Eighteenth Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

Thursday, September 6th

To all of you newly arrived: welcome. I offer my condolences to those upset by their sudden situation.

I am Captain Horatio Hornblower of His Majesty's Ship Atropos and Luceti Enclosure Ship Britannia.

Britannia is always seeking new crew members. With the exception of commissioned officers, there is no exclusivity expected of crew.

On September 15th, Britannia will set sail. We depart at two bells in the forenoon watch. [He writes in the margin: 9 AM.] We will return on the 19th. This voyage will be to instruct crew members in sailing a three-masted ship-rigged vessel.

All those interested are to contact myself or Lieutenant Kennedy by four bells in the first watch [another margin note: 10 PM] on the 14th of September.

Cpt H. Hornblower
HMS Atropos
LES Britannia

Comments

[written]

[captainhornblower]

Miss Suzumiya,

Your offer is most kind. I should be quite grateful for assistance in recruitment. I would also like to make note that simple crew -- those to help with the sails, the guns, and the upkeep of the ship -- would not be expected to be always available. Even the warrant officers would not be required to show exclusivity.

That would only be asked of what would be, in my world, commissioned officers -- the midshipmen and lieutenants.

Sincerely,
Hornblower

[written]

[godbent]

Captain Hornblower,

Don't you heave the required Lieutenants, at least? I recall you having at least one during my brief time on your ship. Actually, on that note - is it reasonable to assume that there would be training provided for anyone who would be recruited and you could promote them as you deem sound?

Sincerely,
Suzumiya

[written]

[captainhornblower]

Miss Suzumiya,

I have one lieutenant, which is all that my ship requires.

We do, however, need midshipmen, which are lieutenants in training, if you will. They are taught to command, navigate, and generally keep a ship in order.

There are many other positions as well, including heads of each area to oversee the others.

Mister Kennedy and I are more than happy to provide any and all training required, and promotions are available to those with the skill, dedication, and drive to earn them.

Respectfully,
Cpt Hornblower

[written]

[godbent]

Captain,

Do ships have designated navigators in particular, or cooks? Medical staff? Should I add in a requirement for specialty skills like that or would that be overkill at this juncture?

[Tap tap of her pen]

I'm probably seeming demanding, that is not my intention.

[...No sincerely. She can't help it.]

Reverently,
Haruhi Suzumiya

[written]

[captainhornblower]

Miss Suzumiya,

[Oh, this is hard to write, but. But they need the position filled, and here it will do him no good to protest on grounds of either sex of nationality.]

I believe we have a surgeon, though I shall make doubly sure before I swear to it. We are in need of a cook, and any particularly skilled navigator would be welcome to apply to me for the position of sailing master.

Let me assure you that you merely seem thorough, which is a fine trait for one undertaking this task. I am grateful.

Hornblower

[Distrust the Journals as he may, he will occasionally admit (such as now) how useful they can be for relaying messages quickly.]

[written]

[godbent]

Captain,

Excellent, I'll be sure to put into the campaign that a cook would be appreciated. If there's any other sort of position that I'm blanking on, being a civilian, do inform me in the interests of increased thoroughness. [...] Thank you.

[Tap tap]

I hope this works out, honestly.

-Haruhi