Fianna Kelly Versus the Jeebees: A Collection of Steampunk Stories (25 page)

She
grabbed her helmet and we went outside the laboratory and off to one side. Her
trunk tended to roll a few feet behind her. It would come up beside her when
she stopped. I wondered what would happen if it couldn't keep up, like getting
stuck in the mud or running into a tree. Unlike Bradan, it didn't appear to
have eyes.

She
asked, "Do you think he can make the machine work again?"

"He
said it was only designed to look into the past. However, if anyone can make it
work again, he can."

"It
didn't look that badly damaged. The vital components were intact."

"Are
you a scientist?"

"No,
but I could have been. I have a degree in electronic engineering but mercenary
work pays better."

"What
is a mercenary?"

"A
mercenary is a soldier; only without allegiance to any one country. I specialised
in extraction; going into a dangerous situation and bringing people back alive.
Now I am a traveller through time."

"I
see."

"I
feel out of time and place; literally. Is there something I can change into so
as not to attract attention?"

"Felix's
wife is, shall we say, not shaped like us. We can get something for you from my
closet though. 'Tis just a short walk from here."

"Is
there something else we need to do here first?"

"Felix
is used to cleaning up messes, but I'll be nice to him." I called back
inside the lab, "Bradan, when you finish with the jeebees, would you
please help Felix clean his lab? We are headed home and will be back
shortly."

"You
have an unusual helper. Are you the only one who it obeys?"

"Anyone
can ask Bradan to do something, but so far few have bothered. 'Tis not a matter
of me telling him to do things, just asking if he will, if you know what I
mean."

"So
it could refuse?"

"When
I rescued him, he was refusing to do what the jeebees wanted."

"That
is interesting. Please tell me more."

I
hadn't gotten far in my story when we arrived at my house. I had her wait
outside while I ran inside and brought out a loose fitting dress. I figured it
would be better if she was dressed like any other woman when my brothers saw
her. She had done something with her trunk as I didn't see it when I came out.
I introduced her to my family and Mary as a visitor from London. They were
accustomed to that now.

We
adjourned to my room and I finished telling her about Bradan and the jeebees. I
wanted to know all about the future, but she said she wasn't allowed to talk
about it. Instead she told me a bit about her life and ambitions while she
changed into one of my dresses that fit her better.

She
said, "If I'm going to be here for an extended stay, I will need to
recharge my things eventually. They require electricity."

"We
have our house lights wired. Will that work?"

"Unfortunately
not. All my devices take what we call aircraft power."

"What
is that?"

"120
Volts, 400 Hertz, 3 phase."

"I
don't know what that means, but I'm sure Felix could fix you up with something.
Once you feel like you fit in, we can go back and talk with him."

"I
feel like I'm a little girl playing dress-up. I believe I can walk around now
without people staring at me."

"You
may earn an extra glance or two just because you are new to the
neighbourhood."

Bradan
and Felix were almost finished putting the lab back into its usual state of
disarray when we returned with Mary. Gwen explained what she needed.

He
said, "I can work up a power converter for you. I excelled at them during
my apprenticeship. I just need a day to determine what happened today."

I
said, "While talking with Gwen, I remembered where I had seen this kind of
thing before. How much of this is made with jeebee parts?"

"Less
than a quarter of it. I told you I had to work hard to get the latest devices.
It wasn't easy to convince the army that I could make them useful... How could
you tell?"

Mary
said, "You would think that he'd learned his lesson in Amsterdam."

He
replied, "It saved me a lot of work not having to build the more intricate
assemblies."

I
asked, "Did you know the jeebees use these rings like we use pneumatic
tubes?"

He
said, "I thought I had removed those parts."

Gwen
said, "Don't remove them now. I'd like to go home eventually."

He
said, "I'd like to get you home too."

I
handed Bradan a burlap bag that previously had potatoes in it. He went to a
corner where he had placed the jeebee pistols and put them into it while we
talked. The sun was setting when we headed home. I was sure that my mother had
put fresh sheets on the guest bed and fluffed the pillows. She liked to make my
visitors feel like family.

Gwen
sat on my bed. "I suppose I should look for a job and a place of my own to
stay until your cousin fixes his time machine. What are your plans for
today?"

"My
plans are to show you around the town, but first I want to show you my bracelet
collection."

I
pulled out my jewellery box and sat down next to her. She gasped and pointed to
a gold Irish cross pendant. "Where did you get that?"

"It's
a family heirloom. My mother gave it to me when I turned 16."

"What
is on the back?" she asked.

I
turned it over and looked. "Just the maker's mark and the number 27."

She
reached behind her neck and removed a necklace with a pendant that looked
exactly like mine. "My mother gave me this one when I turned 16 as well.
As you see, it bears the same markings."

"We
looked at each other, stunned, for a few seconds. "Do you know what this
means?" She asked.

"To
be sure, I am going to be a mother and have a daughter!"

"Not
only that, but you will be my many times great-grandmother."

I
let her put her necklace back on before I hugged her tightly. She returned the
hug and we sat on my bed embracing for a while. When we separated, I noticed
she had been crying too.

I
said, "Seeing as you are family, you are welcome to stay with us whenever
and however long as you'd like."

She
smiled and replied, "Thank you, Grandma."

"Don't
even... I am not old enough yet!" I grabbed my pillow and hit her with it.
"Let's have breakfast and go shopping. I can't have my very
great-granddaughter going around in my hand-me-downs."

She
whispered, "We must keep this as our secret or people will think we are
insane."

I
laughed and said, "Many already have that opinion of me."

Breakfast
was interesting. We each insisted on being the one who cooked. In the end, we
both made breakfast and had enough for another meal. My family was pleased with
the wide selection that we had created. My mother and sister were especially
happy to be waited on for a change. We even cleaned up the table and washed the
dishes. I didn't know if it was cooperation or competition, but it didn't seem
as much of a chore as usual.

The
trip to town was fun. My father drove us there. Gwen and I would sit quietly,
then look at each other and burst out laughing. My father would look over at us
and we'd pretend like nothing had happened. He let us off at the East end of
town. Gwen was impressed on how easy it was for Bradan to get out of the
Felix's convertible wagon.

My
father reminded us that he would be waiting inside the pub at one o'clock and
we should not be late. I quietly explained to Gwen that meant we should show up
there no earlier than two o'clock. I led the way to a small brick building
where a police constable stood.

I
said, "This is our first stop. Bradan, I need that bag you filled
yesterday."

I
smiled and said, "Gwen, 'tis going to be a wonderful surprise for
you."

I
continued, "Good Morning, Constable. Is the Superintendent busy?"

He
said, "Anybody but you, I'd tell to come back after morning tea."

I
smiled. "That's sweet of both of you. We don't want to impose."

"Let
me guess... You found some more of the grey things and exterminated them."

"I'd
like to introduce Gwendoline MacGowan. She's the one who as she says 'pulled
our fat out of the fryer'."

"It's
nice to make your acquaintance, Miss MacGowan. If you ladies will follow me,
we'll be getting on with your business."

He
escorted us inside and down the hallway to the lone office. The door had
'Superintendent Murphy' painted on the glass. He knocked and then opened the
door without waiting for a response. The Superintendent motioned for us to
enter and the Constable closed the door behind us.

I
set the bag down on the Superintendent's desk and said, "Bradan buried the
bodies outside Felix's Greenhouse."

He
mused, "I wonder if anything will grow over them."

"I
haven't heard about it, but it wouldn't surprise me if Felix tried to use them
as plant food," I replied.

He
dumped the three jeebee pistols on his desk. "So three less of them
running about is worth 75 pounds."

"75
pounds! Is that a lot now?" asked Gwen.

I
stated, "A dressmaker earns about one pound each week, so 'tis a
lot."

The
Superintendent looked at me and asked, "How would you like that?"

I
addressed Gwen, "It's your bounty. Would you like a cheque, paper money,
gold coins, or thousands of pence?"

"Could
I get it in gold coins?" she asked.

"Going
to put it in the cookie jar for a rainy day, huh?" he said.

She
said, "That's right, but I don't want to cause you any
inconvenience."

Superintendent
Murphy wrote out a cheque, opened his door, and called down the hallway.
"Sergeant! Grab the constable, go to the bank, and exchange this cheque
for gold sovereigns. Be sure to get a few quid in smaller coins as I suspect
the ladies are doing a bit of shopping today."

He
addressed me, "Is it safe to presume your automaton is waiting outside for
you ladies?"

"He
is waiting, to be sure." I replied.

"It
makes me feel better with you two having so much money with you."

I
didn't bother to say that I protected Bradan rather than the other way around.
Bradan was good for intimidating most men though. Few people wanted to fight
with a ten-foot tall machine carrying a rifle.

The
policemen left and returned with two small bags. They showed us their contents.
One had seven quid in assorted coins. The other had the rest of her bounty in
gold sovereigns. Gwen looked in the bags and smiled. I looked around the
office, but didn't see what I was looking for.

I
asked the Superintendent, "Where is the donation jar?" I looked at
Gwen, "I always leave something for the men injured in the line of
duty."

Gwen
gave me a puzzled look and I held up a hand with my fingers spread out. She
reached into the one bag and took out five gold sovereigns. The Superintendent
had managed to find the jar hidden in one corner of his office by then. She
dropped the coins in as he expressed his appreciation and explained how
thankful the families were for our generosity.

We
spent the rest of the morning shopping. I can't recall how many dresses she
looked at; always in bright colours. She only bought two. The same went for
shoes. She said that she travelled light. She talked me into accepting a pair
of shoes with a flower print and two-inch brass heels. They cost more than I
would have paid, however I could not refuse a gift offered sincerely. As far as
sensible undergarments, she bought none. Only the lightest, sheerest, or most
expensive appealed to her.

I
expected Bradan to be burdened with uncountable bags filled with new clothes.
That's what I did to him when I came back home from Wimbledon. Instead he was
carrying sacks of groceries. Gwen offered to make one of her favourite meals
for my family and it required a lot of fresh ingredients. We were heading to
the pub when a group of men blocked the sidewalk.

I
said, "Hello, Sean."

"Good
afternoon, ladies."

"What
mischief are you up to today?"

"We
aren't here for mischief. We are here for justice. That automaton of yours
scares our children and we don't want it in town, except in small pieces."

"That's
not true. The children love Bradan. He spins the roundabout for them whenever
they ask. They say he is also fun with the teeter-totter. As far as justice,
take your complaints to the royal constabulary."

"They
are idiots and fools."

"But
they help keep the peace. You should try to be more like them."

"You
can't tell us what to do! I will not be bossed around by a woman!"

Gwen
said, "We are not defenceless women."

He
looked at her with disdain. "We know her reputation. She shoots paper
targets that are far away."

I
smiled. "I forgot to introduce you to my new friend. She's a soldier of
fortune. These guys work at the mill just South of town making rocking
chairs."

One
guy replied, "We aren't doing those anymore. The boss has us making
love-seats now."

I
explained, "They are worried that automatons like Bradan will take their
jobs away."

Gwen
added, "I wouldn't buy a love-seat made by a machine. It needs to have the
warmth only a person can bestow."

He
said, "You two ladies can't stop us with your lies."

"Can
two police constables, a sergeant, and two ladies stop you?" I asked.

He
looked back at me. "What nonsense are you talking about now?"

"Try
looking behind you," I replied.

"You
can't fool me that easily."

I
stifled a laugh. "I would suggest you ask one of your friends to check,
but they've run out on you."

"What!
This isn't over!"

The
Sergeant spoke up. "Actually, it is. You can apologise to the ladies and
swear never to bother them again or you can go in front of the judge for
disturbing the peace... again."

"You
have to catch me first," he said and took off running across the street.

He
was a fast runner, but not fast enough. Gwen shot him in his butt and he toppled
over; face-first with his arms swinging wildly.

"I
had it on the lowest setting. His legs are numb, but otherwise he is
okay," she explained.

"That's
a right useful pistol you have there," said the Sergeant.

Gwen
said, "Some people don't handle progress well. If he only realised that
were he to lose his job to a machine, his children would have four new jobs
operating, building, maintaining, and improving it when they grew up."

Even
with the distraction, we arrived at the pub shortly after one o'clock. Gwen and
I got Bradan settled before I went in to talk with my father. I had to explain
the etiquette of pubs to Gwen. Children were allowed to fetch their fathers,
otherwise no women allowed during the day. I was just going to let him know we
were taking the wagon for a little bit.

As
usual, all conversation stopped when I entered the pub. My father was at a
table with another man. I checked out the bottle they were sharing. I said,
"This is older than I am. It must be very good."

My
father laughed and said, "When you get as old as it, you can try a very
small glass."

"I
just dropped in to say we were taking the wagon to the train station and will
be back shortly."

"You
needn't be in a rush because of me. Go show your airship to your new
girlfriend."

I
leaned over and kissed his cheek. I said, "I love you," and strolled
out of the pub.

I
told Gwen, "We have plenty of time so I'd like to show you my
airship."

"Your
own airship? You are kidding, right?"

"I'm
serious. 'Tis in a hangar just outside town by the train station."

It
didn't take long for us to get there. I sent Bradan to see the engineer about
the noises he was making while we went across the tracks to the hangar. We had
the doors open when one of the guards came up to us.

I
said, "This is Benjamin. In addition to his job updating the train
schedules, he also tends to the Clover."

I
turned to him. "This is my friend Gwendoline. I was going to show her my
airship while Bradan gets his gears checked. Has anything interesting happened
lately. "

Benjamin
said, "They wired the hangar for electric lights a few months ago after
one of your aviators, I forgot which one, suggested it. He said it would make
it easier to steer it if he could see where the walls were."

Gwen
asked, "You have aviators too?"

"I
have two of them. They do all the flying while I attend to business."

Benjamin
pulled down on a knife switch and dozens of lights that were placed near the
ground shown dimly along the edges of the hangar. They also reflected along my
airship showing its shape with dots.

Gwen
asked, "Are they in town waiting on your summons?"

"Of
course not. I send a telegram to my employers giving my travel details and they
dispatch them. The pilots have her prepared by the time I arrive."

Benjamin
added, "They get here at least four hours before you to make sure
everything is ship-shape."

Gwen
asked, "Do you use it just for business?"

"Mostly,
but I went to a competition in Aberdeen in September, we had a family vacation
in Amsterdam last October before the exhibition closed, and we had a friends
and family weekend shopping trip to London in December.