Genvieve 27, 1806: The Flying Brig

From the Journal of M. Maelstorme Smythe
Captain of the Signet Ship "Seraph"
Captain's Log: Official Log, the Seventh
Date: Genvieve 27, 1806, Year of the Drake

Tomorrow night, the phase of the full moon begins, and one of my most trusted friends and colleagues will become something entirely different for one terrible night...while another becomes the vision of a perfect lady.

I am torn. Part of me wishes to spend the evening in the company of Morrigan in my cabin, but my duty to Augustus as his friend and swordbrother compels me to watch over him. I must keep Morrigan in my cabin during her change, and I must secret Augustus away somewhere (but where?!) I fear the reaction that the crew might have; morale is low after the hellsquid attack yesterday. A mutiny is the last thing we need aboard this vessel; especially amid current cicumstances.

I visited the engine bay earlier; Mr. DuBreens has apparently been hard at work. Several massive black slateboards cover one of the walls - upon these slates were scribbles of white chalk - a series of arithmetical equations and scientific theorems, complete with three-dimensional diagrams and measurements. In the middle of the bay stood a begoggled Mr. DuBreens, nodding with approval at his equally begoggled spider monkey, Crash. Crash was, to my great dismay, masterfully wielding Mr. DuBreens' aetheric torch on an eight foot iron cube. The top and bottom were panels of solid iron, while the sides consisted of iron bars. A long chain ran from the front middle bar of the cage, its other end connecting to a large square magnet.

Mr. DuBreens explained that an identical magnet will run from the cargo bay of the ship (a massive loading bay connected to the engineering bay by a wide ramp and two short flights of stairs) on another thick chain, connecting the flying cage to the ship, but preventing the creature, if he were to escape, from climbing the chain all the way to the ship. Apparently the wolf's weight upon the magnet will cause the magnets to pull apart, sending the wolf dangling upon the chain until we rescue him (or toppling into the sea...in which case we would still rescue him...hopefully in time.)

By tomorrow morning, Mr. DuBreens will have a blimp attached to the top of the cage. He showed me the cage's only entrance - a door on the bottom which will be bolted securely shut. A live cow from the Seraph's livestock provisions stood roped to one the cargo bay walls, its calm lowing echoing across the metallic walls as it calmly chewed on a potted plant. I did not mention it, but i know the unfortunate end the cow will come to; if the wolf does not find fresh meat in the cage, he will be more likely to pursue it on the ship.

Mr. DuBreens informed me that the "flying brig" will be cast behind the ship, where, in the chance of escape, Doctor Dayafter's grisly counterpart will have no way of harming the crew. I congratulated Mr. Dubreens, as this appears to be a workable plan...I only pray that it works.

- Mael