Last year , webrought you an excerpt from The Daedalus Incident by Michael J. Martinez , where an eighteenth century frigate did battle around Mercury . Now here ’s an excerption from the sequel , The Enceladus Crisis . The HMS Fortitude sheet into the asteroid belt , go after a Gallic vas heading for Saturn , perhaps with the Count St. Germain alongside .
Sept. 15, 1798
“ These sail , Captain , they are treated with the distinctive admixture of atomic number 80 , atomic number 16 and goldenrod , yes ? ” the young valet – little more than an previous boy , really – asked the captain of HMS Fortitude as they stand on the quarterdeck , look up to the scene of the Rocky Main as the ship cautiously cull its way through the boulder - island .
Weatherby smile at the son , remember the oddity of his mother , so many year ago . “ I can not say what is typical or not , Philip . You already love more of alchemy than I ’ve the patience or ability to learn , ” the captain replied . “ Perhaps Dr. Hawkins might oblige you with an answer . ”
The boy reckon up at Weatherby and afford a bewildered smile , quite interchangeable to the one his mother often wore . “ Dr. Hawkins is often busy with his duties , sir . I do n’t think he particularly like companionship , nor many questions . ”
Weatherby barked a short laughter . “ No , I dare say he does not . But he ’s a respectable military personnel . I ’ll have him make time for your questions presently enough , Philip . ”
To be fair , Philip Thomas St. Germain was not ill - mannered , specially regard the typical curiosity and rambunctiousness of most 13 - year - old . Indeed , he seemed to have inherit the best of both his parent – his father ’s self - possession and rigor and his female parent ’s compassion and gentle humor . The intellectual keenness and art , Weatherby reasoned , was a fling - up between the two , or perhaps even greater than the sum , which would be unnerving indeed .
As for the boy ’s mother , Weatherby found himself intrigue and captivate all over again , despite his initial endeavour at exhibit remove and purpose . It did not help oneself , of course , that she was just as beautiful as he recall , perhaps even moreso . go were the last vestiges of adolescence , but otherwise the lunar time period of time was forestalled in her face and form . Intellectually , Weatherby knew that the Count St. Germain had unlocked many secret to longevity and wellness , and the George Ellery Hale gentleman he had meet in ’ 79 was , by then , well into his 60s but looked no more than 40 . But to see Anne there , in the full flower of young muliebrity … it was something for which he was completely unprepared .
Weatherby ’s looking glass was middling less kind . The cicatrix across his cheek – gained over Mars during those fateful days – never fully healed , and a life in service to His Majesty ’s Navy had leave a slightly crooked nose and a few more scars upon his weather - beaten grimace . Yet Weatherby liked to think that responsibility and command suit him well , and that his bearing had rise with his confidence . That is what his late married woman , at least , told him , and he was more inclined to trust her now than when she was alive , may God rest her soul .
“ skilful twenty-four hour period , Captain , ” Anne say as she climb the step of the quarterdeck , her marine precaution in tow . A formidable alchemist , yes , but she was still the only fair sex on a ship with 600 homo alongside , at least half of them pressed into service . Hence the armed escort . Ever aware , Gar’uk appeared with a cup of tea in hand , which Anne accepted gratefully . The valet de chambre had been ordered to serve to the indigence of Anne and Philip whenever potential – a complaint he took so severely that Weatherby had to remind the Venusian that the captain still take a gentleman’s gentleman now and again .
“ Countess , ” Weatherby said by way of salutation . “ I trust you continue to determine ways of passing the time ? ”
“ Your lodestone belowdecks are well ensorcelled , though a touch more elemental fervour may be required once past Jupiter , ” she said simply . “ And it smells to High Heaven down there . How you put up with such rancid odor , I can not say . ”
Weatherby ’s smile was genuine ; part of him worried the crew would set about to talk . “ I shall communicate your recommendation to Dr. Hawkins when next he reports , ” the maitre d' said . “ As for the odor , I ’m sorry to say there ’s little to be done for it . ”
Anne pull a face slightly . “ I ’m afraid I may have already infract Dr. Hawkins , ” she enunciate . “ I attempt to show him a few new procedures to ameliorate upon the workings in his manual of arms , but I cerebrate I may have unduly knock over him . ”
Weatherby could readily see the two clashing . While Anne wait only 25 old age old , she was in her late 30s , and her tongue was remain for no gentleman’s gentleman . And if that military man was the excessively raw ship ’s alchemist … . “ I ’m certain Dr. Hawkins will be quite fine . Eventually . ”
The two partake in a secret grinning . It was all too easy to pretend that the twelvemonth were never spent away , though Weatherby bonk that Anne was get married now , and to the most renowned professional of the mystical science in all Earth ’s history . A ship ’s skipper was far less a pillage than that .
“ You did n’t remark you had a girl , Captain , ” Anne said , with the barest hint of … something … in her voice , something Weatherby could not place . “ I could not help but point out the portrait of her upon your table below . How sure-enough is she ? ”
Weatherby felt color seep into his look . “ virtually ten eld , now . Elizabeth . Her mother died in childbirth , ” he said softly .
Genuine fear and remorse appeared on Anne ’s face . “ I ’m dismal , Tom . I did n’t have in mind to pry . ”
“ Not at all , Lady Anne , ” he said , normalize his modality with a belittled grinning . “ Elizabeth is my raison d’etre . I had hoped to see her when the prizes were returned to Portsmouth . She is … well , we all dote upon our children , I suppose . But she is scarily levelheaded , and full of question . I can not help but be prompt of … . ”
He stopped , beguile himself staring into Anne ’s eyes a moment longer than was entirely appropriate . The fact that she met his regard for the same amount of metre was … well , it was too much . He quickly look down at his shoes , while she turned to look larboard at the bowlder - island of the Rocky Main .
“ Lights spotted ! ” come a cry from the top of the mainmast . “ Two set , one larboard , one starboard ! ”
Never was a sighting so welcome as in that wholly uncomfortable moment . Weatherby immediately line his drinking glass and raised it . There … along the boulder island massed to the left , was a wink light . He swiveled decent … and saw a brightness level wink in response .
A code .
“ quiver to quarters ! All hands , prepare for engagement ! ” Weatherby call out . “ Lookouts to their stations right aside ! describe those ships at once ! ”
He then turn to Anne , who had immediately taken commission of Philip . “ Anne , I take you to go … . ” He stopped , attend at her , and saw the gleam of readied anger in her eye . If it were any other woman and minor , they would be direct to the bowels of the ship for relative rubber . He could right away see this would not stand . “ Report to Dr. Hawkins and serve as you are able . ”
She flashed him a winning smile . “ You ’ve a all right memory , Captain . issue forth , Philip . We ’ve employment to do , ” she say , reach her teacupful to Gar’uk and hustling back down the stair toward the ship ’s forecastle , where the alchemy lab was housed .
“ Sir , might I suggest that the fo’c’sle is n’t the safest place for a charwoman ? ” Lt . Barnes said softly from over his shoulder .
Weatherby turn over and smile . “ If you care , you may go and render to convince her , Mr. Barnes . Then go and wrestle a Martian sand animate being whilst you ’re on about it . ”
The second lieutenant smile . “ I understand , sir . Lookouts will be in post momently . We ’re also control beneath and behind as well . ”
That gave Weatherby an thought , and he chop-chop rushed over to the function mesa , where the topsy-turvydom of the Rocky Main was chart out . An orrery of the M of boulder - island in the Main was hardly feasible , but there were somewhat unchanging routes mapped through them . “ Where are we , Mr. Barnes ? ”
“ Here , sir , ” he said , pointing to a comparatively clear item on the chart . “ I opine the light we ’ve find are coming from this bunch of Isidor Feinstein Stone here , and this one forwards to starboard . Perhaps pirates , sir . They ’ll likely turn tail and run before long as they see us . ”
“ Perhaps , ” Weatherby allowed . “ But the French do a fresh business sector between Earth and their Jovian retention . They may have found some of their fellows to bring to have a bun in the oven against us . I want every gun loaded and ready to fire , if you please , Mr. Barnes . ”
“ direct on , then , sir ? ” he asked quietly , trying to gauge Weatherby ’s intention .
The captain shook his head more or less . “ I require each of those ships identified as soon as possible . If one of them is Franklin , I want that ship captured . Otherwise , we shall seek to out - hotfoot them and make for Saturn with all due haste . ” Weatherby pointed toward a gunpoint toward the starboard cluster of boulder - islands . “ We make for these . Full sail , royal and stud’sels , if you please . ”
Barnes paused a full three seconds , confusion writ upon his fount , before give the necessary Order and form . It was only after that he turned to turn to his headwaiter once more . “ Within the cluster , sir ? ”
Weatherby gave the military personnel credit for brand his orders first before questioning them . “ A ploy , Mr. Barnes . If they ’re a duo of frigates , then ’ tis folly to race them in the unclouded . We shall even the odds greatly within the cluster , as they will have to slow down or be crushed . ”
“ As will we , sir . ”
“ We shall see about that , Mr. Barnes , ” Weatherby tell , kick in his first deputy a grin that only deepen the third-year policeman ’s scowl .
The captain watched as the royal and studding sails were unfurled across the ship , wrapping the Fortitude in a swath of sailcloth . The solar twist filled them almost immediately , and the ship ’s gain in speed was felt underfoot , actuate Barnes to issue an decree for safety line . A fresh course , given what Weatherby had in psyche .
“ Ship identified ! Gallic flag ! ” come the cry from one of the sentinel . “ She ’s coming direct at us ! ”
Weatherby nodded ; it ’s what he might have done . If the aggressor were to get off a few lucky shots , Fortitude might be slow enough for the other foeman ship to join in . At that breaker point , the engagement would be in the French ’s favor .
“ Four points to starboard ! prepare the larboard guns ! Two point up on the planes ! ” Weatherby shouted . forthwith , the ship turned toward the rightfulness , while the guns on the odd side of the ship were readied to fire at the oncoming Gallic vessel . Fortitude commence a shallow acclivity higher into the Void , for the higher ground , as it were , would make her broadside count all the more .
The French ship , however , would have none of it . It tack together to follow Fortitude and as well climbed higher . Lookouts straightaway count forty hit man on the enemy ship ; a rather big frigate , but no match for Fortitude ’s seventy - six . Of course , if the frigate ’s compatriot was likewise armed , the odds would be even out well .
Weatherby watched nearly as the two ship speed toward one another . Unlike naval combat upon the sea , engagement in the Void was a much faster affaire . Two watercraft would travel rapidly past each other and fire quickly , or they would vie to come alongside one another – without collide , no mean feat in that – to continually exchange blaze alchemical shot . The cluster of boulder - island now brood ahead only served to complicate matters . And there was the open question of the placement of the other Gallic ship .
“ The frigate is positioning itself to come up upon our larboard side , ” Barnes reported , “ and we ’re about to enter the boulder cluster . ”
Weatherby nodded but say nothing , or else pulling out his glass in ordering to look forward . Timing would be critical for the maneuver , as would his calculations . He could only go for there were no large boulders fly freely around inside the cluster . Not , at least , until he passed through .
Barnes stand next to him , fidget with his hands and now and then move up onto the ball of his foot . “ Sir , ” he lastly whisper , “ they will be on us in no time . ”
“ Thank you , Mr. Barnes , ” he order . “ We just call for wait for our opening . ”
Barnes nodded , then turned to look ahead at the rather larger boulder looming straight beforehand of them , and the French frigate coming around their larboard side . “ Sir , they ’re almost in range . Should we – ”
“ Four points up on the port plane ! Now ! ” Weatherby call .
The ship immediately wind away from the French frigate , sprain to move around the correct side of the bowlder - island ahead . Weatherby heard shots ring out from the French frigate ; they would seek to shoot at Fortitude ’s keel , but the kitchen stove was still too far for their guns . It was a futile gesture .
“ Four points up on the starboard planer ! ” Weatherby control , and before long the ship right itself , its keel less than three hundred yards from a boulder about the size of it of London . Weatherby turn astern and peer through his shabu ; the Gallic frigate had given chase .
“ splendid ! ” Weatherby exclaimed , tear his chicken feed shut . “ Mr. Barnes , set up extra scout for the pilot , and go to one-half sail . We sha n’t like to be struck in transit . ”
Looking mildly exasperated at this point , Barnes nonetheless issued the orders . At half cruise , the frigate would be upon them quite quickly , and it was only good fortune that the ship did n’t appear to have chase guns .
Weatherby get his deputy ’s feeling . “ Mr. Barnes , do we have a sighting of the other ship ? Unless she ’s in particular tight , I imagine we ’d see her about three points to larboard , two points below sensible horizon . ” Barnes alarm the lookouts and before long the voices from the peak reported back ; Weatherby was off by only a point on either axis . The other Gallic ship – another frigate , this one of thirty - two guns – was on a posture to intercept the Fortitude in the midriff of the cluster .
The captain place additional sail – just enough to keep forward of the speedier frigate behind them – and began rivet over the charts again , murmuring minute class correction to the Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman at the wheel . He would calculate up , rake the horizon with his glass , then confabulate the charts and make more corrections .
“ Very well , there ’s nothing more to be done , ” Weatherby said finally , snapping his glass closed . “ set up all artillery to fire broadsides on my control . ”
“ All guns , sir ? ” Barnes asked . “ Even the starboard side ? ”
“ Every artillery we have , Mr. Barnes . No alchemic shot needed . ”
Even more confused , Barnes nonetheless dutifully take out his order . Weatherby knew the man was hear his good to comprehend , but simply was n’t arrive at the thing quickly . They would take the air through this engagement over a glass of claret later … should they go .
Even so , Weatherby felt the serviceman deserve something . “ Have you ever played at billiards , Mr. Barnes ? ”
“ I ’m afraid I have n’t , sir , ” he replied , hail full circle in his muddiness so as to but answer the unexpected interrogative with something approach equanimity .
“ Are you conversant with it ? ” Weatherby expect .
“ Only in passing , sir . ”
“ You should take it up some time , Mr. Barnes . You may observe it most illuminating . ”
“ I shall gladly take your advice , sir , ” the police lieutenant noted . “ In the meantime , there ’s our other resister . ” The young ship’s officer repoint off to the starboard side . “ It appear she ’s change by reversal to seek a broadside . Another frigate , rough thirty - two hired gun , I should say . ”
“ About time , ” Weatherby responded . “ She ’s go lately . Three point down on the carpenter’s plane , if you please , Mr. Barnes . ”
The Fortitude dive profoundly into the Void , move the other two vessel to alter form . The ship ’s archetype swan as he saw a turn of boulder - island on either side of the ship . “ ‘ Tis a tight fit , cap’n , sir , ” the man said . “ And I trust you ’re the man to suit us through , ” Weatherby said , clap a hand on the man ’s shoulder . “ Straight on , the plastered the good . ”
Unlike Barnes , who at least attempted to maintain decorum at all times , the crewman was unsparing in his facial expression of incredulity . “ As you say , sir , but this ’ll be fuddled enough . ”
Within moments , Boulder start speeding past the ship on either side . Some were small , the size of shank dead reckoning , while others were half again the size of it of the ship itself . A few pebble - sized pieces of rock started raining down onto the ship ’s deck , caught by the Fortitude ’s gravity , which was fueled by the ensorcelled loadstone in the bowels of the ship .
“ They ’re still with us and closing fast , sir , ” Barnes said . “ Almost within chain of mountains . ” More quietly , he added : “ We ’re not well positioned to return fire , sir . Suggest we derive about to occupy ? ”
Weatherby nodded , then snap another small grinning . “ elicit all guns now , Mr. Barnes . ”
“ Sir ? ” the lieutenant asked , completely confused . “ We wo n’t hit anything ! ”
Weatherby stride forward and placed his hands on the quarterdeck rail . “ Fire all guns ! ” he shout out at the top of his lungs .
at once – with a reaction time far greater than Barnes had a here and now prior – all seventy - four cannons aboard Fortitude dismiss their dead reckoning into the Void .
And at least three - stern of those pellet dispatch bowlder - island . The iron shot smashed into boulders big and small , skinny and far . A barren few were smashed entirely , with most of the smaller rocks burst in two and station careening away from each other . The larger rock – admit several half the size of Fortitude herself – besides spun wildly through the Void after being struck , and buy the farm on to strike other bowlder - island , which in act struck others with the same prodigious military group .
“ Planes full up ! ” Weatherby shouted .
With a chorus of creaking wood and groaning furrow , Fortitude begin a precipitous climb out of the boulder cluster … .
… leaving a Wake Island of careening bowlder - islands in its wake .
Weatherby and Barnes both turn to await aft with their glasses at the two ship now behind them . The Fortitude ’s cannon fire had motivate a Ernst Boris Chain of reactions throughout the cluster , send boulders askew in their paths , bouncing off each other and generally make a blizzard of speeding stone all around the two frigates . They watched as one of the ships lost a mast in the outpouring , while another already appeared to be on fire , likely from a direct hit into its underbelly , where the powder was stored .
A moment later , that ship burst into flame , while the other worked arduously to clear out of the hail of Harlan F. Stone .
Weatherby snapped his glass keep out , and turned to Barnes . “ Keep the spotter at their military post , and have the guns recharge , Mr. Barnes . There may be more of them out there . ”
“ Sir , I … ” Barnes began , “ I must apologize . I — ”
Weatherby nodded and disrupt . “ quicker , next time , Mr. Barnes . And in the interim … billiards . ”
The maitre d’hotel turned and started walk down the stairs toward the main deck , and his cabin , when he was encounter by Philip St. Germain . “ That was amazing , Captain ! ” the male child cry out . “ I ’ve never seen anything like it ! ”
Weatherby could n’t help but smile . “ Thank you , unseasoned man . But are n’t you impute to attend Dr. Hawkins ? ”
The boy was immediately flustered . “ Well , yes . Sorry , sir . ”
Weatherby get word Anne walk up behind him . “ It ’s all right , Philip . You ’re not actually in the Navy , ” she said with a smiling . “ Though I will say , the divine service has proven to be more imaginative than I would have given it cite for , Captain . ”
“ Thank you , Lady Anne , ” Weatherby said with a slight fore and a grinning . “ It was not always so . ”
“ No , it was n’t , ” she replied , with a fair percentage of exercising weight behind it . “ But it ’s nice to see some adaptability at long last . descend along , Philip . Let ’s help Dr. Hawkins recuperate his nerve . ”
The two reverse and walk forward once again , leave Weatherby feeling less like a winning skipper and more like an eighteen - yr - honest-to-god second deputy once more .
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