1635: No Ship for Tranquebar by Eric Flint

Author:Eric Flint [Flint, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Alternate History, Germany, Canada, 1632, Grantville, Eric Flint, alt history, 30 years war, Ring of Fire
Publisher: Ring of Fire Press
Published: 2013-06-18T14:00:00+00:00

Venice

September 25, 1636

The cargo was unloaded, and loading was finished. It was midnight, but Marlon wasn't willing to wait for the morning. So, from the port window of the bridge, he called, "Cast off all lines. Dump the ballast we picked up, and bring the engine revolutions up enough to balance the wind." He picked up the speaking tube to the man in the nose and said, "Pull the pin on that thing just as soon as it’s loose. It’s time to get on our way."

All in all Marlon was quite pleased. The turnaround, offloading and loading the cargo, had taken less than twelve hours. Careful planning on the part of the people in Copenhagen allowed the naval stores to be unloaded quickly and the glass came aboard in crates that fortunately fit almost exactly into the spaces left by the off-loaded cargo. Tie-down was relatively simple.

"Set us on course south-southeast. The moon has just risen; we can make our best time now. Helmsman, let's go."

And so the Royal Anne rose up over the darkened city of Venice, and set her nose toward India.

* * *

"Captain Pridmore! Captain, come quickly." Martin was knocking on Marlon's cabin door.

Marlon blinked. He felt like he'd just closed his eyes, but obviously he'd finally dozed off and apparently gotten some sleep. Daylight was just coming in the window of his cabin. "What's the matter? Are we in danger?"

"I don't know, Captain. One of the crew members reported a banging from about the middle of the airship on the bottom. When we looked out the window at dawn it looks like one of the cargo hatches is loose and is banging open and closed from the wind."

"So why didn't somebody just reach out and close it?"

Ulrik shrugged. "It seems the cargo hatches can only be reached from the outside of the ship, sir."

"And whose idea was that?"

"Why, if I remember correctly, it was yours, sir." replied Gunnar.

Just then there was a whistle on the tube from the engine room. Gunnar listened, and then turned. "Captain, they report that another hatch is starting to flap."

Marlon shook his head in disgust. "It looks like there is nothing for it but to get down to the ground so we can seal them up properly. Martin, I need you to run up to the lookout, and tell them to look for a hill we can land on, preferably one with a bald spot. Let me know when you find it.

"When we spot this hill, I need you to come up against the wind and down close to the ground. Get a couple of crew members in harness and attached to the airship with a bow line. That way, if the wind blows us away they'll at least come with us."

It was only about ten minutes before the lookout reported a bald hill ahead of them. Tue Strang, navigator of the watch said, "What about that one, sir?"

"Yes, that looks like it will do," replied Marlon.

"Captain, I hear gunfire, up ahead on the side of the knob.

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