Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Lucky Bastard!



Alice Cooper knows what it's all about.

Monday, August 18, 2008

The Old Firm: A Steampunk Tale X

John sat staring at the the elaborate locking mechanism of their door. Stefania and Rebecca were off in the corner cobbling together an electric lock pick under Maureen's direction from bits and pieces she had gathered together.

Maureen finally stood a tiny device connected by bare wire to the intercom system on the room. Rebecca had cut a strip off her skirt and as well as slit it and tied the halves about her legs. Stefania looked about nervously her hand gripping a sharp length of metal they had managed to pry loose.

John smiled at Maureen as she knelt at his side.  'All ready?"

"Of course, this will work, I just hope it doesn't short out the entire airship and send us plummeting to the ground." Maureen grinned.

Stefania shook her head and uttered prayers in Italian as she and Rebecca tensed. John chuckled and moved aside to allow Maureen room to work. "See where I exposed the electrical system?" he said pointing.  Maureen nodded as she connected one wire. "Stand back she told John as she moved to the side the last wire in hand.

John scooted back as Maureen connected the last wire. A shower of sparks, the reek of burning metal, and the lights went out. The door was still shut.

"Oh bugger," John muttered.

"Be patient John," Maureen said from her patch of darkness.

"OW!" Stefania cried out her hands over her ears. "That noise!"

An electric hum was vibrating throughout the room. Rebecca had stumbled clutching at John who had taken a knee his hands over his hands over his ears. A loud pop and a bass rumble and the door opened slowly grinding on its track. The door jammed, only partially open. Maureen swayed as she stood before it the corridors light layering itself into the room. John helped Rebecca to her feet as Stefania took hesitant steps towards the door.

Maureen turned sideways and slid past the stuck door the sound of ripping material loud in the room. 'Blast! I tore my skirt!" she hissed standing on full light and looking at the long tear  along her outer skirt. Stefania clutched her skirts tight to her as she passed by, followed by Rebecca and John.

"Find the airships lifeboats and get to safety," John ordered Maureen. I'm going to bring this thing down before it gets to its destination."

Rebecca glared. 'You're crazy to think you can do it on your own."

"No arguments, get to safety, contact the Old Man, let him know Master M is behind this."

"John, Rebecca's right, you can't do it alone. YOu saw the size of this airship ,the crew probably numbers in the hundreds." Maureen crossed her arms and stared him down.

"Now hold on, don't you all go and gang up on me now." John stammered. Stefania shook her head and joined Maureen and Rebecca ,all three with their arms crossed. 

"Face it John we're a team, and you are stuck with us," Rebecca grinned her eyes twinkling.

"Enough of this idle chatter, lets get off this boat!" Maureen said grinning.

To Be Continued........