Not the Time

The Old World, Iron Kingdom, 19th Iron Fleet, IK Iron Regent

The hundred and eight meter long airship, IK Iron Regent, serving as a flagship was surrounded by dozens of other airships as the entire 19th Iron Fleet made their way majestically across the skies. The steam and aetherium powered airship was one of the only three Monarch class battle wagons ever built by the Iron Kingdom.

The Monarch class looking like a very fat cigar was lined with four rows of the largest caliber steam cannons ever carried onboard an airship in the Old World, each row held ten cannons. Forty steam cannons each firing a projectile of 16 stones worth of local weight which was almost equivalent to a 17th century 18 pounder shot, gave it the heaviest throwing weight of well over 360 kilos or 720 pounds per broadside of the entire Iron Kingdom airships.

And the thickness of the hull was almost twice thicker than most of the other warships surrounding the battle wagon. Eight massive air screws propelled the airship and were encased in more armour plating to protect the vulnerable screws. Stubby observation blisters covered various locations around the hull, providing 'eyes' for the bridge crew to pilot the huge airship.

As the 19th Iron Fleet came over Hasta Castle, numerous dark dots appeared in the skies over the horizon. A small fish like courier ship came buzzing over the nose of the Iron Regent where the forward bridge was located. The courier ship dragged a line of colored flags behind as it flew across the nose of the Iron Regent and the signalers in the bridge quickly translated the flag codes into text and an aide rushed over to the Second Prince seated in the command chair of the bridge and handed the parchment over with a bow.

Prince Najja, took the note and skimmed through it before he sucked in his breath through his teeth and thrust the note to the general standing next to him. "The Protectorate forces has been sighed... They are just within two turns of the glass away!"

The general's expression remained calm as he read the note before he handed it over to an aide who carefully arranged the note together with other messages in an orderly manner. The general remained standing ram rod straight as he replied in a deep and confident tone, "We have still plenty of time to arrange the fleet, Your Highness."

"Sky General Bundberg, what are... our chances...?" Prince Najja asked in a nervous soft voice. "The enemy... they outnumber us by several times right?"

"Do not worry, your Highness. His Lord has ordered to keep you safe regardless of the outcome of the battle," Sky General Bundberg reassured the nervous Crown Prince. The Sky General was a veteran of many battles over the many years of his career in the Iron Kingdom Sky Fleet. He had retired a couple of years ago with full honors and only taken up an instructor role offered by Lord Sincia to train several promising talents.

His once golden hairs now more silver than golden was cropped short regulation style and he kept a perfectly manicured and oiled handle bar mustache. His neat custom tailored dark green uniform was up to regulation standards to the serving uniforms worn by active soldiers but without all the fancy decorations and unit insignias on the lapels and sleeves. Only a pair of golden crown with wings depicted his rank was worn on his collar.

"Even as we sit here, more and more ships are reinforcing the 19th," Sky General Bundberg said. "And below us, is Castle Hasta with its walls lined with anti air steam cannons."

Lord Sincia had promised a reward to Bundberg if he completed his mission well and the reward was too attractive for him to remain an instructor. He agreed and accepted the sudden summons in the early hours of the morning and had rushed till dawn to bring Lord Sincia's private fleet to action. Now, he stood next to the pudgy Crown Prince who knew nothing of aerial war and has to be his nursemaid, directing the battle in the name of the Crown Prince.

Yet, he did not care, for the rewards would ensure the next few generations of his line to prosper even when he has left this world. Thankfully, the Crown Prince knew his part and allowed him to do his work without any interruptions. As he studied the formation of his fleet, another courier ship came buzzing across the view ports of the forward bridge bearing a line of colorful flags.

The aide hurried over and handed another message to the Crown Prince and Sky General Bundberg noticed a change came over the seated Crown Prince as he read the message. "Your Highness, what news is it?"

"HAHAHAA!" Crown Prince Najja laughed happily as he banged the arms of the chair in delight. "That fool! I have him now!"

Sky General Bundberg took the note thrust to him by the Crown Prince and he quickly read the message without a change in his expression. Only under a careful observation would one see the slight twitch on the corner of his eyes and mouth. "The Third Prince is joining us with his fleet."

"Yes!" Prince Najja clapped his hands with delight. "Oh, I can think of so many ways to ensure he would not see the end of this fight!"

Sky General Bundberg nearly broke into a frown but he schooled his expression before the Crown Prince noticed anything. Instead, he lowered his head next to the Crown Prince's ears and said softly, "Your Highness, that would not do... If you make the Third Prince into a martyr... It might... affect future plans..."

"Why do I care?" Prince Najja pouted. "Once he is gone... Who cares if he becomes a martyr!"

"Much of the military supports the Third Prince..." Sky General Bundberg answered. "They will not see your Highness in good light if he dies under your command..."

"They are just peasants!" Prince Najja hissed unhappily. "If they don't obey, we can just chop their heads off!"

"That would not be wise..." Sky General Bundberg suppressed the urge to sigh. "There will be severe... consequences if that happens and... Lord Sincia... will not be pleased..."

"Hmmm..." Prince Najja frowned before he waved his hand and asked. "So what do you suggest?"

"Order the Third Prince to present himself on board the flagship," Sky General Bundberg suggested. "Have him under your eye and let him see your greatness in this battle while limiting his chance to earn merits. Isn't the goal of coming here is for your highness to earn merits to win the people's hearts?"

"That is a great idea!" Prince Najja smiled widely. "Good good!"

He clapped loudly, summoning one of his aides over. "You! Go inform my Royal Brother, the Third Prince to present himself before me at once!"

"Yes, your Highness!" The aide bowed and hurried off to the signalers to send out the order.

Sky General Bundberg straightened himself and stared out of the view ports into the far distance and softly whispered to himself, "My King... This is the last thing as a friend, that I can do to help your son..."

-----

Prince Herod stepped out of the docking hatch and instantly felt the rush of hot air against his skin. The hangar of the Iron Regent was hot and humid and the air was filled with the scent of burnt oil and aetherium. An aide sweating in the humid air saluted him as he stood next to the courier ship that carried him over. "Your Highness? Please follow me."

The aide, a young noble who was clearly eager to get out of the loud hangar that smelled badly of steam and sweat, waited impatiently as Prince Herod looked around with interest. He had never been onboard a Monarch class battle wagon and this particular vessel that belonged to Lord Sincia had a long distinguished history behind it.

He finally acknowledged the aide and together with his retinue, they followed the aide through the spacious hangar that was filled with humming ornithopters, courier ships and even dozens of boarding craft. The aide visibly relaxed once they returned to the well carpeted and decorated hallways that belonged to the higher class and soon Prince Herod found himself before a pair of ornate doors with a pair of knights on guard.

The doors opened smoothly and soundlessly and Prince Herod entered. He looked around the bridge with interest and found at least more than half the walls were covered in thick crystal, providing a near uninterrupted view for the crew. The crew sat on stools behind banks of widgets and instrumental panels that ticked and whistled every now and then.

And in the rear of all the busy stations sat his half brother on a raised dais. He unconsciously compared the way his half brother sat on the command throne to Captain Blake and felt his half brother was lacking in many areas to the Captain.

There was none of the relaxed professionalism in his seated pose, as the Captain seemed to do easily, instead it felt more like the Second Prince was putting on a show of false bravado. On the other hand, the figure with a military bearing standing beside the Second Prince appeared to be competent.

He followed the aide and came before his Second Brother, having to look up as the dais and chair was set up in such a way. Feeling a sense of irritation at the smug smile on his brother's face, Prince Herod stood straight and stared back at his brother, unwilling to give that prick any victory.

"So, my Brother," Prince Najja kept a smile of superiority on his face. "How nice of you to have you join me... under my command! Hee!"

"Well, I would have charged at the enemy myself if you haven't come," Prince Herod gave a shrug before he gave a sly smile back and said. "But since you did not even bother to join me, I can only come myself to see what are you trying to do... playing at soldiers here..."

"Since we all know how bad you are with all things fighting and killing..." Prince Herod's sly smile widened as he snickered. "I was afraid you would find yourself in circles even trying to command an airship! So I came to help! Hahahaha!"

"You!" Prince Najja's face turned red as he half raised from his chair in anger but Sky General Bundberg placed a restraining hand on his arm to stop him. "Hmph!"

"Your Highness," Sky General Bundberg gave a bow to Prince Herod. "I am Sky General Bundberg, once a general serving under your father, now a retired general... and answering the call to defend our homelands."

"General," Prince Herod nodded back. "So, you are the one in charge of the 19th?"

"Yes," Sky General Bundberg replied honestly. "I am."

"Good! I trust your skills!" Prince Herod nodded again before he cast a side glance at the Second Prince. "My Second Brother here... isn't that smart in fighting!"

"Y- you!" Prince Najja growled with barely suppressed anger and embarrassment. "I am the Crown Prince! You should show proper respect here!"

"Sure, if you win this battle all by yourself," Prince Herod snapped as he walked towards the map table on the side. "If not... you should keep quiet and let your betters handle this battle. General, if you don't mind?"

Prince Najja rose up and pointed a shaking finger at his brother, "Y- you! G- Guards!"

"Your Highness... Now is not the time..." Sky General Bundberg shook his head and pushed the Second Prince's hand down. "As you have said, we are facing a threat that are several times our size... We need each and everyone to stand together to fight off the Protectorate! Now is not the time!"

Prince Najja sucked in a deep breath, "Good... Good... I shall see when is the best time once this is over!"

"Of course, your Highness," Sky General Bundberg bowed deeply, hiding his expression from the Prince. "Of course."