The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Part 3: Witherford III Chesterfield, Engineer

"We have to go Faster!" Eldon shouted. Poor lad seemed terrified.

"Lad, do me a favor." I said as calmly as I could. "Instead of pointing out the obvious HAND ME THOSE TOOLS!"

He instantly stopped his shaking and gave me a quick nod. He will be a great pirate one day, granted we survived. I had not anticipated that the Armada would send the Gabriel after us, maybe a few of the smaller ships but the God damned Gabriel? It would be flattering if it weren't for the threat of a painful death. 

"Eldon, can ye keep a secret?"

"A-Aye sir!"

"Go behind my rum shelf and you'll find a metal box, bring that to me now!"

"What's in it?"

"The only damn hope we have." This wasn't exactly true, I still had one or two last resorts for this ship. I wouldn't use them if we can escape The Gabriel otherwise. That could draw the attention of someone none of us are prepared to deal with.

Eldon brought out the container

"What...What is this, what are all these markings?" Eldon asked, looking at it as if it were from another planet, that's not 100% incorrect.

"Think of it as medicine, now keep a loo-" I was interrupted by the ship rocking violently, we were hit. The ship would hold, I didn't build this ship to be taken out by a mere cannon volley, a precaution when I designed it.

Barty came barging in.

"We've been hit!!"

Both Eldon and I looked at him like he had two heads.

"Always the one for keen observations are we?" 

"The hell is that box!" He said as he pointed at the container Eldon was still holding, impressive judging by how the ship shook.

"No time, hold the engine open."

"The what?"

"You heard me, now help me!" It was starting to get crowded in my engine room.

Eldon placed the box on the ground and I used the key I wear around my neck to open it. The familiar green glow filling the room.

"What in the name of God is that?" Barty cried as he was holding the engine door open, the flames roaring from inside. Eldon's eyes just opened wider; he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

I took another vial out, this was one of my rare full ones, most of the time I can only get them 3/4's full, if I am lucky. I stood and went towards the engine door, Barty couldn't take his eyes off of it, terrified of the contents.

Sorry Vicky.

I poured it into the fire.

Our speed went up tremendously, I had to catch Eldon from the force of it.

"Neither of you tell a soul or I will throw you in next." 

"Only if you tell me what the hell that was!"

"Next time we get drinks, I'll tell you both."

Two of Otto's men joined us, they were ordered to assist in any way possible. I set them on maintaining steam pressure. Otherwise they may just kill themselves on the machinery. Victoria came to take Barty and Eldon to make use of the cannons. I decided that this was a perfect time to go to my observation perch under the ship and see what was going on. Roy was doing a fine job weaving and dodging but something wasn't quite right. No matter how fast I made the ship, there was no outrunning the Gabriel, but it remained at a far distance using only its weak batteries. My gut sank when I realized why, the Gabriel wasn't the ship they sent after us... it just got here first.

By the time I reached the top deck, the men were cheering, because it seemed as though we had won the day. I spied Otto standing alone; his face said that he knew what we were in for as well. I brought him some of my rum.

"So, do we fight or run?" I said as he took his first swig.

"I think we'll drink first."

"Aye" I took my swig.

Lucky bastard, he had the ability to get drunk.

This signature signifies that I still live and breathe,

Witherford Chesterfield III