We Didn't Blow It This Time

…

Airmen Link, Line, Awan, and Kero spent the night in a jail cell. They were released the next morning when the police heard the whole story from the person who owned the powder magazine that Line inadvertently blew up. They were not charged with anything; the police agreed with Line's assessment that the magazine would have blown up at any time because it had not been properly swept for months. Besides, Line had already had a bad day from the concussion he had received, and the police were trying to be a little sympathetic for a ten-year-old who had been flung from an exploding powder magazine to the top of a nearby warehouse. Awan, Kero, and Link had been released with him since Line was not at fault, but the police had only apologized to Link for the arrest because the officer who had arrested him was new.

The four of them had to walk from the police station to the Grand Sails on the far side of the port. It was mid-afternoon when they arrived. But, as they walked up the gangplank, they found Lieutenant Luke blocking their way.

Luke stood with his arms crossed over his green tunic, half of his mouth turned up in a grin. His shaved head reflected the afternoon light in their eyes. His narrow jaw sported a small shadow of rust, giving the other airmen the impression that he had forgotten to shave his face this morning.

"Hi, boys," he said. "Police let you go?"

"Early this morning," Kero, at the head of the group, told him. "They couldn't get the whole story until the guy who owns the magazine—"

"Owned the magazine," Awan corrected. Line cast him an irritated look.

"Right," Kero continued. "Anyway, they had to wait until he was finished with his headache before they could get the story from him. We're in the clear."

"Well, that's good to hear," Luke said with a nod. "And you guys? You're all all right?"

"Line probably got the worst of it," Awan said. "He was in the magazine when it blew."

"We're just covered in dust," Kero said, brushing off a sleeve as if to prove it.

Luke leaned to one side. "What about you, Link? Why'd you get arrested? I thought you were trying to find a cobbler."

"I got lost," Link said. "I wasn't near the explosion, but I got arrested because I was wearing a blue tunic like them."

Luke nodded to himself. "Ah, I see."

"So, we didn't get the powder we needed," Awan said with a shrug. "At least we didn't get tossed in the brig."

"Well, let me tell you something," Luke said. "The brig would've been better for you guys."

Kero and Awan exchanged nervous looks. "Captain pissed?" Kero asked.

Luke nodded. "You guys aren't allowed aboard."

Awan nodded with Kero. "He's pissed."

"If you guys had been tossed in a prison with criminal charges, we could've shipped off without the powder and had another ship pick it up later with you four. But the police informed the captain that they had you in custody and were waiting to see if you would be charged. Because there was a possibility that you guys might get off, the captain had to wait. The rest of the shipment's going to be late, but the fact that we not only lost our gunpowder shipment but four of our airmen were suspected of causing the explosion that wiped it out… well, it's put him in a bad mood. He doesn't want you guys near him. Or the bridge. Or his cabin. Or the powder magazine. Or the stern-half of the ship. I figure you guys are better off not being on the ship at all."

"Sooo… we've been reassigned?" Awan asked.

"No."

Kero grimaced. "We've been fired?"

"You and Awan, I could see, but Link and Line can't be fired. Don't worry, though; you weren't fired."

"So we're just…" Kero trailed off.

"Not allowed onboard."

"But the ship can't leave without us," Line said. "Can it?"

"No, we still need you guys. You're just not allowed on."

"We're just…"

"Not allowed on."

Link was the only one to not give an awkward, confused nod. "I don't get it."

"Don't worry, Link," Luke told him. "You're not the only one."

Line leaned on the rope attached to the gangplank. "So, what are we supposed to do? Pack ourselves in a crate so you can smuggle us aboard?"

Luke shrugged. "I'm not opposed to the idea. You guys j—"

Bummmmmmm. All eyes turned to a large cloud of grey smoke billowing into the air from across the port. Police whistles suddenly started blaring through the port as officers ran towards the explosion. Link, Line, Awan, Kero, and Luke stood aghast at the spectacle.

Then Luke stood aside. "Time to go, boys." The four airmen quickly filed onto the ship and disappeared from sight.