Read Fianna Kelly Versus the Jeebees: A Collection of Steampunk Stories for Free Online Page A

me shoot. They were firing
their pistols at the jeebees. I just had a longer range and better aim."
    I
figured we were done here as he was not giving me any other presents or
cartridges. I wondered how the engineer was getting along with Bradan. I could
imagine them either being the best of friends or trying to see who the smarter
one is. Perhaps it was both. I hadn't thought to see if Bradan could play any
games, like poker or chess. I didn't bring anything with me to play them
anyway. As if on cue, Bradan was coming down the path to the firing range.
    I asked
him, "What are you doing here? I thought you were getting checked by the
engineer?"
    SERVICING
COMPLETED
    "How
do you feel?"
    I
AM OKAY
    "You
sound better. I barely heard you coming."
    ALL
SYSTEMS WORKING
    "That
is good because I was worried about you."
    I CARE
ABOUT YOU TOO
    "How
about the engineer?"
    HE
IS EATING LUNCH
    "That
is a good idea. Lead the way; I am quite lost. After that, we can go to the
train station and I'll show you something wonderful."
     

• June 9
     
     
    When
I awoke Friday morning, I thought about the ride to London. I'd be the only
unmarried woman on a train full of soldiers. Sure, it was going to be a long
skirt today. My mother would be so proud. Plus, I will not be getting it dirty
again just sitting on the train.
    As
usual, Bradan was waiting outside for me. I was getting used to him being with
me and found it hard to imagine him being anywhere else. We grabbed a quick
breakfast and walked to the train station where our train awaited. I noticed
that several passenger cars had been added before the brake van. The soldiers
were running around and the Colonel was giving orders.
    He
said, "Good Morning, Miss Kelly"
    I
replied, "A very good morning to you too!"
    "Albert!
Show the lady and her automaton to their rail car. I hope you don't mind that
I'll be sharing it with you."
    "I
feel honoured. May I ask why?"
    "I
just received orders to report to headquarters by the fastest means available.
They have re-evaluated the situation and determined that the railway gun is a
target for enemy attack. I intend to make it a well-defended and fast moving
target."
    I
had to stop and think for a minute. When I started out, I was going to shoot
targets. Now, I was going to be a target. I wasn't sure the trip was worth it.
I had agreed to help, but that was when I thought it would be a safe ride. It's
too late to get another ride, but the Colonel said the train would be defended.
I guess that means us too.
    Yesterday,
I expected to ride to London in a dirty boxcar that had been used for the
cavalry and their horses. The one we were escorted to was still a freight car,
but was clean and had two rows of padded seats at the front facing each other.
At the back was a desk and chair, undoubtedly for Colonel Reynolds. I guess
they had left the centre open so Bradan could get in easily and his smokestack
could be close to the centre vent.
    There
were maps mounted on the walls. I took a quick look at them. The route we would
travel and the stops where the train would bring on water and coal were marked
in red.
    The
Colonel boarded a few minutes later. "To reiterate, your job is to warn me
of any G.B.H.I.s. It is important that you give me as much warning as you can
in case we need to stop the train. Do you understand that?"
    "Sure,
I understand."
    YES
    This
was my first ride on a train so I wasn't prepared for the initial lurch. It was
a nice ride after that. The rail-car swayed slightly from side to side, but
there weren't any jolts like riding in a carriage. I could get accustomed to
travelling like this. The sounds of the steam pushing the pistons and the
wheels rolling over the cracks of the rails were comforting.
    The
Colonel looked up from his papers. "You don't need to stay here. I can
read what your automaton discovers. You can see more from the cars behind us.
The scenery is quite nice along this route. You might even make some new
friends amongst the