Chapter 2: Chapter 2
* * * *
At a full run, and vocally cursing his forgetfulness, Midnight headed to the small airstrip. Aurora would be close behind him, so he decided to sort the ship out before he went to the cold store to get his treat for QC.
He scaled the ladder in record time and activated the mechanism for lowering the ship’s ramp before dashing to the stairs to get below deck. He went directly to the engine room and began setting the furnaces, checking its mechanics, and awakening his automatons.
Once all his checks were completed, and Midnight was happy that the automatons were functioning correctly, he fired up the furnaces. With a last nod, he went back up on deck where Aurora stood waiting.
“I expect you’ll want to go out to that pet of yours.” A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Aurora’s lips and Midnight relaxed. If his sister was trying not to smile, she wasn’t as angry as she appeared.
“Yes. We need to give the ship a test flight and, after all, we do have the best reputation for getting passengers’ photographs. A treat now and then is a small reward.”
“Small? A whole pig, I hardly call thatsmall. Given you’re so skinny I wonder how you even manage to carry the carcass.” Aurora smirked and Midnight sniffed loudly, tossing his head.
“I’m not skinny, I’m…wiry.” Midnight strode off, head high, with Aurora’s laughter ringing out, and a wide smile on his own face. Hurrying down the ramp, Midnight trotted to the cold store. The pig carcass had arrived the day before, and Midnight was scrupulous about keeping such carcasses separate from meat he and his family ate.
The meat was tied up in tarpaulin, and Midnight readied himself to lift it into the nearby mechanized barrow he used. The clockwork creation was an invention of his own and certainly saved him a great deal of physical labour.
With a grunt, Midnight hefted the dead weight and dropped it carefully into the barrow. He added the provisions they’d need and which the much smaller cold store in the galley could hold.
A moment later, with the barrow fully wound up, Midnight steered it with only the lightest of pressure needed toward the ship. Already the great balloons that kept it aloft were almost fully filled and the Freedom looked magnificent.
He and Aurora had both agreed that a trio of balloons were the best option. The ship could fly with just two, although if only one remained inflated, Midnight wasn’t entirely sure how fast the ship would descend. Not a particularly pleasant train of thought when I’m about to fly. Positive thoughts, Midnight, positive thoughts
As much as Midnight enjoyed flying, he always got nervous before they took off. Lengthening his stride, he pushed all morbid notions from his mind as he ascended the ramp, the barrow at his side.
“The balloons are almost ready.” Aurora called out. “Retract the ramp, loose the main anchor, and release the magnetic anchors.”
“Aye, Captain.” Midnight switched off the barrow, then saluted smartly. Their main anchor went from land to ship, the secondary anchors made connections with large magnetized strips. They had more conventional ship’s anchors on board, but rarely had need of them as they remained aloft for the duration of the trip.
Hurrying to complete Aurora’s orders, Midnight flicked the switched and tugged on the levers that tethered the ship to terra firmaand gripped the rail as the Freedom rose gracefully into the air.
“Here we go.” Aurora called out. “Best get to the helm, if you please, Midnight.”
“Aye.” Midnight crossed the deck and took up position at the rudder. Their trip was only out to the uninhabited island their family owned, just off the coast, and where QC had her nest. Although if so wished, their commercial flights could cater to longer as well as much further flights to their patrons.
Midnight smiled as they rose into the air. Now he could spot he nearest village to them. A tiny place called Tintagel situated on Cornwall’s coast. They had a deal with its local innkeeper there. He provided accommodation, a secure place for leaving personal belongings while patrons enjoyed their flights, and transport to the airstrip. And it works beautifully to our mutual benefit.
The breeze was in his face and the scent of the sea in his nostrils, and Midnight could almost forget they were in the sky rather than on the ocean. Even as they flew out over the water, Midnight spotted QC leaving her nest on the island to fly out to meet them. Laughing, Midnight waved at the pterodactyl as she flew in circles around the ship.
“Someone’s keen.” Midnight shouted out to Aurora as he pointed to QC.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone