Author's Note: This takes place after DMC. There are spoilers for those of you who haven't seen it yet. Enjoy! R&R!


Heartless


Genesis

"Barbosa, where are we going!" Will Turner demanded of his former nemesis as they marched through the streets of Tortuga.

The rugged, bearded man chuckled. The monkey perched on his shoulder echoed his laughter. But Captain Barbosa did not turn to the young man to answer his question, nor did he make any remark at all.

Highly offended, Will Turner stopped in his tracks. Seeing her fiancé's reaction, Elizabeth Swann stopped as well. The rest of the group stopped behind them. It was apparent that they all suspected the undead captain from the suspicious looks on their faces. He would very willingly lead them all into life-threatening danger without batting an eye.

"Captain Barbosa," Elizabeth cut in. She was still dressed as a pirate, much to the amusement of everyone else. "We will not take another step until you explain to us why we are in Tortuga instead of rescuing Jack."

Will averted his eyes as his unfaithful fiancé spoke Jack's name.

Annoyed, Captain Barbosa finally turned to the strange group of pirates. "N'case ya 'aven't noticed, we don't have a ship! Aye, I'll sail with ya to oblivion to rescue Jack, but how we gonna get there, ay? Understand?"

"Just how are we going to find a ship in Tortuga?" Will asked skeptically. Then he took a step back in alarm as the undead companion of Captain Barbosa made an aggressive jump at him from the captain's shoulder. I hate that monkey, he thought menacingly.

Barbosa snarled in his impatience. "We're 'ere to find a ship. One with a captain that'll be willin' to sail with us. That a problem, lad?"

Not satisfied but seeing his logic, Will and the others followed after the captain once again. They avoided the occasional brawl and "friendly" women until they reached a port. Several large ships were docked out near the port, but there was one in particular that caught Will's eye. It was a large majestic ship with crisp white sails and glimmering gold railing. It looked to him like it could easily have been the pride of the Royal Navy. Yet carved on the side of the ship and painted over with gold was the name Genesis.

"There she is, lads," Barbosa announced proudly. He ignored Elizabeth's glare at being addressed "lad" and continued. "She's what'll take us out to find your Captain Jack. An' 'er captain's as wild as the seas themselves." His eyes gleamed with admiration that Will had never seen before. "She's what'll take us."

The six ship-bound pirates easily "borrowed" two small boats that they were to take them to the Genesis and her willful captain. One boat contained, much to their discomfort, Will Turner, Eilzabeth Swan, and Captain Barbosa. So great was their suspicion, mistrust, and discomfort that no one spoke a word. However, the boat was buzzing with gossip and legend.

Ragetti, Gibbs, and Pintel sat huddled together in the second boat. Gibbs, who was always a superstitious man, was not comfortable seeking passage upon the Genesis. The tales that circulated of the ship and its captain were not pleasant, to say the least. Ragetti and Pintel had also heard tales of the ship during their time of the Black Pearl.

"It's bad luck to be on this ship," Gibbs muttered to the other two. "It's frightful bad luck."

"Ya," Rigetti nodded, rubbing his wooden eye. ""er cap'n never dies."

"And he can see things." Pintel added while rowing.

"The future." Ragetti's voice trembled with fear as though the thought of having a captain that could see the future was more terrifying than having a captain who never died.

"And he don't take no pris'nors." Pintel wavered as they came closer to the ship. Its hulking mass looked more intimidating than anything he had ever seen with the exception, perhaps, of the Kraken.

"Quiet!" Will snapped from a up ahead. Their talk was getting to both him and Elizabeth as they sat listening in silence. He glanced at Barbosa to see his reaction to the gossip and found him smirking in amusement.

The remainder of the short trip passed in silence. Their emotions were blazing in confusion and their nerves were raw from the days that had passed since Jack's passing. It had been hard for everyone, with the exception of Barbosa. But no one had taken it harder than Elizabeth, much to Will's dismay.

"Quiet while we board. It's night, but they'll be expecting us, I'm sure," Barbosa warned when the boats were drifting alongside the Genesis. His murmured comments chilled Will to the bone.

Will rose silently and tossed a rope up the side of the ship. Giving it a tug to make sure it was steady he began to climb up the side of the boat. When he reached the deck he glanced around carefully. It was deserted. Will leaned over the edge of the ship and gave the signal for the rest of them to board.

Will watched carefully as Barbosa, Elizabeth, Pintel, Ragetti, and finally Gibbs hoisted themselves onto the deck of the Genesis. As Will pulled Gibbs up over the side, which was just as strenuous for Will as it was for Gibbs, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Not now," he said absently. Gibbs tumbled into him and they both fell back against the railing. Again he felt a tap. "What?"

"Me thinks you lads had better concern yourselves," came Barbosa's drawling voice. Suddenly alarmed, Will glanced up and found himself staring into the barrel of a gun. He tried to scramble up as he realized they were surrounded by at least twenty burly looking men with guns, but he tripped over Gibbs and fell back down.

"No, don't get up," came a careless female voice. The tightly packed half-circle of crew members parted slightly and a well dressed, well kept woman walked out to fill the space. Her skinned was dark from a tan and her brilliant green eyes shone vibrantly. Long dark curly hair was pinned back, though several tendrils had snaked their way free and were hanging about, framing her face. Her clothing was similar to Elizabeth's, but a bit more form flattering. A large hat, complete with a feather, adorned her head. She possessed no gun, Will noted, but did have a large stick of wrapped tobacco that she puffed on occasionally, blowing the smoke in his direction.

"Welcome gentlemen, and lady," she added pointedly, giving a mocking nod in Elizabeth's direction, "to the Genesis."


I hope you guys enjoyed that. I know that it didn't have much to do with the actual story, but the next chapter will start to unfold the plot. If you have any comments or constructive criticism, please feel free. R&R!