Captain Horatio Hornblower (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
captainhornblower) wrote2012-08-15 06:54 pm
captainhornblower) wrote2012-08-15 06:54 pm
Seventeenth Dispatch - [written]
[Horatio knows.
The moment he wakes up, he knows something in the house is wrong. Cat-like, he pads down the hall. Young Wellard is fast asleep, so is Archie. He pushes open the third door and sees it.
The room is empty, utterly untouched.
William Bush is gone.
Silently, he closes the door. He showers, brushes his uniform twice before donning it, and is still out of the house at dawn. He goes immediately to the sip. To his beloved Britannia.
Will he endanger her, doing what he knows he must? This is reckless. He knows it, too well.
"It's always worked out for the best, sir."
He's only sorry it took William's disappearance to cause this.
On board, he pulls his muster book out. Beside the name William Bush, he makes a simple cross. Then, he goes to the wall and removes the Union Jack there. Less than ten minutes later, the colours are flying from the ship's mast, above the banner they commissioned for Britannia.
This ship, here and now, is England.
And he is an English captain.
Two hours later, he writes in the Journal, barely daring to breathe as he pens the words on the paper.]
Wednesday, August 15th
It is my honour to inform the citizens of the Luceti enclosure that the duties of the frigate Britannia have changed.
She is a vessel of war, meant for naval battle if the Third Party or any sea force should threaten the village.
To that end, she will need guns. Mister Haddock, I should like to commission another from you as well as shot. Lieutenant Kennedy will contact you later with specifics.
I am sure at least a few of you will not believe me, but I will state this now: this is not an act of aggression toward the residents of this village. My ship will enter into conflict only with enemy crafts, those who would harm the people of Luceti. Only acts of violence to persons or property of Britannia will nullify my offer of peace.
Respectfully,
Captain Horatio Hornblower
HMS Atropos
LES Britannia
[As he signs his name, he lets himself take in a breath. No warning, no discussion. Only Archie's encouragement a week ago he cautioned against.
Now, the die is cast. The colours are nailed to the mast. He can think only one thing:
God be with us.]
The moment he wakes up, he knows something in the house is wrong. Cat-like, he pads down the hall. Young Wellard is fast asleep, so is Archie. He pushes open the third door and sees it.
The room is empty, utterly untouched.
William Bush is gone.
Silently, he closes the door. He showers, brushes his uniform twice before donning it, and is still out of the house at dawn. He goes immediately to the sip. To his beloved Britannia.
Will he endanger her, doing what he knows he must? This is reckless. He knows it, too well.
"It's always worked out for the best, sir."
He's only sorry it took William's disappearance to cause this.
On board, he pulls his muster book out. Beside the name William Bush, he makes a simple cross. Then, he goes to the wall and removes the Union Jack there. Less than ten minutes later, the colours are flying from the ship's mast, above the banner they commissioned for Britannia.
This ship, here and now, is England.
And he is an English captain.
Two hours later, he writes in the Journal, barely daring to breathe as he pens the words on the paper.]
Wednesday, August 15th
It is my honour to inform the citizens of the Luceti enclosure that the duties of the frigate Britannia have changed.
She is a vessel of war, meant for naval battle if the Third Party or any sea force should threaten the village.
To that end, she will need guns. Mister Haddock, I should like to commission another from you as well as shot. Lieutenant Kennedy will contact you later with specifics.
I am sure at least a few of you will not believe me, but I will state this now: this is not an act of aggression toward the residents of this village. My ship will enter into conflict only with enemy crafts, those who would harm the people of Luceti. Only acts of violence to persons or property of Britannia will nullify my offer of peace.
Respectfully,
Captain Horatio Hornblower
HMS Atropos
LES Britannia
[As he signs his name, he lets himself take in a breath. No warning, no discussion. Only Archie's encouragement a week ago he cautioned against.
Now, the die is cast. The colours are nailed to the mast. He can think only one thing:
God be with us.]
[voice]
Re: [voice]
[For once, she's actually not saying it in criticism. She knows Archie has trouble doing violence towards females.]
[voice]
[If not, well. If Miss Swann does not quit his ranks after that, she will make a teacher enough.]
Re: [voice]
I'd offer to tick you off to help, but I don't think now's a good time for that joke.
voice;
Re: voice;
[She tries to stockpile, but between all the gunmen in Luceti, plus the smithy people trying to confiscate them all, it's easier said than done. She's not wasting her supply on practice.]
voice;
Do you know how to program it? That may be a good way to teach our crew to use the cannons. Rate of fire is the true strength of the British Navy.
If I can teach it here, we may have a prayer should a threat come by sea. Or even air over the sea.
Re: voice;
[Amelia can probably manage programming guns, but something specific like Horatio wants is better left to an expert.]