Chapter 2- Cold Cast off
The three ponies clambered up onto a cliff where they could see the Shiverleaf, There were red flanks swarming it, removing all the weapons, the rum, food and all the loot BlackJack had requisitioned when she commanded.
"Those Bastards..." She drew a musket and began aiming at the gunpowder, Firestorm lowered the barrel.
"Blowing it to pieces won't help us J, if we want to get the cinderpearl, we'll need your ship"
"But we don't have a crew captain"
"Good thing I have you then Sparks" The Unicorn groaned, and firestorm got up.
"Blackjack, can you make a distraction while I get all the supplies on board?"
"Sure thing, including the treasure?"
"Down to the last doubloon" She hugged him, with the same force as in the tavern.
"What about me?"
"You are going to prime the sails, and get us ready to cast off straight away." He nodded and with a quick charge of his magic, blasted off, and close to the ship, firestorm shot up into the sky and above the clouds, blackjack charged down the hill and towards the quay.
"Gimme back ma boat you pricks! I'll tear your eyes out of their sockets with my bare hoofs!"
(Now that's a distraction) Firestorm thought as another barrel of rum went on board, this liquid was a priority, it kept the crew calm, no wonder she had an abundance of it, Sparks could also use it in a gunpowder deficit. As he loaded on a chest, filled to the lid with gold, he noticed an amulet, he picked it up with his magic, it was an amulet of the CinderPearl, a necklace which bound you to the ship, in a sort of blood pact, but that was something firestorms forefathers did, it was now just a symbol of loyalty to the ship, had BlackJack cut ties? Or just put it there to be another piece of loot, or was this her jewellery box.
Meanwhile, Sparks was creeping around in the Shiverleaf's Powder magazine, there were two red flanks talking, so he hid behind some struts, and listened.
"Why did we have to get that bitch as a platoon commander?"
"Beats me, she's good at what she does though"
"How the hell did she become a lieutenant anyway? She's an ex pirate" Sparks' ears perked up, maybe it was a CinderPearl crew member? Firestorm often mentioned a Pegasus who cut ties and joined the red flanks, to try and clean up her act.
"She has passion, and doesn't go down without a fight, she is a strong Pegasus"
"The fuck dude? You talk like you like her?"
"Oh fuck you, I hate her as much as you do"
"Who said anything about her? She's just unpleasant."
Sparks then came out of his hiding spot and drew his pistols with his magic, the red flanks were shocked to see the black unicorn standing there.
"Listen hay brains, stay very still, or I'll blow your heads off. Now tell me, who is your platoon commander?"
"Um... Lt. Dash"
(Knew it) Sparks thought. "Thanks gents, you have helped me in more ways than you imagined"
"Really?" one of them asked, hoping for a sliver of mercy.
"No" and He pulled the triggers. And went upstairs to prime the sails.
BlackJack finally, after all the hollering, got herself surrounded, and a Cyan Pegasus approached her.
"What's all the commotion? Christ you boys can't do shit without me" she raised a hoof and they lifted up their muskets and stood aside, she came up to BlackJack and took a good look at her. They began whispering to each other
"Long time no see Lieutenant"
"Same to you, still in piracy?"
"You know me Dashie, know no other life"
"True, but your a pirate, which means I have to arrest you"
"Or you could come with us"
"Us?"
"He's back" Dash's eyes lit up, and she beamed at the Mustard earth pony.
"Were going to retake the CinderPearl, but we need the entire crew back, and you were well known for your loyalty to the captain"
"Indeed, I'll get your ship back"
"Um this is kind of awkward..."
"How so J?"
"We weren't expecting you here, so we'd just commandeer it like we would any other ship" She then looked to see firestorm reloading the weapons down into the powder magazine, he waved gingerly. Sparks then perked his head out of one of the bilge hatches, and gave a mischievous little grin, Dash gave a sigh, and ordered her soldiers to reload all the equipment.
"Ma'am, they're pirates"
"So was I, but you listen to me" The red flank fell silent, and loaded another barrel of salted meat into the kitchen.
"Captain, we need our chef back"
"Enforcer?"
"Finest cook in the carribean, and a fantastic crew member at that"
"Except we don't know where she is"
"Thanks for pointing the obvious out Sparks" BlackJack said bluntly
"Well for once we haven't had to fight red flanks"
"Don't make a habit of it, this squad listen to me, they're the only lenient ones you'll find" Dash said, as serious as ever
"So will you be coming with us?"
"I have no choice captain, I've aided and abetted with the escape of pirates, so come I shall, Gillette, you're in control now" She handed a gauntlet to the red flank, he bowed to her.
"Do we give you a head start Lieutenant?"
"Don't even try to chase us old friend" They chuckled, and she kissed him on the cheek, before trotting onto the deck of the Shiverleaf.
"Cast off!" Sparks yelled as he pulled one rope, and all the icy masts of the ship flew up, and they began drifting out of the key, and into the vast ocean, in search of another crew member, who specialises in navigation, Midnight Luster.
