The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Part 2: Eldon Bridges, Cabin Boy

I hit him square in the nose! Then all the screaming started. Screams of fear and screams of rage. The next few moments were a blur. A CE charging. Need to reload. No ammo. Look for more. CE is near. Run!

As I raced him down the street, I felt a quick gust whip past me and heard a loud bang. A second noise quickly followed and I heard the Armada's own colonial enforcer drop to the dirt floor. The trouble was I heard a heap more of them behind me. I kept running until a barrage of bullets rang out and the stampede stopped. I turned around to see Connor firing at the men's feet as they danced to avoid the bullets. Wanting to help, I pulled out my slingshot and took aim. Suddenly, a hand on my shoulder jerked me to the right and I found myself in an alley with the pilot.

Without a word, we began to flee for as long as we could. The CE's nearly took us out with a shot that thankfully took the life of a window instead. I managed another direct hit on one of those bastards, much to the displeasure of Roy. Apparently using a slingshot is dangerous but throwing a flaming bottle of liquor is just fine. Roy caused a fiery distraction as I lead him through the back of a building. From there we hid in an old, moldy chapel where I had my first still moment since firing that initial shot. Instead of catching our breath, the pilot wanted to know more about what caused the chaos.

I explained that I spent my day running through the streets of the colony. You can never get more than a sprint in on the Harlot. I turned out of an alley and into a crowd on the main road before I saw it. Through the commotion, two CEs dragged a pair of children, brother and sister, out of their home. A man followed them, stumbling through the doorway with his eyes and nose bloodied. Through the whispers I discovered that the CEs accused him of conspiring against the Armada. They planned to take the man away and separate him from his children. IT WAS HAPPENING AGAIN. His son, who couldn't have been more than four, broke loose from the CE's grasp and ran toward his father. The CE scooped up the boy, refusing to let him make it into father's arms. THIS COULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. Then, more than ever, I wished ole Barty would let me get my hands on some artillery. My slingshot was all I had. I grabbed it and nailed one punk first try. I enjoyed a split second of happiness as I saw the father run to his embrace his children. That was quickly disrupted by the second CE.

Roy responded to my tale by saying that "We can't save everyone. That's not the world we live in." I can't let that be true.

I followed Roy's lead back to the safety of the ship. Roy and Connor saved my life. I owe them a huge debt. I hope we have escaped any more hassle from the Armada for the time being. If we haven't, I must live with my actions today. Knowing those children may still be with their father, I think I can.

Eldon Bridges