Fortunatus sat in his quarters, staring in shock at the communication he'd just received from the Queen's private secretary.
"Bloody hell!" he whispered. He still couldn't quite come to terms with the news. "Bloody hell! What am I going to do now?"
Then he smiled. He responded to the roll call issued by the brass.
"Sir Fortunas Wright, (Knight of the Order of the Bretonian Empire - KBE), reporting in Admiral!" he reeled off the new title with relish. "Hussar, Templar, Challenger, Percheron (The Magpie) and Gunboat (The St George) fully kitted out, and ready to serve Her most royal Majesty!"
Closing the the channel he laughed hard. "Bloody hell! I think I need a drink."
A young woman stands up , clears her dress and her throut.
"Leutenant Commander Aileen Fowl , reporting in as ordered , admiral. I'm currently in command of my Templar and the HMS-Redbreast , a Bretonian Gunboat"
Captain Sir Roger Brinkley, CC, reporting for duty, sah!
Gun barrel polished and shiny, crew in tip top shape, eager for the off. Bullying off for the final chucker, eh?
The Wellesley (gunboat class Kusari fly-swatter) is berthed on the Derby and my Templar is having its oil changed on Southampton Shipyard by some chap called Bernard.
I await continued caning of our felonious foes with moist and upright anticipation.
Nelson stood to attention on the Bridge of the Suffolk, his newly awarded Knight's insignia displayed on his crisp uniform, collecting reports on his fleet. He turned to his communications console to begin his report to Fleet Admiral Nelles.
"Commodore Sir Stanley Nelson, acting commander 5th Suffolk Great Fleet, reporting in.
I'm pleased to report that my personal Templar and Challanger are both fully equipt and ready to launch from the Suffolk at the first sign of hostile forces.
Destroyer HMS-Steadfast and Gunboat HMS-Vanguard are also combat-ready and standing by at Southampton for deployment. All crewmen have been accounted for on both vessels."
Sir Stanley Nelson <span style="color:#000066">Charles Canning </span><span style="color:#000066"> Foreign Secretary</span>
Edward "Eddie" Hawkins of Her Majesty's Privateers is ready and able to serve. My Hussar eagerly awaits action, and my Challenger reluctantly makes itself available for service.