Steam Fueled

The Plan

Max stood outside the Banking Clan's building. He'd been in there for quite some time now, maybe an hour.

"Cap was never the best negotiator," Max mumbled to himself.

He had only known The Captain for a few short weeks now, and he had a pretty good layout of his personality in his mind. Loud, arrogant; sly, charismatic; That's Cap. Max walked away from the pillar he had previously been leaning on.

"Maybe a quick peek, just to see how things are going," he decided.

The boy slowly made his way up the large stone stairs, passing many bankers and upper class citizens. The Banking Clan building was enormous in the city, and with good reason. The Bankers were very skilled at what they did, and brought coin into the city in droves.

Max was almost to the huge doors at the top of the stairs when yelling could be heard. And, only a few seconds later, out flys Captain and two Banking Clan guards. Each guard restrained one of Cap's arms.

"I say, How dare you! I will see the Clan master today! TODAY!" Yelled Cap while raising his fist," I am a Captain, damn you! You hear that in there? CAPTAIN!"

Although his short speech was heroic, the uniformed guards threw him on the ground all the same. Max couldn't help but smile, Cap always did have the ability to make him laugh even if he wasn't trying.

"How'd things go, Captain," Max smirked.

Cap was picking himself up and brushing off his overcoat, then adjusting his hat.

"How did things go? Well Max, how'd you think they went," shuddered The Captain, " The nerve of some people, they said I wasn't a real Captain, therefor not eligible for a coin loan."

"Oh really, sir," Max replied as the people around them began to stare.

"They also said that using the money for booze was not an appropriate reason for getting a loan!"

The two started back down the stairs, while Cap continued his rant. Although, the airships overhead made it hard to hear his already loud voice. They were so large and complex. Gliding through the air with cargo or people abord them. Max patiently awaited for his day to be able to sail on one; the rush of flying through the air was something he frequently dreamed of.

"If I ever see one of those Bankers in the slums, I'll... I'll," Cap trailed off. "You'll what," questioned Max who had admittedly not been listening.

"Why would a Banker be in the Slums," Groaned The Captain who was now disheartened and walking at half his original pace. Cap stuffed his hands into his overcoat and hung his head like a child. The two were now almost out of the Cloud District and entering the Slums. This was a noticable thing, for the abundance of beggers and thugs who roamed the streets littered with garbage made it abundtantly clear. As did the architecture which mostly consisted of wood, scap metal, and tattered sheets of cloth.

"You know what Max, let's just leave," shouted The Captain removing his hands from his pockets to strike a cheesy heroic pose. "You said your ship was in no traveling condition, and we don't have a crew. I can hardly fire a mounted gun, that is if we even have one," explained the boy.

Max was quite a genius for his age, a master engineer to say the least. The Captain had been watching out for him for a short while now, but it was more like Max watching out for Cap. He would always manage to get himself into some amount of trouble or debt. And, as usual, it was Max's quick thinking to get them out of the situation.

"Look kid," The Captain began," I have enough money to get ourselves weaponry and supplies. We can make our own fortune out there in the open sky! Common' kid, what do you say?"

Max looked up at The Captain and smiled. With his dark black hair blowing in the breeze slightly protruding out from under his captains hat, he reminded Max of himself. The man was mearly a child at heart, yearning for adventure. Cap wanted to experience the world, and carve his mark right into time itself. How could he say no?

"No, Cap. I'm not going on that ship until we have a crew," said Max.

"Way to shoot me down, kid. Fine, we'll do it your way," replied The Captain.

The two made their way to the Inn they usually stay at. It was two story wooden structure that was barely holding together with constand repairs done by Max for small amounts of gold in return. However, this old Inn was the only home they had. Max had no idea how he kept them there, all he knew is that the Inn Keeper, Bertha, was way too friendly with Cap. From roses on his bed, to midnight sightings of Cap sneaking out of the room, everything seemed all too fishy.

"Evening, Bertha," Captain smiled at the now beaming Inn Keeper. " Max, bud, why don't you get up to the room and we'll get started on recruiting bright and early! Maybe we'll be out on the open skies by this time tomorrow!"

Max climbed the wooden stairs and continued down the hallway of empty rooms. Eventualy, he would arrive at his  door. Inside, he would work on his creations until he eventually dozed into unconsciousness. The hum of his power tools and the smell of grease was unusually calming to the young boy.

Their adventure would begin tomorrow, meeting new people and discovering new places. Max hadn't seen the Ship that Cap would go on about for hours. This flying contraption that dominated idle converstaions and Max's dreams. He could only hope that it was in flying condition when they were ready.

Max also anticipated what the new crew would be like. He knew they would fit right in however, that's if they could warm up to Captain and put up with his shenanigans. Max would sleep well tonight, with dreams of adventure and glory planted by Captain flowing through his mind like water.