Chapter 9: Amuck

Among startled cries of not so long ago recruited crewmembers, another jolt shook the ship and Jack fell face down again right after he managed to get himself off the floor.

"Captain! We're under attack!" Gibbs busted in once more. They could hear the pounding of feet as every man rushed out to see what had happened, accompanied by some serious cursing.

Jack glared at him as seriously as he could from his current position. But he was already starting to feel sorry for his friend, he must've been feeling very apologetic if acting so silly and stating the obvious without a proper drink, "ye think I lost my hearing after ye hit me?"

"I was just trying to see if yer in any condition..."

Jack's eyes glinted in annoyance and he shook his head dismissingly. There were more important matters than his head. "Tell me something I don't know. By who?"

"By the Nuesta Senora de la Santisima Trinidad," Gibbs declared just as Jack made another attempt to stand on his feet.

"You mean...??" Of course the mention of the biggest warship in the world with its famed four decks and 140 guns made Jack stumble back. He didn't expect an exact account of the ship's name in the darkness and at such proximity for it to be discovered.

"May I remind you we are flying the British flag? They have signaled us to surrender. Orders, captain?"

That made sense now. Ships usually surrendered just at the sight of such an impressive first rate ship of the line, that's why it came so close to show its colors. With the Pearl he could've made an attempt to flee in hope the Spanish would not bother too much with a pirate ship, but in the middle of the Anglo-Spanish war aboard a British navy vessel he had no choice, but to consider what the attacker wanted and offered, before coming up with another plan.

"Help me up! I'm getting properly tired of lying around on the floor." There was another gunshot, a little warning one the Spanish were sending, impatiently waiting for their answer.

Grateful for Jack forgiving him at least as much as asking him to help, Gibbs rushed to his aid. He maneuvered himself under Jack's healthy shoulder and wished for once he had less rum so that they didn't sway as much.

However, Jack let go of him and much more gracefully than he'd expected him to move, he headed outside.

"Are you all right?" Gibbs wanted to make sure. He still didn't dare to look his friend in the eyes.

Jack looked back over his shoulder with his eyebrows raised, as if Gibbs would've asked a question that made no sense under any circumstances, "sure as shooting," he lied, "I'm peachy. Let's go."

They made it onto the poop deck in time before another blast shook a ship and he took a look around at his pretend officers all gathered up together half dressed in navy uniforms, half wearing clothing signifying their original identity, from ribbon shirts to banyans and cloaks, with their wigs peeking out of pockets here and there in a rather unusual and obscene way. Thank God it was night.

"Sir!" Arthur saluted with the wrong hand, but it was the one available for him as the other was busy scratching his bottom. He was always the one mainly being able to mimic the vaguely proper behavior of a lieutenant.

"Everyone below!" Jack yelled, "man the guns! Blow them out the water!"

"Easier said, than done," Gibbs whispered into his ears, incredulous and fearful Jack was still not clear in his head.

"We're preparing the longboats on the other side," Jack let him know of the plan, "we're only feigning we're replying to the attack. Then we'll just watch a navy warship blow up into pieces, who needs it? Should be fun. So get down there and..." His words could no longer be heard cause of several holes being blown into the side of the ship and a couple of the men fell into the water.

"How many ships now?" Jack shouted up to the crow's nest when the noise died down a little. He was sure the Trinidad didn't fire.

"I have to report there are four Spanish warships and two galleons in sight. One aft, three to the port side, two to the starboard side."

"We're trapped..." Echoed amongst the crewmen.

Tbc