Sky Pirates

Chapter 31

The Admiral sat at his desk as Lord Greene was ushered into the room. Silas bowed toward the man, unacknowledged, and left Parker standing in the middle of the Admiral's cabin. A stream of dwarfs came and went. Each one delivered a note, added more wine to the man's glass, or deposited fabrics, goods, and spices on a side table. The small space was a hive of activity.

Moments passed. Greene, still standing where he'd been left, began to feel uncomfortable and exposed. He imaged he felt much as Gulliver did in the land of the Lilliputians.

The unmistakable sound of the great doors opening brought all the activity around him to a pause. Everyone listened to the repeated click-clack, click-clack knowing that the wooden slats were exposing the Balsa Robin to the night sky and her next adventure.

Just as quickly as they'd stopped, each little man and woman moved quicker and quicker, accomplishing tasks at double time. It was obvious to him. Decisions had to be made if they were to be included in the new journey. If not, they would be left behind. The admiral, with a slight smile on his face, continued to sign papers, point at choices, and drink his wine, all the while never once making any sort of eye contact or other acknowledgement in Parker Greene's direction.

The room began to hum. It was a soft rumble in the floor. Parker looked around and noticed the portrait of the Queen rocking rhythmically against the wall. Their harnessing of power was impressive and Lord Greene once again longed to know and understand what these pirates had done to bring Tesla's ideas to such successful fruition.

It was during this moment of contemplation that he heard his name, not once, but twice.

"Greene?"

"Sorry, sir. I was a million miles away in my thoughts." He looked at the admiral who, now the only other person in the room, was focused squarely on Parker.

"It is time." The Admiral's tone changed. He wasn't the cordial host. There was the strain of a tired leader, but a leader, nonetheless.

Lord Greene squared his shoulders. His memory flashed on those poor souls withering away to nothing and the heads upon the spikes, knowing the latter were better off.

"My question is a simple one, and it is time for me to ask it of you." He opened a great, leather bound book on his now empty desk.

Greene wondered how and when the chaos of materials had been cleared away and how he had missed their being removed. The man nodded toward the Admiral. "As you wish, sir." Lord Greene raised himself up to his full height.

"It's a simple matter, really. You've seen the outcomes. I ask you now: will you relinquish your loyalty to Queen Victoria and England and swear your allegiance to us, Lord Parker Greene? Will you join us in our fight for justice?"

Greene's muscles tightened. He was instinctively ready to defend his beloved Queen to his own death and demise. He loved England. He loved his charges and his home. And, he was totally devoted to Victoria, his Queen and employer. Yet, he knew what must be done. He knew that to bring down these rogues and pirates he must become one with them, understand them, infiltrate their nest and destroy it from within. Parker Greene knew that if he ever hoped to see his home again, he must lie with all the sincerity he could muster in this moment. He must agree to their terms.

"Well, man? I must have your decision." The Admiral had grown harsh. It seemed to Parker that he was just as disturbed in the asking as Greene was in the responding.

"I shall join you, Admiral."

"Raise your right hand and repeat after me." The Admiral read a brief oath from the great book:

I, Parker Greene, swear allegiance to the Admiral and to the Statute for his Kingdom. I release and relinquish all other oaths and loyalties from my past. I swear that I will faithfully perform the duties my office lays upon me and respect the Pirate's Oath while upon any journey away from the Kingdom. This I declare and affirm so help me God almighty!

Parker said the words during the Admiral's pauses. He found himself wondering which Pirate's Oath they used, what Statutes were written, and what his office and duties would be. But, while he wondered these things, he kept his spoken tone even, relinquished his oath to the Queen, and became a pirate.

The Admiral turned the great book in Parker's direction, pointed to a blank space, and Greene signed his name, just below that of Ablest Currant. His breath quickened at the thought of being below that man on this list, or anywhere else.

* * *

Want to find out what happens next? Use this link to read Sky Pirates free on Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/2tncj1H