//------------------------------// // Chapter 15- Vicksburg, departing. // Story: Tidalverse: The Fearsome Foursome // by Alden MacManx //------------------------------// The Deliverance, its crew and guests, intended to stay in Vicksburg for ten days, fueling, scavenging, repairing, rebuilding, rearming and most of all, learning. Every evening after chores, the crew gathered in the saloon with Caleb and Landry, exchanging information in both directions. Caleb and Landry told of what they found on their way north from Key West to Baton Rouge, especially on how to deal with Marie and her minions. Frick, Frack and the rest told of what they had found coming south, while Chopin told about her colony of breezies in Kansas City. “We only met Marie once,” Landry told the crew the second night together. “You can just feel the aura around her, an aura of sheer power that could crush you like a bug under her hoof. She laid down her rules, which amounts to don’t bother her or her underlings while she does her work making her old home into something that fits her dreams.” “We, being residents of Shexnayder since we were born, were allowed to go back home and do the best we could with what we could find,” Caleb added. “She did say she did not want any strangers poking around where she claimed to be hers, or else she would deal with them her way.” “She could turn you into a zombie, following her will or that of one of her underlings, doing useful work in exchange for the crime of being on her lands without permission,” Landry said. “Her minions have a charm they wear that will allow him or her to control a certain amount of zombies, anywhere from two to twenty. Above that, the top ponies direct the lieutenants and captains, who handle their crews.  “The one you have to worry about is Captain Hardegan, down at Old River. If you can convince him that you plan on going to the Gulf via the new course, and swear not to disturb anything on the east bank of the Atchafalaya, you should be able to pass. Don’t go left, the Mississippi from there south is one big stagnant bayou,” Caleb cautioned. “He’s a pony with a lot of personal honor. We liked him.” “You can receive on that radio of yours, but not transmit, right?” Frick asked. “Correct. It’s just a receiver, but it is very good. We have had little trouble receiving the WSU’s broadcasts. We just have to remember to charge the damn thing during the day,” Landry groused some, sending a glare Caleb’s way. “That’s your job, to remind me, Landry. I don’t remember everything all the time,” Caleb said, looking back at the blue breezie with a small smile. Landry lost his glare. “That’s true. You’re doing much better since Havana. I have to be more forgiving.” “You’re doing a good job, Landry. Nothing will keep us apart.” The conversation with Captain Pradeek and the WSU was, to put it mildly, interesting. The Captain did NOT hit the roof, but it was a near thing. He insisted on getting confirmation that the Lower Mississippi was closed, which Landry and Caleb were more than willing to affirm. “Just how can we negotiate shipping and trade rights if this Marie is essentially blocking access to the interior of the United States?” Dilip said in a not-too-happy voice. “Right now, Captain, I have no mortal idea,” Frick said honestly. “We have been advised that we will have to go past a guard captain of hers, and I can try to see if a message can be relayed to Marie regarding trade possibilities. If we hear anything that will change matters, we will call your Duty Officer and leave word there.” “You do that, Captain Frick. I will inform Sandra that no word of this Marie is to be transmitted without my approval. Once we have some sort of agreement, only then will I let word of her go through the WSU. She wants her privacy, I will see that she gets it until she decides otherwise,” Dilip said sternly, his sentiments echoed by the others in the room, his exec, the captain of the Fugro Symphony, and his exec.  “Captain, I am sure such sentiments can only go in your favor,” Landry said into the microphone of the satphone on the saloon table. “We can but hope, Mister Landry. Captain Frick, keep us posted. Plans will need revising, depending on the information you can provide us,” Dilip said in the manner of a captain giving an order to a subordinate. “Understood, Captain Pradeek. We will do so. Deliverance out,” Frick said before hanging up. Fred was the first one to speak after. “That man has a lot on his mind. Let us not add to his load of worry any more than we have to,” he said solemnly. “Up to us not to put a hoof wrong, Fred,” Frick replied. “All we can do is the best we can do, and the best we can do is all we will do,” Fran added. “Nobody can say you’re dumb, Fran,” Frack said before sipping from his Vanilla Coke can. One thing Frick made sure to do was improve the gun mountings on the fly bridge, making a better trigger-operating mechanism, enhancing the swivel and pitch mounts, and most importantly making sure they had enough ammunition, both loose and in clips, to hold off a horde of cragadiles, a flock of manticores, and the occasional swamp critter that would make Fran and Freida run to the reference books to find. The last night before setting out, or so Frick planned, everyone gathered in the saloon for a special meal Fran cooked for everyone, a special vegan and non-vegan taco dinner, Landry and Chopin dropped a bombshell on everyone. “Caleb and I have decided not to return to Shexnayder. Instead, we’ll make our way to Kansas City, to join the colony there,” Landry announced. “I will be going with them, to show them the way there,” Chopin added. “I thought you liked it with us, Chopin!” Frack said, startled by the words. “I do, truly. I also miss the rest of the group. Being with you is good, but being with other breezies is best. Landry had not met another breezie until he met me, and he should be with the others,” Chopin explained. “Did you know about this, Fran?” Frick asked. “Yes. We talked about it starting a few nights ago. She feels Landry’s need to be around other breezies beats her desire to remain with us, exploring new places. It’s her decision, she knows the way, and they should make it to Kansas City before the snow flies again,” Fran explained. “Plus, there are known colonies they can stop at and prepare for the next leap.” “We’re certain we can make it,” Caleb put in. “We made it up here, right?” “That you did, Caleb,” Fred told his fellow earth pony. “You have the endurance, you have the skills, and you have a guide. Is there anything you would want to take with you?” “Yes. Some lighters, prepared food, some quarts of whole grains, and if you can, Missus Freida, reinforce our shelter half with a layer of canvas? Plus, do you have some waterproofs?” Landry asked. “I can do better than that, Landry. I can make you a better shelter out of some stuff from one of the local stores, better saddlebags, and a hat big enough to shelter the breezies while you head to Memphis,” Freida told them. “Think we can delay setting off another day, Frick?” “We can. Not a problem. Friends look out for friends. We’ll set you up right, Landry, Caleb and Chopin. We will miss you,” Frick told them. “And we, you, Frick.” Chopin squeaked. The crew did that, spending the day going through Vicksburg, despite the drizzly weather, picking up what was needed to outfit the departing ponies properly. What they wound up doing is they built a small cart that Caleb could pull, enabling them to bring more supplies than could be carried on ponyback. They made it so Caleb could put props down and fold the wheels up so he could climb into the cart, which had a cover on it, so they could sleep dry(ish) in case of rain. Just a little finishing work was needed the next morning to finish. It was not the prettiest little thing, but it was stout, sturdy, varnished, and equipped with what supplies they wanted for their trip to Memphis. One thing special was a set of waterproofed maps. “These will get you to Memphis. Once there, the ponies will give you a set to get you to Saint Louis, and then from there to Kansas City,” Frick told them before they set off. “Looks good to me,” Caleb said before having Landry and Chopin put the maps away securely in the cart. “Basically, follow US sixty-one north and it will take us where we want to go, right?” “Pretty much. Check the maps every morning, so you will know where the turns are. The road does not beeline there, it does jig some, and I don’t know what the street signs will be like,” Frick advised. “I can do that,” Caleb said with certainty. “Please watch me while I harness up and down for practice.” “Of course,” Frick told the young earth pony. “Want Fred here?” At Caleb’s nod, Frick went and found Fred, who came over to supervise Caleb getting into and out of the harness, sealing the Velcro straps, moving a few paces, turning, backing, then parking and removing the harness. “How did I do?” Caleb asked, as Landry and Chopin settled on his head. “You did well, son,” Fred said gently. “You’ll do fine on your way, all of you. May the Lord watch over you on your travels.” “Which one?” Landry quipped. “Whichever one that takes an interest, Landry. May many do so. Give our regards to Smoking Horn when you get to Kansas City, as well as little Wakinya. You do have your phone set up, right?” Fred asked. “Set up, in place, and connected to the solar chargers on the roof. We’ll call when we have something to report. We also have contact numbers, so you’ll be hearing from us,” Landry said with confidence. “Only one thing left to do, then,” Fred said, looking around to find the Deliverance crew on the deck, doing their version of ‘manning the rails’. “Wish you success on your journey, as well as a thermos of fresh coffee, made to your taste.” “We’ll miss you all,” Freida said with a sniffle. “You’ve become good friends. Parting is such sweet sorrow.” “It is,” Fran said, walking up to Chopin. “Gonna miss you, you pink bow!’ Chopin settled between Fran’s ears, like she had done before. “I’ll miss my dark fur blanket, but I have enough of a backup. Keep in touch, and don’t do anything stupid. Deal?” Chopin squealed fiercely “No waking up Ursa Majors, yes, boss!” Fran laughed. After the cart disappeared behind a building, the crew made ready to depart. After one final round of checks, Frick, from the fly bridge, started the big Cummins engines. After warmup, he signaled for the lines to be untied and stowed, then, when all was secure, pulled out. Once the boat was heading downstream at a good clip, Fred came up to consult with the Captain. “What do you have in mind, Frick?” he asked. Holding a stylus in his glow, Frick tapped on one of the computer screens, which had a map on it. “The plan is to stop at Natchez tonight and spend a day, ensuring we are absolutely topped off with supplies, even thinking of putting a barrel of fuel on the after deck and using that until it is dry, because while we MAY be able to stop in Morgan City or someplace else along the river, I’m not counting on another stop until we’re on the Gulf. Then, we can decide on either going east and trying for Mobile, or go west and hit Port Arthur for fuel before going east. All depends on fuel state and other factors when we reach the Gulf,” he said, more thinking out loud than anything else. “I like that idea, Frick. What with the river taking a new course, we can’t rely on anything being anywhere it used to be, right?” Fred observed. “Correct. We’re flying blind down this way, and we’ll just have to bumble along in the dark until we find light. But first, we have to get past this Captain Hardegan at the junction. We have to get past him first. After that, we’ll have to presume no resupply until we get past Marie’s territory. Pray for us, okay, Fred?” Frick asked. “I think I can do that, Frick.” “Captain’s log, stardate 1604.14 1600 hours. Chief Engineer Frack recording. “We have arrived at Natchez, and are tied up at a granary on the west bank of the river. The rest of the crew are out scouting for food and fuel here while I got the duty. Frick spoke to me about putting a spare fuel barrel on the after deck. I suggested two barrels, mounted on the swim deck. After pulling up the plans, he agreed to two barrels on the swim deck, mounted firmly to the rail. Why settle for one when you can get two, right? “Frick is out with the rest, looking for barrels and tubing. We found diesel here at the granary, but we have to hunt up some decent barrels. Two forty-gallon barrels will increase our fuel tankage by almost twenty percent, something that may come in very useful once we hit the Gulf.” The narration was interrupted by a growl, a thumping noise, a whirr and gunfire before Frack spoke again. “Just another cragadile. They’re smart enough to leave us be, once we put the scare into them. A few bullets by their heads will do the trick. Just got to change the clip before I head downstairs. One chore after another. Frack out.” He saved and sent the file off before changing the clip in the rifle, and leaving a note to have someone refill the clip. Frack and Fred could not quite come up with the dexterity to load the clips on their own. Not yet, at least.