The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Part 4: Witherford Chesterfield III, Engineer

"Witherford, kindly pry Roy from Otto before we find ourselves without a boatswain."

I had wanted to see how things played out, but orders are orders. Besides, the Captain's tone was at the point of being so angry that she was quiet. Which means if I did not intervene soon we would be down a Boatswain and a Pilot. And as much of a marvel of science and engineering this ship I built is.... it cannot fly without them.

"Let me go, I'll kill that Bastard!" Roy screamed, his face red with fury, Otto's blood on his shirt and hands. He struggled to free himself and continue his assault, he might have succeeded too, if it were anyone else holding him.

Victoria slowly stood up and walked over to us.

"Mr. Nightingale." She said in a voice so cold it could freeze the sun. " You are relieved from this council for the time being, return to your post."

"Captain, you heard what that man..."

"You will return to your post, or I'll have you thrown overboard."

"...alright." Roy said almost as a groan.

"I'm sorry?" Victoria said, her eyes flaring up.

"Yes, Captain." Roy said defeated.

With that Victoria signaled me to let Roy go. He landed on his feet hard and staggered for a moment before looking back at me. If looks could kill, he still couldn't. He left with no incident thankfully.

"Witherford, bring Otto to the med Bay and return here at once."

"Aye Captain."

"And bring Rum, I need a drink."

"I'll bring the good bottle."

After a bit of drinking in silence Victoria took a deep breath; "Be honest, if we were to trade blows with the Michael, what are our chances of winning?"

"Define 'winning'." I said pouring another glass for Victoria and myself.

"Not being slaughtered." She said, taking the glass.

"If I used all of the tricks I've built into the ship and if the crew was perfect, we would have about a 25% chance of being captured alive."

"You are more optimistic than I."

"Must be the drink."

We laughed. Then more silence.

"I have enough to worry about without my crew keeping secrets and tearing each other apart."

"Aye but people have their secrets, doesn't make them less loyal."

"It makes me trust them less."

"You could be like me and not trust any of them."

"No one should be like you, Witherford."

"Point taken," I said with a chuckle. "I don't trust the lot of them. We have different agendas and secrets. Still, I trust them to do their jobs. This isn't a pleasure cruise and we aren't a family. At least not a functional one. Yet we are a crew and, like it or not, we need each and every person so that we can stay alive."

Victoria picked up the bottle; "What the hell was in this that made you so sentimental."

"I guess I am just feeling old."

"Witherford, you're not keeping a secrets are you?"

"Would it matter if I did."

Victoria closed her eyes and thought for a long moment.

"No." She finally said, sighing while doing so.

"I'll push this ship to go as fast as it can." I said while standing up, leaving the bottle, she needed it more than I did. "I'll also prepare every trick this ship has to offer once they catch up."

"And what then? Pray for a miracle?"

"That." I say with a smile. "Or someone to do something really stupid."

This signature signifies that I still live and breathe,

Witherford Chesterfield IIIa