Three years after joining the crew of the Blackjack, Perseus was in the toughest battle yet. Off in the horizon was an Olympian Galleon, the largest and strongest ship that sails the seas. Even from such a far distance away, the large silhouette of the ship was clear in view. Captain Halton wanted to raid it.
"Listen up lads!" the captain shouted from the side of the ship. "See that shadow out there? That is an Olympian Galleon. She is fat and slow, but heavily armed and full of more plunder then any of you can imagine. I have faith that we can take her. However, as it is custom amongst our kind, we do not plunge headlong into foolishness on the orders of a single madman, but act according to our own collective madness!" The crew cheered in excitement and laughter. "All those in favor of dancing with death and taking this ship, stomp and shout 'Aye!'"
As loud as the crew could they all stomped their feet and shouted "Aye!"
The Captain smirked. "All those opposed, whimper 'nay'."
The ship was silent for a moment. The Captain nodded and jumped down.
"Never will the Olympian Council be so unified," Perseus commented as the Captain passed by him on his way returning to the helm.
"No," Halton agreed. "That's what set us apart from them. We have the freedom to choose while they wish to take that freedom away."
"Then let's make lasting impact on the Olympians," Grover said.
Perseus smiled and pat him on the shoulder as he passed by. Grover was one of Perseus's closest friends here among the crew. He was the first to welcome Perseus among the crew and they always had each other's backs during Blackjack's crazy adventures.
The crew cheered loudly as the quartermaster shouted for full sails. The wind and sea spray whipped though Perseus hair as he stared at the silhouette of the Galleon off in the distance. His heart sped up in anticipation for the battle to come.
The battle was the hardest one the Blackjack crew has ever seen. The Galleon had at least fifty or more broadside canons on each side. It fired hundreds of cannon balls and a dozen mortar shots at a time. The Blackjack was a small enough ship it could avoid some of the canon shells but too many still smashed into the side and deck of the Blackjack; the explosions sending wooden shards everywhere.
"We need to leave!" someone shouted.
Perseus ears ringed with the constant loud explosions and canon fire. They have been in battle for too long and it wasn't just against the Galleon. They hadn't expected the four other ships guarding it: two small Schooners and two Frigates. They were able to easily defeat the small Schooners—one good hit sent them to the bottom of the ocean—and later one of the Frigates. That leaves the Gallon and one Frigate to battle.
However, it was too much. The Blackjack was getting overwhelmed.
"We are not cowards!" Captain Halton shouted back.
"We are losing this battle!" Perseus shouted, coughing from the intense smoke in the air. He and the captain ducked as a cannon ball flew overhead, landing in the water on the other side of the ship.
"We are being shot from above!" one of the crewmen, Chris Rodriguez, screamed, pointing to the deck of the Gallon. Standing there where a line of Olympian soldiers amazing their long rifles down at the Blackjack below.
"Arm yourselves!" Captain Halton yelled, pulling out one of his many Cannon-Barrel pistols, firing blindly up at the line of Olympian soldiers. Several others of the crew did the same. Taking one of the fallen crew member's rifle, Perseus took his aim. It was near impossible to aim accurately as there was just too much smoke, but he fired anyways. The Olympian soldier screamed as he fell into the water below.
"Captain down!" Grover called out over the noise.
Perseus whipped around and gaped at the sight of their captain slumped over the large wheel. Before he realized it Perseus was making is way over to their fallen captain; jumping over creates, ropes, and bodies. He pulled the captain off the helm and ducked down to hide behind the wheel.
"Take the wheel," Captain Halton gasped, blood soaking through his jacket where the bullet had pierced his chest.
Gently, he leaned his captain against the railing. Perseus grasped the wheel and turned it quickly, making Blackjack jerk sharply to the left. The crew yelled in surprised, but they are experienced pirates—they aren't going to lose their footing due to a rocky ship. Even though their ship was riddled with holes, and half the crew left, the Blackjack was still faster than the Galleon.
"Throw the fire barrels! Load the broadside canons!" Perseus commanded. A few men behind Perseus took a torch to four of the heavy barrels and threw them over board. He could hear them exploding against the other ships just as the left side canons fired at the Frigate, effectively sinking it. His knuckles tighten against the wheel, looking over his shoulder he saw the Galleon was getting smaller.
The Blackjack sails where badly damaged and burning in places around the wholes where the canons shot through them. Perseus knew they wouldn't get far, but he also knew the Galleon wasn't in any condition to chase after them. No one won this battle but neither side lost.
"Perseus. . .Captain Halton is dead," Chris announced, kneeling down next to the now deceased captain.
The former Captain, with his now lifeless eyes, looked past the living. Perseus cursed and pounded on the wooden wheel. Their ship was falling apart, much of the crew is either dead or might as well be with their injuries, and now they lost their captain.
"What should we do Captain?" Chris asked standing up.
"I'm not the Captain," Perseus said, glancing at his friend.
"Halton's last order was for you to take the wheel," Grover argued from down below. He was helping an injured crewman, but was listening closely as ever. "Besides, you have done more for this ship these past three years than anyone else."
"Listen up lads!" Chris shouted, gaining attention from everyone. "Just like many of our brothers tonight, Captain Halton has died. This ship can't command itself so we need a new Captain. Just like all major things we do we shall vote! I propose that Perseus Jackson is our new Captain, effective immediately. Make any noise if you agree!"
From behind the wheel, Perseus watched in wonder as everyone who still conscious make as much noise as they could. Foots and fist pounded the deck, shouts ranged clear, and metal against metal clanged together. His heart pounded against his chest, eyes darting from person to person.
"So, I will ask again," Chris said, silencing the crowed. "What shall we do now Captain Perseus?"
Perseus paused for a few moments before responding. "We need a place to hide for a while that has any supplies we need. Somewhere preferable with high cleft sides and lots of tree."
"I can keep an eye out Captain!" a random crewman shouted.
"Shouldn't we go to a city?" Grover asked, walking up the stairs to the top deck. "We need medical supplies to tend to the wounded."
Perseus shook his head. "That Galleon will be heading to the nearest port to repair and report what happened. Within days, every port will be swarming with soldiers for a ship matching our description. We will have to make do with what we got and whatever we can salvage from where we land for a while."
"And this is why you are our new captain," Grover muttered, patting him on the shoulder.
The moon was high in the sky, casting a mesmerizing glow on the ocean waves and stars shining bright. They paused for an hour to do the traditional sea funeral for their former captain and other crewmen. Those who knew the prayers said them and in total, ten men were passed into the sea water. That didn't include the men lost back at the battle scene. They would have done the traditional firing of the guns for all however, they couldn't risk drawing attention to them and honestly, they didn't have enough gun powder or cannon balls to do the large required amounts. Instead, they fired off for their captain who was lowered down last.
The Blackjack was now moving at much slower speeds and passed several suitable islands. However, Perseus didn't deem them safe enough—too open to passing ships. The wait was worth it, though, because the cove they found was hidden deep in an island with great cliffs surrounding the area in a large U shape.
There was a small run down village with a small dock with a small ship already located in the cove. Under normal circumstances, Perseus wouldn't normally think much about it but after today his paranoia was an all-time high. No one builds a town in such a secluded area without anything to hide.
Perseus parked the ship away from the dock before walking away from the wheel. "I'm going to inspect this island. Stay here until I return."
Before anyone could say anything, he dove into the water. Silently, he swam to the docks. The village was smaller than he thought. Connected to the docks was the pub and further into the island was less then twelve houses. Two of them look to be shops, the rest possible housing. In total, he counted about twelve builds down here by the beach. Somewhere close by was the roar of a waterfall, however in the darkness it could not be found. At the top of the hill was a large house, one the clearly belong to the owner of this hideout. Perseus crept quietly up the dirt path leading to this mansion. For a building this size and wealth, there should have been guards all over the place, however there where none.
Inside the mansion was just a deserted as the rest of the island. Although there where furniture and items all over the place, the only sign someone once called this place home. A thick layer of dust covered everything, a sign this place hasn't been lived in for a while.
"This will do." Perseus said to himself bushing a hand over a large dark wooden table.
It was around sunrise when the first signs of life in the small village. Slowly, the town came to life as the sun rose. In the morning light, it was easier to see all of the town and surrounding area. A thick dense forest and large cliff sides prevented the town from expanding further into the island or growing crops in more fields. The large waterfall over one of the cliff sides shined brightly in the morning light.
"Captain?" Perseus looked over his shoulder to see Chris standing there. "Some of the town people want to speak with you."
"Of course," Perseus said, already expecting this. It's impossible to miss the broken down Pirate ship at the docks. He made sure to keep his men in the villa for the night, as it was best for the wounded and easy to secure, but now that it was day, it was time to face the town people.
Perseus got distrustful looks from the town's people as he walked down the dirt path. He keep his face blank but kept his guard up. Near the base of the docks was a crowd of people. Some of Perseus' men were among the crowd of town people.
"Are you the captain of that ship?" an older man asked, stepping forward.
"I am. Are you the leader of this town?"
The old man shook his head. "We haven't had a leader in a long time. This island was once owned by the Castellan family. Many years ago, Lord Castellan heart just caved out one evening. His wife and son were in England visiting family when it happened. Neither hasn't been back here since. That boy should be a man by now, but I doubt he even remembers that his family owns that villa or this island. As the oldest here they have asked me to be the spokesperson. Should I just call you Captain or do you have a real name?"
"Perseus. And yourself?"
"Patrick."
The old man took a long look at the Blackjack. "You're all are pirates aren't you?" Perseus eyes narrowed uneasily. "We don't want any trouble here."
"We aren't here to cause trouble," Perseus reassured. "We actually need your help. As you can see, our ship is badly damaged. It's going to take a lot of resources, man power, and time to repair it. It will be most appreciated if your town can help in that process."
"Look around you Perseus. We can barely sustain ourselves as is. We have nothing to spare for your ship."
Perseus paused pondering his next words. "I have gold. I can pay for your work."
"With gold, we can start a trade with some of the cities again," a random man in the crowed said.
Several muttered in agreement.
"What do you say Patrick? Can my men and I count on you all for your help?"
Patrick sighed. "As long as you lot don't bring any trouble and continue to invest some gold into our town, you can continue to use this place as your hide out."