Aether Shanties RP (PM if interested/Started)

[Texas Joker 52]

-Sheska-

"Nice asskissing, Sheska. With skills like that, you'd kill at the Emperor's court. I'll look into armoring it, but I make no promises. The retooling itself won't be cheap, and we're running on a budget.".

"Armor it, Jason. I'll take to pickpocketing while we're at Helium City. You'll get the gold for it, even if I have to slit some throats to get it for you.", she told him firmly, but she smiled.

She had to admire his confidence, and the fact that he saw through bullshit pretty well. "Besides, if I'm kissing anyone's ass, its the Cap'n's. That's the status quo: You're supposed to kiss my ass, then I kiss the Cap'n's ass, and the Cap'n... Doesn't kiss anyone's ass since she's the top of the chain.", she added thoughtfully, frowning before she spotted Sam walking up to her.

"I'm so very sorry Sheska, I forgot to look in on you. I got so caught up time got away from me. When you get a moment I'd like to perform a routine check up on it.".

"Right Sam. Just make sure you give me more morphine for the pain. I can use it.", she said to Sam, only to glance back at Jason.

"And you, Jason, shut it. I'm going, aren't I? You work on that arm and take care of the Mermaid. If anyone can make sure both work the way they should, its you, and that's no ass-kissing.", Sheska told him, turning to follow Sam back to his cabin, waving back vaguely to the Chief Engineer.

 

[Redryhno]

"Shoo! The sooner you get it done, the sooner I stop hounding you."

"You learner types are all the same, go to sleep, rest up, stay away from the rest of the ship. I swear it's all some kind of conspicy to keep the hurt ones down. Ah, ta'hell with ya, I'm going up'ta see if that Imp ship's anywhere around, can't be too careful with them idiots, always deciding to come back for more when they've lost six times already. But seriously, did anyone get the bodycount on the Imp side?"

Eddie turned round, away from the railing he'd been leaning on next to Sheska and walked across to the rigging, iron shod boots knocking on the wood underneath. He then started up the ropes and reached one of the connecting beams and sat down on it and looking out over the sky in all directions. The air was better the higher you got, and Eddie was a firm believer it got even better the faster you went.

 

[Arcanist]

"I swear it's all some kind of conspicy to keep the hurt ones down."

"Yes, a conspiracy to keep them from contracting a terminal case of deadness." Ed muttered something else and jumped up to the rigging overhead, settling on a beam overlooking the deck. "Oi, wait! Ed, I need to talk to you." Jason shimmied up the rigging after him.

"I've been thinking - that battle earlier today would have gone quite poorly if our luck had been much worse. We can't afford to be caught out like that again. Fortunately for us, I've taken it upon myself to turn this rustbucket into a lean, mean Imp murderin' machine. So, to get us ready for the inevitable rematch with those bastards, I need to know what the crew needs built. You head the armory - if you could wave a magic wand and had my skills and infinite money, what changes would you make?"

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Corvus." she acknowledged tersely. "The Rear-Admiral will be pleased to learn that the majority of the fire damage has been attended to. All fires are out and the areas most affected are being repaired as we speak. I expect a report on the overall damage from our engineers within the hour. Once I know more, I will seek out the Rear-Admiral myself and give a full report." It was then that Annis stopped for moment, studying Garrett for some unknown reason. She soon continued, but with a voice of concern.

"And how is she? I do hope our commander's injuries weren't too... debilitating."

"Thats very good indeed Annis, Admiral Lanestar will most likely be pleased that the Invincible is running smoothly once again, and that the crisis concerning the fire is under control. I'll let her know that you'll be paying a personal visit to her later. Regarding the Admiral's injuries, from what I can tell given my limited experience with injuries, she has a few broken ribs due to the fall, but I've asked Doctor Ro-" Garrett said with concern, then noticed that Vasco had entered the Admiral's cabin.

"As Doctor Roque, glad you make it. I'll be with you shortly" He then returned to Annis.

"-but I've asked Doctor Roque to check over her in case there is anything more serious. I, as I sure everyone else is on board this vessel, is concerned about her health and safety. Figured it would be a wise precaution to take." Garrett took a moment to examine the apparatus that Annis wore so she could live reasonably well. He used this opportunity to change the subject.

"I must say Mrs. Annis, Vasco has certainly has done a rather fine job regarding your breathing apparatus. Despite its construction, it has a certain elegance to it that I can't quite place my finger on." As he spoke, his mind was thinking something else.

'*sigh* I should ask her to keep an eye on Exeter, to see if he does anything suspicious, since I suspect him being involved in moving all those papers around and looking through those draws in Adrianna's cabin; as I fear he is up to something that might tamper with her good name. However, he is respected by the Admiralty, whilst I am so say "not to be trusted"; if I were to have Annis involved, chances are I might ruin her reputation as well. Best keep this to myself for a while.'

 

[Terratina.]

"Please come in Doctor."

And with that, Vasco began to enter. Just then her personal bodyguard greeted him as he was entering, ever watchful of his charge. Vasco simply gave a nod in reply, his mind busy with other things. That was the thing with Lanester and Corvus, they always came in pairs, together. Much like him and Annis; Vasco could understand the weigh of responsibility that a charge brings, but he - as ship's doctor - was responsible for the rest of the crew as well. But then again, the pair were more amiable to each other, more than the exchanges between himself and Annis - well, that was just Annis for you - however, Vasco just dismissed as a doting bodyguard and his charge. Nevertheless, there were rumours about people of opposing genders being with each other for a long time, but those were simple assumptions. Vasco didn't assumptions and thus just ignored them. After all, facts were sovereign over such gossip. Ah yes, there was that old quote from a dusty newspaper he had found, something about facts being sacred.

"...and thank you for your time; I shall try not to keep you from your more important duties to the crew."

Vasco gave a short bow and replied, "Worry about yourself; they have been seem to."

The Rear Admiral had clearly taken a bad fall, judging from the damage to her prosthetic limb. She was seated, sitting up as straight as a ruler, face as stern as it ever was. Not that helped Vasco, he understood that people in authority needed to be seen as strong and some people refused to show any signs of pain, but as a doctor, he needed to know where the pain lay and whatnot, if there was any. Judging from her current state, the injuries the fall had caused were both less and more than he had expected. Possible shock to the spine, some broken ribs, possible bruising and other minor fractures. Not that it made it any better. The Invincible had taken a beating and so had its crew. Only unlike last time, Lanester had not escaped acott free, so to be. Vasco was silent as he set down his bag next to the Rear Admiral and measured out a dose of morphine. Enough to take the edge off the pain, but enough to keep her lucid. He flicked the syringe, making sure there weren't any air bubbles and turned to the Rear Admiral.

"Please do try to relax." He said, a remark on the stern face that she had greeted him with, that he went on to enquire, "For the pain?"

It was a simple matter of manners, if he had just injected her with the morphine without consent, that would just be plain rude.

 

[Redryhno]

"You head the armory - if you could wave a magic wand and had my skills and infinite money, what changes would you make?"

"Oh, lookie here, endless money, your little skills,"He thought a moment before hooking his feet together and swinging around, hanging upside down, his jacket hanging down below him, looking up at Jason,"Well...the whole armry, or jus' heavy guns? Whole armry, two more lightning guns, one at the forecastle, one more by the other, wherever it is, I forget. Replace our entire cannon line, all we've got are standard fifteen pounders, good against most Imps ships, but considering what we came up against today, we need twenty-pounders at the least to do more than chip the paint job on the sides per shot. Add in another five to put on our top deck.

"Next, we find my homecity, wherever the hell it's at, make...port...and find us one of them big'guns, size of three men each, weigh a ton, and can blow a hole in the side of an imperial fleet. O'course, they were still building the first one when I left.....Anyways, moving on.
I'll say we need another grapple or two, make sure the damn Imps don't get a chance to get away next time. Finally, set-up a couple triple barrel machine guns in our nest and on the helm, scary shit against an Imp boarding party or takin' out their balloon, that has to put a cramp in their aloftness. Maybe add a few dinghy's too, give us even more

Next is smaller guns, get each officer one o'these,"He gestured to his hand cannon,"Don't even think I'll be lettin' you touch this one, though. The rest of the crew, get 'em a bunch of grapeshot shooters, bunch of clockwork rifles with cartridges filled with grapeshot, you know 'em. Now, hand weapons, electricified pokers, sharp, and extremely uncomfortable to get hit with."

Eddie let go of the crossbeam and fell a few feet down, reaching out and swinging back into the rigging just underneath Jason,"So what'cha looking for that we can actually get? You asked for if we had lotsa money, and what I got izzat. Any other questions? I'm not too keen on stayin' around doing nothing."

 

[3quency]

"I must say Mrs. Annis, Vasco has certainly has done a rather fine job regarding your breathing apparatus. Despite its construction, it has a certain elegance to it that I can't quite place my finger on."

Annis' breath caught in her throat. The niggling pain started playing up again.
She hated it when people pointed out her mask.
It reminded her it was there.

She wanted to shout at him. Hiss her anger at her condition at someone.
But... she couldn't. It was too petty, too inconsequential. She needed an outlet.
Her eyes fell upon an idle crewman.

"You. Have your chores allowed for you to just stand there?" She said. The man looked up, eyes wide.

"Oh, no ma'am."

"Then why are you just stood there, Mr. Dupont?"

"I was ju-"

"I expect the utmost efficiency from this crew. You are ruining the system Mr. Dupont. What happens when the system is ruined?"

He answered robotically, as if this had been drilled into him from day one, which of course it had.
"People die ma'am."

"And their blood will be on your hands. Rigging work, now. Report to me when you are finished so that I may decide on your punishment."

The man shot off, clambering up the mast with a speed born through fear. Annis turned back to Garret.

"Mr. Roque certainly takes his work seriously. Almost as if it had an art to it. Now unless you need me for anything else, Corvus?"

 

[blaze96]

Samuel lead the way until they got to his cabin, having her sit down on the bed he took the now bloodied bandages off and found that the bleeding was stemmed enough he could do proper surgery.

"Alright Sheska I am going to remove the dead tissue and get your arm closed up." Samuel said before getting a dose of morphine ready and injecting Sheska with it.

"Now I'm going to need you to lie back." He said as she complied.

As he began the surgery Samuel made sure that this would be his best work yet. Last thing he needed was both the Captain and First Mate ending up unhappy with the work, not to mention simple professional pride.

"So Sheska, I'm assuming you've heard of the planned prosthetic for you based on the fact you were talking to the man who is going to build it. What do you think of it?"

 

[Texas Joker 52]

-Sheska-

It didn't take long for them to get back to his cabin, and as soon as they got there, Sam had her sit down on the nearest bed so he could take the dressings off of her wound. She fought against flinching and whimpering throughout the process, sitting rigidly and clenching her teeth, keeping silent through the pain. Once he was finished, she glanced over and gaped.

"Holy shit...", she murmured in horror.

There was barely anything left save ragged strips of flesh and just a hint of jagged bone. That was all that remained of her left arm. And it made her feel mortal, afraid.

"Alright Sheska I am going to remove the dead tissue and get your arm closed up.".

She glanced back at him and nodded, and when he injected her with more morphine she couldn't suppress the flinch that time. She hated doctors and needles, but Sam was the only exception: He was amiable enough, a good man, and a member of the crew. But that didn't mean she had to like being treated as a patient.

Laying back, she kept her face turned away, and once again clenched her teeth as he went to work removing the bits of loose flesh, and possibly even the remains of shattered bone.

"So Sheska, I'm assuming you've heard of the planned prosthetic for you based on the fact you were talking to the man who is going to build it. What do you think of it?".

"Haven't seen it yet. Hope it can stand up to a fight. Would like it armored, maybe engraved.", she ground out, screwing her eyes shut as she spoke through the pain.

Even with morphine, the pain was still there, only dulled somewhat so it was just excruciating.

 

[blaze96]

Samuel noticed her pain and prepared another dose of the morphine before injecting her. It was obvious from her expression that the single dose was doing little to nothing as he worked. As he walked back with the needle he grabbed the prosthetic arm he had built and placed it on a nearby table so that to look at it she would be looking away from the surgery. He got back to work cutting away the dead flesh and cutting the nerves off before attaching them to surrounding tissue away from blood vessels that might pulse and cause pain for the rest of her life.

"That is the prototype he built for himself, of course yours will need to be modified but it is of excellent make from what little I was able to examine of it." He said as he continued to perform the surgery as carefully as possible. He wanted this to come out as one of the best surgeries he had ever performed so he was being meticulous in making sure that not only was he minimizing the amount of living tissue removed and maximizing dead tissue removed, he was also planning ahead to make sure that no scars would overlap the prosthesis to cause irritation.

"I think he will make a fine replacement arm for you, also feel free to ask for more painkillers if the pain is still a major issue. Properly dosing the morphine isn't exactly a perfect science, lots of variables to take in. So I only used the minimum dose to start. Also once this is over I'll get you a steady diet of rum and fresh food." He said with a laugh to make some small talk as he continued.

 

[hiei82]

"Please do try to relax." the doctor said, a remark on the stern face that Adrianna had greeted him with. Without much fanfare, he had filled a syringe with a translucent liquid of unknown properties. He then removed the air from the vial - for reasons that the doctor would insist was important but escaped her. "For the pain?" he asked, inquiring if she wanted the shot. Adrianna suspected the question was a formality and she would receive the shot regardless of her answer, but kept that though to herself.

Adrianna never much understood medicine or, for that matter, liked it. It wasn't that she disbelieved the good doctor or his compatriots medical knowledge or thought them untruthful; to the contrary, she valued their knowledge. It had more to do with the idea of putting substances SHE didn't know about into her. None-the-less, she signed slightly, and responded. "Very well Doctor Roque; as you say."

She had learned the hard way, many years ago, that arguing with a doctor was a lesson in futility; they would save your life whether you liked it or not.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

-Sheska-

She relaxed a little whenever he injected her with more morphine, enough relief washing over her that she could ease her jaw and stop clenching her teeth to be quiet. But, she still winced just a little with every cut he made.

She was surprised when he set the prosthetic in front of her to look at, and she had to fight against shifting to get a better look. Her first thought was that it was shiny, and clearly unfinished. But otherwise it was sleek, and looked strong.

"That is the prototype he built for himself, of course yours will need to be modified but it is of excellent make from what little I was able to examine of it.".

"Yea, it looks like his handiwork. I can't help but hope he doesn't end up needing it, because he didn't have to offer it. Still, I'm glad to have what's sure to be the best.", she said, no longer worrying about what she was saying as being interpreted as ass-kissing.

Jason was one of the best, and even with her ignorance of machines, she knew that much. She just didn't want to mention it very often, else his ego inflates larger than the Mermaids balloon.

"I think he will make a fine replacement arm for you, also feel free to ask for more painkillers if the pain is still a major issue. Properly dosing the morphine isn't exactly a perfect science, lots of variables to take in. So I only used the minimum dose to start. Also once this is over I'll get you a steady diet of rum and fresh food.".

She smiled just a little and chuckled a little herself. "Having rum would be nice, but mostly I want to be able to fight again. I want to kill more Imperial bastards. Always thinking that they're better because of birthright, that because of some stupid system they imagined up, people 'below' them get to be used as tools.", she said, her tone getting darker and resonating with more and more anger as she continued.

"They think its ok to take a Misbegotten girl from the only family she knows and turn her into a killer. Big shock for them when she finds out shes not only good at it, but likes it, and learns to turn it against them. And they get surprised when, after taking away the only chance of having a family of her own, she wants nothing more than to tear out their throats with her own teeth. If I had my way, I'd slaughter every mothers son that serves the Empire.", she hissed with fury, her fist clenching hard enough for her claws to draw blood.

 

[Terratina.]

With a sigh, she responded, "Very well Doctor Roque; as you say."

He then proceeded with the injection and peeled off the layers of clothing to reveal naked flesh. Then, using his thumb and forefinger, he squeezed a couple of inches of skin, pulling the skin and fat away from the underlying muscle, and inserted the needle while holding the pinch. After that, Vasco pushed the plunger, injecting the morphine into her bloodstream, and released his grip on the fold of skin. The needle was removed and the small wound wiped created by the wound with a piece of cotton wool. All was done with silence, like some mystic ritual. To tell the truth, Vasco hated these sorts of visits, all formality and fuss, unlike the sick bay, where urgency made silent those who would question him.

Seeing the concern on her face, he went to dispel fears with an explanation, "It is just morphine; no need to worry." And then when on add as the rolled up sleeves began to sag, "Can you please remove your greatcoat, madam?"

 

[blaze96]

Samuel continued with a frown at her obvious anger, it was unhealthy for someone to have that much fury in them.

"I can speak from experience Sheska, not all in the empire share the views of the emperor and his land. Many of them just know nothing else, and so they believe what they are told. I watched the people dance at parties and eat at banquets just to escape the truth for a moment. They knew they were as much prisoners as anyone else deep down, they just had a prettier view of it all. A little bit more pull in which way their cage swung. I had even heard some tales of the Invincible in my time in the navy. Getting assigned to that ship was basically a punishment for being a malcontent. I was threatened with that assignment on more than a few occasions." He laughed again at how much of a pain in the ass he knew he was to the captains who commanded him in the empire. He was still continuing with the procedure which was going exactly as he had planned it. If all continued to go well then Sheska would have no problem adapting.

"Just try to remember that you are more than a killer Sheska. I'd hate to see you become what they wanted you to be. As for this crew, Beth and you have found some of the best men and women in this land from my estimation. Personally I can think of no better ship to serve on. So much I've learned in my time here so quickly, it will certainly make for a good book one day. A mixture of medical tome and fantastic tale, perhaps it will outlive even the ship itself if I get around to penning it."

 

[Arcanist]

"So what'cha looking for that we can actually get? You asked for if we had lotsa money, and what I got izzat. Any other questions? I'm not too keen on stayin' around doing nothing."

"Replacing all of the cannons will likely be out of our reach until we take in another big haul, but new firearms for the crew... that might be doable. It'll take some time for me to make them all, but I can have some prototypes done for you by the time we cast off from Helium City." Jason lept off the rigging after him. He landed on the deck and strode off to the hold, giving a nonchalant wave back. "Take care, Ed. Try not to blow anything up."

Sam would probably be the man to talk to next. A couple of poor sods died in the battle, but that meant their cabins where empty - and the Mermaid could use a proper sick bay. Time to see what Sam thought of that.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

-Sheska-

When Samuel explained that not everyone in the Empire was like she described, her fist relaxed until her bloodied palm lay up, and her anger fizzled like a wet fuse. "I know. I know, you're right Sam. But damn if there aren't too many people like that. People who don't realize that a persons worth is due to the strength of their arm, or their will, or their mind, and that true merit is earned by the sweat of ones brow. That's what Old Asimov taught me.", she said, and she closed her eyes, suddenly having flashes of her victims while she was in the Chuno Ggun.

Men, women, even some children. And she killed them, because she was too stupid at the time to realize she had a choice, and could rise up. Before she faced the barrel of a gun, and finally turned it on her would-be master.

They were, most of them, innocent. Simply wanting to get away from the Empire, and they were no different than she was when she was little. And she felt guilty, not only for the acts she committed, but for the fact that even through the shame she felt, part of her enjoyed killing them.

"Just try to remember that you are more than a killer Sheska. I'd hate to see you become what they wanted you to be. As for this crew, Beth and you have found some of the best men and women in this land from my estimation. Personally I can think of no better ship to serve on. So much I've learned in my time here so quickly, it will certainly make for a good book one day. A mixture of medical tome and fantastic tale, perhaps it will outlive even the ship itself if I get around to penning it.".

She felt the mood ease even more in the cabin, and she nodded just slightly. "You should. Might be able to help some other poor sod that looses an arm. And really, I couldn't imagine serving a better Captain than Beth. She's a great woman, and a good leader. I envy her for that.", she added, snorting a little bit as she laughed, silently.

 

[blaze96]

"This Old Asimov sounds like a very wise man. Of course you are right as well, there are those who truly serve the empire blindly, thinking it is the best thing for this world and loving the emperor more than their family. Who would be willing to kill them if so ordered. In my time though those truly fanatical tended to be few, most did as they did simply to live their lives and survive as best they could." He said as the work became considerably easier with her releasing the tension.

"You should also not sell yourself so short Sheska. Beth may be the brain of this ship, but most certainly you are the spine of it all. You are the one who keeps everyone else in check and makes sure Beth can do her job properly. You are a fine leader in your own right." He was not to the point he was smoothing bone to make sure no jagged edges would irritate the tissue that would become her stump.

"I would like to pen that book someday. I feel that not many would have the same medical experiences I have had in the last little while and will have in the months to come. If I write it well enough it may even be a medical book that teaches everyone outside the empire's borders a little something. Who knows, might even get lucky and some copies will be smuggled into our dear emperor's borders to open a few eyes." He said with a smile as he worked.

 

[hiei82]

Adrianna winced at the injection, but the feeling quickly faded as the drug took effect. "It is just morphine; no need to worry." Dr. Roque explained, before adding his next "order". "Can you please remove your greatcoat, madam?"

With the drug now spreading through her system, it took a few seconds before the request made sense, but once it did she began to follow the command without dispute. She slowly stood,less from the quickly disappearing pain and more from the newly created feeling of dizziness. It took her a moment to achieve her stance, but when she finally stood, she removed her greatcoat without much difficulty. She tried to place the coat on the chair Garrett had sat in some time ago, but her judgement was off and it landed on the floor. She wanted to reach down and pick it up; her obsession with a pristine cabin taking hold, but she feared it might aggravate her injury or Dr. Roque so she left it.

"What now, Herr doktor?" she said, awaiting the next order - remaining on her feet in an effort to remain awake. Though the couch was very a tempting proposition, she doubted she would be able to stand again if asked.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

-Sheska-

"This Old Asimov sounds like a very wise man. Of course you are right as well, there are those who truly serve the empire blindly, thinking it is the best thing for this world and loving the emperor more than their family. Who would be willing to kill them if so ordered. In my time though those truly fanatical tended to be few, most did as they did simply to live their lives and survive as best they could.".

"Old Asimov One-Leg was my father in every way that counted. But, people who serve the Emperor, especially blindly, are fools that deserve a cutlass in their belly. The Emperor, and his Empire by extension, is a farce. The Skyfolk and even Neobeduin have it better in the wilderness than the lower classes of the Change Cages. There is hardly anything good in the Empire. Most are just too blind, or too stupid, to see that there's a choice.", she said, shaking her head a little.

Then she sighed, clenching her teeth again as he started to smooth the jagged remains of bone, wincing once before she finally forced herself to keep still.

"Well, if you do pen your book, remember to add that morphine should be used more for this particular procedure.", she added under her breath.

 

[blaze96]

"Duly noted. I have been keeping track of how much I've been using." He said as he injected her again with another dose. He then got back to work again.

"I can't be too harsh on the people of the empire. It is all they know and they get fed so much propaganda I would be hesitant to flee too. I merely was lucky enough to get the chance to see beyond it, to see what could be rather than what merely was." He continued.