I Do Not Own Temeraire

This story was called Runner No More

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Prologue

It was nighttime aboard the Allegiance. Captain William Lawrence decided that now, when there were less ears about, would be the best time to discuss the question Temeraire had during the day.

Earlier, Riley had discovered that, not only was Emily Roland a girl, but, when he brought it to Lawrence's attention, that the Aerial Corps had women officers. Since the discussion took place next to Temeraire, the large dragon had naturally had his own questions, namely about why it mattered that women were in the Corps or not. During the discussion, the fact that humans were not hatched from eggs came up.

Naturally, the intelligent and ever curious dragon had asked, "What then?"

Lawrence had dodged the question, citing his own lack of children and that Temeraire should rest. But he knew that, eventually, Temeraire would ask again, and probably someone who'd had children. And while this wouldn't matter to Temeraire, it would most certainly embarrass Lawrence, and perhaps the Aerial Corps in general if he asked the wrong person.

No. It was better that he answer now, when, not only were there less ears to hear, but he'd had time to think of an explanation that was, hopefully, not to offensive.

Walking up to his friend, Lawrence called, "Temeraire, are you awake?"

The heavyweight dragon lifted his head to look at his captain. "Yes Lawrence," he answered. "Are you here to answer my earlier question?"

The human chuckled as he smiled at the dragon. "How did you know?"

"I have noticed, that when I ask a question that embarrasses you, you change the topic, and later come to answer," Temeraire responded. "I still do not see why you cannot answer immediately."

Lawrence snorted in amusement. "Because I need time to think of a way to answer some of your questions. Remember, I'm a former navy man, not a scholar." He chuckled lightly. "Though I suppose you are doing your very best to turn me into one."

Temeraire huffed. "I do not see that as such a bad thing."

The captain smiled. "It is not." He paused for a moment to take a deep breath before continuing. "Before I answer your question from earlier, please understand that such a topic is considered improper to speak of in polite society. You remember our conversation about mating?"

"Yes," Temeraire answered, nodding his head.

"Well, when humans...mate," he said, his face taking a slight red tinge. "Sometimes nothing happens. But if humans mate at the proper time, the…female, will be impregnated. For the next nine months, she and the male's offspring will grow inside her, until it is time to be born. At which point the…the infant," Lawerence licked his lips, which were dry due to his embarrassment. "The infant is then born from the mother alive. This infant is unable to care for itself, depending upon its parents for everything from food, hygiene, and protection. It is not until around fourteen years after their birth that children are considered able to look after themselves. And while many have responsibilities before that age, these responsibilities are often supervised in some way. But we humans do not usually reach full adulthood until around twenty years of age."

"Like my runners?" Temeraire asked.

Lawrence nodded, "Yes. I'll use Emily as an example. She is eleven years old, and while she has responsibilities as a runner, she is often supervised by myself or other crewman. She and the other runners also have lessons, in which they are learning the skills necessary for life in general, as well as life as an aviator."

"So the runners are like your children?" Temeraire asked. "Since you are ultimately the one responsible for them."

Lawrence smiled. "I suppose you could say that. I'd like to think that I'd be as good a father as I seem to be a captain. I certainly worry about them enough, especially Emily."

"Why?"

"Hmm?" Lawrence asked, looking at Temeraire, the want of clarification clear.

"Why do you especially worry about Emily?" the dragon clarified.

The human sighed. "Part of it is my upbringing. You must remember that I was not raised in the Corps, were it is no unusual thing to see such strong women as Jane or Catherine. Sometimes, I still have trouble not wanting to protect them as I was taught."

"That makes sense," Temeraire acknowledged. "But you said that was only part?"

Lawrence smiled. "Well, I'll admit I've grown fond of all the runners, though Emily in particular. I can honestly say, at this point, she is almost like a daughter to me."

"Does this have to do with your relationship with Jane?"

"No," Lawrence said, shaking his head. "It's just that…oh how do I explain this." He paused for several moments as he gathered his thoughts. "She stands out so much from the rest of the crew, despite being only a runner. When combined with her age, and my own high opinion of her at only ten, I cannot help but feel like she is a daughter. In fact I often feel proud of her accomplishments that I have helped contribute to, such as her success in lessons." He smiled and turned to look out over the ocean. "One day, I can't help but feel she will be a great Aviator. And I will have, even if only in my small way, contributed to that greatness."

Temeraire moved his head so that he could gently nuzzle his captain. "You are a great aviator as well."

Lawrence chuckled. "You my dear, are more than a little biased."

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The entire crew of the Allegience along with the whole of Temeraire's crew, were gathered on the dragon deck of the ship. Each person was dressed in their best clothes or, if they had one, their uniform. Temeraire himself gazed at the flag covered palate resting on the edge of the ship sorrowfully.

Under the flag, in his sewn up hammock, lay the body of his captain, his friend. William Lawrence, along with Leddowes, had been trying to retie a rope that he had caused to break loose during a storm, when Lawrence was attacked by Feng Li, one of the Chinese men. Leddowes had tried to save Lawrence, but both he and Leng Fi were washed overboard.

Lawrence had died of his injuries the next day.

For obvious reasons, none of the Chinese contingent, or Arthur Hammond (who insisted it must have been a simple accident) were present on deck.

Captain Tom Riley's voice carried to every corner of the deck, as he finished the memorial service. "We therefore commit his body to the deep, looking for the general Resurrection in the last day, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose second coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the sea shall give up her dead; and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed, and made like unto his glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself."

With these last words, two crewman tilted the pallet into the sea, and Lawrence's body fell into the water.

As this happened, Temeraire let out a mournful roar. It was both in sadness, and in honor of his fallen companion. Beside him, her hand resting upon the dragon's side in an effort to comfort him, stood Emily Roland. The young blonde girl had tears running down her face as she watched the service.

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The next day, each of the officers had tried talking to Temeraire. Part of this was to check on his wellbeing, part was worry that he no longer had a captain, and worry that he was heading to China, a nation that wanted him for themselves, with no captain.

He spoke to none of them.

Though he did turn his head when Emily approached him that night. "What will you do now Temeraire?" she asked. "Will you stay in China?"

"No," Temeraire answered without hesitation. "Lawrence would not want me to abandon my duty…my home, because of his death. I will not remain in China," he told her. "Even if it means I must flee in the night. I will honor Lawrence." The dragon stopped speaking, unable to continue due to the lump in his throat.

Emily smiled, and sat down beside him. She began to run one hand over his skin, trying to offer some comfort.

"Emily," the dragon said after a few moments, "Granby says that I must choose another captain before we reach China. I know why he wishes that I choose one of the officers to be a new captain before then. He fears that without one I will stay with the Chinese. Do you think…Do you think I would be allowed to fight back home without one?"

Emily hesitated, before answering, "I don't know. I mean, most un-harnessed dragons go the breeding grounds. But then again, Celeritas has no captain. And he is basically in command of Loch Laggan."

Temeraire was silent for a few moments before saying, "I have a request of you Emily."

The girl looked up at him. "Yes, what is it?"

"I know that, upon your mother's death or retirement, you are meant to take the captaincy of Excidium. I do not wish to steal you from him, but…Lawrence thought of you in a similar manner as a daughter. I wonder if you would be willing to be my captain?"

Emily was stunned. All her life, she'd been told she might be taking over her mother's position on Excidium. She knew that there was a chance Excidium could be killed or captured before this happened. She knew there was a chance, slim as it was, that Excidium could reject her. And here was another dragon asking her to be his captain, to replace a man that she not only highly respected, but was perhaps the closest thing to a father that she knew.

Her, an eleven year old, girl.

"Can I think about it?" she asked.

Temeraire nodded. "Of course. I understand it is a bid decision to make."

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"He what?" Granby asked, shocked at what Roland was telling him. As Lawrence's first officer, the lieutenant was basically now in command of all the aviators aboard ship.

"Temeraire asked me to be his new captain?" Emily repeated. "I told him I had to think about it."

3rd lieutenant Ferris, who was now the second ranking aviator, was just as stunned. "What about Excidium?" he asked. "Does Temeraire realize…."

Emily nodded, cutting the lieutenant off.

"Lord," Ferris muttered, falling back into his seat.

The two officers were silent, until Granby spoke. "This decision, as large as it is, must be yours Emily," he said. "As much as I may be uncomfortable with it, I honestly wasn't expecting Temeraire to accept any of the crew as his new captain. He's refused to speak to any of us officers. But as much as I wish to see Temeraire with a captain before we reach China…This is your future we are talking about. If you accept Temeraire's offer, understand that you will likely never have the chance to captain Excidium, and we may lose him from service. But the same is true of Temeraire. If you do not accept the offer, he may be lost to the service."

Emily was silent for a moment as she contemplated the lieutenant's words. "But sir, I'm only eleven. How can I command the rest of the crew?"

Granby and Ferris shared a look, before Granby answered. "We will help you," he said. "And the rest of the crew would simply be relieved that this journey, and Lawrence's death, has not been in vain."

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Granby accompanied the young girl back to Temeraire. The dragon turned his head to look at her. "Have you thought about my offer Emily?" he asked.

Emily nodded. "Yes Temeraire." She licked her lips, before taking a deep breath and saying, "I accept."

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This is up for adoption for one simple reason….I have no idea whatsoever of where to go with it. Do I stay mostly cannon, with Emily substituting for Lawrence? Do I alter events? What I mean is, I'm going to use Empire of Ivory for example, do I send Temeraire and his inexperienced captain to Africa, or do I keep them in Britain and send a more experienced captain? Do I have Emily and Temeraire deliver the fungus to the French, someone else, or remove the idea entirely.

I mean really, the only other known plot idea I have, would be that, before they left Britain, Lawrence and Jane conceived a child. And that neither knew of it before he left, that way Excidium will still have a future Captain.

And I sadly don't think I could do the idea of Emily becoming Temeraire's Captain under these circumstances justice.