Piper's first thought upon seeing the Captain was that he was an incredibly large man - the largest she had ever seen. While most of the soldiers she had come into contact with had been strong and well built in their own right, they were stringy compared to Jeremiah Tartan - who had a full beard, reeked of salt and pipesmoke, and was the human equivalent of a barge in terms of size. At once, the Captain was handed a clipboard by one of his officers, and went to work calling out names and studying each face to match the attendance. He surveyed them with more grunts than words as they took their turns standing before him; poking and prodding at the obviously uncomfortable arrangement.
"Raddendale!"
Piper stepped forward automatically. Though the sudden bark of her name had jolted her attention, her years of training kept her body in check. Captain Tartan screwed his eyes into narrow slits as she stopped before him, eyeing her from head to toe. Looking her over and making a number of small marks upon his list, his assessment of her lifetime of military experience culminated into a single huffed word.
"Scrawny."
Someone snickered behind her.
Piper said nothing. She wasn't sure if it was fear or if she was just speechless; never had she ever been considered scrawny. Even as a female, Piper had always led a more active lifestyle that had made her more muscular than most girls her age.
Tartan stalked off with his entourage as Piper remained rooted in place, finishing his rounds and leaving her in shocked silence. Finally after what felt like an eternity, he finished his roster and spoke a few introductory words to the gathered assembly.
"My name is Captain Jerimiah Tartan," He boomed across the harbor, "you will address me as 'Captain' only. If you fix to refer to me by any other name or title, you will be dismissed. And, if you fancy making the same mistake by calling me 'Cap'n Jerry' as a young recruit did a couple roats past, I will not hesitate to keelhaul you through half the Clarimo sea."
It was intimidating, though Piper was certain that he had been joking.
Pretty certain, at least.
"We will prepare the ship by refueling and stocking supplies n' provisions. During that time, you will become familiar with the in's and outs of the Lockjawe, become acquainted with the officers in charge of your supervision, and be assigned your duties aboard. Myself, along with many other Captains of the first Quarter, work closely with Commander Prescott.''
Piper focused more intently at the mention of her Commander's name.
"I'm certain most of you have been informed of the Navy's need of bodies for recent affairs. Seeing as the last batch of recruits weren't up to scratch, we're hopeful you lot will fare better. We shall make the utmost haste with our time here in port, for as much as I'd prefer to ease you into your new roles aboard my ship, I've received not two moons past an important assignment which must take priority, so make the most out of what you are taught while your feet still stand on dry land."
With those final words, the Captain ordered the recruits onto the ship, and they spent the rest of their grueling time in port going over duties, responsibilities, what roles they were to perform given different encounters, and assessing every members' strengths and weaknesses.
The iron ship was massive, and, as Piper quickly learned, unlike any other of the thirteen nations had been able to produce. Upon their first stepping aboard, a portly officer took the time to herd the new crewmates throughout the various decks and cabins aboard the Lockjawe after the Captain disappeared to his cabin.
"Name is Simon Wilkes, or Officer Wilkes I s'pose, Chief Gunner aboard this vessel." Wilkes huffed quickly, "though most aboard just call me smokestack. I wouldn't if I was you - not that I mind - jus' might seem a bit impertinent, you folks bein' so new an' all."
Wilkes spoke quickly, often using his hands with great emphasis to his words. He shepherded his new flock through the winding corridors of the ship so quickly, it took a conscious effort to keep up with his pace. At a natural pause in the tour, Piper was startled to realize that she actually needed to catch her breath. Each portion of the ship was explained in great detail, though Wilkes often intermingled the functions and histories with personal anecdotes and irregular commentary that made things hard to follow. At several points, the officer had to pause to adjust his suspenders, or to remove his worn flat cap to wipe the perspiration from his pudgy face and shiny head.
Piper decided that he very much reminded her of an egg.
"This ship relies on steam power in order to turn the paddle wheels on the sides and stern of the vessel, and so we have a large inventory of coal belowdecks to power the boilers." Wilkes explained, lighting a pipe full of tobacco as they tromped down a staircase blackened with soot.
"Boiler room is off limits to any but the stokers in charge of its maintenance and fueling. A select few will be trained to that end along with the engineers. Once we set out, the boilers will need round the clock monitoring while they operate, as improper maintenance or a change in pressure could result in a fire or explosion. We have safeguards in place in case of such an event that we cannot use the engine, of course, in which case we can shut down the boilers and raise sail on the main deck. The paddle wheels can be lifted from the water and stowed within the ship at the flip of a lever."
There was little time to rest following Officer Wilkes' tour, as when one officer left, another took up the mantle into another lesson, examination, or administrative paperwork, from dawn until dusk. It was two days before the ship left port.
While a few of the recruits were dismissed prior to raising anchor, a surprising majority of them made it to become mates and were accordingly assigned to cabins. Then it came time to be assigned positions on board based on the skill sets that had been both known and demonstrated. This was done as a part of their training, as they were to be monitored and trained by superior officers.
On that day, they were required to be lined up in order to receive these assignments.
Piper was one of the last in line and therefore to approach. A senior officer that was dwarfed by Captain Tartan stood by his side and in front of the line of assembled mates. Most officers that she had seen in her short period with the crew had varied greatly in the features they possessed, and this man was no different; with a lined face and sharp features, he held a clipboard in one hand whilst fervently jotting down what Piper assumed to be some very droll information. After a moment, he whispered something to the Captain that she could not hear, and he nodded to him in turn. The officer then gave a quick clear of his throat before announcing that the first of the sailors in line may step forward. Truly the officer had birdlike features, Piper reasoned, though while the rest of his body and face brought to her mind the image of a hawk, the way his neck gyrated when he spoke was more akin to a turkey.
"Maxine Lidgett" The officer squawked.
Piper had recognized the girl as one of the sailors she had seen at the port before the arrival of the ship. Captain Tartan assigned her the role of Gunner, and the young woman gave a cordial salute before stepping towards her respective officer. After a few more sailors, Piper recognized Micah as his name was called, who made an attempt to stand straighter after a harsh scolding the day before, tentatively stride towards the Captain.
"Rigger."
Micah blanched, looking up into the lofty sails, he turned white as a sheet. It looked as if he would faint. The Captain saw this as a question, and responded as such.
"You're wiry and quick, small too. I trust you remember the duties of a Rigger and will perform them with competence?"
Micah nodded slowly, and moved to stand by the side of a senior Rigger.
A few more Mates approached, then Emeline.
"You'll work aside our Sailing Master, assisting with navigation and coordinates."
She beamed at him. "Yes Captain!" And strode over to the Sailing Master.
Horace was only two behind her, and though he carried himself with confidence, Piper thought she could sense his tension.
Captain Tartan and the officer at his side looked at him once over, considering him. "You'll be studying under our Boatswain, supervising the ships' activities. I'll also be having you train as a Carpenter part of the time as we're short on hands."
He breathed a sigh of relief, and the tension was gone. "Aye, Captain. Thank you." He nodded, marching to the side of the Boatswain.
Piper waited on and on as more names were called and duties assigned, until at last it was her turn. She approached stiffly, unsure of her assignment yet aware that she had at least provided some level of competence over the last couple days on board.
The Captain barely looked at her. "Swab" He barked, before calling the next name on his list.
She could not move. "I beg your pardon?" She quietly asked, agast.
The officer's piercing gaze turned to her like a spotlight. "Is there an issue in the Captain's judgment, Miss. Raddendale? Or do you not recall the duties of a swab? I believed the name would be quite self explanatory."
She took a deep breath and, ignoring the Officer's question, faced Captain Tartan. "Sir, I-"
"Captain."
"Captain," She corrected herself, "I believe that I am fully capable of more important duties, I have-"
"The only thing you are capable of, Raddendale, is disobeying orders." He snapped quickly, but loud enough so as to ensure the rest of the assembly could hear.
Piper looked as if she had been struck. The birdlike officer scoffed at her clear disrespect, while the Captain himself hawked and spat far enough to sail clear over the gunwale before meeting her gaze, his cannon-like arms folded over his chest.
"I have been fully informed on the backgrounds of all my recruits, most importantly those who have been transferred from other divisions. You are of some arrogance to plead to me about an err in my sense. If it weren't for Commander Prescott's personal request, I'd've dismissed you with the rest of the slackjaws we left in port. Now go." Tartan said with a flick of his head, discarding her once again and returning his attention to the next mate.
Piper shamefully gazed around and saw some of her equals look at her with pity; but worse so were those that didn't look her way at all - or suppressed a laugh instead. It was all too much to bear.
"But Sir-"
Tartan whipped around on her suddenly with the fury of a bull. "I am your Captain, Raddendale! You seem to be under the assumption that I am here to wait on your every beck and call! If you dislike your assignment you'd do very well to throw yourself overboard now, before the swim back to shore becomes too long to make!"
Piper wandered and limply stood along a line of other swabbies, barely managing to keep her eyes from misting over as the final assignments were given out to the remaining crew.