Free Winged: A Novella (Of Two Girls) by Joyce Chng

eye-catching
were the ones designed by the Austrian contingent – large polished
carracks with stag antlers for mastheads, exuding an oddly charming
medieval flavor. The smaller British protectorate ships, mainly the
ones from Malaya, appeared like stiletto-shaped vessels,
sharp-bowed and built obviously for speed. Compared to the larger
ships, they resembled more like a shoal of mackerel, swimming
beside bigger marine animals. The other nations straggled behind,
either by prudent choice or lack of engine capabilities; smaller
flying yachts competed with steam-powered schooners for position.
All the ships also took the opportunity to drop gifts and souvenirs
to the awed crowds who reached out to grab them as they fell. Fresh
red and pink roses, light-weight children’s toys (in the shape of
tops and kites, even simple bamboo flutes) and pamphlets boasting
the greatness of their country. It was a multi-sensory experience
and the Londoners soaked the atmosphere up with immense enthusiasm
and aplomb, adding to the carnival spirit in colorful and vivid
gowns and handsome coats.
     
     
    The Academy’s own contingent lifted off soon
after the larger nations launched their vessels. They had to wait
for the signal so that the Aerial Fleet could assemble.
Katherine could only watch from the ground, together with the rest
of the repair crews. It was still an awe-inspiring sight with all
the air-ships congregating in the sky above her. As a precaution,
they kept one blimp-fin on the ground and she guarded it closely.
It was her blimp-fin, the one she often used for training flights
and runs. Pilotmaster Lee was aloft with the rest of the chosen
Academy pilots and handlers.
     
    Then, there was the sound of a cannon firing
close to Buckingham Palace: their signal. Everyone started pointing
to the sky, chatting excitedly. The sounds rushed over Katherine
like a huge tidal wave. The onlookers started cheering.
     
    They had appeared. The new vessels. There were five of them and they were exceedingly intimidating
monsters. Pointed horns protruding from heads shaped like sharks’,
long bodies in which batteries of weapons lined the flanges. They
even had teeth, pointed and menacing. Rumor had it that they were
designed with a type of shark – goblin shark , they were
saying – in mind.
     
    “Good God, what are those things?” Someone
swore next to her. He sounded shocked.
     
    “The new air-ships,” Katherine came to a
startling realization, half-awed and half-disturbed by the
undisguised aggression in the form of the ships. The
half-moon leers. The teeth.
     
    The Union Jack flew proudly on these new
shark ships, beside the leo-fins and the blimp-fins who were then
joined by the merchant crafts. The Aerial Fleet was now fully
present, dwarfing the rest of the Gathering. The cheering grew
louder.
     
    The Queen herself was in one of the shark
vessels and Katherine noticed that the leo-fins were crowded around
one particular vessel, seemingly larger than the rest of its
ghastly brethren, looking as if they were acting as bodyguards.
     
    It was indeed a grand occasion, filled with
the desired pageantry Londoners so loved. Her Majesty got to see
her Fleet as well as the gathered nations. It was something
everyone would remember for a long time.
     
    There was a loud boom: somewhere a cannon
had fired.
     
     
    ~*~
     
    Lee performed immediate evasive maneuvers
the moment the cannonball impacted one of the shark ships and it
started to list dangerously to the left. Not the Queen’s , he
thought thankfully and his leo-fin shuddered spasmodically,
resisting, protesting at the unfamiliar movement.
     
    “Protect Her Majesty!” He shouted into the
vox, unsure if the students could hear him. Everywhere, ships were
in disarray, breaking their formations as they tried to evade the
danger. The sky was too crowded. His heart hammered in his chest.
The letter spoke true.
     
    He fancied hearing startled and shocked
screams and shouts coming