Prologue

1.

Saturday 31st January, 1891.

THE BRITISH HAD DONE it; finally breached the main asteroid belt with the might that was HMAS Sovereign, their crown aether flagship. It was true that the Russians had beaten them to it, but not by as much as they thought. Improvements to Sovereign meant they were gaining. Commander George Bedford tried to keep his thoughts focused on this, the mission, as a distraction. He did not want to look at Professor Nathaniel Stone.

He and Stone had crossed paths on the way to the meeting, Bedford realising they had fallen into step before Stone seemed to, his head no doubt full of complex designs and ideas for projects that could aid the crew of Sovereign on her mission.

Stone’s step had been light and his stride long owing to him being the tallest man on the ship. Even when he’d finally noticed Bedford and nodded in recognition, his rate of acceleration meant he was the first to reach the conference room. A glance around, a disgruntled humph, and he’d tossed down some papers onto the table, before taking a seat.

Frustrated once again to realise his mind was focused on Stone, Bedford dragged his thoughts to something—anything—that would help him not to dwell on Folkard’s last communication to him, revealing truths he’d rather not know.

In desperation, Bedford cast his mind back some weeks to the re-fit of the ship.

Sovereign was still primarily powered by steam but the boilers were of a new design, constructed of exceptionally strong materials enhanced by metals and minerals discovered during many previous missions and adventures. Doctor Boltzmann, an Austrian physicist who designed the gravitar matrix now used on several naval vessels, had constructed many of the ship’s new systems, as had Professor Thomson and his team, enhancing Sovereign’s power through electricity. The newer, stronger mirrors and solar panels harnessed the power of the sun from greater distances.

This was now the ship of which Bedford was second in command, and she deserved him at his best. Alas, his thoughts drifted back to Nathaniel Stone when he considered that possibly not to be outdone, the professor had suggested a way of adding the new mineral, edwinite, to the water in the boiler. When a certain temperature was reached a chain reaction now increased the steam output.

Did he really believe Stone had invented this method to display his equality of intellect if not superiority? No, of course he didn’t, but he couldn’t help his natural inclinations of belligerence. He could almost hear Annabelle stating he was a commander, but also a man and only human, and humans could not always be generous. Bedford had taken a seat at the head of the table, pretending to go over notes for the meeting to avoid conversation. Now he took a slow, deep calming breath, accepting he required time to…not get over his newfound antipathy…never that, but to learn how to cope with it.

His emotions were just settling when Arnaud Fontaine, head mineralogist, entered. Bedford’s back stiffened and he managed no more than a polite nod at Fontaine’s hello.

“Bonjour, mon ami,” the Frenchman said softly as he took a seat next to Stone.

Stone shot him a sideways look, coughed, and continued reading some papers he had in front of him. Bedford tried not to make much of Fontaine’s searching gaze upon the other man’s face, but for however briefly that look lasted, he couldn’t help take note.

Was there trouble in paradise? The thought neither made him happy nor upset him. He didn’t know what to make of Fontaine. He didn’t really know the man, and now wouldn’t choose to more than duty required. He noted that Fontaine was looking markedly well considering all he’d been through—a fact that had initially left Bedford questioning his inclusion—and Bedford discovered with some pleasure that he was glad of his concern. He didn’t want to think his natural dislike of the relationship he now knew existed between the two men would completely change his feelings towards them. Bedford just wished he could put all that he had learned of the Frenchman’s errant behaviour down to Fontaine having been tortured, but the timing was wrong. He felt some relief though to realise Fontaine’s having suffered still angered him. Had that anger not been present, Bedford would have felt aghast of his own nature. No man, no matter what his crime, deserved such treatment.

He was further relieved to note that he was capable of separating ability from behaviour. He struggled with the concept, but he was capable, and that was an attribute he hoped to improve.

The good of the mission. Stone and Fontaine’s presence were for the good of the mission. Folkard had realised and accepted this simple fact, and Bedford would have to try to do the same.

Despite this resolution he was glad when, a second later, Doctor Robert Beverly, their chief medical officer, entered, footsteps shadowed by Senior Lieutenant Harry Boswell, staff engineer. The two men had obviously been talking, but broke off as they entered. Gruff but friendly best described the doctor, and being that both men were Welsh, they no doubt had a lot to chat about. Bedford allowed them to confer quietly before the meeting’s commencement, while other various heads of department filed in and took available seats.

For the purpose of this gathering the ship’s captain was not needed. Bedford would give him a basic rundown later. He understood the value of the research team in a way the captain of Sovereign didn’t, and he had spent a good amount of time already, and would likely spend much more, convincing the captain it was worth indulging them. Every time their value came into question, Bedford had taken to exclaiming over some new improvement to the ship that was owing to their shenanigans, as he’d occasionally heard their adventures called.

To start, Bedford took a maintenance report from Boatswain Joshua Palmer, and then, among other things, was happy to hear from Doctor Beverly that there were no serious health issues or injuries. To conclude, Staff Engineer Boswell reported that, “The new systems fit right in,” and were performing better than expected.

General business out of the way, Bedford stared around at the assembly. He had no need to remind them that their intention was to reach Planet X, the Drobate’s home world.

Bedford almost began his speech with “gentlemen” but caught his error, frustrated with him needing to remember there was a lady present. While he was now used to seeing women as part of the crew, old habits and all that had a way of lingering. Even for Bedford—a man who had no problem accepting women on board—he lapsed more often than he liked, and among some of the men there was a little resentment. Being married to the former Miss Somerset, he wouldn’t have dared voice such prejudices even had they been a part of his fibre. Fortunately for him and his marriage he had no problem with women serving in scientific or military matters. Katharina Wollf, an Austrian scientist, was on board owing to the British-Austrian alliance over gravitar and its use. As she understood the workings of gravitar and solar power, her help had been invaluable. No-one bothered justifying her presence for understandably political reasons, and something about her declared if she had to she could defend herself. He included her in his opening address of welcome.

Bedford cleared his throat and took a moment to give his next words weight. “We are breaking new records in aether flight, making good time, and we believe owing to improvements, we are fast catching up with Imperator.” His comments were a little leading; though designed to bolster morale, he was sure some of the crew were as tired by such attempts as he was. Mixed expressions of ambivalent emotions passed over the faces of those listening. There had already been losses and betrayal from some of those aboard the Russian Imperator—most notably that of Cyrus Grant; the thought always brought with it a pang of discomfort Bedford reserved entirely for Annabelle, Grant’s niece. While Bedford hoped to have seen the last of such treachery, he expected more loss to come. They all knew to catch up with Imperator would result in battle. “But before then we have the might of Jupiter to confront.”

There was some exchange of glances around the table that he’d anticipated. The decision whether to visit Jupiter had been a matter for discussion and some contention.

He looked at Wollf to take up the exchange of information. Her English was good, fortunately; however, she did have a tendency to talk down to people as if explaining science to children. In some cases, Bedford considered her approach preferable. One of her applied sciences was meteorology.

“There is belief that life began when gravity pulled dust and rock circling the sun together into planets.” There was murmuring from one or two at the table; others shook their heads glancing at Bedford.

“We are not here to argue science versus theology.” Bedford looked at Wollf. “Please continue.”

“The largest planet, Jupiter, prevented some of these pieces—enough of them to form another planet four times larger than Earth—from coming together. The result is the asteroid belt we passed through.” She clasped her hands together, leaning forwards on the table. Her blonde hair was as neat and smooth as her features. “Jupiter has a great magnetic field, much stronger than that of Earth. The pull is immense. Earth is always at risk from meteorite strikes. It is believed that Jupiter’s great attraction prevents many of these celestial fragments from damaging or wiping out life on Earth.” Wollf took a moment. “If Jupiter did not exist, neither would life on Earth.”

This comment produced more disgruntled murmurs. Bedford knew many at the table would argue with her that it was God who chose where life existed and only He had the ability to extinguish it. Where aliens from the depths of space fit into their mind set he could not say. Personally, experience had taught him a need for spirituality and a respect for science. As little as he really understood, science made him see the universe as all the more miraculous regardless of who or what had created it.

Bedford let Wollf continue with the few details they had ascertained or surmised about Jupiter before he broke in to inform them officially of the captain’s decision.

He took a deliberate pause to look around the table and then told everyone they were heading for Jupiter.

2.

THE ENSUING EXCITEMENT SPREAD to almost everyone, although there was one at the table who tempered emotion with logic even while exchanging smiles and congratulations. The decision was an interesting one. Captain Theobald had expressed his doubts in other meetings, while Bedford had always been convinced of the importance of the exploration. Apparently, he had convinced the captain of the same.

Going to Jupiter had to be intentional and although this was the first decision of this type it would unlikely be the last. Although they were following Imperator’s trajectory, and since planets were by their very nature not stationary, neither ship could guarantee coming across planets following a straight line. As the mission was partly one of research no-one should express surprise that the captain had come to this conclusion, but a few murmuring voices did.

“As we are convinced we must be gaining on Imperator the captain is willing to make diversions.”

Bedford’s reply had the silent spectator smiling. The second in command had a way of not saying things that were readily apparent. That Bedford had managed to convince the captain of the importance of exploration was interesting, particularly on such a dangerous place as Jupiter. Perhaps the commander had more influence on board than had first been surmised. A point won for the research team. No wonder so many around the table were smiling.

Still…Jupiter. Although there was no way to know for certain, the emissary of Le Boeuf wasn’t sure even Tereshkov would have made the attempt. Too great a risk to the ultimate goal. So why then were they going? What did they hope to find on Jupiter that would be of such great importance, and who on board believed so?

The only thing Bedford had chosen to reveal was the decision, but the why could prove far more interesting.