Gaslit Revolution Read online

  Praise for Jason Gilbert

  Jason Gilbert's Clockworks of War series fires on all cylinders. The tone of Gilbert's narrative is engrossing. He mixes his Steampunk with a healthy nod of the bowler to Noir, Hard Boiled, and Detective fiction. The result is extremely satisfying for fans of all those genres.

  I would highly recommend the Clockworks of War series to lovers of Steampunk who are looking for something different and delightful. Go get them!

  -R.S. Belcher, author of Six-Gun Tarot and Brotherhood of the Wheel

  Gaslit Revolution

  Clockworks of War: Book 3

  Jason Gilbert

  Clockworks of War is dedicated to my family, especially my daughter who keeps me on my toes and makes her grouch of a father smile. And to my brother, Collin, who taught me that there’s nothing wrong with laughing at my own foolishness and was a far better man than me. May God rest his soul.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Jason Gilbert

  Chapter One

  Kane peered from behind the crate, watching as Captain Bill, his first mate Carlton, and a group of crewmen stood at the bay door. The ramp was open. Kane could hear men moving around outside, shouting as they went.

  “We’re taking prisoners.”

  “Cover the ramp.”

  “Notify General Chesterfield.”

  Prisoners? Kane thought.

  He’d heard cannons lock and load from the other airship as they hailed Captain Bill one more time, threatening to blow them out of the sky. Bill conceded, landing the ship in the designated area. Kane could still smell the acrid stench of hot steel, burning rubber, and wood from the torched airfield, the smoke rushing in as Bill and Carlton opened the loading dock.

  They’d only been back in New Chicago for fifteen minutes. Kane grit his teeth.

  What a welcome.

  Tabitha moved behind him. She’d cast her own invisibility spell. He’d insisted. If something were to happen to him, she needed a chance to escape with their Grimoires.

  Four troops moved up the access ramp, their blunderbusses aimed. The crew raised their hands palms out, showing they were unarmed. Captain Bill kept his by his sides. He glared at the invaders, his large bushy eyebrows furrowed as he spoke.

  “Parlay, ground hounds,” he said.

  One of them aimed his blunderbuss in Bill’s face.

  “Fuck your parlay, asshole,” he said, his voice canned from inside the breathing gear. “You’re under arrest for trespassing over a no-fly zone and disobeying orders from air traffic control.”

  “I wasn’t aware a man could go to jail for that,” Bill said, not flinching at the large gun in his face. “And I don’t have to explain myself to you, boy. Get your commanding officer or let these witnesses see you deny a man his right to parlay.”

  The Special Forces soldier’s blank, goggled stare stayed fixed on Bill, his copperplate armor squeaking as he lowered the blunderbuss. He grunted, turned his head, and called out over his shoulder.

  “Get the General!”

  “Aye, Captain!” another soldier said behind him, nodding as he turned and ran back down the loading ramp.

  “Kane,” Tabitha whispered. “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know,” Kane said. “Keep quiet.”

  He heard Tabitha sniff behind him, her low sobs indicating that she was already in tears.

  “Not now,” he said. “Tabitha, keep it together.”

  She sniffed again. He felt her brush up against him, her hands on his arm.

  “Who is that?” she said.

  Kane saw the man march up the ramp. His brass armor shined as if brand new, not a scuff or scratch in sight. He wore breathing gear like the rest, but that was where the similarities ended. A long, red cloak hung down his back, and two leather straps held the holster for his long rifle on his back. He was tall; larger than Kane, possibly as large as Farnsworth had been. He towered over Captain Bill, looking down at him, his fists clenched as if he might grasp the man at any moment and end his life.

  “Stand down,” the general barked, his voice deep and hard, his tone angry. “I come at the parlay request of the captain. Who is he?”

  “Captain Bill, at your service, sir,” Bill said, nodding. “I’m to gather that you are General Chesterfield. What is the meaning of your men ordering me out of my sky? Boarding me? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “You deliberately disobeyed flight orders from Special Forces air patrol,” Chesterfield said, stepping closer, looming over Bill. “You flew into a no-fly zone and did not deviate until told repeatedly to do so. Explain.”

  “We had a malfunction in the rudder,” Bill said. “My first mate can confirm.”

  Carlton stepped forward, offered Chesterfield a clipboard. Chesterfield looked at it, then up at the Special Forces Captain.

  “Captain Stark, confirm.”

  “Yessir.” The one he’d called Stark stepped forward, grabbed the clipboard from Carlton. “Damage report, sir. Rudder jammed. Logged time to fix it, crewman names on repair team. Report indicates a thrown gear.”

  Chesterfield looked back at Bill.

  “A thrown gear?” He clenched his fist harder as he moved his masked face closer to Bill’s, coming within an inch of touching his nose with the breathing hose. “You mean to tell me your men fixed a thrown gear in a matter of minutes?”

  Bill nodded.

  “I employ good men,” he said. “Only the very best follow me to serve at the mast.”

  The crewmen with Bill nodded, lowering their hands. Chesterfield looked at them, then back at Bill.

  “Then maybe we can do an exchange,” he said, standing tall again. “Once we verify your story, you can trade a few men to keep you all out of jail.”

  “My men are loyal to me,” Bill said. “But, if I tell them to join you, they’ll join you.”

  Chesterfield cocked his head, raising his hand as he spoke.

  “Who said anything about them joining me?”

  The six crewmen with Bill each jerked at once, all of them going instantly stiff as red mist seeped from every orifice. Kane’s eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat as he watched the mist flow into Chesterfield’s hand, his eyes glowing red through the black lenses on the breathing mask. Bill shouted as the men dropped dead. Carlton backed away, turned, vomited onto the deck as the men’s bodies decayed instantly.

  “Oh, Gods…” Tabitha breathed.

  Kane couldn’t respond, couldn’t take his eyes off Chesterfield as the man turned to Bill and stepped up to him. Bill kept his ground, his fists clenched by his sides as he looked Chesterfield in the face. Kane could see the sweat glistening on his brow.

  A Blood Priest. Another Blood Priest. Kane’s mind went into overdrive. How? When? It had all pointed to Sarah Broussard acting alone, being the only one working for the Oligarchy. She’d killed several people, had tried to kill Kane and his friends. How did the people not know that the most powerful private military force in the Northern Union was under the command of a Blood Priest?

  Chesterfield gave a short laugh as he held up his hand, red ene
rgy glowing in his palm.

  “Now that you’ve seen what makes the Special Forces truly special, I have to ask for your discretion in this matter.”

  Bill visibly swallowed, his jaw set as he kept his eyes locked on Chesterfield’s.

  “Understood,” he said. “I will order the remainder of my men to stand down and prepare for a full investigation of the damage report.”

  “No need,” Chesterfield said, waving Bill off. “I think I’ve made my point. Next time, I won’t think twice about who gets drained. Have I said anything confusing?”

  “No, General.”

  “Good. Now, where are the Magicians you’re hiding aboard this airship?”

  Kane stood as his hand found Tabitha’s.

  “Kane, we need to get out of here,” Tabitha said.

  “We can’t leave Bill,” Kane said, his other hand in his pocket, gripping the amulet, checking the heat. It was warm, but not enough to worry him. He only had one spell active. He made to cast another, stopped himself. Attacking the Special Forces would expose Bill, prove he was harboring fugitives. They would kill him, even if Kane was able to attack. Bullets were faster than spells.

  Shit.

  Kane closed his eyes, breathed out, looked at Bill and Carlton. Bill shook his head as he spoke.

  “I’ll say it again, General: I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. We barely escaped a Revolution attack on The Haven with our lives. Every one of the men you sent were killed trying to defend us. We barely escaped with our lives thanks to their sacrifice.”

  Lay it on thick, Bill, Kane thought.

  “Two Magicians are on the lam,” Chesterfield said. “It’s a national emergency. This isn’t over, Captain. If I find out you’re lying to me, I’ll make sure you see the same end your crewmen did today.”

  Chesterfield stepped back up to him again.

  “I’ve heard of you, Captain Bill. Your reputation precedes you. You were a highly decorated pilot in the Northern Union Military. Now you captain a transport ship. How the mighty do fall.” He leaned closer to the captain, towered over him. Bill stared back, his eyes hard as Chesterfield looked down at him. “You’re also known to harbor fugitives, transport undesirables from Hidden Valley into downtown. Shipyard rats and train yard scum that have no business anywhere near the inner city.”

  “I do what I’m contracted to do,” Bill said, keeping his tone steady. “At the moment, my job is to transport goods for New Chicago. I’m on the Oligarch payroll.”

  “Funny,” Chesterfield said, his tone terse and snakelike. “I happened to check the transport log before answering your pathetic parlay request. In fact, I found it more than amusing that this ship is not on any transit log or manifest.” Chesterfield pointed at Bill. Special Forces soldiers grabbed the captain, held him as Captain Stark brandished handcuffs. The two soldiers helped Stark put them on Bill and Carlton both.

  “What is this?!” he said, glaring at Chesterfield. “You have the reports! I didn’t do anything wrong!”

  “You’re lying to me,” Chesterfield said, his voice a growl. He looked over his shoulder. “These two are in our custody. There are more crewmen aboard this ship. Dispose of them.”

  “Sir!” Captain Stark motioned to another squad of troops who stormed up the ramp and into the bay. “We have two prisoners, men. The rest are not a concern. No survivors.”

  “No!” Bill shouted. “Leave them out of this!”

  Stark silenced him with a blow to the face, knocking him to the deck. Bill kicked out as guns were pointed at him. Kane reacted, wiped the amulet and redrew his rune in a single motion. His invisibility spell was broken.

  “Aethereum Ignus!”

  The fireball was in Kane’s palm instantly. He swung, hurled it directly at the troops making their way to the bay door. It struck the closest one, sent him flying into the pack as the others turned at the sound of Kane’s voice. Kane looked at Carlton and Bill as Chesterfield stepped back, his attention now fully on Kane. Bill was thrown to the side. Carlton tackled a soldier next to him, was lifted and pinned to the wall.

  Kane shouted as he hurled another large fireball at Chesterfield. Chesterfield blew it out of the air with a counterblast. Kane’s hearing opened, the sound of guns being made ready, the sound of hammers being pulled back. Triggers pulled.

  “Ethereal Clypeus!”

  The rounds smacked against the invisible shield, falling away harmlessly as Tabitha appeared next to Kane, her invisibility also gone.

  “Draugalega Frosti!”

  She hurled a blast of ice at Captain Stark as he tried to shout orders. The ball caught him, covered his mask in ice. He staggered blindly as Chesterfield launched another blast of red mist at Kane. Kane sidestepped it, yanked Tabitha out of the way as the blast hit the crate, corroding it to dust. He countered with another explosive fireball. Chesterfield avoided, the ball going past him and smacking into the group of troops running up the ramp to join the fight. They scattered into the air, the one taking the hit going in all directions. Tabitha sent an ice spear at Chesterfield, but he smacked it out of the way and aimed a long tendril of red smoke at her. It hit Kane’s shield, the force making it shudder. Kane felt the strain as he held up his arm, fought to keep himself from being pushed back.

  “It won’t hold,” he shouted to Tabitha. “Get Bill and Carlton!”

  “I can only transport one at a time!” Tabitha said, firing another ice blast at a soldier coming at them from behind.

  Kane nodded.

  “Get Bill! I’ll tether Carlton! Go!”

  “Draugalega Ferðast!”

  Tabitha vanished. Kane saw a blue streak snatch Bill, take him in. Tabitha was back by his side in the same second, Bill with her trying to catch his breath from the shock. Tabitha froze the cuffs on his hands and smacked them with her fist, the frosted steel breaking easily.

  Chesterfield dropped the spell, looked at the spot where Bill had been, then back at Kane.

  “Ethereal Petulans!”

  The tendril of energy shot from Kane’s hand, wrapped around Carlton. Kane yanked, but Chesterfield clamped his hand around Carlton’s neck as the first mate went by, jerked him out of Kane’s grasp. The tether broke as Chesterfield lifted the kid into the air, red mist seeping from Carlton’s body, flowing into Chesterfield until Carlton was nothing more than a husk. He decayed into ash in front of them, black sifting through Chesterfield’s gloved fingers as the general breathed.

  “You belong to me, Magician.”

  Kane rushed him, slung a large fireball as he went. Chesterfield blasted it out of the air just before Kane collided with him. The man staggered but held as he gripped Kane by the shirt and backhanded him to the deck.

  “So you’re Kane Shepherd,” Chesterfield said. “The man who killed the Mors Rebrum. Pathetic. Gentry gives you much more credit than you deserve. I’m not going to waste my power on you.” Kane managed to get on all fours, heaved from the boot to his stomach. He fell over as another kick landed against his ribs. He saw Tabitha watching, her face tear-streaked. He shook his head.

  Don’t.

  “Draugalega Sprengia!”

  A wave of cold blew out from Tabitha in all directions, sent debris, crates, and bodies flying. Chesterfield flew back as Kane was lifted off the floor and sent airborne. He hit the wall, went down. He got to his feet, braced against the wall as Chesterfield went sailing outside, down the ramp and into the yard.

  Now was the chance.

  Kane hurried to Tabitha, shouting as he went.

  “Get us out of here!”

  “I can’t!” Tabitha said. “One at a time!”

  “Get out of here,” Bill said. “Both of you. Go, now!”

  Kane looked at him.

  “Don’t argue,” Bill snapped. “No time! Get out of here!”

  Tabitha grabbed his arm as she called out her travel spell. The world shifted, blurred, went ice cold as they shot through the air. Kane heard Bill give a shout, the soun
d fading away as fast as it had sounded.

  The grated decking came fast and hard. Kane rolled, crashed into a wall as Tabitha rolled into him. He helped her off of him, got to his feet as he stood and looked around.

  “It was the only place I could think of in a pinch,” Tabitha said as she picked up the satchel with their spell books and slung it over her shoulder. Kane moved to the handrail on the observation deck of the communications tower. He looked out over the shipyard, the Special Forces gunner on the ground next to Bill’s ship catching his eye first. Kane looked out past the two ships, saw the blackened wasteland with fires scattered about. He looked up, the Battle Cruiser hovering over them. He heard another set of turbines mix in with the low roar coming from the cruiser as the gunner begin to lift off.

  Kane focused on the ships below, opened his hearing just as Chesterfield’s canned voice barked an order.

  “Finish it. A ship without a crew or captain isn’t worth keeping.”

  “Aye, sir. Fire when ready!”

  The gunner cannons fired, cannon balls smacking into Bill’s ship, pummeling the hull. Fire erupted from the holes, the acrid stench of smoke thick in the air. The ship exploded. Debris rained down as the gunner lifted up and docked with the cruiser. Kane focused on the gunner. Chesterfield’s voice came as clear as if he were standing on the platform next to him.

  “You are hereby stripped of your status and rank, Captain Bill.”

  “This isn’t over,” Bill said. “The Revolution won’t stop until the Oligarchy is overthrown. The government belongs to the People, not the wealthy. Not the corrupt.”

  Chesterfield laughed. “The Revolution has been decimated.”

  “Not while people are still willing to fight.”