Britannia had spent her entire life as a yacht though she was trained for another purpose. If need be she could serve as a hospital ship. Never had she had the need to use that training until now that is.
Over 1000 frightened people crowded the beaches of Aden, desperate to escape the country as the war waged inland. Britannia wanted to help but she wasn't sure what she should do. Instinct took over and she whipped her bow around, charging up onto the rocks. One thing never changed throughout all her incarnations. No matter what her form, Britannia had a very powerful protective instinct and she was going to use that here.
People clambered aboard her. She already had severe scrapes below the waterline from her deliberate grounding and she hoped she could pull herself off when the time came.
"Calm, calm." She kept murmuring to the people. Her words had a hypnotizing affect and the crowd, once a riot of woman, children, and young men, now filed aboard in an orderly fashion. A great contrast to the chaos moments earlier.
Britannia, satisfied, waited until the last of the refugees were aboard, then attempted to shove off. That was easier said than done. She tried several times but couldn't get her keel free of the bank. The mud held her bow in place. Jaws parted in a pant, the yacht braced herself for one final push.
"I'm too old for this shit." She groaned as at last, she pushed herself free.
She nearly capsized but found her balance just in time and set off once more. She'd been on her way to pick up the queen and now saw her waiting at the dock. Britannia always made it a point to arrive before her royal master did so she'd have time to clean herself off. This time however, she was late and the queen was waiting for her. Britannia was sure she was going to get it this time.
Queen Elizabeth however, wasn't angry. She was smiling. "Britannia, I am so proud of you." She said, placing a gloved hand against Britannia's bow.
"You're not angry?" Britannia asked.
"Being an hour late is a small price to pay for your courage." The queen replied. "However I can't have you wondering around looking like this." With a snap of her fingers two men came forward each with a bucket and a scrub brush.
Britannia's eyes widened. Usually, she'd go and wash herself off but to be washed by hand like she was royalty herself... She backed away. "Your majesty, I couldn't possibly..." She whispered.
"You've earned it." Queen Elizabeth smiled. Britannia came forward again, purring as they began scrubbing her down. When the rinse came, the queen had a hand over the yacht's eyes and Britannia tipped her head back, letting the water run off her hull.
Feeling much better, Britannia excitedly danced around, much like a dog after a shower. Queen Elizabeth laughed as she tried to dry behind her yacht's ears and Britannia was quivering like a leaf, panting happily.
"You are just like a big fluffy dog." She said.
Britannia giggled, giving a silly grin which only made them both laugh.