On deck of the skyship Oneshot

Something was coming, Captain Douglas Towerin could feel it. His every instinct told him to flee and not to look back. He might have order his crew to do just that, if they were stuck in the gateway. That was supposed to be impossible. Older than time, the gateway linked Heaven and Hell to the world of Miteria allowing mortals to travel there at will. It resembled a glittering tube of light that stretched out to infinity. It was the only safe way to transverse the planes. If they strayed from the path the void would claim them. There was nothing out there… or at least that what he thought, but as the feeling of dread steadily intensified over the past few hours, he wondered… is that true? He did his best to push the feeling aside. A captain had to be strong for his crew, even if only a few were on deck. The rest were below, as if the wooden hull of the Oneshot could shield them fear gnawing at them.

Towerin left the helm unattended as he walked down to the center of the ship. He’s made this trip to Heaven hundreds of times in his thirty years of captaining his ship. He’d never experienced anything like this and he’s been through a lot. Nearly as old as his ship, Towerin had a short crop gray beard that perfectly matched his gnarled hair sticking out from beneath his faded cap. He had the beginning of a round belly that strained against his gray frock coat, as if his innards threatened to spill out onto the deck. His body was a patchwork of scars from poor stitching done with catgut and a needle far too dull for his liking. Some were from the regular hazards of sailing the seas, but most were from near misses when fighting off raiders. A long scar along his abdomen that ached in cold weather was a reminder of a nearly fatal saber blow twenty years ago.

The Oneshot too bore the marks of a hard existence, and most days Towerin felt like he was one with the ship. His scars represented the aging hull and its numerous gouges marring the wood. His steadily worsening arthritis, the creaking of the sail’s rigging as it strained to do its job. Lastly, the inexhaustible beating of his own heart was the marvelous engine allowing his ship to fly and provide breathable air. Yes, he was one with his ship. That made this failure to his crew… personal.

“Any ideas yet Boss?” His first mate Darwin said in a soft voice breaking Towerin’s dark mood.

Towerin turned regarding Darwin. He was a good lad. Young to reach such a position, but he earned it many times over with his loyalty and quick wits. Tall and lean, he had the smooth flawless features typical for one of his kind, framed by silvery hair that shone from the magic light around them. As their eyes met Towerin was always amazed by his deep sea green eyes that stood out in stark contrast to his golden skin and flowing white robes. He could almost pass for human if it wasn’t for his residual wings. Feathery white, they were too small to grant true flight, but were magnificent none the less. To be expected, since his father was an angel.

“No. Checked all the controls, everything seems to be working. Did the engine break down?” Captain Towerin asked knowing full well they ship would be dead if that was the case. Still, the need to ask was there. The desire to do something, even if it was pointless. Towerin looked up to the celestial sails spreading out like wings on a moth from the central pole shaft. They had an unearthly soft blue glow, pulsing with energy that powered the ship. Again, the glowing sail indicated all was well, even though it plainly wasn’t.

“Had a lengthy talk with Kempten in the engine room. He doesn’t know what’s happening either,” Darwin said looking just as perplexed as Captain Towerin felt.

“I don’t understand. I’ve never heard of anyone getting stuck before,” Towerin said shaking his head as if the whole situation could be remedy like an errant lock of hair. Suddenly the entire ship rocked, sending all those on deck stumbling. One unfortunate soul was looking over the railing and the lurch sent him plummeting over the edge. Towerin could hear his screams only for a moment before the void took him.

“What the damnation!” A man shouted. Towerin ran to the edge of the ship gripping the railing in horror as dark shapes swarmed the hull. Nearly invisible in the surrounding void, Towerin could just make them out as they skittered about.

“TO ARMS!” Darwin cried having joined Towerin at the side of the ship. He leaped backwards pulling Towerin out of the way as the first creatures boarded the deck. A twisted combination of beetle and man, it was black like the surrounding void with a shiny exoskeleton that creaked revealing moist red joints as it moved. It had four long arm-like appendages that reach the wooden deck each tipped with stout claws that left long scratches in the planks. The creature’s carapace was mottled and thick as armor with a distinctive split down the back for insect like wings. Towerin fumbled at his gun belt as the creature moved around on two stubby legs that ended in wide spade like feet. The worst part was its face. Eyeless, it had two small gnawing mouths were a normal creature’s eyes would be. It lipless mouth was lined with sharp teeth that moved in disturbing ways as the muscle contracted. Two long segmented antennas at least a meter long, stuck out of the top of its head which danced around like a dousing rod. An immense set of pincers dominated its face with small human like fingers nestled between them leading to a third, larger mouth.

Towerin felt his legs go watery, but he was the Captain damn it. He had a duty to his ship and crew. He finally managed to pull his Heaven forged revolver from under his long overcoat taking careful aim. A single shot pistol, it made Towerin feel in control again, as he squeezed the trigger. There was a flash of blue, as the blessed round left the barrel slamming into the creature. It had time for a high pitch wail before it was briefly engulfed in bright blue holy flames. The creature fell lifeless to the deck, reduced to a smoldering cinder like an exhausted log in a campfire. His elation lasted only a moment, then the rest of the swarm arrived.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The bugs swarmed over the side of the ship like locus in a crop field, they were suddenly everywhere, tearing crew members’ apart stuffing bits into all three of their mouths. Towerin snarled as he drew his sword from its protective scabbard. Forged of Orichalcum and stardust, the blade shone with blue angelic magic from all the heavenrunes imprinted on the blade. With a roar Towerin charged into battle, Darwin just behind him his rapier in hand. A battle haze took over Towerin as he hacked and slashed the damn bugs that would dare to threaten his ship. He moved with the sureness from a lifetime of fighting as his bladed flashed through anything in his path. Greenish ichor flew about like raindrops, as the bugs fell one by one before him. Steadily his sword glow grew fainter, as its reserve of power was spent with each blow. He would have to ask Darwin to recharge it later, or pay the exorbitant fee to have another do it.

Towerin slashed through two arms of the next bug with little resistance. He spun deftly around for the killing blow, only to have his blade ricochet off the creature’s carapace. The deflected blow drew his attention down to his dark blade. The holy power in his sword was gone. The bug seized upon his distraction with a viscous backhand across the face. Towerin went sprawling to the deck as blood arced through the air from his mashed face. Stars appeared before his eyes and tears blurred his vision as the creature loomed over top, its mandibles wide. A flash of red and the bug stumbled backwards howling in pain right before it was engulfed in intense hellfire flames. A moment later it exploded into a shower of bits and pieces.

Towerin got to his knees spitting out blood onto a sizzling piece of the bug that landed nearby. He looked around at the rest of his crew as they poured onto the deck armed to the teeth. Nearest was his Security Chief, Ervin. Tall and strong, he had a long lock of blonde hair tied in braids behind his back and a chisel face of a man who knew how to fight dirty. He wore a bright white overcoat with large dark buttons done up all the way down to his knee high black laced boots. Ervin flashed Towerin a cocky girn. His confidence was well placed as he carried enough weaponry for two men, with a sheathed saber on his back and a pistol in each hand. Two bandoliers of bullets crisscrossed his muscular chest, each round as big as a shot glass. In one set, the bullet tip were glowing a brilliant blue, and in the other it burned a dark crimson. The pistols were polar opposites, one forged in Heaven the other in Hell. Towerin had scoffed at him for using weapons from both above and below. Told him to keep it simple and choose one or the other. But his son never did listen to him.

Ervin fired the left gun with practiced eased. Towerin saw a flash of blue and an accompanying shriek as a bug fell victim to holy flames. With a practice twirl, Ervin spun both pistols in unison ejecting the empty rounds. He neatly tucked them under his arms as he quickly loaded each with its corresponding ammo. All the while his eyes roamed the fight, taking in everything with gunfighter ease. Another twirl and he was taking aim at the next bug which almost eviscerated Darwin as he fought off three of its brethren.

To his right Towerin saw his recently purchased security golem heading toward him casually crushing any of the creatures that got in his way. He only bought it last week at Darwin’s insistence. With the increased pirate raids, it could make all the difference, he had argued. At first Towerin scowled saying that he could fight off some filthy pirates with his own crew. It wasn’t until Darwin pointed out it was on sale, thanks to the owner moving to Hell, that Towerin reluctantly agreed. Now he was certainly glad he had. The golem towered over everything being nearly ten feet tall. The golem was comprised of Orichalcum and refined Talerite which made in nearly impervious to the creatures. It casually strode through the battle ignoring the claws scrapping its reddish black shell. Hands larger than Towerin’s head lashed out with impressive speed crushing the carapace of any bug foolish enough to get too close. It reached Towerin extending a hand covered in greenish ichor. Towerin ignored the offered hand getting to his feet, surveying the fight. The battle was still raging on as a seemingly endless supply of bugs crawled onto the deck from all sides.

“Master, the situation is perilous. I recommend you go below deck for your own safety,” the golem said in a flat, dead voice. It could’ve been reporting on the weather.

“Forget it you pile of gizzard stones. Get out there and protect my ship and crew!” Captain Towerin barked at the golem almost twice his height.

“Yes master,” the golem said turning as it charged into battle, shattering carapaces with every blow.

“Hey boss, take this,” Ervin said reaching Towerin’s side, tossing him his sword before reloading his pistols again. Towerin snatched the blade from mid-air it glow a comfort. He looked as his son and was dismayed to see half of Ervin’s rounds already gone.

Were things that bad? Towerin wondered.

“Told you to call me father,” Towerin said.

“Sure thing boss,” Ervin said giving him a rebellious smile. The boy would make a fine captain one day if he didn’t get himself killed. Towerin ignored his son as he dashed back into the fray hacking and slashing as he went.

After what seemed like several days, Towerin sat down on the deck next to Ervin and Darwin, utterly exhausted as he watched the security golem crushed the last bug.

“Told you…” Darwin said gasping his wings hanging limp. “…it was a good idea to buy that golem.” Too tired to respond Towerin simply nodded as the golem planted its foot into the thorax of the final bug. A loud crunch along with a splattering of green and it was over.

“What I want to know is where, did all the pissed roaches come from?” Ervin said panting, both his bandoliers empty.

“It doesn’t matter,” Towerin said struggling to his feet. With many dead they were on a skeleton crew now. “We have to get out of here before…” He never got to finish, as a massive dark shape rose before the ship’s bow. It could not be seen. It was so black that it perfectly matched the void, but it could be felt. An evil so overwhelming that everyone still standing collapsed to their knees shivering in pure terror. Even the golem, which had no emotions, trembled before this awesome presence. Before Towerin could offer a pray to any who would listen, a pure white eye half the size of his ship opened right ahead of them. It was an eye that could see into their very depths of their being.

“My god…” Darwin said. Towerin thought that summed it up nicely.