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

[voice]

[vor]

Be careful out there, Captain.

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

I've less to worry about at sea than in the village.

[A remark on the familiarity of the dangers of the sea ... or an expression of his lack of faith on his fellow citizens here.]

Thank you, sir.

[voice]

[vor]

You know, not a lot of people offer their condolences to new feathers. Most peoples' inclination is to welcome them.

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

None of us are here by choice. We have... some sort of obligation once here. [Though so many problems, he felt, could be solved if that was more clearly articulated and, honestly, if more was asked the of the residents.

Pressed men responded to duties, to purpose. Not to idleness and not to a complete lack of discipline.] But we are all brought here without any regard to our duties where we are from or the lives we led there. For many, there is great loss.

A welcome might... ease the transition, but condolences are well deserved too, I think.

[voice]

[vor]

[A pause that can be taken for a quiet nod.] I was just curious. Oddly sensitive for a commander of a military vessel.

[The tone is so utterly neutral that only the imagination can decide whether he's lauding or disapproving.]

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

A commander of a military vessel who has been away from his ship, men, and country [not to mention his wife] for over a year.

[voice]

[vor]

...That wasn't a critique, actually.

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

[...The delay in reply probably gives away how surprising that remark is.]

Ah. Well. [Criticism, he can take. Can heed or reply. But something that might, then, have been a compliment. That's another matter.] Indeed.

[He's not good at this whole thing.]

[voice]

[vor]

...You're British. From what time?

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

Eighteen-hundred-and-five, sir.

[Yay, simple question and topic change.]

And -- if I may ask -- where -- and when, I suppose -- are you from, sir?

[voice]

[vor]

Ah. Not a planet that's been colonized in your day, and about twelve hundred years in your future. 1805 was around the time of the Napoleonic Wars, wasn't it?

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

[Planet. Twelve hundred years. Headache incoming.

Though a cynical part of him just barely manages not to remark on the fact that, even after another twelve hundred years, colonization is alive and well.]

During it, in fact. I have... seen the conclusion of it in the books available here, but where I am from, it is still a great uncertainty.

[voice]

[vor]

We had to study a lot of military history at the Academy. Mostly owing to the fact that there aren't really any new strategies.

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

It's always best, particularly with strategy, to build on the strengths and weaknesses of the ideas before you. It's... good to know that doesn't change.

[voice]

[vor]

...Greg Bleakman, by the way.

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

Good to make your acquaintance, Mister Bleakman.

[voice]

[vor]

And yours, Captain Hornblower. I know the Royal Navy of your era has a soaring reputation that resounds throughout history.