Steam City Pirates (21 page)

“Thank you for sharing that, Bessie. Perhaps we can work on his problem when I return,” I told her.

I took Hester Jane Mergenthaler by the hand and walked with her to the center of the room. “Bessie, please keep this woman under sedation. We certainly can’t allow her to escape, or she will return home to the pirates, and we shall all be in immediate danger.”

“Don’t worry, Patrick. This woman will be as entombed as a mummy. I will also post an armed guard inside the room to prevent any skullduggery,” Bessie Mergenthaler was adamant. “God speed you both! We shall continue with our spying activities on your behalf while you are away.”

“All right, Jane the Grabber Mergenthaler. You have now snatched Doctor Anthony Rondel-Goodwin from Japan. Take me to your leader!” I said, and I watched Seth push the “home button” on the time travel clock inside his corset.

I felt a similar vibration that I had experienced with the crystal time machine, and then the lights swirled, and we became part of those light waves. As we traveled, my body felt ephemeral, as if I had transcended into a spirit form, but then I heard a buzzing sound, and the vibration increased until we began to solidify into flesh and blood. When we were finally back into our human bodies, I could see the lighting of the grand entrance to the cave.

The ground beneath my feet gently rocked, as if we were at sea, but I could see a constant flow of steam coming from the floor of the cave. It gave me the distinct impression of walking in a London grave yard. I looked over at Seth as Hester Haskins. She was standing at full attention, her eyes riveted upon something in front of us I could not see.

Out of the mist came the figure I knew very well. It was the herky-jerky mechanical man, and he was coming toward us at a rapid rate of speed despite his angular swaying back and forth. He was also calling out loudly to us.

“Haskins! How did you do it? You were supposed to be on leave until next week. Nobody authorized a departure for you,” said the mechanical man, his arms moving in frantically piston-like motions until he was standing directly in front of us.

This was a development we had not foreseen. I did not know how to respond, and I was hoping Seth’s genius might have some kind of a reasonable answer.

“Doctor Anthony Rondel-Goodwin was already in my memory. They programmed him when the Master wanted information on possible inventors of steam-powered men. I wanted to surprise him with this gentleman. He is the best scientist for this purpose, as you shall all find out shortly,” said Seth the Grabber.

“I am pleased to meet you, sir,” I said, extending my hand. The mechanical man was hesitant, as he was still scowling at Seth, but he finally stutter-stepped his way up to me and extended his skinny hand. His fingers felt bony and almost like metal.

“Inquisitor Bat Carry at your service, Doctor. I am afraid we are unprepared for a proper welcome, but I shall go back to the Master’s cave and tell him you’ve come. I won’t be long,” he said, and he abruptly turned on his heels and marched off toward one of the caverns on the perimeter of this giant main grotto.

As we waited for the response, I was afraid to say anything to my partner for fear we were being spied upon. It was certainly not worth the risk. The moments between confrontations are always the longest during a subterfuge.

Bat Carry returned alone. “His Excellency says we should meet him in the dining hall. He wants you to meet some of the inventors, and then he wants to show you our newest device. You shall face the same scrutiny as all the others. If your invention meets with the collective approval of all our inventors, then you will be become an Inquisitor in the World Scientific Advancement Society for Progress. I would assume this is what you have come here for,” said the mechanical man.

“Indeed I have,” I said, following the man as he walked his wobbly way toward one of the caverns on the right. “How long have you been here?” I asked.

“I was one of the first scientists recruited by the Master. I had been caught in a fire during the First World War. My body was not much use, as I was suffering from third degree burns, but I still had my wits about me. I was wanted for my expertise in the K-class of submarines used during the war. I was the lead engineer during a test of the steam boiler used to propel the engine, and we had an accidental fire on board during our initial shakedown cruise. Many were killed, but I survived. Miss Haskins retrieved me at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, and I’ve been here ever since that day I came to New York City, March 1, 1861. The Master was able to cobble together a workable body for me, although I do have problems navigating, as you can see.” The mechanical man led us into the cavern, and we were met by a line of gentlemen in a variety of outfits and costumes from the future.

However, since these men were inventors, and not soldiers, they did not keep all their attire from the future. Therefore, all of them had a motley mix of brass goggles, top hats with steam whistles attached, airship flying britches, airship Pith helmets, jackets with medals, medallions and other decorations of merit and daring, as well as a variety of boots from many nations. As inventors they also had their own unique additions to each uniform.

For example, the man who first shook my hand had a brass pipe around his waist as a belt, and he also had pipes circling his top hat, the tops of his boots, and hanging down as a necktie. He said he was Count Dixon P. Weatherby, and he was the inventor of the steam heating systems that were being installed like beehives all throughout New York City.

“Your business must be doing well,” I told him, and he turned on the miniature steam-powered engine that was in a pack at his hip. He began to chug, hiss and whoosh out steam from all parts of his body. He need not respond verbally to me, as I assumed he was a walking example of how his invention was succeeding. I walked down the greeting line, each inventor shaking my hand, smiling, and telling me his area of expertise. There were more than fifty men and women, and their inventions ran the gamut from steam-powered hedge trimmers to steam-powered toenail clippers.

Seth the Grabber and I stood around drinking apple juice while our compatriots drank champagne. As a rule, inventors and scientists are not the most social beings, unless they are discussing something of a technical nature, so we did not converse with anyone, and when the steam whistle went off for dinner, we all sat down at the table, leaving the head of the table open for our leader, Grand Inquisitor Abraham Toky Manette.

Music began to play from outside the cave, and soon a line of musicians marched into the dining room. One of the inventors leaned over and said, “They’re the Steam City Pirates. Quite good, actually.” The trumpet player high-stepped his way up onto the table and began to strut across it. He wore conventional pirate attire, a patch over his eye, red-green-yellow striped trousers, and a poufy black blouse and three-cornered hat with the WSASP insignia on it. The others, wearing the same outfit, stood around the perimeter of the table and played steam guitar, steam organ, and a steam-powered drum set. The lead singer, a buxom blonde with a solid red streak down the middle of her hairline, had a live vulture perched on her green satin shoulder, and she began to sing the same pirate song we heard little Doctor Biggs-Pemberton sing inside the tavern the previous night.

After they finished, the eight-foot tall leader of this band of ne’er-do-wells finally entered, and he was escorted by a tall woman who was almost six feet in height. Manette looked like some kind of an Egyptian Pharaoh crossed with a steam engine, and the woman at his side wore a red top hat, tight leather suit, and a glittering image of a roller coaster intricately etched upon her back.

The magnetic power of the Grand Master’s red eyes caused everybody in the room to focus his or her eyes upon him. I could not move my gaze from him, even though I tried, and the people I could see on the other side of the table were also locked into a stare with their leader. I had never seen such magical powers demonstrated before over people.

Manette picked up a steam pistol and shot it into the air. “Silence!” His voice was powerfully deep and richly vibrant. I could actually feel the table shake. It was strange he would yell this, as there were no conversations going on. “This is Archduchess Beulah Brownfield-Coldicott, and she has devised the most exciting attraction ever invented. It will replace the Barnum Museum and shall introduce the children and citizens of New York City to the creative world of steam-powered amusement. Please, Archduchess, tell my inventors what you have planned,” said the Master, and he waved his hand toward her.

Mysteriously, we were all able to turn our heads to focus upon her. It was as if the Grand Inquisitor had released his hold on us just long enough so that we could move. The Steam City Pirates played an introduction of some circus tune, and the woman raised her hands in the air. Shooting across the room were a trio of long blue ribbons which had been exploded from the depths of three hydraulic cannons somewhere in the darkness of the cave. The ribbons said “Colossal Steam City Carnival” in sparkling red letters.

“Thank you, Inquisitor Manette! Come one, come all, to the greatest exhibition of steam-powered amusements ever in one place on earth! Ladies and gentlemen, the best possible way to keep our citizens happy with steam power is to show them how it can be used for enjoyment. We all know that the future holds devastating annihilation by computer-generated weapons. The only way we can stop this destruction of our world is by keeping our minds creative and in constant development of new devices! Steam power is our power! I am happy to be part of your genius.” The Archduchess bowed, and we all applauded.

“Tell them what some of the attractions will be, Archduchess!” said Manette.

She turned around to show her back’s illustration. “The only steam-powered roller coaster in the world!” she said, and she turned back around to face us. “Inside the miniature airships, our patrons will enjoy a thrilling ride that begins at the top of a giant octopus that circles around, its black tentacles spinning other patrons in gondolas around and around in glee. After zooming down the face of the Steaming Octospinner, the coaster continues on to meet a long stretch of track that explodes them with bursts of steam so that they reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour! They will then enter the colossal presentation of Steam World of the Future. Inside this exhibit, the riders will view all the new inventions we have in store for them. Such exhibits as steam-powered sewing machines, hunting rifles, weight loss machines, servants, ponies, horses, elephants, carrousels, farming tools and tractors, weather vanes, egg collection machines, milking machines, gardening hoes and rakes, and of course the latest in vehicles on the street, in the air, and on the sea! We want all of our visitors to leave with a warm feeling in their hearts about steam power, and we have you, ladies and gentlemen, to thank for it!”

The dining room exploded with applause this time, until Manette had to raise his hand to make us stop. “Please! I also want to announce that we will have the crowning exhibition after the first week of entertainment. I am going to build the strongest, most intricate steam man ever devised. I will get inside this device, manipulate its various levers and pulleys and proceed to wage combat with any and all devices that can be invented around the world! I will be offering an award of five thousand dollars to any other steam man who can defeat me. In return, the warring nation shall pay homage to our city by signing a treaty whereby they agree never to develop a technology beyond that of steam power. If they do, they will attacked by the collected armies and navies of the Steam Power Alliance. Yes, I know there is no such political entity. However, as soon as we have begun our activities on the high seas, we will begin to gain the respect of all countries!”

I decided to speak up at last. This was as good a time as any. I looked over at Seth the Grabber and nodded toward her. She returned the nod.

“Grand Inquisitor, I beg your pardon! May I make a statement?” My voice was calmly enriched with my British accent.

“Yes, my good man. I don’t believe we have met,” said Manette, sending out his long arm toward me with an accusing finger at the end.

“My name is Doctor Anthony Rondel-Goodwin, and I come from the year 1899. My home was a small island near Nagasaki, Japan called Hashima. We had the largest deposits of coal in the islands, and I was in charge of its excavation using only steam-driven power. In point of fact, I am probably the most able inventor of steam men, as you call them, who has ever drawn a breath. I was brought here by Miss Haskins to present you with mock-ups of devices that will be able to defeat any and all competitors in your grand finale battle. I would be quite honored to construct such a machine for your Excellency should you choose to give me the opportunity to do so!” I took off my silk top hat, bowed deeply, and drew the hat across my chest in respectful obsequiousness.

“Thank you, Doctor. I look forward to seeing your designs. We will discuss the matter in detail. Right now, I want you all to enjoy your feast. Afterward, we shall meet in the great cave. This is a momentous day for the Society, and I want to show you all the completed design of Doctor Narcis Monturiol i Estarriol. He has been working with another inventor, Ralph W. Christie, who has designed the steam-powered torpedo to be used by the steam submarine invented by Señor Monturiol. With this new underwater threat, we shall proceed with our plans to invigorate our coffers with the treasure of the war mongers who will soon learn about the power of our resolve!”

I began a brief discussion with the steam heat man, Alan Pearson, who was sitting to my right during the luncheon. He told me he had been working for the Society for three years, and that he originally came from a small town in Pennsylvania called Pottsville. The year he was nabbed by Jane the Grabber was 1885, and he was the inventor of the largest steam heat engine in the world. He also said all the inventors lived together inside one of the caves beneath Central Park. When I asked him if he received a lot of money from his invention, he looked at me rather strangely.