The Dawson's Christian Legend
Sir Brian had already heard of this Ghost ship legend before the crew encountered the INS Quasar Viper(History Link here). What excited him was a vid-chip with an older, and more informative version of the Dawson's Christian legend. The following is a song that is still popular in some parts of the Spinward Marches as the "battle" at the song's beginning refers to the historic loss of the INS Christian in the Mirriam System, in the Five Sisters subsector. According to records, the Christian was a J-3 Light Escort
[NOTE: This is a "Traveller friendly" version of the song written by Duane Elms, and no rights or ownership of that work is suggested]
Jayme Dawson was the Captain of the Christian and her crew, And he flew and fought the Christian in the War of '82. Now the Christian was the finest ship 'tween here and the Spinward Main, And the crew of Jayme Dawson was the same. They were jumped by three light cruisers though they weren’t a match for one. As they came to general quarters and they sent out the alarm, Dawson's crew was sure they'd finally bought the farm.
Now, they say that Jamie Dawson was no man to cut and run. and they say that when he fought, he had the fury of a sun. But they say he made his bargain with some power of the night, That he sold his soul to win this final fight.. But at the site they found a scene no sane man could believe. Three light cruisers cut to ribbons, scattered wreckage all around, But no trace of Dawson's Christian could be found.
Chorus There are stories of the Dutchman, the Celeste and Barnum's Pride, There are stories of the Horseman and the Lady at his side, But the tale makes my blood run cold, more because it's true, Is the tale of Jayme Dawson and his crew, Yes, the tale of Dawson's Christian and her crew.
(instrumental interlude)
I was second mate on Hera's Dream, a freighter of the line. We were running precious metals from the colony on Nine. I was standing second watch of that most uneventful flight, When the pirate ships appeared out of the night. Well I thought our fate was settled, for they had us four to one, And you can't fight dirty pirates when your freighter has no gun. So we stood by to be boarded by a party yet unseen, When another ship appeared upon our screen.
First we thought it just a pirate, but the vector was all wrong. Then we thought it might be rescue, but the signal wasn't strong. As our hailing brought no answer we all felt a sudden dread, and sensors showed her weapons hot and glowing red. Now the courage of that single ship is shown by very few, and I thought, "None but a madman could fly the way she flew. She was out gunned! She was out numbered, but a cheer rose from our lips As she swung to target on the pirate ships.
Bridge And the strangers beams burned brighter than all beams I'd seen before. And the strangers armor harder than the heart of any whore. As the battle rent the ether, while we watched and shook our heads, The pirate ships were cut to bloody shreds. The pirate ships were cut to bloody shreds.
Just as quickly as it started then the fighting was all done. For the pirate fleet was shattered and the stranger's ship had won. She matched our Vee and lay beside us as we watched her full of awe As she hove in closer, this is what we saw.
There were thirty holes clear through her and a gash along one side, And we knew that when it happened, every soul on board had died. Then she rolled to show her markings, and we read them and we knew, The fate of Jayme Dawson and his crew. She was the Christian...and a grave for all her crew
Then she turned as if to leave us, but then began to fade, First the hull, and then the bulkheads as we watcher her, all afraid, And there’s twenty men who'll wear with me, the last to slip from view, Were the bones of Jayme Dawson and his crew. Yes, the bones of Jayme Dawson and his crew.
Final Chorus: There are stories of the Dutchman, the Celeste and Barnum's Pride, There are stories of the Horseman and the Lady at his side, But the tale makes my blood run cold, more because it's true, Is the tale of Jayme Dawson and his crew, Yes, the tale of Dawson's Christian and her crew. They're out there.. Jayme Dawson and his crew.....
( Follow this link for an original version of this song by Duane Elms ) ( Follow this link for a Firefly version of this song by Tony and Vixy )
The Cold Dreams Legend      Again, this is an old legend which Sir Brian knew well. While there is no suggestion of the system this tale might have come from, it's imagry suggests a system near the great rift separating the Spinward Marchs and Deneb sectors from the rest of the Imperium. That the legend is popular in the Marches suggests it may have been born on the spinward side ofthe reft rather than the traiing (for an understanding of these directions, follow this link to the Traveller Map web site) But regardess of its origins, it is a perennial tale told by or to would be explorers and dreamers.
[ NOTE: This song was written by the late Cynthia McQuillian, and no rights or ownership of that work is suggested.]
In cold dreams she lies, while eternity reels forever she dies, sheathed in crystal and steel A pale, dark haired beauty, once strong and alive A star-rover she, to conquer the sky
Chorus And the far stars cry, And the planets yearn But no man will know 'Cause she'll never return
Her lover went to sail, on the galaxy rim She tossed, and she turned, and she creamed about him She saw in a vision, his ship tumble free Adrift, in the cold dark of infinity Chorus
She begged, and she pleaded, for rescue to send But most caled it foolish to risk other men When her lover proved it deadly to sail the unknown So coldly she swore, she'd find him alone Chorus
Under suspention, she'd wait out the time Her vessel's computer and sensors would chime A warning, to waer, when they brought her to him On the far distant side of the galaxy rim Chorus
In sleep, so like death, she was locked long ago No man shall awake her, nor brush back the snow For time has forgetten, and fate fails the drive The ship keeps its course, but will never arrive Chorus No, she'll never return No, she'll never return
( Follow this link for a partial performance of the song by Julia Ecklar )