Again, sorry for the wait. Hopefully there's enough excitement in this chapter to make up for it.
Just so you know, the bat (who I just realised I've neglected to name) is a flying fox, a species of macrobat. Instead of using echolocation, they use their senses of sight and smell to get around.
The bat was very glad to drop his load when he reached the HMS Stampede again. The passenger had made the second trip more cumbersome and therefore trickier to avoid detection. After taking a few seconds to catch his breath, the bat took the sword offered by the weasel and placed it in his belt. The two mammals nodded to each other before setting off on their respective missions.
While the weasel stealthily made his way below deck to sever the cannon support ropes, the bat ascended to the crow's nest and waited patiently to dispatch the young wolf posted there. Once the wolf's throat was slit, the bat started his work on the rigging, slicing through the ropes just enough to weaken them. Then he waited again, staring intently at the horizon. As soon as he saw the beginning of the Tusk's dark shape forming through the mist, he launched himself from his post and severed all the ropes one by one in quick succession.
The sails and rigging unceremoniously fell to the deck, landing on a few officers who happened to be standing in the wrong place. Shouts of confusion filled the air, and heads whipped back and forth as they tried to fathom what had happened. Eventually they got themselves organised enough to inspect the ship properly, those with good noses sniffing everything they could find, and one jaguar started to climb the main mast to the crow's nest with the intent of consulting the wolf stationed there. Before he was half-way up, a large BOOM sounded and the ship jolted as the first cannon ball struck.
Judy jolted awake. She sprang up to a sitting position and her ears swivelled in quick, jerky movements and her nose twitched. Her eyes sought her father who had been sleeping on the floor next to her, and he too was awake and alert, though slightly sluggish.
"What was-?" he began to say before Judy leapt off the bed and toward the door. "Judy!"
Out in the passageways they came across a couple of crew members just as confused as they were, and eventually found Captain Bogo thundering out orders to anyone close enough, his voice holding its own against the continuous hammering of cannon fire.
"I want every able mammal at their battle station! Wolford, why haven't we fired back yet?"
"The cannon support ropes!" a gasping wolf replied. He was leaning on the wall, panting heavily with one paw on his chest. "They've been cut! We can't keep them in place!"
"What do you mean they've been cut?"
"There's weasel scent all over the gun deck, Captain. One must have snuck aboard."
Judy's eyes widened at the word 'weasel'. The last weasel she had encountered was the one from...
"Who's attacking?" she demanded.
Bogo's surprised and angry gaze snapped to the two rabbits. "Go back to your cabin!"
"It's the Bloody Tusk, isn't it? I've met them before. I can help - "
"Now, rabbit!"
Judy stepped forward and was about to retort when she felt a gentle paw on her arm.
"Judy," Stu quietly pleaded.
She took a deep breath and released it. She couldn't cause her father any more pain. Not after he had just found her. She glared at the buffalo for a full two seconds before following her father back to the cabin, though she had no intention to just sit and wait there patiently.
Most of the Black Paw's crew had been drifting off into an uneasy sleep when the cannon fire started. Everyone of them instantly became alert, and Nick, Finnick and Honey ran up to the bars of the cell just before another shot almost shook them off their feet.
"It can't be him," breathed Honey.
"He's the only one crazy and powerful enough to pick a fight with a naval vessel," replied Finnick.
A short while later hurried footsteps grabbed their attention as a rhino burst into the brig and ran to the lion on guard duty.
"We're being attacked! Captain's ordered all mammals to battle stations!"
"What about the prisoners?"
"You should be more worried about the pirates out there, now come on!"
The rhino and lion had reached the door to leave when they heard Nick calling out to them.
"Hey! These new pirates. Their flag wouldn't happen to be a couple of boar tusks, would it?" he asked with the air of someone inquiring about the weather.
There was a flash of shock on the rhino's face which lasted about half a second before it turned into a scowl. "Shut it, fox!"
"Well, that answers that question," remarked Nick once the naval crew had disappeared.
"Do you think this ship could take him?" asked Honey.
"They didn't know about the Tusk until it started attacking, otherwise they would have told the guard earlier. Buffalo Butt's good, but he's been caught completely unawares. He may be able to hold out for a while, but not without taking some damage."
"He's gonna slaughter everyone in his way 'til he's got that map," added Finnick. "Maybe he'll leave as soon as he finds it and not bother comin' down here for revenge."
"Just remember, it was your idea to blow up his ship."
"Oh my gosh!" Honey suddenly exclaimed. "Judy! She's up there! What if she gets caught up in all of it?"
Bucky huffed. "As long as she barricades herself in her cabin and stays there 'til the battles over, I'm sure she'll be fine." Everyone stared at him. "Well, she's dead."
Nick sighed. Finnick was right. If Boarbossa and his mammals managed to board, there would be no mercy. He would simply rip the ship and its crew apart until he got what he wanted, and then seek out Nick and the others to satisfy his lingering wrath. Nick's crew was in danger, and while he had no love for the Navy he wouldn't wish Boarbossa's rage on anyone. Something had to be done.
"What are you doin'?" asked Finnick as Nick fiddled with the lock on the cell.
"Let's just say you inspired me with your stunt a few weeks back," answered Nick, concentrating on the lock. With a combination of his claws and a small knife, he managed to force it open.
His crew got up, intending to follow him out of the cell, but he closed the door behind him. "Sorry. One mammal mission. You all need to stay here unless there's an emergency. Finn, you're in charge. Honey, make sure you boss him around."
"Nick?" said Honey, fright and confusion clear on her face.
"Hey, trust your captain." Nick tipped his hat and gave his crew his most winning smile before dashing out of the room.
"Well, he's dead."
Duke Weaselton could never decide whether he loved or hated his job. He thoroughly enjoyed sneaking around and causing havoc, however there were a great many times when his life was in great peril. The last few minutes had consisted of cutting cannon support ropes, displacing cannonballs and, whenever he felt brave enough, dashing out to attack the lower limbs of any passing sailors and officers. His sword would stab and slice at whatever he could reach, and fortunately for him his small and flexible body kept him out of harm's way. Any counter-attack often resulted in the larger mammals losing their balance, and by the time they had recovered the weasel had disappeared back into the shadows.
Eventually his journey led him away from the gun deck and towards the officers' cabins, each of which he ducked into in case there was something of interest. They were mostly empty, and he only gave himself enough time for a quick glance before moving on. That was until he reached a door slightly more ornate than the previous.
"What is it you hope to do, Judy?" asked Stuart as his daughter got changed behind a makeshift screen.
"I'm not sure yet, but I have to do something," answered Judy, pulling on her 'pirate' clothes. "I could go to the brig. Maybe Nick or the others will have some ideas. They've dealt with Boarbossa before."
"And who is Boarbossa?"
Before Judy could reply, both rabbits' ears twitched as the door creaked open. Stuart gasped in fright as a weasel slinked in, a sword in his hand and evil smile on his face.
"Alright, tubby. Hand over yer valuables and I won't cut off yer feet for good luck!"
"I-I don't have any valuables!" stammered Stuart, his paws raised defensively.
"Too bad." The weasel's smile grew as he stalked towards the trembling rabbit.
Suddenly there was a flash of silver as the tray was swung at the weasel. He barely had time to dodge out of the way and then dodged again as Judy attacked again, using as much force as she could muster. The weasel soon began swiping back with his sword, forcing Judy to hold the tray like a shield until her opponent managed to hook his weapon near her hand and flick the tray out of her grasp.
"Judy!"
Judy snapped her head towards her father and deftly caught the sword he threw at her. Immediately she re-engaged the weasel and the two clashed steel with much vigour.
The doe was struggling. She normally relied on her speed in sword fights, however the weasel was incredibly quick. He swerved away from her every lunge, and she barely managed to parry his attacks. The circled for several minutes, neither able to gain an advantage until Judy span and swung her sword in a large arc, finally making contact with weasel. It was only a small cut on his arm, but it still caused him to pause and snarl at her.
He raised his sword to counter-attack, however at that moment the dinner tray had smacked him on the back of the head, knocking him out cold.
"Ha!" huffed Stuart, holding the tray aloft, astonished but pleased at what he had just done. "I popped the weasel!"
Thanks to the chaos on the ship, Nick managed to travel through the ship without any hindrance. The sailors were too busy tending to the cannons or shouting and receiving orders to notice a lone fox skulking through the shadows. Soon enough he reached a porthole large enough for him to slip though and, after taking a deep breath and trying not to think about what he was doing, he dived into the waters below.
He swam as fast as he could to the Bloody Tusk, and when he finally reached it took a couple of daggers he had on him and began scaling the bulwark. He froze when the ship shook from either giving or receiving fire, but he persevered all the way to the top where he flung himself on to the deck. Panting heavily from both exhaustion and relief, he just sat there as a group of bewildered pirates gradually surrounded him.
"Parlay?" he asked hopefully.
"Enter!"
The door opened to reveal a dimly lit room with a table situated in the middle at which sat Captain Boarbossa, his arms folded and a disgusted look on his face. A leopard and black bear stood behind him, staring at the visitors through narrowed eyes. The wolf who had shown Nick inside pushed him forward and leaned against the now closed door.
"What is this, Wilde?" sneered Boarbossa. "Scrambling back to me when you realised which way the wind was blowing? I thought you were a fox, not a rat."
Nick smiled and gave a small shrug. "What can I say? I value my life."
"And your ship?"
"I just had my cabin redecorated. Be a shame to ruin it."
Boarbossa snorted. "What is it you wanted to discuss, and what makes you think it will save you from death?"
"I can get you to the treasure."
"The map aboard that ship can get me to the treasure."
"But I'm already here. You won't have to risk any more mammals or ammo, and the map doesn't tell you how to get past the traps guarding the loot. I've been there. I've seen the treasure. I've touched it. I can tell you much more than that map can."
The boar sat silently for a moment. Nick tried to breath calmly as he waited for a response, trying not to pay too much attention continuous blasts and thuds from the cannon fire outside, the occasional heavy rocking of the ship, and the foul stench assaulting his nose. Yeesh, he thought, I know they're all pirates, but couldn't they at least have a dip in the sea now and then?
"How do I know you won't stab me in the back?" Boarbossa finally replied. "You already tried that once."
"You know I couldn't do anything with all your goons watching me," said Nick, gesturing to the other pirates around the room. "Hey, Sammy!" He waved at the bear. "It's been a while. Is that a new eye-patch?"
His comment was met with a low growl.
"And what do you get out of it?" asked Boarbossa, gaining back the fox's attention.
"My ship spared, my life spared and maybe a few coins..."
Boarbossa's scowl hardened.
"...if I behave myself?" Nick finished with a wide, pleading smile.
Boarbossa glared at him for another silent moment. "If I find out you have lied to me -"
"You'll slaughter me on the spot. So really it's a no-lose situation for you."
This finally caused Boarbossa to smirk. "Very well, we have an accord." He held out a hoof and Nick shook it.
The two rabbits straightened up and admired their handiwork. The weasel, still unconscious, was now tied to a chair and his pockets emptied of weapons and other belongings which were sitting in a pile on the bed. They had shown him a small mercy and bandaged the wound on his arm, but didn't bother providing a cushion for his undoubtedly sore head.
"What do we do with him now?" asked Stuart, his adrenaline starting to ebb away.
"We'll have to alert an officer," replied Judy. "Maybe they can get some information out of him." She put her hands on her hips and brushed the sword's hilt. After her spat with the weasel, she had quickly stowed it into her belt as they dealt with his body. She gestured to the blade. "Where did you get this sword?"
"It was in the family vaults," explained her father. "I grabbed it before we went looking for you. Thought it might be useful, even if I had no idea how to use it."
"Well, it certainly came in useful," said Judy, chuckling. "I'll go and find someone. If he stirs, just hit him again."
"Aye aye, ma'am, and be careful." He saluted and gave her a concerned smile.
She saluted back and left the cabin.
The cannon fire continued to hammer, and several sailors were rushing through the passageways, completely ignoring Judy. She didn't mind, as ideally she needed to find an officer. She ducked between the larger mammals, keeping her eyes peeled until she found Bogo near the stairs that led above deck.
"Captain!"
He whirled around furiously. "I thought I told you - !"
He stopped at the new sound, or rather lack of sound. The cannon fire had seized.
"Captain!" A tiger burst through the door. "The enemy vessel. It's turning away!"
Bogo stared at the tiger for a second before charging up the stairs, Judy close behind. Once they reached the side, they strained their eyes against the darkness to see the Bloody Tusk smoothly turn around and sail away.
"Where are they going?" asked Judy. "Why did they stop?"
Bogo's only response was a loud huff.
The tiger walked up to Bogo. "Orders, sir?"
Bogo looked around his ship, taking in the damage to both the vessel and his crew. A few bodies lay unmoving on the deck, their crewmates tending to them. Several more were standing but were obviously wounded or exhausted. Those that could all stared at Bogo expectantly.
The buffalo closed his eyes and huffed again. "We're in no state to pursue. Officers are to gather in my cabin for further orders. Everyone else is to go to the medical room or their cabins to rest. I'll post a sentry in due course. Dismissed."
The crew immediately started heading below deck, some of them carrying the bodies of their fallen comrades. Judy looked back at the departing ship, knowing that something was wrong and needing to do something about it. She ran up to Bogo.
"You're just going to let them leave?"
"As I said, we are in no state to pursue, let alone re-engage. We've had too many casualties already." He finally looked down at her and added a small amount of threat to his voice. "May I suggest you go back to your cabin and stay there?" He headed below deck without a second glance.
Judy watched as Bogo disappeared from view and then turned back to the sea. Her feeling of dread grew as the Bloody Tusk slowly shrank in the distance. Her gaze shifted until it landed on the Black Paw, still tied to the Stampede and in much better shape, having not taken damage from the previous battle.
An echo of an idea flittered into Judy's head. It would be a while until it was fully formed, but it was enough to work out what her next step was, and that next step was towards the brig.