The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Depravity Part 4: Odessa Ashmore, First Mate

The most powerful vessel in the world is coming for us...which means my father is too.

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"We have to run."

"No, we should fight."

"We will die for sure."

"My Engine can take anything."

"Our ship is one of the most feared pirate ships in the world."

"The Michael will slaughter us."

"We are only feared because we have been able to escape the Armada's fleet, that doesn't mean we can fight them!"

"I don't particularly want us to die."

As Otto, Roy, Witherford and I kept fighting, I weighed the pros and cons of telling them all the truth, but found myself unable to say anything. If I tell them who my family really is, I may be killed or worse...kicked off the crew. Thinking about all this, I stopped arguing and hung back trying to drown them out. My head began pounding like a hammer hitting metal.

"Odessa, care to weigh in or have you lost your ability to speak?" said the Captain. I looked up at her expectant gaze; then around at the now silent crew members. Roy with his stormy expression, Witherford vaguely alert through his drunken fog, and the ever strict Otto with his eyebrows raised.

"I do have something to say, but not about a plan. This is about The Michael and The Gabriel." I drew a deep breath. "It is hard to say, so I am just going to say it quick."

I flashed a glance at Otto, who slowly shook his head in warning. He knows what I am about to say. I always had a feeling he knew exactly who I was.

"She just needs some water, why don't we go outside." Otto began to escort me out the Captain's quarters.

"I think little 'Dessa needs to lie down. She's looking rather pale." Roy observed.

I glared at Roy. "You're infuriating."

He sarcastically responded, "I try."

I felt my face burn. I walked away from Otto advancing toward Roy. I am much shorter than him, so I had to strain my neck to be more menacing, "Well. Maybe I should try and shove my gun up your..."

There was a loud smash as the Captain slammed her hand on the desk. "Quiet all of you! Out with it, Odessa. What is wrong with you?" Victoria said harshly.

My gold eyes met her dark ones steadily. I took a deep breath, clearing away my emotions, "For those who don't know, I grew up in the Armada. I have been keeping tabs on my family, in case a situation like today occurred. My brother Maury, is aboard The Gabriel...second in command, learning to become captain."

Silence as they looked at me in either horror or utter confusion. "...and my father is Maurice George Illingsworth V, the Emperor's Military Advisor, Vice Admiral and Captain of The Michael."

It was so silent, you could hear a pin drop. No one moved, only Otto, looking at the Captain, waiting for her response.

"First Mate," She began slowly. I failed to hide my shock, she almost never calls me by my position title, unless she is truly angry. "You will leave this meeting."

My heart started pounding and my ears were ringing. She is kicking me out of a war meeting, this has never happened before.

"But Cap...I...plea- " I stopped abruptly. A pirate never begs, Odessa Ashmore will not beg.

"Now, get out." She said with finality.

I turned around quickly, grabbed the door handle and paused. Without turning around I said, "I would never purposely endanger this crew. The reason I did not tell the truth was because I belong here, not with my cruel family. I deserve a real family."

I opened the door and slammed it shut. I ran to the edge of the ship, expecting to throw up from how much my stomach was churning but nothing came. I have not eaten today, so that probably helps. 

I listen to the sound of the wind, our sails blowing quietly, trying desperately to calm down. A loud screech tore through the calming noises. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest; I recognized the sound. I looked up and saw Phoenix ripping through the clouds like fire. His screams were a warning, my worst fear coming true.

Odessa Ashmore