The Captains Office
486 hours until the death in the engine room
Alek was standing outside the bridge contemplating what to say. He could use his command voice and demand to speak with the Captain, letting his diaphragm do the work and intimidate First Officer Clarkson. After a moment the door opened and out stepped First Officer Clarkson, he looked at Alek quizzically and sighed.
"Ah if it isn't the Nobleman, What can I do for you, your excellence?" He made a grand bow nearly touching the floor with the top of his head. As he stood up with what Deryn had described as a 'Clart Eating Grin' that the First Officer was quite famous for. Alek wasn't in the mood for lip service from anyone. He was on a mission.
Sounding off with his command voice Alek addressed the Officer. "I need to speak with the captain. I would like to make a request." Alek decided to use his First opportunity to get his parlay with the captain. "It is of the utmost importance." To Aleks surprise the First Officer flinched slightly. "Sir that will be hard to do. The captains a very busy man." Alek Glared at the man. He didn't have time for this!
Alek realized patience would be the best course of action. He nodded at the man telling him he would be back later. He stepped away from the man and around the corner. He waited a moment and heard Clarkson walk away. He reemerged from around the corner and opened the door to the bridge, using the gait and mannerism that Aleks father reserved for addressing military officials.
Captain Hobbes turned to look at the prince as he strode into room with confidence. "Captain Hobbes Sir, I would like to speak with you privately." Alek Said, Snapping to attention and saluting the man. Hobbes blinked, taken back for a moment, he returned his salute and said back to Alek "At Ease."
Alek ordered arms and took an at ease position. Keeping eye contact with the Captain. "May I have a moment of your time Sir?" The captain thought for a moment and asked. "What do you need to talk about Alek?" The captain asked suspiciously.
"I need to speak with you in private, I have an important request." Alek hoped that would be enough and merely retained eye contact with the tall man. After a moment passed the captain looked around the bridge and then back at the prince. "I do believe you've caught me in a free moment. Very well Alek well talk in my office." The captain led him out of the bridge to his quarters across the hall.
The captain's quarters was a nice room with maps and charts decorating the walls. A grand oak desk sat in the corner and on top of it was a Brass model of the Leviathan Next to it was a cage with a large carrier pigeon. A small bed was sitting across from the desk under a portrait of what Alek assumed was the captains wife. Captain Hobbes sat at his desk and started shuffling paperwork, supply requests and manifests.
Alek hesitated when he saw the other stack of papers on his desk, one sitting under a bottle of whisky. They were Death Notifications. Thankfully it was a small stack. Alek had heard the rumors that 15 had perished last night. Alek was pulled from his thoughts by Hobbes asking, "what can I do for you Alek?"
Alek remembered the reason he was there and stood up straight. "I would like Dylan Sharp to take my state room." He said seriously.
The Captain Cocked and eyebrow at the notion and chuckled. "And why is that Alek? Fancy swapping places with a mere peasant boy?" The captain mused.
"If that is what it takes, then yes captain. I will bunk with Mr. Newkirk and Dylan will take my stateroom. Ill move my uniforms and sabers there now." Alek saluted once more and waited to be dismissed. "Now hold up a moment!" The Captain groaned. "Before I sign off on this I need to know why you suddenly want to change cabins with my best midshipman"
Alek hesitated; he didn't come up with a reason to why the change in rooms… other than the fact that for some reason, Alek didn't feel comfortable with Deryn sleeping in the same room as Newkirk, and that really wouldn't fly with the captain. "Well you see sir, Dylan saved my life last night, and I want to repay my debt by giving her my room"
Alek froze at what he said, he let it slip that Dylan was a girl!
Luckily the captain missed this slip up and said. "Well if that is the case then its reason enough. He'll be moved in within an hour. Ill instruct the men to move his bunk." With that he called for a message lizard. A moment later the green scaly head of the message lizard popped out of a hole in the wall.
"Clarkson, have Midshipman Sharps bunk and personal effects moved into the Nobleman Aleks Stateroom. They'll be bunking together from now on, and send up Dylan for a report from last night." He paused for a moment. "End message" and the lizards' head retreated into the inner workings of the ship
Alek must have misheard the Captain. "Sir, Did you say that Mr. Sharp would be bunking with me? But I wanted a swap sleeping arrangements." The captain chuckled softly as if a small child asked him a simple question. "Alek it doesn't take much knowledge to know you have other reasons for this sudden change. And besides you said you want to show Mr. Sharp your gratitude? Well what better way to express your gratefulness then living with the boy who saved your life?"
Alek knew that arguing with him would be pointless, on the Brightside living with Deryn wouldn't be that bad. "you make a fair point captain. Now I do believe I've used up all the time you have and I need to go see to the engines, but before I go, Volger heard chatter on the wireless about a German assault on Gatchina. Isn't that were we are headed?
The captain nodded his head. "Command sent our replacement troops and supplies there, tell the count thank you for the heads up." And with that there was a knock on the door. "Captain Hobbes, Midshipman Sharp Reporting in." The captain cleared his throat. "Come in Mr. Sharp, We would benefit from your company."
Deryn opened the door and stepped in, eying Alek for a moment before snapping to attention and saluting. The captain stood and saluted back, then walked over to a Map Displaying the world with pins and Markings, most likely other ship positions and Enemy points of last contact. "Mr. Sharp, you will be moving with Alek Here, I do hope that causes no problems."
Deryns face scrunched in confusion. "No Sir. I mean Yes Sir! No Problems… but why sir? If you don't mind me asking…" Deryn looks so cute when she's confused Alek noted. 'Wait, Deryn Cute? What the? Why I'm I thinking about how beautiful she looks? Especially in that uniform.' Alek shook his head to clear his thoughts, Scolding himself for thinking that way. As he refocused on the conversation, He noticed it was quiet and that Hobbes and Deryn were looking at him.
"I'm sorry sirs but my mind wondered away for a moment… what was the question?" it was a lame excuse but what was he to say 'sorry captain I wasn't listening I was too busy thinking about how appealing Deryn here looks?' not likely
"I asked why the change in arrangements and the captain said to ask you so I am asking now." Deryn said looking at Alek expectantly. "Why am I bunking with you Alek?"
Alek hadn't gotten to make a good excuse for the captain let alone Deryn! He had to think fast! "Well Mr. Sharp I simply wanted to show my gratitude towards you for what happened nearly Twenty-seven hours ago Topside with that German Pilot." Alek said feigning confidence as if the reason was the most sound in the world at the moment. (And in this war it might have been.)
"You mean- Oh" Deryns voice Softened "That's why… I see."
The Captain cleared his throat. "Speaking of the battle yesterday… I would like your report on the matter. What exactly happened up there?" The captain went back to his desk and sat down, ready for the two to report.
"Dylan and I were conducting our morning fencing lesson, when I spotted The Harbinger approaching from the west, it launched a Gyrothopter and that's when the full alert sounded, then a strafing hawk collided with the craft and the pilot jumped to The Leviathan, I thought he was dead from the fall but Dylan saw him get up, he shot at me and Sharp pushed me out of the way, the bullet hit her and luckily deflected of the Gideon Plated Bible I carry in my Piloting Jacket. But at the time I didn't know this and I attacked the German Pilot and relieved him of his head."
The captain looked at Alek in shock. "You mean your responsible for that grotesque corpse that Busk examined? He thought that it was a few of the hydrogen sniffers had gone crazy and mauled the man. You killed that soldier?"
Alek nodded his head solemnly. "I let my emotions get the most of me I'm afraid." The captain shook his head. "Alek my boy, what would posses you to mutilate that man like you did?" Alek looked right at Deryn and stated in a barley even voice. "Because I thought he had killed my only friend." Alek was shaking, his fists clenched so tight that they were almost at the point of drawing blood. "The Germans took everything from me! My home! My parents! Not to mention my men's too! Everything, Everything I had I lost over night! I couldn't let them take away any more of my loved ones!" Alek realized he was crying at this point, he took a moment to calm himself staring at the floor.
Alek felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see the captain looking at him. His Face full of understanding. "Alek I understand your loss, more than id like to… so I commend you on your actions defending this ship and her crew." Hobbes smiled and saw that Alek was smiling too, laughing even. "I thought the leviathan was a he? Aren't girls not permitted to serve in his majesty's service?" Alek laughed.
The Captain gave a chuckle. "Well Alek I like to believe that exemplary ships get a bypass from that rule and so far all His Majesty's ships are just that: exemplary."
Deryn Felt a little forgotten but didn't know what she should say, so she stood silent for the time being. "Mr. Sharp don't think I've forgotten about you… anything to add?" The captain asked. 'A lot sir, I actually had a bullet in me and Alek found out I'm a girl, Alek just admitted that I'm a loved one of his and I think you know what that means…' "He explained it all sir, Although it was more of a nudge than a shove" She joked. The captain smiled, and patted her on the back. "Splendid, on that note you two are dismissed. See to your duties and keep an eye out for more Zeppelins."
Alek and Deryn stepped out of the Captains office and looked at each other, both waiting for the other to speak first. "Well…" Deryn said. "How do you fancy our first night together?" She asked, smiling a little. Alek Blushed a little as they began walking to the engine room.
"Its Bound to be interesting Mr. Sharp, But this wouldn't be our first night sleeping together." Alek stated, then realize how that sounded and began sputtering to compensate. Deryn started laughing, her sides aching as she leaned against the corridors window. When she regained composure Alek was as red as a beet.
"Yes your Princlieness, While its not our first night sleeping in the same room." She smiled widely. "It will Defiantly be interesting."
