Draft Log #3: During v. 2.0

[lucetimods]

Who: Everyone on the draft
What: Day 3-5
When: August 27th-August 29th
Where: ONCE MORE INTO THE-- ...BEACH
Summary: Like it says above. The draftees reach the beach.
Rating: V FOR VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR!!


Once again, That Handy Useful Information Link. Also a link to the previous draft log!

Comments

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[Norrington turns his head away a fraction and angles it down a little too. He should feel shame for snapping at the boy, but he feels only anger. Jack's injuries, their land-locked predicament, the incessant waves of enemies and three days with little sleep and the storm -- all of this and more is wearing him thin, and his patience thinner still.]

You would take one of the brigs to a second port? You know we cannot move them.

[captainhornblower]

No, sir.

One gun, two men. That's all I would ask.

[With Admiral Pellew, that might well have been enough, but this is not Admiral Pellew.]

I have seen eighteen men hold off two full gun crews and a division of the British Army, sir, but hiding in the brush and firing shots at random.

We cannot manage that, sir, but we might manage something like it.

[His long, thin fingers are tapping against his thigh, a habit of nerves when he is laying out a plan, well aware that he might be told no.]

I would like, sir, to take a single gun and two men-- any two men, sir-- [he would leave his men behind, gladly, give the brig the benefit of those who had been drilled and drilled on the guns these last few days] and set it just off from the furthest port.

It would give us another angle on the enemy ships and might-- though I am aware it might not as well, sir-- give them the impression that we have another camp there.

We could move the cannon by night, sir, so they would see no signs of anyone displacing themselves, if they are watching us.

[And a last note, quieter than the rest.]

And every ball they fire at us, sir, is one that is not being fired here.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

"And how should we keep you supplied with shot and powder?"

[The admiral had listened patiently, but now he sadly sighed. It was a good plan. He wished that he might facilitate it.]

"Answer me that and I'll grant you two guns and four men of your choosing."

[captainhornblower]

The brigs have shot and powder enough to keep them spinning.

[His mind was racing with the calculations.]

Twelve balls and a sack of powder for each is what I'd ask, sir. We'll haul it ourselves, along with the cannons, if we may have them, sir.

If we are so careless as to waste those resources, it is my folly, sir, and I accept full blame and whatever punishment you see fit, sir.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[Silence. For a full minute the admiral looked out to the sea in silence. He raises one hand and uses his thumb and third finger to rub at his temples. Around the forty-five second mark he peers down the coastline. When he does speak, he says;]

I admire your independence. However, those men who proved themselves incompetent today will aid you by night, and if the work does not galvanize them into improving by tomorrow morning's light -- and provided that supplies permit -- I may send more shot in the hands of those incapable of anything besides heavy lifting. If it is to come, you can expect to be resupplied by mid-day.

[captainhornblower]

[Hornblower could not fully hide the smile that flashed across his face before it was replaced with the soldier's stoicism.

He nodded.]

Thank you, sir.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

First you must bring that plate to the Elizabeth's former captain. Do not forget.

[captainhornblower]

On my honour, sir.