The Admiral

James Morgan

As I watched Arden go below deck with Giddeon, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. I was reading the book of Command Ship Protocols Captain Debang gave me earlier when I saw them walk by.

“You have nothing to fear from Giddeon,” Charlotte says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I look down at my book, “I don’t know about that, he did kiss her after all.”

Charlotte sits down next to me, “Ah oui, he did, but Arden has never allowed anyone to get close to her. You are one of us now, and on this crew, there are no secrets but one.”

“And that is?”

“What happened to Arden before the Morning Star found her? Did she tell you?”

I nod, “She did.”

“Then you have absolutely nothing to fear. Plus, Giddeon will be mine in a matter of days.”

I chuckle, “I wish you the best of luck.”

“I’m French, I don’t need luck. Now that Arden is claimed by you, there is nothing in my way.”

I laugh, “I guess.” I sigh and look around to where they went below deck, “What are they doing down there?”

“We captured some of Wyatt’s men, Arden’s gone to...ask them some questions.”

I hold up the book of Protocols where I’ve just learned that the only officers are allowed to torture captives to extract information, “It’s not fair that it falls on her shoulders.”

Charlotte nods, “That rule is there to protect us all from having to do questionable things when out of combat. And, if our leaders cannot bear the heaviest of our burdens, then why should we follow them and risk our lives into battle.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“Arden has never failed to extract information, and Wyatt needs to die.”

“What is it he thinks Arden took from him?”

“The Admiralty. He and Arden were both candidates,” Charlotte looks at the book in my hand, “How far have you gotten?”

“Chapter Three.”

“The Admiral is chosen differently to what you’ve been taught at the Academy. The instructors do have some input, but it’s us that choose, the crew of this ship, each of us gets a vote. We chose Arden over Wyatt, and he couldn’t accept that.” Charlotte looks behind me for a moment and stands, “I need to go, but ask Arden about Wyatt, now you’re one of us she can tell you everything.” She puts her hand on my shoulder, “And do not concern yourself about Giddeon. We have bigger problems to deal with right now.”

I decided to go check the armory. Captain Debang showed me where it was earlier, and now as an Officer on this ship, I have my own cabin. Young Adam asked to be assigned as my assistant so he will get to stay on the ship and work for me in the armory. Everything seems to be working out in my favor. Not only do I get to work on the commanding vessel but the woman I’ve spent half of my life loving has accepted me as her partner. At least I think she has. That’s something we need to discuss.

Images of Arden from last night flood my mind. She really is incredible. Her strength and resilience are inspiring. I just hope her future is brighter, if she allows me to stay by her side, I’ll spend whatever time I have left on this Earth to make sure that it is.

I spent about half an hour looking through the catalogs of guns, and other arms. The previous Master of Arms was meticulous in his work, which will make the job of picking up where he left off much easier. Every item is engraved with a serial number and tagged with the date of its last cleaning and servicing. With these many weapons, organization is key.

When my stomach started growling, I decided to head over for dinner. Now that the ship is no longer in Ghost Protocol Arden will most likely be joining the crew for dinner. The moment I made it above deck I saw Arden and Giddeon coming out from the exit that leads down to the cells. I stop, completely shocked by what I see. Arden is completely covered in blood. She holds a small knife in her hands, dripping with blood, and the look on her face is one of fury intermingled with an intense focus.

I watch her closely as my blood-spattered Arden seemed to pass everyone without really seeing them. I followed her to her cabin keeping my eyes on her the entire time. Jack exits her cabin as we go inside, and I quietly close the door behind me.

Arden walks over to a chair and sits, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. She looks at the knife in her hand and embeds its tip into her desk. I walk over to the washbasin that Jack prepared for her, soak the small washcloth in and wring the excess water before guiding Arden to look up at me. I start cleaning the blood spatter off her face, her eyes never leaving mine. Her mask never falters as I clean her up. After what she’s just done those walls will most likely be up for quite some time for the sake of self-preservation.

When I’m done with her face, I rinse the cloth and kneel down to start on her hands. I feel Arden’s eyes on me the entire time, and by the time I’ve cleaned up her hands her face has softened a little.

I see the clean change of clothes laid out on her bed and bring them closer to her. She eyes the clothing, and then her eyes drift up to me. Her brows raise, almost as if trying to discern if I plan on changing her myself.

Arden tilts her head to the side, and there’s a flash of mischief that dances across her eyes, “Finish what you started, Master Morgan.”

I feel my lips pull into a smirk, “Is that and order, Admiral?”

Arden lets a tiny hint of a smile break through her mask, “Would you like it to be?”

I hold out my hand, and Arden slips hers into mine, allowing me to guide her up to her feet.

“Not necessarily,” I say as I gently tug her blood-stained shirt out from her pants.

I was hoping to just take it off, but my hands had other ideas, unable to resist the immediate access to her skin they slid in under her shirt. When Arden’s small hands worked to undo my belt and pull me closer to her, I knew we wouldn’t be making it to dinner any time soon.