The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Part 5: Ethel Blay, Navigator

The meeting about what to do about the Michael left me shaken. I calmed down a bit though, when the Captain hurriedly asked to see my most detailed map of the nearest Union colony. Of course she had a plan. She ALWAYS has a plan.

On my way to the deck I made a quick stop to ask Witherford to share some rum from his supply. Ye know, ta calm me nerves.

"If you drink away your problems you'll, only make more." He said, ever the sage. "Oh, and the good shit is on the bottom shelf, it'll knock you right out". That got a much needed laugh out of me. Witherford's good for things like that.

Not long after I reached my station and rolled out the map the Captain requested I was visited by Odessa, who promptly snatched up my glass and drained it.

"Rough day?" I asked, only half joking.

"You have no idea...I had a talk with the captain" she answered looking down at the empty glass.

"Oh? What about?"

"Some information I have about the Michael."

"Something helpful I hope! We're in a real tough spot here, I don't see how- what's wrong?"

I could tell Odessa was trying to compose herself, to carefully control her breathing. Now that I was paying attention, I saw that her eyes were red. She looked so tired and were...were those tears?

With a deep breath she continued.

"I have this information because I grew up in the Armada...part of the Armada Aristocracy. My family still is. I got out. They think I'm dead so they don't know I'm here, but I know where they are. My brother is on the Gabriel and my father...captains the Michael..."

She went on about her family's involvement in the Armada, the positions they've held for generations, how close they are to the Emperor. It was a lot of information and none of it good for the Harlot.

When she finally fell silent, she breathed out and met my eyes. Odessa is already a short person, but this was the first time she looked so small and helpless. I had been staring at her through the whole confession and now it was my turn to talk.

"So is that why you've been dying your hair blonde all these years?"

That seemed to startle her. Good.

"Well-" she started, but I cut her off. Like I said, it was my turn to talk.

"And in all these years, you've never thought to tell anyone this special information of yours? Just thought you'd keep it to yourself, did you? Never thought it might be useful to prepare the crew for a situation like- say- this one?"

I could hear the daggers in my voice. I didn't care.

"No. you thought you'd keep it a secret so that when the day you ran into daddy or dear big brother you'd be on the spot with a decision to make."

"I was thinking-"

I raised my voice, "Or did you not think 'Dessa? Did you not consider the danger you've put the crew in? The Captain in?"

Me in.

"Or did you just not care? Now excuse me, I have to get these plans to the captain. Why don't you stay here and think of a way to get yourself out of this mess?".

I picked up my maps and swept out of the room. As the door closed I saw Odessa's hurt expression and I didn't turn back.

Ethel Blay