Back to the drawing boards

[Oswin Bernerd McGuinness]

The sun began to peak its head above the horizon. The light winding its way in to every nook and cranny it could find, including the yet completed roof of the lab just on the outskirts of London. Inside sat a sleeping scientist, leaning back on two legs of a chair that had been waging a constant battle with gravity since just after he’d fallen asleep. With sketches on the table, a tool in his hand, and an access panel open on the propulsion pod of the majestic air ship close behind him, it was pretty obvious that he hasn’t planned this onslaught of sleep.  It had been months since the accident that destroyed the lab, most of the ship and nearly London itself and he’s been working nonstop since.

The sun made his way to the face of the sleeping inventor; the light glistened off the drool on the side of his face. As he began to squirm, the battle that had been waging since the early hours of the morning came to an end as he toppled over in the chair and was forced to consciousness, flailing to the ground.

“Gahh” he squeaked out as he tumbled to the ground… “Newton….you son of a bitch….” He groaned rubbing his head.

Slowly, but surly getting up, Tim brushed himself off and made an attempt to button his grey tweed vest but soon threw that idea to the wind and walked over and leaned on his desk.

“The mark III…you look like trouble…I could use some good trouble…” he said as he stood and turned to the Archimedes, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Walking to the access panel, he leaned in and reconnected a few cables, closed the panel and patted the ship on the side.

“I think you are finally back to 100%, good lookin…now….what to do with you…”

He paused for a moment, looked up at the gaping hole in the roof and the at his fob watch and was taken back for a moment. “It’s too damned early..” He said shaking his head, walking back to the table looking at the design sketches and smirked.

“I guess it’s about time to change things up a bit. I’ve been keeping quiet too long, I think it’s time to make some noise.. I’m sure Nik would love that..Hah…” he cackled to himself “I hope the old man is doing alright”

He walked over to the broken remains of the mirror he had hanging in the back and fixed his sleep torn hair, back to the table and replaced his tie and buttoned his vest. Looking over to the back wall, next to a pile of rubble, lay a black chest, sporting a maniacal grin, he walked over and opened it.

“Archy has been getting all the attention lately, hasn’t she? You guys need to stretch your legs”

He reached in and removed his black leather gun belt , having a few tricks of its own,  the holster holding his trademark mk2 rig and reactor.  Brushing off some dust, he slid the power control pod on to his left hand and placed the belt around his waist, he pulled out a black leather shoulder holster,  the held what looked to be two small weapons.

“Now let’s see if I can work the bugs out of these little bastards”, he said as he put on the holster.

He walked back to the table and put the remote control unit for Archy on his right wrist, doing a quick system check as the ship roared to life. Grabbing his top coat, hat, gloves and finally the GSRMD, he suited up, wearing it over his coat and attaching the leads. Putting on his hat and cocking it just to the perfect angle, he pulled a cigar and lit it with a smirk. Taking a few puffs and cracking his neck, the brim of the hat hid everything but his grin, the bellowing smoke and the cherry of the cigar as he hopped up to the deck of the Archimedes.

Flipping a switch on the remote, the remaining parts of the roof began to creak open, hanging a few times with a loud screech before finally completing the cycle.

“I need funds to fix that damn roof somehow. What do you say, old gal? How about we check out that bounty board, see if I’ve still got it.”

Smirking as he puffed on the cigar, he set the takeoff sequence and the ship rose out of the lab. With a spin of the wheel and a slap of the throttle, she was off to Scotland yard.

[Sgt. Ian MacBrooke]

Fairly good start here Mr. Harrison. An editor would have a field day, but overall, nicely played. Now it's off to the next bit.