Free Clockworks and Corsets by Regina Riley

couldn’t,” she explained.
    “So you’re saying he might be out there?”
    Gabriella didn’t know what she was saying. She just knew she wanted Atom to smile again.
    If the idea that his father was somewhere out there made him happy, then so be it.
    “That he might be in need of help?” Atom asked.
    “Well, maybe not—” Gabriella started.
    “Then I have to find him,” Atom said over her.
    Gabriella worried that she may have pushed the idea too far. Atom smiled and her worried thoughts faded behind the sound of her thumping heart.
    “You’re right. I have to find him,” Atom repeated. He squeezed Gabriella’s hand before he released it. “Captain?”
    “Yes?” the captain answered.
    “I would like to hire your crew,” Atom said.
    The captain lifted a brow at the man, then shot a look at Gabriella that chilled her to the bone.
    Gabriella swallowed hard, lifting her shoulders in a sign of unsure denial.
    “Of course when you are finished with your current labor, I mean,” he said.
    The captain continued to eye him in silence.
    “I realize that you might need an advance,” Atom said. “I have a little bit of money here with me, but I promise that when we reach our goal there will be a reward greater than money could ever buy. That of saving a human life.”
    “What would you have us do? Exactly?” the captain asked.
    “I have to find my father,” he explained. “If what you say is true, then he’s in trouble. He needs our help.”
    “I don’t want to seem like a doomsayer, but people have been looking for him for years.
    What makes you think we will have any better luck?”
    “It’s meant to be. Your magnificent airship. My overwhelming need. Your crew’s sudden appearance. Don’t you see? This has the kiss of kismet all over it.”
    “Is very coincidental, Captain,” Jax said. “Perhaps is destiny?”
    Gabriella was surprised to hear that Jax believed in anything beyond her blade or fists. Or cooking pot.
    “I think you should know,” the captain said, “we didn’t just come here by chance. We were sent here. I’m almost ashamed to say why.”
    Atom would have none of it. He waved his hands in the air, dismissing her argument.
    “Nonsense. It doesn’t matter what brought you here. The fact remains that you are here. Now please, will you take my offer?”
    “Yes,” Jayne said. Everyone turned, surprised by her sudden outburst. “Captain, you have to say yes. Doctor Loquacious is a national treasure. If he is in trouble he should be rescued.”
    “Great, now it’s a rescue mission,” the captain said.

    “Captain,” Magpie said. “We ain’t got much else on the burner. We could certainly use the money.”
    The captain turned back to Atom with a sigh. “I’ll tell you what. We’ve decided to offer you transportation back to the mainland. The trip will take a few days. When you get there you should seek out someone professional to handle your problem.”
    “I don’t want anyone else—” the man started.
    The captain raised her hand. Atom fell quiet. “We are a delivery service, Mr. Loquacious.
    Not a detective agency. Not bounty hunters. Now, do you want the ride or not?”
    Gabriella wanted to be angry with the captain for turning the work down. She supposed she understood where the woman was coming from. How did you look for a man who didn’t want to be found? Especially one who had abandoned his own son in an effort to remain hidden. The idea of it was heartbreaking. It was also familiar because she had abandoned her entire family in pursuit of her own happiness. Gabriella pushed the idea away before her guilt could bring forth tears. Instead, she placed a hand on Atom’s shoulder.
    “The captain knows what’s best,” she whispered. “She’s never failed me.”
    “As you wish, Captain,” he said. “I’ll pay for my fare of course.”
    “That’s not necessary,” the captain said.
    “I insist,” Atom said.
    “You people are going to drive me