This is the first of a series of short stories I am writing within a larger steampunk-themed storyverse I've dreamed up. There's a lot of backstory, but I'll try to be brief.
It's an alternate-universe 1928, and the world has been largely divided between the superpowers of the USA, British Empire, and Russia. The story starts in London, capital of the British Empire.
The main characters are as follows:
Dr. Elena Cornwall: A wealthy doctor from London, runs a business making affordable steam-powered mechanical prosthetic limbs for war veterans. Replaced her own left arm with one of her own devices. Due to the sexist nature of the UK, she hides in her mansion known to the world as Dr. Francis Cornwall, having only her butler Richard and her cat Susan for company.
John Smith: A maladjusted young man from Chicago, whose social skills are severely lacking, but whose electrical and chemical expertise is unmatched. Elena originally hired him to be an assistant, since Richard can't work a spanner to save his life.
Tiyan Smirnov: A farm boy from Yakutsk, Russia, who wanted to travel the world, but only got as far as London. Briefly had a job as a mail sorter before being recruited as a guide by Elena.