Chapter 84: Royal Engineers Part 1
Cal turned in a circle to take in the dusky space.
"They call it the Shed. No one remembers why this thing was built, but it is the biggest enclosed space available." Commander McAllen pointed to one wall. "All along there are rooms of various sizes from broom closets to meeting rooms for fifty people. Above them is an open gallery to observe the main space." He headed up the stairs. "This room at the end has a special treat." He pushed open a panel in the wall to reveal a short hallway to more stairs. "These bypass the gallery and go to the roof." Another door let them out onto a flat section of roof with a small barn-sized building.
"I think at one time they had cadets rappelling down the wall. There are still harnesses and ropes in the barn, though I'd hate to have to use one after all this time."
"I'm not sure we want people up here just yet." Cal stood a safe distance from the edge of the roof. "With the wind, it's too risky, and it isn't likely the engineers will need to learn to rappel."
"Not the engineers perhaps, but once we have airships, the crew will need to know how to use ropes to get to the ground."
Cal frowned thoughtfully. He made a good point.
"If you can arrange for me to learn, it would help in designing the airship. We will need hatches in the floor, places to store and anchor ropes, a way to bring the ropes and people back up into the airship, all things I hadn't thought of yet."
"Consider it done. There is a climbing and rappelling wall on the other side of the Academy. There's always a group working on it."
They returned down the stairs to the room. McAllen pulled the panel open to let them back into the room.
"Spring loaded for some reason." He shrugged.
Cal rubbed dirt off the glass and looked out the window. "How many rooms have windows like this?"
"The biggest room does, and this one."
"I'll make this my office; the light will be best in here." Cal walked around the space. "I'll need a table by the window and another along this wall. Shelves to organize books and papers along the wall with the panel. Put a desk by the panel. Chairs for each table."
"If you think of anything else let me know."
They walked through all the rooms with Cal deciding on their purpose. The administrative office would be next door to hers. The largest room set up as a mess and for large meetings. Other rooms for storage or small-scale experiments.
Cal found the stairs to the gallery and leaned on the rail. She imagined the shop as she pointed to different areas. "We'll want to keep the centre of the space open, but we'll need a foundry and machine shop; maybe in the corner by the big doors to make deliveries easier. Tool storage along the wall. I'm sure there will be other needs we discover as we go." If she had her way they would start this instant but she reined back her enthusiasm. Didn't want to miss something important. "The first thing will be building a steam supply near the foundry. A wall for safety when we're testing engine prototypes."
"How big a wall?"
"You ever see a boiler explode?" she asked dryly.
"Right, big and strong." McAllen led the way back to the ground. "I'll have a crew in clearing out and cleaning tomorrow. It will be ready for you within the week."
"I'll be here tomorrow; there may be surprises or useful items."
"If you're here, I have a security detail for you."
"Okay, but I have my own man whom they will need to coordinate with." Her lips twitched at the thought of telling Bundo he was going to have company.
"Great, I'll see you tomorrow."
***
By the end of the week, the building shone. A boiler had been set up with a chimney to the outside. A foundry and forge sat next to it, also vented outside. The safety wall had been constructed from oak planks and attached to the wall with beams. Upstairs, furniture filled the rooms.
The day they "opened for business," so to speak, Cal stood in the huge open expanse and listened as Commander McAllen explained security procedures. The men were all Navy and knew the drill. When he'd finished, she examined the team of engineers. The twelve men looked back at her doubtfully.
"I am Commander Cal Shillingsworth of the Royal Engineers. Team leaders will report to me. For now, we will have a team working on boiler design, another on engine design, and one to determine what displacement we need to lift the ship. As we progress, I will create new teams to take on tasks as they come up.
"You are here because your commanding officer recommended you for your engineering ability, but also your willingness to be creative in finding solutions. I don't want to spend all my time telling you what to do. Come up with a plan, execute it, evaluate, and adjust the plan. Any questions you may have, bring to me only after you've kicked them around."
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