Snippet #1872532

Gareth almost passed out from intoxication just standing near the man as John began to speak. As he went on with his fanciful talk of an old injury Gareth could barely contain his contempt. “Old wounds? I know how it is? This man would be lucky to survive a basic training run with me.” He watched as both the man and the woman swayed as the boat rocked. The woman swayed and winced with the movement of the boat. John just swayed with his own drunken movements. Gareth looked over the woman again. The way she held her arm. The other bruising, faint, but visible. Gareth seethed.

Thinking quickly through his options, “I cannot possibly field promote a non crewman to officer within the first hour of my captaincy. Everyone on this crew knows it’s the right thing to do but the optics would not be right. I need to put her in a position to show her abilities and I need to put this lout in a position to destroy his unearned reputation. In good time. But will she survive long enough?”

Gareth knew he had to tread carefully lest the man take his embarrassment out on the woman. However, this lack of discipline, this dereliction of duty, could not be allowed.

“Actually, John will take care of my problem just by being himself,” he realized. All he had to do was put John in a position where the result was obviously John’s alone.

He gritted his teeth, looked at the woman with an apologetic glance and stated, “You may have your assistant, Lotering. That is an acceptable arrangement,” he paused and stared him dead in the eye, “for now. Though I will know her name. Not that I would be surprised if you’ve forgotten it. I would not be surprised if you’ve forgotten your own name.”

Gareth drew himself into an authoritative stance. He stared at his drunken ‘sailing master’ with disdain. “That being settled for the moment, there is dereliction of duty to discuss.” Gareth raised his voice, ensuring much of the crew would hear. Gareth was going to use this as an example and show the rest of the crew what he would and would not accept while on duty.

“Lotering, your condition is a disgrace. It is an insult to your position. An insult to your crew mates and an insult to me, personally. You are not fit for active duty. I am relieving you as ship’s master until you are sober. If I ever see such a disgusting display from you again you will spend a week in the brig. This ship must be ready to make fast course adjustments and always be aware of where she is. If you cannot provide this service I will find someone who can. I don’t want to see you again until you are sober. You are to stay in quarters and sleep it off.” Gareth stepped quite close to John, nose to nose, “Do you understand me sailor? You are treading very near to your career’s destruction. Don’t think I will give you any leeway beyond what I am begrudgingly giving you now.” Gareth stared at John, barely attentive to any response he might have to his orders. He watched, more out of concern that he treated the woman properly than out of any worry that his orders were not going to be followed.

Gareth waited until John and the woman walked away before he turned to his next task.

He knew his next stop would have to be his boatswain. He had a discipline issue to address and it was a good way to establish the expectations of a tight, well run, ship. He had no worries that Kaitsu would perform these duties well, but he wanted to ensure the dialogue was open and he would need some help to ensure John was exposed as the fraud he was. Gareth found Kaitsu and addressed her, “Kaitsu, good work, as expected, getting the ship underway quickly. I don’t expect I have to tell you I like a tightly run ship. We cannot afford little delays because we are under prepared. I knew I would not have to worry about that with you aboard. Keep me informed about the goings on of the crew. Let me know if you see trouble brewing. Zaal will no doubt have experiments and projects. Give him reign as long as he doesn’t blow up the ship.” He grinned a little.

Gareth sighed and became more serious, “That said, we do have a problem to address. John is a drunk. He cannot be trusted with alcohol. I need you to search his quarters and remove every trace... except.” He moved a little closer to her and lowered his voice, “Leave one. I know it’s not in your nature to do an incomplete job, but this part is to complete another task that is more important. We need to get this man off the ship, but we need to have him show his own incompetence. It is too early for me to unilaterally remove a crew member. Yet, we all know he should be removed. Let’s let him tie his own noose. Leave one. He will find it. He will use it. He will provide his own destruction. I will then be in position to make a change and promote the person who is more deserving of the role.”

Gareth stepped back and nodded, “Thank you Kaitsu. I will send Finch with you. I think the woman is injured and I think Finch may be in a position to provide me additional support for my case against John.”

Gareth then sought out the tall surgeon and waved him over. “I did it again. Back to back. This may be more common than I thought.”

Once Finch approached, Gareth looked up, “Fine work in these ships. I am happy to have one of your reputed skill and craft aboard. I will endeavor to keep your work minor, both on the ship and on my crew, but it is comforting to know I have someone who can cover anything we may run across.”

Again, Gareth addressed the issue with John in a serious manner, “Finch, I’m aware of your history. I hope to provide some benefit from a horrid past. The woman with John is injured. I have my suspicions. You may be in a good spot, both from your history and as a doctor, to recognize a specific cause of an injury. Please, if you notice anything about the woman’s injuries, come directly to me. Do not confront John. That would make my job harder. I just need proof to back up my move to have him off this ship. I would appreciate any help you could provide in that. Kaitsu is going into his quarters momentarily to search them. If you would accompany her to look at the woman’s injuries and to provide back up if John gets resentful of the intrusion.”