“Have you released the Mongrels yet?” Zeke asked, “they are part of the plan.”
“No, Serg- Captain,” replied the Brute, “you have not ordered us to do so yet.”
The weight of command made itself known on Zeke's shoulders. The fate of everyone on the airship was solely his responsibility. Going against an entire battleship was beyond what any reasonable person would expect of a crew this size, but it had to be done.
“Take me to the Mongrels,” Zeke said.
Down into the cargo hold of the Tranquility they went. Upon reaching the cages containing the Mongrels, Zeke took the cage keys from the Brute and unlocked them all.
“I apologize for not release you sooner. You probably heard the commotion above deck and are wondering who we are and what our intentions are. We are privateers from the Kingdom of Victoria and we intend to return you home. However, there is a Lunar battleship that is hauling us to the Moon. Aboard are several of your fellow Wastelanders,” Zeke said.
“So we are doomed?” asked a Mongrel, his back bristling with over-sized porcupine quills.
“No, I have a plan, The Loonies think that I am one of them. Tonight they are having dinner, so I will be on board. Once everyone's guard is down, I start freeing those aboard the battleship.”
“And what do we do?”
“Once the last Mongrel is freed, all the ropes tying us to the battleship will need to be severed. Also, we cannot let the Loonies take this ship. If this plan goes sideways, you may need to repel boarders,” Zeke said, trying to ignore the irony.
“How will you stop the battleship from blowing us out of the sky like the Raptor?” asked the Brute.
Zeke smiled and absentmindedly played with a match. He blew it out and headed the stairs to the main deck.
Once the fourth bell rung, Captain Windrider confidently strolled up the ramp toward the Liberator. In each hand, he held a bottle of fine wine, from the former captain's private stock. Once he reached the top of the ramp, he nodded politely to the Lunar marine standing guard and walked toward the Admiral's cabin, the light from the full moon illuminating the deck. Before knocking, Zeke took a moment to collect himself before entering the cabin. Then, he knocked on the door.
Three hours later, and more than few drinks consumed, the various officers began to leave. Zeke played the part of someone who had a little bit too much to drink, but had in fact, drank only water. As he staggered out, Admiral Storm called out to him.
“Head below decks or inside your cabin. Tell your crew that this is not a good night to be caught out on the main deck.”
“Of...of course Admirrral,” Zeke slurred. Once he was out of sight, Zeke stumbled over to the door that led down to the cargo hold. Despite the bright light of the moon illuminating the main deck, he did not see any Marines out on patrol or even crew doing the usual nightly checks that all airships needed. Zeke could not believe his luck. As he got closer to the cargo hold, he heard a voice of someone muttering through the door.
Zeke pushed through the cargo hold's door and fell on his face (convincingly he hoped). The cargo hold guard looked up from his game of solitaire with a raised eyebrow.
“Ish this the head?” Zeke asked.
“No sir. You've had a little too much to drink. Why don't I take you to the head and get the chirurgeon to take a look at you. You may have hurt yourself when you fell,” said the guard.
“Thanksush,” Zeke replied.
As the guard came over to help Zeke up, a dagger flew out of Zeke's jacket and went under the guard's ribcage before entering his heart. The guard died before he hit the floor. Pulling the key ring off the belt of the deceased, Zeke turned to the cages and held his finger to his lips in the universal sign of 'be quiet'.
“I am here to get you off this airship,” Zeke whispered to the mysterious woman, as he unlocked her cage first, “I will sneak you off this ship and then come back for the others. Ladies first.”
“You will do no such thing,” the woman said, “These men get off before I do. I am Princess Isabelle of the Wasteland and you will explain yourself.”
Zeke's jaw dropped and his heart jumped in his chest. He kneeled before her and removed his hat.
“Your Highness, I-”
The door opened and two guards entered the room.
“Raise the alarm!”
Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five
Picture Credit: "airship again" by Mike is licensed under CC by 2.0