{ Iconic Lines }

“My goodness, Captain,” The carefully affected tone gave no true indication of Graham’s own opinion – which, considering the other man’s particular note of complaint might well have been an action born of deliberate wisdom. It came as little surprise to him that a man who had held command as long as Pellew would have his share of malcontent – but as the man was always so carefully circumspect it was unusual to hear him denounce the admiralty quite so thoroughly as this. 

Rather than challenge the man however, Graham simply offered a smile that seemed to indicate he knew full well he likely had not been meant to hear that thought expressed. “I think we could both use some fresh air while we await their deliberations, don’t you?” He suggested, offering the man a literal escape from the frustrations of dealing with the admiralty at least for a time. It would be two hours before they were set to be present – nothing said they had to wait here in the interim.