Breeze Corinth (Book 1): Sky Shatter (43 page)

“I might have to hover up there to push that thing, it won’t budge,” Breeze grumbled.

Achilles made a sweeping motion with its hand. Above, the motor unit slid effortlessly onto the bed.

“Forget about it, the grapplers worked,” Breeze called out and he shifted the lever down to lower the bed. “I’m glad I didn’t have to fly up there, I would probably just end up wrecking the place.”

“Nonsense, just requires patience, practice and discipline,” Achilles said.

Breeze shrugged. “Yeah, I suppose.”

The bed settled onto the lift truck’s frame with a clunk.

Achilles patted the motor unit. “Well, we have retrieved the final piece of the puzzle. Let us load her onto the hover truck and be on the way.”

After safely securing the cargo, they all piled into the cab of the hover truck to begin the journey to the stricken scout ship.

Not much was said along the way except for the occasional comment about the scenery when Achilles took a sharp turn onto a rock strewn road that ran parallel to the river. He shoved the lever that activated the hover motor, and the truck lifted off the road and sliced through the forest.

Breeze sat next to the passenger door, while Ray and Sally were in the middle. He saw Ray slowly move his hand to hold Sally’s, but she brushed it off. He arched an eyebrow and looked away

He held his hand out of the window and felt the air as it rushed by. It reminded him when he was a child on trips with his mother to his aunt’s home and how he would hold his hand out flat like it was an aerocraft and make engine noises. He would turn it up and feel the wind catch it like a sail and push it back.

It all reminded him of the subject he had been avoiding in his mind: home. He thought about how he never had a chance to find out if his father was okay. He began to wonder what he would find when he finally returned.

The rocky trail narrowed, and Breeze yanked his hand back as he felt the sting of a tree branch whip it as they zipped by. The hover truck burst out into a clearing and onto the riverbank where ahead sat the scout ship.

“Finally,” Ray said.

“It appears the scavengers have not yet raided it. This is excellent news indeed,” Achilles observed.

“What’s it talking about?” Sally turned to Breeze.

“Whenever metal mongers out in the desert stumble across a derelict aerocraft or hover, they either try to get it working again or strip it down and sell it in pieces. I guess it’s the same here.”

“We come from different worlds,” she mused.

The truck glided to a stop and settled onto its wheels. Achilles stepped out of the cab and slowly approached the ship. Servos whirred as it shook its head.

Breeze followed it. “Come on, the ship isn’t that bad.”

“No, quite the contrary. I must confess that the vessel is well preserved. I have not seen one in such condition since, well, a very long time.”

“Why don’t want to talk about the past? You make it sound like you’re so ancient. I don’t get it.”

“My young aviator, there will come a time when I will tell more about the past. For now, let us all concentrate on bringing the ship back to operational duty.”

“Always dodging, Achilles. Always dodging.”

The boy does have a point
, the other voice said.

Achilles’ eyes blinked rapidly as it briefly raised a hand, then lowered it.
Do not badger or harangue me, now is not the time or place,
it replied.

“Achilles, are you okay? Don’t go haywire on me now,” Breeze joked as he knocked on its head playfully.

“Nonsense, Master Corinth, this unit is in perfect operational condition. Come, and let us begin our repairs.” The robot went to the hover truck and hoisted the trunk of spare parts onto its shoulder, and then left deep footprints on the riverbank as it marched toward the ship.

Ray and Sally were already inside as Breeze and Achilles walked up the gangplank. Achilles set the trunk down and looked around, then pointed toward the stern of the ship. “Engine room is this way, of course.”

“Yep, follow me,” Breeze replied and led the way.

Deep inside the engine room, they both stood between the twin electromagnetic generators. Achilles placed a hand on one of them and tapped it gently, creating an echo.

“Wait, let me say it. You haven’t seen one of these in such a long time, right?” Breeze said with a wide grin.

“Am I that repetitious? This humble robot begs for your forgiveness.”

“Nah, no need. Let’s just get this old tub working again. I want to head out west and see my father.”

“Of course. Pardon my excursions down memory lane. I shall get to work immediately. Would you please contact Raymond and have him slide the hover truck beneath the engine room? We will need to raise the motor unit up into place.”

“How is that going to work? You want to cut a hole in the ship? It would be easier to have him drop it off in the launch bay. We can just slide it over from there.”

“My dear boy, it pays to have a rusty old robot such as I around, as these scout ships are full of surprises. Observe.” Achilles reached up to a panel and typed a series of codes. “I would advise you to step aside, Master Corinth.”

With a hiss of pneumatics, the floor between them slid open and daylight rushed inside.

Breeze dropped to the edge and poked his head through. “Hey, I can see the ground below!”

Achilles nodded. “These ships were designed for ease of maintenance. They were primarily used to traverse and reconnoiter distant and hostile locations, where receiving friendly service when in need of repairs would have been less than feasible.”

“This is going to be fun to watch,” Breeze said, and got up to run over to the intercom by the workbench where he contacted Ray and informed him of Achilles’ plan.

Not long after, Ray backed the hover under the hull as Achilles ran a set of chains from the ceiling of the engine room and down to the motor unit where Ray connected them, then hoisted it into the ship and quickly removed the damaged motor unit from the generator and replaced it with the refurbished one. “This motor unit helps to adjust the frequency the generators run on. Whatever you passed through damaged the unit, which is why you lost power so quickly and the engines behaved so erratically,” Achilles explained as it tightened down the last remaining bolts that held the motor unit in place.

“Excellent. Now to run a test to ensure the repair,” it said and reached up to the panel again where it tapped in a series of codes. The generators hummed to life as lights flickered on throughout the ship.

“Success,” Achilles declared and closed the panel, then turned to Breeze. “Now, let us make our way to the pilot house.”

They traversed from the engine room to the pilot house, where they found Ray and Sally in a heated argument.

“Our apologies for interrupting you,” Achilles said.

Sally’s smile was forced as she brushed back her hair. “No, we’re fine. Glad to see you got the power back on.”

“Oh, it was nothing, especially if you know what you’re doing.” Breeze grinned.

Achilles stepped over to the damaged Auto Pilot that was slumped over and frozen in place before the helm.

“Brother, you are very much past repairs. May your maker have mercy on you,” Achilles said and pulled on the hands of the Auto Pilot when it suddenly came to life and slapped a hand on Achilles’ breast plate.

The two robots were frozen in place and surrounded by a loud hum as the lights in the cabin flickered. No sooner that it began when the Auto Pilot released its hold on Achilles and slumped onto the helm while Achilles stumbled back as it tried to regain its balance.

Breeze rushed to the robot. “Are you all right?”

It threw its hands up. “Do not approach, young friend! I am concerned that the excess voltage I have absorbed might jump to you,” Achilles said as its metallic skin crackled and hissed. “I must dissipate the energy first.” The robot stomped over to a bulkhead and placed both hands on it. “These bulkheads are grounded. This will allow the transfer of energy away from me.”

Ray shook his head. “How was that possible? That Auto Pilot was pretty toasted.”

“The Auto Pilots do retain a small amount of emergency power. Perhaps it was merely acting out in self-defense, or possibly for the ship and its passengers, though I am unable to fully determine at this time,” Achilles explained as it placed a hand on its temple and closed its eyes for a moment.

When they opened again they glowed feebly, and then gradually brightened. It reached for the Auto Pilot, hesitated, and then resumed removing it from the pilot’s seat.

After Ray and Breeze placed the damaged pilot into the crews rest above, Achilles retrieved the trunk of spare parts and began the process of removing the damaged console components and replacing them.

“Very well, let us perform a power up and determine the veracity of the repairs,” Achilles said when it finished, and stood up from the underside of the console to flip a switch on the helm. Within seconds, the console lit up and was accompanied by beeps and flashes of lights. “Excellent. The replacement avionics are syncing perfectly with the ship,” it observed as the rest of the cockpit lit up and flashed in tandem with the hum of machinery.

Their faces glowed from the radiance of the instruments as they stood in uncomfortable silence, neither of them knowing what to say.

“Well Achilles,” Ray ventured, “I suppose I could say it was an interesting experience. But, uh, I guess we can say thanks for your help and goodbye?”

Sally shoved him and he hit the side of the cockpit hard. He whirled on Sally as she stuck a finger in his face.

“This is
exactly
what I’m talking about,” she thundered, “I don’t know what has gotten into you, but it has to end. Now.”

She turned to Achilles and smiled graciously. “Thank you sincerely for your help, it is much appreciated, and please, never mind Ray, he hasn’t been himself lately.”

“Don’t apologize for me,” he growled.

Breeze jumped in. “Achilles, you’re more than welcome to head out west with us. Waiting for Oslo is looking like a waste of time, especially at the way his wife treated us. And this place is pretty spooky.”

“Sea trial,” Achilles said.

They all looked at one another.

“Sea trial. Do either of you know what I speak of? Allow me to explain. When a ship has been built or recently overhauled, it must undergo a series of tests to determine its seaworthiness. After passing these tests, she is considered fit for duty. I suggest we do the same.”

“Go for a test flight, you mean,” Breeze said.

“Exactly. What better way to get to know one another a little better while giving you an aerial tour of Mount Pleasant. As an added bonus, we can also retrieve your hover car.”

“I think I’ve seen enough of this place to last me a lifetime, but Achilles, your hospitality knows no boundaries. I speak for all of us when I say, yes,” Sally bowed her head.

Ray groaned and rolled his eyes.

Achilles clapped its hands. “Excellent. Ray, I need you to take the helm.”

“What?”

“The helm, sir. You are the most qualified pilot here, and I will kindly serve as your co-pilot.”

“I can fly this heap too, you know,” Breeze said.

Achilles turned to him. “Of course you can, but for now I would like to have Ray handle these duties. You are destined for other things.”

Before Breeze could say anything, Sally took his hand and gently pulled him toward her.

“Sit with me?” She looked at him with pleading eyes.

He shrugged and they sat down in the jump seats in the back of the cockpit.

Minutes later, the engines hummed to life, and the ship creaked as it lifted off and hovered in place, then Ray pulled back on the helm and they rose into the sky. He orbited their landing spot several times while banking the scout ship from port to starboard.

“Hey, Achilles, what about your truck?” Ray said.

“If, for whatever reason, I do not return within a specified time frame, it will find its way back home.”

“Kind of like a dog,” Ray joked.

“Yes. Perfect analogy.”

Ray chuckled as he steered the ship toward town.

Sunlight splashed across the mountains and valleys, and highlighted the lush forests that adorned them, while the rivers and lakes they crossed reflected the brilliant light.

Achilles directed Ray to the same river Breeze had used to head into Mount Pleasant, but advised him to ascend to a higher elevation.

“Why so high?” Ray asked.

“It would be best for all of us. As you humans would say, I have a hunch. Flying higher translates into fewer people seeing us.”

Sally stiffened. “We are not in any danger, are we?”

“No mistress, be tranquil. Merely a safety precaution. These are troubled times, after all.”

They passed over the central section of town and approached the landing area. Below were row upon row of hovers and other vehicles.

“Do you want me to land?” Ray said.

“No need, we make the hover come to us.” Achilles tapped the console and a light began to flash. The scout ship vibrated and shook amidst the distant sound of hydraulics whining.

“Check it out!” Breeze shouted and pointed out the window.

A tiny speck approached them, and it climbed higher and higher until it was level with the scout ship. It was the hover car and it swooped across the bow and looped around to the stern of the ship.

“Just like your hover truck, it’s a dog that knows its way back home,” Ray said and looked over at Achilles. “I guess you’re not that bad after all, tin can.”

“Thank you, Ray. I gladly imbibe any and all compliments,” Achilles replied and tapped the console again. The whir of hydraulics whined throughout the cockpit as the garage doors closed. “Hover car safely secured in the landing bay,” it announced, then turned to Ray. “I would like to declare that this sea trial is performing splendidly.”

“Whatever,” Ray scoffed.

“Come now, Raymond, and try to display a modicum of enthusiasm. Now, may I suggest we traverse over the mountains?”

“Why not.” Ray mashed down the throttles and the scout ship shot forward as the ground below became a blur.