[Hornblower has taken a cue from the senior officer.]
Captain Horatio Hornblower, of His Britannic Majesty's Royal Navy. I have been at sea for twelve years-- I served on the 74-gun gun Justinian as midshipman, 64-gun Indefatigable as midshipman, acting-lieutenant, and lieutenant, 74-gun Renown as lieutenant. I have commanded the 18-gun Retribution and the 20-gun Hotspur. I was promoted from commander to post-captain just prior to my arrival to this place.
I would consider it an honour to be put in command of one of the ships.
You echo my own thoughts with remarkable accuracy.
Though I feel I would be best able to do my duty in my accustomed role do not think that I would refuse to do my part out of spite if any man were chosen over me. There is more at stake than petty pride. I would have it known that I would be honoured to serve under a man of such experience as yourself.
It is a great relief, sir, to know that we are of the same mind.
We are both greatly suited for command, as your rank indicates. I would not think of begrudging you command, and I hope you will take it as no insult that I put my name either with or opposing yours, as there are more ships than one to command. My pride is inconsequential and can easily be put aside for the sake of our orders and protecting those less accustomed to what we are likely to face.
I will consider it an honour to serve under or alongside you, Admiral.
You two are going to make one hell of a crew. Here's hoping you actually get a crew that will listen. I think you're going to be in a pickle when you try to hang a man for not kissing your asses.
[Katara read Jack's note. Read these two notes as well.
She is not liking the feeling she is getting from this at all.]
I see that you two are both in some kind of military, and that you each recognize that the other's suited for the job but... I don't know you. And I don't know your worlds. So if you're both volunteering for command, I'd feel a lot better if I knew what, exactly, that would mean on your ships. And I think that would help all of us make our decisions.
With respect, miss, I would like to answer. Mister Hornblower's way of commanding relies on wit and cunning. I've seen him chase off two Spanish frigates with nothing but quick thinking and a bit of gunpowder. It's rare when I've seen a life lost under him--he isn't the sort to fling men at an enemy until everything rights itself and everyone is slipping on the blood on the deck, and I have served under those as well. I suspect Admiral Norrington is the same. To have a good man as well as an intelligent one in command is a rare thing, and I believe we have three at least volunteering.
[She listens for a bit, but when she answers she's smiling a little.]
In the Southern Water Tribe, whoever is most suited for the job has that job. [Not quite so in the Northern Water Tribe. It is her opinion (formed by her brother) that Hahn was an idiot. So she does understand how things can be done differently due to politics and connections.] We don't have I know it's not that way in most militaries I've run into at home, or here, so it's good to hear a vote of confidence from someone who's served under him.
Captain Horatio Hornblower, of His Britannic Majesty's Royal Navy. I have been at sea for twelve years-- I served on the 74-gun gun Justinian as midshipman, 64-gun Indefatigable as midshipman, acting-lieutenant, and lieutenant, 74-gun Renown as lieutenant. I have commanded the 18-gun Retribution and the 20-gun Hotspur. I was promoted from commander to post-captain just prior to my arrival to this place.
I would consider it an honour to be put in command of one of the ships.
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[We'll be formal right now. Public communications and such.]
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[Not burning bridges, certainly. Command? Excellent. Serving under someone? As long as he can be of use.]
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Though I feel I would be best able to do my duty in my accustomed role do not think that I would refuse to do my part out of spite if any man were chosen over me. There is more at stake than petty pride. I would have it known that I would be honoured to serve under a man of such experience as yourself.
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We are both greatly suited for command, as your rank indicates. I would not think of begrudging you command, and I hope you will take it as no insult that I put my name either with or opposing yours, as there are more ships than one to command. My pride is inconsequential and can easily be put aside for the sake of our orders and protecting those less accustomed to what we are likely to face.
I will consider it an honour to serve under or alongside you, Admiral.
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[He writes, helpfully and obliviously]
I would advise you to consult it. Otherwise give me your name and I shall check myself.
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She is not liking the feeling she is getting from this at all.]
I see that you two are both in some kind of military, and that you each recognize that the other's suited for the job but... I don't know you. And I don't know your worlds. So if you're both volunteering for command, I'd feel a lot better if I knew what, exactly, that would mean on your ships. And I think that would help all of us make our decisions.
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In the Southern Water Tribe, whoever is most suited for the job has that job. [Not quite so in the Northern Water Tribe. It is her opinion (formed by her brother) that Hahn was an idiot. So she does understand how things can be done differently due to politics and connections.] We don't have I know it's not that way in most militaries I've run into at home, or here, so it's good to hear a vote of confidence from someone who's served under him.
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