On the Incessant, battle preparations were proceeding at a furious pace.
Port side, second gun emplacement command platform.
Horatio took out his pocket watch from his breast pocket.
The reason a Naval pocket watch had the word 'Naval' in its name was not just because of its gold-plated exterior and Naval insignia.
It was also because its entire design was for void travel; its crystal was made of hard, high-transparency sapphire, making it almost impossible to shatter.
Inside, a pure inscription was embedded, ensuring that whether in the real universe or the Warp, the hands would not be affected by strange forces, preventing inaccurate timekeeping.
He checked the time; it was almost at his preset mark.
"Are you hungry?" Horatio asked Farida.
"Emmm, not really, but if you put it that way, a little…" Farida looked into Horatio's eyes and asked, "So… what is a meal report?"
"Fighting is very tiring, I think you've experienced that too.
Although everyone eats something before battle, during prolonged engagements, the human body accelerates energy consumption to maintain physical strength, so a simple meal during battle preparations and rest is very necessary. Otherwise, problems like low blood sugar and lack of concentration will occur.
The time for battle preparations and rest is precious, so all written and verbal reporting is concluded with a meal report, meaning officers and their subordinate Warrant Officers eat while listening to reports. It's a kind of working meal."
"Uh… so, officers must call the Warrant Officers over… to eat together???" Farida felt a surge of nervousness.
Horatio nodded: "This is also part of how officers and their subordinates communicate, interact, and get to know each other."
Farida became even more nervous.
As an Untouchable, although she had been pampered since childhood and had received training in many banquet etiquettes, she had not truly participated in many grand banquets.
Usually, they were banquets hosted by General Hood, and as the host's daughter, she only needed to maintain a smile, nod gracefully, toast each other, accept a flurry of exaggerated praise and flattery, and then she was free.
The rest was her father's business anyway.
But now, she had to eat with so many unfamiliar subordinates and listen to reports, which made her, being somewhat socially anxious, feel uncomfortable.
Horatio snapped his fingers.
Young attendants began to lay tablecloths and arrange cutlery on the folding table boards at the officers' and Warrant Officers' seats.
These individuals were not Cabin's Mates, who were on the roster like Midshipmen. Cabin's Mates were usually commissioned Lieutenants or children of the Captain's friends. A cruiser would only have two or three.
Those who couldn't obtain Midshipman qualifications would become Cabin's Mates, serving only the highest echelons on the ship. They also studied with the Captain, but they did not have the real power of a Midshipman.
The young attendants serving the officers in front of Horatio were the daughters or sons of the Sailors, Sergeants, or Warrant Officers on the ship.
When these boys and girls grew older, they would receive personal instruction from the most skilled person in their clan, guiding them in the secrets of clan machinery and combat.
Horatio had the attendants arrange Farida's seat closer to his own.
He did this to reassure Farida, so she could just watch what he did.
She could remain silent the entire time; her main task was to eat a simple meal to fill her stomach, and then remember how Horatio did things.
Although the dining tables were folding small table boards with adjustable height, and the dining environment was merely the command platform, it was inevitably somewhat rudimentary.
But the Navy, from Ancient Terra to the present, has always been good at finding joy in hardship.
Just like the Captain in Master and Commander, though his colonel's uniform was wrinkled and even faded, he still maintained a dignified appearance at all times.
For Naval Officers to eat a simple meal during combat lulls was also a simple yet refined affair.
Each small table board was covered with two layers of tablecloths: one crocheted decorative cloth with tassels, and one plain white silk cloth printed with a golden Skyhawk.
Next, two boys placed silver dinner plates and cutlery on the tables of the two young male and female officers.
Two other girls stood beside Horatio and Farida, who were not much older than them, holding two basins of water for the two officers to wash their hands before the meal.
The Warrant Officers' cutlery, however, was silver-inlaid, distinguishing it from the officers' pure silver cutlery.
Thump, thump, thump.
The heavy footsteps of Naval boots sounded from outside.
The Warrant Officers had arrived.
These individuals were all quite old, appearing to be more than double the combined age of Horatio and Farida.
The Warrant Officer rank is a special rank in the Navy.
'Warrant' means appointment, and 'Officer' means official; together, it means appointed official.
It is important to note that they are neither officers nor Soldiers; they are a separate category.
They are directly appointed by the Captain from among senior crew members, and it is the highest position a regular crew member can achieve.
They primarily undertake professional technical services and corresponding management work, but do not bear leadership responsibilities.
'Appointment' and 'commission' may seem similar, but their authority and administrative effectiveness are vastly different.
Their relationship can be illustrated by the civil service system of the great Eastern nation of Ancient Terra.
Civil service positions are all commissioned by the State Council's staffing office issuing letters of commission.
Naval Officers are equivalent to national civil servants; their positions are issued by the sector-level Navy Department and reported to Holy Terra, possessing sacred and inviolable Imperial legal effect at all times in any sector.
Naval Warrant Officers are similar to public institution personnel.
Public institution personnel adopt an administrative agency appointment system, only requiring registration and reporting through human resources departments, without needing to report to the State Council.
Warrant Officers are also directly appointed by the Captain, only requiring registration and reporting within their Affiliation fleet, and are not valid outside that fleet.
And Naval Midshipmen are equivalent to national civil service selectees currently in their study and assessment period.
Here, Horatio and Farida were the officials, while the Warrant Officers were the clerks.
Looking at these rough Hanzi, who were not much cleaner than Sailors.
Farida appeared very reserved, losing the generosity and composure of a young lady, instead sitting stiffly in her seat, a very serious expression on her face.
This was her first time sitting face-to-face and eating with so many commoners, especially those living on a ship.
Horatio glanced at her every move, the corners of his mouth slightly curved.
Farida glared resentfully at Horatio, who kept observing her, her thin lips moving, but ultimately saying nothing.
"Sir." The Warrant Officers stood respectfully, saluting the two seated officers.
They each waited by their respective seats for Horatio to speak before they could sit down.
"Hmm, is everyone here?"
The executive Warrant Officers of the two gun emplacements quickly counted the number of Warrant Officers from each department and reported to Horatio: "Everyone is here, Sir."
"Very good, gentlemen, please be seated." Horatio smiled gracefully, friendly and gentle, yet always maintaining a slightly distant officer's demeanor.
This noble demeanor was what many people yearned for: the polished bearing of a professional officer from the Naval Academy.
Horatio gently tapped his spoon on a glass, and three dining carts were pushed in.
When a warship was engaged in battle, the kitchen would not start fires to prevent internal ship fires.
However, the duration of a naval battle was uncertain; sometimes it could last an entire day or even longer.
During this time, personnel on board still needed to eat to replenish their strength.
So, the chefs would prepare some food in advance and keep it warm, and if necessary, they could also use flameless heating equipment to reheat it.
The attendants uncovered the cloths on the dining carts one by one.
The first dining cart revealed several round covers, inside which were double-boiled thick stews, as well as curry-like spicy gravies, Grox milk, and mushroom cream soup. Hot drinks were also available.
The middle of another dining cart was an upward-rising cabinet-style meal box.
One side displayed various baked breads, while the other side showcased several rows of square flasks, containing meal wine and soft drinks provided for the officers and Warrant Officers.
In the center, butter and sauces for bread were neatly arranged.
The last dining cart opened in a tiered fashion, with several meal baskets arranged side by side on each level.
The top layer held various cheeses, followed by an assortment of cold cut sausages, and spiced boiled sausages.
Freshly sliced Black Label Grox ham and meats that were fried then reheated by re-baking, and finally, pre-cut various fruits and vegetables cultivated in the ship's hydroponic farm.
For a Warrant Officer on a warship to enjoy nearly officer-level treatment was a rank many crew members pursued their entire lives.
Especially when officers were unable to fully utilize their privileged treatment, the differences were almost negligible.
However, high-grade fruit wines from Garden Worlds and some premium canned foods still required formal officers of Midshipman rank and above, like Horatio and Farida, to enjoy.
They had a wide variety of fresh foods to choose from.
Thanks to the liquid nitrogen flash-freezing and preservation technology on board the warship's cold storage, they hardly worried about food spoilage.
The three dining carts presented only simple meals that could be provided under limited conditions during wartime, when fires were shut down.
When not on high alert, officers would enjoy Hive City noble-level delicacies in the Captain's office, which was like a palace banquet hall.
"Midshipman Hood, if you're familiar with the cold buffets at your family's official residence, then this is the same. Just help yourself to whatever you want, or have an attendant prepare it for you. If you don't mind, for the first serving, please allow me to recommend a personal favorite of mine."
"Alright, then I'll trouble you."
Farida smiled, watching Horatio prepare a very Naval-flavored open-faced sandwich for her, based on his preferences for simple meals at the academy. The busyness in front of the gun emplacement command platform seemed to dissipate quite a bit.
"Everyone, please eat while we have the reports. Starting with the Fourth Macro cannon Executive Warrant Officer."
Horatio said to the Warrant Officers while making the sandwich for Farida by hand.
Horatio maintained a dignified smile, and with great gallantry, he used small tongs to pick up a slice of buttered bread, toasted until golden and crispy on the surface, and placed it on Farida's plate.
He then demonstratively layered the bread with sauce, meat, cold cut sausage, and vegetables, one layer at a time.
He also had an attendant slice a thin piece of ham and lay it in an S-shape on top.
Finally, he had an attendant serve Farida a portion of soup and pour her a glass of lighter, sweeter wine as a meal beverage.
"Please help yourselves, gentlemen." Horatio smiled, easing the somewhat solemn atmosphere.
He also called in the Soldiers of the guard who had faithfully protected him during the battle, allowing them to get something to eat and drink from the officer's dining cart.
This made the Navy Breachers feel flattered.
The Warrant Officers exchanged glances for a moment, then returned smiles, having attendants pour them a glass of fine vintage wine.
They all raised their glasses, toasting to Horatio and Farida's health, then tasted the wine, praising its sweetness.
Horatio leaned back casually in his chair and gestured for the formally seated Farida to relax as well.
He knew very well how to be a leader and how to earn the respect of his subordinates.
As long as they continued to diligently perform their duties for him, he didn't mind sharing the good things reserved for officers with his brave subordinates.
The Documentary Court will always strive to lead you, to the best of its ability, to an immersive experience of a Naval Officer's combat and daily life, as well as those exquisite details not seen on the market.
Since its update, every chapter of the Documentary Court has been reviewed by a senior Warhammer fan (the kind with 20+ years of experience) with a national commission, ensuring the detailed content is accurate and error-free. He is a professional, so please read with confidence!