Read Online Roma Aeronautica by Daniel Ottalini - Free Book Online Page B

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    “Nevertheless, sir, I noticed that there were a lot of small islands dotting back along our path. The Peloponnese peninsula is famous for them.” His finger traced along the sheer multitude of small islands and inlets that peppered the waters of the Mare Mediterrane .
    Alexandros growled at the map. “Pirates.”
    Ionia nodded. “Or shipwreck. Smugglers. Rebels.”
    Alexandros concurred, “But probably pirates.”
    Ionia sighed. “Why do I feel like it is always pirates? Why can it never be a simple shipwreck?”
    Alexandros laughed, a big booming sound that echoed off the walls. The crew stopped and looked at him for a moment.
    “Our men are too good for a mere shipwreck. Pirates are a much more exciting challenge,” he boasted, conscious of the looks of his men upon him. “I have an idea. Can you push a message through to the airbase at Corinthus?”
    The wireless operator nodded hesitantly.
    “Well, can you or can’t you?”
    “I’ll need more altitude, sir. And perhaps a new machine?” he asked hopefully. Alexandros shook his head.
    “Then at least I can probably punch it through to Helos. They should have a more powerful transmitter there,” the cadet opined.
    Alexandros nodded.
    “Sir, Helos does have a recon skimmer wing.”
    “That’s better than nothing. Request their help and see what we get. In the meantime, let’s scour the Gulf of Laconia for the Fila Maria . It must be here somewhere.”
    With their request for help received and acknowledged, the airship continued zigzagging back across the route of the previous night. It was slow going for several hours. Although the airship was small, it was still difficult to get close to some of the tiny islands and hamlets without risking an errant wind blowing them off course or dashing them into the limestone cliffs. Their engine became increasingly noisy as the day wore on, the strain of pushing the airship into the wind telling on the temperamental machine.
    “Sir, flyer incoming. It appears to be a skimmer.”
    “Excellent. Confirm their orders, please.”
    Another cadet stepped out of the control room onto the deck. Alexandros watched as he used a lantern-powered searchlight to send messages to the flyer. In response, the skimmer’s pilot sent back a stream of flashing light messages.
    The cadet jotted down notes as he carefully recorded the skimmer’s reply. The skimmer waggled its wings as it swept around the larger airship before taking position directly before its bow.
    “Sir!” the cadet called out, handing him the transcribed message.
    Do I have to read everything here? Or have we had the secrecy training drilled so far into our heads we’re afraid to communicate a simple message? Alexandros grumbled to himself as he grabbed the message and read it. Then blinked several times as he read it again.
    “You’re sure?” he asked the cadet.
    “I doubled checked the message twice, sir, just like you taught us!”
    By the gods… he’s found it!
    “Sir?” Ionia inquired.
    “Follow that skimmer! Looks like he’s already done our work for us.” The bridge crew cheered. “Let’s go get our missing sheep.”
    With the small, dragonfly shape of the skimmer leading the way, the Arcus followed in its wake like a bulldog following a small child.
    An hour or so later, the Arcus floated majestically above a half-moon island. Part of a sailing vessel peeked out from underneath a rock overhang. The flitting skimmer had gone in for closer observation.
    “I can’t see any way to retake the ship without dropping part of our crew down there,” Ionia stated glumly.
    “Afraid of a few pirates?”
    “We don’t know how many there are, sir. It would probably be better to call in the Lorica and get her heavy weapons and crew here for support. Plus, I doubt we’re really prepared for any land engagement.”
    Alexandros sat back in his command chair, chin on his fist, contemplating.
    The door banged open. A crewman barged in.
    “Sir! The