Grantville Gazette, Volume 65 Read online

  Table of Contents

  The Story So Far . . .

  Fencon

  Engines of Change: Niels the Builder

  A Pirate Made

  The People You Know

  Birthday Blues

  Customs

  The Thing in the Up-Time Attic (A Monster Society Story)

  Les Futuriens, Parts I and II

  About the Faces on the Cutting Room Floor, Number Three: Thomas and Sherrilyn: Frenemies Without Benefits

  Life at Sea in the Old and New Time Lines: Part 2, Keeping Dry (and Afloat)

  Notes from The Buffer Zone: The Cusp of Worlds

  This Issue’s Cover – 65

  The First Cavalry of the Cretaceous, Part Two: Lovebirds

  Grantville Gazette, Volume 65

  Editor-in-Chief ~ Walt Boyes

  Managing Editor ~ Bjorn Hasseler

  Grantville Gazette, Volume 65

  This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this magazine are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2016 by Grantville Gazette

  A 1632, Inc. Publication

  Grantville Gazette

  P. O. Box 7488

  Moore, OK 73153-1488

  Grantville Gazette, Volume 65, 1 May 2016

  Table of Contents:

  Read Me First:

  The Story So Far…by Walt Boyes

  1632 Minicon at Fencon by Walt Boyes

  Fiction:

  Engines of Change: Niels the Builder by Kevin H. Evans and Karen C. Evans

  A Pirate Made by Andy Rogers

  The People You Know by George Iconomou

  Birthday Blues by Nick Lorance

  Customs by Jack Carroll and Terry Howard

  The Thing in the Up-Time Attic (A Monster Hunter Story) by Eric S. Brown and Robert Waters

  Continuing Serials:

  Les Futuriens, Parts I and II by Virginia DeMarce

  Nonfiction:

  About the Faces on the Cutting Room Floor, Number Three: Thomas and Sherrilyn: Frenemies Without Benefits by Charles E. Gannon

  Life at Sea in the Old and New Time Lines: Part 2, Keeping Dry (and Afloat) by Iver Cooper

  Columns:

  Notes from The Buffer Zone: The Cusp of Worlds by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

  This Issue's Cover—65 by Garrett W. Vance

  Time Spike:

  The First Cavalry of the Cretaceous, Part Two: Lovebirds by Garrett W. Vance

  The Story So Far . . .

  By Walt Boyes

  “16 tons and what do you get. . . ?” In the new universe created by the cosmic accident that sent the West Virginia town of Grantville back in time and across continents to Europe in 1631, what you get is a steam engine powering a gantry crane, doing work that would have needed a dozen men and many more days in time. That’s from Kevin and Karen Evans’ “Engines of Change: Niels the Builder” in this issue of the Grantville Gazette.

  Grantville’s existence has had many effects, both large and small. In Andy Rogers’ “A Pirate Made,” a young Dutch woman has the opportunity to become much more—or much less, and she takes it.

  Meanwhile, in “The People You Know,” by Georgios Iconomou, a ne’er-do-well up-timer finally finds his niche in a coffee urn. Not all up-timers are heroes, you know.

  Nick Lorance continues his stories of Sergeant Whatsisname in “Birthday Blues.”

  Terry Howard and Jack Carroll tell the story of a self-important customs agent who interrupts what he thinks is a pagan sacrifice. Oops.

  Eric S. Brown and Robert Waters continue the story of the Grantville Monster Society in “The Thing in the Up-time Attic.”

  Virginia DeMarce gives us a look at the inside of the court of Burgundy, and the ubiquitous Rohans in “Les Futuriens, Part One.” And Charles E. Gannon continues his behind-the-scenes look at what didn’t make it into the book in “Papal Stakes: Faces from the Cutting Room Floor, Part 3.”

  Iver Cooper continues his article on “Life at Sea, Part Two,” and Garrett Vance adds another chapter to the Time Spike serial, “First Cavalry of the Cretaceous 2: Lovebirds.”

  In her column, “Notes from the Buffer Zone,” Kristine Katherine Rusch talks about collections and collectibles. One of the things that appears to be true of science fiction and fantasy is that fans collect books…and other things.

  The Grantville Gazette is looking for younger writers who want to try their hand at some alternate history science fiction. So get your kids and young friends to give it a shot. We are also looking for stories about ordinary young people, up-timers and down-timers alike, who find themselves reacting to the changes Grantville has made in the world. If you have any questions, email me or Bjorn Hasseler for more information.

  Fencon

  It’s nearly time for the yearly gathering of the 1632 clans. Whether you’re interested in tech, or politics, or religion, or sociology, it’s time to come together and enjoy the 1632 Universe. The Minicon this year will be co-located with Fencon XIII (www.fencon.org). The dates are September 23rd through the 25th, in the Westin DFW in Irving, Texas.

  Authors attending the Minicon include Eric Flint, Walter Hunt, Charles E. Gannon, Virginia DeMarce, David Carrico, Iver Cooper, Walt Boyes, Joy Ward, Kevin and Karen Evans, Bjorn Hasseler, and many more.

  We have some great panels this year.

  As always, we present the weirdest tech around. Rick Boatright, Walt Boyes, and Kevin Evans talk about the strange trips technology is taking in the 1632 Universe.

  Writing for 1632: Walt Boyes, Joy Ward, David Carrico, and Bjorn Hasseler teach a short master class in writing for the Grantville Gazette—a professional SFWA venue paying professional rates.

  Virginia DeMarce will present her Sexuality in the 17th Century panel

  David Carrico will show and tell how music is likely to change in the 1632 Universe.

  Dance master Iver Cooper will talk about how dance will evolve in the 1632 Universe.

  We will be introducing the New Improved Eric Flint’s Ring of Fire Press with new titles and new authors.

  Of course we will be Snerking the Plots.

  And in the evening, we will have a 1632 style chocolate tasting with a 1632 trivia contest, so bring your tastebuds and your memory!

  Bring your books for autographs, bring your selves for fun in the 1632 Universe!

  Engines of Change: Niels the Builder

  By Kevin H. Evans and Karen C. Evans

  Copenhagen, August, 1636

  Niels Isaksen was young and ambitious. He had been working for Halmsted Construction for several years, but now saw an opportunity to advance himself. It was risky, but a young man wanting to build his life and impress the father of the beautiful Sarah Brinker must take risks. So his arrogance lead into folly, and he accepted the job with visions of Sarah.

  Today, he stood in the company courtyard. In his hand was a building proposal to commence the repair of the South Tower of the building on the corner of Canal and Palace Boulevards. The packet had already been all over the city, and all of them said it was too difficult or impossible. The amount of money offered for its completion kept rising. But difficult didn’t bother Niels; he saw it as a great opportunity. It was an extraordinary task. Niels was confident that this job was within his capabilities. It would be Niels’ first contract as a captain within the construction company.

  Niels gestured to his assistant, Björn, who stood by his side. “We must go see this job.” They stepped out into the confusion of morning traffic.

  For a nation’s capital, Copenhagen was wonderfully compact, one could get from one place to another with little problem, in spite of
the large number of people living there. So it was not long before Niels and Björn were standing across the street from the south tower of the building in question. To Niels, it was obvious that the tower needed work. On the outside, plaster was broken, with some pieces laying on the ground before them. Some of the masonry and brickwork involved were simply atrocious. Niels dodged an ox cart and headed inside to continue inspection. And the inside was worse. Several beams were visibly deficient, some rotted, some just cracked. Björn caught up to him and looked at the inside of the crumbling tower with dismay. “Master, are you sure about this? The tower has been delicate for a hundred years and was made much worse last month when that wedding processional got out of control, and started a riot. I think they should just tear it down and start over.”

  Niels laughed and pulled out the measuring cord. But as they paced and measured, Niels began to get a sinking feeling. He could now see why all the other contractors had refused this job. The tower was smallish, and any scaffold or apparatus would have to be outside. And the street was already crowded.

  “Björn, we might have a problem. This job will need the crane, the big one, to get our materials up on the roof above the third floor. I think we can fit the crane in here, but do you think we can get the walking drum in?”

  Björn looked a little frightened. He was only twelve, young for an apprentice. “Master, I don't know if it will fit.”

  The walking drum was a cage treadmill, large enough for two or three men. It was mounted on an axle, and used to power the winch that lifted things up and down. It required a good fifteen feet of extra area over and beyond the size of the crane itself.

  Niels nodded, and looked up at the apex of the tower. “I think the crane will fit quite nicely; however, I don't see any way we could get the walking drum anywhere near the crane. Perhaps if we use a link chain and gear, we might make it work, but we’ll have to do something. I’ve already signed the paperwork, and the penalties for not finishing it are severe.”

  The measurements took the rest of the morning. Niels would shout out a number, and Björn would scrawl it on foolscap.

  Finally, from the top of a ladder, Niels shouted, “Björn, I think it’s time for lunch. Let's head back to the work yard. I need to measure our equipment again. Maybe we can find a way to reduce the needed space for all of it.”

  ****

  Back at the yard Niels sent messengers to every craftsman and laborer who had worked with him in the past. They were reliable men all, and many were between jobs as the last project was completed. He knew they would be glad to have a job with him again.

  The notice stated that the job was to start in three days and that assembly of the crane and pre-positioning of the working materials would begin at that time. Niels returned to his desk, working on calculations of materials and manpower for the time allotted.

  It was some time before Björn returned. “Master, all the messages have been delivered.”

  Niels looked up and realized he had been working for a couple of hours. “Good job. Now, come over here and look at this. I want your professional opinion, as if you were a journeyman. This is a scale drawing of the street and the building. Here is the layout of the crane and linkage. I'm still not quite sure how to fit in the treadmill, but I'm sure the crane will fit here. What do you think?”

  Björn examined the setup carefully. “I think you're right. I'm not sure about the treadmill, either, but I'm sure we can make it work.”

  Niels smiled. “Very well, make sure all the equipment for the crane is inspected, that we have enough barrels and chests to contain the construction materials, and that all the workers take their tools this time. Everyone will be watching, and we don't want to look like fools, especially in that part of town. I want us to get more work there in the future, and a good job will do that for us.”

  Before Björn could answer, another man stopped at the desk. It was old Ollie Halmsted, who had been Niels’ master. The old man was now retired, but couldn’t stay away from the shop. He grinned. “Stop worrying, you will do it. We always have succeeded before. You will now. We might even try some of those ideas in those pamphlets they've been putting out from those people in Germany. They have a few good ideas, things I would never have thought of. I wonder that we've never thought of them before, they seem so obvious. Just the new jack will make our work much simpler. It certainly is better than trying to attach a spike into a building frame.”

  ****

  Niels was pleased the assembly of the crane had gone flawlessly. It was in place so that the upper beam could reach any place on the building. All the cordage and materials were sound.

  But the treadmill continued to be a problem. Yes, the cage was up, but it was not very close, and the long chain and cogwheels were only marginally useful. Every ten minutes or so, the chain would pop off the gear, and everything would come to a sudden halt. At least the load on the crane no longer came crashing down. The ratchet gear that they had installed was serving its function well. You could click up or you could click down.

  Nevertheless, lifting and lowering was slower than it had ever been before. Niels was concerned that they would not make their completion time as specified in the contract. All of this was swirling in Niels’ head as he walked from the office to the worksite.

  When he arrived, he was gratified to see Björn wave and jump down off the crane. “Well, Björn, how is the job going? Are we on schedule?”

  Björn’s smile faded. “No, Master, As a matter of fact we are losing a little time every day. The arrangement with the treadmill is just too clumsy. We can compensate by working longer days, but the workmen want more pay for that. We need something better.”

  Niels replied, “The contract only stretches so far. Longer hours won’t make up for all the time loss we’ve experienced.”

  ****

  The sun was almost down. The workmen had packed their tools, and the site was secured for the evening. The night watchman, who was to look after the equipment that had to be left in place, arrived and walked around the site, inspecting it with Niels and Björn. Everything was in place, but by now, they were two weeks behind schedule. There didn’t appear to be a good solution, and Halmsted Construction would have to pay the penalties. Niels would probably lose his position.

  As he and Björn left, Niels said, “Let's take the Harbor Road tonight. I need to walk. Maybe it will help me to think.”

  Björn said, “Of course, Master. An evening stroll often helps resolve difficulties.”

  The two walked along the Harbor Road until they noticed a commotion ahead. Niels had not been down this way in years. “What is all that about?”

  Björn laughed. “Oh, that must be the Mermaid and Tiger. It gets crowded every night. They say it is owned in part by an up-timer out of Germany. I think her name is Frau Pridmore, and it is said that she has food and drink unlike anything that anyone else has ever experienced. As a matter of fact she makes something called gravy, not the bread crumb and meat sauce gravy that we know, but something smoother. My friend told me about it. He says that this gravy made by Frau Pridmore is unlike anything he's ever seen and has a delightful flavor.”

  Niels was surprised to see Björn get so excited about food. He had never seen the boy this excited about anything. “All right, let's go in and see what they have. Perhaps a distraction is what we need.”

  As the two men walked up to the door, the place seemed crowded but happy. Many people apparently were having a delightful time. There were a few people seated here and there that seemed deep in thought, almost always holding a mug of something. And there was a delightful odor emanating from the shop. Niels and Björn walked through the door. As he was looking for a table, he asked, “So, you’ve been here before?”

  Björn blushed. “No, Master. I can’t afford it. But I heard other apprentices talking about it, and I have always wanted to come.”

  ****

  Niels and Björn entered the tavern and made their way through
the crowd until they found a small table with two chairs along the wall. Niels said, “I don’t know when I've seen a tavern quite this crowded, not even on festival days.”

  Björn said, “I know, that's what makes it fun.”

  A young lady came to their table. “Welcome to the Mermaid and Tiger. What can I get for you gentlemen?”

  Niels said, “What do you have? I see a list written on the wall behind the counter. Is that the menu?”

  The young lady replied, “Well, yes. That list on the wall is what we have every day. But we also have specials, and every once in a while we have something truly unique and unusual. Frau Pridmore says that they are just ordinary things to her, but I and the other serving staff had never heard of some of these things before. Do you want to hear our specials?”

  Niels peered intently at the wall behind the counter, then said, “I think we should keep it simple for our first visit. I want to try biscuits and gravy. I think I will have lager beer—that is something I understand well. The young man will have the same.”

  The girl nodded and left. And Niels leaned back in his chair. “I worked for a short time as a sailor, and we had biscuits on board. I'm not so sure I want to encounter biscuits again but gravy sounds interesting.”

  The chairs of the two men were against the wall. Taking advantage of this, both men leaned back on the wall and watched the room. Björn said, “I have never been in a place like this. If you look, you can see all the classes of society here in Copenhagen. Look over in the corner—those are workmen from the Danish Airship Company. Over on that wall I can see people from a machine shop down by the waterfront, and there are the three Erics. They always tell you Eric is in charge they just won't tell you which one.”