shakenandlimp | Despatches

shakenandlimp

[Private to Mewtwo]

It seems a naval man is your lot again. We ought to talk, however temporary this is.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

150th

I suppose we must. You are human?

From:

shakenandlimp

I am that. Where should you like to meet?

From:

150th

In person? I have no particular preference.

From:

shakenandlimp

...do you drink?

[You odd angry cattish creature, you? He has seen ship's dogs have rum before and very sad and comical it is, but probably that's not the same.]

From:

150th

[It's never really had to think about this question before.]

I have never tried. I assume there would be no problems.

From:

shakenandlimp

The pub, then.

From:

150th

I was told this was an establishment for wardens alone.

From:

shakenandlimp

Wardens and their guests; I've the key, but I let my friends in if they are not bad drunks.

From:

150th

Very well, then. So long as I am permitted to leave if I wish to.

From:

shakenandlimp

Of course.

D'you only drink water normally? Since you are not used to partaking whatever you drink should be very mild.

From:

150th

Water. Fruit juices. I would prefer to keep my facilities.

From:

shakenandlimp

I believe there's cider with no alcohol in it. Will that do?

From:

150th

For our first meeting, perhaps that is best.

[There might be negotiations, or it might get a fish again. Who knows.]

From:

shakenandlimp

Then it'll be waiting for you when you arrive.

From:

150th

Immediately?

From:

shakenandlimp

Well, if you've no more pressing engagement, yes.

From:

150th

No. This is fine.

[And Mewtwo will take the elevator up, then, wary but resigned to the inconvenience.]

From:

shakenandlimp

[Bush acquires drinks for them both, and waits by the door to let the creature in. He prefers pubs as places of socialization, as the best stand-in for the officer's wardroom. Less formal than a meeting in his room, since they'll only be paired a month.]

From:

150th

[Mewtwo knows where the pub is - sort of. It doesn't take it long to find it anyway. The man waiting by the door it assumes is Bush, and nods solemnly.]

{Hello, human.}

From:

shakenandlimp

[Mewtwo is significantly taller than Bush; he's surprised how much he has to look up, even has a moment of alarm, but it passes.]

Hello... sir.

[His brow furrows in thought as he says it. The voice sounds like a man's, at least, and though Iris has sanded away many rough edges he has a pattern of thinking not easy to break. Large, deep voice (telepathic or not), lean frame: a man.]

From:

150th

[If Mewtwo objects, it doesn't show it, only nods in greeting.]

{Do you find my appearance strange?}

From:

shakenandlimp

Rather. We've nothing like you at home.

I'm Captain Bush.

From:

150th

[It tilts its head.]

{At least you are honest. I am called Mewtwo.}

From:

shakenandlimp

Well, Mister Mewtwo. I am your warden temporarily, and I am available for what needs you have. So far you have not made a disturbance so I am not over-worried about keeping an eye on you.

Your... [a puzzled pause] ...folk? Have been subject to the press, as I understand your communications, so it is hard luck you have had so many military men in succession.

From:

150th

{I have not left the ship undisturbed for your approval, human.}

[Just to make things crystal clear.]

{"The press"? I have not heard the term used in the way you seem to be defining it.}

From:

shakenandlimp

The press gang. The army calls it 'conscription', but it's all the same-- when there's men needed, a ship to crew, the admiralty sends a few officers into a seaside town to raise the press gang, and sweep the streets for able men-- whether they want to go into the navy or not.

I hear in more civilized times the practice is done away with, but I do not know how they maintain a navy without it.

That is about what happens to your folk, isn't it-?

From:

150th

[Mewtwo looks... very surprised at this concise summary.]

{Yes, it is very much like it. Humans do this to each other where you are from?}

From:

shakenandlimp

Since ever there have been armies and navies, I daresay. And that is all of history that I know.

From:

150th

{I have never heard of such a thing being military practice before.}

From:

shakenandlimp

How in the world do they get a hundred men together to crew a ship, then, never mind seven or eight hundred for a ship of the line? The inducement's never the pay or the food.

From:

150th

{Humans volunteer, out of a desire to go to war with other nations.}

[Or at least it's pretty sure that's how it works. The humans get together and decide they really want to kill some other humans.]

From:

shakenandlimp

Then they are a good deal more eager than humans of my acquaintance. Oh, the infantry gets its share of brash young men who will defend the country, but in the navy, where men are most needful-- the conditions daunt most patriots. Not fifty men of a hundred, I think, first intended to join the navy.

Boney's armies are the same, over on the continent-- raised as he goes along.

From:

150th

{Did you intend to?}

From:

shakenandlimp

Yes-- but I was lucky enough to get a place as an officer. We come willingly, for the most part, though there's plenty like me who take the work because it is the only trade that would feed our families. I had no profession ashore. Officers -- I suppose we are like your 'trainers', organizing and drilling the seamen to keep the ship running in a storm or a battle. Though the captain is the ultimate authority aboard.

From:

150th

{A trainer's life is cruel and pointless.}

[It's not going to sugarcoat its low opinion of these shenanigans.]

From:

shakenandlimp

Our task as officers is not a pointless one, we may differ there, but it has been called cruel, true enough.

From:

150th

{They scrabble amongst themselves for petty gain, personal pride, or some small amounts of money. Are your duties as an officer like this?}

From:

shakenandlimp

My duty is to protect Britain, her trading and her shores. I will not say there was never a captain who would neglect his duty to chase a prize ship, but I never have, and no respectable sort does.