ANCHORED

CHAPTER2

Captain Cobham sat at the head of the long, worn table in the mess room, his eyes scanning the room with a practiced indifference. It was a daily ritual, observing his crew as they ate and conversed, ensuring discipline was maintained even during their leisure time. But today, something or rather, someone caught his attention.

That's the new cadet on board he says to himself.

Jariel's voice, soft yet confident, drifted over the hum of chatter. She was speaking animatedly about a recent encounter with a pod of dolphins, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Cobham found himself leaning in slightly, drawn to the genuine enthusiasm in her words. It was rare to see such unguarded joy on a ship where the crew often wore their stoic masks.

As he listened, an unfamiliar feeling crept into his chest. He was intrigued, captivated by the way she spoke, her presence lighting up the otherwise mundane room. It was a stark contrast to the disciplined, hardened demeanor he usually expected from his crew. And then, almost involuntarily, a thought crossed his mind how could someone be so endearing, so... cute?

The realization hit him like a wave, and he felt a surge of disdain towards himself. What was he thinking? He was the captain, responsible for maintaining order and discipline. Allowing himself to be swayed by such trivial emotions was a weakness, one he could ill afford. He clenched his jaw, anger simmering beneath the surface. He had considered punishing her earlier for a minor infraction, but now he questioned his motives. Was it truly about discipline, or was he trying to suppress his own feelings?

Cobham's internal conflict raged on as he forced himself to look away from Jariel, focusing instead on his untouched meal. He couldn't allow himself to be distracted, not by her or anyone else. He had a ship to command, and emotions had no place in the cold, calculated world of leadership. Yet, despite his resolve, he couldn't shake the image of her smile, nor the warmth it had brought to the cold steel confines of his heart.

Captain Cobham took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of Jariel as he turned to his chief officer, Lieutenant Grayson, who was seated across from him. The officer was poring over a stack of reports, his brow furrowed in concentration.

“Grayson,” Cobham began, his voice steady but carrying an underlying tension, “what’s the current work and rest schedule for the deck cadets?”

Grayson looked up, adjusting his glasses. “They’re on a standard rotation, Captain. Six hours on, six hours off. We’ve been trying to ensure they’re not overworked, especially with the upcoming drills.”

“Good,” Cobham replied, his mind still partially occupied with thoughts of Jariel. “And how has Jariel been performing? I want a full assessment.”

Grayson hesitated for a moment, sensing the shift in Cobham’s demeanor. “She’s been doing well, actually. Quick to learn the ropes, and she’s got a knack for navigation. The others respect her. But—”

“But what?” Cobham pressed, his curiosity piqued.

“She can be a bit… distracted at times. I’ve noticed she tends to daydream during tasks. It might be her enthusiasm getting the better of her,” Grayson explained, a hint of concern in his tone.

Cobham felt a flicker of irritation. “Daydreaming? That’s not acceptable. We can’t have cadets losing focus, especially not on deck.”

“True, sir. But I think it’s more about her adjusting to the routine. She’s passionate, and that can sometimes lead to her being less attentive than we’d like,” Grayson replied, trying to gauge Cobham’s reaction.

The captain rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. “Keep an eye on her. I don’t want to stifle her enthusiasm, but we can’t afford any slip-ups. Make sure she understands the importance of discipline on this ship.”

“Yes, Captain. I’ll have a word with her,” Grayson said, nodding in agreement.

As the conversation ended, Cobham found himself lost in thought once more. He couldn’t deny that Jariel’s passion was refreshing, but he also understood the need for balance. He had to maintain the line between encouraging her spirit and ensuring she understood the gravity of their duties. It was a delicate balance, and one that he would have to navigate carefully.