Chapter 4 • A Fateful Encounter
After the meal had been finished, Captain Ansak excused himself to attend to his duties. Aila gave Talin an extended tour of the ship. He had been on it’s deck a few times in the past when the transport had visited his farm, but he had never ventured inside until this trip. First she showed him the Chuteships lashed to wood cradles set in pairs along the railing at both ends of the Acadia Pride. She told him that they were to be used only as a last resort to escape the transport if it were to go down. She explained how they launched over the sides and how to deploy the umbrella-like chute that was intended to float one safety to land below, if there were any. Otherwise, as was a well known fact about the Realm, one would fall for a seemingly eternal time until they were lost and consumed “Each player has a pair of dice in a cup. They shake the cup and then turn it upside down on the table, looking at the numbers on top of the dice without letting the other players see. Each player in turn bluffs as to how many total numbers of dice, ones,twos, threes or fours, that there are amongst all of the players. If your bluff is called you lose. If you bluff successfully you win.”
“Sounds complicated,” admitted Talin, “I’ve never really had much time for learning games of chance, I guess.” He stood there quietly and watched as they played a few rounds before he began to get the basic concept figured out.
“Come on, I’ll show you down to the hold.” Aila eventually suggested, having grown a little bored of watching the dice game.
They made their way down a series of winding spiral staircases until the came to a large door in the heavy bulkhead of the ship. She lifted a sturdy latch and pushed opened the door. It was rather dark inside and the temperature was even colder than it was outside on deck. Aila lit two small lanterns and handed one to Talin. They went inside of the cavernous hold to where all of the ship’s cargo was safely stowed for transport. Talin saw the crates full of jack berries from his family’s farm, as well as crates of grapes from Aila’s home vineyard, and many others containing assorted fruits and vegetables from various lands about the region. They were all destined for the central processing facilities on Cartania. In addition, there were some parts of broken machinery that were being sent in “Snip Snap just got a meal.” Aila said, leading Talin back out of the hold. “Our’s should be ready in a short while. Let’s say we go back up and let them eat in peace.”
Talin had seen life and death play itself out over and over again on the farm and knew that it was the natural order of things, but he still shuddered a bit trying to picture the scene taking place back in the hold.
After a light noon meal of sliced cherry melon and cheese curd with chunks of toasted nettlenuts, Aila excused herself and went off to her cabin. Talin went off to his for and stretched out on his bunk. It felt good to get off of his feet and put them up for awhile, his legs weary from the constant shifting from side to side in tune with the swaying of the ship. He laid there for a few moments watching the overhead lantern swing mildly back and forth, until his eyes began to feel heavier and heavier. He was having trouble keeping them open and tried to focus. He sat up, fighting the urge to sleep. He did not want to be caught napping in the middle of the day while the rest of the crew labored. Opening his footlocker, he sorted through it until he found a book that his grandfather Morgon had given He opened the front cover and noticed a faded, hand written inscription inside. It read: “Given in good faith upon this day of your honored sacrifice, I bequeath this tome. May it serve you well.-with devotion, Kestler Gales”
It was written from Talin’s great grandfather to his son, Morgon, many, many years past. Beneath that was another notation: “To my brave young scout, Talin, As far as the winds may take you, let your heart’s compass always lead you back home.-Morgon Gales”
He turned the pages with care, as they were made very long ago from thick, but brittle parchment. He read aloud the Oath of Service, one of the first things he would learn at the Academy and have to be able to recite by memory, in order to be fully indoctrinated into the Alliance.
“I hereby pledge my oath, as an adherent of the Code, to be bound together in unity for the common welfare of the Realm. I shall conduct myself at all times in accordance to the standards and statutes prescribed in accordance to the dictates of the Code. I do so of my own free will, with honor and pride.”
He reread the oath a few more times, trying to retain each individual sentence. When he thought that he had it pretty well memorized, he closed the book and did his best to repeat it word for word. Fairly pleased with himself,
he continued onto the the Code itself. He would not be required to recite it, but would be expected to know and obey each and every edict, decree and ordinance. It was quite extensive, and seemed overwhelming at first glance, but was actually a lot of general common sense, decency and practices of mutual courtesy. He followed each of the passages and found that he had no real personal conflict with any of it’s bylaws and rules, and was just finishing the last few lines of the Code when the seven bells sounded. He folded over the worn ribbon page marker and closed the book shut. It was time for the evening meal, Talin’s first actual one on board the Acadia Pride. After reading so much about manners and appearance, he decided that perhaps he would dress in his best set of clothes. “You look very regal and handsome this evening, Talin.”
“Thank you, Aila.” He replied embarrassingly, “I thought that I might it try on to see how it fits. I’m usually not accustomed to wearing fancy clothes like this, but I suppose that I should get used to it. I hear that Coalition uniforms can take a little time getting adjusted to.”
“I never could get used to feeling all trussed up in those regimental dress styles.” Commented the Captain, “Personally, much too confining for an old skydog of my, shall we say, substantial presence.”
“Well I think you look rather smart and dashing,” complimented Aila, “I can just picture you now, an Officer of the Realm. A commander of Coalition forces, or even a High Counselor.”
Talin took his seat across the table from her, a bit flustered, his face blushing mildly.
“I’m not even enlisted yet, and already you have me appointed to the High Council. I’ll just be happy if I could get assigned to something out of doors. My father was a boiler mechanic and my uncle worked in transcribing maps, both duties that were done, for the most part, indoors. I suppose my biggest worry is being surrounded like a trapped animal inside of four walls, doing some boring task like messenger or scribe.”
“Then volunteer for airship detail.” suggested the Captain, “If you put in a request, I may be able to give you a good recommendation, which might help. I still command a certain amount of respect from some of my old comrades at arms in the Citadel. Some of the crew that I served with are still around, and a few of them have remained active, achieving some fairly high ranks and positions within the Coalition. Give it some thought, lad, and if you’re of a mind to, I can see what I can do when we get to Cartania.”
“I’m not so sure that the air corp is what my family had in mind for me, sir. I rather think that they would prefer the Ministry of Agriculture or something similar.”
“You’re the maker of your own destiny, master Talin, not your family. I can admire your devoted sentiment towards them, to be sure, but you need to consider what you want. What would fulfill you, satisfy you’re aspirations? I know you better than you perhaps you know yourself where your true calling may lie. Agricultural duty is your father and uncle talking. You’re more like your ol’ Grandfather Morgon.”
The Captain twisted the hind leg from a large roasted soargull one of the crew had caught earlier in the day. He tore off a hearty chunk in his teeth and swallowed the tender meat in one bite. Waving the leg around gesturing at Talin, he continued.
“Don’t know if he ever mentioned it much, but I first met Morgon when him and I were young cadets in the early days of the Air Corps. I had the pleasure of flying with him once, on a long excursion to the edge of the Realm, aboard the light galleon Sky Devil. He was as wild as a fire hawk back then, and twice as fierce. You wouldn’t know it by talkin’ to him now, but he was one of the toughest airfarers in the skies in those times. I saw him in action on more than one occasion, and let me tell you, I would have not wished to be lined up in his gun sights or facing against him with a cutlass or a sabre.”
“ My grandfather? He’s usually so calm and quiet, I never would have guessed. I knew he served aboard an airship, but he doesn’t talk too much about battles and fighting and such. It upsets my Aunt Lennarra when he discusses those kinds of things.”
“Then he probably never told you about the time when he knocked down an attacking Perrawan marauder with a well placed blow from the butt of his blast pistol.” He took another bite of soargull and resumed with his story. “The Perrawan people are exceptionally large in size, but the one your Grandfather took on was bigger than most. Nearly twice the height of you or I, with arms like tree trunks, he was. His teeth had been filed to sharp points, as is the fashion amongst the Perrawan, and he was bare chested and covered in tribal tatoos that swirled down his arms and legs. The Perrawan had caught us out in the open, as we were refilling the ships water casks, on what they regarded to be their land. At the time, we had no idea that the landmass was inhabited, but a large tribe of Parrawan Talin wasn’t quite sure that getting nearly slaughtered was the kind of adventures he had in mind. They finished the meal with minor small talk amongst themselves and the crew and after the plates had been cleared, the crew members retired to their quarters or to the gaming parlor. Others went to relieve those that had remained on duty, allowing them a chance to dine. First Mate Standrews was at the helm with the Chief Navigator and one of the lookouts, so the Captain, Aila and Talin went over to the portside railing and watched the clouds lazily drift by below, illuminated by a bright full moon. Captain Ansak was right. It was liberating to soar in open sky, almost as if time was at a standstill. The bright stars twinkled overhead in the clear air, silence all around save for the gentle creak “Look, down there. Looks like we’re flying over a lightning storm. Good thing we’re up this high, I’d not want to be caught in that.”
Another flash was followed by the the ever so faint rumble of thunder. The Captain and Aila could now see it and the Captain slowly shook his head back and forth.
“Nay, It’s too small and concentrated to be a storm and this is still a bit early in the season and not the type of weather that lends itself to lightning. Nay, I say. If I’m not to be mistaken, my young charges, you are most likely witnessing your first air battle, perhaps a skirmish between rogues and Coalition ships, though this is a good distance from any unfriendly territory I know of. I may be wrong, mind you, but I’m almost certain that I’m not. There are times when I wish this were a warship and not a transport, and other times when I’m thankful that that’s all it is.”
They watched the brief show of lights, until there was a flash much larger than the others, that seemed to burn very bright for a long lingering moment, and then winked out, leaving only darkness. They stood there speechless, until the Captain put his big arms about their shoulders and gave them each a firm hug.
“You think well and hard of what I said about the joining the Air Corp, young Talin. You could help defend against things like that which we just saw.” He paused and patted them on the shoulders. “There’s a bit of a nip in the air tonight, what say we go have a warm mug and turn in for evening.”
Later, as Talin rested his head on his pillow, he tried to imagine what a real air battle must look like up close. He attempted to picture in his head what may have taken place earlier, down in the clouds. Was it two warships from opposing nations, or rogues raiding a merchant vessel? Perhaps the Acadia Pride had ventured off course somehow and had strayed beyond the borders of the Realm, into the skies of the Hostile Lands. Or maybe it was just a lightning storm after all. Once he fell asleep, he had an odd dream about his grandfather battling a big green giant standing on the wide sandy shore of a dark, cold lake, while his father banged away on a fussy boiler and his uncle furiously scribbled out piles of dusty old maps.
“Sounds complicated,” admitted Talin, “I’ve never really had much time for learning games of chance, I guess.” He stood there quietly and watched as they played a few rounds before he began to get the basic concept figured out.
“Come on, I’ll show you down to the hold.” Aila eventually suggested, having grown a little bored of watching the dice game.
They made their way down a series of winding spiral staircases until the came to a large door in the heavy bulkhead of the ship. She lifted a sturdy latch and pushed opened the door. It was rather dark inside and the temperature was even colder than it was outside on deck. Aila lit two small lanterns and handed one to Talin. They went inside of the cavernous hold to where all of the ship’s cargo was safely stowed for transport. Talin saw the crates full of jack berries from his family’s farm, as well as crates of grapes from Aila’s home vineyard, and many others containing assorted fruits and vegetables from various lands about the region. They were all destined for the central processing facilities on Cartania. In addition, there were some parts of broken machinery that were being sent in “Snip Snap just got a meal.” Aila said, leading Talin back out of the hold. “Our’s should be ready in a short while. Let’s say we go back up and let them eat in peace.”
Talin had seen life and death play itself out over and over again on the farm and knew that it was the natural order of things, but he still shuddered a bit trying to picture the scene taking place back in the hold.
After a light noon meal of sliced cherry melon and cheese curd with chunks of toasted nettlenuts, Aila excused herself and went off to her cabin. Talin went off to his for and stretched out on his bunk. It felt good to get off of his feet and put them up for awhile, his legs weary from the constant shifting from side to side in tune with the swaying of the ship. He laid there for a few moments watching the overhead lantern swing mildly back and forth, until his eyes began to feel heavier and heavier. He was having trouble keeping them open and tried to focus. He sat up, fighting the urge to sleep. He did not want to be caught napping in the middle of the day while the rest of the crew labored. Opening his footlocker, he sorted through it until he found a book that his grandfather Morgon had given He opened the front cover and noticed a faded, hand written inscription inside. It read: “Given in good faith upon this day of your honored sacrifice, I bequeath this tome. May it serve you well.-with devotion, Kestler Gales”
It was written from Talin’s great grandfather to his son, Morgon, many, many years past. Beneath that was another notation: “To my brave young scout, Talin, As far as the winds may take you, let your heart’s compass always lead you back home.-Morgon Gales”
He turned the pages with care, as they were made very long ago from thick, but brittle parchment. He read aloud the Oath of Service, one of the first things he would learn at the Academy and have to be able to recite by memory, in order to be fully indoctrinated into the Alliance.
“I hereby pledge my oath, as an adherent of the Code, to be bound together in unity for the common welfare of the Realm. I shall conduct myself at all times in accordance to the standards and statutes prescribed in accordance to the dictates of the Code. I do so of my own free will, with honor and pride.”
He reread the oath a few more times, trying to retain each individual sentence. When he thought that he had it pretty well memorized, he closed the book and did his best to repeat it word for word. Fairly pleased with himself,
he continued onto the the Code itself. He would not be required to recite it, but would be expected to know and obey each and every edict, decree and ordinance. It was quite extensive, and seemed overwhelming at first glance, but was actually a lot of general common sense, decency and practices of mutual courtesy. He followed each of the passages and found that he had no real personal conflict with any of it’s bylaws and rules, and was just finishing the last few lines of the Code when the seven bells sounded. He folded over the worn ribbon page marker and closed the book shut. It was time for the evening meal, Talin’s first actual one on board the Acadia Pride. After reading so much about manners and appearance, he decided that perhaps he would dress in his best set of clothes. “You look very regal and handsome this evening, Talin.”
“Thank you, Aila.” He replied embarrassingly, “I thought that I might it try on to see how it fits. I’m usually not accustomed to wearing fancy clothes like this, but I suppose that I should get used to it. I hear that Coalition uniforms can take a little time getting adjusted to.”
“I never could get used to feeling all trussed up in those regimental dress styles.” Commented the Captain, “Personally, much too confining for an old skydog of my, shall we say, substantial presence.”
“Well I think you look rather smart and dashing,” complimented Aila, “I can just picture you now, an Officer of the Realm. A commander of Coalition forces, or even a High Counselor.”
Talin took his seat across the table from her, a bit flustered, his face blushing mildly.
“I’m not even enlisted yet, and already you have me appointed to the High Council. I’ll just be happy if I could get assigned to something out of doors. My father was a boiler mechanic and my uncle worked in transcribing maps, both duties that were done, for the most part, indoors. I suppose my biggest worry is being surrounded like a trapped animal inside of four walls, doing some boring task like messenger or scribe.”
“Then volunteer for airship detail.” suggested the Captain, “If you put in a request, I may be able to give you a good recommendation, which might help. I still command a certain amount of respect from some of my old comrades at arms in the Citadel. Some of the crew that I served with are still around, and a few of them have remained active, achieving some fairly high ranks and positions within the Coalition. Give it some thought, lad, and if you’re of a mind to, I can see what I can do when we get to Cartania.”
“I’m not so sure that the air corp is what my family had in mind for me, sir. I rather think that they would prefer the Ministry of Agriculture or something similar.”
“You’re the maker of your own destiny, master Talin, not your family. I can admire your devoted sentiment towards them, to be sure, but you need to consider what you want. What would fulfill you, satisfy you’re aspirations? I know you better than you perhaps you know yourself where your true calling may lie. Agricultural duty is your father and uncle talking. You’re more like your ol’ Grandfather Morgon.”
The Captain twisted the hind leg from a large roasted soargull one of the crew had caught earlier in the day. He tore off a hearty chunk in his teeth and swallowed the tender meat in one bite. Waving the leg around gesturing at Talin, he continued.
“Don’t know if he ever mentioned it much, but I first met Morgon when him and I were young cadets in the early days of the Air Corps. I had the pleasure of flying with him once, on a long excursion to the edge of the Realm, aboard the light galleon Sky Devil. He was as wild as a fire hawk back then, and twice as fierce. You wouldn’t know it by talkin’ to him now, but he was one of the toughest airfarers in the skies in those times. I saw him in action on more than one occasion, and let me tell you, I would have not wished to be lined up in his gun sights or facing against him with a cutlass or a sabre.”
“ My grandfather? He’s usually so calm and quiet, I never would have guessed. I knew he served aboard an airship, but he doesn’t talk too much about battles and fighting and such. It upsets my Aunt Lennarra when he discusses those kinds of things.”
“Then he probably never told you about the time when he knocked down an attacking Perrawan marauder with a well placed blow from the butt of his blast pistol.” He took another bite of soargull and resumed with his story. “The Perrawan people are exceptionally large in size, but the one your Grandfather took on was bigger than most. Nearly twice the height of you or I, with arms like tree trunks, he was. His teeth had been filed to sharp points, as is the fashion amongst the Perrawan, and he was bare chested and covered in tribal tatoos that swirled down his arms and legs. The Perrawan had caught us out in the open, as we were refilling the ships water casks, on what they regarded to be their land. At the time, we had no idea that the landmass was inhabited, but a large tribe of Parrawan Talin wasn’t quite sure that getting nearly slaughtered was the kind of adventures he had in mind. They finished the meal with minor small talk amongst themselves and the crew and after the plates had been cleared, the crew members retired to their quarters or to the gaming parlor. Others went to relieve those that had remained on duty, allowing them a chance to dine. First Mate Standrews was at the helm with the Chief Navigator and one of the lookouts, so the Captain, Aila and Talin went over to the portside railing and watched the clouds lazily drift by below, illuminated by a bright full moon. Captain Ansak was right. It was liberating to soar in open sky, almost as if time was at a standstill. The bright stars twinkled overhead in the clear air, silence all around save for the gentle creak “Look, down there. Looks like we’re flying over a lightning storm. Good thing we’re up this high, I’d not want to be caught in that.”
Another flash was followed by the the ever so faint rumble of thunder. The Captain and Aila could now see it and the Captain slowly shook his head back and forth.
“Nay, It’s too small and concentrated to be a storm and this is still a bit early in the season and not the type of weather that lends itself to lightning. Nay, I say. If I’m not to be mistaken, my young charges, you are most likely witnessing your first air battle, perhaps a skirmish between rogues and Coalition ships, though this is a good distance from any unfriendly territory I know of. I may be wrong, mind you, but I’m almost certain that I’m not. There are times when I wish this were a warship and not a transport, and other times when I’m thankful that that’s all it is.”
They watched the brief show of lights, until there was a flash much larger than the others, that seemed to burn very bright for a long lingering moment, and then winked out, leaving only darkness. They stood there speechless, until the Captain put his big arms about their shoulders and gave them each a firm hug.
“You think well and hard of what I said about the joining the Air Corp, young Talin. You could help defend against things like that which we just saw.” He paused and patted them on the shoulders. “There’s a bit of a nip in the air tonight, what say we go have a warm mug and turn in for evening.”
Later, as Talin rested his head on his pillow, he tried to imagine what a real air battle must look like up close. He attempted to picture in his head what may have taken place earlier, down in the clouds. Was it two warships from opposing nations, or rogues raiding a merchant vessel? Perhaps the Acadia Pride had ventured off course somehow and had strayed beyond the borders of the Realm, into the skies of the Hostile Lands. Or maybe it was just a lightning storm after all. Once he fell asleep, he had an odd dream about his grandfather battling a big green giant standing on the wide sandy shore of a dark, cold lake, while his father banged away on a fussy boiler and his uncle furiously scribbled out piles of dusty old maps.