Ruth Marlowe

Ruth Marlowe is businesslike, practical and exceptionally well organised, with little patience for posturing or unnecessary drama. She speaks plainly, makes decisions quickly and rarely needs to raise her voice; a quietly delivered “No, I don’t think we’ll be doing that” is usually sufficient to end an argument.

Beneath that brisk exterior, she is deeply caring and instinctively protective. She remembers the names of junior officers and crew members, notices when someone is struggling and has an inconvenient habit of knowing who has not eaten or slept properly. Her concern is normally expressed through practical action rather than overt affection – such as unrequested amended duty schedules, an unasked for cup of tea, a private word with a medical officer or a sharply worded order to go off duty. She is maternal without being indulgent and will comfort someone through a personal crisis before firmly expecting them to return to their responsibilities.

As a leader, Marlowe provides clear objectives and allows her officers considerable freedom in how they achieve them. She dislikes micromanagement but expects to be kept informed and reacts badly to unpleasant surprises that should have been reported earlier. Marlowe takes complete responsibility when officers under her command make defensible decisions in good faith and this has earned her considerable loyalty, as has her natural caution, insistence on preparation and refusal to be impressed by reputation.

If it can be said that she has one key weakness, it’s that she can become overprotective. Marlowe sometimes carries responsibilities that should be delegated and has difficulty accepting that officers she cares about must occasionally be allowed to take serious risks. She also tends to conceal her own emotional strain behind efficiency, becoming increasingly brisk and controlling when she is worried.