Sky Pirates

Chapter 35

Lord Greene sat at the large desk sifting through plans for objects and devices. So far, they ranged from mundane kitchen aids to elaborate personal flying contraptions. He hadn't yet deciphered Able Currant's filing system. Why, for example, had the man chosen to group a device to toast breakfast bread with another that would, according to its inventor, allow for time travel?

With each device he contemplated, his mind went easily to work, seeing each spring, cog, and wire in multiple dimensions. He knew within moments of watching the puzzle pieces of a device dance in his head whether it was feasible to construct, whether the design would work, and how useful it would be once built. Parker Greene had always had this skill, this gift, this ability, to see an object in multiple dimensions within his mind's eye. He could always tell how objects and creations were put together and why and how they worked. At times, his mechanical mind felt itself to be a curse, and at others he appreciated it for the great gift that it was.

Even with such a gift, he'd never finished his education. He dropped out of university, feeling it was a waste of time. Instead, he'd desired adventure and took the first opportunity he could to join his older brother Cecil as he explored the world looking for plants, trees, and flowers for their Queen.

At the thought of Victoria, Parker winced. He'd signed an oath against his beloved Queen. He reminded himself that it was necessary, required even, to do this great job for her and her kingdom.

What a surprise it had been to discover, rather by accident, that his brother wasn't only a plant hunter, but also, and more impressively, an agent of the great Victoria. Traveling the world, both within and beyond the empire's vast borders, to thwart evildoers as the Queen requested and required. And, at the same time, discovering new plant species to bring back to England, cultivate, and make an ongoing living from selling them into the gardens and conservatories of all the royalty of the land. Here he was, like his lost brother, on one of those secret missions, too. He wished Cecil were with him. His brother quickly contemplated situations and developed vast, yet workable plans. It took Parker a bit longer to arrive at similar types of decisions and conclusions.

As the morning progressed, a series of small women brought him all manner of treats, teas, and even coffees. It was nice to feel cared for by these little women, and yet, it seemed that the hourly parade of scones, biscuits, and beverages was less about his sustenance and more about them getting a look at the latest captive. Parker thought he heard whispers and laughter coming from the hall both before and after these visits.

"You there!" he called out to one of the girls as she placed a tray with some sort of cake and a cup of steaming liquid on a free table.

The woman cast her eyes downward before responding: "Yes, sir?"

"How many of you are there caring for me?"

"Well, Lord Greene, there aren't any of us permanently assigned; we are working in shifts as volunteers. You may choose among us if you have a preference."

It seemed to Parker that the woman blushed a bit. He eyed her. She dressed in the same, odd manner of others he'd seen with strange shades of soft materials in layers, some of which reached the heels of leather boots, with a bustier of sorts holding it all together on the outside. It seemed like the outfits were somehow backward or inside out. And, like the dwarf men he'd met on the airship, each of these women also wore a pointed, dangerous looking ring.

"Is Mr. Currant around?" Greene asked.

"He has stepped away for a bit, but said he'd return before luncheon. Oh, if you have any preferences or favorite dishes, I'll let Cook know." Still she kept her face turned down, away from Parker Greene.

"I shall speak to Cook myself once I've sampled her food." After a pause, "Now, off with you. I've work to do."

The serving girl left, and Parker returned to sorting through the hundreds and hundreds of inventions that had been submitted to the Queen. Some of the plans were written in a rough hand, the notes and instructions poorly spelt. Others were obviously from educated and upper class sorts, with exacting drawings and descriptions. Among the stacks, some of the gruffer designs appeared the most useful and feasible. While not as advanced in concept as their intellectual counterparts, they were suitable, practical, and doable. Several of these, mostly farming implements, he tossed into the trial pile.

Parker took a moment to look through those devices and realized what he'd been instinctively doing. The trial pile filled with tools and gadgets that could be quickly and easily built and used against these pirates to bring their scourge of terror to an end. Yet, he'd require an army of helpers if the now budding plan was going to come to fruition.

* * *

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