, speed is imperative. How soon can you be ready?”

He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. “I have to call for provisions. That will take about half an hour. The ship is ready, but we still need to top off the helium tank and put in a load of coal. That can be done while we wait for the provisions.”

“Captain, just one more thing.” She glanced over her shoulder and then leaned closer to him. “Do you know of any ships that left here within the last eight hours headed to the same destination?”

His eyes narrowed. “There were no ships chartered for Carabarras today. I’m sure of that.”

Her face fell. She hoped to verify their theory that someone had taken her father there. An airship was the fastest getaway vehicle. An ocean voyage would take months. However, she remained convinced Carabarras was the kidnappers’ destination. Perhaps they could pick up more information along the way.

“Very well. Then let’s get started. We haven’t a moment to lose.” Belle’s heart beat faster. Despite this disappointing news, they now had a way to go after her father. She couldn’t wait to get into the air.

“Follow me then and bring your baggage.” Captain Joe waved an arm and headed down the hall that led to the charter docking area.

“Are you certain you trust him, Lady Arabella?” Jasper whispered in her ear.

“We don’t have a lot of choices. There doesn’t seem to be anyone else willing to take us,” she said in an undertone. “He seems legitimate. Let’s see what his ship looks like.”

“You folks do have your passports, right?” Captain Joe said as he opened the door to the docking area. “I don’t hold with smuggling or illegal activities.”

Belle pointed to Jasper who held up their passports.

“Good, then we’re square. The charter agent will check them before we leave, after I file a flight plan.” The captain motioned for them to follow him as he crossed the massive yard.

Gravel crunched beneath Belle’s boots as she walked past dozens of mooring areas for the massive airships. Mechanics and servicemen hurried about to the different vessels, preparing them for flight. Creaking wood and the hiss of steam filled the air.

“There she is.” Captain Joe raised an arm and pointed ahead of them, his face glowed with pride. “
Fantasy Flyer
.”

The group paused and viewed the vessel which would take them across the world to Carabarras. An elongated rust colored inflatable hovered above a boat shaped gondola connected to it by a web of ropes. The gondola was of the modern design made of dark wood with decorative brass trim. The back of the ship housed the engine compartment with movable fins flanked by round fans. It certainly seemed to be a sturdy vessel.

The entire contraption was tethered at four corners by heavy ropes tied to iron rings sunk in the ground. The morning sun peeped over the horizon casting a golden glow over the rounded inflatable, reminding Belle that time was of the essence.

“Seems air w, w, worthy.” Benji beamed as his gaze roamed over the ship. “And large enough for a long voyage.”

“Let’s get aboard.” Belle grabbed his arm and pulled him forward. This would be the first time he had made a journey aboard an airship and she knew he found the technology fascinating, but they didn’t have time to stop and stare.

The captain strode ahead and they followed him until they reached the side of the gondola. He grabbed a rope hanging beside the hatch and gave it a yank. The gangplank lowered on a system of pulleys, revealing a wooden floor with rope handles running along both sides.

Belle strode behind the captain, up the gangplank and into the body of the gondola. Just inside was a salon, a large room with a variety of seating areas. Small windows ran around the side where they entered.

“Come along and I’ll show you to your berths.” The captain headed across the room to a door that led down a short hallway. Doors were spaced on one side of the hall and as they proceeded he would open a door and direct one of them to claim it as theirs.

Jasper and Benji headed into their respective rooms, and then the captain opened a door at the end of the hall and waved her inside.

“This will be yours, My Lady,” he said.

She walked in, impressed with the cozy berth. A bed sat against the far wall and in the center of the room were a desk and chair as well as two wing chairs gathered around a cast iron stove whose chimney pipe exited out the side of the gondola. A small window above the bed allowed a view of outside and brass, gaslight lanterns on the wall swung on gimbals.

“Thank you Captain. I’ll get settled while you do what is necessary to prepare this airship for the journey. I want to leave as soon as possible.”

Captain Joe gave a brief nod and turned on his heel.

Belle let out a big breath and placed her valise and the money satchel on the desk. She removed her jacket and sat on the side of the bed. She was drained both physically and emotionally. There had been no time for sleep last night—first the party and then the need to get underway, not to mention being overwhelmed with worry for her father. Her eyelids grew heavy and her head foggy from lack of sleep. Where was her father right now? A pang of worry wormed into her brain. What if she was on the wrong path? She pressed her lips together and touched the pocket containing the stickpin. No, she had to trust her instincts. They were going to Carabarras.

###

A knocking on her door sent a jolt through Belle. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, to clear the haze from her mind.

“My Lady, are you in there?” Jasper’s voice on the other side of the door jarred her back into reality. Then she remembered, she was on the airship.

She called out, “Come in, Jasper.”

He opened the door and his anxious face peered around the edge. “The charter agent is here and needs all travelers to present themselves with their passports.”

She opened her watch, noting she had slept for half an hour. They must be getting ready to leave, so she resisted the urge to cradle the watch and listen to the soothing tune.

“All right, I’m coming,” she said, closing and returning the timepiece to her pocket. She put a hand up to make sure her hair was in place and slipped out of the berth.

They found the agent with Benji and the captain in the salon area of the gondola. The official wore a dark blue uniform and cap. A silver badge of Imperial Immigration shone on his lapel. Benji grinned, clearly excited to be embarking on this adventure and asked the poor man all sorts of questions about his job.

“Here is Lady Arabella Trunkett who chartered this trip.” Captain Joe gestured toward her as she entered.

“Ah, yes. My Lady. I am very sorry to hear about your father’s disappearance. I saw the disturbing news in the early morning edition of the Post.” The agent rose to his feet and gave her a small bow.

The captain cast a sharp glance at her, but she smiled and nodded to the agent.

“I appreciate your concern, but we were assured by Her Majesty that every resource will be used to recover him. Now what is it you need from me to clear us for this trip?”

He bowed again and reseated himself while Jasper handed over their passports. After a cursory inspection, he stamped them all and handed them back to the butler. “Everything seems to be in order. But I must say, a trip to Carabarras in the current political climate is not something I would advise a young lady to undertake.”

“I appreciate your concern, but my trip cannot be delayed.” She held out a hand to him indicating the end to the discussion.

He took the hint, stood to take her hand, and bowed over it. “In that case, I will release the vessel at once. Is there any other service I can undertake for you before you depart, My Lady?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. I forgot to post this letter to my mother before I left. If you would be so good as to take care of that for me I would be forever in your debt.” She pulled an envelope from her pocket and held it out to him. She had intended to give the letter to Jasper to deliver before his diverting altercation with Benji made her forget.

“It would be my pleasure.” The man smiled and tucked the letter in his jacket pocket.

Once the official had left the gondola, Captain Joe informed them departure was imminent and he was needed on the top deck. He invited them to accompany him if they wished to have a spectacular view of Aereopolis as they flew over the massive capital city.

“I should s, s, say so,” Benji exclaimed and followed closely on the captain’s heels as he led them down the hall and up a flight of stairs to the outside deck.

Benji pelted the captain with questions about the operation of the airship as they walked. Jasper put a hand on her arm and held her back after the boy and Captain Joe were out of earshot.

“My Lady, do you truly believe your father is in Carabarras?” His brow wrinkled in worry.

“Yes, Jasper, there can be no doubt of it. If you’re going to be on the trip, you should know the whole story.” She pulled the stickpin from her pocket and told him what she and Benji had discussed.

He rubbed his chin as she completed her tale. “It certainly does point in that direction. But you know how dangerous this trip will be, don’t you?”

“It doesn’t matter, Jasper. The only thing I care about is saving my father. He’s the most important person in the world to me, and right now he’s also extremely important to the rest of the world. This disappearance could cause war. I have to have faith that once we are in Carabarras we shall find a way to rescue him.”

“I hope you are right, My Lady,” Jasper said. “Rest assured I shall do everything in my power to help you in this endeavor.”

“Thank you, Jasper.” She laid a hand on his arm. “I appreciate that.”

They joined the others outside on the deck of the ship just as the captain shouted, “Let ‘er fly.”

Belle rushed to the side rail where Benji leaned over, looking down. The men below released the ropes from the iron rings that had moored the hovering craft to the ground and the crew hauled the ropes up. Benji waved to the ground workers and the men gave him an answering salute, which made him let out a
whoop
.

“Steam up and helium up,” the captain ordered the pilot. A loud hiss and clanking rumbled beneath their feet as the giant steam engine in back of the gondola powered up to run the fans that would drive the direction of the ship. The release of additional helium from the concentrator tank rounded out the envelope, providing the lift they needed to sail into the air.

Fantasy Flyer
rose, slowly at first, and then it picked up speed. The ground fell away and soon the men running around on the tarmac looked like nothing more than bugs scurrying across the ground.