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.]
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If I ever in those shoes, I mean.
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It's often good luck for an officer to be married on board his ship.
[...If that luck still holds when he's marrying a pirate...
That will have to be seen.]
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Does that only count for officers? Or does any sailor get lucky?
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Women like what?
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So.]
I have seen it go poorly. Miss Summers. That is all.
[Lying works.]
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But the argument would allow thoughts of Maria to resurface more viciously than they have lately, even with the impending nuptials.
So he chooses his reply carefully.]
I find it is a question of character.
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So -- some people (some characters) shouldn't get married?
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The most dangerous are the unions of strong character and weak character. In some, the weak may be improved by the presence of the strong. In far too many others,the weak destroys and devours the strong.
It can be entirely unpredictable.
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[ well, at that point she expects it to be FOR BETTER OR WORSE. ]
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[ is she her father's biggest fan? no. undoubtedly not. but she can't sit idle while he's being accused of having a weak character. ]
I don't think it works like that, actually.