Small warning. I may be going on hiatus for this story to finish writing it. I wrote a lot in advance of publishing but am now writing slower than publishing. The Leviathan will finish, just not as fast as I had initially hoped.
I would like to draw your attention to the passage just described. Unusual, is it not? Not least because it was deliberately hidden in the codes of other transcripts in the radio room. Had I not been searching for discrepancies, it would have gone unnoticed. My initial assumption was some form of corporate espionage, or bribery. But the details didn't sit right with me, and in my profession, assumptions are dangerous. Read further, and an explanation will be forthcoming.
METEOROLOGICAL UPDATE 18/02/1826
Winds: Fair – 6mph – SSE
Current: Moderate – 12mph – W
Automated Advisory Notes: Long range radio transmissions indicate North-Westerly bound meteorological anomaly. Caution, high winds and currents indicate potential damage to ship. Avoid if possible. Suggestion: Adjust course to Northwest.
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Viktor Cotlev
Date: 18/02/1826
Time: Approx. 23:30
Details: Whalers Alex Byers, Tara Sullivan, Grace Felling, Quartermaster Caleb Seaman, and Cook Patrick Rogers have been accused by Overseers Cassiel and Markus of improper acts involving the popular card game, Game of Nancy. Cassiel and Markus state the game is a blasphemous act as it's connection with the Outsider is unacceptably insidious. Byers and Seaman maintain the game should not be restricted due to it's history in Gristol culture.
Punishment: N/A. Report filed with Captain George Oswald. Punishment suspended until report is processed.
Captain, I understand you need to run a tight ship here. God, I know this whole thing can't be easy. But you and the seers haven't been on ships like this. This ain't a convent and it ain't no barracks. You want to run us like a slave force, then get used to every man and woman here looking ready to shiv you. We need to let off some steam, and Nancy's the easiest we got without making a ring down in the hold to belt the shit outta each other. The cards ain't cursed, or evil like the seers are saying. It's just a bit of fun. I've made sure the boys know to keep the bets low and not to skive off on duty. But you side with the seers on this, and things'll only get worse round here.
-Alex
Captain Oswald,
I understand things have become tense with the Whaler's proclivities towards minor heresy. I will remind you that Cassiel and I have the authority to countermand any action that would jeopardise this voyage where the supernatural is concerned. We will not be exercising that now, regardless of your choice. But we will implore you to reconsider the appropriateness of these tarot cards. The Outsider will take any and all opportunity to disrupt our good work. Allowing him a foothold is the first step to chaos and damnation. And nowhere is this more obvious when one of the cards bears his name. We implore you to at the very least confiscate all cards that reference the Outsider and the Void, least we normalise fraternity with the profane.
Captain, I know you are angry, but are you sure this is the best idea. Antagonising the Overseers is the last thing we want to do. I'm sure Cassiel and Markus are not as bad as they seem, and their concern is not malicious. Perhaps after we have all calmed down, we might be able to smooth things over with some whiskey and cigars. Mr Poole has promised some Cullero cases for the occasion.
I know I'm not as close to you as Bones is, but Tyrs and I are worried. The Abbey has close ties to the company, and we should not be making those kinds of enemies when our next stop is Whitecliff.
Memoire of John Winters, Natural Philosopher alumni of the Academy, and Chief Engineer of the B.I.S. Leviathan.
Date, 19th of Harvest 1826
What is the nature of faith? A long time ago, the world was shackled to the worship of the Outsider, or so the professors at the Academy would have us believe. It seems that it is a fundamental curse of the human condition to crave a higher power. To cling to it. Even since the Empire's birth, religion has been an inevitable part of our civilisation. Only now, god is the enemy, to be fought.
I have no interest in the ramblings of the Abbey of the Everyman. The Void exists but their nonsense about an omnipresent Outsider is nothing more than a desire to give a face to their fear of the unknown. I remember back in my dorm, Cuthbert, James, and I partook in one of the old ritual texts I had stolen from the Pandyssian section of the study hall. We spoke the words, squared the circles and spilled the animal blood. And what happened? Nothing. And so it has always been. Religion is like any other tool of the powerful: a bludgeon to keep the masses in line. But just because that is what it is, it does not stop some fools buying into their own lies.
I don't like the Captain. I respect him, but I would not fraternise with him unless I was being paid. But I agree with his decision with the tarot cards. That zealot Markus thinks the Outsider is everywhere, ready to strike at our unprepared souls. Hogwash. He knows it, he just won't admit it. He took a vow to be a dour joyless man and his only solace is forcing that misery on others.
Maybe I would speak differently if the crew's mood did not play a role in my own success. The Leviathan is perfect already. It is up to the officers to ensure the human factor is not our undoing. So let the whalers have their fun. If it means they work all the harder to reach our quotas, then so be it.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER OUTGOING TRANSMISSION LOG 11:40 19/02/1826
MR BENTON. I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS VOYAGE AND MY ROLE IN IT. ALL DIRECTIVES HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED ON SCHEDULE. BUT CAPTAIN OSWALD IS CAUSING MORE FRICTION THAN EXPECTED. HE HAS DONE LITTLE TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN PUNISHING THE WHALERS APPROPRIATELY. HE HAS ALIENATED THE OVERSEERS OUT OF SPITE, AND NOW REFUSES TO TAKE MY ADVICE AND RELENT TO DEMANDS OF THE ABBEY. HE MIGHT BE A MILITARY MAN BUT HIS INCOMPETANCE IN RUNNING A COMPANY SHIP IS BECOMING APPARENT. I WOULD ASK THAT A RECORDING FOR HIS EARS BE TRANSMITTED TO REMIND HIM OF HIS POSITION AS EMPLOYEE OF BENTON INDUSTRIES AND THAT THIS SHIP IS NOT HIS PERSONAL PLEASURE CRUISER. WE ARRIVE IN WHITECLIFF TONIGHT. I HAVE ALREADY PREPARED THE SUPPLIES FOR YOUR MAN. THE PACKED WILL BE SECURED IN THE CONTAINER FROM CULLERO. THERE WILL BE NO ISSUES UNTIL WE REACH ALBA. YOUR SERVANT, AUGUSTINE POOLE.
Another suspicious reference from Mr. Poole. This time implicating one of the Benton family. I cannot be sure exactly which one, but suffice to say, they must have been high up to have services of the Leviathan's accountant. You might start to understand why the company terminated my contract when this was the evidence I was faced with.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER OUTGOING TRANSMISSION LOG 20:01 19/02/1826
THIS IS B.I.S LEVIATHAN CONTACTING WHITECLIFF HARBOUR FOUR. REQUESTING PERMISSION TO DOCK FOR SCHEDULED REFLUELING AND SHORE LEAVE.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER INCOMING TRANSMISSION LOG 20:03 19/02/1826
B.I.S LEVIATHAN THIS IS WHITECLIFF HAROUR FOUR, ADJUST HEADING TWELVE DEGREES COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO NORTHNORTHWEST HEADING AND REDUCE SPEED TO SIX KNOTTS. OPEN GANGWAY PATH AND PREPARE TO BE BOARDED BY WHITECLIFF SECURITY ABOARD THE HOLY VESSEL JUSTIFIED PREJUCIDCE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL BE MET WITH LETHAL FORCE. AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Viktor Cotlev
Date: 19/02/1826
Time: Approx. 20:10
Details: All crewmembers to be brought to the main deck to await inspection from security of the Justified Prejudice. Orders from Captain George Oswald are to ensure good behaviour of whalers and officers where necessary. Boarding security are to be extended all curtesy as required by their station as Overseers.
Punishment: N/A. Infractions are to be logged for review by Captain Oswald.
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Victor Cotlev
Date: 19/02/1826
Time: Approx. 20:10
Details: All crewmembers to be brought to the main deck to await inspection from security of the Justified Prejudice. Orders from Captain George Oswald are to ensure good behaviour of whalers and officers where necessary. Boarding security are to be extended all curtesy as required by their station as Overseers.
Punishment: N/A. Infractions are to be logged for review by Captain Oswald.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER INCOMING TRANSMISSION LOG 20:23 19/02/1826
B.I.S LEVIATHAN, THIS IS WHITECLIFF HARBOUR FOUR, RESPOND. SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OUR SECURITY TOWERS. CEASE ALL MOVEMENT AND CONFIRM STATUS OR YOU WILL BE TREATED AS HOSTILE.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER OUTGOING TRANSMISSION LOG 20:25 19/02/1826
WHITECLIFF HARBOUR FOUR, THIS IS OVERSEER CAPTAIN JERICHO, ABOARD THE B.I.S. LEVIATHAN. SECURITY SWEEP CONFIRMED. SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY WAS THE RESULT OF INSUBORDINATION AMONG THE B.I.S. LEVIATHAN CREW. THE SITUATION HAS BEEN RESOLVED. RETURNING TO THE JUSTIFIED PREJUDICE NOW.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER OUTGOING TRANSMISSION LOG 20:36 19/02/1826
THIS IS B.I.S LEVIATHAN CONFIRMING DOCKING WITH WHITECLIFF HARBOUR FOUR. RESUMING PREVIOUS HEADING AND SPEED AS PER INSTRUCTIONS. ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL, EIGHT MINUTES.
BENTON INDUSTRIES RADIO TOWER INCOMING TRANSMISSION LOG 20:36 19/02/1826
B.I.S LEVIATHAN THIS IS WHITECLIFF HARBOUR FOUR. YOUR REQUEST TO DOCK HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED.
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Viktor Cotlev
Date: 19/02/1826
Time: Approx. 20:20
Details: While Captain George Oswald was speaking with the Overseer Captain of the Justified Prejudice, Master-at-arms Andrei Dermitov reacted violently to the boarding security stationed on the main deck. Upon asking to submit to a full search of his armoury and quarters, Master Dermitov issued verbal threats to the Overseers present, including Overseer Cassiel and Overseer Markus. Master Dermitov's words were met with drawn weapons by the Overseers present, and the situation nearly escalated to violence. First Mate Richard Bones successfully dissuaded Master Dermitov from responding.
Punishment: N/A. Infraction logged for review by Captain Oswald.
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Victor Cotlev
Date: 19/02/1826
Time: Approx. 20:20
Details: While Captain George Oswald was speaking with the Overseer Captain of the Justified Prejudice, Master-at-arms Andrei Dermitov reacted violently to the boarding security stationed on the main deck. Upon asking to submit to a full search of his armoury and quarters, Master Dermitov issued verbal threats to the Overseers present, including Overseer Cassiel and Overseer Markus. Master Dermitov's words were met with drawn weapons by the Overseers present, and the situation nearly escalated to violence. First Mate Richard Bones successfully dissuaded Master Dermitov from responding.
Punishment: N/A. Infraction logged for review by Captain Oswald.
19/2/1826
What the fuck was Dev thinking? Threatening the Overseers? The man is a goddamned child playing at being a big man.
Sometimes I think he enjoys watching me squirm. I now have both sides of the crew pressuring me. The Overseers and most of the officers want him censured, obviously. The whalers think he was standing up for them. And whatever I do, he's going to claim I'm doing it because of our damn history.
Fuck. Damn you Dev. For once in your damn life act in the best interest in the ship, and not the way you think will make you come out on top? Well he can enjoy the show from the brig. The fucker deserves it.
Whatever. It feels like I'm drinking every night now. Takes the edge off. Void alive, the military was easier than this fucking shambles. Playing politics with the Overseers was not my plan for my twilight years. Still, at least Jericho was reasonable. He saw the problem and gave us our way out. Citing some weird law of Whitecliff I hadn't even heard of. An Abbey law, but one I will exploit to the fullest if it keeps blood off my ship. I'll be cutting shore leave off tomorrow. We aren't staying here any longer than we need to. Can't give Dev another reason to act out. Whoever's listening, please just make the rest of this trip less of a nightmare.
METEOROLOGICAL UPDATE 20/02/1826
Winds: Low – 2mph – SSW
Current: Moderate – 14mph – N
Automated Advisory Notes: Medium-to-long range radio transmissions indicate North-Westerly bound meteorological anomaly. Caution, high winds and currents indicate potential damage to ship. Avoid if possible. Suggestion: Adjust course to Northwest.
Comments and criticisms are appreciated.