Disclaimer: You could peel paint with that disclaimer.

A/N: Ooh, I wanted to do this chapter for a long time. Yay! Unfortunately, you're only getting the first half of it. For the sake of average chapter length - as well as for the simple fact that there's so much happening - I've cut it in half. I had to. Please to enjoy the first half.

Squirrel climbed up onto the Pearl to find the mutiny long since done. She looked around, scarcely able to believe her eyes, at the sight of Sao Feng's men, chanting and cheering on the deck of the Pearl, and at the Pearl's crew under heavy guard. They looked around at the Singaporean pirates with indignant, resentful expressions, then looked to Squirrel and the others, silently saying 'oh, you got beaten too, did you?'

Squirrel moved quietly to the side, keeping her eyes down.

"Sao Feng," Barbossa burred as he strode past her to the Singaporean captain, "You showin' up here is a remarkable coincidence." He stressed the word - he had no more liking for it than Squirrel did. There were no such things. Especially not in these circumstances.

Sao Feng turned and smirked at Barbossa. "Fortune smiles on those prepared to meet its gaze."

Squirrel, still standing near the railing, felt someone crouching behind her. She turned her head, and saw Jack behind her, using her cloak to hide the fact he was there. The way he cringed recalled for Squirrel a day, long ago, when the monkey that bore the captain's name had done the very same thing. She twisted her lips, trying to fight a smile; Jack looked up at her, and the fear in his eyes wiped her smile away. He rested one hand on the small of her back, for balance. And, perhaps, for comfort.

"Jack Sparrow." Sao Feng stepped forward, and with a careless hand pushed Squirrel roughly out of the way. Squirrel staggered to regain her footing. Jack didn't even glance her way. He was too busy straightening up and trying to look as carefree and careless as he'd ever been. Sao Feng looked barely the master of his temper. "You paid me great insult once," he snarled at Jack.

Jack tried to smile. "That doesn't sound like me."

Sao Feng's fist snapped out, and connected sharply with Jack's face. The Pearl's crew all winced in sympathy. Jack himself reeled on his feet, and put a hand to his nose. Squirrel heard the crunch of bone as Jack reset his nose, and winced with him.

"So," Jack managed feebly, still trying to smile, "We're all square, then?"

Sao Feng's eyes glittered dangerously, darkly, as they had in the shadows of the temple. "Hardly," he hissed.

Will pushed through the throng of Asiatic crewmen. Squirrel's face snapped to him instantly, and her lips parted in what might have been a question or a cry for aid. Will, however, did not even deign to look in her direction. He pointed to Elizabeth, who stood surrounded by armed guards. She had a stubborn set to her jaw which showed she did not take this mutiny well. Squirrel looked away, mouth twisting in resigned disappointment, but as she did so she caught sight of Barbossa's expression.

He'd seen her face. He'd seen her eyes. He knew.

"She's not part of the bargain," Will said boldly to Sao Feng. "Release her."

Barbossa looked sharply between Will and Sao Feng. "Bargain?"

Sao Feng turned lazily around, smirking. "You heard Captain Turner," he lifted his voice to his crew. "Release her."

Jack looked at Will, still cupping his nose with one hand. "Captain Turner?" he muttered, incredulous. He glanced at Squirrel, expecting her to be just as surprised as he was. "Captain?"

She looked back at him, making her eyes as wide and innocuous as she could. I'm innocent of this. My hands are clean. I'm not a part of this.

"Aye," Gibbs said, voice full of venom. "The perfidious rotter led a mutiny against us."

Elizabeth was freed from her bonds, and ran straight to Will's side. But she didn't throw herself in his arms, as she might have done once. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asked, and Squirrel felt a strange pang - she'd asked him the very same thing, with the very same voice.

Will's face was just as hard now as it had been then. "It was my burden to bear."

Judging from Elizabeth's expression, something like those words had been spoken between them before. A cruel twist of fate; a reversal; a tit for tat.

Will lifted his eyes to the two incredulous prisoner-captains. "I needed the Pearl," he explained to Jack and Barbossa, without so much as even a hint of apology. "It was the only way I could free my father." He looked again to Elizabeth, and there was a slight softening of his gaze. But she didn't see it.

Squirrel did.

Jack looked at Will, his lips pulled back in that animal expression of disgust. "You needed the Pearl," he said, sounding almost like he was whining. "You," he pointed to Elizabeth, "Felt guilty." He turned to Barbossa. "You, and your Brethren Court…" To her surprise, Jack turned to Squirrel, eyes dark. "And you… You…" He sighed angrily through his teeth and turned his back on her, shaking his head.

Squirrel blanched, surprised and hurt. He can't know. Surely. I only told him about my broken heart. He couldn't have figured it out. He couldn't have.

"Did no-one come to save me, just because they missed me?" Jack appealed, arms wide, to the crew.

Why is everyone looking at me? Squirrel wondered, furtively trying to avoid the pointed glances from all the crewmen. Eventually, the crew responded. Marty first, then Pintel, Ragetti and the other crewmen who had come on the expedition to the island, all raise their arms. Even the monkey, sitting on the railing, lifted his paw into the air. Gibbs merely rolled his eyes and looked out to sea.

Jack smiled and pointed benevolently at his crowd of admirers. "I'm going over there with them," he told Sao Feng.

But Sao Feng had other ideas. He clapped a heavy hand on Jack's shoulder, stopping him from even taking a single step. "I'm sorry, Jack," he murmured, not sorry at all. "But there's an old friend who wants to see you first."

Jack froze under the man's grip. "I'm not sure I can survive any more visits from old friends," he said weakly.

Sao Feng grinned as he led Jack to the railing on the opposite side of the ship. "Here is our chance to find out"

Around the island came a tall proud ship with cloud-white sails. Squirrel hissed in breath through her teeth. She didn't even need the crew's alarmed muttering or the design of the flag to tell her who was aboard that war brig. Beckett. Lord Cutler Beckett.

Jack whimpered.

Beckett's ship - the Endeavour - weighed anchor on the port side of the Pearl; Sao Feng's Empress bobbed to the starboard. A longboat took the huddled figure of Jack across the water under heavy guard, while eight other boats crawled across the water towards the Pearl, each full of uniformed soldiers. Squirrel rubbed her arms, feeling - not for the first time - trapped. Like her wings were chained, as it had been poetically put not too long ago.

And there were indeed the sounds of chains. Sao Feng's men were taking no chances with the Pearl's crew. Cold iron bound the wrists of everyone but Will and Elizabeth. And, for the time being, Squirrel herself.

"Lai, mei-mei."1 Tai Huang grabbed hold of her forearm; she wrenched herself from his grasp. "Time to join your friends."

She glowered at him, but she kept her words light and pleasant. "Did you forget what I said before?"

Tai Huang folded his arms, and the men with him chuckled darkly. Squirrel flinched inwardly. There was such a resemblance between Tai Huang and his men to Xin Fu and his thugs. That same leering smile, those same cruel eyes… Why hadn't she seen it before?

Because I trusted William. I trusted that Will's allies were mine too.

"You think I'm afraid of a girl?" Tai Huang lifted his voice. It wasn't all that necessary. The chained crew of the Pearl were already watching, and watching with wary, incredulous faces. Barbossa's eyes were glittering strangely.

Tai Huang grabbed Squirrel by the wrist. "Don't be stupid, mei-mei. Come quietly."

Squirrel twisted her arm free once again, this time using a tai-qi move, and had her dagger out before he'd even time to react. Tai Huang stared down at his crotch, at the way her dagger was only inches from it, a flicker of fear in her eyes. None of his bodyguards even noticed.

"Do. Not. Test. Me," Squirrel bit off every word. "I will kill you."

The eyes of her friends were relieved. So, Squirrel was fighting after all. Barbossa tilted his head slightly, his face unreadable. Did he believe her? Or was he still suspicious?

"Unwise."

Squirrel felt Sao Feng looming behind her. Her grip on the dagger tightened, but she knew it was a losing fight.

"Very unwise," Sao Feng repeated, his voice cold. "You are outnumbered, for a start. Put it down, fei ren. I would hate to spill blood on the deck of such a beautiful ship."

Snarling silently and flushing, Squirrel withdrew her dagger, and slid it back into its sheath.

"Good girl," Sao Feng breezed past her, with words that were barely audible. As Tai Huang and his men drew their weapons and held them at the ready, Squirrel followed Sao Feng with her eyes. It was like he didn't even know her. There wasn't even a flicker of recognition in his eyes, not a single sign of familiarity. It was as if she didn't even matter anymore. Small wonder. He'd made his new deal with Will, not her. Squirrel moved a few steps towards the railing and sat heavily down on a crate. The men fanned out, ready to cut her down should she try to make any move. But she wasn't going anywhere. She was on a ship. Where could she go?

Tai Huang smirked. "Not so brave now, are you, Songshu?"

Squirrel sneered back. "You called Xin Fu a dog, but you're no different." She glowered at Sao Feng's back. "I wonder where you all learn that from?" She folded her arms and stared off into the distance, ignoring the way Tai Huang's smirk was wiped from his face.

Will walked past, and glanced momentarily at Squirrel. She closed one eye at him, and kept it shut. It wasn't a wink, but a sign of her disapproval. "It had to be done," he said, as thought that would be enough of an apology for the soldiers now climbing aboard, and the swords levelled in Squirrel's direction. She gave him a pained look. It wasn't just that the crew's eyes were on her; Squirrel was just as betrayed as they were.

"You can't trust Sao Feng, William. If he's willing to make a deal with Beckett…"

Will's eyes went flinty, and his mouth pressed into a hard line. "If you don't like what I'm doing," he murmured, his whisper almost lost over the sound of military voices and the sea and the three ships, "Then stop me."

Squirrel said nothing. What could she say? Will stared at her a moment longer, watching her to see if she'd speak, then turned away, stubborn and silent. Squirrel watched him go, then stared at the Pearl's deck. Stop him? It was far too late for that. There hadn't been any other way. Besides, what could she do? She couldn't stop Will.

She was scared of what he might do if she interfered.

"So this," a cold cockney voice said, "Is the Black Pearl."

Squirrel looked over, and her eyes widened at the sight of the scarred killer. "You," she murmured, half-rising. Tai Huang gestured with his sword, and Squirrel sat down again. But she kept her eyes on the cold-blooded gentleman who had come aboard with Beckett's marines.

"Yes," Sao Feng said, purring like a contented cat, "A beautiful ship, is it not?"

The scarred man showed no emotion whatsoever. "Any trouble with that lot?" He jerked his head towards the mast, where Barbossa, Tia, and the rest of the crew were chained.

"No, none at all."

The man glanced around the ship as Beckett's men moved into position. "Good." He noticed Will and Elizabeth standing at the prow. "What about them?"

Sao Feng waved a hand, unconcerned. "They'll be no trouble."

No trouble? Squirrel glanced at Will and Elizabeth. Why are they 'no trouble'? Before the thought was even finished in her mind, she knew. That smell was still in the air. The mutiny was far from over. And now everyone was in danger. Even Will. Foolish, naïve, trusting William Turner.

Squirrel felt her blood run cold as the man's eyes turned her way. "An' what about 'er?"

"No-one of consequence, Mercer." He started to stroll easily around the deck, surveying the scene and twisting a strand of his beard between his fingers. Squirrel couldn't decide whether she was relieved or insulted.

The man continued to look at Squirrel with suspicion. She continued to glare at him. So now the killer in gentleman's clothes had a name. Mercer. The name sounded like a knife thrust. Squirrel wasn't surprised. It fitted him well.

More soldiers were coming aboard. Soon, it seemed that the EITC uniforms would outnumber Sao Feng's men. Sao Feng seemed to notice at last, and tilted his head, frowning.

"On your guard, men!" Mercer called. He stood on the foredeck, watching the soldiers come aboard. At least, that was his pretence. Squirrel knew he was studying her out of the corner of his eye.

Sao Feng pushed one of Tai Huang's men aside and planted himself in front of the man. "My men," he hissed, "Are guard enough."

Mercer barely even blinked. "Company ship, Company crew."

Will also had noticed this strange turn of events, and joined the two men, Elizabeth trailing at his heels. "He agreed," Will said, glancing to Sao Feng, then to Mercer, "The Black Pearl was to be mine."

Mercer and Sao Feng shared a smile a moment, then both of them looked to Will. Squirrel felt the back of her neck prickle and knew exactly what was coming next.

"And so it was."

At Sao Feng's words, two Singaporean pirates clapped a hand on each of Will's shoulders, and drove a sudden fist in his gut. Will doubled over, winded. Elizabeth jolted, unsure of whether to protest and defend Will or let matters take their own course. Squirrel had gotten to her feet, hand going to the hilt of her sword, but she sank down again as soon as she had risen. What was the point? The ship was lost. Will was dragged bodily over to where the rest of the crew were, and his hands were chained while he writhed on the deck, gasping for air. Elizabeth was treated with a little more respect, but manacles were still fastened and locked around her wrists.

Squirrel watched the spectacle, waited until it was done. Then she closed her eyes, took a steadying breath, and heaved herself to her feet and made her way towards Sao Feng.

Mercer's eyes flickered to her; Barbossa watched her. Both were curious, though for different reasons. Squirrel gave no sign that she knew that their eyes were on her. She just strode forward, ignoring the blades that drew a little closer, ignored Tai Huang's warning snarl. Sao Feng turned to her with a look of amusement on his face. He was clearly expecting her to plead, to try to make a bargain, maybe even to scold him.

Squirrel glowered at Sao Feng a moment longer, then turned her head and spat contemptuously on the deck.

Sao Feng's hand was around her throat before she even had time to blink. Gibbs, Pintel and Cotton's parrot shouted obscenities and threats in Squirrel's defence, all of which Sao Feng ignored.

"Reckless," Sao Feng snarled at Squirrel. "And very unwise."

Squirrel grunted a laugh. "At least I had the courage to do so. Wouldn't want you to think I'm gou shi dui2. Like you are."

He tightened his grip momentarily. "Don't make me snap that beautiful neck." His voice was so calm. So cold. Squirrel forced herself to laugh, trying to pretend she wasn't frightened, but her laughter sounded high-pitched and shaky to her ears. He could pick me up and throw me. He could choke me to death. He could snap my neck. He could kill me and not even break into a sweat.

Mercer had watched this strange exchange with arms folded, as though it were nothing more than an amusing pantomime. He stepped forward now, a slight sneer about his scarred face. "Why isn't she tied up with the others?"

"That is a very good question," Sao Feng replied, smiling placidly. He released Squirrel, and made a motion with one finger while Squirrel recovered her wits and her breath. She'd seen it happen with Will, so she knew where to step to avoid their grasp. She pivoted, and ducked backwards under the two men's hands. But just as she was free, she felt a sword prod the small of her back, and froze. Tai Huang chuckled slowly from behind her. The men grabbed her arms, twisting them cruelly as a punishment. Squirrel winced, but didn't give them the satisfaction of hearing her cry out in pain.

Sao Feng stepped forward, smiling his cold, cruel smile. Squirrel faced him as boldly as she could. He smiled, slowly, enjoying seeing her struggle, as she had done before.

"Coward," she growled. "Bu yao lian ni dongxi!"3

"Careful, Songshu." He purred once again. There wasn't desire in his eyes, this time. Just cold cruelty. As though she were naught but an insect to his eyes, nothing more than a minor nuisance. "I know what you fear." He leant to be eye level with her, and cupped her face with one hand. Back in the temple, his hands had made free with her person. His words were like that now, despite his eyes being as cold as steel. "My men have expressed an interest in you," he breathed into her ear, causing Squirrel to tense in indignation and humiliation, "It would be best for you if you held your tongue."

She twisted away from his grip, but Sao Feng just smiled. He watched with distant amusement as Squirrel was hauled across the deck, to be chained with the others.

"… bastard," Squirrel managed at last, her voice hoarse, and bowed her head and shivered.

As the manacles locked closed around her wrists, Squirrel lifted her hands to wipe at the side of her face, as though she could wipe away his words and the crawling of her skin. To the others glancing her way, it seemed like she was disgustedly clawing a kiss from her face. But Elizabeth saw differently. She saw the fear in Squirrel's eyes where the others did not.

She gave Squirrel a questioning look. Squirrel looked away, guilty.

The minutes ticked by, and more soldiers took up places on the Pearl. Mercer marched back and forth giving orders. Sao Feng's men were shepherded to the sides, and most were ordered to go back to the Empress. The pirates looked around in confusion, unsure of whom to follow: their captain, or the scarred ang moh who commanded many capable soldiers? Tai Huang went to speak his captain, who had been standing at the rail and watching the sea. After a moment, Sao Feng turned with fury across his battle-scarred face. He clamped a hand on Mercer's shoulder and hissed at him.

"Beckett agreed," Sao Feng snarled. "The Black Pearl would be mine!"

Mercer looked back with an expression like a blade. "Lord Beckett's not going to give up the only ship that's can outrun the Dutchman, is 'e?" He glared at the hand on his shoulder; Sao Feng withdrew it, teeth bared in helpless rage.

Barbossa smirked and stepped forward, standing in front of Squirrel and Elizabeth to face the Singaporean pirate. "The only way a man can turn profit anymore is by betrayin' other pirates," he said, and, judging from his tone of voice, he was repeating something that had been said before. Sao Feng turned to glare at him.

"We'll never go out of business at this rate," Squirrel muttered. Elizabeth glanced at her, then spared a partially scathing glance for Will, who scuffed his feet on the deck.

"Shame ye're not bound t' honour the Code of the Brethren," Barbossa told Sao Feng carelessly, "Isn't it? Because honour's a hard thing to come by nowadays."

Sao Feng turned and sneered at Barbossa. "There is no honour to remain on the losing side. Leaving it for the winning side? That's just good business." He sounded like he was quoting someone. Squirrel didn't need to even think too hard about whom.

Barbossa smiled, eyes wide and sarcastically doubtful, "The losin' side, ye say?"

Sao Feng pointed, teeth bared again. "They have the Dutchman, and now the Pearl! And what do the Brethren have?"

It was a rhetorical question. But Barbossa answered nonetheless.

"We have," he burred, "Calypso."

Squirrel went very still; the other crewmen all chained around her did the same thing. Calypso? She felt her usual stab of scepticism before it was swiftly pushed aside. That was the duty him were charged with… by the goddess, Calypso. This wasn't just a tale anymore. If the Kraken was real, if Davy Jones was real, if the Locker was real, then why not the sea goddess? Squirrel glanced to her right, where Tia stood chained with the others. Silently, a smirk on her face, she sashayed back behind Gibbs and Ragetti, still able to see what was happening but effectively hidden from sight.

A new theory was spinning in Squirrel's head, but it was too early to see if the threads made any logical pattern. One thing was clear, though: Calypso was a force to be feared. If so many men desired her, then she was powerful indeed.

Sao Feng's eyes wandered over Barbossa's shoulder, and locked on Elizabeth. Squirrel saw the glance, and frowned in concern. Elizabeth squirmed, then held her head high. Will shuffled a little closer to his betrothed, still determined to protect her.

Barbossa saw Sao Feng's eyes, and followed them over his shoulder, he turned slowly back, a strange thoughtful expression on his face as Sao Feng spoke.

"Calypso?" The pirate laughed. "An old legend."

Liar, Squirrel read the man easily, You don't think that. It's what you've wanted all your life, isn't it, Sao Feng? Squirrel looked hard at the scarred brute. You've been looking for Calypso all along. The Dragon Lady wasn't her, so you searched elsewhere. The 'woman of the sea', hidden among the virgin, bride and whore. You've always been looking for her. And you think she's here. Squirrel glanced at Elizabeth, who saw the concern in Squirrel's eyes.

"No," Barbossa corrected with a smile. "The goddess herself in human form."

Another memory: Gibbs' voice from a year ago. See, the Pelegostas believe Jack to be a god in human form…

"Imagine all the powers of the sea brought to bear against our enemy. I intend to release her…"

… and they intend to do him the honour of releasing him from his fleshy prison.

"But for that, I need the Brethren Court." He took hold of Sao Feng's amulet and shook it slightly. "All the Court." The two men were sharing smiles now. And the smell of betrayal was back in the air.

Ah, Squirrel thought, looking at Barbossa with something like distaste. So that's why you came to free Jack. That's the hidden card of yours. Freeing Calypso. Her eyes narrowed. But why would you hide something like that? And what, exactly, do you intend to do with Calypso's power?

Sao Feng's voice was pleasant. "What are you proposing, Captain?"

Barbossa was just as genial. "What be ye acceptin', Captain?"

Sao Feng's eyes burned with greed and lust. "The girl." Will stepped forward in defence of Elizabeth, leaving Squirrel to stand helplessly. Alone, undefended. But Sao Feng's eyes weren't on her. "That one."

"What?" Elizabeth's eyes went wide.

Squirrel stared, dumbfounded. She'd expected Sao Feng to demand her. After all, he had offered her 'employment'. He'd found her attractive - why didn't he now? Squirrel glanced to Elizabeth, and the answer was as plain as gold. As gold compared to silver; as the sun to the moon. Squirrel had always found it a curse to be plain-looking. Now she saw the advantage of it. Compared to Elizabeth, Squirrel was nothing, and, to top it off, Squirrel had outlived her usefulness, had become nothing more than a chittering rodent. No wonder Sao Feng looked instead with desire at Elizabeth.

Squirrel could have felt relieved, but she didn't.

Will scowled helplessly at the two captains. "Elizabeth is not part of any bargain!"

Barbossa nodded, with faux agreement. "Out of the question."

Sao Feng's eyes went hard, and he glowered severely at Will. "It wasn't a question."

Will stared about him, helpless, then looked to Squirrel. She'd always been able to read his honest eyes. Help me, he pleaded, Do something! But she didn't. She couldn't. She was trapped like the rest of them.

"Done."

Everyone - Sao Feng, the crew, Will - looked to Elizabeth in surprise.

"What?" Squirrel gaped.

"Not done!" Will barked

Elizabeth turned fierce eyes in his direction. "You got us into this mess. If this is what gets us out, then," she turned back to Sao Feng, "Done!"

Sao Feng smiled slowly. "So be it."

Will stepped before her, to protect and plead with his fiancée. "Elizabeth, they're pirates."

Once, that statement might have had an effect, might have changed Elizabeth's mind. But now all Will received was anger. "I have had more than enough experiences dealing with pirates," she snarled, and pushed Will away from her. He staggered back, face twisted with angry self-reproach.

"Then," Barbossa leant forward, "We have an accord?"

Squirrel put a hand on Elizabeth's arm. "Please," she whispered, eyes wide with fear. "Don't." She begged with her eyes that Elizabeth would remember the first night in Singapore, the words that had passed between them. You have pride, Elizabeth, so don't make this choice. There has to be another way. Don't do this, please, Elizabeth. Elizabeth looked disdainfully down at Squirrel, then turned her eyes away. Squirrel was left to shiver where she stood, to watch it all fall apart around her. Helpless once again.

"We do," the golden-haired woman said, her stance proud but a tremble of fear in her voice. She couldn't even look at Sao Feng.

Sao Feng smiled greedily, then turned and called for Tai Huang. Squirrel heard him murmuring instructions to the man, but it sounded so far away. It was a strain just to understand what had transpired. She looked around at the remaining crew, trying to understand, trying to find something, anything… Elizabeth bowed her head, but there her mouth was a determined line despite the fear and pain in her eyes. Will looked fit to die. The rest of the crewmen were murmuring amongst themselves, touched by Elizabeth's sacrifice. But Squirrel just felt sick.

"Sao Feng!"

He turned to look at Squirrel, and raised an eyebrow as she lifted her hands in the position for a Chinese bow.

"Sao Feng… Ge-ge," Squirrel appealed, feeling a flush of red shame across her face, "Bu yao shang hai ta le." Her voice seemed very small, and she was fighting with a lump in her throat. Her arms were trembling.

Sao Feng smirked to himself. "I didn't hear that, Songshu. You'll have to speak louder."

Squirrel grit her teeth, reddening further, and met Sao Feng's arrogant eyes. "Bu yao shang hai ta le!" She all but shouted, then she lowered her voice and added, "Please."

A few of the Chinese crewmen looked over, curious. The crew of the Pearl watched, frowning questioningly. Will looked hopeful. Barbossa's eyes narrowed. Elizabeth just stared, frowning slightly, lips slightly parted in surprise. Squirrel couldn't look at any of them.

Sao Feng stood silent a moment, considering. Then, slowly, he smiled. He smiled until his lips revealed his teeth in a savage grin, and he grinned until a harsh, grating laughter started. And his laughter went on and on; Squirrel stared, horrified, knowing she had failed. She glanced at Elizabeth by way of apology. Elizabeth stared back, a strange light of understanding dawning behind her eyes.

Sao Feng's laughter and smile died suddenly. He scowled at Squirrel, and all but spat the words at her. "You have no right to make such a demand of me!" He narrowed his eyes, and changed the language he spoke with, so that only Squirrel understood. "Unless you want to join her?"

Squirrel cringed back, fear making her lose her courage once again. Sao Feng chuckled.

The Singaporean pirates began leading half of the chained crew below, while Tai Huang surreptitiously unlocked the chains of those on-deck. Squirrel sighed, and stared at her manacles as the woman next to her was freed, thinking that the sound of chains being unlocked had never been so ominous.

Then Squirrel felt someone rest a hand on her chains, and looked up. Elizabeth had halted in front of her, lips still parted, struggling for words. Squirrel stared back at her, feeling small and unworthy. Finally, with liquid eyes, the golden woman managed a tight, fearful smile.

"At least I have your forgiveness," she murmured, before Sao Feng took her by the arm and led her away.

Squirrel watched her go, watched as Elizabeth was taken to one of the longboats and ferried to the Empress with Sao Feng. Then she turned back and bowed her head, her hair falling forward to mask her face. Her shoulders shook, and her breath came in a shuddering pant. She mastered herself quickly, but she felt a storm building inside her. A maelstrom of emotions that would not be checked.

At least I have your forgiveness…

"Don't make me regret this, Mister Turner," Barbossa said, as he unlocked Will's chains. Will just stood, silent and stunned. Squirrel did the same for a moment after Barbossa had freed her, but with a far less pleasant expression on her face. She didn't even listen to the orders Barbossa was giving. With a single mutinous glance at him, she turned and stomped towards the stern, unbuttoning her shirt as she went.

At least I have your forgiveness…

Mercer was pleased to see Sao Feng and his men leaving the Pearl, pleased to see Sao Feng preferred his life over a fine prize like a ship. He didn't even realise he'd been betrayed until he turned around and saw Squirrel snarling at him, a mad look in her eye.

"'ow the devil did y…" Mercer only had a moment to glance at the deck to see that all of the prisoners were gone before Squirrel leapt at him, dagger drawn and screeching like a banshee, the Pearl's cannons roaring like thunder behind her.

1 Come, little sister

2 Dog shit

3 The worst possible insult in Chinese: 'you have no honour and are not even worth calling human'

A/N: I think she's snapped. Just a thought. Translation of what Squirrel asked Sao Feng shall follow in one of the later chapters. Second half of this uber-long chapter will follow shortly (and possibly before the next weekend, too!)