Post
Region: Skyreach
Bright Seas
A thunder of guns, the bestial roar of a battleship's fury-
-as the RMPS Princess Sophie delivered another broadside at the target hulk floating steadily a thousand meters above the glittering surface of the sea, several months later.
First Air Admiral Vance watched the lazy trails of black smoke arc across the distance through his binoculars. He nodded as they plunged down and black puffs of smoke indicated multiple hits.
He lowered the glasses and nodded approvingly. 'Excellent shooting, captain. Very well; I think we can conclude gunnery practice for today. Let's head back to Summerbridge, shall we?'
The captain nodded. 'Aye sir. Prepare to come about; set course for Summerbridge. Stow the guns.'
From across the bridge: 'Stow the guns, set course for Summerbridge, aye sir!'
'And, captain, if you'd like to meet me in my quarters, I have something I wish to discuss with you.'
'Oh, really? As you wish. Exec, you have the bridge.'
'I have the bridge, aye sir.'
The captain gestured. 'Lead the way, sir.'
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The huge battleship buzzed slowly across the midday sky over Summerbridge, and many a citizen going about their shopping below stopped to watch the shining vision of armour steel and heavy guns pass overhead, the huge Middle Predor naval jack flying from her rearmast. Her huge ducted propellors emitted a roaring buzz audible for miles as the ship turned for her approach into the battleship cradles, but despite the deafening noise nobody seemed to mind; such overflights were common in the busy seaside port.
The noise finally cut out as she floated gently above the cradle and her propellers stopped, before she gently sank down into the waiting arms of her cradle.
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The shock of the cradle arms snapping shut around the aeronef battleship was merely a muted jolt in the air admiral's quarters, barely disturbing the admiral's aim as he poured wine.
'So, now you've read it, what do you think?' he asked, as he deftly gave the glass a tiny swirl before sliding it across the polished ash tabletop with a flick of the hand.
Without taking his eyes off the flimsy telegram paper held in one hand, the captain caught the glass as it reached him, and rose it to his lips as he lowered the flimsy. 'Well, it's very unusual, to start off. I don't know what Sophie's game is here, but it's not her usual one.'
The admiral tilted his head to one side, considering. 'Well, I'm not entirely sure it is her game today, John.'
An eyebrow raise. 'Oh?'
Vance nodded. 'I think this came from a little higher up the pecking chain. It feels like one of Elwin's typical schemes, this time.'
Now it was the captain's turn to consider. 'Hmmm. You could be right. This is more his style. But nonetheless. Taking Prince Aldrich that far north? In January? You know what the weather's like up there.'
'Well, it's not that far north. Kromkarie, particularly Banesteppe, is still pretty calm this time of year. And the Kromkarieans don't like us much, but they'd still give us a cradle if we asked for one.' Vance pointed out.
'That's true, and I suppose at a pinch we can anchor up by the leeside of the mountains and just hang. But I'm still not happy about it.'
'Neither am I, John, and that's a fact, but it came from on high, and we gotta jump when the Grand Lady asks us to.'
'Hrmmm. I'll have to think on it while we prep up.' He held up the half-empty wine glass. 'Mind if I take this?'
'Be my guest. And, John?'
A raised eyebrow from the captain.
'I've heard the Banesteppe girls will just love the captain of a big machine like the Sophie.'
A grin, and the captain saluted Vance with his raised wineglass as he left. 'Touché.'
