The Privateer's Way

[arvg]

BMM Gate Construction Site
TAU-23

Gibraltar Bar.

Flickering lights were turned down, as hurricane emergency lanterns were set up along the bar. They added a depth to the room, a texture of light and shadow that danced around the grim faces of the small collection of men and women gathered there.

Some of them puffed on cigars and cigarettes, the smoke coiling its way upwards towards the spiraling fans on the ceiling that send it pinwheeling back downwards towards them.

For the first time since the Gallic Invasion of the Taus, the Queens Most Diligent Interdiction Wing, (in Exile) had gathered. A matter of grave importance for them to decide.

At one end of a table Sir Jack Fraser, the Privateer Lord, Duke of Norfolk sat, his boot up on the edge of the table and his naval frock coat undone, staring out of the window absently. He looked tired, the pressures of being the Armed Forces Acting Fleet Admiral, he was ready to decide what needed to be decided.

At the opposite end sat Josephine Monson, aggressive yet still full of life, she was smiling and laughing with a couple of her men, taking enjoyment out of her special place in the QCP. Shed carved her place there, and was confident of the outcome.

Rising, with a clicking of innumerous beads woven into her hair, Martha Maradan, bar owner of the Gibraltar, their host, and the nominated arbiter of the coming vote stood up. She was carrying a thick tome in her hands, leather bound set with brass. Upon it were emblazoned the words The Stuart Code.

"All right then," she said in a heavy Jamaican accent. "When Stuart left us, he set us the task of selecting the new Privateer Lord... And now that Fraser is standing down to fly a desk..." she spat. "Well with Fraser gone, that much we know. If he is coming back, we dun know. But there is a question that cannae be resolved without you, the brave men of the Interdiction Wing. You each get one vote, and one vote only stand forward and choose which of you shall be the leader. Say your piece when you step forward, the state your choice loudly and clearly."

She looked at the balefully, an there will be no trouble here. "Each of yee git to make yer choice free of anyones criticizing. Who shall the Privateer Lord be?"

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