The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Depravity Part 5: Captain Victoria Neckett

It was night when the scouting crew returned. Ethel was as pale as a ghost as she stepped out of the dingy and onto the Harlot. The cheerful girl who had lightened up even the darkest moments had turned into someone I didn't recognize. She looked down at the ground and avoided all eye contact; only looking at Seymour and Connor as they followed her. Seymour was more stoic than usual; his knuckles were white as he clenched his rifle. Connor's face was solemn; he looked like a General about to tell his army this was the end. They didn't have to say anything. Just by their looks and composure we could tell The Michael was coming.

My stomach was in knots and I felt sick. I was scared, but as I looked at every one of the crew members I knew I had no time for such useless emotion.

"Witherford, Roy, Ethel, and Connor to my chambers." I announced.

I glanced over at Eldon for a moment. He looked confused. "But what about -" Witherford put his hand on Eldon's shoulder and shook his head.

I looked over at Odessa, who was clenching the side of the boat; staring off into the distance. I quickly turned away and headed for my chambers.

"Where do we go?" I asked the group

"There's a Union Provence not far from here." Connor said immediately upon entering the room.

Ethel pulled out her maps and placed them on my desk. "He's right. There's one due west."

We all looked at Connor. How did he know that? He continued, "I sailed these skies with the Union Military. All these clouds may look the same, but you never forget the place you were meant to protect."

We were all silent. I looked at Roy and he looked back with a knowing gaze. Connor was right. You never forget.

"We must sail through the night." I said "But you must all rest. You'll need your strength. To bed. Send up the night watch. Roy take the wheel. I will relieve you from your post in a moment."

"Captain, you have to sleep too." Ethel said

"To bed." I repeated. The four exitted.

I emerged from my chamber moments later. I found Roy standing by the wheel looking into the distance; a concerned look on his face. I placed my hand on his shoulder. He turned and merely nodded before walking away. The skies were calm. I straightened the wheel to allow it to cruise and walked toward the ledge.

The ship was silent, except for Bartholomew's humming from the crow's nest. The stars were bright in the sky and the moon was so close I could almost touch it. I climbed up onto the base of the railing and thought about that phrase "touching the moon." It reminded me of something. I wedged my heels between the bars and slowly unclenched my tight grip from the top of the rail. I closed my eyes and I let the cool breeze whip through my hair. A familiar scene played out in my head.

...

My father is at the helm and I am leaning over the front of the ship with a rope around my waist; my childhood friend is holding on tight.

"You can't actually touch the moon, Vicky!" He yells

"Yes, I can! Witherford said people used to touch the moon all the time! Walk on it, even!"

"That's just a story!"

"Nah uh! It happened! I know it happened!"

"Fine, people touched the moon! But they didn't touch the moon from here!"

"Just hold the rope, Eoin!"

"You're just going to get scared, when you lean over too far, anyway!"

I turn to yell at him; I stop pulling; I let up my guard, "No way! Victoria Neckett isn't afraid of anything - " he takes advantage of this moment and pulls me to the ground.

Hearing the loud thud, my father leaves the wheel with the other builder and runs to my aid.

"What happened?" He asks

"I was trying to touch the moon and - "

"I told her she can't touch the moon!" Eoin interrupts

My father helps me up from the ground, "Pip, if you want to touch the moon. Then one day you will touch the moon."

...

A hand on my shoulder ended the memory. Startled, I fall backward onto the hard deck; my heels still wedged between the bars. I looked up flat on my back to see Eldon standing over me.

"I'm sorry, Captain." He went to unwedge my heels and let out a quick chuckle, "I thought you were sleepwalking."

"I wasn't sleepwalking, Eldon." My feet freed, I stood.

"Then what were you doing?"

I stopped for a moment, "Well, I was meant to be manning the whe-" I looked into Eldon eyes full of wonder. "I was trying to touch the moon."

Eldon was silent for moment. Then we began to laugh; it felt good to laugh during such dark times. We were interrupted by the rising sun and Barty yelling from the crow's nest "Land!" The crew emerged and gathered on the main deck. I looked out at the Provence and noticed something.

"I know that look," Witherford said joining me.

"Do you see that?" I said pointing at the smoke coming from two tall copper chimneys.

"Yes,"

"That's a weapon's factory." I turned to Witherford, "Witherford, I have an idea." 

Captain Victoria Neckett