The Chase of the Saltire: An Adventure in Multiple Parts

[Jock Scot]

Not you Jock! Come lets enjoy a nice port and relax After all Grant's misadventures are going to begin soon .

Rob

Jock sips his glass of Taylors '77 and asks with all the sarcasm he can muster.

"Really? Now that will be a shame!"

[Rob Wright]

V

The thrum of the twelve Rolls Royce twin turbo props made the bridge of the airship Tesla vibrate with power. Master M swiveled his command chair and examined the cards of data being spat out by the Babbage Machine he had installed after procuring the Tesla.

“Yes, The Saltire is nearing landfall,” his narrow fingers clutched a card, “finally I will be rid of McBride and his pesky women!”

Master M rose and reached for his cane shuffling towards the dual wheels that steered the Tesla. “Bring us about and prepare the men for action!” His voice carried through out the airship.

Grant stood at his post at the main gangplank of The Saltire. “Who gets to be the first one out? Big Mikey? You would think so, we could cover three men behind him,” Grant groused as the airship descended towards the open field.

John and Rebecca waited at the edge of the field as the airship descended. The winds whipped John’s Hunter tweed kilt about his legs as the roar of the airships engines grew closer.

“Maureen is keeping an eye on our shadow’s,” rebecca said as tiny figured leaped from the descending gangplank a hemp line trailing him as he began to secure the airship for landing.

“Where is Stefania? I didn’t see her at breakfast,” John said as he adjusted his waistcoat.

“She went out with Jock for a spot of fishing, seems she’s taken to it like…” Rebecca paused.

“Like a fish to water?” John grinned. ‘Jock has that effect on people.”

Rebecca swatted his shoulder playfully and collected her folio. “Looks like our man grant was the first one out.”

“Yes, I do recognize that rubber chicken sporran of his and is that kilt leather?”

‘Oh my well that answers that question!”

“The winds are a bit...breezy today,” John agreed as they approached the gangplank.

Grant stood at attention as aAnache and Big Mikey descended the gangplank. “Welcoming committee to greet us Captain,” he said loud enough to be heard over the throb of the motors.

“Thank you Grant, I can see that,” Panache acknowledged. “Big Mikey, can you have the galley send down a light snack? I think our discussions will take some time, oh, and include plenty of liquid refreshment, talking is such thirsty work.”

“Aye Captain,” Big Mikey snapped off a smart salute and hurried back into the belly of The Saltire.

Steede peered down from his vantage point in a tall pine his magnifier showing the scene in crystal clarity. “Miss Peele, care to join me for a spot of bird watching?”

“The birds you like to watch are not to my tastes,” she replied as she sat behind the wheel of the horseless steamer they had procured.

“Oh I don’t know, there is enough variety for all tastes!” Steede called back down.

“Focus on the mission Steede!” Peele replied as she adjusted her heavy leather overcoat.
Panache stepped onto Alban soil and extended his hand in greeting. ‘Captain Panache of the airship Saltire”, he announced.

“John McBride, Alban Ministry of Aeronautics,” as he took Panache’s hand. ‘What brings you to our fair country?”

“A small matter really, we as descendants of Albans wish to tour the homeland in our airship,” Panache smiled as he led them to a table Big Mikey had set up. Food and drink covered the table which was protected from the winds by a temporary barrier Grant had erected.

“Why not just go through the Ministry of Border Relations then?” John asked as he sampled some caviar. ‘My, this is quite good.”

Panache smiled. “We do try to maintain the basic necessities even when away from more...civilized settings.”

Rebecca stepped forward. “This is just a formality, but with all the trouble between Britannia and her colonies, we do require assurances about your presence.” She gave Panache a smile.

“Of course, we have no interest in being embroiled in matters that do not concern us, we just want to travel the world.” Panache grinned as he settled in his chair gin and tonic in hand.

“Master M! Radar has spotted out target! “ came the shout of a black clad minion.

Master M grinned. “Good, begin our descent. Turrets! Prime for operation!”

Hydraulics hummed as four turrets turned as The Tesla descended through the sparse cloud cover rapidly descending towards the ground.

“Captain!” Ensign mender’s shout came from an open porthole of The Saltire. “We have unknown contact!” he pointed towards a dark shape descending rapidly.

Bloody hell!’ John exclaimed as he grabbed Rebecca and moved her away from the table.

“Quick! All crew aboard!” Ordered Panche as Big Mikey quickly gathered the food and drink up and folded the table and chairs. “Grant! Cut us loose!”

Grant began to release the landing anchor when shouts drew his attention to the sky and the approaching airship. Bright flashes spouted from the airship as it approached the rapidly buzz of weapons fire crashing through the air. Swearing, Grant drew his dirk and began to saw away. With a snap the hemp broke loose and Grant grabbed the end and made a leap for the rising gang plank his boots barely gripping as The Saltire began to rise. Panting he turned to face the approaching airship and let out a gasp, the fiery trail of an ariel torpedo was tracing a path directly towards The Saltire.

To Be Continued…..

Rob

[Rob Wright]

VI

“Damn you!” Grant shouted as he cranked the gangplank up as The Saltire began to rise. The strain of the engines against the prevalent winds made the airships entire frame shake violently.

“Come on! Up dammit!” Grant swore up and down as the gangplank retracted into its slot and the arial torpedo sped closer. “I’m too good looking to die!” Grant screamed as the crank whirred.

On the bridge Captain Panache gripped the steering wheel straining against the pull of the engines and the push of the winds. Rebecca had strapped herself into a spare seat while James clung to a strap by the far wall.

“Just here to visit?” James said to Panache as The Saltire groaned in protest as it began to rise slowly skyward the arial torpedo driving towards the airships heart.

“I assure you, this has nothing to do with us,” Panache spoke through gritted teeth.

“Gangplank is up captain!” Big Mikey called out from his station. ‘Grant got it up!”

“Good! Full engine thrust now!” Panache ordered as he spun the wheel hard.

Grant scrambled back from the locked gangplank towards his duty station. The explosion threw Grant hard into the wall shoulder crunching hard against the riveted metal.

“Damage report!” Panache called out as he steadied The Saltire.

“Sensors down captain! Ensign Mender called out. No hull leaks so far!”

“Crew status?” Panache asked as he turned The Saltire about and heading towards the coast.

“No word from Grant,” came the response. “Get someone down in the cargo hold to check for damage! Panache ordered.

Grant rolled onto his back panting and gasping. The his of escaping air could be heard over the throb of the engines. Grant turned his head and let loose with a string of oaths. “That’s my best sporran! He raged as he took in the scene before him. The explosion had punctured the hull and his rubber chicken sporran had snapped loose. Sucked into the gap and filling the puncture, the chicken head stared back at him, beak open in a silent scream.
“Grant! Big Mkey called out as he rambled around the corner. ‘You ok? You didn’t respond to the crew call in!”

“Look what they did! My best Sporran! Grant was red with rage. “They all will pay! That cost me a years wages!” He shoved past Big Mikey and raced towards his quarters leaving Big Mikey standing there perplexed.

“Premature detonation!” announced the radar operator to master M.

“Blast government contracts, “ Master M rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Full power to the engines! I want that airship brought down at all costs!”

To Be Continued....

Rob

[Jock Scot]

Tally-ho!

[Ancienne Alliance]

This is one of the best stories yet !

Congratulations... and keep it coming ! (I wonder on what side the French will be...)


Best,

Robert

[Livingston]

This is one of the best stories yet !

Congratulations... and keep it coming ! (I wonder on what side the French will be...)


Best,

Robert

I'm wondering how MANY sides there will be?!?!?!

[ccga3359]

VI

“I’m too good looking to die!” Grant screamed as the crank whirred.

To Be Continued....

And let us remember this!

[Jock Scot]

And let us remember this!

Us?

[Livingston]

And let us remember this!

Us?

Remember what????

[ccga3359]

Us?

Yes, "us"! I am sure that we all are collectively concerned about me leaving a good looking corpse.