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Nothing extraordinary happened at first whilst Liberty took her nap, but then out of nowhere a voice called, “Permission to come aboard.”
Boy had been slumped in the captain’s chair until then. He slid out of the chair and looked around. When he first saw the other airship, Boy couldn’t believe his eyes. He wanted to jump up and down with excitement, but decided – since Liberty had left him in charge of things – to remain cool and collected.
He walked over to the rail and stared across at the other ship, at a handsome man and a tiny robot. The man’s face beamed back a bright smile. He looked so friendly. How wonderful to make new friends up in the sky. Boy had no idea things like this ever happened. The thought came and went that he should probably go wake Liberty but it would be rude to leave those two standing there, waiting for permission to come aboard, not without at least acknowledging them.
“Hello. Where did you come from?” Boy shouted across, unable to believe he was going to get to meet another robot. His father had never said there were more like him out there.
The man’s airship had drawn near enough for him to lean over and offer Boy his hand, to which Boy offered his own, the man pumping it vigorously. “My name is Mender.” He let Boy’s hand go and put it on the other robot’s shoulder. “This is Robbie.”
Whoever had birthed Robbie must have done so with a shaky hand, because the poor fellow looked as if he might topple over at any moment. But Boy took an instant liking to him. He appeared to be as friendly as his human companion.
Mender nodded toward Airus. “Is it okay to come on over? It would be easier chatting if we weren’t separated by these railings.”
Boy looked toward the cabin. What would Liberty would say? Wasn’t it one of her father’s rules that no one else was allowed on the airship? But Liberty had allowed he himself to be onboard so maybe that rule didn’t apply anymore. Besides, she would want to meet Mender and Robbie. How could she not?
He backed away from the railing. “Of course. I’ll go tell Liberty you’re here.”
“Liberty?” Mender set Robbie on the railing and then lowered him onto Airus. He jumped across himself, as though they weren’t several thousand feet from the ground.
Once on board, Mender walked over to the helm and ran a hand down the friction engine and around the controls.
Boy almost told him that Liberty didn’t like anyone touching her stuff but Mender seemed to be enjoying himself so much he just stood back and watched.
Mender finally turned to Boy and asked, “Is Liberty the owner of this beautiful vessel?”
Boy nodded. “I should go wake her and let her know you’re here.”
“I’ve never seen another engine like this one.” He motioned in the direction of the friction engine. “Where on earth did she find such parts and pieces to build it?”
“Liberty has all kinds of wonderful things in the galley too.” He blinked before adding, “Her apples are so big and red.”
Mender stepped closer. “She has apples?”
Boy motioned for him to follow and led them toward the galley, clicking and clopping all the way.
“There’s something mushy in several jars. I think its mushed-up apples but I forgot to ask, and wait until you see all the jars of honey she has. There are just rows and rows of them.” Boy was so excited to be able to show off his new home. It really was an amazing place, filled with so many wondrous things. One day he would have to ask Liberty what everything was called and used for.
As soon as they’d entered the galley, Boy went over to the apple drawer and opened it. He pulled out an apple and unwrapped it.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
Mender looked inside the drawer and frowned. “There aren’t many apples left. Do you think Liberty would mind if I ate one?”
Boy handed over the one in his hand. Liberty was going to be thrilled he was being such a good host. “I’m certain she would love sharing her apples with you.”
Mender took a bite and closed his eyes. “This tastes so good.” He took another bite and said, with a mouth full of apple, “Why don’t you show Robbie around? He loves to cook so I know he’ll want to know what everything is and how it works.”
“Maybe I show go wake Liberty first. She’ll want to know you’re here.” Boy backed up a couple of steps but stopped when Robbie spoke for the first time, in a creaky, high pitched voice.
“What is in that jar?”
“I think that’s applesauce but I’m not certain.” He opened another drawer and pulled out a long metal rod. “I have no idea what this is either.” Boy twirled it around. “Where did Mender go?”
The other robot turned and glanced between Boy and the door several times. “Maybe he went to wake Liberty.”
Boy looked over at the door. “I hope he doesn’t get hit by the poison darts.”
“Poison darts?”
He nodded. “Liberty shoots out poison darts and pisses whenever something makes her angry.”
“That sounds painful and messy.” Robbie opened a cabinet door and peered inside. “Do you have to clean up after she urinates?” He closed the door and opened another. “I wouldn’t like that at all.”
Boy opened a drawer and pulled out its contents. Why did Liberty have rags and pieces of old paper? “I haven’t seen the poison darts or urine yet.” He turned to Robbie. “Maybe if the two of us look one of us will see something the other doesn’t. I would like to see the poison darts shooting out of her mouth.”
“But that would be the best part; why do I have to watch her urinate?” The odd shaped robot opened another door, leaving the last one wide open.
Before Boy could answer a screech of annoyance filled the air. “Boy!”
He leaned over to Robbie. “I hope she hasn’t killed Mender. He seemed like a nice fellow.”