Gideon & the Last Voyage of the Betty-Lou

The Betty-Lou Returns

To me, grandfather was always old, but when he was a young man, he was the Captain of the Betty-Lou, the world's most famous air-ship. She was not your regular wooden air-ship. The Betty-Lou was ornately designed in the form of a dragon, complete with the long neck and graceful head of a magnificent beast at the prow, all the wood stained dragon green, billowing sails taking the form of dragon's wings, and a large buoyancy tank hidden within the design instead of the traditional method of hanging a ship by cables beneath the tank. This made the Betty-Lou extremely fast and sky-worthy. Grandfather always said, "There never existed a storm or tempest that could best the Betty-Lou."

Perhaps the most interesting of all was that in all his years as captain of the Betty-Lou, grandfather never claimed to command her. He was the captain of course and commanded his crew, but his bearing towards the Betty-Lou was one more of a partner than a commander. He and Betty-Lou were an unbreakable team that flew many times the globe over in all weather and all ports. His crew was always amazed at how often as not, it seemed the Betty-Lou knew what was in his mind before he ever spoke a command. A sudden swerve, a twist, or barrel roll saved the lives and cargo she carried many times over.

When Grandfather retired, as a last gesture of good will towards the Betty-Lou, he set her free to roam the skies. How could he do that you ask? As I stated before, the Betty-Lou was not a regular air-ship. Believe it or not...she possessed a soul... she had free will! The Betty-Lou was alive. Even after several years of retirement the connection between grandfather and the Betty-Lou remained strong. So strong that frequently she would come back for grandfather and they would fly the skies for several days. I always wanted to go with him on those excursions, but I was still too young, according to my mother, Sadie-Belle.

I had just completed my 18th cycle and I already had laid a plan out for my future: I was going to enlist on an airship, as did my father and grandfather, and I was going to finally see the world. I was ready, I thought, for my future was certain. My mother Sadie-Belle would not approve, of course, but now that I was of conscripting age, I could make my own life. But before I could even go to the conscription office, my grandfather approached me and the course of my life changed forever.

He asked me point blank. "I think you are ready. Will you take a journey with me on the Betty-Lou?"

I was caught by surprise by his abrupt question. I had always dreamt of going with him on one of his excursions since I first came to live with him as a boy. "Yes, absolutely! Yes! When do we sail?"

"Betty-Lou is near, so we sail as soon as this afternoon." Grandfather grinned and slapped me on the back, "I knew I could count on you."

I was pleased that he thought that I was ready for a journey to manhood. "Count on me for what?" I thought.

Maybe he felt that his time was short and had one last trip to make, or perhaps he knew the Betty-Lou was nearby and wanted me to make her acquaintance, most probably though he just wanted company on this trip.

I didn't know how grandfather always knew when the Betty-Lou was near, but he was never wrong. As if he could read my thoughts, grandfather requested, " Get above to the landing pad on the roof of the house and talk to Betty-Lou" and he went and sorted things out with my mother about me accompanying him.

What do you say to a semi-sentient airship? I thought of all the things that would be appropriate as I took the stairs two by two. "Have you had a nice trip? How was the weather? I hope you are in good health." Nothing seemed to fit.

I arrived above on the roof and went up to the landing platform to wait for the Betty-Lou. I sat on a bench and scanned the skies with a pair of sight stones for any signs of the air-ship. "Well at least I do not have to ask permission from my mother. I'm 18 cycles old and I am of legal age." I shook my head, "She will still worry, though." Ever since dad died, she would not let anyone talk of sailing, airships, or even traveling. Even to this day, the mere mention of the Betty-Lou prompts tears and the reproach, "Why do you speak of her in this house?"