Skyjackers: Episode 1: A Proper Nuisance (Skyjackers: Season One) by Staudt J.C

Author:Staudt, J.C. [Staudt, J.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-03-05T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Jonathan stood in the Dower village square beside a tall copper statue. He waited until his legs grew tired. When he saw no sign of ship or crew, he sat with his back to the statue’s stone pedestal, placed the bag holding the crown jewels between his legs, and watched the sun as it melted into the rooftops. A woman carrying a basket of bread stopped on her way home to offer him half a loaf. He ate it plain, down to the end, and tossed the crust to the birds crowding in the dusky trees.

The stars were in full bloom by the time Jonathan heard heavy boots crunching over gravel behind him. He turned to see the silhouettes of Dean Manchester and Luke Bigsby, his quartermaster, approaching. Bigsby was a thick-bearded man, his head perpetually wrapped in a flight cap and goggles.

“Captain?” said Manchester.

Jonathan grunted to his feet. “Yes, Manchester. It’s me.”

“Thank the heavens you aren’t dead, Captain.”

“Why would I be dead?”

“Do you know how many people have been captured by the Caines and lived to tell of it?”

“How many?”

“I’ll find you a mirror.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“The men been talking, Cap’n,” Bigsby said. “Word round the ship is you’re mad as a loose screw.”

Let them talk, Jonathan thought. “Speaking of the Maelstrom… what took you so long?”

“My apologies, Captain. Mr. Harlow couldn’t remember the name of the village you’d called from. We tried to ring back, but you’d gone.”

“Dear gods, you mean I was almost stuck here indefinitely? How ever did you find me?”

“Harlow remembered, sir.”

Jonathan shook his head in disbelief. “We should get back. About time we made our triumphal return to Finustria.”

“What’s in the sack?”

Jonathan smiled. “Something that’s going to make the Admiral very happy.”

***

Benedict surveyed the newly repainted Cloudhopper with pride. “We ready to lift off, then?”

Junior stood at attention, fully dressed for adventure. “Sure are, Dad.”

“Right then. Mr. Parsons, if you would be so kind as to tell Goodfellow he did an excellent job on my ship’s sign the second time round. Also, he’s fired, on account of the first time round.”

“Yes, Commodore.” Parsons bowed and took his leave.

Benedict heard the chugging of a steam engine above him and turned skyward. “Say, what’s the Hummingbird doing aflight? Poleax making off with another of my daughters? Disgusting creature.”

“No, Dad. Actually, Uncle Poleax felt so bad about earlier, he offered to help with the horse-napping. Says he’ll transport the whole herd for us.”

“I’ve told you, Poleax is not your—and it isn’t a herd, it’s a—never mind. Very well, just keep an eye on him. See that he doesn’t bugger off with the beasts while we’re looking the other way.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“You know what’s got my gut all a-tingle, June Bug?”

“I’d rather not, Dad.”

“Well it isn’t last night’s dinner, I’ll tell you that. It’s Poleax. He’s pickier than a one-fingered man with a sinus infection. Not only that… he runs that ship tighter than a porpoise’s blowhole. I don’t foresee him enjoying a deck full of sweaty four-legged breeders any more than you would have.

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