The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Depravity Part 6: Captain Victoria Neckett

I stood outside the brass gates of the Twigge Weapons Factory, waiting for the rest of my crew to arrive. The night air was crisp. I buttoned up my coat as the cool breeze flowed through my hair. Otto was the first to arrive, naturally. Then one by one each of my crew members made their way to me, their faces masked by the night.

"I don't need to tell you why we're here." I said "The factory is big. We'll have to split up."

"And we'll have to be quick." Witherford said handing me a piece of paper.

I took the parchment and looked at the image sketched on it. It was of a woman with red hair, green eyes, and a large hat with a feather. Underneath the image was written "Wanted Victoria Neckett; Reward 10,000 gold pieces." The writing suggested it was me, but I didn't recognize that face.

"Is this supposed to be me?" I asked Witherford

"Aye." Witherford answered

Otto walked over to us with urgency and looked at the poster. He laughed. I had never heard Otto laugh before. "Captain, I should think this picture hardly does you justice."

Roy stepped forward. Taking the picture, he too laughed. "I think this is a spot on representation."

"Enough!" I yelled. Everyone fell silent. "Not now nor ever have I worn an eyepatch, had sores cover my face, nor had missing teeth."

The crew erupted into laughed, but promptly stopped when they saw my expression. "As humorous as this image may be, it still portrays many identifying characteristics. Witherford is right. We'll have to be quick."

Everyone's demeanor changed quickly as they realized the gravity of the situation. "Witherford and Ethel with me. We're after gunpowder." I announced "The rest of you split up. We need cannons, grenades, guns, and ammunition."

Sydney cut through two bars in the fence allowing each of us to sneak in. Once inside, the Factory was fairly simple to navigate. It was a grid layout organized by weapon type with everything labeled. It was refreshing to see such organization in such a rundown place. Just another example of what the Union used to be.

Witherford, Ethel, and I ran through the aisles, as if we were Eldon exploring the colonies. We made our way toward large barrels neatly stacked in the back.

We stood at the base, staring at the large mountain of barrels in front of us. "How do we get them back to the ship?" Ethel asked

"We each roll one." I answered

"Will that be enough?"

"It'll have to be." Witherford answered for me.

We carefully grabbed barrels from the pile one by one. Suddenly, Witherford stopped. Ethel and I began to speak, but he shushed us. I saw a dark figure on the bridge above. We were being watched. A small gleam of light was reflecting off of what looked like a gold pin on the figure's left breast pocket. Armada! The metal began to clink as the figure's footsteps hit hard against it. We stood completely still, barely breathing. The figure paused and it's footsteps grew louder as they began to run. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps was replaced by something being thrown and a thud.

Witherford and I looked at each other and then at Ethel. Her pant leg was up; revealing where she kept her dagger strapped to her calf.

"What?" she said "I'm sure I hit his shoulder."

I opened my mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the sound of running up ahead.

"They know we're here." Witherford whispered. An alarm started to sound.

"Let's go!" Ethel said

"Not without the gunpowder."

We nodded and each grabbed a barrel. "There is an upside to them knowing we're here." I said as we began to roll.

"What's that?" Ethel and Witherford asked

"We can be as loud as we want."

We sprinted through the factory, with our barrels pounding on the concrete floors, making no effort to cover up our sounds.

When we approached the entrance, Sydney and Connor were holding the doors open for everyone. Upon reaching the outside, a loudspeaker overhead announced "Victoria Neckett has been sighted. Do not let her leave the Province!"

"CAPTAIN Victoria Neckett!" I managed to yell through heavy breaths.

"Now is not the time for pride, Captain!" Connor said running next to me.

As we quickly sailed away, Otto approached me.

"They know where we are." He said with a sense of calm urgency in his voice.

"Yes."

"And what we did."

"I imagine so."

"The Michael will find us."

"And we will be ready." I responded

CAPTAIN Victoria Neckett