Dawn of Steam: Gods of the Sun (2 page)

Hidden Japan
–
The Closed Land Open'd

Return to New Orleans

From the journals of Gregory Conan Watts,

January 4th, 1816

46º N 123º W

When we were hired to take Lord Donovan's part in his wager with Lord Montague, I was under the impression that we would be taking part in a gentleman
's wager. Two dirigibles would race one another to possibly fictional points on the globe, following the accounts of a supposed explorer. Since then, I have been disabused of that notion. We have been shot at, hunted, ambushed, nearly trampled, and otherwise hindered at every step by those hired by Lord Montague. There is no proof, of course, that he has any idea of the behavior of his hirelings.

Now, at last, we have some further information on one of said hirelings, and it raises even deeper concerns. I was in the process of developing my photographs while we were at rest. As I needed an extra set of hands, Matthew Fisher-Swift was only too happy to volunteer. I was shocked, however, when he swore that he recognized one of the people in my photographs, beyond any question. Specifically, from the pictures taken at the party in England, he immediately recognized the gentleman that had been so intent on capturing Miss Coltrane's attention, while in turn being accidentally assaulted by Harriet Wright. Matthew, however, insisted that this was the man he had seen giving orders to the people on the other airship back in New York.

I brought this to the attention of the rest of the crew, only to learn that the man was a Colonel, specifically, Col. Bartholomew York. He had, after all, introduced himself to Miss Coltrane. Sir James, on gaining this news, immediately launched plans for a quick return to New Orleans, for the officer who was to relieve him of command there was also a Col. York. While a reasonably common name, it would be quite a coincidence.

More importantly, Col. York was supposed to relieve us to go on our way and hold the gains we had taken from Spanish aggression. If he is also the head of the other airship crew, then we have seen his ship following us. At the very least, Sir James wants to make certain of the whereabouts of the Col. York who was supposed to be taking command in New Orleans.

If there is some treachery afoot, then there is at least also reason to believe that Lord Montague was deceived as well. After all, few reach the rank of Colonel without gaining some distinction. Until we know more, we will hope they are not the same Col. York at all. If they are, we must then hope that Col. York simply deceived a member of the House of Lords and is solely responsible for his crimes so far.

Miss Coltrane has already begun to write to Lord Montague and to others among her connections within British society.
As a woman of letters, she has amassed, as have I, a stack of correspondence, ready to be sent once we reach civilization. If it is simply a matter of chance that there are two Colonel Yorks, or even more likely, that Matthew is simply seeing some resemblance in two different men, the letters need never be sent. Otherwise, we certainly have a number of larger concerns on our hands than simply this wager.

From the journals of Gregory Conan Watts,

January 18th, 1816

42º N 108º W

Miss Penn has been about her cards again, and while I do not believe there is a great deal of merit to her statements, she seems to have the attention of some of the more superstitious of our crew, at the least. There is the continuing prediction of a year of darkness lying ahead of us, which is not a comforting thought. I must admit that the specific nature of the statement, when combined with the darkened skies that grow more and more obvious and ominous as we travel further east again, is somewhat chilling. She believes that some great revelation we have sought lies ahead for us in New Orleans as well, which we are fast approaching. Despite this, she does not believe we will be pleased with the answers we find. I should not even report this much in my documentation of the trip, but she is both most insistent and having a marked effect on some members of the crew.

Even those of us who do not believe Miss Penn is given to any particular prophetic gift have been in a somewhat dark m
ood since we set our sights upon returning to New Orleans. Sir James has been especially busy in trying to draw up various plans regarding dealing with the likely avenues of Spanish retaliation to the attacks on their northernmost fort, which threatened New Orleans. Many of these plans also regard the possibilities of dealing with the pirates who are said to be allied with the Spanish, as confirmed by some American scouts and spies, including Mr. Franzini's contacts.

Eddy has been only slightly more sociable in the days since we have turned back towards the east. News that we may be aiding the war effort seems to distract him, and he has often joined Sir James in going over maps and tactical plans in case we are required further to support the defense effort. Though we have been called to duty as explorers now, it seems once a soldier, always a soldier, to some degree.

On the note of exploring, however, Miss Bowe remains completely firm in her assertion that every one of our goals is simply following an already beaten path, and we are certainly not explorers, but simply documenting and proving what has already been done. While she has proven quite correct as regards the Americas, there is a great deal of world left to see, and I remain skeptical. While in this day and age, the miracle of flight may allow us to traverse the world and put us down in many lands in a period of but a few years, we shall sooner or later find proof that in earlier ages, the limitations of sailing ships and a man's lifetime would never let him visit, let alone explore and map so many regions. And even in our errand now, we but begin to touch upon some of the more notable of Dr. Bowe's supposed journeys into strange and exotic lands.

I do find myself wondering about the lands of South America. It is perhaps
a close enough distance that some part of his account may indeed be true. If Dr. Bowe was nearly so unusual a person – and as skilled a navigator and woodsman – as his daughter, we may yet find the ruins of earlier civilization there.

Right now, I am more concerned with finding my way to a warm bed and shaking off the enduring chill of the American West. Despite the dangers lying ahead, I have been away from England and all news of its affairs for longer than I have ever been, and I am looking forward to at least being certain what has transpired in our absence.

From the journals of Gregory Conan Watts,

January 22nd, 1816

New Orleans

29º57'N 090º04'W

We have returned to New Orleans to at least find that the news is not so dire as we had feared. Col. Bartholomew York held his post here and has served with distinction since his arrival. His are the only troops to have arrived, though he has assured the locals not only that more reinforcements are arriving soon, but that he sent his own dirigible back to England to retrieve additional officers, as only a few other craft are in shape for military service currently.

Out of the feeling of military necessity, the city government approved the building of an airship mooring station, if a makeshift one. After apparently much debate, it was constructed on an empty outskirt of the city.  They are looking forward to the reinforcements after Spanish forces attacked the fort we had helped to take from New Spain, though it held.

Some days later, an attack came upon the western holdings in Louisiana, and a town had to be evacuated, with the refugees arriving eventually in New Orleans. There followed a period of maneuvers between both sides, with little actual change. The Spanish were unwilling to try to attack armed and prepared armies, save in the futile attempt to reclaim their fort, while the Americans lacked
the organization and leadership necessary to expand upon the initial assault or retaliate for the latest attack.

The details of Col. York's command remain uncertain, for the Colonel and his troops are still in the field, save for a few scouts and messengers. More support is expected to arrive soon from England, according to the information received from the Colonel when he passed through the city and took control of most of the troops. Both forts have been reinforced, and the damage done is being repaired. Some further combat operations are anticipated soon, but no one has certain information on what the next engagement will be, though everyone has a theory here. The war is the primary topic of discussion in most circles now, followed closely by worry over how farms should be maintained with this effort so closely following the Napoleonic wars.

There is some talk that the freed slaves may be able to return to farm labor, for wages. This would alleviate one problem, but there is concern both that they may aid current slaves in efforts to escape, and that if a large enough portion of the local workforce consists of these men who served against Napoleon for their freedom, that they may begin to try to push for further restrictions in the slave trade here, in keeping with British laws. I find it annoying that veterans' calling for the correct enforcement of English law should be seen as such a danger, but I certainly cannot say so to the face of anyone whose resources are needed in the war effort.

For the time being, at least, there is work enough for everyone who is willing to take up arms against the Spanish. Our return also generated a great deal of excitement. It was thought, at first, that we would be quickly called to join the war effort, and messengers were sent out at once, but so far there has been no official reply. Currently, we await that reply from the Colonel and temporary command of American forces, or word from England, our other assignment paused for the moment. While exploration and earning our pay are certainly important, we serve England's greatest interests first.

In the meanwhile, until orders are received, we bide our time in the city, enjoying its hospitality and luxuries. Miss Coltrane, Miss Wright, Miss Penn, and Mrs. Fisher have spent a great deal of time shopping and enjoying what social occasions have come about. Not so soon ready to abandon the wilds, Miss Bowe has left our company temporarily to explore the bayou. She has been of service enough in recent times that though it seemed odd that anyone should prefer such a thing, it was permitted, so long as she checks in within three days. Sir James defended this decision to his sister with the added justification that it may come in handy at some point in the war effort, and while Miss Bowe was gone, Miss Coltrane should not have to deal with her.

Sir James and Eddy spent some time among the military men who were wounded in previous efforts, or have likewise arrived recently and are awaiting orders. Eventually this led them to one of the local bars, drinking among their peers. In this time, it seems that Sir James took great interest in conversing with a young woman. She is not of his station and perhaps a bit improper in appearance, but he and Eddy have both stated that they did nothing but talk. It seems she initially came to the colonies with one of his classmates at Oxford, one of the fellows who traveled to America to pass on a degree of English scientific knowledge and improve the lot in life of the colonists. This exchange of knowledge to the colonies was part of the promise from England that led the American colonies to so enthusiastically support the efforts against Napoleon and the European alliance, sending many soldiers as well as a great many resources to England to support the war effort. Without such promises, certainly we would have had their support, but it likely would have been less enthusiastic and slower in coming.

Though she reported to him that she had amicably left the gentleman's staff and lost touch, she had seen him much more recently than Sir James had, and he appreciated hearing news of his fellow scholars in their travels to America. While he has been devoted to our country's service, of course, he has not had as much occasion to keep track of his peers among educated men. It remains a part of his life about which he is most proud – deservedly so, for Oxford represents the greatness of our nation just as much as its military victories, and the university and the military have been intertwined ever since the dirigibles came into service. Sir James represents both scholar and soldier in equal parts. In general, it seems the young woman was knowledgeable enough to keep his attention, while he had enough witnesses about to verify his behavior as a gentleman.

I believe the return to the city has also done a great deal of good for Eddy. He has been of better spirits and more sociable by far since our arrival. He clearly seems engaged in his talks with Sir James and the local leaders as regards defense of the city. Likewise, he has quite returned to his old self as concerns his socialization habits, haunting the local bars and enjoying company both good and slightly less reputable.

I am also somewhat concerned for the disappearance, almost entirely, of Giovanni Franzini since our arrival. We knew he was to be away visiting his contacts in this town, and he has sworn he will return in the same three days' times as Miss Bowe. However, I also know he has many enemies and debts as well, likely more of them local than he has so far earned the ability to pay off.

I still do not have any
special fondness for the man, but he has proven himself useful on some occasions and loyal to our cause at least over the Spanish. In general, the best I can say for the man is that he seems like the best kind of mercenary: once bought, he seems to stay bought. One should not especially wish to be social with him, and he has no innate loyalty for our cause beyond the payment and protection we provide, but he is at times a necessity.