Excerpt: The Flying Torpedo (Short Story)

A torpedo cloaked in smog floated across the sky, assisted by the hymns and hums of propellers drowning out the screams of the smog-slinging exhaust. That metal-cladded balloon roared across the sky, ripping clouds with a whale-like wail as the metal machination lowered. 

On the ground, soldiers ran from the barracks, disturbing the ash on the grass. The soldiers ran towards their artillery kicking up soot, masking their paths.  The rest stood starting ; watching raw metal pierce the clouds. The artillery cranks and clicks to it’s position, awaited for their cue. The metal amalgamation descended past the clouds, unveiling the flag plastered across its side—the Union Jack. The soldiers lowered their arms.

The torpedo rumbled and roared, rattling the bullets and artillery shells littered across the soil. Its legs hissed as it extends, squashing blackened trees and makeshift mounds. A gaggle of growls grew louder and louder, palled by dust and soot.  A volley of jeeps emerged from the cloud; most trackbeds were empty but some carried cages. 

The torpedo’s propellers’ hums and hums quelled. Its bottom basket unveiled, hissing as its metal-slope injecting itself in the soil. A myriad of men, stood at its bases as one man took the lead, heading towards the jeeps. Some men followed, others were running equipment down to the jeeps; most trackbeds were empty but some carried cages. 

The torpedo’s propellers quelled, as its bottom basket unveiled. Its metal-slope injecting itself in the soil. A gaggle of men stood at its bases as one man took the lead, heading towards the jeeps. Some men followed, others were running equipment down to the jeeps.

The foreman was quipped with a slim stash and cargo coat. He strode to the first jeep where a man stood wearing his camo garbs and his Colonel patch. The Cargo-Man approached the sergeant, “Good evening, you must be Colonel Shaw, I presume?”

“Correct, and you’re Captain Grimm?”

“In the flesh. We’ve got a couple of supplies for your troops.” Grimm waved in a lady from the back, “This is Julietta, our secretary. She’s like our sister, so don’t have your men rough her up.” Julietta was wearing her cargo garbs same as the men but instead wearing a black ankle-long skirt.

Shaw eyed Julieta’s scrawny build, “I see the draft got you. They didn’t deem you suitable as a medic, am I right?”

She spoke in a soft tone, “Yes sir. I ain’t good with blood, so I had to serve the queen’s empire another way.”

Shaw laughed “Like me guess you’re a city folk with a family farm!” Before she could respond, Shaw signed for some guards to come, “My men will guide you to our headquarters. You’ll fill out the paperwork there.”

Julietta followed the men; playing friendly with the overly too eager soldiers, and using her folders to cover up the men’s gazes.

Captain Grimm spoke up, “Without further of do, from what I was able to gather we’re just taking some personnel home, am I right?”

“More or less.”

“Very well then, we’ll be making sure your men will get home safe.” Grimm extends his hand.

Shaw shakes it, “F.Y.I., I’ll be on the ship too, so I’ll be keeping an eye on my men..” Grimm just grins along. 

“Well, depart in a few days. That should be more than enough time you get everyone on board. If you have any questions ask me or Julietta.”

Four days passed, The Captain and Julietta stood the loading-dock; through the fog eyeing the remaining jeeps rolled by hoisting: letters, mail, and other miscellaneous items the soldiers wanted to send to their loved ones. Behind all the jeeps, there was another headlight higher looming over; an alter convoy truck, with exposed cage at the back, with other jeeps following with an attached machine gun trained on the cage. Riding shotgun of the convoy truck was The Colonel.

Grimm picked up a walkie, “What’s the meaning of this, Colonel?! There was no mention of this!”

“Plans of changed buttercup, they’re goods like the rest. Your Secretary knows all about it, it’s accounted for.”

Grimm turned to Julie, “Is that true?”

“Yes sir, it’s accounted for. It was signed off by the Queen.”

Grimm picked up the walkie again “Alright, you can bring it on my ship, Colonel.”

“Glad to hear that you listen to reason.”

The truck convoy rode closer, with foreign prattle emitting from it. As they passed by, Shaw grinned at Grimm, maintaining eye contact till he fully passed by. Then the cage did, where men and women dressed in blackened tommy-uniforms, some of them were barely garbed just enough to cover their jewels. With a label brandished upon their cage “P.O.W.”

Grimm turned to Julietta, “Where are they putting them?”

“They’re bringing to England to integrate, some of them are political figures.”

“I didn’t mean that. Where are they going on my ship?”

“They’re going into storage. They’re going to stay in that cage.”

“There's got to be at least twenty of them, how are we going to feed them?”

“Don’t worry about that, we’ve got an extra shipment of food for them.” She showed Grimm the spread sheet, “You forget they’re prisoners, they don’t get fed much. Give them a smaller ration and the rest of us can have a greater meal.”

* * *

The hulking ironclad of the sky, heralding its lift off to all in earshot; stretching and screaming, metal bellowing as it vanishes into the fog. The rest of the men gather in the lounge, The crew mingling with the soldiers, over a game of crown and anchor.

The Banker wore the crews’ suit, with his shirt off exposing his oil stained A-shirt, which matched his oily hair. He sat in the middle, cheering on the grunts to join. Once they joined, he grinned, along with the other crewmates. The Banker waved in more and more, and with every new member he poured more oil in the lamp beside them. The swindle grew more and more till the Colonel was waved in.

The Colonel approached the Banker’s operation, “Seems there’s a good game here.”

“Yeah, it’s going great.”

Shaw looked at the game tin, which held many coins, “Seems like you’re making a huge profit.”

The Banker stuttered, “Oh that, yeah—we’ve made a lot. But it’s going to the first round of drinks, we’re almost there so—uh—why not join.”

Shaw grins, “Very well.” Placed ten pence on anchor.

The Banker was grinning as he rolled the dice, then it dropped; rolling three anchors. “You’re a lucky man.” The Banker gave Shaw his winnings: forty pence. The Banker collected the rest of his winnings. Which he then announced, “We made enough! Drinks ’s on me, Boys!”

Shaw grinned at the Banker, “Oh, why thank you. Shall I know the name of the man who bought me a drink?”

“Oh yes, I’m Henry. And yours sir?”

“Nice to meet you Henry, I’m assuming based upon your oily undergarment, that you’re a mechanic.”

“That’s right.”

“Oh pardon my manners, I’m Shaw, Colonel Shaw.”

Henry’s face dropped, “You mean the—the second in command?” 

“Correct private, you do listen to me swell as your captain.” Shaw paused, pointing at the game, “Are you aware, that what you’re doing is illegal gambling, that’s comes with a hefty fine by her majesty. I’m normally a cool guy, and don’t butt in. But! I won’t stand by as someone swindles my men. Do you understand Henry.”

Henry bit his tongue. “I’m sorry Colonel. Won’t happen again.”

Shaw leans in, whispering into his ear, “You see Henry, this can be water under the bridge, if, only if you give me half you earning. If you don’t, and I’ll know if you don’t, I would have to report this despicable scene. You understand, Henry?”

Henry nodded like a bobblehead, “Crystal clear Colonel.”

Shaw pats Henry’s shoulder, “Great! Now I’m going to get my free drink.”

Henry sighed, staring at the new ringleader. He slouched back, gazing upon the corridor, spotting The Captain. Henry shuffles his game away, and shooed away the men.

Captain Grimm, walked through the drunken soldiers and crew. Arriving at the center, announcing, “Seems like you guys are mingling well. I just want to run some house rules so everyone’s on the same page. I’m the captain of this ship, meaning I’ve full authority on this ship. Underneath me is Colonel Shaw,” Grimm pointed at Shaw—he stood up “Who’s still above everyone else, and can order you around. But he’s mainly dealing with diplomatic issues, and ordering his soldiers. And as you see his soldiers are in caring arms to deal with their mission—the rest of you don’t need to worry about. 

“Moving past that. We just reached altitude so it should be smooth sailing from here on out. We’ll arrive at our destination in a little over two weeks and a half. So in the meantime, enjoy yourselves. We’ve got enough food and booze for you all! Today spoil yourselves!”

The Crew and Soldiers lifted their glass yelling “Cheers!” and took a sip. 

The men resumed their festivities, with the chefs sling out dishes for the men. Grimm slithered through the crowd, making his rounds introducing himself to the new members; checking up on his crew. 

Grimm arrived upon an older overweight-man, Grimm placed his hand upon his shoulder, “Sorry Virgil, we didn’t get another janitor. There’s a lot more cleaning for you.”

“It's fine, it’s my job after all.”

“I didn’t mention it, but we do have some, extra guests, in cargo. So you’d’ve to clean up after them as well as your normal duties.” 

Virgil guest nodded, “By your tone, I’m assuming I’ve got to keep it under wraps?”

* * *

Virgil did his cleaning arounds in the zeppelin’s underbelly. Underneath the steel beams and metal sheets spanning the walls and roofs, all illuminated by dim oil-lamps or flickering electro-lights. The Janitor began his work, sweeping beneath the pipes, checking for leaks or cracks. Cleaning up dust and grime, while he investigated any animal droppings that may be on board. Spotting none, he headed to his new duty, the prisoners. He removed their toilet—a shared browned bucket—dumping it in the septic tank.  

Before wrapping up, he did another round. This time on the floor there was some: meat, vegetables, and MREs; scattered across the floor, half-consumed. Noticing a crate beside it, ajarred, nails ripped out, the wood partially marred. Virgil opened the crate, and inside, inside that crate of food was a void. Nothing remained besides scrap and crap. Virgil lifted his head up, watching shadows shift in the light, as each that passed, got extinguished. Virgil jumped back, waving his torch, illuminating what he could, but the shadow still moved. 

Metal clunked sporadically across the stage. Virgil’s hand shook, sweat poured from every gland. His breath became heavy, masking the creature’s breath. Virgil wiped his neck, clearing the sweat. Looking at his hand. It wasn’t sweat. He jerked back, flashing his torch behind him; seeing the creature’s face as it unleashes a crippling cackle. 

Virgil ran. The Monster followed on all fours, out pacing the man. Virgil arrived at the door, hearing the footfall throughout—taking a glance back, he saw nothing!

Virgil ran into the lounge, screaming monster! A crowd formed, he tried to explain but the soldiers all laughed, and so did his crewmates. Grimm was pulled to the commotion, calling Virgil into the bridge. It was filled with electronics, and analog steering, a small-few controlled their station. Shaw was within the bridge along with two of his men.

Grimm spoke first, “I’ve heard you saw something. What was it?

Virgil spoke but each word blended with the next.

Shaw snapped “What is it boy! Speak like a man, not a sissy!”

Virgil’s eyes dulled, his speech: quaking, “When I-I was cleaning up in the s-storage. I saw something, something I’ve never seen before.”

Grimm stepped closer to Virgil, placing his hand on his shoulder, “What was it my good friend.”

Virgil, slew down, trying to articulate what he saw, “It was a demon. I tell you!” Shaw scoffs. “You godda believe me! It was a creature of darkness! Running on all fours. It was one with the shadows. It wore a devilish grin, as it toyed with me!”

Grimm spoke up, “Where did you see this creature Virgil.”

“It was in storage, Captain. It ate our provisions. Nothin’s left in that crate. It must’ve stowed away within our food.” 

Shaw scoffed again, “You believe this bullshit, Grimm. This fat bastard is clearing making this up!” Shaw pushed into Virgil’s face, backing him away, “I bet you this is an excuse he devised so he could eat all our food!”

“Shaw! Leave him be.” Grimm pulled Shaw off Virgil “In any case we should investigate what happened. See if there’s any truth to what he was saying.”

“Very well. But if he’s lying, like I believe, we’re throwing him in confinement. We can’t keep a mad man onboard.”

Virgil jumped in, “I swear on my life, I’m telling you what I saw was real. If you still don’t believe me after I show you what happened, then feel free to lock me up!”

Shaw grinned “Very well than blubberbutt. I accept your bet.”

Grimm, Shaw, and Virgil looked around in the storage. Virgil led them to where he saw the monster and the rotting floor. There wasn’t a single speck of food on the floor. 

Virgil turned to Grimm “It was here I swear it. The monster must’ve ate the rest! That’s why it ain’t here! Check the-the food crate.”

Shaw and Grimm looked at the floor, not finding any vestiges. 

Virgil continued, “The wood should be busted, nails ripped out! And the food inside was gone!”

Shaw signed “You’re going to believe this guy, Grimm!”

“Get the crowbar Shaw. Even if it’s just a mouse, we need to check our rations—make sure it ain’t contaminated.”

Shaw went off cursing, grabbed and handed Grimm the crowbar. Grimm jammed it in, creaking the crate open, busting the nails. Popping it open, Grimm shoved the top aside, peering into the crate—perfectly pristine provisions.

Virgil’s eyes scattered across, searching the crate, “This Can’t Be!” Virgil lunged at the crate, sifting through the provisions, “This can’t Be!”

Grimm hoisted him off, “Quit it Virgil!”

“It can’t be.” Virgil jumps onto Grimm, “I saw it with my own eyes! You gotta believe me!”

“Calm down, mate. We’ll figure this out. But first take a rest, see your girl.”

Virgil ran out int the center of the storage, flailing his arms about, “‘ey! You shadowy cunt! Come get me, I’m right in the open! I know you’re here!” 

A few clicking rings out within earshot of Virgil. He shifts to the noise, seeing gleaming eyes in the abyss.

“I see you! You bitch! I’ve found him!” Virgil pointed towards the beast, “Shine the torch there!”

Shaw flicked his torch where Vigil pointed. Illuminating crates and pipes, and a layer of dust—undisturbed. 

“This can’t be! I saw it, swear it! I saw its eyes!”

Shaw mocked him, “Stare at the abysses long enough it’ll stare back.”

“That bastard was laughing at me! Didn’t you hear it!”

“You must be going mad, glutton. You heard the P.O.W.s.”

“I know what I saw!”

“Sure you did, chap.” Shaw’s hand crawled towards his revolver.

“Quit mocking me! I’m trying to save this ship!”

“And I’m doing the same.” Shaw ripped out his revolver, bashing Virgil’s head.

Grimm ran forth, catching Virgil before his head crashed, “The’s fucks wrong with you!”

“It’s the only way to shut up a mad man.” Shaw reholstered, “He’s a hazard, don’t want him stirring up troubles with his delusions.” He smirked, “Now, he’s easy to lock up. Surly, you don’t want chaos aboard your ship, Captain.”

* * *

Virgil awakens in a cage surrounded by crates blotting out the kerosene lamps. He ran to the bars, kicking over his bucket. “Fuck! Get me outta here! I’ll die down here! . . . Anyone!”

Virgil slips down to the splintering floor, listening to the creaking and clicking trying to determine if it’s the ship or the beast. Through those creaks and clicks, clacking ermergies—approaching. Virgil scrams to the back, trying to hide in the shadows.  Virgile shuts his eyes, as the footfall grew louder and louder; till coming to a halt.

“Virgil is that you? Are you okay?" said a feminine voice.

Virgile opens one eye, spotting Julietta. He ran to the edge of the cage, “Yes, it is my dear. You don’t think I’m mad like the others right?”

Julietta paused, “Have you gotten anything to eat?”

“You too? I thought you’d believe me. I wouldn’t joke about this kind of thing.”

“It doesn’t strike me that you’ll joke about this kind of thing.”

“Then what is it? You think I’m on opium?”

“God, no!”

“Than please believe me. You know what comes in and out of this storage. Check all the provisions. They’re’s one missing. It’s been moved and cleaned, since last I’ve been there. It would be empty and moved. Please Julietta, I’m begging you.”

Julietta signs, heads to the cage, placing her hand upon his cheek, “I’ll check just for you my dear. But in the meantime hold out.”

“I don’t know if I can, without you Julietta.”

“What a hopeless romantic you are. I’ll visit you everyday, how does that sound.”

“Terrific.”

“In the meantime, forget what you saw. If you claim you where on opium, and how it’s out of your system, the might let you out sooner. That’s you best bet, my love.”

Few hours later, Julietta brought food to Virgil. Dropping it off, she made her rounds of the storage. Checking everything with her clipboard. First checking the provisions locale, nothing stood out. She looked at the paint numbers, checking off each one she saw. The crates themselves were out of order, but besides that nothing out of the ordinary jumped out. Except there’s one provision crate unchecked, so she peers around. ‘Maybe it’s been misplaced? Or I just missed the number?’ 

Looking for a while, Julietta couldn’t find the crate. She circles in on the checklist, and heads for the exit. When a scream rang out. A feminine scream. Julietta’s scream.

* * *

A day passed, Grimm heads to the lounge; checking in on Henry, asking for Julietta. She wasn’t there. He went and asked the Chef—nothing. Grimm headed to Shaw, asking the same question.

His response: “That gal? No, I haven’t, what does it matter to you? She’ll probably banging some bloke as we speak.”

“She wouldn’t! She’s important role: she does all the paperwork; keeping track of what comes in and out.”

Shaw scoffs, “I’m sure there’s something coming in and out of her.”

Grimm brushed him off, “Ask your men if they’ve seen her!” 

Grimm storms off resuming his search; asking around the ship: no luck. Grimm waltzed into the storage, asking the guards—nothing. 

  Stumbling upon Virgil, he asked “How’re ya feeling Virgil? Sorry that I’ve to do this to you.”

Virgil just sat in a fetal position facing the wall; saying nothing.

“I’m not asking for forgiveness. When we land, we’ll let you out—It’s that shitty Colonel’s command.” Grimm walked around the cage, trying to get a better glimpse of his face, “Julietta has gone missing, have you seen her?”

Tears began to roll down his face “She’s dead! The monster got ‘er.”

“What?! You’ve see this with your own eyes?”

“No, but I’ve heard—heard her scream being cut short.”

“When was this?!”

“Yesterday, she came to give me food then wander around here.”

“What time!?”

“How am I suppose to know? I’ve been knocked out and  I don’t got a clock or sunlight to go off by.”

“We’ll get her back, Virgil.”

“There’s no getting her back. Just avenging her by killing that beast!”

Grimm erected, leaving Virgil to rot in his cell. Grimm did a quick look around, inspecting all that he could. Spotting no blood—excluding a few dibbles of Virgil’s blood.  

Grimm took a tangent, asking the guards posted by the P.O.W. holding, about Julietta. 

One guard spoke, “See nothin’ here mate. We’ve stayed here watching these vermin. But we do take shifts, I wasn’t present the whole time yesterday. If she was here it was during my lunch break.”

“What’s the other guard’s name!?”

“Wildes, sir.”

Grimm returned to Shaw who was extracting money from Henry, “‘ey! Shaw what’s going on here!?”

A smile slithered across his face “Just a friendly bet, no need to worry.” He turned to Henry, “Ain’t that right, Henry?”

“Yeah, lost a bet.”

Grimm took a pause eyeing them, waiting to see if they broke character, “Shaw, I need to know where’s Wildes?”

Shaw slipped off Henry, “Why’s that? Is he in trouble?”

“No, just need information.”

“Well, frankly, I don’t know. He has off today.”

“Well, ask one of your men to find him. Surely one of them knows.”

Shaw sighed, getting up; and walked away, “Very well then.”

Grimm turned his direction to Henry, “What’s going on here?”

“It’s nothing, like I said I lost the bet.”

“What was the bet about?”

Henry’s eyes darted around the lounge, “it was—uh—about, sorry I’m just trying to get the correct verbiage.” Henry’s eyes fell upon the half-fulled ashtrays “I betted him that the ashtray would be completely full by today—with his soldiers and all. And I’ve lost.”

* * *

Shaw rounded up his men in the barracks. They were all crowded around him; wherever there was space.

Shaw’s voice exploded, “Listen Men! I’m looking for an unattended man: Wildes. Who’s his battle buddy? And who has seen him last?” no-one spoke, “Speak up, Men! Or this cozy voyage home will be filled with training.”

A scuffed looking man exited the crowd, “I’ven’t seen him since he was off duty.” The man scratched his stubbled chin, “He told me that he was going to explore the ship.”

“Seems like you know him well enough,” Shaw squinted at the man’s nametag, “Private McGale, go find him and bring him to me.”

McGale slammed his boot together, saluting, “Yes! Sir!”

McGale departed. First he checked the commons, and every normal part a soldier might be. After finding nothing, he decided to check storage: nothing. He checked the upper deck—exposing himself to the helium. He let out a high-pitch yell—nothing. Nothing in the septics, nor water supplies, nor fuel room or any maintenance room. 

McGale roamed around again in the storage, this time checking behind the crates—and even jumping on top of them. From his vantage, he noticed a small gap encircled by crates. With the only entrance into the arena was through a small-parting facing the wall.

McGale dropped off the crates. Approaching the location he enters the earshot of mumbling prattle—like a fishing gasping for air mixed with a rat. 

Squirming through the enclosed crates’ gateway, his footfall became squishy and sloppy. McGale’s head shifted downwards, spotting thin puddle blood. McGale quit shimming through, and pushed the crates open. 

In his sight, was Wilde with his pants down surrounded by blood—missing a brain. In the back was Julietta, crying and praying simultaneously. Her clothes were disheveled and marred, exposing large amount of her skin. She used Wilde’s bloody jacket to cover up. By her side was Wilde’s revolver.

McGale cursed the sky, while snapping off Wilde’s dog tag. He looks towards Julietta, “What happened here!?”

Julietta didn’t answer, her eyes just stared off, completely disconnected to her surroundings. McGale shook her, repeating his question. She answered: “I-I d-don’t know?”

McGale snapped, saying while slinging spit, “What do you mean you don’t know!” 

“What happened w-was.” Julietta eye’s darts around. “T-that’s right! I-it was the monster. It came in from the sky, and with one swipe of its claw it went through his head in a second.” Julietta expanded her hands sizing up the claw, “its claw was two feet long, with its webbed arms like a bat swooping from above.”

McGale caressed his face, stretching and squishing his flesh. “Very well then. We’ll get a full write up later.” McGale spots the revolver near Julietta. He reaches over to grab it, only to be blocked by Julietta’s hand. McGale looks at her “Miss, you have to give me the revolver. Colonel’s rules.” 

Julietta’s hand retracts, and McGale grabs it. He inspects the revolver, opening up the cylinder, ejecting the rounds. The bullets clanked on the floor; with a few-higher pitch than the others. McGale crouches down and picks up two spent casings. He turned to Julietta “What’s the meaning of this miss?!”

“Oh uh—”

McGale glared at her “I know for a fact these were used on this ship. Don’t lie to me, Ms! Did you shoot Wildes!?”

“No! I didn’t! It was the monster I said, are you deaf!? The man was busy doing hor—” her body shivered and shutter “--doing horrid things to me. And when the monster got him, I grabbed the revolver quick and fired at the monster.”

McGale extends his hand to Julietta, “No matter what, you got to expand this to the higher ups.”

Julietta nods, taking his hand.

McGale hoists her up, guiding her out. As he does so, his eyes fell upon Wilde’s exposed cranium.