He snorted himself awake, the crash of waves against the side of the ship lulling him back toward sleep in concert with the drum of the alcohol still wafting through his brain. With a groan he worked himself out of the hammock and put a hand over his head to support himself when the ship rocked again. Swallowing back the dryness and bile in his mouth he worked his way up the deck.
Pink tinges of dawn broke on the horizon and matched the lights of the port before them. He leaned on the railing, running his hand through his hair to try and get sensation to replace the whiskey on his brain, and barely noted the presence of someone near him. It was not until he raised his head to squint at the man he saw the uniform and groaned.
"I've noticed you've been avoiding me since India Captain Bates."
"And I thought you would've understood that meant I had no interest in talking with you, Colonel Carlisle, or anyone else in uniform."
"Your country needs men of your talent and skill to help us harness this barbarian landscape."
"I think we've done enough harnessing in enough places." Captain Bates pushed himself off the railing, "I've done my part and I'm done with it."
He went to walk away as Colonel Carlisle read aloud. "Captain John Bates, awarded the Victoria Cross and a battlefield commission for his work in the First Boer War. Served honorably in all battles and even saved the life of one Major Robert Crawley, fourth Earl of Grantham."
"He wasn't an Earl when I saved him, just my commanding officer."
"Doesn't mean you didn't impress quite a few people with your methods and tactics."
John swallowed, "I don't want anything to do with it."
"The war?"
"With any of it." John pointed toward the port with an open hand, "I've come to Hong Kong to be rid of all of that. I've washed my hands of the Empire and it's mad scratch for the every bit of land they see and want to plant their flag on."
"Is this because you lost your wife?"
He stopped, "Watch what you say sir."
"Many a soldier's found himself again in service to his country." Colonel Carlisle sniffed, "Though you found yours in drink."
"We've all got our vices." John snorted, "Yours is for other men's wives or don't think I don't know a thing or two about the new commander they're sending north toward Peking."
"We could keep an eye on one another if you were to come as well."
"I've got no interest in whatever rebellion they're brewing up in the north."
"We quashed that rebellion, or didn't you hear?"
"I heard an awful lot of Chinamen died trying to get their land back." John worked back toward the stairs to lead him below deck, "I won't be involved in killing natives anymore."
"Then what will you do?"
"Find a fortune or find peace, whichever comes quicker."