On our way to the exercise area, which was ‘conveniently’ planned to happen far away from the capital, we steamed into a storm.
Huge waves and strong wind are a threat to any ship, unless it’s a huge ship. And I am surely not on the smaller side.
The flag was struggling to keep itself on the flagpole and not fly away. With each wave hit, the ship was pitching up and on the wave crest I was falling down. Only to have my bow hit the next wave.
My high freeboard saved me from some of the waves and helped me to avoid the glory of inheriting the title of the largest submarine of the RN but I still had some water flooding the deck. I wonder if I have to worry about the shortcuts of the turrets.
The not-so-precious cargo barricaded itself inside the crew quarters and agreed to stay there until the storm calms. And I am the one who decides when it happens.
The most precious cargo was with me on the bridge.
“Look at me! I am the captain!” I disconnected the manual input of the steering so I had no reason to worry about the blonde in the black wedding dress spinning the steering wheel.
“Can anybody tell me, why the hell did I have to sit in that booth on top of the mast if you have everything installed here?!” Xera was surprised to see that I have rangefinders everywhere. Not that it would help her.
“Hey, are those the birds? Are those the birds?!” The watermelons bearer was sitting with her face glued to the radar screen. What she found was, however, not a bird, and not a plane, and not even a wyvern. It was the silhouette of the repair team that worked on bringing the early warning radar back to life. I had to keep it on even during the repair, just to let my wife be amused.
It did not take us long to catch up to the kingdom’s fleet. They too were caught in the storm and because of that they had to stop moving.
Through the portholes the ambassadors could even see how the raging sea threw small wooden ship up and down.
‘Gods, have mercy on us… For we did nothing wrong…’ The duke was praying in a corner.
“You think we are in a trouble?”
“No, they are.” He pointed at the ships.
[Well, he’s right… I guess?]
When we arrived to the exercise area we dropped the anchors and spent three eventful days at the coast. We were playing with a ball and even made a makeshift volleyball court. We spent some time trying to get the suntan. Of course, I did not get any; Lily was safely protected by Xera and had no way of sunbathing for longer than 5 minutes; Cherry was not even let to escape the safety of the canopy; and the duke was… well… it’s obvious where.
The diplomats too were having fun. Just ignore the screams and shouting. They surely do enjoy themselves.
Did I not mention that the storm is not over…?
I was already starting to be bored of the beach life but the kingdom’s finest fleet arrived.
Their condition was a bit worse than they would like to admit but the exercise started.
Only few people could reach this area but for an unknown reason, there was an entire tent town set up nearby and a few free-to-ride carriages circled between the capital and the tent town… I have no idea whom to thank for it but at least we have some spectators.
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Our temporary beach ended up being turned into the observation area but at least we had the best view.
The kingdom’s fleet prepared to fire a salute.
Bom
“His Majesty’s flagship ‘Holy Awe’ fired! What a power!” The commentator even managed to make the crowd applause.
It was a large 40 meters (!/?) ship with one (!/?) cannon which was requisitioned from the empire a few decades ago. If I heard correctly, this is the only cannon the fleet has operational. It must be the one that fired at me a long time ago.
“And now, will our esteemed competitor do anything to greet the public?!” Now it was the matter of honor.
bang bang bang
“Not too much but we’ll accept it.” Now THIS is the matter of honor.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
The next was the task to sink a ship which was ‘conveniently’ placed near the shore, right besides the beach. Well, it was two ships, for an obvious reason.
While the radar was still showing the signs of life I decided to use it. I raised the anchors and gained some distance.
Meanwhile, the kingdom’s galleys approached the target and shot fire arrows. Judging by how the ship started burning right away, it was oiled too much. It is so oiled that an entire oil film formed around it.
“And now, what will show us our esteemed competitor?!”
A small flash lit on the ship.
Everybody was wondering what happened but then…
‘NEOOOOOW BOOM’
An Exocet anti-ship missile penetrated the wooden hull and landed somewhere inside the forest.
“What a conveniently placed target. Now I don’t even need to search for it.”
Said I, as I went into the forest, followed by the amazed looks of the public.