Well, this has been quite a hiatus, what's it been now…..two years? Anyhow, I'm back, so lets get going shall we?
Chapter 7: First Impressions
July 9, 1915, Mid-Atlantic. Christened in 1913 the Enterprise was the pride of the American Air Service. Usually accompanied by a large escort of half-a-dozen other vessels, she travels with a medium sized tender now. Three, of its complement of 50, fighters were zipping around the ship, they were the M-1909 "Shiloh" Fighters. They were monoplanes made of a secret lightweight metal with two .30cal machine guns in each wing and a 20mm cannon in the nose. Heavy firepower when compared to the German Fokker D.V Biplane which had one MG. The ship was egg shaped and had no outside gondolas or engines save for two small balloons suspended above the spine of the ship. They looked to be almost hollow with large squares on the front and back. Heat blooms came out that back yet they made no noise like a normal Clanker engine. Two large rectangular canvas covers in the middle of the ship on either side were retracted and revealed the hangers inside with men scuttling about trying to clear out the area for their guests of honor...
Alek felt a sense of nostalgia in the American balloon. He had ridden in one similar to it when he was a boy above the palace, from it he could see the rose gardens where he played endlessly. It felt good, however much he was acquiring the taste for fabricated materials, to feel metal under his feet. Even if it was a strange type he had never seen before, it gave off a sheen when the light caught it just right and would bounce right in his eyes. The British crew were jammed like sardines into the basket under the fabric bubble overhead. Alek didn't mind, he rather enjoyed the uncomfortable look on Deryns face every time the American Sergeant jabbed her in the ribs when he released some of the built up air. The wind was blowing at a lazy west-east direction and felt good on Aleks face, it disappeared quickly as they came in to land on the hanger deck. Through the skilled hand of the Sergeant they landed right next to the welcoming committee of American officers. Two of them had deep blue jackets, with a few decorations, and trousers, with a similar colored brimmed cap. Another wore a more khaki uniform, similar to the British Marines, with ribbons above his left breast pocket. The last looked more like an enlisted man with chevrons on his khaki sleeve, and a cap cocked at a jaunty angle on his closely cropped head. Stepping off the British lined up by rank and the American Captain stepped forward.
"Welcome to the USAS Enterprise, we're honored to have such a distinguished crew with us for dinner. I'm Captain Timothy Gavin, this is my second in command 1st Lieutenant Jack Olferson, Major Rutherford Collins US Marine Corps, and First Sergeant Lee Griffith USMC."
Captain Hobbes went forward and shook Captain Gavins hand then introduced his crew.
"Well it's a pleasure to meet all of you..." Gavin began "...how about a quick tour of the ship?"
The British nodded with enthusiasm, they were the first foreigners to see the inside of an American airship. Captain Gavin lead off with Captain Hobbes, Lieutenant Olferson and Commander Krilly paired up as did Major Collins and Captain Hobart. The American crewman telling his opposite what all everything was. Sergeant Griffith waited for Dr. Barlow and her companions and joined them as they followed the officers. The Sergeant showed his age and experience well, about mid-thirties Alek judged, he had signs of battle on his hands and face. A deep gouge across his forehead along with the top of his pinky on his right hand missing had to be quite a story. He said nothing to the group until he noticed Alek looking at his scars.
"Got 'em in '13 when that fucker Pancho Villa rose up in Mexico and we got sent down to support the Mexican federal troops. I was section Sergeant on the USAS Savannah then, we were casting off fast when one of the cables snapped from the gunfire. Whipped up and cut me to the bone, lucky it didn't go through. Took a chunk of my little finger with it."
He spoke with a pronounced New England accent, perhaps he was from Maine Alek theorized. He had met a few from there who spoke like that when he was in New York. He was also very matter of fact, nothing in his voice told that he did anything but think of the ship.
All Alek could muster up to his comment was a weak grunt. He felt intimidated by the bear of a man, he was tall and barrel chested but sported a slight paunch indicative of too much time spent behind a desk. His stride was long, Alek was breathing heavily trying to stay level with him. Dr. Barlow and Deryn were hanging back a few paces. He took the silence as a time to take in his surroundings. The hanger was full of planes and crew members in grease stained overalls tending to them. A few men, Alek gathered that they were pilots from their big puffy jackets, sat around in a gaggle chatting the morning away. He was surprised when he saw one of them pull out a cigarette and light up. This was a hydrogen airship, no such thing would be allowed on another ship.
"Excuse me, First Sergeant Griffith?"
"What is it boy?"
Alek ignored the fact that he called him "boy".
"Why are those men smoking, won't they ignite the hydrogen."
"Thats for me to know and you to never find out, unless the Captain tells you, which I doubt."
Alek wasn't used to being treated like this, prince or no he wanted just a little respect from the Sergeant. Deciding that more questions would be useless he remained quiet while the Sergeant lead on. Griffith lead them to a room that looked more like a lobby than a room on a service vessel. He told them not to leave the room and to wait for the Captain to summon them to dinner. Again Alek decided that to ask questions would get him nowhere.
Captain Gavin stood up at the head of the table as the last dishes were cleared away. The dinner was a good hearty affair. Lots of ham and turkey with mashed potatoes and corn. Only a small salad had been served as an appetizer. The Americans had taken pleasure watching the Europeans fiddle with the corn, Alek was the first to realize that the strange prong like implements sitting above the plate were to be put on either end to hold the cob. Most of the conversation was dry politics, Alek had always enjoyed talking about the dance of nations, but he was silenced by Dr. Barlow every time he tried to speak up. So he sat staring at the puddle of gravy on his plate until an airman cleared it away.
"Well I hope that you all enjoyed your meal, I know I did. Captain Hobbes it has been an honor and a pleasure to have you and your crew on board. I hope that this business in South Africa will be a quick fix. Now my officers and I have some things to discuss so I hope you don't think it rude if I send you back over to the Leviathan. I'll have First Sergeant Griffith show you out."
Captain Hobbes at the other head stood up, as he did the rest of the British crew followed suit.
"Captain Gavin I'm glad we could have this meal and I know I speak for the crew when I say that I concur with you in your sentiments towards South Africa."
Alek was disappointed that he didn't get to see the ship. He'd been looking forward to it since he found out about the rendezvous. The ride back was dark, on the Leviathan only a few lights from the glow worms could be seen at the landing space for the balloon. Over on the Enterprise however the hangar bay doors were still open, gushing out a beam of light. Alek could still see little ants of men scurrying around inside.
Finally back on board he asked Captain Hobbes why he couldn't see the ship.
"So sorry you didn't get to see it my lad. It's policy of the American Air Service that non-military personnel do not get to see the inner workings of their ships. Only "officers of sufficient rank" they said could see it. I'm not even allowed to speak of what I saw, but what I can tell you is that if we had the technology that they had. Well the Hu- I mean Germans would be given a run for their money. But now that we've got the Americans on our side we don't have to worry too much about this whole Africa business."
