contentwithoutcommand | Second Tackle : written

Second Tackle : written

[There is no one to read an official dispatch. He's gathered that much. However, this is quite a different communication.]

May the nineteenth,

I have recently come into command of the sloop-of-war Britannia. She has been well cared for, and I am grateful to the members of the Blue Rogues for that.

However, she is in need of some detailed care to bring her back to her proper state. I have found scrub brushes, paintbrushes, and buckets, but it seems she lacks any holystones. I am in need of those and paint. I am not particularly concerned as to the colour of the paint, so long as there are large quantities and it is a consistent colour. Black for the trim (that, there is plenty of below decks) and yellow (as she is presently) or white or blue for the bulk would be preferable.

Once I have these supplies, I will be in need of volunteers to assist in the work. There will be painting, rowing of rigging, stitching of sail, swabbing, holystoning, and polishing to be done. I have no wages I can offer for these tasks, but I will require those who want to help to be able to follow direction. Maintenance must be done in certain ways to avoid unnecessary work and possible damage to the ship, so I will be very specific in how each task should be accomplished.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated, and I shall be most grateful for any information on where and how I might obtain the supplies I need. I do not have much, but I may be able to find something in the ship's scarce stores to trade, as I am not looking for charity to bring Britannia to her best.

D Long, commander, R.N.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...But they didn't pick you.

[ propriety and custom be damned. she feels a ferocity in her bones that was interested only in protecting her nostalgia. like setting a place at the dinner table for the deceased. ]

No, they didn't. Nor do I have any written orders from the lords of the Admiralty. [If Hornet were here, he could simply devote himself to his ship and try to ignore the other vessel. But that is not the case.]

Britannia has been cared for admirably by the Blue Rogues, but she is in need of close work and someone to look after her until her rightful officers return. That is all I intend to do, ma'am.

[This woman might not be a member of the crew of Britannia (she wouldn't be so outspoken to a new commander if she was), but he knows the attitude. Bitter hands who liked their previous captain and resent their new one for whatever winds of fate caused the change in position. That he is speaking to a civilian means Long cannot merely assume the authority of command.

He has to try and explain himself without giving offence.

At least his life does not depend upon this hand at a station doing all they can for him and the ship. More than one unpopular man in command has been hindered that way.]

...An Admiral's orders can be arranged.

[ HUFF. ]

There is an admiral of the Royal Navy here? [So there is someone to send dispatches to, perhaps. He'll remember that.] In a foreign port, his orders, indeed, compel me, as there is no Admiralty to confirm or issue differing orders.

[And no way to check the Navy List to make sure this was not someone simply calling themselves an admiral.

Still, if this woman has the connections to see him barred from the command of Britannia... Well. That is how favour works, isn't it? He's worked it many times in his favour or the favour of his friends. Perhaps it's high time he felt the other side of it.

Until it comes, he won't stand down, but an admiral's orders are an admiral's orders.]

There is. If you've been to the Britannia, then you've seen the house on the shore? The Admiral lives there.

[ a lonely sad single man. dead and drowning in his solitude, buffy suspects. ]

I shall be sure to remember that, ma'am.

[Not that it would be proper form to call on the man and present himself in that way. But the information is good to have.]

...What's your name?

[ after all, he'd signed his missive with an initial. ]

Commander David Long, ma'am.

And I'm Buffy Summers, but you can call me...no -- you know what? Just keep on calling me ma'am.

Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry I could not make your acquaintance on a more pleasant topic.

Trust me. It could have been worse. You could have tried to take command of my ship.

[ okay. the jj is jack's, but jack's currently not himself. and so the first mate has gotta step up. ]

[David wants to point out that he wouldn't have tried to take command -- temporary or not -- of a ship with a present captain. But now is not the time or place for that.]

I would be most sorry for that, ma'am.