Captain Jack Aubrey: Debut

[luckyjackaubrey]

Jack's transportation out of the cell and into one of the largest rooms he'd ever encountered was no less disconcerting than his arrival in that cell twenty-four hours earlier. At least Jack's ability to sleep through anything and at any time had no failed him, and most of his confinement he had spent snoring with no notion of the time on waking which was just as well.

In any case, having no explanation for either arrival, Jack dismissed the question from his mind and set about examining the area. His footfalls echoed off the great empty chamber as he paced about, first in one direction and then the other, finding no clue at all as to the manner of his capture, for captured he surely had been.

"Discourteous of the buggers not to present themselves and state their intentions," he said softly to himself.

Finally, Jack stopped, facing down one of the long corridors, and cupped his hands around his mouth. "Ahoy!" he called in his booming ship's voice. "Hello!"

Comments

Re: Quarters

[luckyjackaubrey]

"Mr Pullo, in my personal experience there has been no difference. I captain a ship in his Majesty's navy and therefor I am also captain a body of fighting men loyal to King and Country," Jack answered seriously. Even the pressed landsmen, after a short while, always came around to it particularly after they got the taste for firing the guns.

Re: Quarters

[xiii_legion]

Well, that seemed good enough for Pullo - the man was a bit serious, but then that was no crime, merely a challenge soon to be rectified with booze and stories. "Fair enough!" he declared, grinning. "Never got the hang of ships, myself - if I wanted to get wet I'd go to a whorehouse."

Re: Quarters

[luckyjackaubrey]

Jack smiled. "You're a soldier, sir?" he asked, although between what the man has said and the sheer bulk of him it's clear enough to Jack that Titus Pullo is not only a soldier, but a real bruiser.

Re: Quarters

[xiii_legion]

"Late of the Thirteenth," came the proud answer. "We won the battle against the Nervians, broke the siege at Gergovia and defended Caesar in his fight to retain the consulship. Which he got back, by the way."

Re: Quarters

[luckyjackaubrey]

"Well that is extraordinary," Jack said with real feeling. He was in the presence of a flesh and blood Centurion. Although Jack was no scholar, he had always paid special attention when his education and warfare coincided. "You were really there?"

Re: Quarters

[xiii_legion]

"What a question! Would I lie about something like that?" Pullo paused and considered his words - of course he would like about that, particularly if it got him respect or, better yet, booze. Regardless, in this case he was telling the truth. "And I'd be pleased to share the stories over a nice jug of wine any time."

Re: Quarters

[luckyjackaubrey]

Jack opened his mouth to retract the statement, fearing that he'd offended his new acquaintance, but relaxed when Pullo made his offer.

He smiled then and said, "That would be pleasing to me as well, although I am afraid I have nothing yet to offer," he would have added that he also had no currency with which to purchase any, but Amy had explained the way food and drink was potentially obtained. "Perhaps when I have better bearings?" he asked. He hated to admit the lack of resources or to put someone off for that reason, but the alternative was more painful an embarrassment by far.

Re: Quarters

[xiii_legion]

"Not a problem, friend," Pullo said, reaching out to clap the other man on the shoulder. "It's not really the right time for carousing, anyhow. Have to be on guard for funny things happening, what with all the people out of commission. We're the last line of defense."

Re: Quarters

[luckyjackaubrey]

"Indeed. I've heard something about that. Explains why it's so quiet no doubt," Jack replied. Even forty people made a great deal of noise, but the station had been terrible still all day.

"A later time," he agreed, "and perhaps we'll drink to a happy outcome." Privately though, Jack hoped that a later time would see him home.