Able Seaman CooperYou grew up in the bad part of town, and you had to grow up fast. You never knew your pa, and your ma died of the bloody cough when you were only twelve, leaving you to look after your little sister Nan and littler brother Rob. You did what you had to to keep them warm and fed—when you couldn't find honest work you ran with a gang, stealing purses and jewellery. You were caught when a robbery went fatally wrong—you were thrown in prison and your siblings were sent to a workhouse. You were given the chance to redeem yourself—any able-bodied person who serves in the navy for three years receives a full pardon for their whole family. You thought it would be easy—you're strong and you're not afraid to fight. The brass looked down on you because of your coarse language and your tattoos, but the enlisted men soon learned to fear and respect you. You were only three months away from finishing your sentence when the Enlightenment was destroyed. You're not afraid of death, but you must survive for the sake of your family. If you do not claim your pardon, they will die in that workhouse—you doubt that anyone will care why you did not return. You are stuck in this boat with Admiral Winchester—a famous tactician, but an arrogant and heartless person. If it were up to you, that dagger would be in Winchester's throat. Your next choice would be that spoiled, mewling child, Lt Sheffield—only here because of family connections, and a worthless coward. Your last companion, 2nd Lt Smith, is not a bad sort, and not someone you would want to sacrifice unless you had to. |