It was a complex problem for the admiral - one that he could not fully articulate. Nor could he fully determine for himself every aspect of his resentment. The East India Trading Company was at fault for the atrocities that he had seen permitted, not the navy. Not directly. But the EITC's actions had been permitted within the laws set down by the crown and its politicians, and yes, its admirality courts as well. It was precisely because he opted to live his life in service of the people that he could not allign himself with the navy any longer.

"It would be reasonable to argue that men like you and I carry a debt to Britannia. That we are indebted by our birth.

By rights I have paid that debt."

It did not do much to explain his motivations, but it might go some way toward excusing his bitterness. With that said, however, he certainly did not anticipate that Archie would understand the full force and meaning of the statement. He was, after all, being intentionally cryptic.