RP: The Court Martial of LCDR Lamunda
Published May 14th, 2009Follows “Prepare the Riposte” closely.
The bosun whistle called out the long dolorous note that indicates a summoning into a court martial. LCDR Dorien Lamunda stepped in to the jury rigged courtroom, accompanied by an escort and CAPT Huszar of the BUFFALO. His back was ramrod straight; he strode forward the measured ten paces, removed his sword, and placed it, hilt first, towards the panel of myself, CAPT Somme (Operations) and CDR The Honorable Lady Bellambi (Fleet Intelligence). Boots crashing together, he came to attention as the Lady Bellambi read the charges.
“MISTER Lamunda, you are hereby under review for the incident on the tenth of the previous month, where the FWES SHANNON, under your command, was lost in the waters south of Port Merrimac, under combat. You understand that it is a procedural matter that all combat losses are placed under senior court martial review, and that the charges (if any are brought) are of a serious and substantive nature?”
Lamunda nodded. I leaned over to Somme, who was taking notes. “Witness indicates affirmative. Proceed, Lady Bellambi”
“Very good. Therefore, you answer the following review at your peril, as an officer and gentleman of the Fleet of Wrath Exiles. Please explain, for starters, the events of 10th of last month, in your own words, with no embellishments.”
Lamunda’s singsong islands accent rose somewhat as he recounted the events of the sinking of the Shannon. He had admirable poise for this situation, but I have a sense for these things, and I knew he was nervous. As he damned well ought to be.
Lamunda recounted the events as he had witnessed them– from his perspective. How he had encountered “The Object” (now known to be a pirate’s den called “Armada Breakaway”) far to the South. How it appeared to be the flotsam of many sea wrecks, and how his first instinct was to lend assistance of a humanitarian nature.
I interjected at that stage. “All very commendable, Mr. Lamunda. Now, pray tell the court.. How far away were you when you hailed the structure?”
“About five cable lengths, sir”
“As close as that, eh? And your narrative states (glancing at Somme to confirm) that you could clearly see figures, quote, “Swarming all over the upper works” of this Object, yes?”
“Correct, sir”
“So you mean to say, you were within hailing range (certainly within speaking-trumpet range) of this Object, and they gave you no response as you approached under flag?”
“Again, Correct, sir”
“Hmmmm.. Did this not give you pause to wonder?”
“Of course, sir. I came to the conclusion they didn’t speak our language, sir.”
“Quite possibly a conclusion I might have arrived at. OR, perhaps, they wished to stall for time as they were luring you into range, could that be another interpertation?”
Lamunda looked sick. “Yes, Sir”
“And what were CAPT Huszar and the BUFFALO doing at this time? “
“I had command of the patrol sir, and signaled I would approach the Object under a flag of parley, whilst CAPT Huszar would remain 8 more cables outward.”
“Out of range of most cannon, very prudent, sir” I snapped.
He continued. “We approached under white flag of parley, not seeing any obvious gunports on the structure. As we rounded the eastern edge of the Object, many gun ports in the oddest locations opened up, revealing guns of assorted calibers and bores. They commenced a steady bombardment of the SHANNON, which had steam up and cannons loaded, so we engaged them back quickly”
“To what effect sir, to what effect? How well did a Wrath Ship of recent design do in this situation?”
He looked downcast.
“Not well, Sir. We managed to stove in the wooden wall of one of the structures, and unseat at least three cannon, and start a fire, but the structure was too large, with two many intersecting fields of fire, and their cannon were too high up for our guns to bear”
“How long were you engaged?”
“It would seem an hour, sir, but we returned fire for ten minutes as we were reversing out of the sort-of harbor they have there.”
“That bears up with CAPT Huszar’s account. And where was he?”
“Steaming to assist, sir. He had the Object under fire quickly. However, when the giant Fear Engine showed up, we knew both of us were outclassed in gunnery, and we should retreat to keep our ships.”
“Did you engage the other ship?”
“It was more a matter of it engaging us, sir. The Shannon had taken many hits already, and when the Fear Engine’s shell hit us beat the juncture of turret and frame, that put paid to the structural integrity of the hull. We started to take on water fast, and when seawater poured into the engine room, I knew she was lost.”
“Yes, I heard there were some scalding injuries.. how many?
“Two sir”
“Yes, one of them Cadet Asturias, the Autocrat’s nephew, I hear?”
Again, he looked miserable.
Somme got him to recount the evacuation of the ship, which was well done, I thought, considering an enemy ironclad was bearing down upon him and the ship was rapidly foundering and in flames.
CAPT Huszar, his usual laconic expression far more worried and animated than usual, gave his testimony, which confirmed Lamunda’s words.
CDR Bellambi inquired into the structure, what can be discerned about power sources, forms of motive power, and most especially the caliber, number and range of their weaponry. She took copious notes.
I banged the gavel. “You may retire to outside until called for, MISTER Lamunda.”
Lamunda about faced and walked outside with Huszar, his sword still on the table, hilt first.
I turned to confer with the other court martial board members. Somme pointed out the cost of the Shannon, Lamunda’s youthful age and less experience than Huszar, questioning his command in this situation. The Lady Bellambi nodded, looking worried. I know she has a soft spot for these younger officers from the post-Middlesea era. Lamunda is particularly popular amongst the younger crowd, being friendly and energetic. It would be a damned shame to ruin him.
“Call them in, Bosun”
The whistle blasted and Lamunda returned under escort, other officers trailing behind.
I rose to my feet to give the verdict.
“MISTER Lamunda. It is the opinion of this court that you did behave recklessly on the day of the tenth of last month, in approaching the so-called Armada Breakaway Object, and did engage the enemy without intelligence as to his strength or intention. As a result of your decisions, a ship was lost, and almost a crew. This IS a matter that the court will take seriously. However, there are mitigating circumstances, humanitarian concerns, and none of the court assembled can clearly state that you did NOT act in accordance to standard orders for patrolling the Blake’s Sea. My only fault, and it is a serious one, is that you placed your crew and ship in jeopardy by approaching the object too closely, and falling for what was clearly a ruse. We have lost a ship. You will take this lesson to heart. I am, therefore, docking you a month’s pay, less meals and uniform allowance. You will, however, retain your rank and full responsibility of a Commander in the Fleet of Wrath Exiles.”
His face lit up, involuntarily.
I reached over, and reversed his sword.
“You are out of uniform, LCDR Lamunda. Your sword is returned to you. Always bear it with honor in service.”
Tears welled up in his eyes as he gazed at the hilt reversed. He reached down, and swiftly returned it to its scabbard, and saluted, his voice cracking.
“Th.. Thank you, Sir”
I saluted back. “Excellent effort pulling them off, Dorien. Try not to lose any more ships, lad. Now, off with you! We have a bombardment to plan, GET TO YOUR STATION, sir! We will meet to discuss your assignment shortly.”
Lamunda’s sad countenance was replaced with a grin as he about faced and marched out with Huszar and some of the other young officers. I studiously avoided noticing the very loud cheering from several young officers congregated outside as they noticed the sword on his belt and epaulets still on his shoulders.
Somme smiled. “You always were a tad soft-hearted, O’Toole. Let’s hope you don’t have a soft head, too!”
“Oh, he’s shaping well. Neat trick to pull the crew off like that, under fire. We’ll make something of him, yet!”
CDR the Lady Bellambi nodded. “he is shaping well, as are all of the officers of this generation. We have put down good roots hear in Roatan”.
I grinned at her. “We shall allow them exactly two hours to buy Lamunda drinks at the Officer’s mess and tell him what a clever fellow he is to escape the Ogre’s wrath. After that, it’s every captain to his ship and get steam up. We’ve lost a lot of time on this, and I mean to sail as soon as the tide breaks tonight! Is the Reprisal Fleet ready?”
She nodded. “Fully loaded, extra mortar rounds, extra rounds, full coal bunkers, fires banked for quick steaming”.
I looked at Somme and Her Ladyship. “Tonight, we will sally forth and give them something to encourage them to ply their trade in other waters.”
Leave a comment
Comment Policy: First time comments are moderated. Please be patient.