(no subject)

[malnosso]

Attention, Region Six. A draft is scheduled to commence on August 25th for five days following. Your location will be the West Central Ocean, en route to Kano Harbour via three ships. Choose a suitable captain for each, and the pilots will be programmed to follow your orders. Don't waste my time with incompetence, either. Put in charge only those who deserve it.

These are the residents who have been selected to participate.

[As usual, the list posted HERE is offered in text form, sans the mun names.]

Your mission is to protect the cargo ship above all else. Within three days you will reach your destination. Opposition numbers, rank, and skill are impossible to predict, however, their equipment often prevents them from attacking at night. Remain on guard, but take advantage of the respite you may receive by night. Upon reaching the harbour, the cargo will be unloaded. You are to continue protecting it until it is safely out of range of their attacks. I would advise against swimming unless you want to die.

For those of you who were involved in the last draft, I have only one thing to say: your performance was acceptable.

Over and out.

[Once again, the commandant will not reply to anything but draft-related questions or particularly inspiring comments, so if you're looking for a response, be sure to give her something worth answering!]

Comments

[voice]

[herotypical]

I believe they call that patronage, Archie Kennedy.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

[He sighs.] I will do what I can. At the moment, I see no reason you cannot have your preference. You're not a sailor.

[voice]

[herotypical]

...My resume's got me coming up a bit short, yeah. So preferences'll be nice. Appreciated.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

You're welcome.

[voice]

[herotypical]

...They're all throwing their hats around.

[ she comments, finally, with a pang of envy. ]

[voice]

[simplestgift]

It's what captains do.

[voice]

[herotypical]

You mean...behave like twelve year olds arguing over who has the coolest Pogs collection?

[voice]

[simplestgift]

You're not going to become a captain if you have no ambition. Any officer craves a command of his own.

[voice]

[herotypical]

...And here I thought it was a raw deal coping with cravings for barbecue chips.

[ if possible, her flippancy is at twice the potency tonight. ]

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Well, you understand, at least.

[voice]

[herotypical]

Partially.

[ the difference being that she rarely had to fight for her command. oh, but when she did... ]

[voice]

[simplestgift]

It's like wanting anything else. You have to want it very badly in order to get it.

[voice]

[herotypical]

...But wanting's not enough. Not really. Not in the end.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

No. But you won't get it if you don't.

[voice]

[herotypical]

Come on. There's gotta be at least one captain in the navy who's had a command thrust unwanted on him. Unasked for.

Re: [voice]

[simplestgift]

None that I've heard of. Not the posting itself, at least. A first lieutenant might make acting-captain, but it isn't likely to further his career.

[voice]

[herotypical]

...So much for peeps having greatness thrust upon them.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

I wouldn't say there's nothing to be said for it. Some of us had no prospects unless we joined the military. Horatio is the son of a doctor.

[voice]

[herotypical]

...Since when did being the son of a doctor equal out to no prospects?

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Well, Dr. Hornblower isn't titled or wealthy.

[voice]

[herotypical]

But...he's a doctor.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

...Yes?

[voice]

[herotypical]

Everyone knows that doctors bring in the big bucks.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Not in our time.

[voice]

[herotypical]

...Things change, then. Doctors, lawyers, pro-athletes. The trophy wife's trifecta.