[ IP ] Battleship Entering the City

The bladeship slid into the dock with a hum of engines and the whistles of correcting jets. The dock closed beneath, gently clapsing and supporting the hull, taking the strain from the engines before the gangplanks descended into the deck. 
 `` Alright, Engine-room, turn off the Grav.'' Called the first mate through the comm system. 
 `` Belay that order.'' Growled the captain. He flicked the comm to his position. `` Chief, front Grav to 20 percent and silent running.'' 
 `` Aye, sir. You heard him, ye daft...'' The professional cursing of engine room command cut off. The captain turned to his first mate and nodded quietly, who turned and left the command deck. 
 `` Helmsman? Pi...'' 
 `` Aye Captain.'' The helmsman nodded to the Captain. 
 `` Umm, Captain?'' The captain turned to his guest and cargo, Navy Academy graduate Lieutenant Cree. 
 `` Regulations state that engines should be off during docked resupply. I know you are n't Navy, but while operating under The Flag...'' The Captain sighed. 
 `` Mr Cree, do you notice anything outside?'' He waved to the viewing window. The Lieutenant frowned and peered out. 
 `` Umm, no, Captain? Nothing seems to be of issue.'' 
 `` Precisely.'' The Captain joined him at the window. 
 `` Where are the dockhands? Where are the lines to hold the ship? Where...'' 
 `` Umm, Captain, the enclosing dock does not require the lines. Regulations state the enclosing dock is...'' 
 A creak that echoed through the ship silenced him. A shudder, and the dock below dropped away, exposing the hull to outside. 
 `` Helm, Engine, Pivot now!'' Shouted the Captain, and the bladeship swung down, swinging about its rear. The view changed from the dock, to the horizon before a thunderous boom and squeal of metal revealed a ship below. 
 `` Regulations do not account for maliciousness, Mr Cree.'' The captain said mildly as his ship's reinforced hull tore through the vessel below 
 `` For example, a favourite manoeuvre is to drop a quiet ship into the waiting grasp of a Carrier.'' The Lieutenant paled as the the bladeship broke free and the horizon appeared once more. The engines roared back to life and the ship leapt forward, away from the dock. The navigation pane showed several smaller vessels surrounding the now crippled carrier. 
 The Captain clicked the comm once more. 
 `` Mr Standing? Prepare the gunners to fend off... 5 attack corvettes.'' 
 `` Aye sir!'' Came the growl of the first mate over the line. The ship's cannon started to boom as the bladeship escaped the trap. The captain patted the pale Lieutenant on the shoulder. 
 `` Well, Mr Cree, your first ambush! And you survived! I'm sure your mother will be most pleased. Now if you could go and join Mr Standing, I'm sure he could find a job for you.'' 
 The Lieutenant walked unsteadily to the door. As it closed behind him, the helmsman muttered 
 `` Aye, his mother might be, but I bet his uncle wo n't. I saw the markings on the ships, as did you Captain'' 
 The Captain nodded silently, and cursed the favour he owed that led him to this. *After all*, he thought, *Who lets the Crown Prince join the bloody Navy? *
