In the Hall of the Iron King (Part I)

Imperial and Royal Army Special Ordnance Testing Facility No.3, the Crownland of Styria, Austria-Hungary, 1889.

Feldzeugmeister Joseph Ferdinand Baron Alvinzci von Borberek, stood at the edge of the concrete and tarmacked field that lead to the mouth of a cavernous metal and masonry hanger door that emerged from the heavily forested hillside. Clusters of buildings clung to the hillsides or emerged from their sides: they were workshops, bombproofs, blockhouses, barracks, storehouses and the like.  Camouflage netting festooned everything, the whole area quite fairly seethed with soldiers, engineers and technicians. A walking engine, a war machine in the shape of a man -- standing some three stories tall -- moved slowly out through the doorway. The growling thunder of it's engines and impact of it's ponderous footfalls could be heard and felt even at this distance.

This facility had been chosen, the General mused silently to himself, because it had easy railway access to at least three major industrial cities or naval ports and it was close to sources of excellent Styrian iron for construction purposes. It was in an area of the Styrian mountain and hill country which were both abundently forested and relatively uninhabited so there were few prying eyes in the area nor would the sound of the occasional explosion cause undue interest or concern. Lastly the place was sufficiently far enough away from Vienna, that no one could be bothered to come out here to check on them regularly!

He glanced at his watch a second time, he was still expecting three new project team member to arrive today or tomorrow, then the real work could begin to finally this get this project back on track. Alvrinci felt that the arrival of the his own "picked" technical advisor last week had been pivotal in getting things run again as they should have been, in point of fact the way they had been back when this project had first been set up by a small but talented and enterprising work staff formed from a small group of army, naval officers and civilian engineers.

The interference of various ministries and high commands had made a complete mess of the whole thing a couple months back and had probably put the whole program back years. Alvinzci shuddered at the memory when he had read the huge pile of staff briefs about it all, when he had been summoned without warning to the Hofburg in Vienna. The Kaiser Franz Josef, had requested him personally and charged him with sorting the whole thing out and putting a stop to all the nonsense.
Both the Kaiser and the Chief of the k.u.k. Wehrmacht, Friedrich von Beck-Rzikowsky, had made it brutally clear to everyone in Vienna, that he was to have an entirely free hand without undue interference from anyone.


Imperial-Royal Military Prison "Galgenhuegel", City of Prague, the Crownland of Bohemia, Austria-Hungary, 1889.

The Burg Galgenhuegel or Gallows Hill Castle as it was known in Austro-German, was part of the military establishment of Prague, built on the outskirts of the city, it was meant as to act as a sort of military firebreak against attackers. It's name came from the original structure of the castle, a heavy fortified, high walled courtyard and a single massive tower with a derrick crane fixed high up on it's side, which cause the castle to resemble a giant gallows platform when silhouetted against the morning or evening skies. This particular feature of the castle was long gone but the ominious memory of it remained to the Czech and German inhabitants of Prague as part of their collective folk memory.  For centuries it has successfully fulfilled this role, however in the last century it had been slowly converted into a military prison for the k.u.k Heer and k.k. Landwehr regiments stationed in Bohemia. The cells and assorted support facilities for some five hundred inmates had been slowly constructed throughout the towering castle, as well as barracks and guardrooms and offices for the small army of military justice officials, logistical staff and military gendarmes who superintended and guarded them.

The majority of the inmates (a mix of officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted rankers) at the Galgenhuegel had not  technically committed any crimes as defined by either current civil or military law in Austria-Hungary. They had however transgressed the bounds of what constituted acceptable soldierly behavior and military propriety and the ironclad codes of unwritten behavior within their assigned military units. These infractions required punishment and as the transgressions were often of sufficient celebrity that it would affect the public reputation of the said units, internal administrative punishment was neither adequate nor severe enough for the task. Hence, an appropriate spell in the Galgenhuegel was considered necessary for these offenders.

The conditions in the prison were standard old style Austrian prison fare, that is to say abysmal, the prison discipline was harsh even in a military known for it's severity, creature comforts were nonexistent, the food was the worst anyone had yet experienced and the labour the prisoners were expected to do was deliberately both mind numbingly and crushingly tedious as well as physically backbreaking. Typically sentences for most of the inmates were between four and six months, which was generally more then enough to modify the behaviour of most offenders, as the alternative was another stint or worse an even longer stay! Punishment terms of more then one year's duration were considered unusual although not completely uncommon, and a few inmates over the last century had been assigned stays of between three to five years. The longest on record was a sentence of seven years, although only one inmate had received this term to date and was still within the prison, having only served the first year of it.

The heavy iron door of Cell 122 swung violently open, jarring the sole occupant of the cell out of a desperately fatigued and listless sleep. Bleary eyes, red rimmed and blood shot, tried to focus on the two figures standing in the harsh blaze of light from the stone hallway beyond the spartan cell. One wore the black and white metaled spiked helmeted, silver laced Pike Grey uniform of the k.k. Feldgendarmerie, the other wore the gold lace and insignia marked Pike Grey uniform of the k.u.k. Feldgendarmerie. Both men looked at her sharply, an electric torch blazed to life in the Austrian Territorial Army policeman's hand, the harsh light blazed onto the face of the cell's single occupant, searing her sleep clouded eyes. She half rose from the hard packed matteress on one unsteady tattooed arm, while ineffectually shielding her painfully blurred vision with the other.

"Prisoner 122VQ." The military policeman in gold lace, a feldwebel by his collar's rank insignia, snapped at her. All the prisoners within this fortress-prison in Prague, answered to a number code based on their cell number and their initials but never to their given names. She nodded in response, her first attempt to respond sounded like a raspy croak that did not attain the level of audible much less intelligible. The man nodded in return, then stepping into the cell. He handed her a sealed packet, which she took in both hands as soon as she had swung herself upright in her cot. She broke it open with some anxiety, and was surprised by the contents. They were orders transferring her from Prague and it's military prison and reactivating her k.u.k Heer officer commission. Further the orders stated that she was to be posted to a special testing and trials unit effective immediately.

The prisoner ran one hand through her sleep tussled scarlet hair, she had read the orders three times without realizing it trying to make sense of them. This was not supposed to be happening, she was getting out of this horrible stone and steel box!


Note: (1) k.u.k. Heer, the Imperial and Royal Common Army, the formal instrument of war for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. (2) k.k Landwehr, the Imperial-Royal Austrian Territorial Army, the military defense force for the 'German' half of the Empire. (3) k.u. Honved, the Royal Hungarian Territorial Army, the military defense force for the 'Hungarian' half of the Empire. (4) Feldwebel, the Austro-Hungarian rank of sergeant-major. (5) Feldzeugmeister, the Austro-Hungarian rank of Lieutenant-General.

Battleships of the British Royal Navy

An Image of a Steampunk London

[Of London] Crowds without company, dissipation without pleasure.' -- Edward Gibbons, [Autobiography]

 

[Of London] But what is to be the fate of the great wen of all? The monster, called... 'the metropolis of the empire'? -- William Cobbett, [Rural Rides]

 

'Under such circumstances I naturally gravitated to London, that great cesspool into which all the loungers and idlers of the Empire are irresistibly drained.' -- John H. Watson, M.D., [A Study in Scarlet]

 

Art by Joe Studzinski

A Hidden Past (Part VII)

Josephine's malice filled expression abruptly froze, her eyes suddenly glazed over rapidly turning completely a pearlescent white. Her features smoothed into a cool, glacial calm. Something else was now in control of Josephine Rumbleton's body. It's aura was different from the previous possessing entity being cooler, more tranquil and more ruthlessly controlled. The strange white eyes examined the room and it's occupants with a detached but curious interest.

As Sir Nigel and Althorpe watched, Josephine's hair and skin began to slowly grow even paler still and to gradually bleach a soft almost bone white to match the pearlescent eyes. Within moments the woman resembled a living statue of white marble or alabaster. The air about her became even more chill, frost and ice particles flowed about her and wove themselves into crazy vortices and patterns with the slightest of movements.

Those curious eyes regarded the dying woman in her grasp for a long moment, a white eyebrow traced upwards in almost sardonic inquiry and not a little surprise. Her deadly grip lessened the merest of a fraction, finally allowing a by now ashen faced Carmichael to draw something like a full breath. Which she did involuntarily and convulsively. Abruptly the pressure on Carmichael's throat relaxed altogether as did the nerve stopping grip on her wrist. Millicent slide bonelessly to the floor, Josephine gave an almost imperceptible but definite nod to Sir Nigel and Althorpe and then took three rapid paces backwards and away from them. They needed no further urging, the two men quickly gathered up the unconscious Millicent Carmichael and transferred her to a nearby reclining arm chair. While Althorpe attended to her, Sir Nigel turned back to the other occupant of the room and incidentally Josephine Rumbleton's body.

The being spoke for the first time, it's tone and expression struck Sir Nigel as mildly rueful.

"My apologies, Master Redfern, the Gestir if not kept on a tight rein either by my will or the Lady's is inclined to get out of hand."

"Gestir?" Sir Nigel and Althorpe echoed. Gestir was an ancient Scandinavian term meaning guest warrior. The halls of the various kings and jarls of Scandinavia were often visited by impoverished and lordless warriors who were maintained by such lords as a sign of their hospitality and wealth. In return, these warriors would accompany their host to war to show their respect for the hospitality shown them. The reference might have been an offhanded or illustrative remark about the other possessing spirit that was obviously bound to Josephine Rumbleton's body or it could have been quite literal, Sir Nigel and Althorpe had no way of knowing.

"A loyal and powerful undead guardian, as you will have perhaps observed, who keeps watch on this lovely lady in my all too frequent absences." Josephine responded with a hint of a wintery, almost languidly amused smile on seeing their vaguely puzzled expressions.

"Whom, am I addressing?" Sir Nigel asked quietly and carefully.

"We have never met, much less been formally introduced, Master Redfern." A white hand flitted lightly towards Josephine's face for a moment to emphasize the point. "This one however has followed your career with much interest for a long time."

Sir Nigel's white eyebrows went up at that last remark in mild surprise. The shining pearlescent eyes regarded him, the eyes seemed to almost sparkle and glow at him with something like detached amusement then slowly Josephine quietly and politely bowed at the waist in the manner of a gentleman.

"Magister Karl Magnus Schreck, at your service."

Oh Hell. Sir Nigel's thoughts slide to a complete and altogether abrupt stop.

My Brother's Cosplay takes a further step forward for 2018

Adam's cosplay is now nearly finished, a few finalizing touches remain of course but essentially it's ready for wear for our 2018 Cosplaying Season. He decided on a Victorian/steampunk version of the Red Hood, with particular emphasis on the original character as a "master" or "mastermind" criminal, although combining elements of the more modern versions as they are more recognizable to people today.

 

It was remarked by no less an authority then Sherlock Holmes that Professor Moriarty was responsible for nearly all that was undetected and half that was evil in London of his day. Adam wryly responded to this when I mentioned it to him, "well, if that is so, then somebody must be responsible for the other half."

 

 

A Few Remarks on the Aether in A.A.S.S.I.

In An Age of Steam, Steel and Iron, at the dawn of 1889 just four nations: Great Britain, Germany, Russia and France dominate the international space race. It is estimated that there are some five hundred aether capable vessels within the inner system (Vulkan, Mercury, Venus, Terra, Mars and the Asteroid Belt) of the Sol Star System, the majority however are mercantile passenger or cargo vessels rather then warships. The largest Aether Fleet in military terms is the British Aether Fleet with some twenty-five military vessels.

Vulkan, is unclaimed by any nation, although several ill fated expeditions to the planet nearest the Sun, have been mounted, none to date have ever returned. Two colonies New Plymouth and New Roanoke were established on the planet, by the Anglo-American Aetheric Exploration & Colonial Society, but did not prosper and in fact failed in mysterious and horrific circumstances.  Amoungst aethernauts, Vulkan has acquired an evil and ominous reputation and few will willingly venture there.

Mercury, claimed by Great Britain, largely by default, as no one else found it worth the bother to have a permanent base there. Great Britain maintains a full time scientific/research station on the planet, which is frequented by scientists from many nations interested in the geology, flora and fauna that has developed on this small planet, under the burning gaze of the Sun.

Venus, shrouded by eternal clouds, rain storms and fogs, teeming with plant, animal and insect life is both a tropical paradise rich in resources of all sorts and a green hell for anyone who lives on the planet full time. Germany has the inside track in developing the planet as a colony and making working relations with the native Venusian inhabitants.

Terra, the birthplace of humanity, and so many of it's joys and troubles.

Mars, the red planet, mysterious, ancient and littered with the relics of several bygone civilizations may of which have risen and fallen before humanity even first walked upon Terra's surface much less began it's first steps towards civilization. Great Britain dominates the exploration and development of Mars as a new bastion of humanity and seeks to create a new Imperial India upon the red plains of Mars.

Asteroid Belt, rumoured to house tremendous mineral wealth and fragments of another lost civilization, few have yet staked a lasting claim amoungst these tumbling fragments of rock, although small pockets of independent humanity make their home here and scrap a living from the asteroids. The Asteroid Belt is the end of Human space as far as many are concerned, the Outer system beyond is virtually unknown and unexplored, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto have only been observed from afar. No space vessel has ever journeyed out that far to examine them and bring back word of their topography and prospects for habitation or development.

In 1884, France built an exploratory long range aether ship to reach the Outer System, named the Bonaventure, it took some four years to build in an orbital yard above Paris. In 1888, the Bonaventure made it's maiden voyage, but disappeared reportedly somewhere between Mars and the Asteroid Belt never to be heard from again by anyone in the Inner System. At the time and since (particularly in the pages of the more sordid or Anglophobe or Germanphobe tabloids) France accused Great Britain or alternatively Germany of sabotaging the Bonaventure. This affair did nothing to assist France in maintaining or improving it's relations with either country.

Great Britain, it's own aetheric long range explorer ship, HMS Daedalus is scheduled to begin trials early this year and make it's maiden voyage into the Outer system sometime by the middle of 1889. Germany is believed to have several long range aether exploratory vessels, the most well known is the SMS Orakel, which was also launched in 1884 but was used and still is used exclusively for exploration and scientific research work amoung the planets of the Inner system only.       

Some Thoughts on Technology in A.A.S.S.I.: On Automata and Constructs

Automata or automatons (what we today would consider thinking computers or robots), are by the 1880s widely available both in civilian and military occupations both in fixed and mobile forms to assist humans in various labour saving tasks in various industries or in tasks considered excessively dangerous or just exceedingly unpleasant for ordinary humans. Automata are divided by purpose and whether they are considered thinking (but non-sentient), semi-sentient or sentient machines. Legally no automata has any rights as humans would understand them, although there are a few laws and statutes protecting them in the more progressive states of Europe and North America. Automata form is often defined by function and utility, but a great many are humanoid in configuration regardless of task assigned although the number of limbs they possess and their size and general appearance can vary widely.

Constructs differ from automatons, which are generally made from inorganic metallic (although wood timber isn't unknown) materials. Constructs are constructed from organic or semi-synthetic organic materials. Popularly and often pejoratively they are also call stitch folk, meat-puppets, flesh constructs, flesh golems, neo-homoculi, etc. Whatever name they go by they are regarded as one step away from automata by most humans and an abomination by  others, the only difference being they are made of flesh and bone rather then metal and wire. Further flesh constructs have elixiers for blood rather then haemoglobin. The first constructs became commercially available from the 1800s onwards, being fashioned from pieced together cadavers (these are often still referred to as resurrected constructs), which due to the hostility of the established churches quickly fell by the wayside. Today they are fashioned from component limbs and organs made to order and grown in special alchemical vats or chemical baths, it has been argued that it would be simpler to grow a whole flesh construct in a single large vats or iron wombs in practice however this is rarely the case. Their all to obvious assembly  stitch seams, surgical scars and deathly pallor mark the average flesh constructs out in society as something other then human as does their prominent skin tattoo brands and coding numbers indented into their skeletal structure.

Most national governments strictly regulate the production of flesh constructs and the licenses to produce them are in theory, very tightly controlled and detailed background and financial history checks into those seeking them is mandatory. Surprise governmental audits and inspections of flesh construct assembly factories are seen as a irksome although necessary cost of doing legally acceptable business. This doesn't however stop the unlicensed construct "chop" shops from springing up and providing the criminal underworld and those with the money to pay for their illicit wears on the black market. Like automatons, flesh constructs have few to no legal rights and are considered even more disposable then automatons for dangerous tasks and occupations as they are most definitely not regarded as human. In point of fact it is sometime arguable if they are even regarded as sentient by most humans.