Pirates of the Carribean: The Path to Darkness
Chapter 4
Young men were lined up around the perimeter of the large military academy. The white colonial sytle building was connected to the citadel and was higher up in the city.
There were many men, some older than them, some younger than them.
They stood on the line which moved quickly to their relief. They were asked to sign their names, their father's name and where they were from. Questions would be asked latter.
They stood in a great hall with all the others appyling. When everyone was in they were adressed by someone who was evidently of high importance.
"Good afternoon young prospects. I am Comodore Norrington. I welcome you all, but I regret to say that I will not meet even half of you. Firstly you will have a physical examination, then those that are selected shall have an interview with one of my captains." said Comodore Norrington as he gestured to the dozen men to his left "I will ask that you all line up for one of the physicians outside in the courtyard. Food and drink will be provided at tea for those who pass the examination. I bid you good luck."
Tate swallowed. A physical? An examination? Was he ready for this? Bonne must have sensed his sudden aprehension because he smiled "Not to worry, we'll stick together of course." as he led him out into the sun with his hand on his little brother's back.
Tate went first to the physician when his turn in line came. He stepped into the small room. The doctor was sitting on a stool with a note book and quill in hand. Spectacles rested on his nose and he looked up to Tate when he entered. Tate straigtened up and puffed out his chest, he was proud that he was bigger than the doctor.
"Well, well. Lets take a peak. Please sit down." the doctor motioned to the bed.
Tate sat down and the doctor took out a series of instruments which Tate had never seen before.
"What are these for?" said Tate with a look of pure horror on his face as the doctor put on goggles which had microscope oculars for lens and peered closer to Tate.
"Not to worry," the doctor chuckled "I'm just checking for lice, malnutrution, healthy eyes, ears, throut. You know the drill."
Tate of course did not know the drill but did as the doctor requested.
"Very good. You seem to be in very good shape young man. But may I measure your head?"
"Why?"
"Well just for the good of science. It is very intersting to see how the head grows."
"Why would my head grow? I'm full grown now. I'm sixteen." asked Tate, getting quite annoyed now.
"Your head may grow during your term at the academy, if you go into the academy. It is scientifically interesting thats all."
Tate agreed, not quite sure why, but never the less he allowed the strange doctor to measure his head. He then opened a leather bound book and seemed to write alot of things. What he could have been writing Tate could not imagine. All he had was one number. The doctor then gave Tate a slip of paper with checks and numbers and sent him out of the room.
Tate was then directed to a man dressed in a red jacket and clean pressed shirt and pants. The perfect example of what the academy would create.
He was still unsure. He wondered if he should go home, but this seemed to be a good start for a life away from home. The academy could provide a basis for a future job, and an intermediate step between home and life on his own.
He found himself standing in a line with a number of other young men. He was no longer in sight of his brother but around him the other men seemed just as alone as he did. Well some of them at least. Behind him in the line stood a group who all seemed to be well off. They all wore fine coats with embroidery and fancy stitching, and were talking loudly about the others around them. They jostled and punched playfully but when they spotted Tate looking at them, a frown crossed their faces.
"What are you looking at?", at this Tate quickly turned away as he found where the line was leading, and collected a uniform and various articles and effects.
"I can't beleive riff raff like this will be in the same classes as us."
"I know, no standards anymore."
"Well someone has to die when we fight pirates."
"Haha, of course. When we're captains that is."
"I cannot wait till I meet a real pirate. I bet they are real vile. No manners, no morals. Father says that what happens to poor men who can't raise themselves in the real world, or those bastard immigrants. I'd like to whip them into shape real well when I get the chance."
They stood in a group now, not following the directions given to them to head to a dorm, chatting. One, which looked like the leader, said nothing. He was not the tallest or the shortest, he did not wear a dark blue coat like the rest, but a bright lighter blue jacket. He looked about taking in all the others who looked so lost, with a smug look on his face. The supremacy was evident.
Chapter 4
Young men were lined up around the perimeter of the large military academy. The white colonial sytle building was connected to the citadel and was higher up in the city.
There were many men, some older than them, some younger than them.
They stood on the line which moved quickly to their relief. They were asked to sign their names, their father's name and where they were from. Questions would be asked latter.
They stood in a great hall with all the others appyling. When everyone was in they were adressed by someone who was evidently of high importance.
"Good afternoon young prospects. I am Comodore Norrington. I welcome you all, but I regret to say that I will not meet even half of you. Firstly you will have a physical examination, then those that are selected shall have an interview with one of my captains." said Comodore Norrington as he gestured to the dozen men to his left "I will ask that you all line up for one of the physicians outside in the courtyard. Food and drink will be provided at tea for those who pass the examination. I bid you good luck."
Tate swallowed. A physical? An examination? Was he ready for this? Bonne must have sensed his sudden aprehension because he smiled "Not to worry, we'll stick together of course." as he led him out into the sun with his hand on his little brother's back.
Tate went first to the physician when his turn in line came. He stepped into the small room. The doctor was sitting on a stool with a note book and quill in hand. Spectacles rested on his nose and he looked up to Tate when he entered. Tate straigtened up and puffed out his chest, he was proud that he was bigger than the doctor.
"Well, well. Lets take a peak. Please sit down." the doctor motioned to the bed.
Tate sat down and the doctor took out a series of instruments which Tate had never seen before.
"What are these for?" said Tate with a look of pure horror on his face as the doctor put on goggles which had microscope oculars for lens and peered closer to Tate.
"Not to worry," the doctor chuckled "I'm just checking for lice, malnutrution, healthy eyes, ears, throut. You know the drill."
Tate of course did not know the drill but did as the doctor requested.
"Very good. You seem to be in very good shape young man. But may I measure your head?"
"Why?"
"Well just for the good of science. It is very intersting to see how the head grows."
"Why would my head grow? I'm full grown now. I'm sixteen." asked Tate, getting quite annoyed now.
"Your head may grow during your term at the academy, if you go into the academy. It is scientifically interesting thats all."
Tate agreed, not quite sure why, but never the less he allowed the strange doctor to measure his head. He then opened a leather bound book and seemed to write alot of things. What he could have been writing Tate could not imagine. All he had was one number. The doctor then gave Tate a slip of paper with checks and numbers and sent him out of the room.
Tate was then directed to a man dressed in a red jacket and clean pressed shirt and pants. The perfect example of what the academy would create.
He was still unsure. He wondered if he should go home, but this seemed to be a good start for a life away from home. The academy could provide a basis for a future job, and an intermediate step between home and life on his own.
He found himself standing in a line with a number of other young men. He was no longer in sight of his brother but around him the other men seemed just as alone as he did. Well some of them at least. Behind him in the line stood a group who all seemed to be well off. They all wore fine coats with embroidery and fancy stitching, and were talking loudly about the others around them. They jostled and punched playfully but when they spotted Tate looking at them, a frown crossed their faces.
"What are you looking at?", at this Tate quickly turned away as he found where the line was leading, and collected a uniform and various articles and effects.
"I can't beleive riff raff like this will be in the same classes as us."
"I know, no standards anymore."
"Well someone has to die when we fight pirates."
"Haha, of course. When we're captains that is."
"I cannot wait till I meet a real pirate. I bet they are real vile. No manners, no morals. Father says that what happens to poor men who can't raise themselves in the real world, or those bastard immigrants. I'd like to whip them into shape real well when I get the chance."
They stood in a group now, not following the directions given to them to head to a dorm, chatting. One, which looked like the leader, said nothing. He was not the tallest or the shortest, he did not wear a dark blue coat like the rest, but a bright lighter blue jacket. He looked about taking in all the others who looked so lost, with a smug look on his face. The supremacy was evident.