Chapter Two – Disclosures

After a time – a remarkably short time in Evelyn's view – Stephen regained control of himself.

"So, my dear, I can understand the presence of a doctor, and certainly it is right and proper that the Crown would ask an English naval officer to attend an entire ship's crew rejoining the living, and perhaps if I stretch a bit I can see why an American naval officer would be here, as I am a guest on American soil, but pray what is your part in this? Are you a colleague of Doctor Woodruff, perhaps? He stated that you, too, were a doctor. Or maybe you are a descendant of mine? I find I am adrift in a sea of questions, and if you might forgive an old sea dog's metaphors, I shall cling to your words as a foremast jack would cling to a lifeline in a blow."

Evelyn looked into Stephen's eyes. "The world you have awoken to is far different than the world you knew. Science has changed so very much. The two captains are here for two reasons; both to show you respect as a fellow naval officer and also because Victory and Constitution are the last two sail warships in commission; Victory in permanent drydock and Constitution only sails on ceremonial occasions, yet they are still legally, officially, legitimate warships and thus having their captains here allows both of our governments to be represented."

Stephen considered this. "And what is the state of relations between our governments – I am, of course, assuming that you are an American?"

Evelyn smiled. "I am. And it will please you to know that the United Kingdom – that is, the nations that are under the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth – and the United States are firm friends and allies, and have been for over a century."

"Much has changed, for the better, I see."

Evelyn nodded. "Yes, much has changed, many things for the better, some for the worse. That is another reason the commanders of Victory and Constitution are here; they are both experts, true experts on your era, as am I. Having them here kills two birds with one stone; we didn't want to overwhelm you by having too many people in the room when you woke up."

Stephen was curious. "Such wisdom. This must be a frequent occurrence in your world, then, bringing the dead back to life?"

Evelyn shook her head. "Not at all. You, my dear Doctor Maturin, are the first person in all of human history to be revived from a frozen state."

Stephen passed over that. "You must call me Stephen; after all, at this moment you are the only person who I can call friend in this world, at least until you revive Jack and the crew., You still have not told me how you came to be here, although I must confess I am most grateful that you are here. You seem to have a gift for explaining difficult things."

"Yes, Stephen, and I insist that you call me Evelyn. I am not a medical Doctor like yourself, but rather a Doctor of History. I worked under the late Patrick O'Brian, who wrote many books based on your travels with Jack Aubrey, and I went on to publish your biography as my own work. You will be please to know that we sold out no less than four printings in Ireland."

Stephen smiled. "Truly, that is good to know. I take it, then, by the absence of Doctor Woodruff, who appears to be a medical man, that I am in no great danger medically but rather judging by the large number of people, proportionately, who seem to be here for no other reason than to offer reassurance that you are more concerned with my spirit. Am I correct?"

Evelyn gave a little shrug. "No one has ever come back to life after being gone for two hundred years. There's no way to measure what the stress could do to a mind, even one as formidable as yours."

Stephen was silent for a while. "I still grieve for my late wife, Diana, and now I find I must mourn, without preparation, for Sophie, my dear Christine, my daughter Brigid, Sir Joseph – you know of Sir Joseph, don't you?" - at this, Evelyn nodded - "indeed, for everyone I have ever esteemed, for perhaps an entire world and way of life that is gone. Yet even so, I find myself conscious of the fact that you awoke me first for a reason, that I must quickly pull myself together to assist the crew of dear Surprise in this transition. It is amazing how a sense of purpose can focus the mind."

Evelyn nodded emphatically, "Yes, yes! I have studied your life, and I feel that there is no man better equipped to help Jack Aubrey come to terms with what has happened, and through him the crew can be brought into this new world, although I shudder to think how Awkward Davies will react to this time."

Stephen's face wrinkled in something approaching a smile. "I know little of your world, as I have not even left this bed since awakening, but it seems very logical, organized and perhaps regulated, so I would foresee an arrest for breach of the peace or some similar arrest should Awkward Davies be sprung on the streets of Boston."

Evelyn laughed. "You are quite right, Stephen, and measures have already been taken to ensure that there is a pool of seamen available to escort the crew on their first trips outside."

A thought struck Stephen. "Speaking of arrest, surely this must be monstrously expensive! Need I fear arrest for debt?"

Stephen had realized that he was penniless; indeed, at one time he had owned the Surprise, which must surely have some value, but he had sold her back to the Admiralty for very complex reasons of state for the mission to Greenland.

Evelyn shook her head. "There is absolutely no need for that, the Crown will take care of all of your expenses, and you will be pleased to know that arrest for debt is a legacy of the distant past."

"And when shall I venture out of this bed, to see this strange new world that awaits me?"

Evelyn stood up – and Stephen regretted the absence, the resulting void, as her delicate hand slid out of his – and she walked to the wall on the opposite side of the bed, where she withdrew a sheet that had been concealing a device that Stephen could not describe, much less name.

"This, Stephen, is called a television set. It can show moving pictures, much as if you were to look out a window and see a horse riding by, so it would appear just so on the screen as well. I ask you not to be alarmed – and I must ask you not to touch it, for it is powered by electricity that can be harmful and describing how it works will have to wait for tomorrow. We've prepared a story, if you will, describing the changes in the world over the past two centuries, and I would like to watch it with you."

Stephen nodded, and watched, mute, as Evelyn turned the television on and pressed PLAY on the DVD player that was integrated into the sides.

He didn't know whether to be more astounded by the television itself or by the remote control that Evelyn used to pause the DVD every time he asked a question – and his questions were numerous.

Finally, a few hours later, the film ended.

"Mary and Jesus be with me. Dear God. How amazing. How horrible."

Evelyn looked at him with worry.

"So much to comprehend. Do I at least have a day to absorb all this before we wake Jack?"

The reply was immediate. "We're not waking the Admiral for another week."

Stephen visibly relaxed. "I think I will close my eyes for a bit. I just need to think."

It was not surprising to Evelyn that Stephen was sound asleep within five minutes.