FOR LOVE OR FRIENDSHIP
Author's Note: This takes place after the movie. I'm in the process of reading the actual book series by Patrick O'Brien, but I'm not far enough to see if any history I use besides what's from the movie is true. Work with me. Also, I know the first chapter really goes absolutely nowhere, I just want to establish the weirdness of the new crewman, that's all. And one more thing, I know the first couple lines are form a different movie, just a little addition from another one of my favorite Jacks!
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CHAPTER 1: "PRISSY" PENTOCK
"Stop blowing holes in my ship." Captain Jack Aubrey whispered as another cannon ball grazed the side of the Archeron in disguise. Obviously, the French had figured out that it was a disguise. "Bloody Frenchmen." Aubrey muttered. At least these weren't very accurate shot; only his sail had a hole in it and one man had gotten a musket ball in his ribs. He was a new man, an odd one actually. He was a very modest man who kept to himself and slung his hammock away in the corner for the other men's. Aubrey thought he might have made a mistake with that one. Oh well, no loss if he didn't make it, the men didn't seem to be very fond of him as well, even the ones Aubrey had hired with him.
Aubrey had put in to port, only to get immediate orders to find enough seamen to make up for his loss and to shove off in disguise on the Archeron to stop another member of the French fleet in western waters. He had found his men and left in a single day and now they had found the ship but weren't making much headway in taking her.
"Cease fire!" Aubrey shouted. "We'll try a different approach! Cease fire!"
Aubrey turned to Bonden, his trusted Coxswain. "Change our course due East. We'll try to come up from another angle and surprise her."
"Aye. Due East, sir." Bonden heaved on the wheel and the ship slowly but surely turned east.
"All hands!" Aubrey shouted. "Report below deck in five minutes time!"
Aubrey drew the crew together five minutes later and explained his course of action, they had to be stealthy – Surprise wasn't on their side now. The men laughed, trying to feel at ease about this new undertaking.
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Meanwhile, Stephen Maturin, the ship's surgeon was with the man who had gotten shot. He had regained consciousness and was talking.
"Sir, does it need surgery?"
"I'm afraid so lad, the bullet's still in there."
"Well, can you do it alone?"
"For heaven's sake why?"
"Can you?"
"I suppose, but why?"
"Just because sir."
Maturin eyed the man. "Fine, lad, I'll operate alone."
"Good. Thank you, doctor."
The man fell asleep as Maturin's drug took effect. Maturin found the man's request odd, but he had heard stories about this one. The men said he was different. Reserved and modest, not what an actual seaman usually was.
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The man was a Mr. Pentock. Or "Prissy Pentock" as the rest of the men called him. Often they would laugh as he kept his things in perfect order and always get up early to dress and wash up. The men took this as a sign of him thinking himself better than them and took offense to him.
"You ain't a lass, are ya? Ya sure act stuck up enough!" They had laughed.
"You aren't polite are you?" He replied back and disappeared into his hammock to read.
"Ah, we was just jokin'! Geeze, ya don't have to be getting' like that!" One called, but Pentock didn't answer him.
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"Jack, the man is very different." Stephen said as Jack paced the floor beating a tempo with his bow. The subject of Mr. Pentock had been brought up when Jack inquired as to the condition of him. Stephen explained that he was to operate tomorrow and no one, not even Jack was to be there by request of the patient.
"Clearly the man needs to learn his place in the crew. And if that means they have to beat it into him, I'd gladly provide the whip."
"Maybe he just isn't cut out for life at sea. Let him get used to it before anyone beats anyone else."
"Stephen, he doesn't want anyone there when he's getting operated on! Don't you think that's a bit stuck up?"
"Well, I find it inconsiderate enough, but I'll have to get along."
"You aren't serious, Stephen? You aren't going to let him walk all over you like that?" Jack slammed his bow on his desk.
"I don't think I'm going to let you talk to me like that, Jack Aubrey! I'll see to his health, you see to his character! Now, are you going to pick a tempo, or am I?" Stephen demanded, a small twinkle in his eyes showing that he wasn't truly angry.
"I will, if I'd have some time to actually collect my thoughts, Stephen Maturin." Jack shot back with a laugh.
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