The Adventurous Ero Path of a Sailor

Surprisingly enough, Burbank heard several gasping breaths and waterlogged screams as men came to the surface. It wasn't many of them, but eventually seven sailors floundered in the oil-slick waters of the wreckage.

Most of them were capable of treading water but a few were too wounded to continue to keep their heads above the waves.

"Lt Milligan, let's go closer. Let's pick those men up."

Milligan brought the ship closer after the last depth charge exploded, wading the way through the scraps of metal. Cutting the throttle, it came to a floating stop next to the closest man. Burbank grabbed several life preservers from inside the hull and began to toss them out to the still shaken submariners.

"Catch this! Keep treading water and we'll rescue you!"

Burbank tossed out all the preservers and then began the rescue operation. Five of the men came aboard with no other injuries besides being out of breath.

Another man had clear lacerations all over his body, and Burbank knew he'd need to be rushed to the hospital soon. The final man's arm was only hanging on by a few tendons, along with more serious wounds. He would most likely expire before they even got back to shore.

What had survived of the men's uniforms confirmed the lieutenant's theory. Emblazoned on shoulder was the flag of the Occitanian Confederacy.

Burbank made sure to rescue all those that were still alive before taking the remaining survivors and securing them in the hull. Once the boat was secure, they began the slow journey back to the port.

"Those Occitanians are a rather quiet bunch," said Milligan as Burbank took his seat right beside him.

"I don't think you'd be very chatty either if you just had your submarine blown up," said Burbank.

"That sure backfired on them, don't you think?"

"The real question is would they have rescued us if the roles were reversed? Plenty of sharks in these waters. Would they have left us for shark bait?" Burbank asked rhetorically.

"What do you think is going to happen now, sir? They tried to attack us just now, and they shelled the base too. I think they want a war."

Burbank looked out across the bay to the shining lights of Quiller's Cove. To the giant masts of the warship Destiny. "If it's a war they want, then we'll give it to the bastards."

***

The next morning, Jack woke promptly at six. Getting out of bed and putting his uniform on, he made his way to the bridge of the Valiant where he was greeted by the night officer, Lt. Kim Cross.

Usually the commanding officers' deputies took turns managing the bridge during the evening hours, but with the heightening tension due to yesterday's attack, Jack wasn't surprised to find Kim there.

"A little early for you today isn't it, Kim?" Jack grinned as he strode into the bridge.

"I couldn't sleep, sir. Besides, I figured I'd give Aria a break for once," said Kim while giving him a tired smile. Aria, her deputy lieutenant, was a good officer and one he could usually find in command during the night.

"You should get some sleep now while you have the chance. Especially before we set off on our mission," said Jack.

"Oh, those Fourthies don't scare me," said Kim with a smile. "Maybe they're just misunderstood people."

"Somehow I highly doubt killing anyone who comes into their waters qualifies as a simple misunderstanding," joked Jack.

"Maybe once they see a few salvos from the Destiny's twelve inch guns, they'll be pacified."

"Perhaps. I doubt it'll be that easy though," said Jack as he sat down beside her.

"Too bad for Luke though. I bet he'd love to switch places with Wainwright for a chance to pilot that ship."

"I think he only wanted to fire those guns," said Jack with a laugh.

"I can believe that. It will be the first time he really got to fire a proper twelve inch weapon." Kim giggled and nudged Jack in the side.

"Ouch, poor Luke. What would he say if he knew you were up here slandering his character?"

"Oh, not his character, sir. Just his ... other assets."

"You're terrible." Jack laughed alongside her as the sun began to rise over the bay.

Kim continued to giggle. "He can take it."

"I suppose a little abuse is good for the ego in the long run," said Jack.

"Well, since you're the one to say it, I won't feel so bad about it then."

Jack laughed heartily. "It's just too bad I won't be here to watch this personally. I'm transferring my headquarters over to the Destiny this morning."

Kim pouted. "We'll be sad to see you go over there but I don't think you'll miss your tiny room here."

"You're right, I won't. It felt like sleeping in a broom closet."

"It served its purpose though, right? Maybe I can requisition it and keep it as a place where Luke and I can work on his ... fire control."

Jack chuckled and held up his hands. "Just wait until I'm fully transferred before you do that."

"Aye, sir," said Kim with a grin.

At that moment, another presence made their way onto the bridge and Jack turned when he heard the footsteps. Jack's brow furrowed in confusion when he saw it was Commodore Lucas's deputy, Lt. Settler, who immediately came up to salute Jack.