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And A Good Captain Can't Fall Asleep...
"Well I'm on the Downeaster "Alexa"
And I'm cruising through Block Island Sound
I have charted a course to the Vineyard
But tonight I am Nantucket bound
We took on diesel back in Montauk yesterday
And left this morning from the bell in Gardiner's Bay
Like all the locals here I've had to sell my home
Too proud to leave I worked my fingers to the bone
So I could own my Downeaster "Alexa"
And I go where the ocean is deep
There are giants out there in the canyons
And a good captain can't fall asleep
I've got bills to pay and children who need clothes
I know there's fish out there but where God only knows
They say these waters aren't what they used to be
But I've got people back on land who count on me
So if you see my Downeaster "Alexa"
And if you work with the rod and the reel
Tell my wife I am trawling Atlantis
And I still have my hands on the wheel
Now I drive my Downeaster "Alexa"
More and more miles from shore every year
Since they tell me I can't sell no stripers
And there's no luck in swordfishing here.
I was a bayman like my father was before
Can't make a living as a bayman anymore
There ain't much future for a man who works the sea
But there ain't no island left for an islander like me."
-Downeaster Alexa by Billy Joel
The following is written by 
, not me! I just drew da artz.Sleep should have come easily, but despite his fatigue it was eluding him. Lying on a couch in his day cabin, DJ Halfmoon stared at the ceiling and sighed. He’d been pulling double duty since they’d launched. Captain by rank, DJ was still the best engineer aboard the Revenge, and as such spent a good deal of his time crawling through access tubes and burying his head in electrical panels. Too much time, but what else could he do? The crew had been slowly growing, but was still over a hundred beings short of what the ship really needed for optimum operation. He was needed. So he split his time between the bridge and the engine room. Captain and engineer, two crew members in one, it was exhausting. Several other folks on the crew were putting themselves through the same hell, so how could he not? He wouldn’t ask anybody to do something he wouldn’t do himself.
The most recent raid had been a success, but the margin had been too close for comfort. They’d jumped an Imperial supply convoy escorted by a pair of Nebulon B frigates. Under ideal circumstances the Revenge was more than capable of defeating that kind of opposition, but circumstances were not ideal. His rag-tag crew of misfits was going up against the professionals of the Imperial Navy. By the time they neutralized the two frigates their shields had been depleted to near critical levels, and they’d lost the use of one of their ventral turbolasers. DJ thanked the gods his casualties had been limited to a few bumps and bruises, and nothing more.
His thoughts spinning through his head at hyperspace speeds, the Alsatian mix gave up on sleep and rolled himself into a sitting position on the couch. May as well check on his ship and crew. HIS ship and crew, HIS… Gods, that was still such a strange concept. Most spacers lived for the chance to command a vessel of their own. DJ’d been happy as an engineer, he’d never expected his shipmates to name him Captain. It had been downright frightening at first. He’d have probably run and hid under a deck plate like a scared puppy had Raahl not been there to provide a guiding hand. After a half hearted attempt to smooth his rebellious wad of black hair, the reluctant young Captain buckled his gun belt, pulled his jacket over his shoulders, and made the short walk to the bridge.
Striker was dutifully standing watch on the bridges central walkway when DJ entered. The former clone trooper was visibly surprised to see his Captain. “Sir, I wasn’t expecting you for another three hours.”
“Boring dreams,” DJ replied with a weak smile “I’ll relieve you early.”
A look of genuine concern crossed the clone’s scaly muzzle. DJ cut him off before he could protest. “You work as hard as anybody Mister Striker, just give me a sit-rep and take your ease.”
“Shields are now functional in all flight modes, engineering reports main reactors are operating at peak efficiency, and damaged turbolaser will be operable in approximately two hours.” The clone’s reply was poised and militant, a sign of his training. “Medical staff reports all injured crew members have been released from sickbay. Long range sensors are picking up nothing unusual, and with your permission Sir, I’d like to take my station, my shift is not yet up.”
DJ had to admire his Tactical Officer’s dedication. “As you like it, Mister Striker.” He said with a smile.
“Aye Sir.” And with that, the clone descended the short ladder into the starboard crew pit and took his seat at the master tactical station.
The folks working in the two crew pits looked relaxed, working at their stations and making pleasant conversation with one another. Idle chat while on duty was a breach of military protocol, but this was a pirate ship, so the hell with it. There was a calm and content feeling in the air, and DJ liked it. Satisfied that his crew were well, the Alsatian turned toward the forward view ports and allowed himself a few moments to relax and study the swirling blue nebula that shrouded his ship and concealed them from the prying eyes of the Empire. His ship, his crew. He was their Captain, they relied on him. He vowed that he would serve them well.
Quickie commission for my dear friend,
of his character, DJ Halfmoon, looking out the window of his pirated Star Destroyer as the weight of his Captain's bars are starting to feel just a little heavy. Happens to all the good officers, and I should know, I'm a military wife, dammit!This was written by him, not me, so be sure to give credit where it's due, folks! My buddy is a damn good writer.
Category Artwork (Traditional) / General Furry Art
Species German Shepherd
Size 1280 x 960px
File Size 640.4 kB
Oh, man... this is absolutely lovely, and I love the story and emotion behind it. You just kick ass at drawing beautiful skies, and the reflection in the window is perfect. If you and the commissioner haven't heard it, I highly recommend the song "I Will Not Forget You" by Sarah McLachlan. It's about the person waiting back home when the sailor is called to the sea. :3 Or... it's about an affair, but I like the first interpretation better, hehe.
I had never heard of this Billy Joel song before so I figure I'll have to look it up on you tube. Anyway, I agree that a good Captain can never sleep, but they should get some rest. I read of small boats in the Northern seas facing huge waves for hours at a stretch, and unfortunately, there's not even time for rest in those situations. For the first time in these lyrics I note a sense of hope for when the Captain finally gets back "Home." I like the way you rendered up the nebula in the background, and the somewhat Rougish "Captain" has that sort of look I'd like to draw for my Garetta Foxtaur character "Captain Greycoat."
You always see to pick just the right song for your pieces, Wielder. Yet another to add to my library.
This lyric in particular is a fantastic title for the piece, and the story that goes with it.
To the art, I have to echo what others are saying and compliment you on the reflection. More realistic, yes, but it also visually alerts the viewer of DJ's introspection.
That said, I never get tired of your work with characters' expressions, or their garb. DJ Halfmoon is no exception. You can read the solemn contemplation on his face, and the contrast between the jacket's (likely high) price and how he wears it speaks volumes of the man.
DJ,
Your story is a welcome look into the new captain's life, and I'm glad you've posted it here.
The contrast between Striker's clone discipline and the chatting among the bridge crew near the end makes me curious how the crew has been growing.
I presume that DJ can't simply dock at space ports and hand out flyers, but how would they convince anyone to dock with what appears to be an Imperial star destroyer?
This lyric in particular is a fantastic title for the piece, and the story that goes with it.
To the art, I have to echo what others are saying and compliment you on the reflection. More realistic, yes, but it also visually alerts the viewer of DJ's introspection.
That said, I never get tired of your work with characters' expressions, or their garb. DJ Halfmoon is no exception. You can read the solemn contemplation on his face, and the contrast between the jacket's (likely high) price and how he wears it speaks volumes of the man.
DJ,
Your story is a welcome look into the new captain's life, and I'm glad you've posted it here.
The contrast between Striker's clone discipline and the chatting among the bridge crew near the end makes me curious how the crew has been growing.
I presume that DJ can't simply dock at space ports and hand out flyers, but how would they convince anyone to dock with what appears to be an Imperial star destroyer?
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