1940

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     I stand next to Hallie’s bed in the hospital. She is awake and elusive. I haven’t heard anything from Alex for over two weeks and I start to fear that he has been unsuccessful, but as long as he has not come back, I have to believe that he is still after Warlock.

     I look at Hallie. I had just asked what happened, but from the hard line of her mouth and jaw, I saw that she’s not going to answer.

    “I know about your crew,” I say, just to see her reaction. “Warlock is gone. They left after you were brought here. They left you.”

     She stubbornly stares straight ahead. Her father was the same. Under the easy facade, Tom could be hard too. One thing that his men respected was that he would stand on his ground and defend those who were with him. Never sunk, never desperate enough to make hard choices and Hallie had just made hers to stand with her vagabond crew, for reasons that I still don’t know.

     “Dammit, Hallie!” I huff, slapping my hat to my thigh, and she does not even blink. This is what made me fight with Tom. Apart from that, we were brothers and brothers sometimes fought. That irritating stoicisity, that I never learned to break, is now with her daughter’s face and I have to turn away from it.

     “I don’t remember what happened,” I hear her say behind my back and I whirl around like a hound after the bone.

     “What do you mean you don’t remember?” I demand. That is a low lie, an easy lie that I can’t buy that she’s taking it.

     I see how she’s squeezing her hands into fists beside her in bed. She’s still weak, not even enough strength to sit. I see how she just made up her mind to give me something, and she answers “I remember the old tramp, under the Swedish flag and how she opened fire, nothing more.”

     Aha, but I know her, and I caught her clever way to give me answers that I’m not seeking “But what happened before that?” 

     “Nothing” The line of her mouth is again hard. That means she does remember. At least that.

     “I don’t believe that.” I lean forward so that I am in her line of sight. She has to see me when she speaks her next words and I’m not disappointed when she says without the dance that we have been taken last fifteen minutes.

     “Just leave it.” 

      I stare at her, giving her the best of my hardest stares that I can muster, but she does not continue.

     “Is that your last word? Even if it means that you will never serve in the navy. That me and boys don’t serve in the navy. And that Comfrey wins and you lose.”

     This time I see her waver for a second, but she stands her ground. “Nothing happened before” She nails our future.

     I straighten up. “Dammit… dammit... dammit” I curse, but not out loud. She will go with her ship and crew. What the hell happened to her? What did they do to her? Well, two can play this game too. 

    “Fine,” I say and walk out. I could have said that with her decision, she also takes her father’s last act with her, but even I can’t be that cruel. She knows what the stakes were. In some way, even though I am disappointed by her way of just give up, I am proud of her. 

    “Oh lord Tom, what have we done?”

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***

 

     Alex has assured me that it will be alright. I have started to hate when people say that to me. Nothing will be alright. And how it could be. Hallie has been in hospital for two months and this is her “graduation” banquet.   Except she will not graduate. She will be here to resign from the navy and Comfrey will win. I see Comfrey’s grand plan when he stands with his nephew, who was ordered to replace Warlock to its patrol duty. He is the hero of this party. He sunk that Q-ship that almost killed Hallie and he will be getting the medal from it.  

     I snatch the drink from the passing waiter, but not to drink it, just to keep something in my hand so that I don’t go and strangle Comfrey by accident. This place is over the top. Comfrey’s way to gloat. You would never guess that behind those double doors is the war going on. Round tables, with white linen. Almost all high-ranking navy officers that are at the port are here. I let out a chuckle. At least we are going to go with style. 

     A large podium, like a stage of some kind, is on the other end of this huge room. It stands opposite the double doors. In case someone would like to do a grand entrance. In peacetime, this place would hold weddings and more nicer events. On the podium, there is a set of chairs, and I know that at least one of them is for me, so that I can see Hallie’s downfall up close.

     “Oh, hell!” I curse when the flash of light brightens the scene for a second and I see how Comfrey, hand on his nephew’s shoulder, is posing when their picture is taken in newspapers.

      I hear a grumble from my side when the old rear admiral that led Hallie’s inquiry board emerges there. “Bloody ape, he brought the reporter in here.”

     Not knowing what to say, I take a gulp of my drink that I had decided not to drink. I had promised Annie to behave civilized. She is at home. I refused to bring her here even though she wanted to come. The least I could do is try to keep her as safe as I can from Comfrey. Besides, it will be enough that Annie must pick the pieces after this.

    “If you have an ace on your sleeve, you would tell me, Porter?” Old rear admiral half asks. He acts like he just happens to be standing there, shining in his uniform, glazed with medals and ribbons, acting like he is not speaking to me.

     “I have been told not to worry,” I say, “That everything will be alright.”

     From the old Admiral's wordless rumbles, I get an impression that he too hates the words and what they mean.

We stand there for a while, watching how Comfrey is doing his round. Smiling and shaking hands, where golds from the braids compete with each other. The sound of happy laughter and excited conversations flows through the air.

     “It’s time to meet your broadside Porter,” the old admiral says as he touches me to my elbow and I too saw how Comfrey’s aide is whispering in Comfrey’s ear. I follow their gazes and I see how Hallie steps into the room, leaning heavily on her cane.

     It’s twenty minutes later and I can see Hallie standing at the edge of the podium arguing with a lean man, who had just led a sea of men inside and hopped up to the podium to interrupt Comfrey’s moment and Hallie’s turn to step forward. I hear Hallie speak the man’s name, Cole, like she knows him, and I realize that these men in navy whites must be her men. These must be Warlock’s crew.

     I step one step forward to hear better. Earlier I was surprised that she came dressed in her uniform if she was going to quit. I know her and she would never give Comfrey the satisfaction to disgrace it, no matter what she had done.

     Behind Hallie, I can see Comfrey’s redden face. He hears them better than me and he does not like what is being said. At least I can take pleasure in that. He does not know what is going on. No one does. I can feel the undivided interest toward Hallie and Cole and the men standing between the tables below the podium as close as they could get when they came thru those double doors.

     I take a look around. I see Alex standing close to the doors, but I can’t communicate with him when something happens and Cole leaves Hallie to stand alone. She seems to be annoyed as she watches after Cole, who hops down to join the others.

     For several seconds, nothing happens. The whole room seems to be holding their breaths to see what will come next, and Hallie is the centre of it. And then it happens. With a rustle that is made by over 200 men moving together, I see how they lower themself down to one knee. My heartbeat quickens when I see the blinks of the short blades from the knives that all sailors carry are drawn out. I froze up when the familiar words starts to come, giving me the confirmation. These men truly are her crew.

     I desperately seek Alex again when the silence falls in the room. This can’t happen. We can still stop this.

I found Alex. He has moved forward from the doors and somehow he sees me and my heart sinks when he shakes his head.

     I take a step forward, a desperate step not to lose one bit of the remnants of my brother to this madness again, but then I saw her. Hallie. Standing there. I see her like they all must see her. Like Alex, like my brother’s crew, and like these men kneeling in front of her, and I know, that nothing that I would do, will stop this. The oath is too strong. Their plea is too strong, even desperate, and she will be their salvation like she stood on that pier all those years ago. She will stay in the navy. She will captain her own ship and these men. I seek Alex again, for the first time noticing that he is not alone. All 25 men who were left from my brother’s crew are there. He stares at me like challenging me to intervene but for all of our sake; I step back. And the first time I see approval in his eyes as Hallie gives her answer.

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***

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     Here we are again. Me and Hallie. Alex is waiting outside, as is Hallie’s exo. A cold blue-eyed man named Daniel Cole. This time we are not in front of the board, but the old Rear Admiral and Comfrey and the Fleet Admiral. I could hear myself repeating when I heard about this.

     “Shit…shit…and bloody fucking shit!”

     Comfrey has made a complaint with his nephew, who got that Q-ship, that like we now know, killed everybody on Warlock’s bridge except Hallie.

     “Now Lieutenant Ransome, in the testimony of Admiral Comfrey here, there is a strong belief that your actions on 15. December 1939 were not what we expect from the navy.”

     I hold my breath. Whatta the hell is he saying?! Alex has spoken with Cole and there was no indication of that. I rose from my bench and say. “Sir…” But Fleet Admiral lifts his hand. 

     “Sit down, Porter” In these moments, I sometimes hope that we would not know each other so well. I sit back down and Comfrey gleams at me. He is going to nail Hallie. 

    “Now…” Fleet Admiral continues, “There are inconsistencies in the testimonies. I have heard your crew Lieutenant Ransome, and giving your family history, makes me wonder about Admiral Comfrey’s claim.”

      I see Comfrey and how the colour is starting to rise on his face. Now is my time to glee at him. I know Annie would say that I’m petty, but hell with it. 

     The Fleet Admiral continues “Giving your crew’s word against the suspicions given here, and considering injuries that your doctor has confirmed to be from…”

     This time Comfrey can’t keep silent anymore “But they stole the navy destroyer! If that isn’t…!”

     This time, the old Rear Admiral puffs out the dusty words from his mouth like an old moulded mushroom. “Oh, shut it, Comfrey. You are here just for vengeance. I wonder what miracle your nephew made by getting that old tramp? Was it already a belly up?” 

     I see how Feet Admiral turns his head for a second to hide his laughter but covers it quickly to chide the old admiral “John… let’s keep this civilized” And then to Comfrey’s sakes, adds “We will talk about this later” The old rear admiral huffs grandfatherly manner and I just wonder what kind of conversation that will be. 

    “Now, the alleged theft of HMS destroyer Warlock,” He turns his eyes to Hallie “It stands here in front of me, by your own words Lieutenant Ransome, that they needed desperate repair which they could not get in here.”

    Hallie, who is now, after what happened in the banquet, fully in charge of her men, says, “Yes, I stand behind their actions. And take responsibility for…”

     “Lieutenant Ransome” Fleet admiral interrupts her lie. It’s so big a lie with so many holes in it, that it’s barely even there. 

    Hallie bends her head downward, not quite confessing her deceit. “I, regrettably, have to say that I don’t remember what happened after the Q-ship attacked. I don’t remember the actions I took, what I have been told, or the orders I had been given. But, I do believe that my crew would not steal His Majesty’s Ship. After all, they brought me back.”

     Comfrey bristles but stays quiet. Maybe he’s afraid of the old rear admiral.

    The fleet admiral’s mouth quirks. The allegation is one step from mutiny. Even no one has said it “They saved your life” Admiral says. 

     Hallie nods “Yes” 

     “But they are also a bunch of criminals whose words are not reliable.”

     “Yes,” Hallie says a simple truth, but then adds, “But in this light. My word is not either.”

    The silence that follows is long. The Fleet admiral stares at Hallie like trying to see behind her words. The old Rear Admiral’s eyes glisten like he knows something and Comfrey is even redder on his face than earlier.

    Finally, the Fleet Admiral speaks to all of us “Lieutenant Ransome. I can’t ignore Admiral Comfrey’s allegations and given your very weak testimony of what happened, I am forced to agree on the allegation of Misconduct Of The Navy Warfare and Cowardice Front Of The Enemy.”

     I see how Comfrey can’t keep sitting and my heart sinks. This really means the end of Hallie, but also her crew. Wartime time law is clear and they all can be shot.

    “However…,” Fleet Admiral continues “I can’t dismiss the notion that your crew brought you back, and given their nature I don’t think that they are ready to serve under anyone else, and we need them and your ship in this coming war. So, my decision is that this incident is marked on your records as I said before, but you are hereby raised in ranks to a Commander. After this you and your crew will act under Admiral Porter, and may I remind you that I do not much leave you room to move Commander Ransome. One misstep too far and this will rise again. I don’t have to tell you that the commanding officer will be held accountable for his underlings. That means your uncle. Is this a satisfactory decision?” He asks, not really expecting the answer, but Comfrey, who can’t keep in his temper anymore. 

     “That is hardly any punishment at all. You are just awarding her for what her crew did. She should be …”

     “Admiral Comfrey..,” Fleet admiral says “If you are suggesting that she is to be shot by her actions, I will remind, that you had your part in this too and you were her commanding officer.” He looks at Comfrey and says, “Last I checked, we play with the same rules.”

    Oh, so it’s like that. The fleet admiral knows more than he gives away and Comfrey’s allegations have tied his hands, but he is making the best that he can. I start to smile and can’t stop it even though I should. I know Comfrey will try again and that I’m as neck-deep in this as Hallie is, but I don’t mind at all. 

    Comfrey huffs and bows, “Of course not, sir. I was just stating the fact that this does not look like a punishment.”

    “I have seen her ship Warlock and talked to her crew. I think there is enough punishment there.”

    On that, I have to agree. There’s going to be an interesting times ahead.

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***

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     I stand on a pier and look at the looming ship. I came here to see Hallie, but stepping on board seems to be risking your life. The haggard ship seems to be leaning to port. Or at least I think so. There is something in her that makes me think of a wild beast. The men saunter on her deck. I hear the sharp sound of cutting metal and I see sparks from welding torches, but still, I’m not sure that they are actually doing anything.

     I still can’t believe it. The crew of prisoners, Hallie’s crew. How will she keep them at bay, I wonder? Oath or no oath. Me, I haven’t taken any chances. Warlock is the farthest away on the pier from the other ships, as it was possible to put her and MPs guarding the area. Ten men, is enough? Right?! Against 233. Yes, about that. There seem to be two more men missing than just those who were killed on the bridge by that Q-ship. Alex says to leave the matter be, especially after we had comped thru the crew’s records. Bloody hell, I wanted to go from that instant to Comfrey, tie him to Warlock’s anchor and give him my regards, but Alex said that if Hallie does not talk about it, which she won’t, I should not intervene. Fine, but I have my doubts too about what could have happened to those two men. It’s the only thing that gives me some reassurance of Hallie’s safety with these men and with Comfrey.

    On Warlock’s deck, a man notices me, and taps one of the passing crew members on the shoulder and says something to him. With a glance in my direction, the man vanishes inside the iron beast, but the man who had noticed me first stays leaning lazily on the railing. I recognize him, Daniel Cole, Warlock’s first officer now, and the man who argued with Hallie, and who, for my accounts, is responsible for all this to happen. 

    For several minutes, nothing happens, and then Hallie shows up. The men nod at her as she passes by, and Cole tilts his head toward me. His casual way does not fool me. One word from him and men on deck would make their move. Do they really think that I would hurt Hallie?! They must be mad!

    Hallie, who too notices Cole’s act, says something to him. With reluctance that Cole does not hide, he vanishes inside the ship.  

     When she finally pays attention to me, the smile spikes on her face and she starts to come down on the gangplank. For a second, I see that small greasy girl who pumped her father’s leg, all those years ago. Although now, she’s grown up, she’s still greasy. She obviously has been working with her men. 

     “Hi, Uncle Charlie,” She says like she senses that I need her to be my niece now. “You could have come on board.” 

    “I don’t think I would have survived,” I say and leer at her ship and her crew again. I see Hallie grin like challenging me to give a comment, but I won’t. Instead, I just nod toward it and where Cole had been “He did not like what you said to him.”

     She lets out a happy laugh “Maybe you are right” And gives me a quizzical look that tells me that whatever Cole said to her about me.. well, the feeling is mutual from my count. 

    “Have they been good to you?” I ask instead and give a glare to her crew members, who I notice are paying attention to us, without paying attention. “If they are not, just let me know..!” I raise my voice so they can hear my warning.

     She laughs again and I so much want to hug her like she was a little girl again. She knows why I did it, but I could not have helped myself.

    She glances behind her ship and grins “We are... getting used to ourselves” She says and then turns around, facing me again “Thank you” She says suddenly. 

     “From what?” I say, surprised.

     She lifts her shoulders. “I know I haven’t been easy..” She starts. 

    “No, you haven’t,” I say, and she laughs again. “It’s good to see you happy,” I say. She really looks that. 

     She nods “I am” 

    And I realize that this could be an awkward moment, but hell with it. It can be that I can’t get another chance. I step close and wrap her in my arms to a hug. “This is from me and from your father,” I whisper. “We are proud of you” I feel how surprised she is, but then hugs me back. We stay like this and then I step back and clear my throat and I see how she tries to hide her feelings. Back to business, so. “I came here to tell you something,” I say and continue searching my Admiral side of me. “I’m assigning Warrick with you. Warlock’s sister ship” I see Hallie nod.

    “I know about her” 

    “Two of you are going to be working together. Nothing glamorous, mostly hurdling the merchants. She should be here, in this week. You will be in charge and… ” I feel like I’m babbling. The nervousness and familiar fear about where I’m going to be sending Hallie is starting to spread. 

    Hallie leans forward to take hold of my sleeve and squeezes it. I’m so afraid that she says those words again but to my surprise, she says “We will be ready when she comes” In her words, there is the confidence that even I believe her. I let out a long sigh and took a look at the horizon and this time it’s me who says the words.

    “And everything will be alright” 

    “Yes, it will. I have tried to tell you that all these years. You should start believing it,” Hallie says and lets go of my sleeve. It leaves a greasy stain on it and she grins and not in an apology way. She knows how hard it is to get that cleaned. She starts to make her escape to her ship before I can say anything “Have to go.,. lots of work” I hear her excuses.

     In the back of my car, as my driver drives me away, I touch her handprint. “Don’t worry,” I say to myself and for a second, it actually works.

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