Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to Disney.
A/N: There's a further author's note at the end explaining this little deviation. Much thanks to my reviewers, as always! Enjoy!
Crimes Against The Crown
By Sinnamon Spider
Impersonating an Officer in the Spanish Royal Navy
Jack always considered himself to be of above-average intelligence. He had an adept mind that was quick to adapt to new situations, and he could more often than not talk himself out of trouble with twisted reasoning and irrefutable logic.
But he had definitely not used any of that intelligence this time.
The heavy cloth of the uniform chafed uncomfortably in the sweltering heat. The high, stiff boots were also supremely uncomfortable, even standing still as he was, and he couldn't imagine actually walking any length in them. He was accustomed to loose-fitting, comfortable clothing, but the heat under his collar could not be attributed to the temperature alone.
How in the seven seas had he gotten himself in this one again?
His self-chastising was halted abruptly as a young man stepped in front of him, saluted smartly, and issued a stream of comments in a clipped voice. Jack winced inwardly, trying to puzzle out the man's meaning through inflection and tone of voice. He sent a quick prayer heavenward before nodding sharply at the young man.
He seemed to have correctly read the gist of the words, because the man saluted again and disappeared. He passed a thankful hand over his brow, then surreptitiously checked again to see that his sleeve was sufficiently long enough to cover his pirate brand.
What a bloody fool he was.
Jack had a talent for languages. He was fluent in Greek, Hindi, several dialects of Italian, Mandarin, Punjabi, Cantonese, and could carry a fairly competent conversation in French and Swahili. He had often heard it said that the mark of an intelligent man was his ease at learning other languages.
So then, what kind of a man did it make him if he infiltrated the Navy of one of the only countries of which he did not speak the language?
Another officer approached and spouted a rambling diatribe in Spanish, and Jack sighed heavily.
"Si?"
A/N: So you'll have to work with me a little bit on this one. I know it's highly unlikely that Jack wouldn't at least have a basic working knowledge of Spanish, but I just had a mental picture of him in full Naval uniform, looking distinguished and very handsome, and then not being able to understand a thing. Just call it suspension of disbelief.