[Backstory] The New Guy
-
- Posts: 2925
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:27 pm
[Backstory] The New Guy
A cool salty breeze washed over the crew of HNBMS Valour as they climbed the gangway towards the ship, their heavy kitbags slung over their shoulders and their heads bowed against the unseasonal chill. The new captain, Frankie as he was known to the sailors due to his identification tags featuring the name Franklin, watched his men climb aboard through the window of the bridge with a nervous look about him. If any of his men were suspicious of Captain Franklin they certainly had good reason: the new-comer spoke little and even less when the conversation turned to his past, however the majority of the men didn’t seem to mind this too much as long as he was a competent officer.
The first task of the crew was to be an inspection on the ships large landing deck, so after depositing their luggage in their shared rooms and checking their shoes hadn’t been scuffed on the trip from their inland base the crew made their way outside into the wind once more. The sky was hidden behind a grey curtain of cloud as the sailors formed up, however the sea was reasonably calm and soon enough near on one thousand men stood in neat ranks upon the helipads waiting for their new captain to emerge. Captain Franklin carefully checked himself over in a tall mirror by the exit of his quarters as the crew waited outside, he was a tall man with the appearance of someone who had been sleeping rough for quite some time however no one could say he looked like a beggar. He carried himself with a grace which only served to add to the suspicion of his men; however he had no choice but to face them so after pulling the peak of his hat down low over his face Franklin stepped outside onto the deck.
All went well to begin with, the sailors carried out the drill procedures without fault and right on schedule the Captain’s inspection began. Franklin strolled up and down the lines of crew and was impressed, they were dressed immaculately and stood at attention without so much as a twitch, however towards the end of centre rank everything almost went wrong. As Captain Franklin glanced over a young ginger sailor he saw that the lad was staring hard into his face, “Shit†Franklin thought as he saw a light of recognition dawn on the solider. “Your Maj..†the sailor began however as soon as his lips moved Captain Franklin yelled, “You! My office! Now!†Looking flustered the young sailor fell out without another word and marched back towards the superstructure, feeling relieved Captain Franklin continued his inspection and no one else dared breathe beneath his gaze.
When the parade was dismissed Captain Franklin knew the hardest part of his day was about to begin, he began the walk back to his office. Arriving at the door Franklin took a deep breath before pushing it open, inside the soldier came to attention. “Now can you explain to me why the hell you were talking on my parade?†The Captain demanded as he strolled inside. “Yes Captain, it’s just that you look and sound a lot like our former Majesty King Jeremy II, Captain.†The sailor explained, “in fact, I thought you were His Majesty.†He added. Trying to hide his horror Captain Franklin glanced out of the window to the dockside where the crews of other ships were still congregating, “Don’t be ridiculous lad, what would a Royal be doing on a ship like this? I’m no more King than you are so that’s no excuse for what you did.†Franklin began. However the young sailor interjected, “And you even have the old King’s surname, Captain.†He added with the last word almost sounding like an accusation. Franklin sighed, “There’s no easy way to say this, if you say that to anyone I’ll blow your fucking brains out.†He replied calmly as he drew his pistol.
The look on the sailors face can only be described as horrified joy, his eyes glancing from the barrel of the gun to the Captains face with mingled tears of fear and uncontrollable happiness. “You...you’re alive†he spluttered, much to the Captain’s amusement as he couldn’t but imitate putting his hand through his very real torso. “So I am lad, so I am†Franklin replied sarcastically as he continued to direct the firearm at the now violently sobbing mess which had moments before been Petty Officer Lynn. “What the hell are you blubbering about?†Captain Franklin snapped, attempting to disguise the pity that was slipping into his mind. “It’s just that.... I...I thought you might be dead but..but you’re not and you’re here.†Lynn tried to explain.
“Oh Christ†Franklin sighed with a tone of resignation in his voice as he crossed to the bar in the corner of the room and poured what could only be described as a quadruple whisky. Downing the first and beginning to pour the second the Captain remembered he had company and turned to the still awe-struck Petty office, “Do you think anyone else noticed?†he asked. “No, no one that I saw at least.†Lynn replied trying to regain his composure. “Good, now get out of my sight.†Captain Franklin ordered. “But remember†he added as Lynn turned to walk towards the door, “Tell no one, or else.†He threatened, raising his pistol to his line of sight once more until the door clicked shut and he went back to his whisky.
The first task of the crew was to be an inspection on the ships large landing deck, so after depositing their luggage in their shared rooms and checking their shoes hadn’t been scuffed on the trip from their inland base the crew made their way outside into the wind once more. The sky was hidden behind a grey curtain of cloud as the sailors formed up, however the sea was reasonably calm and soon enough near on one thousand men stood in neat ranks upon the helipads waiting for their new captain to emerge. Captain Franklin carefully checked himself over in a tall mirror by the exit of his quarters as the crew waited outside, he was a tall man with the appearance of someone who had been sleeping rough for quite some time however no one could say he looked like a beggar. He carried himself with a grace which only served to add to the suspicion of his men; however he had no choice but to face them so after pulling the peak of his hat down low over his face Franklin stepped outside onto the deck.
All went well to begin with, the sailors carried out the drill procedures without fault and right on schedule the Captain’s inspection began. Franklin strolled up and down the lines of crew and was impressed, they were dressed immaculately and stood at attention without so much as a twitch, however towards the end of centre rank everything almost went wrong. As Captain Franklin glanced over a young ginger sailor he saw that the lad was staring hard into his face, “Shit†Franklin thought as he saw a light of recognition dawn on the solider. “Your Maj..†the sailor began however as soon as his lips moved Captain Franklin yelled, “You! My office! Now!†Looking flustered the young sailor fell out without another word and marched back towards the superstructure, feeling relieved Captain Franklin continued his inspection and no one else dared breathe beneath his gaze.
When the parade was dismissed Captain Franklin knew the hardest part of his day was about to begin, he began the walk back to his office. Arriving at the door Franklin took a deep breath before pushing it open, inside the soldier came to attention. “Now can you explain to me why the hell you were talking on my parade?†The Captain demanded as he strolled inside. “Yes Captain, it’s just that you look and sound a lot like our former Majesty King Jeremy II, Captain.†The sailor explained, “in fact, I thought you were His Majesty.†He added. Trying to hide his horror Captain Franklin glanced out of the window to the dockside where the crews of other ships were still congregating, “Don’t be ridiculous lad, what would a Royal be doing on a ship like this? I’m no more King than you are so that’s no excuse for what you did.†Franklin began. However the young sailor interjected, “And you even have the old King’s surname, Captain.†He added with the last word almost sounding like an accusation. Franklin sighed, “There’s no easy way to say this, if you say that to anyone I’ll blow your fucking brains out.†He replied calmly as he drew his pistol.
The look on the sailors face can only be described as horrified joy, his eyes glancing from the barrel of the gun to the Captains face with mingled tears of fear and uncontrollable happiness. “You...you’re alive†he spluttered, much to the Captain’s amusement as he couldn’t but imitate putting his hand through his very real torso. “So I am lad, so I am†Franklin replied sarcastically as he continued to direct the firearm at the now violently sobbing mess which had moments before been Petty Officer Lynn. “What the hell are you blubbering about?†Captain Franklin snapped, attempting to disguise the pity that was slipping into his mind. “It’s just that.... I...I thought you might be dead but..but you’re not and you’re here.†Lynn tried to explain.
“Oh Christ†Franklin sighed with a tone of resignation in his voice as he crossed to the bar in the corner of the room and poured what could only be described as a quadruple whisky. Downing the first and beginning to pour the second the Captain remembered he had company and turned to the still awe-struck Petty office, “Do you think anyone else noticed?†he asked. “No, no one that I saw at least.†Lynn replied trying to regain his composure. “Good, now get out of my sight.†Captain Franklin ordered. “But remember†he added as Lynn turned to walk towards the door, “Tell no one, or else.†He threatened, raising his pistol to his line of sight once more until the door clicked shut and he went back to his whisky.
-
- Posts: 5024
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:34 pm
- Location: Novatainia
- Contact:
Nice. Seems to be a bit of a theme, "replacement" characters ...
Andreas
"He showed up three or four years ago and accidentally took over the micronational world by being way more competent and enthusiastic than everyone else. Now he sort of rules us all, but it's a benevolent sort of thing, as far as we know."
~Scott Alexander
"He showed up three or four years ago and accidentally took over the micronational world by being way more competent and enthusiastic than everyone else. Now he sort of rules us all, but it's a benevolent sort of thing, as far as we know."
~Scott Alexander
- Colonel Vilhelm
- Apollo Foundation Administrator
- Posts: 2108
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:27 pm
- Location: Micras
- Contact:
He didn't, he went into exile. Plot hole!
Jeremy I got pwned by ISIT, Jeremy II ran away after being attacked by Brittanian Tudehs.
Jeremy I got pwned by ISIT, Jeremy II ran away after being attacked by Brittanian Tudehs.
Colonel Vilhelm von Benkern - Preserving the Memories (Regardless of whose those may be)
Pro at Cooking!
Antica
Pro at Cooking!
Antica
- Colonel Vilhelm
- Apollo Foundation Administrator
- Posts: 2108
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:27 pm
- Location: Micras
- Contact:
I thought he went to Nea Hestia, but I guess that was his GSO clone.
Colonel Vilhelm von Benkern - Preserving the Memories (Regardless of whose those may be)
Pro at Cooking!
Antica
Pro at Cooking!
Antica
-
- Posts: 2925
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:27 pm
-
- Posts: 5024
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:34 pm
- Location: Novatainia
- Contact:
Specially in Craitland, dangerous place if you don't like football.
Andreas
"He showed up three or four years ago and accidentally took over the micronational world by being way more competent and enthusiastic than everyone else. Now he sort of rules us all, but it's a benevolent sort of thing, as far as we know."
~Scott Alexander
"He showed up three or four years ago and accidentally took over the micronational world by being way more competent and enthusiastic than everyone else. Now he sort of rules us all, but it's a benevolent sort of thing, as far as we know."
~Scott Alexander