Providence held Dauntless' rigging tightly, her daughter's cries of pain sounding across the harbor. The first time giving birth was always the hardest. In between cries, she panted hard, flanks heaving as she fought to push out her unborn young. It was long, it was hard but soon her cries were overtaken by another. "It's a brig. A beautiful baby boy." The medic told her with a smile. Dauntless collapsed in exhaustion, too tired to try and nudge her newborn to her side to suckle. "Give him to me." She begged. The crying bundle that was her newborn son was gently handed to Dauntless. He showed brightly with a yellow amber colored hull. Dauntless took him to her side, sighing as she felt him began to suckle. Exhausted, she went right to sleep. It didn't last long. She was woken by her shipling's cries for attention. Groaning, she raised her head to tend to him. He mewled up at her, rubbing his little flank into her cheek. She licked him, smelling that he had drank some of her milk which only further solidified the bond between them. She looked him over, trying to determine what ship he would be when he grew up. She could see that he had a sleek hull. He would be fast when he was grown. A speedy little interceptor. She smiled. "My little Interceptor." She purred, nuzzling him. Interceptor purred happily, leaning into the nuzzles happily. She picked him up, setting him down on her deck for a rest. And before she could react, he had wrapped himself up in her rigging. When she tried to get him loose he gave her the warmest and most heart melting look as he snuggled more into his makeshift cocoon. She decided to let him be. "Good boy." She purred. His little nose wiggled happily. It was a cozy cocoon hanging like a hammock! Of course he didn't want to leave it. She let him be and went back to sleep.
The dream manifested itself again. That bonded ship that looked like her and that horrifying creature with a mouth full of jagged fangs. But there were more figures now. Including one that was all black and another that looked like Interceptor but red. It was so hard to make them. It a blur. As always, she woke when the creature addressed her.
With the dream still fresh in her mind her motherly instincts took over and she immediately wrapped her rigging around her son tighter. Interceptor yelped in surprise as it woke him, and began crying. She whined and tried to sooth him, setting him down at her side for breakfast. It worked for now, the shipling quieting down as he suckled hungrily. Providence was nearby, talking with Essex. Dauntless let him have his fill before righting herself. She looked over as Providence sailed up. "Essex said your commissioning is to happen today and that your first mission is quite important. Port Royal is to have a new governor and they want you to transport him. You're to be assigned to the Caribbean Fleet at Port Royal." Her eyes widened. She was pleased by the news. Not only would she finally have a chance to serve but she would serve with her mate. "Excellent." She said. "I see that look. Sorry to say but Sovereign isn't based out of Port Royal. He's out of Kingston." Dauntless grumbled unhappily. Providence sighed. "I'm sure you'll see each other again." "Hmph." Dauntless sniffed in annoyance. As pleased as she was to be in service she was not pleased about her assignment. "When's the commissioning ceremony?" She asked. "Tonight at 6." She nodded, rummaging through her berth to find decent sails for the occasion. When she found them, Interceptor was playing with them! They were torn and ripped but he gave her the cutest look of innocence in response. Dauntless stifled her temper and sighed, taking them from him and putting them away. The sails she had on now would have to work.
Essex was waiting when the time came. And of course Interceptor wouldn't leave Dauntless. The mother had given her son a good bath before they came so he was sparkling clean, sitting on Dauntless' deck. He held his head proudly, as if showing off. Many chuckled at it. Essex smiled upon Dauntless approaching. Dauntless held herself with all the dignity afforded a third rate. She halted in front of Essex, bowing her head respectfully. "Dauntless, through your training I have seen nothing but perfection. A vessel this navy needs. Are you ready to serve Britannia?" Dauntless looked around her. Behind Essex, a large frigate stood. Inconspicuous except for her distinctive blue eyes. "I am." "Then as a representative of the Supreme Flagship Alexander, and of His Majesty the King, I declare you HMS Dauntless." She bowed her head, accepting the honor with an equal mixture of pride and humility. Essex bowed his head to her. "At noon tomorrow, you set sail for the New World." "I am honored HMS Essex." She answered. As the fleet broke up, the frigate remained. When Dauntless looked at her she spoke. "Beware the black ship." She warned. "And do not give in to your feelings. For she will use them, to kill you." Before Dauntless could reply, she sailed off. Interceptor tilted his head, sharing the same confused look as his mother. "It's okay little one. Just someone who's had one too many." She assured him although privately she knew better. She had seen those eyes, and the eyes of Britannia never lie. She put it out of her mind for now. The new world awaited!
The following day saw Governor Swann and his daughter Elizabeth board, as well as a man named Norrington who seemed to take a great interest in Interceptor. Dauntless was protective of her shipling even though she herself was curious about her new lieutenant. He seemed a proper gentleman and a proper sailor, knowing when to back off when Dauntless got too uncomfortable with him being around Interceptor. He knew the feelings of ships and that gave him a commanding advantage against other seafarers. The journey itself took two weeks but it was the second week that was particularly memorable. It happened as Dauntless entered a thick fog. It was sudden, without warning. She came upon a boy in the water, then just ahead a merchant ship ablaze, her masts crashing to her deck as she sank in two, her back broken. It was too late to offer any aid, she was already dead. Norrington regardless sent out a boat to look for survivors. However it was Interceptor barking that made Dauntless turn to see what he was barking at. A black sail, disappearing into the fog. Britannia's words came back to her "Beware the black ship." Dauntless could just see her outline. Her sails were so tattered it was a wonder she could move at all. But the fog flowed off her sails as though she herself was generating it. It made the mother quiver with fear.
Dauntless' eyes snapped open and she rolled upright. It was the first time in years she'd had that dream. The bright blue morning sky of Port Royal greeted her. The port itself was mostly merchants. With few pirates around and the wars with Spain mostly over, the need for many warships had decreased in the Caribbean. There was only three guarding Port Royal, Cedar, Dauntless and Interceptor. Interceptor shared his mother's quick learning skills and fast gun handling, while also having his father's prideful look, agility, and accuracy. Combined with his small size making him an easy ship to crew, the brig was commissioned early on and was the Flagship of the Caribbean Forces. Dauntless couldn't be more proud of her son. She had no way of knowing that in a few short days, he would be dead and her entire life would become nothing more than a thirst for vengeance that would see her join him.