SteamPunk Cthulhu

Finished and sent to the editors (who fingers crossed will think it suitable for the SteamPunk anthology) my story set in India in the days of the British Raj: the writing, speech & vernacular all set as Victorian English. Following is a short clip/excerpt from "The War Elephant"...... Inside, all was decidedly safe, cozy, and warm. An uncommon silence interrupted by the constant mournful sound of the high Himalayan winds outside as they wrapped around the swiftly moving airship. Then a slight shuddering as small vibrations underfoot peaked and the big steam driven airship turned slightly onto a new course correction, aligning with a compass setting. Emily stood transfixed at a panoramic viewing window, staring down upon the white blanketed mountainous ridges for she was still trying to put her jumbled thoughts into some semblance of order. This had all happened so fast. It was much too fast to comprehend. “This shall henceforth be my travel mode,” declared Emily, smiling as it fully registered that she felt no illness whatsoever. Yes, this new way of travel suited her admirably. George was deep in conversation with the engineer, asking all manner of questions regarding the workings of the airship. “Hydrogen, helium, with steam you say my good man?” George was totally baffled, trying to grasp some rudiments of the workings of the mammoth airship. “It has not one but two balloons, one within the other,” the engineer started to explain. “The outside one is full of helium, the inner one filled with hydrogen.” He continued to explain that the outer layer of helium gas would prevent any fire from burning, working as a buffer between the oxygen outside and the inner hydrogen balloon. “Here, look at those control panels,” the engineer continued, directing us to the Captain’s Bridge. He further explained that they could see from the control room gauges if their air pressure was dropping in which case they would immediately send repair crews before the helium leaked out. “It gives us enough time to land or evacuate if need be,” he added. A sudden hissing sound jarred George’s attention.........(c)CBJ