The Apex gem

Prologue

Have you ever had a family trip on a skyship? In the spring term, you would have soared through the ruins, gliding high above the fallen pillars and through the warm breeze. If you flew, there would have been clear skies, a soft cloud and that unbeaten sense of freedom. When you flew, there would have been the islands far below, fishing boats with their beautifully patterned sails  and maybe a gam of porpoises. You probably went to a mountain foot to take a well deserved hike. Flying a skyship is majestic like that.

However, travelling on an expedition is a different thing entirely. You should try a skyship when the frost throws a snowstorm  or when thunder dances around you and the sky is parted by a claw of lightning. You should try being there  when Rajiū raids the sky, its shocking numbers of voltage  into your veins or worse, light your skyship with its lightning like a lit match and a campfire. You should try being there when there’s no food and not even a millilitre of water left in the dispenser. Few people  would hope for that on anybody. Even experienced travellers think thrice (if professional twice) about venturing south to the distant islands. No one knows what creatures live there.

Chapter 1

The scattered crowd roared as captain Joe of the skyship strided towards the steering wheel. Then the skyship Geyser rose off the land and into the air as the engine howled into life as the crew set off for their first journey on the Geyser. At last they were off!

Fin and Gill looked down at what seemed to be a shrinking island and smiled, sharing identical expressions. However, Fin hated heights so he didn’t look the same inside demonstrated by his unsteady stance, on the overhand Gill loved the sight of getting a birds eye view of: the island they called home; the everlasting fields of ocean and seeing the tiny dots of people waving.

It was then getting noon when wind whistled through the balcony poking out the side of the ship. Then the silence was broken with Joe asking, “So… how’s your day been?” “Well, quite exciting going on my second journey.” replied Fin, without a  moment Gill added, “Talking about The first time, do you think what happened the first time is going to happen again?” “No, we’re on a much less dangerous task this time.” said Joe “Do you think we are going to find the Apex Ge-” Fin’s speech was interrupted by a distant rumble.

“That doesn’t look good.” Exclaimed Joe, staring into the distance where a tropical storm was staring back. “Right full speed ahead.” he said, accelerating to the storm.

It was a short moment when they arrived in the tropic storm, “Right this looks like we’re going to be in this storm for a long time.” Joe remarked. “This seems like it’s going to be a difficult task today.” added Fin. Then without a moment’s notice a massive lighting bolt struck directly in the middle of the engine “Guys there’s an island” exclaimed Gill, “Time for a crash landing!” Shouted Joe