Characters: Iain Johnstone, RELIANCE Captain Simon Cox, RELIANCE Chief Officer Sidney Barrett, RELIANCE First Lieutenant Paul Leon, RELIANCE Primary Boarding Officer Jeremy Grove, RELIANCE Chief Gunner Douglas Banker, RELIANCE Chief Cook Crew of the RELIANCE

Body: The RELIANCE limped into port with tattered sails, a splintered foremast, and twenty-nine of her forty-two cannon still operational. Black scoring marked the port side of her hull, the reenforced wood giving in places but managing to remain true and watertight. The frigate was returning from a "successful" cruise. There was one less pirate ship to harass Rhydin's shipping lanes. But as Captain Johnstone surveyed his men as they skillfully maneuvered the RELIANCE into port, as he noted the sorry materiel condition and the low morale, he knew there would be work to do before they next sailed. "Mister Cox." Captain Johnstone waited for his Chief Officer to post alongside. "Mister Cox, see to it that Mr. Barrett immediately contracts equipment and workers to repair the foremast. Chief Grove is to acquire new cannon by the end of the week. Standard resupply orders for Chief Banker. Mr. Leon is to report to me before shore leave is granted with the names of those he will be using to refill his boarding team. As for yourself, we'll need to replae the thirteen we lost this trip. Scour the inns. I'd like their training to begin next week. For the crew, shore leave when we make the pier, to expire Monday at 0630. That will be all Mr. Cox. Thank you." Captain Johnstone withdrew as his Chief Officer began issuing orders. His failure to secure their prize before it went to it's final resting place was fresh in his mind. Even if she couldn't be salvaged, she would have fetched a pretty coin in parts. It would be at least a month before the RELIANCE would be ready to sail again. There was much work to do in the mean time.