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The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Capt. Henry Morgan - 08-20-2019
trag·e·dy (trăj′ĭ-dē)
1. a. A drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances.
1. a. A drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances.
BAF Primary Spaceport
New London, Kingdom of Bretonia
The Perilous-class gunboat RNS Acheron settled down into the antigrav docking cradle, and the engine spooled down, leaving the empty ship in an eerie silence. Rupert Davies stood alone on the bridge, he had left his crew behind on Leeds, and had already transferred the civilians he rescued to a BAF cruiser in orbit. He had changed into a fresh uniform and cleaned himself up as best he could on the way to New London. He had omitted his standard sidearm, not wanting to make the arresting authorities nervous, but he wore the dress sword that he had received upon taking command of the Acheron. He checked himself over one last time, then made his way to the egress hatch.
When he stepped out onto the tarmac, he immediately smelled smoke from the nearby city, the aftermath of the Gallic bombardment. In front of him, a number of paces away, he saw four stone-faced marines in full body armor and carrying standard-issue rifles. In the middle of the group was a high-ranking officer, judging by the uniform, one of the BAF's senior Admirals. With as much dignity as he could muster, Rupert walked over to the group, head held high, and saluted the admiral with a proper Gallic salute. His words were perfectly formal, but his accent was unmistakably Leeds working class.
"Sir, Maître Principal Rupert Davies. In accordance with the law of war, I formally relinquish command of the Acheron and surrender myself to your custody."
He then took the sword out of its scabbard and held it by the blade with the hilt toward the admiral. He then waited at attention.
RE: The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Victor Steiner - 08-20-2019
Steiner was leaning heavily on his cane, his face making plain his lack of amusement, patience or willingness to even be there. He took the man's sword and promptly handed it to one of the soldiers.
Rupert Davies. He began, too tired to hide his disgust at the man's accent You are under arrest for Crimes against Bretonia and her people, including the charge of treason. There was a pause before he started speaking again. If I had my way, that would be all that need be said before I ordered you taken behind that building and shot. But it would seem that there are others who seem to think that your mind could be of some value to us. And so you live, for now. The Admiral turned away, simply saying Take him to the group of soldiers. With that, the group of men surrounded Davies before roughly attaching a pair of handcuffs on him and pushing up behind the limping Admiral.
RE: The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Y'berg - 08-20-2019
Pria landed roughly a hour later, but in the chaos that was London at the moment, it took her a while to find Steiner. She caught him at the officer's lounge, sitting alone.
"Admiral. We need to talk" Pria was known about her informal style, and her heavy accent. Most higher ranking officers learned to accept it, and her soldiers loved Pria for making them feel she's just one of them, unlike most who had a superiority complex for some reason. "Davies. I wanna talk with him. In private."
RE: The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Capt. Henry Morgan - 08-20-2019
Military Corrective Training Centre (aka The Glasshouse)
BAF Aldershot, New London
Rupert was honestly surprised he was still alive at this point. Even though Admiral Steiner ordered him incarcerated, he'd expected to be "shot while attempting to escape" before actually making it to the prison facility. That wasn't to say that the marines assigned to his transport had been gentle, however. He sported a number of bruises from rough handling and a couple outright beatings. As soon as they arrived at the detention facility, he was thoroughly searched in every conceivable way, stripped of his uniform and undergarments and sent for a medical examination.
After they thoroughly assessed his condition and asked their questions, he was issued a nondescript prison uniform with his name and inmate number, issued blankets and basic toiletries, a datapad with a selection of reading material, and escorted to an isolation cell. There was some concern that the other prisoners would kill him as soon as the guards turned their back. Not that the guards would've minded, but they still had a job to do. Rupert idly wondered if he'd be committing suicide tonight. He didn't plan to, but these things apparently happened. It didn't matter. Rupert knew his life was forfeit the moment he left Leeds.
RE: The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Victor Steiner - 08-21-2019
He wasn't a fan of granting private audiences with traitors and he made plain his dislike to the captain's request. Something rubbed him wrong about letting her in to see Davis, or perhaps he just felt that a traitor was getting far more attention than he deserved
Is there a particular reason why you need to speak to him, captain? I don't think I need to make it clear that if it weren't for the SIS and their insistence on keeping him alive, he would not have made it off the landing pad. He wandered about his office, cane in hand, toying with the idea of having a drink before dismissing it and turning back to the younger woman. And why in private? why do I have the God awful feeling that you somehow know him?
RE: The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Y'berg - 08-21-2019
"Not him, his type. I understand why he did joined them, a reason I wager you'll never understand." Pria's looked into Steiner's eyes.
RE: The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Victor Steiner - 08-21-2019
He let out a sigh before sitting at his desk and burying his face in his hands.Quite right, I probably don't. But you can tell me all the same, what are his reasons?
RE: The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Y'berg - 08-21-2019
Pria sighed "You've never had to deal with the reality that is poverty. Davies was a dirt-poor worker for the BMM. When you don't make enough to cover yer rent, it puts things in perspective." She sat down seeking Steiner"s gaze "The Royal Navy pretty much did the same to him as the Armed Forces to me. Gave his life order. For him a purpose. Tell me, would you act differently in his position?"
RE: The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Victor Steiner - 08-21-2019
He met her gaze, but his mind wandered away for a few moments, looking to see if what she said would be true for him. Would he have done differently? If not, can he condemn a man for pursuing the only logical course of action? could he condemn a man for attempting to better himself? He didn't like the answers he reached. Far as I remember Captain, it was I who talked you into joining in the first place. What would you have me do?
RE: The Tragedy of Rupert Davies - Capt. Henry Morgan - 08-21-2019
Interrogation Room 7B
BAF Aldershot, New London
Rupert had been roughly removed from his cell and brought to the interrogation several hours before. Since then, he'd been left alone, handcuffed to a bar on the table. It wouldn't be so bad if the temperature weren't about 5 degrees too cold. The waiting and discomfort began to wear on his temper. Hopefully, they'd end this waiting game soon, and get on with why he was brought here.
As if on cue, the sound of the door opening broke his train of thought. He heard a single person walk in, close the door, and start walking around to the other side of the table. As the person came into view, he saw that it was a woman of average height, blonde hair, with an unmistakable air of an upper-class upbringing. She was dressed in a non-descript but impeccably tailored suit. The only informality in her appearance was the lack of a tie and the top button of the blouse left open. The expression on her face was hard as stone. She sat down in the chair across the table from Rupert.
"Mr. Davies, I am Director Sarah Mountbatten of the Secret Intelligence Service. I am going to be asking you some questions. It would be in your best interest to cooperate fully."
"Mountbatten... Daughter of Lord George Mountbatten, no doubt. I heard about what happened to him. You have my sympathy. I hope they find him soon."
The change in Director Mountbatten's expression was subtle, and she covered it quickly, but it didn't escape Rupert's notice.
"I don't need the sympathy of a traitor. Now..."
Rupert leaned forward in his seat. Though he had initially intended to cooperate, this woman's arrogant, upper-class manner, combined with his already frayed temper, caused him to dislike her intensely from the moment she entered the room. Rejecting his sympathy was the last straw.
"Ahh, treason. There's something your family knows a lot about, isn't that true... Princess? Truth is, your father and I have a lot in common. We both took up arms against the Crown for a cause we thought was honourable and just, only to later realise the magnitude of our error. Too late to take back the harm we did to others."
Director Mountbatten clearly became angry at the idea that her father had anything at all in common with the man in front of her. Obviously, she was more compromised by Lord Mountbatten's disappearance than she realised, or she wouldn't lose her composure so easily. Though it wouldn't help his position, Rupert pushed just a little more.
"Of course, I'm not the Queen's favourite cousin, so I doubt that I'll manage a Royal Pardon after a simple mea culpa. I guess it really does pay to be born in the right place, doesn't it, Princess?"
The Director got back up out of her chair, walked around the table and punched Rupert hard, right across the jaw. It wasn't a bad punch for someone with her background. She spoke to Rupert quietly, voice dripping with anger.
"Clearly, you're not interested in cooperating. By the time this is over, you'll wish you had. Enjoy what remains of your life."
With that, Director Mountbatten exited the room, leaving Rupert alone until the guards returned to escort him back to his cell. Making her angry like that was probably a bad idea, but Rupert knew he could be killed at any time. Why not have a little fun before he goes?