In the Aftermath

The fire burned bright for several minutes and then died down rather quickly leaving just a few minor secondary fires. The metal skeleton of the once-mighty airship fell five stories down to the ground with many small secondary fires burning along its superstructure. The Airship port managed to come through with less damage than the initial fire and explosion would leave you to believe possible, but still many lives were lost and the areas nearest to the Hydrogen refill tanks suffered the worst of the damage. Those still alive in the building made for the exits as quickly as they could.

Nearby at the Future art of War Company headquarters, Winston Murray tried to reach his friend Norville Hudsucker by far speak and then Lady Connaissance. Not being able to reach either one he called out, "Drop everything, we are going next door to help!"

Everyone from the company equipped themselves with any bits of safety equipment they could come up with and raced over to the Airship port to help contain fires and look for survivors. The volunteer fire department arrived soon after and started to assist as well. Unfortunately, they just didn't have the equipment needed to put water on such a large building so the fires on the top floors were left burning as they concentrated on evacuating the lower floors.

The Connaissance defense force and the constabulary arrived fifteen minutes later by Rhinoceros and quickly organized the scene. Getting assistance to the injured and taking statements from witnesses.

Across town at City Hall, Jon had Emily laying on the couch as Teslaimia burst into the office only to see Emily with a damp cloth over her forehead, "I'll take care of her, you should go, Jon, they need more help out there."

He stood up and nodded, "She fainted during the explosion, I think the stress and the overwork finally just caught up to her, we really should have her seen by a doctor, but obviously it's going to have to wait."

She nodded and watched as Jon raced out of the office. Teslaimia sat down on the floor next to Emily and spoke softly, "The doctors warned you about pushing yourself so hard. Why couldn't you listen?" She looked out the window and said, "Most of the fire looks to be out now I can still see the Airship port standing tall."

Emily's eyes opened and she looked at Teslaimia and spoke softly, "Can you turn off the lights please, my head hurts."

Teslaimia got up and turned the overhead lights off and then closed the blinds until it was dark yet light enough to see. She gently brushed her hand over Emily's head and asked softly, "Do you need some more of that tonic you have been taking lately?"

Emily nodded, "It's in my desk. Thank you, Mia."

*****

Duke Hassard stood up and shouted, "Quiet! Lady Connaissance has already signed away her Royal rights and her nobility. We won't be making a commoner our Queen!"

The others around the table started to shout out all at once that she had signed her rights away under duress. Beaux Morely burst into the room at that moment and took his father's seat at the head of the table.

Duke Hassard glared at Beaux and then said, "We all extend our condolences to you and your family. May I ask why you have joined this table?"

"I am not welcome? Everyone here should know that with my father now murdered, that makes me next in line as Duke of Morely, or have you all forgotten?" Beaux sat up looking heroic.

Duke Hassard slammed his fist on the table, "Once you have inherited his lands and title, yes you will be welcome at this meeting, but not one day before that time!"

Count Harmon frowned and then said, "Everyone here at this table knows how I feel about the young Morely Lads, but I have no issue with him being seated. He is by rights the next Duke of Morely."

All around the table one noble after another supported Beaux Morely's right to attend causing Duke Hassard to finally give in as he nearly shouted, "Very well young Morely, you may attend this meeting. Back to what I was saying, this Kingdom has no Royalty left which means that the selection of King falls between myself and the late Duke Morely. With that being said, I will assume the throne now that Duke Morely has been murdered."

"Ridiculous!" One noble after another stood and shouted.

Beaux Morely laughed and said, "I apologize, Count Harmon, I was lead to believe that your family plotted against my father, but today my eyes have been opened." He stood up and pointed at Duke Hassard, "This man proclaims himself our King on the very day my father is murdered, tries to ban me from attending this farce and claims that Princess Windsor-Smith doesn't exist as she leads what is most likely the most powerful nation on Hanston from a single city she took control over merely two years ago. I don't claim to be the current Duke of Morely yet, but as a man with eyes, ears and a mind, it is very clear to me this... Man in front of me is not fit to be our King. What say you all?"

The entire room stood in agreement. As all of the Nobles shouted out, "Hear! Hear!"

Beaux Morely then wagged his finger and asked, "Is there anyone here other than... This man, who thinks we should have anyone other than Princess Windsor-Smith as our Queen? All in favor of the Princess returning for her throne say aye!"

The Entire room shouted as one, "AYE!"

Beaux Morely shook his head, "And to keep things fair, those opposed?"

Duke Hassard stared daggers at Beaux Morely as he shouted, "Nay!" He shook his fist at the younger man, "I don't know what your game is, young Morely, but your father was my friend. I had no part in his murder."

Beaux slammed his own fist on the table and shouted out, "The one who murdered my father will be found and will pay for his death, I swear!" He looked around the table at each of their eyes. Only Duke Hassard had a look that stirred any feelings of guilt. He pointed at the Duke and said, "I am just here as an observer since you are the one running this... Meeting... You should be moving to the next topic, shouldn't you?" Beaux sat back down in his seat sitting up still giving off that heroic feeling.

Duke Hassard sat back down heavily and then said, "Send a messenger to the City of Connaissance. Invite Princess Windsor-Smith to return for her coronation." He sighed and then said, "We have already sent the ransom to the Empire of Injia for our knights and soldiers. We have also indicated that the former King, Andrew Windsor was found guilty by our court for the murder of King William and that he has been sentenced to death by the Windsor Kingdom should he return." Duke Hassard then looked around the table and said somberly, "I understand why you thought to bring the Princess back here, but I am going to warn you in advance. The change she brings may not benefit even one of you sitting at this table. You all turned your backs on King William when he proposed following the Langlish example of how to reform this government. His Daughter is no less in love with the Langlish system than he was back then. You invite her here and you can say goodbye to your lands and title. They have no such things in Connaissance. They all live in tiny rooms in those huge buildings. No palaces, no mansions, no lands."

*****

Roger stood on top of the lower defense wall watching as the troops from the Windsor Kingdom marched through the gate returning to the Kingdom. The CCAS Zealous was floating just overhead. in case it needed to take action. The soldiers from the Connaissance defense forces would shake hands with the men as they walked past offering water to those who needed it. Roger reached over for an offered cup of water and took a hard drink when he noticed black smoke rising over the mountains. He called out to the Flagman, "Message the Zealous, what's that smoke?"

A soldier came running over right then, "General Colton, there has been an accident at the Airship port. The Indomitable has been lost!"

Roger dropped the cup and sprinted down the rampart stairs and dashed into the far speak room, he picked it up and said, "This is General Colton. Give me the full report!"

A few moments later he put down the cone and then ran outside and swore before he then called out, "Flagman, have the Zealous lower the basket."

*****

An hour later Roger walked on to the bridge of the Zealous. Captain Gibbs and Nate Butler were waiting as he walked up to them and shook their left hands. "Let's go talk in private gentlemen." The walked down to the Captain's quarters and closed the door. Roger spoke softly, "This morning when the Indomitable came in for fuel and lift gas there was an accident. We have no accident details at this time, but what we do know is that the ship was lost with all hands. The Airship port was also significantly damaged and at this time, is still on fire and unusable."

"Léon fucking Reno, General, we are due to return for fuel and lift gas tomorrow ourselves." Captain Gibbs looked ashen.

Nate frowned and asked, "Are Hudsucker and the boys wanting us to come back to the factory?"

Roger shook his head, "Their office was on the top floor of Airship port. We're not even sure if any of them lived through the explosion. That part of the structure is cut off from the ground floors by fire."

Captain Gibbs shook his head and asked, "Sir, requesting permission to use the basket to get some men down there to search for survivors. If they are cut off from the ground, that won't stop us from getting to them."

Roger nodded and said, "Thanks Gibbs, that's why I am up here and not down there. I needed to know what your thoughts were. If you men aren't afraid to get near the fire, I'd like you to try. I'll stay aboard here but you'll have command of the operation. At worst, I'll throw out a suggestion or two but it's your show."

The Captain nodded and said, "Nate, go explain the situation to observations. The General and I will take the bridge. Nate, after you have Obs up to speed, you'll take charge of the rescue teams."

Roger and the Captain walked back on to the bridge and the Captain called out, "All hands to stations prepare for basket operations. Basket teams one and two to the basket room!" He walked over to the Helmsman, "Jimmy take us back into the city. we're going to hover over the port."

He turned and said to the entire bridge crew, "The worst has happened to our brothers on the Indomitable gentleman. Total loss due to fire. The port is out of order and they have men trapped up on top, we are going to do our best to save as many people as we can find breathing. I won't lie to you, this is going to be ugly, so if you feel unable to perform your job, I want you to tap out and turn your station over, don't worry about who will replace you, just let me know. Sails! Batten us down. We'll be on ship's power for the entire duration of the operation. "