1889: Journey To The Moon (The Far Journey Chronicles) by George Wier, Billy Kring Page A
Authors: George Wier, Billy Kring
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the other occasionally curling up and snapping like a whip as an errant breeze sent turbulence around it. Billy said, “There’s about half a dozen of them still hung up on the ship. I chased them around for a while but it was too tricky. So I figured they would be okay till we get to San Antone.”
Ross nodded, took a swallow and passed the bottle to Billy, who took a sip and passed it back. Billy said, “Did you ever think you would see something like this in your life?”
“No. I am glad you suggested it. Do you know this land? Where we are at the moment?”
Billy studied the vast, straw-colored plains below them. “It looks different from up here, but I’m pretty sure that green tree line weaving like a snake’s track is the Arkansas River.”
A shadow fell across them and both men looked up to see Dr. Conklin standing too close behind them. Billy felt the hairs on his neck prickle, and he had the distinct feeling that Conklin had been considering pushing them out into the ether.
Conklin smiled and said, “It is a beautiful sight, is it not?”
Ross took a swallow from the bottle and offered it to the Doctor, “This will make the evening better as well.”
Conklin said, “Strong spirits before a meal leave my internals somewhat shaky.”
Billy could feel the Doctor’s toes against his buttocks, pushing toward the opening. “You need to back it up a bit, Doc. I’m through with sightseeing.” He leaned back and forced Conklin to take a step backward. In a flash, Billy stood and smiled at the Doctor. “You should step closer to the view, it’ll take your breath away.”
“I think I shall stay here. I have a small fear of heights, you see.”
“Uh-huh.” Conklin edged sideways so he was behind Ross, very close behind. Billy continued, “Hey Ross, let’s get back and check on the engine. I think I saw some funny sparks on the hull.”
“Certainly. Would you help me up? I seem to have a slight imbalance problem at the moment.” Billy edged between Conklin and Ross and pulled the engineer from his sitting position.
As Billy led Ross away, Conklin said, “Later, gentlemen.” He stood and looked at the earth and sky. A slight scraping sound came from underneath the ship, and Conklin narrowed his eyes. He stepped to the very edge of the door and grasped the side of the opening with one hand, leaning far out so that only his feet and one hand were inside the craft. He looked under the Arcadia and saw it. A hand, pulling on the rope that was snagged beside the cargo hold. Conklin felt the urge rising fast in him, for it had been too long.
The pirate worked himself up the rope, unaware that anyone knew of his presence. He, Will Quinlan, had ridden on the outside of the airship all the way from Colorado Springs! At twenty-one, he had done the impossible. He would be a legend after this. Will raised his eyes above the edge of the hold and saw no one. In a matter of seconds, he was standing in the Arcadia , ready to infiltrate and decimate these people and commandeer the greatest ship extant.
He took a cautious step further into the hold and heard a small whistle, then a hand clamped a cloth over his mouth and nose and held it there with a ferocious strength. Will fought and twisted to no avail. His arms and legs went numb and his mind fuzzed by the third breath. With the forth, he was unconscious.
Conklin lifted him like a child and floated like a shadow into the ship, ready to get to work on this wonderful specimen, this young, wonderful boy. He could barely contain his glee.
[ 27 ]
As the morning sun broke the horizon, Billy and Ekka stood with Merkam and Tesla on the bridge. Merkam said, “We are making excellent time, and the controls are starting to come more naturally.”
Billy said, “I’m glad you can fly it, because I don’t think I could do it if I had a hundred years to practice.” Jude banked the ship and put it in a slow descent. Billy looked through the portal and
Ross nodded, took a swallow and passed the bottle to Billy, who took a sip and passed it back. Billy said, “Did you ever think you would see something like this in your life?”
“No. I am glad you suggested it. Do you know this land? Where we are at the moment?”
Billy studied the vast, straw-colored plains below them. “It looks different from up here, but I’m pretty sure that green tree line weaving like a snake’s track is the Arkansas River.”
A shadow fell across them and both men looked up to see Dr. Conklin standing too close behind them. Billy felt the hairs on his neck prickle, and he had the distinct feeling that Conklin had been considering pushing them out into the ether.
Conklin smiled and said, “It is a beautiful sight, is it not?”
Ross took a swallow from the bottle and offered it to the Doctor, “This will make the evening better as well.”
Conklin said, “Strong spirits before a meal leave my internals somewhat shaky.”
Billy could feel the Doctor’s toes against his buttocks, pushing toward the opening. “You need to back it up a bit, Doc. I’m through with sightseeing.” He leaned back and forced Conklin to take a step backward. In a flash, Billy stood and smiled at the Doctor. “You should step closer to the view, it’ll take your breath away.”
“I think I shall stay here. I have a small fear of heights, you see.”
“Uh-huh.” Conklin edged sideways so he was behind Ross, very close behind. Billy continued, “Hey Ross, let’s get back and check on the engine. I think I saw some funny sparks on the hull.”
“Certainly. Would you help me up? I seem to have a slight imbalance problem at the moment.” Billy edged between Conklin and Ross and pulled the engineer from his sitting position.
As Billy led Ross away, Conklin said, “Later, gentlemen.” He stood and looked at the earth and sky. A slight scraping sound came from underneath the ship, and Conklin narrowed his eyes. He stepped to the very edge of the door and grasped the side of the opening with one hand, leaning far out so that only his feet and one hand were inside the craft. He looked under the Arcadia and saw it. A hand, pulling on the rope that was snagged beside the cargo hold. Conklin felt the urge rising fast in him, for it had been too long.
The pirate worked himself up the rope, unaware that anyone knew of his presence. He, Will Quinlan, had ridden on the outside of the airship all the way from Colorado Springs! At twenty-one, he had done the impossible. He would be a legend after this. Will raised his eyes above the edge of the hold and saw no one. In a matter of seconds, he was standing in the Arcadia , ready to infiltrate and decimate these people and commandeer the greatest ship extant.
He took a cautious step further into the hold and heard a small whistle, then a hand clamped a cloth over his mouth and nose and held it there with a ferocious strength. Will fought and twisted to no avail. His arms and legs went numb and his mind fuzzed by the third breath. With the forth, he was unconscious.
Conklin lifted him like a child and floated like a shadow into the ship, ready to get to work on this wonderful specimen, this young, wonderful boy. He could barely contain his glee.
[ 27 ]
As the morning sun broke the horizon, Billy and Ekka stood with Merkam and Tesla on the bridge. Merkam said, “We are making excellent time, and the controls are starting to come more naturally.”
Billy said, “I’m glad you can fly it, because I don’t think I could do it if I had a hundred years to practice.” Jude banked the ship and put it in a slow descent. Billy looked through the portal and
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