For some reason, a lot of people think that this story is over…
The Flying Dutchman burst out of the water, opening fire. The Arthur was punched full of holes before the stupid privateer crew could react. I gave the boarding signal and jumped aboard, followed closely by Bart, my first mate. I landed, swinging my sword, doing my best to only injure and not kill.
The battle was over in seconds. Another captain made her way over. "Thank you," she purred. I nodded. I surveyed the deck. "Search for anything useful," I ordered. My crew knew what I meant. "One down, about 200 more to go," I grumbled. "At least we're making progress," Atlanta said shrugging. I glanced at her ship, the Hunter. A fitting name. Her crew was all female.
"I'll be sure to report this to the council," she told me. I nodded. "Cheer up," she said, clapping me n the back. "We're getting rid of sea scum," she said. I grunted. "You sound like those stupid privateers." Atlanta scowled. "At least pirates have honor. We don't go around plundering 'in the name of the king.'" I had to crack a grin at that. It's true.
I supervised my men as they hauled the "goods" onto our ship and dump them on the deck for sorting. "You wanna do the honors?" Atlanta nodded. We re-boarded our ships, bringing along any survivors with us. Atlanta gave the signal and the Arthur was ripped to shreds by her cannons.
We sailed to a near-by island and unloaded our loot and the privateers onto the beach. Atlanta and I walked around the heap of loot, deciding what we wanted, taking suggestions from our crews. I mostly chose weapons since I had all the gold I wanted locked up in dad's storage rooms, but gold is gold right?
We divided up the prisoners and we sailed to Tortuga. I sensed Bart coming up behind me. Well, not sensed. More like heard. It's hard to walk quietly on a hard-wood deck with hard leather boots. I tired.
"You want me to steer?" he asked. I shook my head. I had become sorta over-protective of the ship after becoming captain. Bart nodded in understanding. I heard him move away. I glanced over to the Hunter which was sailing next to us and waved to Atlanta. I could swear she rolled her eyes.
I love Tortuga. Drinks, hot girls, and perfect place for thieves and pirates. We docked next to each other. I told the men to each pick a privateer. I marched off to meet Atlanta. "Trade first, party later?" I asked her grinning. She rolled her eyes. "Aye," she answered. "Aw c'mon. You're no fun. All stuck up all the time. When was the last time you loosened up?"
I wish trading was easier. I was itching to go get one of Ma's famous drinks and talk to Sugar Pie. I hadn't seen her in a while and she was fun and easy-going. We had to pull each one of the privateers us and have the bidders study them closely then, have the auction, then get the money, and then split it up. And repeat. My head was starting to hurt. Atlanta grabbed my hair and dragged my head back before I could crack my skull open on the table. "Will you stop banging your head?" she hissed. "It's starting to make me want to do it."
"How much longer?" I whined. She scowled. "I wish you would stop being such a child," she managed through gritted teeth. Did I ever mention that it was fun to piss people off? Cuz it is.
The auctions finally ended. I stared at the huge pile of gold in front of us and I almost started drooling. It took forever to split up the money. Atlanta and I spent like an hour arguing over who gets what. But, I can be very persuasive when I want to.
"It's no fair," Bart complained. "All you have to do is smile and you got a girl to do whatever you want." I smirked. "It's not my fault I'm irresistible," I grinned, pretending to toss my hair over my shoulder like all those stupid popular girls at the various school I went to. Bart rolled his eyes. He was just jealous because he isn't the ship's pretty boy anymore.
We went up the dock. I studied the planks that served as the doormat to the Tavern. Ma Kettles was built on a platform supported by poles just about 15 feet away from the dock. We nimbly hopped over them. The first time I came here, I nearly fell between the gaps into the ocean. As we entered the Tavern, I slipped into the nearest booth. Sugar Pie was over immediately. "What can I get for you tonight boys?" she asked. "Surprise me," I answered. She nodded, motioning for me to scoot over and dropped into the booth next to me.
"Nothing you don't know. Well, except for the fact that the privateers that come here are bragging about a new warship by the name of Argos II." I nearly choked on my spit. She gave me a sympathetic look and gently thumped me on my back. "Oh! Show time!" she exclaimed. She gave me a quick peck on the cheek before hurrying off to change.
In the tavern, the entire place was the stage. There was a clear area in the middle with the tabled arranged around it. The fires would be banked and a sorta rigged spotlight would be shined on the performers. Tonight, it was Sugar Pie.
I couldn't help but stare at her in her costume. She looked so much better in this than a skimpy bikini like last time. She was wearing a full length aqua dress that hugged her curves nicely. I could see Bart actually drooling. The rest of my crew seemed to follow the first mate's example. I hoped that I was showing better self-control.
Sugar Pie began signing a slow song. I wondered what was happening until she pulled her formal dress off revealing and badass one underneath. It was short, with frills at the bottom. The song sped up and changed into what I think was rock. She grinned at all the wolf-whistles that she was receiving. Flowers showered the stage around her.
She came over and sat down next to me looking flustered. "So, what did you think?" she asked. Bart smirked. "He started drooling." I really want to smack my first mate. Sugar Pie giggled and I shot Bart my best death glare. Thank you Lupa. "I'll be over there," he said pointing in a general direction and slipping away.
Ma came over. "Hello dear," she said patting my cheek. She sat down across from me. "Time to discuss business?" Ma nodded. I did some mental calculations in my head. Let's see. About 50 men. Enough storage space for I have no idea how many barrels. The weight. I give up. Some how, I ended up with a thousand barrels, which was good for Ma and my crew, but very bad for me. I didn't want to end up broke because of my men's drinking habits.
Ma must have noticed the stupid look on my face because she just charged me for 20 barrels. I called my men over to bring them to the ship. They were drooling. I was surprised that the floor of the tavern wasn't covered with spit yet.
I was about to go back to the ship when Ma grabbed my arm and pulled me back down. She lowered her voice, which was an amazing feat for her. "Look. There's someone in the council that I fancy. If you get them to have the next Brethren council here, tonight's drinks are on the house and so are the barrels that you bought." I felt my eyes grow huge for the third time tonight. "Deal."
Sugar Pie walked with me back to the ship. The Hunter had already left. She looked really pretty in the moonlight and I couldn't stop thinking of her in that dress. I cleared my throat. "that was a nice performance tonight," I said, awkwardly. "Thanks," she replied blushing.
We reached the ship. "Come back soon, 'kay?" she asked kissing me lightly on the lips. I nodded dumbly. She grinned and skipped off. I watched her disappear into the tavern and slowly climbed onto the Dutchman. "Always gets the girls," I heard Bart grumble.
Sorry for the OCCness. This is sorta like a filler chapter to introduce a few characters. Plus, Percy gets another love interest.
