| Chapter Nine - Creation |
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Since Williams arrival the underground construction which had once
seemed just a space for my experimentations had become more homely. I
suppose that after my flight to this subterranean chamber it had become
my lair rather than my home, but with the addition of a convivial
companion things had changed. Morning breakfast was time for
conversation on any number of points and my evenings were no longer
accompanied only by Shakespeare and Tacitus but also with diverting
games, pipes of tobacco and scientific discussion. All in all I found
young William curiously pleasant company. Our discussions on the
possibility of a full sized craft after the success of our model had
created a flurry of activity with William working with his curious
calculating devices (of his own devising) in his room at all hours, I
spent my time in the forge section of my lab playing with the modified
brass solution I had spoke to William about, I found intriguingly that
playing with the ratios of component metals could drastically alter the
metals properties. I spent some time browsing my fathers experiment
logs, fascinated by the strange additions he had made to his alloys to
produce some fantastic results.
I exited the forge tired and hungry one lunchtime, barely managing to remove the apron and goggles before collapsing into my armchair. Working metals with one hand was destroying my efficiency and tiring me far more than I would have thought possible. I packed and lit my pipe just managing the first pull as Will bounded excitedly into the room. To be absolutely honest his tireless energy was as welcome at that moment as finding a spider in your boots but nevertheless he passed a piece of paper to me with such a look on his face that I decided to take a quick look. As my eyes took in the details I quite forgot my pipe was in my mouth where it remained extinguished. I looked up only after etching the details of his design into my mind. Only then did I see Williams hopeful look and I could not surpress the grin that changed my look in a complete circle. This was the plan, we were going to fly. My pipe relighted, we engaged in a talk in which I must admit I think I got a little carried away not allowing the poor boy to retire until I heard six of the clock chime at the local church. Seeing no point in retiring myself as the sun would now be rising. I stalked off toward the village arriving at my familys builders house a little before seven and joining him for a rough breakfast. I discussed my need for a camoflaged building in my grounds to house the vehicle and also for labourers to move the component parts of the craft from the lab to the vehicle bay. My friend came up with a fascinating suggestion, blind labourers. Borrowing a trick from the stage magicians of London; able to carry out their work professionally, unable to see and tell. We struck an accord and I returned to my own home arriving around eleven just in time for luncheon and to find William hard at work in the lab whistling a tune as his hands nimbly worked away at the wood before him, seeing no reason to disturb his work I donned my apron and joined in. As time progressed the craft grew from a few pieces of metal to a behemoth of modern mechanical wonder. Will seemed quite perturbed by some of the rather rough and ready army chaps I occasionaly pulled in to help us out with our construction. Especially as they were generally accompanied by old Tom, the friend from the army who had first taken me to watch William's show in the park. Quite often Tom and I would retire to my study where I would show him some notes or models I had been working on, Tom for his part would give me the latest intelligence on me and the money he had received for passing on my creations. It was lucky I had such a friend as we needed every penny of it to finance our latest gargantuan task. One glorious summers day the final bolt was fastened and Tom, William and I christened the craft with chilled champagne and strawberrys on the deck. Manned flight was within our grasp. |
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