It was a warm, windy night and the HMS Dauntless rocked like a cradle, at rest, anchored near a small-uncharted island for the night. Most aboard were securely nestled in their hammocks, getting some well-deserved sleep. All except for the watch and, of course, the Admiral himself. It was to this small island; really it was in the middle of nowhere that the fleet would gather in two days time. They had been scattered far and wide in the attempt to dig up any information and the location of a couple of particularly dastardly pirates.

The first unsavory character went by the name of Red Rob, captain of the ship Golden Cutlass. Fastest pirate ship since the Black Pearl. So far, said pirate had eluded them all. Hence the reason the fleet had been sent far and wide to gather information. The Admiral was very worry what those sources were telling him. There had been reports of the Cutlass being joined with another pirate ship, the Sea Dragon, captained by a pirate by the name of Damian Phelps. Both pirates were well known for their bloodthirsty manner, violent nature, and unfortunately, brilliant planning. The Sea Dragon wasn't as fast as the Cutlass, but she was heavier armed, and that was saying something. The Cutlass wasn't exactly helpless either. Together they could cause a great deal of trouble. If ever there were pirates that needed to be stopped these were the ones.

Admiral Norrington found sleep that night eluding him as thoroughly as the pirates had. He knew he and his men needed to find these pirates soon, before more innocent people were made to suffer by them. Norrington found himself impatient for the required days to pass before his fleet could reform and the hunt begin in earnest. He only hoped by then they would know enough.

All that evening and into the night he reviewed his charts, trying to figure out where the two pirate ships could be. Going over reports of sightings and any scrap of information at his disposal he worked into the night. On deck the watch, which consisted of one man on each end of the ship and one in the crow's nest, kept careful lookout. Each man knew that the Dauntless was all-alone here and their duty was very important to the safety of the ship. They took this responsibility seriously. It was a very quiet night and nothing at all stirred. When the ship had first dropped anchor, in the early evening the air was clear and the water quiet. As the evening became night, however, the watchmen noticed a gentle fog creeping in from the open sea. That should have been no surprise, in fact, no particular notice should have been taken of this fact. The thing was that this fog was just a bit odd. It seemed to congregate into one large, very localized fog bank, the center of which was particularly thick. As the night progressed, the men noticed the huge bank of fog just sait there off the port bow, unmoving. Somehow it made more than one of the men watching feel creepy, watched. They felt as if they were waiting for something to happen, but they didn't know what.

Now as to those two pirate ships, the Admiral was so worried about, they were closer than anyone knew. Little did those careful watchmen know the two allusive pirate ships were very close indeed. In fact, they were right at that moment doing their best to sneak up on the unsuspecting Dauntless at that very moment. As chance would have it, those two scallywags and their ships had been anchored on the other side of the island. The arrival of the Dauntless, all by herself, had not gone unnoticed by those clever captains. They had laid low all evening, keeping careful watch themselves, allowing no sounds to be heard and no lights to be lit. They too had noticed the heavy fog bank, and felt that they could use it to their advantage. What better way to snick up on the waiting Dauntless? This was their big chance and they were not men to let opportune moments like this pass by. Patiently they had waited. Now it was very late, or early depending on how you looked at it. Now was the time. Slowly quietly, carefully using the edges of the strange, thick fog bank, the two great pirate ships crept up on the Dauntless. That they took such care indicated the respect that each had for the Dauntless' strength and firepower.

Their plan was very good, well thought out and they sprung their trap just as they had planned. The Dauntless was caught sleeping. Despite the careful guards they had been surprised. The two pirate ships had slipped up on them unawares through the edges of the fog. The first inkling the Admiral had that there was a problem was the sound of a canon ball whistling across his deck. Chaos ensued as the men of the Dauntless tried in vain to organize, on the fly, some response to the attack. It really was a case of too little to late. Admiral Norrington rallied his men knowing full well that without help they were in big trouble, and there would be no help for two whole days.

Things looked pretty grim for all the Dauntless' crew as the pirate ships moved in for the kill. The Admiral and his men prepared to defend themselves from the pirates that would shortly board. It was a brave and rather hopeless effort. This would surely come down to a matter of numbers, after all. There were probably, with the two ships, twice as many pirates as king's sailors. Still, they had to try.

Swiftly now the ships approached the Dauntless, the admiral knew that the end was near. But what was that? The sound of a new canon was heard. It seemed that everyone in all three ships paused at the sound of the whistle of a canon ball, but where would it land? The top of the Cutlass' main mast exploded into scrap as the incoming ball hit it. Where had it come from? No one knew. Norrington could have sworn that it had come from the center of that odd bank of fog that had hovered so close this night. Then he thought he saw something move in it. Deep in the center, where the fog was at it densest. Bringing up his telescope he peered towards it, trying to see what that movement meant. As he watched he saw a flash and heard the rolling boom of another canon ball as slowly, majestically, the specter of the Black Pearl slipped soundlessly out of the fog bank, trailing entrails of fog and mist as she went. Really the ship was surrounded by the very fog she came out of. Norrington couldn't believe his eyes. The Black Pearl, it couldn't be. She had gone down with her captain years ago. But there she was, solid looking, but not exactly real. She glowed with the same blue light that he had noticed surrounding Jack on that one memorable visit several years ago, when his warning had saved Port Royal from the Bloody Dagger's night attack. What was she doing here?

Picking up speed with every moment the Pearl fired a broad side first to one pirate and then the other. Those were solid enough that is for sure. Both pirate vessels tried to return fire, but to no avail. Men on both pirate ships were pointing and screaming. Suddenly it was their ships that were in chaos rather than the Admirals. The Dauntless was in no condition to do anything at the moment. They could only be spectators to what was unfolding in the waters in front of them. This, it seemed was the Pearl's show. As the admiral watched, the Sea Dragon managed to return fire, almost at point blank range. Norrington was certainly close enough to see those canon balls fly towards the seemingly unprotected side of the ghostly ship. Fly towards it and pass harmlessly through said ship. The admiral couldn't help but feel the hair at the back of his neck raise. The Pearls answering folly didn't pass through the Sea Dragon or rather it did, but not harmlessly. Seems a lucky shot found the powder magazine and the ship simple exploded. The Golden Cutlass lost no time in turning and trying to run. The Pearl turned and followed. The Cutlass was a fast ship, very fast, but the Pearl was faster. Faster, perhaps than it had been in life, for no natural wind could blow a ship that fast. In no time she had caught up with the Cutlass and her cannon made short work of the pirate ship.

Then she turned back toward the Dauntless. Admiral Norrington couldn't keep a feeling of apprehension from coming to his heart. Would she now attack the helpless Dauntless as she had so successfully the other two pirate ships? Surly he would not. As he and his men watched the Black Pearl smoothly sailed and stopped very close along side the Dauntless. Looking across Norrington saw Captain Jack Sparrow, glowing with the same blue light at the ship, come to the side, big grin on his face. "Well now mate, long time no see." The pirate purred. Admiral Norrington swallowed and tried to gather his wits about him. What do you say to a pirate, dead low these many years that had just saved not only your life but also that of all your men? " There was really only one thing, thank you Captain." The Admiral said. Sometimes simplicity was best. Jack looked pleased at that. "Your very welcome Jamie-boy, the pirate answered cheekily, and laughed at the annoyed look that flashed across the Admirals face Now Commodore me lad I've a question I must ask ye. Norrington couldn't resist correcting the pirate, that's Admiral now, Captain. The golden smile grew broader, it that were possible. Admiral, really, well Jamie congratulations, I always knew you had it in you. The pirate captain's smile slowly faded and a look of concern took its place. With a more serious demean than the Admiral had been want to associate with the ghostly captain, Jack inquired about the condition of the Dauntless and it's seaworthiness. Ye have to understand, I'd ask ye and yours to come aboard this ship but any who travel with us, ye might say, must stay on with us on a rather permanent basis, if ye get my drift." "An I don' think ye're quite ready for that, not yet. After sending a puzzled look Sparrows way,Norrington cautiously nodding his understanding. Yes I understand and we shall be fine, the fleet will be here day after tomorrow. We can manage until then," The warm golden smile was back on the ghostly Captain's face. Good, good, I'm glad to hear that, for we soon must be on our way. Places to go and people to scare and all that you know.

Norrington knew that he owed so much to the ghostly captain and his crew. He should really just be grateful that he had showed up to help, both this time and the last, still. He had to admit to a little curiosity. He watched as Sparrow started to turn from him and back to the center of his ship. He couldn't resist. I mean this could very well be the last time he ever saw the man again. Captain, Norrington called before the Black Pearls specter could start to leave. Sparrow turned again towards him with a question in his eye. "Please could you answer a few questions before you leave? Captain Sparrow grinned, nodded and stood waiting for the Admirals questions.

First why did you help us? I thought that after Captain O'Connor was hanged and your vengeance was complete you and the Pearl would have been at rest. Second where must you be off to?"

Ok, first, It did help that you took care of Liam O'Connor but his end didn't make my vengeance complete." At Norrington's puzzled look that golden smile reappeared. Do you really think that one pirate vessel could attack the Pearl, no matter how sneaky the attack was, overcome and sink her? Really Admiral, I thought you had a better opinion of, if not me, then at least me Pearl. No, that Red Rob was hand in glove with O'Connor. We needed to get him as well. As far as the Sea Witch is concerned, tis true that the she was not involved with that bit of business. Was just her bad luck to have taken up with that scurvy dog Rob, besides we couldn't just leave her to have her way with all of ye.

As to where we are off to, is simple. Out there, on to the next adventure, the next horizon to catch. It's a big ocean and a big world with new things to see and do. After all Admiral, an honest to goodness ghost ship is hard to beat. You'd be surprise at how easily a merchant ship gives up its cargo with no fuss at all these days. If it were possible, that golden smile had gotten bigger, with just a hint of smug in there. Norrington was flabbergasted. He was still at it, still pirating, even now. While they had been talking, the two ships started to slowly move apart. The Black Pearl was gliding, still soundlessly, back into its bank of fog. Jack waved his good-by, shouting back over the rapidly increasing space. So long Admiral, until we meet again. You never know, maybe next time I'll invite you aboard my pretty pearl. Maybe by then you'll be ready ta come sailing wif us. At the last moment, just as the ship disappeared into the fog, Jack turned one last time again shouting over the distance as if he could hear the Admirals last thoughts as clearly as if he had spoken them. "Of course we're still pirating, Jamie-boy. After all they can't catch us now."