TITLE: A Plan for Failure
AUTHORS: Ruth & Sarah
RATING: PG 13
FEEDBACK: Yes, please!

TIMELINE: Around 1807, approximately two weeks before the /HMS Monstrous/ sets sail.
DISCLAIMER: The Hornblower characters are the property of C.S. Forester, the Forester Estate, and A&E TV. The /Monstrous/ characters belong to the /HMS Monstrous/ women - please ask before using them.


A Plan for Failure

"Come," Rang out the voice behind the door to the great cabin.

Elaine Harvey was escorted into the room by the Marine sentry on duty.

The Captain glanced up from the reports he was writing and stared at his visitor. "You're excused marine." He said shortly, not taking his eyes from her.

Lieutenant Harvey watched as the marine closed the door and then listened carefully for his footsteps as he returned to his post. She turned back to smile knowingly at the Captain. "You sent for me Captain Hammond?" she purred.

Captain Ian Hammond made no secret of his scrutiny of Miss Harvey; the expression on his face mirrored his lewd thoughts. "Have a seat Lieutenant," he commanded, just loud enough for anyone listening to hear.

She took the seat opposite him at the table, praying this conversation would be short. Elaine hid it very well, but she
despised his coarse Irish accent and his boorish, lowborn manners. Were he and her father not in a deal together, she would not tolerate such behavior towards her. But her father needed his connections . . . for the moment.

He was a direct contrast to Sir Edward Pellew, Captain of the /Seawitch/. There was a man to make a woman happy – handsome, cultured, charming, courageous, powerful, and certainly headed for promotion to Admiral. He had occupied her thoughts since their meeting at Admiral Collingwood's dinner party last evening - immediately regretting her choice of attire; the lieutenant's dress uniform (though expertly cut and tailored) rather less flattering and feminine than one of her silk evening gowns. He had shown not the slightest intimidation by her height and demeanor. Elaine had heard of his dislike of having women serve aboard his ship. She was, however, certain that she could introduce him to the advantages of such an arrangement.

"You're looking extremely well, Elaine." Captain Hammond remarked quietly, pulling her reluctantly from her musings. "It seems serving aboard the /Isis/ has suited you." The tan she had acquired gave her an exotic appearance, much like the girls of the islands; the pristine whiteness of her shirt only accentuated the darkness of her perfect skin and glistening raven hair.

"The West Indies suited me; the /Isis/ was a floating, rotting log." She remarked with no small amount of irritation and then absently brushed a speck of lint from her knee breeches. "I take it you have more to discuss with me than my health, Ian."

It annoyed him that she referred to him by his first name instead of his title of Captain. Even though she was merely a Lieutenant and a Third Lieutenant at that, she still considered him an equal. No, less than an equal; she dealt with him as though he were a serf. He'd watched his family and village in Ireland toil under the yoke of English aristocracy enough to detect that type of attitude.

He slammed his hand down on the tabletop. "That is `Captain' to you Lieutenant," he brusquely reminded her. "You would be well-advised to remember that." He watched as her blue-green eyes flared widely and a red flush surged from her neckline across her face. She hated being reminded that she was not the one in control in the Royal Navy.

"My apologies, `Captain', I forget myself." The apology was ineffectual at best; at worst it was a snub towards his title. Her father would not divulge the extent of his connections with Captain Hammond, only that she was to attempt to keep him placated and to assist him.

"Elaine," he said, remembering that he had hoped this meeting would end in his favor, "I have a mission for you that will interest you greatly." He could see the sparkle return to those icy eyes; he knew she enjoyed a challenge. "The Lords of the Admiralty have approved Regent's request."

Harvey was much surprised he could speak the woman's name without spitting it out like a curse. She knew it was a sore point with Hammond that Regent had been promoted above him. Her curiosity was also peaked. So, the mighty Admiral Emily Regent had finally convinced the Admiralty that a ship of the line, crewed entirely by women, would be as successful as any other ship. There were those in the Royal Navy who were determined to see women drummed out of the ranks completely. Elaine thought this very amusing. She knew that men would always think women beneath them when it came to intelligence and cunning – how little they admitted to.

"And how does this news interest me?" she asked with trepidation.

He grinned, showing his darkened teeth, "I have managed to get you placed aboard that ship – that `Monstrous' ship – as a Third Lieutenant." When he saw that she was about to protest, he continued quickly. "I know you expected a promotion to at least First Lieutenant, but this was the best I could manage. Regent had already given that position to an officer whom had served with her previously, and the Second Lieutenant's position had been filled as well."

"So, why am I being placed aboard this ship?"

"There are a few of us who want to see this venture fail. It's all well and good to have women serving as crew and a few as officers, but a ship entirely of women? Bah, we might as well hand her over to Boney right out of the shipyard." He laughed and shook his head. "What we want you to do is gather information on the officers and the general conduct of the crew. Of course, accidents, misunderstandings, and mishaps are always bound to happen aboard a new ship, with officers and crew who have never served together, if you understand me correctly." He stared at her intently.

She smiled and nodded. "I understand perfectly, Captain. Which ship is this to be? I would think they'd give her some barge." She could see the barely controlled fury kept at bay by the clenching of his jaw.

When he finally spoke, it was in measured tones. "They built her a seventy-four. No used prize-ship for high and mighty Regent."

"The Admiral will sail with her?" Elaine asked in surprise.

"No, she will continue her mission in the Mediterranean, and the /Monstrous/ will run blockade. There has been a Captain Jones placed on her. She has no history with the Navy, but the Admiralty has been trying to persuade her to sign up for several years. The temptation of this new ship finally lured her in."

"The ship is to be named the /Monstrous/? Who gave it that horrid name?" She laughed scornfully.

He shook his head. "It was Regent - some historical nonsense about `Monstrous Women'. Elaine, this is no small task we ask of you. I can't believe a woman of your beauty and charms would want to continue as an officer in the Navy, but if your mission is successful, we'll see you have the promotion you desire."

Elaine watched him carefully, trying to guess at his intentions. She realized that if Regent were made a fool of, and he were the one to save the `Monstrous', then he might well be promoted in her place. Yes, Regent's court-martial would please him no end.

"When does /Monstrous/ sail?" She asked as she stood – hoping this conversation was at an end.

He stood with her and stepped over to take her hand. "She sails in two weeks. I trust that will give you enough time to prepare?"

"It should, I've some things to take care of for father, but I should be finished in time." She tried not to flinch as he stroked her hand with his fingers and then brought it to his lips for a kiss. She had grown accustomed to keeping a smile on her face.

"Just remember Elaine this will mean that promotion you've wanted so badly." He said, and continued to kiss her hand.

She was a woman who knew what had to be done to get what she wanted, "Well, then, I must do my best to insure that this little endeavor is a `monstrous' failure."

Her smile was no less alluring than a siren's song; he took her arms, leaned forward, and kissed her deeply. When he finally stepped back, he was smiling. "Tonight, then?" It was more a command than an invitation.

She smiled broadly, "Of course."