Dawn of Steam: Gods of the Sun (32 page)

He has had other words with Mr. Franzini, mostly relating to not wishing untried mercenaries, especially criminal exiles, to come aboard the ship. Undeterred, Mr. Franzini has continued to speak on their behalf. He shows all signs of expecting that when we leave this place, we will have a number of his new companions with us. He seems especially friendly with Mr. Edwards, apparently a fellow gambler, and the two of them are almost always seen together these days. I grow more and more uncomfortable with this idea the longer this goes on in defiance to Sir James’s wishes.

Sir James and Eddy have had their first words since before Sir James was kidnapped. It was a brief, uncomfortable exchange, and neither looked at all pleased with the results. If there was any doubt at all in my mind that Eddy felt betrayed by his friend's lack of confidence in him for so long a time, I cannot doubt it now. At least it was not outright hostile, but they both moved on before it could become so. I believe that Miss Coltrane has been acting as something of a go-between between both of them, so there is at least some possibility of communication of important matters.

That both of them now work at the airship, though mostly at differing times, also indicates to my mind that whenever we leave, they both have full intention of being part of the crew. This, at least, is a comfort. Given his interest in the matter, I had worried for a time that Eddy might be considering settling here, but it seems that he is as stubborn as ever and intends to at least complete the task set before us before he moves on to retirement as a landholder and gentleman farmer, here or anywhere else.

(
13) While parts of Miss Penn's notes have made it into nearly every cultural anthropology text published in the last 50 years, they have all been severely edited. Her vast interest in the supernatural beliefs – and willingness to believe the truth in them until proven otherwise – contradicts the scientific Oxford mind. Perhaps these journals will help detail her reasons for those beliefs and allow her notes to be published fully, instead of being picked over as they have been. -C B-W

From the journals of Gregory Conan Watts,

November 7th, 1816

33º51' S 151º12' E

Sir James has begun planning the next step of our voyage, though he will not share with any of us where he is hoping to travel now. There are any number of possibilities, though my current thoughts lean towards guessing he will pursue our goals of exploration, seeing as we now have no leads on York. The others have thrown themselves into working to make sure supplies will be ready and the dirigible is in ideal working condition whenever we are to go. Though I imagine I will not be the only one somewhat sad to see the end of even what civilization Australia offers, I am excited by the possibility of resuming our travels and seeing what new lands might have to offer.

Africa certainly remains the largest empty space upon the map and offers the most exciting possibilities for exploration of what remains. The journals describing trips to the poles also hold a great deal of interest in England, but our experiences in the northern reaches of the American continent did a great deal to discourage me from even considering travel to either pole as a real possibility. Perhaps once we have returned, further advances may be inspired that might make such a voyage more possible. Certainly our return with any degree of success will excite new explorers and investors.

Exploration of Australia in recent years has included a route through the mountain range here, found and described by a Mr. Blaxland
. (14)
News has reached us, via the handful of camps that dot that route and the tribes that trade with one another, that two women crossed the mountains. Even more, they pushed on to the west, possibly with the hopes of reaching the western regions documented by both the French near the beginning of this century, and the Dutch before them. Rumor has it that they are traveling by riverway as much as they can, making some effort at keeping maps as they go. So far, this is only rumor and supposition, but it seems to neatly support Sir James's theory.

In turn, Sir James has focused a great deal upon learning all he can of the mountain range which so frustrated exploration of this land until very recently. Before Blaxland, they were thought to be impassable, and even now, they present significant difficulties. With the establishment of a few camps where supplies and rest might be found, it is becoming more common for people to meet with success, but is certainly not a regular event. The lands beyond are largely unknown, so it is possible we will soon have some of the best accounts of the lands to the north and west of us. In the meanwhile, Sir James is speaking with the explorers who have made the trip through the mountains before whenever he can. Perhaps he is trying to learn what obstacles they might encounter and when we might expect more news.

Relations between Sir James and Eddy have improved. Eddy insists that Sir James address him by the more formal Mr. McBride, but any talk between them is progress. That the talk is now in quieter tones that previously also holds some promise. The apologies and Sir James's sincerity seem to be slowly winning Eddy over again. Certainly, as another war veteran, he can understand some of the difficult necessities in that time of conflict.

Dr. Mitchell remains among us, and has now taken a great interest in Miss Wright's documentation of the trackless engine used by Wyndham. He and Miss Coltrane have considered some possible alterations to the battle suit in anticipation of another meeting, though work is slow and careful. There is only so much room in the construct, and it would not do to reduce its overall functionality and versatility in order to better prepare it for a single confrontation.

They are fairly certain by now that Wyndham's engine is most difficult to run for any prolonged period and is unsuited to most of the tasks which the battle suit can accomplish, but it was ideally constructed for one-on-one, small field confrontations such as those we have found ourselves in. Either Oxford has not found an efficient enough design to make it more widely available, or his design was never shared, for there is no suggestion that Wyndham's engine has seen any wider creation beyond his own prototype.

We have still had no news of York or any of his crew. Had they come to any part of Australia with any kind of habitation, we certainly would have some word by now. I do not know how severe the damage to their vessel was, only that they definitely took some. Obviously they were able to travel further than we did with it. For now, though I worry what else they may have gotten up to, I will take no news as good news.

At least, should we have some confrontation here, we are more familiar now to the locals, and the tribesmen here do not seem at all as warlike as those of New Zealand. York also could not travel back to England now, and some parts of the American colonies are likely closed to them as well. After being abandoned as they were, I am certain none of the soldiers who gathered in the South would be any too pleased to encounter York again.

We have had no news from England or the Americas in some time, and another ship is not anticipated in the near future. As much as these colonies may need supplies, most here accept that in a time as rough as this past year has been, almost everything extra would be needed to support England and the American colonies. It is fortunate that these are hardy people, for
in the darkness, the soil has not produced well. If more arable land is found west of the mountains, there will likely be significant new movement soon, unless this year begins to look more promising than the last.

We are almost certainly headed for some conflict of interest as well, for Mr. Franzini has been growing ever more insistent that we should be prepared to defend ourselves by the time we move on, as well as needing a more fully staffed engineering crew. Sir James has not moved on the point, and has told Mr. Franzini directly that if we are to add anyone, it will be at Sir James's discretion and no other's. This new sign of clear distrust has not sat well, though both men have at least adhered to the tenets of polite behavior. I cannot say how much longer this will last.

(
14)
Mr. Gregory Blaxland (1778 – 1853) was born a fourth son of means in Kent, England. He, Mr. Wm Wentworth, and Lt. Wm Lawson made the journey in 1813, but his
Journal of a Tour of Discovery Across the Blue Mountains
was not published in England until 1823, when Blaxland revisited the motherland and consulted a publisher in person. -C B-W

33º51' S 151º12' E

My Dearest Cordelia,

With the holiday fast approaching, I find my thoughts very much drifting back to England and something of home. We are making some effort in this strange land to make our own festivities. Sir James plans to once again bring out the spirits intended solely for marking Christmas, which are most welcome. At least there shall be something familiar to home when the time comes.

Our numbers have been somewhat diminished since the same festivities last season. Miss Penn and Miss Bowe are still gone and have not reported back. Our last word of them was old news, last month. Mr. Franzini has made some new
friends here, and he clearly intends to mark Christmas with that slowly growing group of new companions. Though he is a useful man to have about in some circumstances, I find that when trying to be of good cheer, I do not miss his presence. We shall see what he decides to do when we are ready to be away.

That time may be fast approaching, but it is hard to say for certain. Sir James is almost entirely recovered to his former robust health. He works almost full days now about the ship, readying for our next journey, studying maps, questioning the Captain, and looking through our orders.

Eddy and Sir James have begun speaking again. They are not yet back at playing cards, nor do they speak as old friends any longer, but they are at least civil to one another. They have retreated to some degree of privacy to try to somewhat work out the difficulties between them. Sometimes Miss Coltrane joins them for these discussions; sometimes she remains among the rest of us or with Miss Wright in the workshop.

Dr. Mitchell visits often, though he also returns to his home and workshop fairly often. His health is slowly deteriorating. Though his mind is undiminished, he grows more and more easily fatigued. He has been taking longer each time to recover from the small hardships of the two day journey between his two current homes. We have ventured twice more to his workshops as well, seeking some advice, or just looking in on him when he spends extended times at home. Each visit, his home was more neatly organized and freer of clutter than the last time. I do not believe he is working on any new projects beyond making plans for what next to work on that will aid us in our travels. As such, Agnes has had primary run of the house, and has been better able to keep up with the Doctor's ability to produce the oddest of clutter.

While Dr. Mitchell is away, I understand that she has begun to attend the colony's social affairs and has become friendly with one of the shepherds there, a man of her age and reasonable means. In talking with her, I am more convinced than ever that so long as he lives, her first duty will remain to Dr. Mitchell, but should he pass on, I do not believe she will be leaving Australia. After all she has been through in dealing with the Mad Doctor's homes for so long, I can only hope that she finds happiness here when that time does finally come.

It seems something of an oddity, even now, but in the meanwhile, Captain Fisher and Dr. Mitchell seem to have become close friends. It certainly has everything to do with the loss of their wives, each to tragic, if widely different circumstances. In hearing them speak from time to time, I have very much come to believe that Dr. Mitchell's current deteriorating health is very much owed, at least in part, to his wife's death. For as much as he may have helped to hasten it, there is no doubt in my mind that he loved her deeply and loves her still.

No matter the differences between the men, I am glad they bring some comfort to one another now. Captain Fisher has needed all of the help and support he has been able to get, and this first holiday without his lifelong companion will be an especially difficult time. We have done what we can, but he has done better with the condolences and support of the church and people of his generation who have similarly outlived their spouses by whatever cause. Even now, when aboard the ship to help out as possible, I still feel as if something is missing.

I am sorry I cannot be with you, my love. Though I miss you greatly, circumstances remain difficult here as far as arranging any kind of return to England, and we still have important tasks assigned to us in the coming two years before we may return. At that time, I will promise you now that I shall do my level best to never be absent for Christmas again. In the meanwhile, I have collected some presents for you. Though I cannot send them now, any more than I can send you this letter immediately, I will hope that you will forgive me, and that these artifacts of Australia will inspire your mind and active imagination when I am finally able to deliver them to you myself.

I shall try to write again soon, my love, and perhaps find some occasion where I might be able to once again get some news to you, for with so little reaching England, and what communication there is being so slow, I am certain you are concerned for all of us.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your father, your house, and your health, much as I am certain yours travel with us. While this will, of course, come far too late to mark the occasion properly, I will also wish you well on your upcoming birthday in the new year. Hopefully, for all of us, it will be better than this last.