Royal Oak Chapter Two - Gundam Wing
Oct. 2nd, 2004 11:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yellowhordeDisclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing and I make no money from this or any other fanfic I write. The Jolly Rogers sing ‘Royal Oak.’
Pairing: 5xM
Category: Songfic, Angst
Rating: R
Warnings: Some reference to NCS and attempted suicide. If any of this may offend you, PLEASE DON’T READ.
Title: Royal Oak
Author: yellowhorde
Notes: (thoughts) //song lyrics//
//"Haul down your colors, you English dogs
Haul down your colors, do not refuse
Haul down your colors, you English dogs
Or your precious lives you will lose"//
Treize Khushrenada reclined easily at the small dining table in his luxurious captain's quarters. He and the woman who sat across from him were enjoying a fine meal prepared by his own personal chef. Or, to be more precise, he was enjoying the meal, or at least trying to, and she merely sat there, her eyes lowered.
The slender Chinese woman with thick ebony hair that hung below her shoulders sat stiff and silent, the food on her plate untouched. Her face, pale and drawn, was blank of all emotion, except hate. Her large onyx eyes were red and dull from the countless tears she had shed in the past four dreadful months since her abduction. She stared down intently at her hands, which were folded in her lap. The clean white bandages bound firmly around both wrists stood out in sharp contrast against her delicate coloring. She mentally cursed the man across from her.
(Damn him all to Hell. Why couldn't he have just let me die?)
A knocking on the cabin's door drew the woman's attention back to the world around her and out of her tormented thoughts. Treize calmly dabbed at his mouth with a clean linen napkin.
"You may enter."
Of course, he knew who was at his door. He had been expecting him for some time now.
A tall blond man entered the spacious cabin. He bowed in reverence to his commander.
"Sir, the identity of the English ship has been confirmed. It was just as you said it was. An honorable ship with an honorable captain."
The handsome man, whose name was Zechs Merquise, waited patiently for further instructions. His eyes wandered towards the silent figure sitting passively at the table. He had known her husband, Chang Wufei, though they had only met once, very long ago, and then only briefly. He doubted the man would remember him now. So many years had passed. Zechs believed Wufei to be a just and noble soul. It was so rare to find men like that nowadays. He was sure that his wife missed him dearly.
He noted that her color was slowly starting to return. He recalled how he had found her just a few days ago. She had been so deathly pale, so cold. There had been so much blood. How could she risk her eternal soul at such a foolish attempt to escape this harsh world? Maybe she just didn't care anymore. Not that he could blame her. Fate had not been kind to her. But then again, Fate was anything but kind.
Treize rose and stretched his arms. He had heard many good things about this Captain Heero Yuy. A valiant man, a noble officer, and a worthy adversary. He smiled brightly as he tugged at the bottom front of his uniform jacket to straiten out any wrinkles before they had the chance to grab hold.
"Have that ship flagged, Zechs." he ordered casually. "Let's give them a chance to surrender. If they refuse, we will simply kill them."
Of course, knowing who his opponents were, he realized that the crew would probably rather die than surrender. The arrogance of those cursed English would simply not allow them to even consider the possibility of surrender. They would never haul down their colors in defeat without a great loss of blood.
Treize smiled broadly. It had been some time since he had engaged in a worthy sea battle. It would be a welcomed relief and fitted his tastes and personality much better than slaughtering defenseless British colonists.
"As you command, sir. " Zechs bowed low and departed to carry out his orders.
Treize watched him go. The man, with his long blond hair and vivid blue eyes, was a fierce and dedicated warrior. The captain considered himself fortunate to have such a noble second-in-command. Though he had often wondered what had made this man turn his back on his country of birth. Not that it was any of his business.
Sighing, he stepped over to the beautiful woman who shared his bed as well as his table, albeit against her will. His hand reached out absently to stroke the thick fall of silky hair that hung down her back in cascading waves. So beautiful, and so exotic. When he was finally released from his duties at sea, he intended to take her back to Spain with him. It was high time he married and started a family. He had never longed for a woman as much as he did this one. Perhaps, he mused, someday she would even willingly come to his bed.
Meilan flinched away from his vile touch. Waves of hatred and shame washed over her, threatening to drown her in despair. Tears came unbidden to her eyes. She was barely aware they were there for she had cried so many. She had shed an ocean's worth of tears and frankly she was amazed that she still had any left. Was there no limit to the amount of suffering and humiliation she must endure? The number of bitter tears she must shed?
She silently begged Death to come and save her from her misery, but Death did not answer her pleas. Since her suicide attempt a few days ago, that despicable man had her under constant supervision. No, there would be no sweet release from life for her. She must have been a terribly wicked individual in a past life to deserve such a fate.
Treize ignored her obvious revulsion and gently planted a kiss on top of her bowed head. He inhaled the fresh clean scent of her hair. He sighed and slid his arms about her narrow shoulders, until one hand rested gently against the soft swell of her breast, the other on her waist.
He murmured softly, "Someday, my dear, you will grow to love me. Someday... you will accept me eagerly into your heart and arms."
(Not in this or any other lifetime, you miserable bastard!)
Reluctantly he released his hold on her and strode towards the door. He opened it and stepping out, spoke the guard he had posted just outside. Meilan heard him address the unseen soldier.
"Keep an eye on her while I am gone. And be sure to keep all sharp objects out of her reach. If anything happens to her in my absence, you will hang."
The tone the captain used indicated in no uncertain terms that the last bit of information was no mere threat, but a promise.
"Y-yes, sir!"
*****
Heero, Wufei, and Duo were stepping out of the captain's cabin when the young blond haired, blue eyed, cabin boy came rushing towards them. The lad's eyes were wide and he was slightly out of breath. He stood up straight, squared his shoulder, and saluted smartly.
The slender youth was dressed casually in a pink long sleeved shirt, a dark brown vest, and long khaki slacks. The look was completed with brown shoes. Most men couldn't pull off wearing pink without looking like pansies, but the young man managed just fine. All eyes turned toward the Captain expectantly. Heero finished shrugging into his red uniform jacket. There was a quiet pause as the dark eyed captain finished fastening the last of the brass buttons.
"Yes? How can I help you, boy?"
For a moment he could not remember the name of the adolescence that stood before him. Then after a moment’s thought, it came to him, as it eventually always did. Winner, his name was Quatre Raberba Winner. The boy had signed up just before the start of this mission. He was a slender youth of about fifteen years. This was his first sea voyage.
"Sir, enemy ships have been confirmed off towards our port side, sir. They just cleared the island and are now blocking our route towards the open sea." The blond youth bit his lower lip nervously, and then continued with his message. "The lead ship is hailing us, sir. It is demanding our immediate surrender."
//Our captain, he was a valiant man
And it well be spoken a man was he
"Let it never be said that we died like dogs
For we shall fight most manfully"//
Wufei scoffed at the notion of their surrendering.
"Death before dishonor!" he growled.
Duo nodded in silent agreement, as did Heero. Wufei then hurried to gather up the men. There was much to be done to prepare for battle, and time was running out fast. Duo set off to join him.
After a short while, all hands on deck had gathered before their captain. All the men had seen the ships now resting between them and the freedom of the sea. There was much speculation as to how long they would survive against ten ships. And from the Spanish Armada, too. With such a devastatingly efficient fleet of weapons at their disposal, King George's navy had all but conquered the New World. What chance did their lone ship stand against such experienced vessels and crews?
Heero held his hand up to signify that he was ready to speak. The crew fell silent. For a moment, the only sounds to be heard were the crash of the surf and the shrieking of the gulls.
"The Black Rose has demanded our immediate surrender." he began.
This was greeted by murmurs from the crowd. This bit of news had not been entirely unexpected.
"We shall not surrender.” Heero stated calmly. “For the honor of our country and for ourselves, I say that we shall not."
The captain paused and his gaze swept the crowd before him. All were brave and true soldiers, ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake and protection of their country. A better crew he could not have asked for.
"Yes, we are greatly outnumbered,” He continued, “but if we are to die this day, it will be as men and with honor. We'll show King George that the British are made of sterner stuff. We shall not simply lay down and surrender like some worthless dog with it's tail between its legs!"
Enthusiastic cheers from all those assembled greeted this simple statement of fact. Yes, by God, they would give those worthless Spaniards a battle to remember. The crowd was dismissed. Spirits were high, but still there was a tension in the air. No man would dare voice the small seeds of doubt that festered in their hearts. Ten heavily armed ships to their one. Would the new cannons in the holds be enough to make the difference between victory and defeat? Would they live to see another day? Or would they meet their Lord God in heaven before too long?
Thoughts and silent prayers were sent out to the families and friends waiting at home for news of their safe return. Would they ever see their loved ones again?
During the preparations for battle, Wufei's thoughts were centered on his lovely wife, Meilan. Hopefully, soon, he would hold her in his arms once more. He would make certain to never be separated from her again. His brow furrowed as doubt crept into his heart. Would she ever forgive him for not being there to protect her?
(I am so sorry, my love. Please forgive your unworthy husband.)
He took a deep breath to clear his thoughts. Now was the time to concentrate on matters at hand. He must not allow himself to be distracted. But it was difficult. Thoughts of her - her hair, her eyes, her smile... a thousand little images kept creeping into his mind, refusing to be banished.
(Please be all right) he silently begged.
//"Go up aloft, ye cabin boys
And mount the main masts, the tops so high
For to spread the news to King George's fleet
That we'll run the risk, or else we'll die."//
Heero approached the young cabin boy, his black knee-high boots ringing mutely against the polished wooden deck. The young lad's blue eyes were impossibly wide and he seemed dazed and disoriented, not to mention more than a little worried. Everyone was busy getting ready for the up coming battle. Everyone moved with a sense of purpose. Everyone, that was, but him. The youngster seemed to be at a complete loss.
Heero addressed him gently. "Why don't you climb up top to the main masts. You seem to be quite good with the flags to have deciphered their message as quickly as you did."
Quatre blushed at hearing this praise from his captain.
"Y-yes, sir!" he stammered, "I often used the flags when I was young to send "secret" messages to my friends." the boy chuckled briefly at such fond memories, but the tentative smile on his face soon died. "But I never thought I would receive a message that could make my heart pound so, or make my knees feel weak like water."
Heero clapped the blond youth reassuringly on the shoulder. "It's your first sea battle, I know. It's perfectly normal to be a bit...apprehensive. Let's do our best to make sure that it won't be your last. Now, hurry, off you go."
He smiled a bit as the boy scurried off to gather up the flags. The youngster moved now with his own sense of purpose. In such uncertain times, it was better to do something, anything to keep busy and to keep the fears and doubts from nibbling at your mind.
TO BE CONTINUED…
CHAPTER THREE
Pairing: 5xM
Category: Songfic, Angst
Rating: R
Warnings: Some reference to NCS and attempted suicide. If any of this may offend you, PLEASE DON’T READ.
Title: Royal Oak
Author: yellowhorde
Notes: (thoughts) //song lyrics//
//"Haul down your colors, you English dogs
Haul down your colors, do not refuse
Haul down your colors, you English dogs
Or your precious lives you will lose"//
Treize Khushrenada reclined easily at the small dining table in his luxurious captain's quarters. He and the woman who sat across from him were enjoying a fine meal prepared by his own personal chef. Or, to be more precise, he was enjoying the meal, or at least trying to, and she merely sat there, her eyes lowered.
The slender Chinese woman with thick ebony hair that hung below her shoulders sat stiff and silent, the food on her plate untouched. Her face, pale and drawn, was blank of all emotion, except hate. Her large onyx eyes were red and dull from the countless tears she had shed in the past four dreadful months since her abduction. She stared down intently at her hands, which were folded in her lap. The clean white bandages bound firmly around both wrists stood out in sharp contrast against her delicate coloring. She mentally cursed the man across from her.
(Damn him all to Hell. Why couldn't he have just let me die?)
A knocking on the cabin's door drew the woman's attention back to the world around her and out of her tormented thoughts. Treize calmly dabbed at his mouth with a clean linen napkin.
"You may enter."
Of course, he knew who was at his door. He had been expecting him for some time now.
A tall blond man entered the spacious cabin. He bowed in reverence to his commander.
"Sir, the identity of the English ship has been confirmed. It was just as you said it was. An honorable ship with an honorable captain."
The handsome man, whose name was Zechs Merquise, waited patiently for further instructions. His eyes wandered towards the silent figure sitting passively at the table. He had known her husband, Chang Wufei, though they had only met once, very long ago, and then only briefly. He doubted the man would remember him now. So many years had passed. Zechs believed Wufei to be a just and noble soul. It was so rare to find men like that nowadays. He was sure that his wife missed him dearly.
He noted that her color was slowly starting to return. He recalled how he had found her just a few days ago. She had been so deathly pale, so cold. There had been so much blood. How could she risk her eternal soul at such a foolish attempt to escape this harsh world? Maybe she just didn't care anymore. Not that he could blame her. Fate had not been kind to her. But then again, Fate was anything but kind.
Treize rose and stretched his arms. He had heard many good things about this Captain Heero Yuy. A valiant man, a noble officer, and a worthy adversary. He smiled brightly as he tugged at the bottom front of his uniform jacket to straiten out any wrinkles before they had the chance to grab hold.
"Have that ship flagged, Zechs." he ordered casually. "Let's give them a chance to surrender. If they refuse, we will simply kill them."
Of course, knowing who his opponents were, he realized that the crew would probably rather die than surrender. The arrogance of those cursed English would simply not allow them to even consider the possibility of surrender. They would never haul down their colors in defeat without a great loss of blood.
Treize smiled broadly. It had been some time since he had engaged in a worthy sea battle. It would be a welcomed relief and fitted his tastes and personality much better than slaughtering defenseless British colonists.
"As you command, sir. " Zechs bowed low and departed to carry out his orders.
Treize watched him go. The man, with his long blond hair and vivid blue eyes, was a fierce and dedicated warrior. The captain considered himself fortunate to have such a noble second-in-command. Though he had often wondered what had made this man turn his back on his country of birth. Not that it was any of his business.
Sighing, he stepped over to the beautiful woman who shared his bed as well as his table, albeit against her will. His hand reached out absently to stroke the thick fall of silky hair that hung down her back in cascading waves. So beautiful, and so exotic. When he was finally released from his duties at sea, he intended to take her back to Spain with him. It was high time he married and started a family. He had never longed for a woman as much as he did this one. Perhaps, he mused, someday she would even willingly come to his bed.
Meilan flinched away from his vile touch. Waves of hatred and shame washed over her, threatening to drown her in despair. Tears came unbidden to her eyes. She was barely aware they were there for she had cried so many. She had shed an ocean's worth of tears and frankly she was amazed that she still had any left. Was there no limit to the amount of suffering and humiliation she must endure? The number of bitter tears she must shed?
She silently begged Death to come and save her from her misery, but Death did not answer her pleas. Since her suicide attempt a few days ago, that despicable man had her under constant supervision. No, there would be no sweet release from life for her. She must have been a terribly wicked individual in a past life to deserve such a fate.
Treize ignored her obvious revulsion and gently planted a kiss on top of her bowed head. He inhaled the fresh clean scent of her hair. He sighed and slid his arms about her narrow shoulders, until one hand rested gently against the soft swell of her breast, the other on her waist.
He murmured softly, "Someday, my dear, you will grow to love me. Someday... you will accept me eagerly into your heart and arms."
(Not in this or any other lifetime, you miserable bastard!)
Reluctantly he released his hold on her and strode towards the door. He opened it and stepping out, spoke the guard he had posted just outside. Meilan heard him address the unseen soldier.
"Keep an eye on her while I am gone. And be sure to keep all sharp objects out of her reach. If anything happens to her in my absence, you will hang."
The tone the captain used indicated in no uncertain terms that the last bit of information was no mere threat, but a promise.
"Y-yes, sir!"
*****
Heero, Wufei, and Duo were stepping out of the captain's cabin when the young blond haired, blue eyed, cabin boy came rushing towards them. The lad's eyes were wide and he was slightly out of breath. He stood up straight, squared his shoulder, and saluted smartly.
The slender youth was dressed casually in a pink long sleeved shirt, a dark brown vest, and long khaki slacks. The look was completed with brown shoes. Most men couldn't pull off wearing pink without looking like pansies, but the young man managed just fine. All eyes turned toward the Captain expectantly. Heero finished shrugging into his red uniform jacket. There was a quiet pause as the dark eyed captain finished fastening the last of the brass buttons.
"Yes? How can I help you, boy?"
For a moment he could not remember the name of the adolescence that stood before him. Then after a moment’s thought, it came to him, as it eventually always did. Winner, his name was Quatre Raberba Winner. The boy had signed up just before the start of this mission. He was a slender youth of about fifteen years. This was his first sea voyage.
"Sir, enemy ships have been confirmed off towards our port side, sir. They just cleared the island and are now blocking our route towards the open sea." The blond youth bit his lower lip nervously, and then continued with his message. "The lead ship is hailing us, sir. It is demanding our immediate surrender."
//Our captain, he was a valiant man
And it well be spoken a man was he
"Let it never be said that we died like dogs
For we shall fight most manfully"//
Wufei scoffed at the notion of their surrendering.
"Death before dishonor!" he growled.
Duo nodded in silent agreement, as did Heero. Wufei then hurried to gather up the men. There was much to be done to prepare for battle, and time was running out fast. Duo set off to join him.
After a short while, all hands on deck had gathered before their captain. All the men had seen the ships now resting between them and the freedom of the sea. There was much speculation as to how long they would survive against ten ships. And from the Spanish Armada, too. With such a devastatingly efficient fleet of weapons at their disposal, King George's navy had all but conquered the New World. What chance did their lone ship stand against such experienced vessels and crews?
Heero held his hand up to signify that he was ready to speak. The crew fell silent. For a moment, the only sounds to be heard were the crash of the surf and the shrieking of the gulls.
"The Black Rose has demanded our immediate surrender." he began.
This was greeted by murmurs from the crowd. This bit of news had not been entirely unexpected.
"We shall not surrender.” Heero stated calmly. “For the honor of our country and for ourselves, I say that we shall not."
The captain paused and his gaze swept the crowd before him. All were brave and true soldiers, ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake and protection of their country. A better crew he could not have asked for.
"Yes, we are greatly outnumbered,” He continued, “but if we are to die this day, it will be as men and with honor. We'll show King George that the British are made of sterner stuff. We shall not simply lay down and surrender like some worthless dog with it's tail between its legs!"
Enthusiastic cheers from all those assembled greeted this simple statement of fact. Yes, by God, they would give those worthless Spaniards a battle to remember. The crowd was dismissed. Spirits were high, but still there was a tension in the air. No man would dare voice the small seeds of doubt that festered in their hearts. Ten heavily armed ships to their one. Would the new cannons in the holds be enough to make the difference between victory and defeat? Would they live to see another day? Or would they meet their Lord God in heaven before too long?
Thoughts and silent prayers were sent out to the families and friends waiting at home for news of their safe return. Would they ever see their loved ones again?
During the preparations for battle, Wufei's thoughts were centered on his lovely wife, Meilan. Hopefully, soon, he would hold her in his arms once more. He would make certain to never be separated from her again. His brow furrowed as doubt crept into his heart. Would she ever forgive him for not being there to protect her?
(I am so sorry, my love. Please forgive your unworthy husband.)
He took a deep breath to clear his thoughts. Now was the time to concentrate on matters at hand. He must not allow himself to be distracted. But it was difficult. Thoughts of her - her hair, her eyes, her smile... a thousand little images kept creeping into his mind, refusing to be banished.
(Please be all right) he silently begged.
//"Go up aloft, ye cabin boys
And mount the main masts, the tops so high
For to spread the news to King George's fleet
That we'll run the risk, or else we'll die."//
Heero approached the young cabin boy, his black knee-high boots ringing mutely against the polished wooden deck. The young lad's blue eyes were impossibly wide and he seemed dazed and disoriented, not to mention more than a little worried. Everyone was busy getting ready for the up coming battle. Everyone moved with a sense of purpose. Everyone, that was, but him. The youngster seemed to be at a complete loss.
Heero addressed him gently. "Why don't you climb up top to the main masts. You seem to be quite good with the flags to have deciphered their message as quickly as you did."
Quatre blushed at hearing this praise from his captain.
"Y-yes, sir!" he stammered, "I often used the flags when I was young to send "secret" messages to my friends." the boy chuckled briefly at such fond memories, but the tentative smile on his face soon died. "But I never thought I would receive a message that could make my heart pound so, or make my knees feel weak like water."
Heero clapped the blond youth reassuringly on the shoulder. "It's your first sea battle, I know. It's perfectly normal to be a bit...apprehensive. Let's do our best to make sure that it won't be your last. Now, hurry, off you go."
He smiled a bit as the boy scurried off to gather up the flags. The youngster moved now with his own sense of purpose. In such uncertain times, it was better to do something, anything to keep busy and to keep the fears and doubts from nibbling at your mind.
TO BE CONTINUED…
CHAPTER THREE
