Seventeenth Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

[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.]

Comments

[simplestgift]

[That gets a bit of a laugh.] Assigning punishments for spitting on the deck.

[captainhornblower]

Or missing a button on a uniform. [He chuckles a little.]

[simplestgift]

Yes, happy as a moth on a wool waistcoat.

[captainhornblower]

There are a few things, though, I know he wanted to raise a complaint about in regards to the ship.

I can set them to right easily enough. [And he simply... feels like he should. As captain, that should be his responsibility here and now.]

[simplestgift]

Would you like company? We can drag along poor Wellard as well.

[captainhornblower]

[He considers this for a moment then nods once.]

This afternoon.

[This morning, he needs to himself.]

[simplestgift]

[He nods.]

Very well. Have you eaten?

[captainhornblower]

I'll grab something small on the way.

[simplestgift]

Take a sandwich with you.

[He brings them home every night.]

[captainhornblower]

I will.

I promise.

[simplestgift]

[Archie folds his arms and leans against the parlor wall silently. He'll wait until he sees with his own eyes that Horatio does what he says he will.]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio almost chuckles.

One mother hen for another. Really, he can't win.

But he goes into the kitchen, retrieves a sandwich, and returns with it. He shows the other man, half smirking, before he heads for the door.]

I'll see you aboard this afternoon.

[simplestgift]

[Archie tosses off a salute and a smile.]

Aye-aye, Captain Hornblower.