Thursday, 2 March 2017 1630 hours, North Point, Louisianne
First Officer Julia Crowne was at the helm of the Mississippi Voyager, cautiously moving the converted barge to the cleared area of the shore where it was supposed to moor, going bow-first so they could use the bow gangway to get on and off. They were not planning to stay long, just long enough for the guard force to give the ship the once-over and drop off some requested supplies. Well, that was the plan, at least.
When she felt she was in position, she activated the winches that would lower the gangplank into place. Slowly, the gangplank swung on its hinge, going up, then down, landing with a splash into the mud and grasses lining the river bank. “Thought I was close enough,” she said as she reversed the winches for another try.
“Rough mooring can be tricky,” Howard Crane, the Voyager’s hippogriff captain, said from the back of the control room. “What looks like solid ground may not be.”
“So I noticed,” the diamond dog bitch grumbled as she raised the gangplank high enough to try again, this time deliberately driving the ship through the grasses to ram solid ground. Not hard, but enough to put the ship in place. She then lowered the gangplank, which landed with a solid thump. “Second time’s the charm.”
“That it is,” Howard said before the lights flickered some before steadying. “Engine Room to Control!” Chief Engineer Frack’s voice came over the intercom.
“Control. First, What's the problem?” Julia answered.
“Have shifted power generation to diesels. Gasifier got plugged up with tar. Gonna have to clean it out. It’ll take a few hours to do it right,” Frack reported.
Howard went to the intercom. “Eng, Captain. Think we should stay overnight here?”
“Would be a good idea, Captain. The bit of current we were fighting to get up here, caused a bunch more creosote buildup than we did earlier. We’re going to be tinkering with this gasifier here for a while more yet before we get it right. Not like we had many of these things in Nebraska,” Frack admitted.
“We’re all trying to figure everything out, Eng. The guidebooks to operating this barge bow to stern haven’t been written yet. That’s a job for later,” Howard said with a touch of humor in his voice.
“Yeah, I heard the splash. Invite Captain Parker aboard for dinner and drinks. He’s a nice enough fellow,” Frack said.
“Sounds like a plan to me. You and Arnie get started on the work. I want it done before we pull out in the morning,” Howard ordered.
“On it, Captain! Eng out,” Frack said before hanging up.
Howard hung up as well before going to the radio. “Mississippi Voyager to North Point. In position. Ready to begin supply offload,” he said.
After half a minute, there was a reply. “North Point to Voyager. Copy your mooring. Will have a squad of Z’s there in a few minutes.”
“Dinner’s served at six sharp. How many live ones do you have? Four?” Howard asked.
“Six. We got two more in November. Six to control thirty-two Z’s. We’ll all be there when the work is done,” said the voice on the radio, who was no one Howard knew.
“Sounds good, North Point. We’ll keep a light on for you. Voyager out.”
“North Point copies traffic.”
“Sounds like a lively fellow there,” Julia said from her seat.
“Duty up here is rather boring, but it is important. Who knows what would be coming down the river?” Howard observed.
“Good point. So far, only the Deliverance. We’ll see who else can and will,” Julia replied after a slug from her mug.
3 March 2017 1030 hours
Shortly after departure from North Point, First Officer Crowne had all the passengers report to the Lounge for an announcement. When everypony had gathered, the Captain and First Officer stood by the service bar, which was currently empty, lunch not being served until noon.
“Attention, passengers! As of five minutes ago, we have passed the boundary of Louisianne into what used to be known as the United States. That means you are no longer prisoners, but beings taking passage. As of now, you are no longer confined to your cabins when it is not mealtime. You now can go through the lounge and onto the deck at any time. Those of you who are destined for Natchez, now is the time to go over your gear. We will be mooring there at about thirteen-thirty, and you will have one hour to offload before we set sail again.
“Until then, the refreshment bar is open, and you can mix and mingle here until and through lunch, until we arrive at Natchez, where the five destined there will get off, and we'll set sail for Memphis. Now that the unpleasantries are over, I can say hello and welcome aboard!” Captain Crane said to the group, to scattered applause.
The young pegasus colt, Eli Kravitz, spoke up. “Does this mean I can go outside and try to learn how to fly, Captain?”
“Yes, you can, young fellow. BUT, and I stress this, do not do so alone! You are to have at least one crew member or passenger with you who knows how to fly at all times while you practice. It is all too easy to catch a stray breeze, get blown off course, and lose sight of the boat,” Captain Crane said sternly. “You don’t want that to happen, do you?”
Eli shook his head, ears and mane flopping, his wings trembling some. “No, Captain! But I do want to learn some basics before we get to Memphis!” he said as emphatically as a six-year-old who wanted something.
Both Howard and Julia smiled at Eli’s eagerness. “You can go outside now, Eli, but don’t try to fly until someone comes down to join you,” Julia said in as pleasant a voice as she could.
“I’ll go find Supply Officer Bell, and have him come out to talk to you about learning how to fly. He knows how to fly better than I can,” Captain Crane told the colt. “If you can help him for a while, I’m positive he’ll help you about flying.”
Eli broke into a bright smile, wings fluttering in eagerness. “I can DO that, Captain! Right. Mom?” he asked, turning his head to look at his mother.
Ruth looked back at her son, smiling. “Yes, you can, Eli. Just show a little patience, okay?” she managed to say.
Eli planted all four hooves firmly on the carpeted deck and looked right up at his mother. “Mom, I’m not a doctor yet! How can I have any patients?” he asked plaintively. The words caused everypony in the Lounge to break up laughing.
Eli looked around, confused. “What’s so funny?”
3 March 2017 1430 hours, Natchez, MS. Magnolia Bluffs Casino
Five ponies stood on the casino’s river dock, four of them hitched two by two to two wagons loaded with goods and supplies. The fifth pony, a hippogriff by name of Norman Collins, wore a good-sized set of saddlebags. Captain Crane was aboard the Voyager with Chief Engineer Frack. The gangplank having been retracted, the two aboard had some final words for the Natchez contingent.
“We’ve already gone over the maps, so you know where you want to set up for the initial phase of colonization,” Frack told the five ashore. “Once you pick your house, it’s important you set up your generator and radio to call in to the WSU, to let them know you’re all right. Your main purpose is to set up a campground here for those like you, who choose not to remain under Queen Marie’s rule.
“The second riverboat, Mississippi Ranger, is expected to be ready by mid-May. We should be back before they arrive, but nothing is certain. Who knows what lies upriver? That’s what we’re going to find out,” Captain Crane told the group. “If things go completely squirrelly, North Point is but thirty miles away, to the south. Captain Parker has been instructed to render aid if asked for, just don’t expect speedy service. Any questions?”
“Just one,” an earth pony mare with a Jersey accent asked. “We work for the WSU, not Louisianne, right?”
“Correct, for now,” Frack answered. “You work for the WSU for one year, starting today. After a year, if you wish to remain with the WSU, you may. If you want to go independent, you may. If you want to join Louisianne, you may. The choice is entirely yours.”
“That agrees with what we were told. We just wanted to hear it from someone not a thrall of Queen Marie,” the mare snapped. “Okay, Norman, lead us.”
As the five ashore started moving, Captain Crane said quietly to Frack, “I refuse to be offended by their attitude. I can understand their feelings.”
“It was their choice to settle here. The other five are heading to Memphis, where they will be accepted by the colony. I know the Kravitz family wants the company of a rabbi, and the only one I know of is an M.D. there in Memphis. Moe Horowitz is a good fellow to know.”
“One reason why we’re planning on a five-day stopover there is to allow Lucien time to cross-pollinate with another M.D. Another reason is that they asked for a bunch of parts for their train setup. Filled Cargo One just for them. Going to take a while to unload that,” Crane said as the Natchez contingent turned a corner at the end of the parking lot and disappeared from sight. “Let’s get underway.”
“Right, skipper.”
Captain’s Diary, 17 March 2017, 1100 hours. FINALLY, we’re coming into sight of Memphis. Five days sidelined outside of Greenville, Mississippi because some idiot back in N’awlins forgot to include spare shaft and gearing lubricating oil! Ah’m jus’ glad Colonel Forest was willin’ to listen to me rant about havin’ to sideline and scavenge for not only enough oil, but to do repairs on the oil coolant system that failed! Ah’m glad ah got three moah than competent engineers to get this gal out of jams!”
Howard took a deep cleansing breath or two before continuing on. “Ah’m also damn glad Frack insisted on dual electrical generators on independent support systems. Havin’ power go out as well as propulsion would just be too much. Spending five days in Memphis will be a good tonic fo’ everyone.”
“Well, enough of me flapping my beak. Should be comin’ up on Memphis by now. Think I’ll go on out and take a look,” Howard finished before shutting off the recorder. Just then, the intercom whistled.
“Control to Captain, Nucor Steel coming into sight. Want to station maneuvering watch?” asked the Second Officer, Carroll Milsap.
Howard turned on his intercom. “Have you called Memphis yet?” he asked.
“No, sir. You said you wanted to do that yourself.”
“Very well, Second. I’ll be in Control in a moment. Slow to three knots. Captain out,” Howard said before turning off his intercom.
“Control aye.”
It wasn’t more than a minute later before Howard was on the bridge, looking over the Memphis shoreline. Not much to be seen down this far south, but the best place for the Voyager to dock is the old Army Corps of Engineers complex. Closest good dock to Graceland, even if it is seven miles away. Memphis has wagons and best of all, trucks.
Howard first went to the intercom, where he called out over the ship’s General Announcing system, “Attention all crew. Station the Maneuvering watch. Almost to Memphis.” he said, then waited for announcements to come in, checking off the reports. When all was set, Howard called Memphis over the radio. It took a couple of minutes, but a response was soon heard.
“This is Mayor DeMarco. Station calling, please identify,” was heard over the radio.
“Mayor DeMarco, this is Captain Howard Crane of the Mississippi Voyager. We are approaching Memphis, and will be moored at the old ACE dock within an hour. Apologies for being late, but as I explained to Mister Tereshkov a few days ago, breakdowns happen,” Howard said.
“That, I know all too well, Captain. I’ll be there hopefully before you moor, with a party of workers in the big truck. Hope you got all the parts Tucker ordered,” the Mayor replied.
“All I know for sure is that we have one whole cargo container earmarked just for you, plus some choice goods in Container Six, the refrigerator container,” Howard told the Mayor.
“Good to hear! Hey… did you get arrested here back in oh-two on a drunk and disorderly charge?” the Mayor asked.
Howard grimaced. He remembered that incident, vaguely. “Yes, I was. How did you know?”
“I was the one who booked you into jail,” the Mayor told him, then added, “Your name was different then. Horatio, right?”
This time, Howard visibly winced. “I stopped using that name when I came back, madam Mayor. Please don’t use it again. Meet you at the dock. Voyager out,” he managed to say before turning off the transmitter. He then looked at Carroll. “You didn’t hear that, you won’t mention it, because it never happened!” he said almost in a chirp.
“What happened, Captain? I didn’t hear anything,” Carroll said distractedly, paying attention to her pilotage rather than chatter. Or so it seemed.
“That’s good to hear, Second.” Howard fumed as he paid attention to the surroundings.
1600 hours, Mississippi Voyager Lounge
Captain Crane sat at a table with Stella DeMarco, the pegasus mayor of Memphis. Both were sipping mint juleps, a favorite of both of them, as well as sharing a plate of fried potatoes.
“Just how did you get such a big truck refurbished?” Howard asked.
“Tucker Rampoe. She’s a great mechanic, be it trains or trucks. She won’t try planes, though,” Stella replied. “She’s an earth pony. My compliments to your bartender. This julep is outstanding.”
“It is, and so is he. He worked at one of N’awlins’ better restaurants befoah everything turned upside down. Moah than once already, ah’ve thanked Her Majesty foah havin him come heah,” Howard drawled some, relaxing in the presence of someone of equal rank.
“I would try to steal him from you, but I can’t seem to find him when I’m looking for him,” Stella said around a fried potato.
“He’s lakh that. Don’t let it worry you,” Howard replied. “Got a question for you. Aaron Tereshkov. He asked me if he could sign on as a crewman. What’s the story with him?”
“A family squabble that has been going on since last year. Apparently his mother did or said something that upset him, and he’s moved into one of the other houses. Not even mediation with Doctor Moe has been able to settle it. He’ll follow orders, and he is a good hunter, he just won’t talk to his family,” Stella told the Captain.
“He’s also nervous about something else. My Chief Engineer,” Howard said after some potatoes.
“Why would he be worried about Frack for?” Stella asked. “Last year, when the Deliverance was here, Frack talked up the Tereshkov clan, and they have lived up to his claims. In fact, Greg’s my main assistant. He keeps track of things better than I can.”
“Were you aware that last year, when they met in Saint Louis, Aaron shot Frack through the wing with an arrow?” Howard said quietly, sipping his drink.
Stella sat upright, startled. “Aaron did that? I heard of the incident, but no one claimed responsibility. Do you think those two could serve together?”
“If both are willing, I’ll take him on, if’n you don’t mind, of course.”
“I can’t stop him,” Stella admitted. “If he wants to, he can. He could have left at any time, he just doesn’t want to be alone. Diamond dogs tend to be social, for the most part.”
“That, ah can’t say much about. Not many dogs in N’awlins, an’ ah didn’t work with any, except Julia, an’ ah can’t plot a curve from one point. Ah’ll see if he can fit in. If not, ah can put him off in Saint Loo,” Howard said as he finished his drink. “You an’ your crew want to stay fo’ dinnah?”
Stella thought for a few seconds, then shook her head. “Better not. I want to get this second load back to the compound before dark. Lunch tomorrow, I’ll make that a definite yes!”
“Sounds like a plan to me. If Aaron wants to sign on, bring him tomorrow and I’ll see how well he fits in.”
“No, not tomorrow. The evening before you sail. If he comes here tomorrow, what’s to stop his family from coming here to try to talk him out of it? You have not seen Anna Tereshkova having a conniption fit. Takes her days to settle down, and I never learned Russian, Hebrew or Yiddish.”
“Good point, Stella. Ah can agree to that.”
Wednesday, 22 March 2017 1000 hours
Captain Crane was in his cabin, having a detailed talk with Aaron Tereshkov. The big diamond dog had arrived with the dawn, having walked the seven miles from Graceland with the light of a last-quarter moon for guidance. He had brought a large pack, his bow and a quiver full of arrows with him, taking a spare cabin on the upper deck, one that was close to the gasifier exhaust stack.
The two were in the midst of discussing what learning has to be done to qualify as a deck hand when the intercom buzzed. “Captain, Telephone call for you. It’s Maasvlakte,” Julia said without waiting for Howard to answer, unusual for her.
“Be right there, First,” Howard said, and seconds later, he was taking the satphone Julia was holding out for him. “Crane.”
“Captain Crane, this is Captain Perrin of the WSU. How fast can you get to Saint Louis?”
Howard looked at the chart that was out on the table. Drawing on his knowledge of the river, he said, “Rough guess is by sundown Friday. Ah can run some figures an’ give you a better number, if you’re willin’ to wait a bit. What’s the problem?”
“We here in the WSU, and Captain Frick in particular, received a telephone call from a ten-year-old colt named Sparky. He reported all the adults just dropped what they were doing and started walking off to the south. Other than himself, only three others are unaffected, a teenage griffon, an Abyssinian kitten, and their cleric/medic, who goes by Mary Sue. The four grabbed what supplies they could and fled to the north side of the Missouri River. You’re closest. Will you investigate?” Captain Perrin asked, his British accent especially prominent.
“When did you find out about this, Captain Perrin?” Howard asked.
“Fifteen minutes ago. As soon as Frick got all the pertinent details down, he called me. Knowing you were underway, you were my first call, for understandable reasons,” Doug answered.
“Very well then, Captain Perrin. I shall report this incident to Her Majesty’s advisory staff, then boot this lady in the butt and see how fast we can go!” was Howard’s reply.
“Very good, Captain. You do what you can do. Just one more word, and that is that this incident will not be mentioned over the wireless, just in case unfriendly ears are listening. We’ll get a think tank going and will be in touch with possibilities about what is going on,” Doug reported.
“Well then, looks lakh the only thing left to do is to do it, and do it we will! Keep in touch, Captain Perrin,” Howard told the distant voice on the phone.
“We shall, once we have something concrete to report. Smooth sailing, Captain Crane! WSU Control out,” Captain Perrin said before hanging up.
Howard hung up his phone and put it back in its charger. “First Officer, full speed ahead. Seems like there is trouble in Saint Louis, and we’ve been asked to look into it,” he instructed his bridge officer.
“Full speed ahead, aye!” Julia barked (almost literally) before advancing the throttles to ninety percent. “Throttle at full speed.”
“Very well, First. Time for me to have some words with the Eng. Mister Tereshkov, with me. Your first lessons will be on the engines,” Howard told his new crewman.
“Should not be much trouble there, Captain. I was the one who mainly took care of the La Petit’s motors. Just need to learn what’s where and what to do,” Aaron assured his captain.
“Convince Frack, not me,” Howard grunted as he led the way aft.
“Who do you think gave me training last year?” Aaron countered.