ToMB2 - The Captain

Something I didn't do last time in ToMB was really get into everything I should have. Last time, I took Tara from a crew box to be an all round master which I used at the GT but I didn't really get into the spirit of ToMB as much as I think I could and should have.

This time around I want to get into the background of the crew. Today I've got a story I've written about the Captain. Hope you enjoy!

Fading lamplights flickered in the air that was being forced through the tiny gaps in the window frames. The low murmur of patrons interspersed by the whistling of the wind made for an average night inside the “Wounded Guardsman”. Tables were filled with empty tankards, plates and the occasional sprinkling of bagged goods traded over a tabletop only to be hidden inside a jacket or stored safely in a bag.

It was not uncommon for deals like this to take place, particularly in a tavern which has little Guild presence. Items of all sorts were traded; soulstones, houses, contracts. Even some more straightforward, less rouge deals took place like selling cleaning products or hair loss tonic!

As night fell, so too did the snow. A generally unfamiliar sight in the city, snow often hailed something unusual and strange happening. As the snow danced furiously outside, those inside continued their business. The murmur inside gradually erupted as the liquor flowed and deals were done. Union workers sang songs of hardship, while the women who inhabited the bar tried to ply their trade with empty promises and a potent allure.

Amongst the crowd sat a large moustached man, a big character in both senses sat still, observing the faces in the crowd. Watching, just watching. He is a tall man with a monocle protruding from his left eye, sporting a deep red coat emblazoned with golden cuffs and intricate shoulder loops with no insignia embossed on it. As patrons walked by they gave him a welcoming smile and a nod of recognition. He duly obliged to return the favour. When he smiled, his whole face lit up, eyes beamed wide and his mouth opened whole.

Snow fell heavily which lead to weary citizens finding refuge within the tavern, joining in the songs and stories now being shared. Others who entered were more concerned about getting home but knew they couldn’t continue with the elements raging outside. Suddenly, the door burst wide open, brilliant white flakes swirled around the room and the bitter breeze sent a chill through everyone’s spine.

“Shut that fucking door!” bellowed the voice from the red coated man.

Nothing happened. The wind blew even harder and those in situ stepped back.

“I said… shut… the… fucking… door!” the voice reverberated around the room and the man rose to his feet, knocking the table he was sat at over. His tankard clattered to the floor as the room fell silent and the gentle trickling of water was the only thing that broke the silence apart from the raging wind outside.

He slowly turned, eyes beaming brightly and a face a sour expression. After all, whoever this was had just ruined his warmth and now his drink! Before he met the stare of the figure in the doorway, his head bowed. Carefully, he removed the monocle from his eye, rubbed it in his overcoat and replaced it. With a quick blink and readjustment he raised his head and drew a deep breath.

By now the tavern lights were almost all extinguished in the breeze which made its way around the room and staff behind the bar were scrambling for matches or sticks to relight them. At the back of the long room stood the man in the red coat; The Captain, staring down the person who dares keep the door open during cold weather.

“There he is.” quietly spoke the voice “He’s the one we are after.”

The voice seemed to come not from the figure blocking the doorway but behind it. Slowly they walked in, three in total – two large men and one fairly small. Each of them were young in appearance, fresh faced and arrogant. After striding forward and palming any members of the tavern out of the way, they reached the destination: The Captain.

Even the largest of the men only came to shoulder height with the colossal figure who stood rigid before them.

“Are you deaf?” The Captain abruptly stated. “Shut the fucking door!”

By this time, the smallest of the three stepped forward, standing toe to toe with The Captain. Peering up he raised his left hand and flicked it backwards. With that, one of the larger men turned and walked down the bar, his footsteps still the only sound to be heard. Eventually he reached the door and slammed it shut. Even the bottles on the wall shuddered as he shut it.

“Better?” inquired the small figure, taking off his black leather gloves.

“Better.” replied The Captain as he turned and picked up the table he so violently knocked over earlier on and found himself back in the chair patting his coat down, trying to dry some of the spilled alcohol.

The man shoved both gloves in the pockets of his long black trench coat and addressed the crowd in an authoritative tone:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am First Lieutenant Barrat Kane of the Guild. You all carry about your business. The weather is deteriorating and you need to be safe in your own houses. This is by order of the Governor! While the streets are still lit, go home.”

The crowd, still in a stunned silence, turned to face each other, sharing looks of disbelief and confusion. Some started to filter out, others needed a bit more persuasion and a little helping hand from the two larger men. Eventually, the tavern was empty except from The Captain, the three men and the landlord who stayed in the room to ensure nothing was broken or stolen but it was clear he was unwanted company. The Captain and Kane exchanged a glance.

“It’s alright Mart. I’ve got this.” spoke The Captain in a subdued tone and the Landlord left up the stairs to his flat. At last, they were alone or as alone as you can be with two heavy bodyguards stood either side. The Captain continued “So, you’re some sort of weatherman? Fuck knows what advice you’d give if it was raining… build an arc?!”

Kane grinned, it has been a long time since he had heard that gruff voice speak and it almost seemed as if he was reminiscing.

“Well?! Who are you and what the fuck do you want?!” The Captain snapped.

“Please. This aggression. So unnecessary. I am First Lieutenant Bar…”

“I know that, I heard you the first time. What exactly do you want? And why am I sat here looking at these two ugly fuckwits?”

Kane closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. He held his hand up, stopping The Captain from continuing his speech. With his other hand he rifled through his coat trying to locate an item. There in the inner lining, a piece of torn paper. Placing it on the table, he slowly unfolded it with great care.

“Look…” he said as he beckoned downward. “This was found in the offices of the Governer. We believe you may know a little something about this…”

“Do I?” replied The Captain “And what exactly do I know?”

“Come now Captain. We both know you’re bluffing.”

“Send the lackys away and I may find some knowledge from somewhere…”

With the same gesture that shut the door, sent the two large men away to the front of the bar and there they sat discussing the events of the day and the governance of the Guild in hushed tones.

“Well?” Kane enquired.

The Captain smiled. “Well, this was a plan from the Great Expedition.”

Kane leant forward.

The Captain continued: “A special force of elite operatives were sent to ensure the safety of Malifaux.”

“And?! AND?!” Kane grew impatient

“We didn’t find anything. Anything at all.”

“You’re lying to me again… I know what you found. I know what you have.”

The Captain laughed. His roar turned the heads of the two guardsmen who raised themselves from their seats before Kane gestured them to sit again.

“If you know so fucking much then why didn’t you say? What is it you think I have?”

“You have knowledge of the whereabouts of individuals after this operation and their knowledge is of great importance to Guild operations and the further progress of the safety of Malifaux. You my dear Captain have something around your neck which you are hiding from me.”

“I have more than that which I’m hiding from you my dear Lieutenant, but with the intelligence you claim to hold, I’m sure you already know. The object I wear around my neck? Why, it’s just an old trinket.”

“An old trinket with incredible power.” Kane interrupted.

“If you say so.”

“It is of great importance to the Guild that you surrender this item immediately. You were there the first time, you remember what happened.”

“I do. But you’re not getting it.” abruptly replied The Captain.

“We shall see…” defiantly stated Kane, rising from his table to meet The Captain eye to eye.

The Captain thought it his duty to return the favour and so he rose too, still having eye contact with Kane as he craned his neck skyward.

“Are you going to try?”

“No, but I do have some who will!”

With that the two guardsmen raised from their seat and drew their sabres. Rushing towards The Captain, both men let out a ferocious roar. The Captain removed his monocle, slipped it in his pocket and swiftly ducked. Both guardsmen over ran him and took a moment to reform before taking a different approach. They began to circle him each with their blades pointed outward, taking careful steps.

“Gentlemen…” he announced. “There is little point in even trying this.”

They ignored him and carried on in their approach. Between exchanging glances at The Captain and each other, they were waiting or the ideal moment to strike, all of them knowing that at the vital moment someone would strike. As quickly as it began, it was over. Both guardsmen lunged for The Captain as he took another motion downwards, avoiding the swiping blades above. With a flick of his wrists he expelled a burst of air downward rippling the ground below the guards. They clambered and stuttered, eventually falling to the ground, swords shattering away. This was the moment for The Captain to strike, he rose abruptly and sent another burst of air across the floor which sent the two guards flying into the tables, breaking them into splintered pieces. Finally, Kane stepped forward.

“Enough. This is your round.” he said calmly. “We are watching Captain. Always watching.” Kane stepped over the bodies of the two, motionless on the ground and reached for his gloves. He dressed his fingers with skilled perfection and pulled his collar up. Reaching for the door handle he took one last look at The Captain before opening.
“Until we meet again Captain.”

The Captain bowed his head. “Until we meet again.”

With that Kane wandered off into the silence of the night. Footsteps breaking the picture perfect white canvas which lay in front of him. Strangely the snow had stopped but it had left its mark. The Captain slowly stepped towards the door following the footprints into the night as they slowly disappeared into the darkness. His right hand slowly drew up his chest holding the centre of his ribcage, clutching a small locket through his coat. Peering down, he felt a surge of energy flow through his fingers as he clutched tighter. He draw a deep breath and jolted his head skyward, peering into the bleakness.

“Until we meet again…”

He let off another raucous laugh which shattered the silence and made the night time stir once more.