Once all eighteen Electrical Soldiers were loaded inside the paddle steamer, Mr Swift cranked up the speed. With the weight of all that metal, the boat floated low in the river and water splashed up from the paddle wheels.
They had reached Tower Bridge when they caught up with Clockheart. The Leaky Battery was on the other side of the bridge, awaiting its captain’s return. Swift smiled to himself. He would sink the lot of them right here in the city where he had created them.
As he drew closer, he cut the engine and allowed the river’s current to carry his paddle steamer under the bridge.
“Electrical Soldiers, prepare to fire,” said Mr Swift, drifting alongside the rowing boat.
“WE WILL OBEY,” replied the soldiers.
“Answer me honestly now,” said Captain Clockheart. “Don’t you get tired of hearing that?”
“No,” replied Mr Swift. “I like my machines obedient and predictable.”
“Shame about us lot, then,” said Gadge.
Mr Swift waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, it’s true that you’re disobedient, but your actions hold no surprises for me – I’m your creator.”
“Surprise…” Lexi’s word-wheel clicked and turned. “An unexpected incident … a shock.”
“You see,” said Mr Swift. “I knew you would say that. I made every part of you. I know you better than you know yourselves.”
“You didn’t make me,” said Pendle. “And have I got a surprise for you! Now!” she yelled.
Mr Swift did look rather surprised by what happened next. Something heavy and metallic landed on his head.
“Click, sorry to drop in uninvited like this,” said First Mate Mainspring. “Tick, now let’s show these robotic rapscallions how real machines fight. Tock, Steampunk Pirates, plunder this ship with all you’ve got!”
The rest of the crew followed their first mate and dropped down from the side of the bridge where they had been hiding.
“Destroy them!” yelled Mr Swift.
“WE WILL OBEY,” replied the Electrical Soldiers, launching themselves into battle.
Hatchet fought with a sword in each hand. Washer Williams jumped on to one of the soldier’s backs and Loose-screw charged at three more. All around, pirates fought bravely against their enemies. Mainspring held out his hand and lifted Captain Clockheart up on to the enemy boat.
“Thank you, Mainspring,” said Captain Clockheart. “And thank you for not leaving at sunrise.”
“You should have fled while you had the chance,” said Mr Swift. “I keep telling you, there’s no point fighting. You’ve already seen how much better my new designs are.”
“They are stronger,” admitted Captain Clockheart. “Shinier, too. But not as good company, I’d wager.”
“Och, they only know three words,” said Gadge, helping Pendle climb aboard.
“It’s time someone taught them some new ones,” said Pendle.
“Who would teach them?” said Mr Swift. “A runaway cabin boy?”
“No. A runaway cabin boy’s pet parrot.”
“The parrot’s been shot,” scoffed Mr Swift. “And a bird with no wings is no bird at all.”
“That’s not true, strictly speaking,” said Lexi.
“Do what you want!” squawked Twitter. “Not what you’re told!”
Mr Swift looked up and saw Ridgey fly overhead, carrying the parrot. The mechanical albatross was taking Twitter from soldier to soldier, hovering above each head just long enough to give him time to fiddle with the wiring.
“Coleridge,” yelled Mr Swift furiously. “I command you to drop that bird at once!”
“Sorry, mate. No can do,” replied Ridgey. “I ain’t on your side no more. I’m on me own side now.”
“Tesla, Faraday, and the rest of you… Shoot these flying fiends down!”
“Don’t they say that shooting an albatross is unlucky?” said Gadge.
“Superstitious nonsense. Blast them out of the sky … NOW!”
The soldiers turned to look at Mr Swift, who had gone bright red with rage. Slowly but purposefully they lowered their rifles and stood to attention.
“WE WILL NOT OBEY,” they said in unison.
“Aha, a new word,” cried Captain Clockheart. “Only one, but a good one, to be sure. Victory is ours, lads.”
The Steampunk Pirates cheered. The Electrical Soldiers saluted.
“No, no, no. This isn’t right,” protested Mr Swift. “It’s not fair.”
“But it is progress,” said Pendle.
Tesla picked up Mr Swift and raised him above his head.
“Put me down,” he cried, struggling hopelessly. “I order you to put me down and finish these Steampunk Pirates.”
“WE WILL NOT OBEY,” said Tesla. “NO… I WILL NOT OBEY.”
“I WILL NOT OBEY,” said Faraday.
“I WILL NOT OBEY,” said the rest of the army.
“Och, and what will you do with this tinkering wee rascal?” asked Gadge. “Keep him or throw him out?”
“THROW HIM OUT,” they replied.
“You can’t,” said Mr Swift. “I made you.”
“And now you’re going to make a splash,” said Captain Clockheart. “So long, Swift.”
Tesla lobbed Mr Swift overboard. As he hit the water, the Electrical Soldiers and the Steampunk Pirates raised their arms and cheered. Pendle leaned over to see Mr Swift splashing about in the murky water of the River Thames.
“I am your c-c-creator.” He shivered. “I deserve respect.”
“No one deserves respect,” said Pendle. “Respect must be earned.”
“Now, Pendle.” Captain Clockheart placed a hand on his cabin boy’s shoulder. “Before you start reading morals into this, I think it’s high time we were off. Mr Tesla, Mr Faraday and the rest of you, I suggest you don’t hang around either. London is no place for outlaws like ourselves. We’re not law abiding. We’re not land residing. We’re pirates, scoundrels, scallywags and ne’er-do-wells. The only home we have is the open ocean.”