(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]

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.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Yes, they do. Buffy, would you like to speak on this later? [Busy.]

[voice]

[herotypical]

...Or never. It's not exactly important.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

It's only I'm very busy at the moment. I have you down as a possible leader of the marine guard aboard Jack's ship.

[voice]

[herotypical]

If he gets a ship.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Yes, yes, I'm doing the best I can, dammit! No man should be acting first lieutenant for three ships at once with only two days till we weigh anchor.

[voice]

[herotypical]

...Deep breaths, Archie. Don't make me break out the yoga mat.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

[A deep breath, in and out.]

Perhaps it's better than languishing at home thinking about...

[voice]

[herotypical]

Exactly. Thank every damned star in the sky that you're so busy.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Busy with something I know, to boot.

[voice]

[herotypical]

...The windiest of windfalls.

[ a beat. ] But I suppose I shouldn't talk about it in those terms. It's not the well-adjusted and socially acceptable thing to do.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

[He lets out a shaky breath.] I need to do my...my work.

[Duty is a four-letter word.]

[voice]

[herotypical]

[ and doesn't she know it. ]

...And we should count our lucky stars that we've got someone who knows about this stuff on our side.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

[It takes him a moment to realize she's talking about him. When he speaks, he actually sounds a little sad.]

Perhaps you should wait until after to tell me whether or not I know what I am doing.

[voice]

[herotypical]

I can already tell you're doing a better job than I would.