Jason Gilbert [Gilbert - Gaslit Revolution

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

K ane 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.

Were taking prisoners.

Cover the ramp.

Notify General Chesterfield.

Prisoners? Kane thought.

Hed 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.

Theyd only been back in New Chicago for fifteen minutes. Kane grit his teeth.

What a welcome.

Tabitha moved behind him. Shed cast her own invisibility spell. Hed 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 Bills face.

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

I wasnt aware a man could go to jail for that, Bill said, not flinching at the large gun in his face. And I dont 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 soldiers 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. Whats going on?

I dont 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. Im to gather that you are General Chesterfield. What is the meaning of your men ordering me out of my sky? Boarding me? I didnt 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 hed 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 Bills, 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, theyll 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. Kanes eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat as he watched the mist flow into Chesterfields 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 mens bodies decayed instantly.

Oh, Gods Tabitha breathed.

Kane couldnt respond, couldnt 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. Kanes mind went into overdrive. How? When? It had all pointed to Sarah Broussard acting alone, being the only one working for the Oligarchy. Shed 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 energy glowing in his palm.

Now that youve 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 Chesterfields.

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 Ive made my point. Next time, I wont think twice about who gets drained. Have I said anything confusing?

No, General.

Good. Now, where are the Magicians youre hiding aboard this airship?

Kane stood as his hand found Tabithas.

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

We cant 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.