Mechanized Masterpieces: A Steampunk Anthology (14 page)

Captain Micawber called the crew together as they neared the square where they would drop to the ground and the coal stores. “The enemy is here. And you all know whom I mean. I am placing my trust in you, men, that you can enjoy your liberty without revealing what we are about. You all are in our confidence about how important this mission is. The Germans must not find out, for if they do, I would hazard they would interfere. They should dearly love for us to fight another war, since we just finished one. And the German Emperor would no doubt wish to add this very rich land as his own. Though his son is married to our Empress’ daughter, I do not think that would stop the man and his minions, like Bismarck, from trying to take our diamond mines.”

None of the men said anything. This wasn’t a dialogue.

The captain’s instructions, before they left the ship and got themselves into trouble, were to be followed. In hindsight, Daniel wondered why the captain had not kept secret his orders about the thieves and the diamonds. But aboard a ship, the only secrets were those that were unshared with another. The ship, as big as it was, was still small, where the only privacy one had was when at the heads.

And in the Dirigible Corps, naval architects had to modify their design. Since the quarterdeck had moved forward, the heads were no longer positioned there, nor were they free to the open sea or air. One could not take care of their needs as if on a sea-ship for an airship could be traveling over a city or village.

“Let me leave you with these words, men: you will be tempted to spend what monies you have. I hope the city shall open its arms to us as it did when last we ported here, but it may not. The amenities you seek may be quite costly. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.

“Watch that which is in your pockets, for we have other ports we shall reach, and we shall return to our berth in Cape Town, where you can acquire nearly all that you find here, and much the cheaper as well.”

Lieutenant Gay pulled Daniel aside. “Copperfield, you and Jarndyce will be refilling the coal bins during our first port watch. You will have liberty during the second, as will Dawkins, who shall be overseeing the coaling operation. I advise you that Jarndyce might be inclined to test the boundaries one finds at a port like Kimberley, yet he can well-afford to do so. However, I caution our other midshipmen to spend such leave with most of their money left here with the quartermaster, and with their hands shoved as far down their pockets as able.”

Sub-lieutenant Dawkins had overheard. “If you will allow, lieutenant, I shall take Daniel under my wing. You will recall that I am somewhat familiar with the town, and should be able to steer our young friend to places where he shall be in only the best circumstances.”

The older lieutenant looked to Dawkins. “Mind the captain’s words. This time, we have made few preparations and may not have the same kindness extended to us as our last liberty here.”

Dawkins nodded and it seemed all arranged.

Two hours of hard work after they ported saw the hold filled with coal. Enough to get to Pretoria and return to Kimberley, should such be needed. And more than an hour for him to clean up and make himself presentable. Working with coal left those in the deepest part of the hold as black as night. The coal dust inevitably flew all about the confined space.

When Daniel and Dawkins made their way to the gantry and down the stairs, they noted several of the airmen from the
Frederick
nearby, clustering at their own gantry. Two Royal Marines stood at the foot of the
Golden Mary
’s stairs and came smartly to attention as he and the older officer left.

“I shall show you around, Copperfield. And though none can consider themselves truly at home in such a rough and tumble environment as Kimberley, I know of some few places where the innkeeper shall sell us liquor at reasonable prices. A man in uniform is sometimes very good to be seen through the window having a drink, for it calms the clientele. Other times, it is not so good, but our uniforms are a novelty, at least, anywhere inland.”

The two men soon made their way through streets, which were really just dirt that had rivulets of mud throughout, to the Three Cripples Tavern.

“Now, I ask you, young Copperfield, where are our rights? We are Englishmen and here we are in the furthest reaches of the Empire. Were we not in uniform, we should be treated lower than low where the only thing of value is the money in your pocket. And I have lived like that before.”

“Sir?”

“London, Copperfield. London. You are familiar with the place? And call me Jack, when we are off like this.”

Dawkins and he forked over near a pound for a pitcher of beer. Foul-tasting as beers go, the stores onboard ship were better. At eighteen shillings, it cost nearly ten times more than Cape Town. Not that Daniel had much time to have noticed, having only been in that city for two days himself before ordered to report aboard the
Golden Mary
.

“Not as good as we would find in London,” Lieutenant Dawkins said. “And not as cheap either.”

“Is that where you come from? London?”

Dawkins smiled, “I did. Born there and lived there for most of my younger life. I knew the streets as well as I know my hand here. But my old guv’nor shook me hard one day and got me a place on a ship. Cost him and me a fortune, then. A veritable fortune. He made an atonement and I will state I am the better for it.”

Daniel knew that London had many areas that were less than gentle. He suspected that Dawkins knew of them. His own grandfather, David, had spoken that he had been sent to such by Mr. Murdstone in his youth.

“Do you think that we shall see much action?” Daniel asked.

Dawkins looked about before answering, “A war having just concluded here against the Zulus, I am not sure we shall, and then, who would we fight? The Germans do have their airship, as you have seen, and the Belgians, I believe, are also close enough that they could reach us in a day or two with their own dirigible. For there is naught but a dirigible that could challenge us. Unlike the Navy, we have an entire new dimension—height—that we deal with. Aside from some raiding that the squadron in Cairo is doing, the RDC has yet to be placed in combat.”

“I understand that, Jack.” Daniel said. “Captain Micawber talks of his friends who fled the Confederated States of America, and how they once fought an air battle.”

“I should not wish that on anyone. Or to be below it, should it occur. Things have a terrible habit of falling from the sky to the ground, including men swept off ships. No one—no one at all—survives such a plunge. Whether there is water below you, or something you pray will break your fall, no one survives. Even if we are landed, there is forty feet from the deck to the ground, and that would kill you as well, should you fall over the side.”

Daniel knew the dangers in the RDC, like dangers elsewhere, but they had built ships with guns to fire on other ships. The
Frederick
here in Kimberley showcased that.

“Blast,” Lieutenant Dawkins said, and used his head to indicate Daniel needed to look somewhere.

Turning, he saw German airmen had entered. “Sir, those men were at the airfield when we left.” There was another man, dressed as a gentleman, with them.

“Yes, they’ve followed us. I expect all our crewmen on leave have been followed. I should advise the captain to cancel our leaves, but there is now really no way we can. Best we finish our drink and head back. Captain Micawber will want to ascend at dawn, and if the Germans are going to follow us all night, I expect the evening is ruined.”

Daniel nodded. “That is fine, sir. Even with an allowance, I am not sure that I can afford these Kimberley prices for more than one pitcher.”

A moment later, instead of reaching for his drink, Dawkins half rose and waved. Daniel turned again and saw Midshipman Jarndyce and Bo’sun Weller. The bo’sun said, as he sat, “Good, beer for us’m as well.” Then he leaned quietly in. “Noticed ’em sauerkrauts following ye from the airfield and thought us’m should be following ’em. Mr. Jarndyce was kind enough to join us.”

Dawkins said, “Good for you, Jarndyce. I thought we should finish here quickly and then return to the ship. Tell the captain.”

The bo’sun shook his head. “Do ye notice that cove, dressed all fine? Do ye be knowing ’im?”

Dawkins looked—stared, actually—at the Germans and the well-dressed man, and then he nodded. “Manuel Antonio de Sousa, Gouveia. The Portuguese poohbah.”

Daniel noted a sour look on both Weller and Jarndyce’s faces. “That rum cove again. He’s at the root of every evil there be here in Africa! And traveling with the sauerkrauts . . .” Weller said.

“The captain will want to know,” Jarndyce said

“Yes, he will, but first we are going to have to get back to the ship, and I think those airmen, and Gouveia, have other plans for us.” Dawkins said. “Drink up, and then, well, we will have to disrupt their plans, one way or another.”

Daniel tried to think what Lieutenant Dawkins meant. How they could disrupt what plans the Germans would have for them? Aside from the richly dressed man, there was one junior officer and four airmen. Six to four, and from the way the bo’sun looked, and cracked his knuckles, the near future likely would hold some sort of rough-housing.

By his upbringing, Daniel believed that the lower orders engage in such. But, Dawkins, Jarndyce and he were officers, and the bo’sun a leader who set an example for the airmen of the
Golden Mary.
The look on Jarndyce’s face showed that he was looking forward to a brawl as well.

Dawkins eyed him. “You look apprehensive, Mr. Copperfield. Have you not had your share of fights in this lifetime already? You did go to school, did you not? I did not have that luxury, but my friend Jarndyce has often told me that the boys of the lower forms learn to defend themselves over time.”

Daniel shook his head. “Yes, of course I learned to defend myself. I placed third in our pugilist championships last year at school. But I suspect there will be rather fewer rules. And there are more Germans then there are of us.”

Jarndyce chuckled, and Bo’sun Weller cracked his knuckles again. Then he reached for his mug of beer and drained it. Dawkins rose and said, “There are only two rules. Don’t get killed is the first. The second, don’t kill them.”

Daniel smiled, joining the others in rising from the table. “So, there is some sportsmanship involved?”

Weller laughed, “Sportsmanship? No, young mister. The lieutenant just doesn’t want to be answering the hard questions to a magistrate should there be any bodies left about.” And then the bo’sun seemed to find his hand stuck under the table where the Germans sat.

Dawkins had a hand on the lip of a chair that he was picking up. Jarndyce had the empty pitcher in his hand. A moment later, Weller’s hand forced up the table, and pandemonium ensued.

Dawkins crashed the chair against the back of one of the German sailors. Jarndyce brained another with the pitcher.

“Even odds now, eh, Daniel?” Jarndyce said.

Daniel did not have time to respond as one of the airmen stormed toward him, easily three stone heavier, and with longer arms. Daniel took a hurried step backwards to avoid being hit, even crushed, by such a punch. He waited for his moment, the best offense against such a large opponent.

The man Daniel faced raged that two of his comrades were down, and would make mistakes. Howsoever unprepared, Daniel and his friends had the element of surprise.

Daniel kept his forearms up like gates of a fort that blocked the enemy’s battering ram. Pain shot through his forearms each time his opponent hit, but he preferred that to strikes in the face.

In less than thirty seconds, the man had swung several times. With another blow coming high, Daniel would have a moment to land a solid shot to the man’s solar plexus. From there, all sorts of combinations might become available.

Daniel blocked the incoming blow with his left forearm, and then wound back and shot forward into the man’s middle. The German gasped for air even as Daniel recovered his defense.

From the left, Daniel heard Jarndyce yell. “Blast. You damn sauerkraut!”

Daniel couldn’t spare a moment for his fellow midshipman. He thrust at the German again. With his left fist, Daniel jabbed a punch. The German had left an opening.

Daniel aimed for the chin. He would use leverage, the chin extended, to apply torque. The man would spin to the left when the face went that way.

Daniel, though, found his aim off, or the man had moved his head a little. Daniel hit the man in his right orbital socket. He could feel the give of the German’s eye as it rolled back. A sickening feeling in his stomach and something he knew caused as much pain or more as any other solid blow.

The man staggered back a half step, and Daniel knew it was best to follow through. One, two, three hits to the ribs. Then two solid blows to the face, and this time one connected with the chin, forcing the man to start turning.

Daniel did not think his opponent would fall, but the man came crashing down. Bo’sun Weller had put out his leg to trip him. Weller’s opponent hugged the ground, crawling off. The fight looked like it was over.

“There now, Mr. Copperfield, ye has done well, sir. Better than Mr. Jarndyce who will be favoring ’is side there.” Weller said.

Dawkins put the man, de Sousa, in a chair. “You just sit there and rest, Mr. de Sousa. Rest and think about spying on Her Majesty’s officers. We both know that you are not supposed to be doing that. And consorting with these Germans. Men who instigated a barroom brawl with airmen of the RDC.

“Barkeep, Mr. de Sousa has agreed to pay for your damages, though should the constables come; these men might need a night in the city cells to cool their tempers.”

Dawkins had a small billfold and took some currency from it, then gave it back to the hands of the Portuguese man. He looked in his late fifties when Daniel could see him closer.