Splintered Light
Chapter 4.2: Priorities

The shuffling from sick bay to above deck and back into sick bay was a needless exercise and Christine was not appreciative one bit for it... but she also wasn't stupid.   The captain of the Joshew had his plans and, though she hated to racially stereotype, he WAS a Coyote, and that meant there was likely more to the whole interaction than met the eye.  The moment the crewmen from the North Star were back in their cots Dr Brownell turned to Gustave.  "The Joshew's Bosun is directing a search of the Wave Rider... he had some women up on deck put to death."

The Sea Otter turned her direction with a look of surprise and horror on his face.  "Killed how?"

The Mouse shook her head.  "I didn't see it happen... just... I-- I think it was an execution.  They were both shot in the head."

Gustave stood up and moved over to where Christine was adjusting the layout of a series of medical instruments; the moving of the ship meant that they had trouble staying in place and it was as good a way to distract herself as any.  She tensed up when one of the Otter's webbed paws came to rest atop one of her own.  "We have no control over other men, Dr. Brownell-- only ourselves."

It took her a moment to realize that she was shaking and when she did she pulled her paw away from his.  "And... and that Weasel hit me!"

The Reverend nodded thoughtfully before turning about and heading back to the sailor he had been re-bandaging.  He spoke a few words to the man, who laid back down.  A moment later the Otter spoke up again.  "Ye handled yerself well.  I ken think of a half-dozen men who woulda rolled over an' given in but ye stood yer ground an' protected yer patients."

Christine raised her fingers to the still-sore welt on her cheek.  A faint glimmering haze filled her eyes and she quickly fought back tears that were not from physical pain.  "And that Falcon shot him too... his own crew member."

Gustave's words were factual and neutral yet they still somehow held a sense of intended comfort, as if reminding her that the man's death wasn't her fault.  "Lotsa ships have strict guidelines 'bout violence 'gainst women."

Despite the fact that she knew he was trying to help she couldn't banish the ire that flared into being within her at his words.  "So that damn Bird can kill a man for slapping me but he can go ahead and shoot two women dead in cold blood without incident?  How is THAT fair?!?"

The Otter offered the man he was helping a drink of water before responding, but when he did finally address her he looked her way and provided her all of his attention.  "Th' Lord gave ye th' 'bility t' question but that don't always grant ye the luxury of an answer, Doctor.  When it comes t' 'fair', I learned awhile back that life isn't always... but ye can still live yer own th' way ye'd like others t'do."

She shook her head, taking a deep breath in order to calm herself.  Christine was a professional and she didn't need to let her anger get the better of her... not when she was helping the injured and not when someone like Gustave was willing to aid her.  She didn't particularly like his preaching but there was still good (if trite) advice there.  "You're right-- you're right... but I still can't help but feel that something like that is FAR beyond ANYTHING the University would ever condone... or even ALLOW."

The Otter chuckled softly, taking off his spectacles to rub the bridge of his muzzle, his tone getting much more comfortingly informal as he spoke. "Aye, Lassie... an' I learned less'n two years ago that not everyone in an organization has th' same belief."

Christine didn't need Gustave to say anything further to the effect; she knew exactly what he was talking about and he knew it too.  The Church went through its own insurrection of sorts when one of the Inquisitors took control of an entire Cathedral and began running it in accordance to his own beliefs.  In the end she could only offer one of her own over simplifications in return.  "The chain is only as good as its weakest link."

The ship's Missionary smiled before tearing a bandage in half with his teeth before soaking it in an unguent.  "An' we gotta trust in Th' Great Smith t'help fix those chains when they break.  He will-- ye just need faith."

There was something teetering on the line between funny and off-putting in the number of professions she'd heard the clergy of the Church use to describe God.  According to the faithful God was a blacksmith, a clock maker, a carpenter, a fisherman, a painter, and an alchemist.  If that were the case then God truly WOULD have to be all powerful if he also had time to be the kind of quality, all-caring father he was claimed to be.  Well, she considered, if God were also a Philosopher then at least he wouldn't have to worry about questioning his own existence... or would that make him a Theologian?

Christine's own father wasn't even a fifth of those things and he never seemed to have any time for family-- she metaphorically spat out that bitter pill before its unwanted medicine took effect on her already dour mood.  "I'd have more faith if people like Aescwin Lightfeather got what's coming to them on a more regular basis."

A knock on the sick bay door caused the Mouse to spin immediately toward it, paw going to her surgical implements in the off-chance that one of the Joshew's crew was returning to cause more trouble.  It took her a moment to realize that the knock suggested someone with manners, so that was not likely the case.  "Enter."

Her heart rate returned closer to normal when she saw that her newest guest was Tobias; his ears were still red and she could tell that he was likely as agitated as she was... or at least nearly so.  His first comment immediately made her feel better despite how self-centered and off-base the Prong Horn's focus was.  "I should have been here for you."

She provided as honest and earnest answer as she could without insulting his lack of combat readiness compared to the crewmen who had caused such problems. "It only would have complicated things... I'm just glad that it'll be over as soon."

The Prong Horn scholar's ears perked slightly.  "It's over now, actually."

Christine felt her own do the same.  "It is?  They're leaving?"

Tobias smiled.  It was a polite smile: reserved and proper, just like him.  "Left, actually.  Another air ship showed up and the Joshew's crew departed in a hurry."

From his spot near the patients Gustave spoke up.  "A second airship?  What'll happen t' everyone now, then?"

Tobias shrugged.  "I suppose that'll be a decision for Captain Jacksoni to make... as far as I'm concerned we--"

Dr. Brownell latched onto something entirely different than the Otter and she interrupted the Prong Horn to get the thought out.  "They left in a hurry?  As in, they FLED?  If it's a fellow University Airship why would they be running away?"

Reverend Fischer's follow-up was only a LITTLE condescending, but the good humored tone plus its significance more than made up for that.  "Mayhaps they're trying t' avoid what's comin' t' 'em, eh, Lassie?"

As it turned out, the Otter's humor was not all that far off from the truth.

* * * * * *

In any normal circumstance Christine never would have left the sick bay but the situation was hardly normal.  Following Tobias up through the passages beneath the deck, the Mouse left the care of the injured North Star crewmen to Gustave who could do a far better job understanding them than she.  It also helped that she encountered Ephram in the halls and he was ready and willing to go provide the Otter assistance.  With the patients left in good paws, Dr. Brownell joined the numerous crewmen standing on deck.

She and Tobias were a good distance from the side of the ship and the numerous bodies blocking the view made it difficult to see what everyone was looking at in the water but Christine wasn't so much interested in that as she was the large airship approaching in the sky.  The sleek, metal-reinforced wooden hull was lashed around an enormous floating balloon with more lines than the Mouse could count and, despite there being numerous similarities to the Joshew, the newcomer had a look that was much less likened to a sailing ship and much closer to a wooden, triangular raft with sloped sides.

The airship eventually passed overhead, not even slowing as it shot by.  Christine glanced in the direction of its travel and saw the Joshew quickly powering its way off into the distance with large, wooden propellers spinning behind.  Although she wasn't completely certain it looked as though the second airship was closing in on the Joshew, but the Mouse's attention was pulled aside when she heard Captain Jacksoni's commands.  "General quarters, the lot of you!  Mr. Len!  Mr. le Blanc!  With me!"

As the crowd quickly disbursed to various stations around the top deck Dr. Brownell caught sight of the Captain; the Wave Rider's Salamander translator and its Lynx Master-at-Arms were walking counter-current to the rest of the crew to join him by the railing.  Beside her, Tobias took hold of her gloved paw; he was still looking off toward the two airships.  "It looks like the Joshew is stopping."

She didn't have any time to comment as the Prong Horn was pounced upon by the Bosun.  Rolf hung onto his younger brother's back for a few seconds before standing on his own two hooves.  "Looks like you two're in for quite a show."

Christine was eager to find out what was happening so she let the roughhousing slide.  "How so?  What IS going on?"

Rolf began adjusting Tobias' vest up until the younger Prong Horn slapped his hands away.  At that point the Bosun just smiled and rested them on his own hips.  "Apparently Captain Clarke and most of his command crew are in big trouble with the University."

The thought struck a faint vindictive streak in the Mouse but that quickly passed in favor of more curiosity.  Tobias got to a question fist, however, and he brought it up eagerly. "Did anyone say what they did?"

The Bosun smirked.  "No... but my guess is it has something to do with sinking a diplomatic vessel and then executing two women."

Despite the humor of it Christine didn't really feel much like laughing.  "We should have stopped them.  I can't believe we didn't do anything."

The humor disappeared from Rolf's face.  "I can.  Considering how poorly we were positioned to resist the only thing we could have done was to bide our time and hope for the best."

A strong sense of indignation flowed through the Mouse.  "Do you know that's exactly what the medical journals suggests as advice for women who are at risk of being raped?"

Silence prevailed for many long moments as apparently nobody had a follow-up for the statement she planned for shock value.  To that effect it was very useful, but it also did a fine job of killing the conversation.  It was Ash-Moon that broke the silence, tying off a rope to hold his loincloth in place. "I would say, rape them back.  Harder."

If anyone had a response for such a comment it was lost to the ether, which was just as well since that was the moment everyone at the railing began to move and it gave Christine a clear line of view to a small boat scarcely the size of the row boat lashed to the side of the Wave Rider, but the one approaching was doing so without oar or sail; some kind of steam-powered, articulated tail was pushing the little boat forward from behind at a decent clip.  There was no doubt in her mind that they were about to receive scholars from the UPU.

Ash-Moon stepped away from Christine and the two Severna brothers without excusing himself and approached to where Alistair, Calus, and Jacques were waiting at the railing.  Captain Jacksoni pulled at a section of wood and it rotated open on a hinge, creating passage through the railing.  One by one Calus and Jacques aided the travelers from the other ship aboard and, despite having just had to deal with a less-than-stellar interaction with the Joshew's representatives it was readily apparent that the newcomers were of a different sort... a VERY different sort, especially seeing as there was a woman among them.

All-in-all there were three of them: two men (a Human and a Lion) and the Human woman.  It was the Human male who spoke.  "Who is the captain, please?"

Alistair took a step forward.  "Captain Alistair Jacksoni... and to whom am I addressing, may I ask?"

The speaker of the three offered the Tiger a furled scroll.  He motioned first to himself, then the woman by his side, and finally the Lion.  "I am Professor Edgar Davies... my wife, Professor Laurelai Davies, and finally: my good friend and assistant, Chance Fare."

While most eyes focused on Professor Davies, Christine was more interested in the woman; had the Professor just introduced her as a Professor as well?  Tobias had apparently caught that too.  "She's a Professor?"

The introductions continued as Alistair motioned to the other Officers present, then got straight to business.  "And to what do we owe this visit?  Please forgive me if I seem hesitant, but our last meeting with University representatives didn't go so well."
When Professor Davies noticed that the Tiger didn't open the rolled scroll the man motioned to it. "You have in your paw a writ that will cover all expenses required to repair your ship and replace any used equipment as was consumed during your interaction with the Nordstern and the Joshew."

The Captain nodded, but rephrased his question.  "I appreciate that, Professor, but that still doesn't answer my question."

The Human nodded.  "Of course, of course.  We're here to provide perspective on the altercation in which you've become tangled."

Rolf murmured quietly.  "He even TALKS like a professor."

Alistair nodded, crossing his arms over his chest.  "I see... and would you care to elaborate, so I know how to 'perceive' the situation?"

The Professor's wife spoke up in his stead.  "You'll have to forgive my husband, Captain Jacksoni-- he is more familiar with lecturing students than public speaking.  The Joshew, as you may know, is captained by Edmund Clarke who, up until recently was affiliated with the University of Progressive Understanding."

The Tiger didn't miss the point she was making.  "Until recently?"

She continued explaining.  "The University has made great inroads in helping to ensure peace after the Lehsunian Conflict.  Unfortunately, we were forced to face the truth that there were radical elements within the University that did not want that peace; Mr. Clarke is one such individual, and the lengths to which he was willing to go to sabotage cooperation between the UPU and Wyra was... extreme."

Willem Zuider, the Wave Rider's Foreman was standing back with the rest of the crew but his voice was loud enough to carry. "Blowing up a ship and executing defenseless women?  I think 'extreme' is too reserved a word, ma'am."

She nodded calmly even as Captain Jacksoni shot a glare at the Goat.  The woman continued unabated.  "Be that as it may,  Captain Jessen and the Albatross II were tasked with hunting down the Joshew and bringing it and its crew back to the sky dock."

Calus, who had very little to do considering everyone was speaking Mehnzilian, spoke for the first time since the arrival of the Professors and assistant.  "They will be given trial by a University court, I assume?"

The male Professor Davies responded.  "I believe the President plans on handing those responsible for these atrocities over to the Wyranese Legal System as it was their ship and people wronged by this attack.  As for the crew members of the Joshew who were unaware of its Captain's treachery, that will be up to the Council of Deans to decide."

Alistair glanced around to his officers even as Christine looked to Tobias and Rolf.  The Tiger eventually spoke, but his tone was wary.  "So you mean to say that Captain Clarke acted without UPU authority, he stole the Joshew without permission, and he tricked some or most of his crew into thinking that this assault on a civilian ship was sanctioned by the University?  Is it unfair to ask you of some kind of proof to back up your story?"

On one paw, Christine felt indignant that Alistair would be so untrusting of the University.  Then again, on the other paw, having just lived through what Captain Clarke had done to the North Star and aboard the Wave Rider she was quite understanding as to why the Tiger was reserved in his willingness to take the explanation at face value.  

The female Professor Davies smoothed out the hem of her traveling jacket.  "Unfortunately, our best resource for verifying the University's stance on this situation likely died aboard the North Star.  Lady Emma von Kriedesburg was acting representative from her father, a Baron in Wyra.  Having to explain her death will surely--"

The crewmen nearest the back of the ship shifted when a female voice called out from within their midst.  "Professor Davies?"

As the seamen parted a young Human woman, perhaps in her very early twenties was revealed.  All three of the visitors responded in shocked surprise, and, as they started toward her Alistair interposed himself sword coming immediately to paw.  "Hold."

The young lady moved up behind Alistair and placed a hand on his sword arm.  "It is alright, Captain... these are friends."

The Tiger's sword was sheathed again in an instant and his entire demeanor changed, returning at once back to the happy-go-lucky relaxed civilian captain that Christine had come to know.  He smiled at the three representatives as he motioned around him to the ship.  "Well then... welcome to the Wave Rider; I'm glad you were able to finally make the show... even if you were somewhat late in attendance."