Another week, another chapter. Enjoy.
Captain Oswald,
I understand your time is precious and that you are struggling as it is to keep the different factions on board compliant. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't trouble you with this, but I am given to believe you care about the wellbeing of our younger crewmates. As a result, I feel you will want to hear this. Yven, the Quartermaster's steward, came to me today. He was experiencing mild chemical burns consistent with exposure to whale oil as well as signs of early hypothermia. He said he just hasn't been careful around the ship, but I do not believe that for a second.
I suspect the other stewards are bullying him. I am a doctor, not an investigator, but from some things I noticed last night, I think they locked him in the storage area overnight. Now, I don't need to tell you how phenomenally dangerous that is on its own, but child endangerment is morally reprehensible. I have already lectured my niece on this but I hope you will speak with the other officers and discipline their stewards accordingly. This voyage is dangerous enough already.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Doctor. I'll look into the matter. I would wager the bullying comes from Yven's status. He is a steward but not nobleborn. As a result, he probably doesn't fit in with either the other stewards, or the cabinboys. Regardless, I will do as you ask, and make sure the perpetrators are properly disciplined. But I will not be making a show of it. I don't want the stewards shamed. It might prompt more aggression on their part.
Memoire of John Winters, Natural Philosopher alumni of the Academy, and Chief Engineer of the B.I.S. Leviathan.
Date, 21st of Harvest 1826
While things have only gotten worse for the good Captain, as things have continued, I believe the Leviathan will indeed weather the incompetence of the crew. Despite numerous infractions and conflicts between themselves, the crew has nonetheless allowed the ship to fulfil its purpose. Already, we have harvested in a month what would take a flotilla of lesser vessels a year to make.
The inspection with myself, Mr Poole, and the Captain proved our results to be undeniable. The stores have reached a fifth capacity already. By my calculations, even in the worst of circumstances, the Leviathan is set to finish it's quota at least three months ahead of schedule.
In truth, I expected my friend Augustine to be a bit more… celebratory. His vision may be obscured by his love of numbers and gold, but he has always appreciated the beauty of my design. Now he has been distant. I am not sure when the change came, but I began noticing it after Whitecliff. Maybe the cancelled shore leave did not sit well with him. He has certainly made his distaste for Oswald plain during our drinking sessions in the common area. But the mood seems different.
This is a puzzle. Not one of scientific discovery, but of the human mind.
I don't like puzzles. At least not unsolved ones.
Captain, when you said you wanted to talk to Vincent, you didn't say you wanted to chew him out. The kid was crying to me how you had him by his lapels and threatening to throw him overboard if he didn't shape up. Could you please tone it down a bit?
Ms. Rinewind. I appreciate that you would bring this worry to my attention, but I'm afraid you are mistaken. I didn't threaten your steward. I had hoped to not bother you with the details, but it has come to my attention that the stewards are bullying Old Caleb's assistant. He sustained injuries according to Dr Boyle, and that behaviour is unacceptable. I know that as your steward, the discipline should have fallen to you, but as this was a group effort, I felt it was my place to discipline each steward individually.
I did not say or do anything of the sort you describe, however. I told him that while this was not a military vessel, insubordination would not be ignored, and acting against the crew would be treated equally and fairly. Any issues they have with Yven should be brought to me in the future.
I am not going to call your boy a liar. I am sure he is just misremembering. Please speak to him about it.
Thank you, Captain. Vincent came clear about his foggy memory and told me the truth of the matter. I apologise for not coming to you personally about it. Allow me to apologise over some Morleyan brandy the next time we have free time in the officer's lounge.
BENTON OIL PROCESSING REPORT #11
Date: 22/02/1826
Location: East Gristol Sea, 200 miles north of Whitecliff.
Acting foreman: Alex Byers
Whaler Roster: Adrian Sullivan, Damian Sullivan, Oll Persons, Nolan North, Michael Bloom, Grace Felling, Erica Graves, Noren Peng
Duration: Four Hours – Processing suspended
Notes: During the slaughtering process, Noren Peng was struck by an unrestrained protrusion and suffered several lacerations and bone fractures. Peng was taken to Dr. Boyle for treatment.
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Viktor Cotlev
Date: 22/2/1826
Time: 15:15
Details: Whaler Adrian Sullivan was believed to be responsible for the substandard maintenance of the slaughtering floor that resulted in the severe injury of Whaler Noren Peng.
Punishment: Ten lashes. Confinement to personal quarters for twenty-four hours.
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Victor Cotlev
Date: 22/2/1826
Time: 15:15
Details: During the punishment of Whaler Adrian Sullivan, Whaler Damian Sullivan attempted disrupt the duties of Enforcer Viktor Cotlev.
Punishment: Three lashes. Confinement to personal quarters for twenty-four hours.
BENTON INDUSTRIES ENFORCER REPORT
Name: Victor Cotlev and Viktor Cotlev
Date: 22/2/1826
Time: N/A (submitted at 17:00)
Details: In light of recent disruption of Enforcer duties due to familial ties among the crew, Enforcer Victor Cotlev and Enforcer Viktor Cotlev request rosters be changed to ensure no conflicts of interest among different crewmembers.
Punishment: N/A
BENTON MEDICAL REPORT
Name: Dr Rachel Boyle
Date: 22/02/1826
Time: 15:30
Patient: Noren Peng, Whaler, Butcher.
Details: Mr Peng has suffered multiple bone fractures and heavy bruising as a result of blunt trauma. While operating whalesaw equipment, Mr Peng also suffered multiple lacerations to the left arm, and is suffering from heavy blood loss.
Notes: I am unable to properly treat Mr Peng's injuries with the equipment at hand. I would advise an immediate change of course to Whitecliff where he can be properly cared for in a hospital.
Captain,
Regardless of my advice in the report, I beg you to adjust course. Please do not tell me you agree with Poole on this. I don't believe that for a second. Peng can be saved. His life is not worth this madness. Please, do not keep the course we are on. Whitecliff is less than a day's journey from here. I can keep him alive till then and we can return to work after. You said yourself we are ahead of schedule. What is one detour?
22/2/1826
Every day, it seems this voyage is testing me again and again. It's not like I haven't had to deal with difficult choices like this before. But damn, I wish I were back in the military. At least I knew where I stood with the Admirals.
If I was the only one in charge, I would have already charted a course back to Whitecliff. Damn whatever Poole says, this mission isn't worth a man's life. But I've made too many questionable decisions already. The Overseers seem ready to gut me, especially after letting Dev off with a slap on the wrist. The whalers are hardly a unified bunch to please. Some want Sullivan strung up. I posted the Cotlev's outside his cabin in case anyone gets any ideas. And I've heard Poole and Winters badmouthing me when they think I can't hear them.
One more compromise. To the Void with all of them, I won't let this man die.
We head straight for Driscol. Off course from the original voyage, but not a one eighty rotation. I can sell that to the men and to Poole. Hopefully Peng can survive the trip.
METEOROLOGICAL UPDATE 22/02/1826
Winds: High – 23mph – NW
Current: Moderate – 14mph – NW
Automated Advisory Notes: Short range radio transmissions indicate North-Westerly bound meteorological anomaly. Caution, high winds and currents indicate potential damage to ship. Avoid if possible. Warning: recent course adjustment indicates imminent collision with meterological anomaly. Suggestion: Adjust course to Northwest immediately.
Comments and criticisms are appreciated. See you next time!