Wow! And I found this before my feed told me it had been entered to make it even more magical.

I like Francis, for sure. Oh, and especially the line:
This clichéd utterance asserted in the minds of all present that this latest in a line of delusional ‘masterminds’ plaguing London was no different to the rest

And I love the open ending. It could be nothing and yet it could be something monumental. Ripe for sequelling, but not by me I fear.

Ed, you leave me in awe as always.

Ed, I am not into Steampunk but this story is intriguing. Some of the sentences seem to me a little run on but that may just be the style. I also like the open ending.

haha, the floating ashes! purposefully.. i love the dialogue and long rambl-y sentences that convey the time of the piece. But only one gadget?! Those are the hardest to come up with.. :)

You had me at the first line! Fantastic! :)

Love it, love it, love it!! There’s just something awesome about a clockwork atom blaster…

Another great piece from you. I love the dialogue especially – very believable and enjoyable to read aloud (in different voice tones – giggle – what can I say? Time on my hands =])

I should love to see a sequel.
x

Rich with brilliant details. Wonderful read.

I can imagine how difficult that piece must have been to acquire, let alone create! The springs and intricate clockwork required to blast atoms… Unfathomable!

I loved this piece.

Heavy on the cheese, but still good fun.

I love such lyrical writing. Full of personality, awesome! :D