Sky Pirates

Chapter 25

A little person came running at top speed toward Parker Greene and Magistrate Swoonry. The man, dressed like a medieval page, like the small men on the Balsa Robin, arrived, bowed with a flourish, and presented Lord Greene with his hat.

"Is the Balsa off again?" the magistrate asked.

"Soon. This evening."

"Tell Captain Flynn I'd like to speak to him before he departs."

The man bent at the waist. "As you wish, sir." He turned and ran off at break neck pace.

Parker put his favorite hat on his head, a custom made top hat with shiny black silk, and a small black feather, barely noticeable unless the sun shone just right. Yet, this hat made him feel home, a sensation he loved.

"Rather smart," offered Magistrate Swoonry.

"Thank you." Parker bowed slightly.

For a long moment, the men admired the wide avenue.

Swoonry produced a heavily carved, silver pocket watch, checked the time, and turned to his companion. "Well, Lord Greene, the hour is upon us. It is time for your next experience."

"I'm beginning to feel like Dickens' friend, Mr. Scrooge."

"How's that?" asked Swoonry, distracted by some thought.

"Charles Dickens? His Christmas story?"

"Sorry, I'm not familiar. I have to admit, I don't take time to read stories, novels...not even the penny dreadfuls that pass through here. Perhaps, if I had children...when you have children, you read stories to them around the fire and before bedtime. I live alone..." Peter Swoonry looked sad, maybe even forlorn. He worked his jowls up into a smile. "Well, we should be going."

"Where?"

"It's time for you to meet with the Admiral once again." Swoonry turned to lead the way.

They left the avenue, taking a series of streets, each one narrower than the previous, until they arrived at a dead end alley. As they walked, Parker Greene contemplated his options. He still didn't know what the question would be. He knew he'd have to offer an answer. It would be better to be dead than to suffer as the first men he'd encountered were suffering. It was impossible to think that he would be working for the pirates, even if that meant relative comfort and freedom. Yet, it was an intriguing idea that he would have access to the hundreds and hundreds of plans that had been submitted to the contest. If he didn't go through them, no one in Her Majesty's service might ever see them, know of them.

Parker wondered now, what might the pirates be looking for? Better ships? Better engines? Some other personal comforts? Why were they so interested in the plans? What were their goals? He had to find out. He had to stop them, or find a way to get word back to England about what was happening.

As they walked, Parker Greene realized, that in service to Her Majesty and his beloved Britannia, he must answer in such a way that allowed him to live another day. Even if that meant, in the short run, that he would appear to have joined the dreaded, horrible pirates.

Swoonry looked aroundin all directions. He stamped his foot several times and a trap door opened.Dirt and dust fell away as a wooden lift appeared. The men stepped onto it andit descended, just as the previous lift had risen out of it. Slowly andsmoothly they were lowered once again and conveyed back into the ground.

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