Flying at sea (Patreon)

 I awoke the next morning in my bunk aboard the ESS. Sea Stallion in my Equestria dreamscape the sky was leaden and gray but I could sense that the cloud cover would most likely burn off by late morning but we’d probably get rain in the afternoon. The paddle wheeler was slowly rolling side to side as it steamed for Ft. Trotterdale. 

  Peering out our cabin’s porthole I could see the great paddle wheels of the steamer churned the water and leaving a great foaming trail in our wake. One could feel the steady, rhythmic motion of the engines through the floor. 

  
  After taking care of immediate morning business, I gave myself a quick brushing then I grabbed my neck satchel with the room key and my flight goggles. Then I trotted up the main deck of the steamer. I left the mares asleep in their bunks. 

  A cool, moist morning breeze greeted me on the main deck. It was about six in the morning and most of the passengers were still in the bunks so the main deck was mostly empty. I trotted back to the stern of the ship looking for a crew pony. 

  
  With the existence of fliers in the world several protocols have evolved aboard ships to allow flying passengers to leave the ship to fly and then return. At the same time procedures have been developed to prevent pegasi stowaways and airborne raiders from boarding vessels. Also while a ship might appear large, flying amongst all the masts, smoke funnels, sails and rigging with a stiff breeze could prove challenging, and if the main deck was full of ponies then picking your landing spot gets even trickier. Therefore most ships have a place at the stern that is designated for flier to take off and land. Sort of like a Victorian version of helicopter pad found today on some warships and very large yachts.     

          It took a minute or so to locate the deck officer. The earth pony mare was instructing a couple of deck ponies as I strolled up.

   
  “Good morning!” Said the officer. “Lieutenant Windward. How can I assist you?”

 
  “I wish to take of a morning flight before breakfast ma’am. Permission to disembark.” 

  The lieutenant nodded her head. “Right! Come with me then.” She led me back to the fantail of the steamer.  

 
  There was small kiosk-like structure of polished mahogany located near the fantail with a small awning that would allow a couple of ponies to stand or sit under it and get out of the worst of the weather.  She quickly produced a great ring of keys from her dark blue jacket and selected one. She then unlocked a cabinet and swung open a pair of doors, which she secured brass hooks so they would not swing back again unless released. Inside there were several sliding drawers and a locked, covered book lectern. 

  
  A couple of different keys from the same ring Windward unlocked one of the drawers, she also unlocked the lectern and swung the mahogany and brass cover up. Resting on it was large ledger, after checking who last signed off in it she turned to me.

   
  “Have you ever flown over open water beyond the sight of land before sir?” As she spoke she was giving me a quick visual look over. I assume she was checking to make certain I was not drunk or injured. 

  “No ma’am.” I said.

   
  She nodded her head and quickly checked the sky. “Okay, we have heavy, continuous stratus cloud cover at about twenty five hundred feet, I want you to keep within visual range of the Sea Stallion. Understand we have no crew fliers airborne at this time, so I’d advise you take a flotation vest with you in case you accidentally land in the water. How long do you plan to stay out?” 

  “About thirty minutes or less.” I said. 

  The officer logged this in ledger along with my name, room number and whom I was traveling with. Then she had me sign the ledger and she put her signature next to mine. From sliding drawer she withdrew two bright yellow, numbered wooden tokens. Both tokens had neck lanyards. I hung the token she gave me around my neck and then adjusted it so it was secure. She then wrote numbers in the ledger and hung the other token on one of the hooks next to a chalkboard. She then noted my name and token number on the chalkboard.  

 
  With that task completed opened another larger cabinet and removed a bright white vest which that obviously made of some cork-like material. With practiced efficiency she helped me don the vest and then confirmed it secure, she also recorded the vest serial number in the ledger. She then addressed me in an obviously scripted fashion. 

  “Sky Brush, you have permission to disembark from the Sea Stallion. You are expected back in no more than thirty minutes. Do not lose your token during your flight or you maybe detained when you return to the vessel. When you return please land back at this location. Another deck pony or myself will log you as having returned. If you do not log back in you maybe subject to fines, detention, and prosecution under Equestrian Admiralty Law. Do not land on any other vessel during your time off ship. Understand if you experience a flight problem the crew of the Sea Stallion will do what they can to assist but you fly at your own risk. Do you understand? If so say yes.” 

  I nodded my head. “Yes ma’am I understand.” The Windward pulled a brass pocket watch from her jacket. She noted the time in the ledger and on the chalkboard. 

  “Very well, have a good flight and enjoy Celestia’s morning. Breakfast will be served in the main dining room 0800 hours. Off you go then!” 

  I affixed my goggles and launched myself into the morning air. 

  
 To be continued.