Chapter 55: The Royal Society Part 1

The bell from the bridge rang as the pointer on the dial moved to one quarter reverse. Cal checked the pressure yet again. Still holding steady at sixty. She rang back to the bridge in acknowledgement and turned the valve to send steam to the engine. Though she and Bran had spent an entire week running tests on the boiler, engine and the new shaft, Cal's heart went to her throat as the rumble of the engine grew. She still had trouble believing she'd made so many changes to the engine. In the end, she had to compromise her vision in the name of practicality.
There had been nothing wrong with the pistons. With a new shaft and shifting around of the various pipes and valves, the engine ran as good as new.
The vibration under her feet changed and the Peregrine moved freely in the water once again after six months in Finches Harbour.
Cal had enjoyed every minute of her stay, spending time with Meireka and Cericia. She'd left a stack of sketchbooks and pencils for the budding young artist. Meireka's husband took to guiding Lahdin and Dan through the jungle. Cal had joined them once. She preferred her ship.
The bell rang again. Cal moved the lever to shift to forward. It worked but her sketchbooks were full of ideas to make it even quicker and safer.
Once she put the engine in forward, she rang the bell. They'd stay at one quarter until they cleared the harbour.
"We'll get a bit of time before the next change." Cal looked over at her apprentice. His sailor's whites made his chocolate skin look even richer. "If you want to run up top to watch, go ahead, I'm fine here."
Joliu grinned and vanished. He'd been curious about the engine room, then intrigued enough Cal hired him to help with the heavy work. After that he'd become obsessed, so Cal had convinced Captain Cully to take the man on as apprentice engineer. Bran had his own trainee. The lad had tired of being cabin boy on the freighter which brought the new parts.
Hope everything arrived home in good shape.
Cal had supervised the transfer from the Peregrine to the Clyde, ensuring everything was secure. The Clyde's purser told her the ship could roll completely over and nothing would move. Her satchel held the only specimen she hadn't sent on the freighter. She hoped Pentam wasn't too put out by its absence.
She'd finished Lord Carroway's journal, copying drawings from her sketchbooks into a book she'd had made to order. On each facing page, she'd written a description for the image. Her heart would ache to give it away; it was probably the best work she'd ever done.
Maybe not; she thought of the portrait she'd done for Crysabel. Her friend had sent her a long letter telling Cal all about the voyage home. She and Pentam were engaged and they wanted to set the date for when Cal would be in the City. Cal had replied they were leaving port within the month and sent the letter with a ship heading home to Anglia.
The bells rang for half power, and Cal adjusted the valve then rang back. Joliu appeared a moment later.
"Thank you, Lady ma'am." He wiped his eyes.
"Just ma'am, when I'm on duty." Cal said and set him to polishing. She saw no reason why the engine room had to be dirty. They'd see how long the cleanliness lasted. The bridge signalled for full power and Cal let Joliu adjust the valve and respond to the bridge.
"That's it for now, we just watch the pressure, keep the water level up and shovel coal." Cal stretched and let the knot of tension run out of her shoulders. "Let's go over the workings of the engine room again."
***
Cal packed her kit, then straightened her dress whites and blue jacket. Bran would stay with the ship and keep working the trainees on maintenance needed between voyages. Captain Cully had given her a month of shore time while he sold his cargo and looked for another expedition to carry.
She couldn't delay any longer. Cal slung her bag over one shoulder, her satchel hanging beneath it and headed out on deck. She saluted Captain Cully before walking down the gangplank.
Hans waved at her from a new looking steam carriage. Cal ran over to hug him.
"Sir Shillingsworth wanted to come himself, but they are presenting to the Royal Society tonight. He needed to be there to help organize."
"Can we make it in time to listen?"
"Hold on tight." Hans put the carriage in gear and they sped off.
"How long before we need to top up the boiler?" Cal dropped her bag to the floor and watched as the world blurred past.
"Has an automatic feed, so theoretically we can make it to the city without stopping."
"The coal too?"
"As long as the pieces are small enough. A large chunk will gum up everything."
"I'm going to have to take a good look at it."
"After the talk."
"I have a month's shore leave. I could take the thing apart and put it back together in that time."
Hans laughed and swerved around a horse and cart.
***
Pentam let Crysabel adjust his suit yet again. The three scientists sat on the stage to the left of the podium. Sir Shillingsworth sat to the right.
"Almost time." Crysabel said. "You'll be fine."
Pentam peered through the curtains again.