The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Part 3: Odessa Ashmore, First Mate

I run to you, Lord,
for protection.

Don't disappoint me.

You do what is right,

so come to my rescue

A prayer I knew from years ago creeps into my mind in the wake of this nightmare. Today's weather was supposed to be warm with some wind. However, the moment I saw the massive sail of a ship I prayed to never come in contact with, I could feel the very atmosphere drop 10 degrees. The Gabriel is a huge and hauntingly beautiful ship, perhaps twice the size of ours. The sails bore the insignia of the Armada: an Anchor surrounded by laurel leaves with the inscription "Todo Para La Gloria De Dios", translated to 'For the Glory of God'. I shivered, remembering how I had to wake up every morning and go to sleep every night saying that phrase. The ship is black as night in order to hide it in the evening, but during the morning it just reminds you of death. The gold trimmings twinkle in the sky, a beautiful touch to an otherwise menacing vessel.

"We are royally fucked," I whispered to myself.

As the rest of my surroundings came back, I realized we needed to get ready to leave the colony docks. I started my mass check of the ship. It usually takes an hour to properly secure everything for take off, but The Gabriel's cannons would be in range in maybe 20 minutes. So I hustled around the ship. Sails are set, ropes are tight, wheel is greased...where is Roy?

I took another look at the enemy ship, once a black dot, now getting larger in view by the second. I hurried up to the Captain, "The ship is ready, Captain! And The Gabriel is fast approaching!" My voice barely contained any composure but she didn't seem to notice.

I never thought my past would catch up with me. Maybe, we can get away before I have to unhash it to the Captain.

Listen to my prayer
and keep me safe.
Be my mighty rock,
the place where I can

always run for protection

I felt us pull away quickly from the dock. Crew members were pushing past each other to get to their posts. I noticed a rope improperly knotted and just as I was about to refasten it, Connor came rushing toward me, "Connor?" He kept on running. "Where are you going?"

"Captain wants to fight. We are readying the cannons!" He shouted behind him.

"No..." I ran across the deck to find the Captain shouting at Roy.

She started walking away to prepare everyone for battle. "We're really going to fight The Gabriel?" I asked in exasperation.

She waved her hand distractedly, "What choice do we have?"

"We can follow our original plan!" Fly away for our stupid lives.

"Our original plan is not working!"

"Captain, The Harlot cannot take down that huge ship! This is a suicide mission; we have to run."

"Well, Odessa, you know what they say..."

"What?"

"The bigger the ship; the harder they fall!"

I knew it was time to tell the Captain the full truth. She needed to know everything about my past but I could not bring myself to say it...so I ran off.

Save me by your command!

You are my mighty rock and my fortress.