James agrees

(This thread originally written by whizzper as 'It doesn't hurt to ask' I've modified the beginning and end of the thread slightly for the sake of continuity)

Brenan climbed back the steep steps and through the forward hatch. James was still playing his flute but the others had stopped dancing and where sitting against the railing listening to the cheerful warbling of the flute and enjoying the ocean breeze as the schooner slipped easily through the dark water. Harry was doing a good job, Brenan acknowledged him with a small wave, the course was true and the sails where well trimmed, on a night like this with the steady wind it wasn't hard, but Brenan was glad to see the young man had not let himself be distracted.

"James..." Brenan called the young man over away from the others and explained what Mr Michaels wanted.

"That's what I was hoping for, Captain, when I gave him the gun. He can take apart one. If what he says is true then after this delivery we may want to go to my Grandfather's shop. There was one machine in there that he never showed me when I was allowed in. Sat in the corner, covered in dust. I asked him of it once. Quite an odd answer really. He said, "I have no need for that one anymore, this Island is peaceful." He stressed the last word rather oddly. I was ten, thought nothing of it, I wanted to see his cool stuff. Now that I think back on it...it had to have had something to do with his Peacekeeper. Whether he used it to make the gun or the shells, I don't know." James snorted. "Cool stuff. If it does have something to do with that gun, it would have been the coolest thing in there. Ah, hindsight is a wonderfully annoying thing isn't it, Captain."

"It can be."

"Also captain, if...well...if we do go back to the shop after this run...well...mygirlfriendispregnantandI'dliketobethereforher." James said in a rush, his cheeks coloring a bit."

Brenan blinked, "I heard the word pregnant...and...girlfriend? How far along?"

"She's at three months, Captain. She's staying at our place for the moment. Just...you know...if possible. Sir."

"One thing at a time. First we have to rendezvous with Red and then get this cargo to Veertor." He was pleased to see James nod in agreement. "Now let me get back to Mr. Michaels, and then we'd better set up the first watch."

Brenan gave Mr. Michaels the go ahead and then set up the watches for the night. He'd have to figure out the permanent watches after the whole crew was assembled but for now he split the crew in two and headed to his cabin for a few hours of sleep.