Slightly late in uploading this. Time got away from me. Happy Easter everyone!
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT 06/02/1826
Winds: Fair – 5mph – NNE
Current: Strong – 22mph – S
Automated Advisory Notes: Meteorological data indicates large biological sea life influencing local nautical currents. Caution advised.
Memoire of John Winters, Natural Philosopher alumni of the Academy, and Chief Engineer of the B.I.S. Leviathan.
Date, 6th of Harvest 1826
The first catch. Oh, it was glorious. The captain had the officers there for it. The observation of my beauty in action. I must admit, there is one part of the Leviathan I didn't account for in my designs: the human factor. My devices are perfect, and metal and machine has never failed me. But the human element will always be technology's greatest weakness. So it was with some trepidation that I observed the clumsy oafs nearly ruin my invention's first demonstration.
We spotted the beast around eleven, half a day from our arrival in Cullero. Oswald decided the detour was necessary to improve moral. We came up to its side and the harpoonist struck true. The struggle was mighty, but unlike the others, I had no fear. The Leviathan dwarfs the whales it is meant to hunt. Nonetheless, the rocking was worrying as the creature struggled against its fate. Pathetic really. A rational being would understand its position.
After a few minutes, the beast was hauled onto deck. The processing floor was exposed and the prize was lowered, as if being swallowed by… well, by a Leviathan.
Doctor Boyle was unfortunately quite unladylike at that moment. I have been told she has spent more than one night clinging over the edge voiding herself. The sight of the whale's capture had a similar effect, it is sad to say. Ridicule abound between myself and Mr Poole. Afterwards, I suggested celebrations in the officer's lounge. The first catch was a momentous occasion. But the captain is a dour man, unable to understand the milestone we have reached. Instead, he went below decks to personally observe the barbaric slaughtering process.
More fool him. Poole and I poured a tumbler and toasted the dawn of the new Empire we were pioneering. Let the old war dog brood.
BENTON OIL PROCESSING REPORT #1
Date: 06/02/1826
Location: North Serkonan Sea, 60 miles from the city of Cullero.
Acting foreman: Alex Byers
Whaler Roster: Augustus Iber, Oll Persons, Tara Sullivan, Oran Boland, Isaac Fleming, Timothy Vander, Fergus O'Riona, Ross O'Riona.
Duration: Eight hours
Notes: N/A
06/02/1826
I'm not entirely sure the psychological effects of whale hunting on men. But this voyage is certainly useful practical data to observe.
I… couldn't stay on the floor for long. They call it the processing deck, but the whalers call it what it is: an abattoir. I walk in there, I see the blood and the guts, and the pink brine. I smell the butchery mix with the salty air. And the noise. Oh god, the noise. I thought it would be used to the sound of drills and saws, but my patients are usually unconscious or dead. The whales noises are… I can't stand it.
Oswald did seem a bit fazed, but hid it well. I never pegged him as a squeamish type, but none of the other officers were unaffected. Even the dour Tyvian enforcers had the decency to look uncomfortable. The only one completely expressionless was the Master-at-Arms, Dermitov. I asked Oswald after how he was able to hide it, and he said he focussed on the men. Tunnel vision. It didn't help me but I can understand it. Drown out the other horror and focus on the smaller details.
Regardless, I'm not going back down there. Not unless one of the men slices themselves.
Our patrols of the whale carcass were… disturbing. The Empire relies heavily on this industry but being close to the slaughtering process has given a new perspective on it. Instructor Manus always warned us to beware the progress of technology. Science can be as much a tool for as a tool against the Outsider, but its power pales in comparison to the potential strength of the human soul. Only when working in concert can the Void's corruption be halted. Whale Oil comes from inherently dangerous creatures which some in the Abbey believe to be touched by the Void. How then can we trust an industry based on their blood? I cannot guess. My mind is small in comparison to the history of the Empire and the Abbey. I shall not question the judgements of the High Overseer and his predecessors. I must struggle with the dissonance of this industry, but in struggling, I shall prove my worth. I have spoken to Brother Cassial and he shares my worries. At least I shall not be alone in this struggle.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER OUTGOING TRANSMISSION LOG 18:38 06/02/1826
HEY DAD. IT'S GAR. I HOPE THINGS ARE OK BACK HOME. I CAN'T TALK FOR LONG AND THERE ISN'T MUCH TO SAY. WELL, ACTUALLY, ITS MORE THAT I AM NOT ABLE TO SAY MUCH ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. ITS GREAT THOUGH. I'M GLAD TO BE HERE. MR. BONES IS A TOUGH MAN BUT HE AND THE OFFICERS ARE BEING GOOD TO US. WE STOPPED AT CULLERO TODAY. MR. BONES WANTED ME, JACK, AND VIN TO GATHER SOME SUPPLIES. I GUESS ITS FOR A PARTY. I DON'T KNOW WHY ELSE WE'D BE GETTING ALL THIS STUFF. ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I'M GOING WELL AND I AM EXCITED FOR THIS VOYAGE. BUT NOT AS EXCITED AS I AM TO COME HOME AFTERWARDS. THE STEWARD'S QUARTERS ARE NICE BUT THEY DON'T BEAT MY OLD BED. BYE, DAD. TELL THE OTHERS I SAID HI. I LOVE YOU.
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Victor Cotlev
Date: 06/02/1826
Time: Approx. 16:00
Details: Whaler Ross O'Riona was negligent in his duties concerning the butchering of the whale carcass, resulting in the loss of oil.
Punishment: Verbal chastisement
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Viktor Cotlev
Date: 06/02/1826
Time: Approx. 16:00
Details: Upon verbal chastisement of whaler Ross O'Riona for negligence, whaler Fergal O'Riona attempted impede Enforcer Viktor Cotlev in his duties.
Punishment: Verbal chastisement. Report filed to Captain George Oswald.
George
I'm heading to the Cullero Market when we drop anchor. I want to get a few things to take the crew's mind off things. I know you're stressed but the men need some diversion, and Benton didn't exactly include any in the budget. If you're gonna be the stick in the officer ranks, let me by the carrot.
-Richard
6/2/1826
Half the crew went ashore after the slaughtering concluded. Can't blame the whalers on the floor. That stuff looked like hard work. I don't envy the sea dogs forced to work a whaler's wage. If I hadn't seen their records, I would recognise some of them as military just by their mannerisms. You never lose the attitude, and some of them look ready to pick a fight with the Cotlev's I've told the Enforcers they don't need to be as vicious, just thorough. Not that those twin's will know the difference.
I am liking the quiet. Its off putting in a way, a ship this big barely making a sound. I can't help but be reminded when the Cawl had it's engine was killed in the dead of night. Those Morlean brigands were like devils crawling out of the Void to kill us. Closing my eyes, this silence reminds me of those nights, waiting for an ambush that might never come. But I can't deny the peace of this thing. I get why Winters is so proud. Not that I'm going to tell the bastard that. I'll never hear the end of it.
Bones rounded up the stewards for his little mission. I really hope he dials it back this time. We don't need Iber making a mockery of the Leviathan again. But a little organised fun won't hurt. Especially after the first catch.
Rourke, Dev's boy just came in. Said the esteemed Master-at-Arms wanted to see me. I told him that is Mr. Dermitov wants to talk, he's welcome to come out of his little fortress and meet me here. I'll have the tea ready.
Great, now I need a drink.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER OUTGOING TRANSMISSION LOG 19:25 06/02/1826
FATHER PLEASE, I NEED TO GET BACK HOME. AUNT RACHEL WAS WRONG. I TOLD YOU SO. I HATE THIS PLACE. I HATE THESE WHALING IDIOTS. I HATE THE SMELL. I HATE IT ALL. PLEASE I DO NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS STUPID VOYAGE. AUNT RACHEL IS HERE ALREADY, WHY CAN I NOT GO BACK TO SCHOOL. I WANT TO BE WITH MY FRIENDS, NOT THESE YOKLES AND THEIR FISH GUTS. PLEASE JUST CALL ME BACK. MR. POOLE WOULD NEVER DARE TURN YOU DOWN.
Please don't show this to Chief Winters, guys, but I just wanted to reiterate, how fucking dangerous this ship is. I found Mupp down there again. Gave him a beating and sent him back above, and am thankful that's all he's walking away with. Now, in case you all need a lesson in biology again, the human body does not react well to extreme heat or force. I don't care how cold their beds are, remind the cabinboys you see that if they fall asleep down by the engine room, they'll cook like a goose. And that's assuming they don't get crushed by the gears and pistons. Our workspace is not a place for kids and unless someone wants to pick up a welding torch in town out of their own pocket to seal off the nooks and crannies Chief Winters forgot to bloody cover, we need to keep an eye out for people who should not be down here.
Ok? Good. (From the handwriting, I suspect this note was written by engineer O'Dwyer)
Mr Caleb sir. It's your man, Darret. I knocked on your door, but I think you were out sir. I was asked by Mr. First Mate Bones to ask you to take an inventory, sir. He wants some things for some event tomorrow. He's gone ashore to buy some things and told me to tell you to see if we have some extra tumblers, some spare playing card decks, and some dice sets for games. I won't go looking till you get back sir. Call me when you need me.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER INCOMING TRANSMISSION LOG 23:57 06/02/1826
MR POOLE. PLEASE MEET OUR CONTACT AT THE BACK ENTRANCE TO THE BLAZING SUN INN IN ONE HOUR. YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR CONTAINER THERE. PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARRIVE PROMPTLY AND THAT PAYMENT IS BROUGHT IN FULL. THERE WILL BE NO RENEGOTIATIONS IN THE EVENT OF BREACH OF CONTRACT.
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