05-01-2023, 11:37 PM
Three days after the debacle with Yousef and the others, a jubilant Valentin Daucourt led Piper Drummond down to the port. "We just got some new ships in from Greater Acadia to round out the fleet. Trust me, you'll like these." Drummond shrugged and let Daucourt lead the way.
When the two of them arrived at the dock, a trio of ships greeted them. They had also been painted in the colors of the Naval Service. They were also fishing boats with guns attached, much like the ones from Grundhavn. Drummond turned to her theoretical boss, a single raised eyebrow demanding an explanation. "These are a bit faster than the other ones, and, um....they have bigger guns attached...."
Drummond began to turn red. Before she could blow up, Daucourt quickly spoke up. "The best surprise, I haven't shown you yet." He walked to a nearby golf cart and jumped in, gesturing for Drummond to take a seat. She sighed and got in. Daucourt drove them down to the far end of the dock, where the Palace de Salad loomed over the Saladian Bay. The Neversink was docked there. A group of Xiomerans were working on the ship, and impatiently shouting at some Saladian workers who were assisting them. Drummond sighed again. "You are not slapping some patches on this old hulk and expecting me to sail it again, are you?"
"No, this is even better!" Daucourt walked over to a nearby gangplank, pointing to a sign. Drummond read it out loud: "The Salad Land Naval Museum and SLNS Neversink Experience."
"They're turning the old girl into a floating museum, and the proceeds will fund the Naval Service! It'll have a gift shop, simulators, exhibits and everything. It will tell the proud story of the Naval Service and the islands, with guided tours every hour!" Daucourt beamed as if expecting praise or perhaps a hug. Drummond simply stared. "Who," she asked, "is going to be leading those tours?"
"Well, you and some of the other naval officers, when you're not busy. The Marquis felt that having real life sailors doing the tours and running the gift shop would provide the most authentic experience...." Daucourt trailed off as Piper gave a shout that was probably heard all the way back at the Palace itself.
"You expect me to become a tour guide? While running the Naval Service? I'm supposed to lead civilians and their snot-nosed brats all over the place, or maybe sell trinkets at the gift shop, while leading our force responsible for protecting our waters. All to 'fund the Naval Service', which I know is damn well code for 'fund the Marquis' new wardrobe budget'? You have truly lost your tiny little mind!" Drummond began walking away, and Daucourt shouted after her "What am I supposed to tell the Marquis, then?"
"Tell him," she paused, looking over her shoulder, "tell him I QUIT!" Piper took off her peaked cap, tossing it into the ocean, and stomped off. Daucourt looked after her in distress.
"Well damn. Now I'll have to lead the tours," he sighed.
When the two of them arrived at the dock, a trio of ships greeted them. They had also been painted in the colors of the Naval Service. They were also fishing boats with guns attached, much like the ones from Grundhavn. Drummond turned to her theoretical boss, a single raised eyebrow demanding an explanation. "These are a bit faster than the other ones, and, um....they have bigger guns attached...."
Drummond began to turn red. Before she could blow up, Daucourt quickly spoke up. "The best surprise, I haven't shown you yet." He walked to a nearby golf cart and jumped in, gesturing for Drummond to take a seat. She sighed and got in. Daucourt drove them down to the far end of the dock, where the Palace de Salad loomed over the Saladian Bay. The Neversink was docked there. A group of Xiomerans were working on the ship, and impatiently shouting at some Saladian workers who were assisting them. Drummond sighed again. "You are not slapping some patches on this old hulk and expecting me to sail it again, are you?"
"No, this is even better!" Daucourt walked over to a nearby gangplank, pointing to a sign. Drummond read it out loud: "The Salad Land Naval Museum and SLNS Neversink Experience."
"They're turning the old girl into a floating museum, and the proceeds will fund the Naval Service! It'll have a gift shop, simulators, exhibits and everything. It will tell the proud story of the Naval Service and the islands, with guided tours every hour!" Daucourt beamed as if expecting praise or perhaps a hug. Drummond simply stared. "Who," she asked, "is going to be leading those tours?"
"Well, you and some of the other naval officers, when you're not busy. The Marquis felt that having real life sailors doing the tours and running the gift shop would provide the most authentic experience...." Daucourt trailed off as Piper gave a shout that was probably heard all the way back at the Palace itself.
"You expect me to become a tour guide? While running the Naval Service? I'm supposed to lead civilians and their snot-nosed brats all over the place, or maybe sell trinkets at the gift shop, while leading our force responsible for protecting our waters. All to 'fund the Naval Service', which I know is damn well code for 'fund the Marquis' new wardrobe budget'? You have truly lost your tiny little mind!" Drummond began walking away, and Daucourt shouted after her "What am I supposed to tell the Marquis, then?"
"Tell him," she paused, looking over her shoulder, "tell him I QUIT!" Piper took off her peaked cap, tossing it into the ocean, and stomped off. Daucourt looked after her in distress.
"Well damn. Now I'll have to lead the tours," he sighed.
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