Ariel by Steven R. Boyett

Author:Steven R. Boyett
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Regression (Civilization), Fantasy - General, Magic, Science Fiction, Unicorns, Paranormal, Fiction - Fantasy, General, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction And Fantasy, Fantasy - Contemporary, Contemporary
ISBN: 9780441017942
Publisher: Ace Books
Published: 2009-08-24T11:00:00+00:00

* * *

The Lady Woof turned out to be in good shape. I clambered up the framework of the crane and lowered myself down the cable and onto the deck. Boat fixtures are built to be waterproof, so half a dozen years’ worth of storms had barely affected her. There was a lot of birdshit crusted on deck. Surprisingly, the wheel and rudder moved freely. The cabin was luxurious. Dust had settled about the rich wooden cabinets and countertops. The plush green sofa-bed was faded. I found a few hurricane lamps tucked away, and a bottle of lemon-scented lamp oil. Whoever had owned her had, to coin a phrase, gone overboard on the interior. Varying tones of wood were everywhere, and the musty air smelled of cedar. Yellow curtains trimmed the left and right windows—I mean, the port and starboard hatches—drawn in at their centers.

I returned to the deck and leaned out over the starboard side. Ariel and Shaughnessy looked up at me from the dock. “Looks seaworthy,” I said. “But how we’ll get her to sea I don’t—”

“We’ll do it,” Ariel insisted.

“How come you’re Miss Mystery all of a sudden?” I asked. “You got an antigravity device tucked away somewhere?”

Shaughnessy interrupted and suggested I check out the interior of the crane—perhaps there was some kind of release lever. I climbed down.

The crane’s mechanisms wouldn’t work. Big surprise there. Well—”If it doesn’t fit, use a bigger hammer.”

I found a ballpeen hammer and lugged it back from the deserted boatyard. I had to stand in an awkward position with one leg braced against the side of the crane in order to swing it against the gear holding the winch in place. I was relying on the combination of six years of salt air plus no lubrication or maintenance. Sure, the weight of Lady Woof was locking those gear teeth in place—but nothing supported the gear if I smashed it from the side.

I pulled back the hammer and swung. The solid steel impact made me blink involuntarily. I swung again, and again, the gear gonging in belltower rhythm.

On about the tenth swing there came a faint, sustained squeaking which rapidly grew to a nerve-rending metallic shriek. I swung once more and the small portion of the gear that still bit into the winch gave way before I hit it. The winch began turning quickly. I was tugged toward it as it caught the hammer and ate it; I let go quickly. Steel cable began spilling from the winch. I ducked, rolled, and got the hell out of there.

Next thing I knew, my back was soaked with cool water. There was the long, wet hiss of a huge splash. I turned around.

Bobbing and rocking slowly, the Lady Woof settled herself into the waters of Chesapeake Bay.

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