An: So, my friend told me that the alerts last week were kind of shotty, so I suggest that if you didn't read the chapter last week, and didn't get the alert, get at it. Other than that, enjoy! :D
Twitter: twitter(dot)com(slash)alexosaurus
Running quietly below deck, Jack grimaced as he did his best to step around the many sleeping sailors that had missed their hammocks in their drunken stupor. Resting in the furthest corner; guarded by many unconscious bodies that smelled vaguely of sweat and rotting fish; was his first mate, content in his hammock high off the ground. Stepping behind him, Jack extending a single finger forward, poking his friend's arm and whispering his name in hopes of awaking him easily. Gibbs though, simply grumbled and swatted whatever was trying to disturb his precious sleep. A frown touched the captain's lips and his hand settled on his first mate's shoulder, shaking him roughly, but to no avail. A final sigh left his lips, and with dwindling patience, Jack grasped for the edge of Gibbs' hammock and pulled; sending his first mate tumbling to the deck below.
"I'll kill you bloody scum!" he yelled, his voice booming and bringing a few of the other sailors out of their sleep, but in no way fazing Jack.
"You're a heavy sleeper mate," the captain smiled, reaching his hand forward to help Gibbs to his feet. "And I need your help."
"Right now? While we're docked? What could you possibly need help with?"
"We need to get to Barbossa as quickly as possible, and it's hard for Knight and Angelica's ships to make it through this current. But staying here through the night does us no good mate, so I came up with an idea."
"Ah...another one of Jack's famous ideas...go on."
"I'll inform you of it later," Jack assured. "As of right now, I have to tell the other captains of my plan, and have them move their ships into position. Right now, I want you to raise enough men to help hoist the sails and set the Pearl into motion. Savvy?"
"Aye, Cap'n. I'll do as such," Gibbs nodded, watching Jack try and make his way through the mass of bodies once more, before he finally grew tired of avoiding them and simply stepped on them if they got in his way. "Alright you scallywags! Rise and shine! I need a crew of ya to get to the deck. We be sailin' soon if I'm correct! Come on now! Get up!"
~*~*A+J*~*~
"What is this about, Sparrow?" Captain Knight asked, as he and the other two captains stepped into his cabin. "It's not like you to still be coherent at this time of night."
"I decided to stay the rum tonight," Jack mumbled, before he picked up the bottle of rum Joseph was helping himself to and took a swig. "Mostly."
"Tell us what you want, Jack," Joseph demanded, settling in his large, ornamental chair behind his desk.
"I spoke with Angelica after our meeting, and during our conversation I got an idea. A brilliant idea at that. An idea that will help us speed through this current, and fly towards Mexico. But for such an idea to be made reality...I'll need help."
"What is your idea, Jack?" Captain Williams asked, his handsome face turned up in an amused smirk as he watched the animate pirate explain himself.
"Well, we are all aware that Angelica's ship, and Knight's ship are heavy ships, and prove troublesome when pushing through the current in this pass. My idea is that we place the Pearl, the Victoria Marie, and the Cour Valant at the front of our fleet. Then we will place Satan's Saber, and the Most Holy Trinity behind our three. We'll fashion our ships together with rope, and hoist our sails. With the speed of our three ships together, we'll be able to tow Knight's and Angelica's vessels through this current, and very well make our way into the gulf by sunrise. Now what do you say," Jack asked, smiling a devious and almost evil smile.
Williams and Dupont shared a look; twin smiles gracing their faces at the thought of such adventure. They nodded their heads to Jack, silently agreeing to help him, but Joseph held his hand up. "What of our commodore? Does she know?"
"No, but I have already spoken with her first mate. Think of this as a...surprise or a gift for our beloved commodore."
"It's not safe to be defying our boss this early in our voyage Jack, and Angelica seems to be the unforgiving type. I'm all for getting through his current, and continuing to sail towards our destination, but shouldn't she be aware of our plans?"
"Probably, but if she has a problem, I'm sure she'll come directly to me," he smiled. "Though Captain, I want you to think of it this way. We're making progress, tremendous progress, towards the one thing she wants most in this world. How could she be angry if we are simply helping her get what was lost to her?"
"I suppose, but know if she comes for us with a hell bent fury, best know that it will be you I send her to," Joseph said, standing from behind his desk and settling his hand on the sword that always rested at his hip.
"I would expect nothing less, mate."
"Fine," Knight nodded. "I will awake my first mate and move my ship into position. You give us the signal, and we will hoist our sails."
"Aye," Williams and Dupont agreed, following Jack out onto the deck of the Satan's Saber.
"Williams, I ask that you place your ship to my right, Dupont, yours to my left. Joseph, you will place your ship beside Angelica's, and then we will start tying them together. Try and scrounge up as much extra rope as you can, we'll need a hefty amount to keep the fibers from pulling apart," Jack asked, making his way to the siding of the Saber. "Will that be a problem?"
"Not at all," Williams said, his curls bouncing as he pulled himself onto the siding, and grasped the rope that was to swing him back to the deck of his ship. "I always keep piles upon piles of extra rigging below deck. One can never be too careful I always say."
"As do I," Dupont stated. "I'll have my men haul it aboard deck, and fashion it with hooks so we can toss it to each other with ease."
"Wonderful plan gentlemen, now, rouse your men and move your ships. We must do this quickly, and quietly. I would prefer we have everything fastened and our ship moving while our dearest commodore is still sleeping."
~*~*A+J*~*~
The ropes of the rigging rubbed against his hands as he climbed above the deck of his ship; watching as his men scrambled below in hopes of pulling all of their unused rope from below. Hooks were tied to the ends of the curls of rope, and drug to the side; men's eyes cast upwards awaiting the instruction of their captain. Jack surveyed their position, his eyes looking over the ships resting in their planned position; all majestic and beautiful with their masts stretching towards the moon shining over them. He nodded finally, stretching his hand out and giving the signal to the men below, who swung their hooks and tossed them to their counterparts aboard the decks of the other ships.
The first connections between their fleet were fashioned, and another nod of his head sent the ropes flying back to their original holders. The ropes were wrapped around the railings and sent back once more, connecting all four ships to the Pearl in an intricate web. Then in turn, the other ships tossed them between themselves; making sure that if any headway were to be made that night, it would be made with all ships emerging together. Men heaved and hauled together; tossing and receiving in perfect synchronization until all of the rope brought forth by the captains was tied between the ship of his peers. Once that final knot was tied, and the connection of ropes was assured to be secure, Jack descended from his perch above.
Making his way up to the helm, Jack glanced over his shoulder and noticed the first mates of the other captains watching intently for his direction. Settling his hands on the handles of the wheel, Jack nodded to the crew; watching as they slowly allowed the Black Pearl to take wind beneath her sails. He gave the symbol to Gibbs, and Gibbs relayed the message to those waiting to receive it aboard the Victoria Marie and Cour Valant. Soon, their sails were filling, pulling at the ropes behind them, as well as the ones connected to the Pearl as they stretched forward in hopes of gaining distance through the pitch black sea.
The railing behind them creaked dangerously, and some sailors alerted their captains that their ship was bending under the pressure, but before the pressure became so much that it tore away the ship, Jack signaled the Most Holy Trinity and the Satan's Saber behind him. With haste, they dropped their sails, and allowed the wind to fill them violently. They wretched forward, and came dangerously close to the other three, but with the slack provided by the two larger ships behind them, the straining speed boats at the front took it as an opportunity to sail forward; pushing through the current with ease, with their two heavily armored counterparts in perfect tow.
"It's working Jack!" Gibbs said excitedly, as he climbed his way atop the helm to stand by his captain's side. "Your plan is actually working."
"Of course it is," Jack smiled, his voice hinting that the proud captain had indeed doubted himself, though had refused to admit it out loud.
"What now, Cap'n?"
"Now," he chuckled, accepting the rum extended towards him by one of his crewmen. With a smile on his face, he pulled himself onto the railing along the stern of his ship; cradled in his rigging as the warmth of rum touched his lips. "Now Mr. Gibbs, we wait."
~*~*A+J*~*~
The soft rocking of a ship always made it easy for her to sleep, but the soft patter of feet outside her door gained her attention fairly easily. Groggy and tired, she turned over at first; repositioning herself within her pillows in hopes of falling asleep once more. Though, a sudden lurch of her ship seemed to jerk her from her reverie, and sent her flying into a sitting position within her bed.
With extreme haste and anger, Angelica redressed herself, and adorned her body with the many leather sheaths for her weapons, before she stalked from her room in search of blood. She had awaken one too many times to a mutiny, and was in no mood to deal with another the first night during their voyage. Her hand at her sword and her arm at the ready, she tore onto her decks and ordered her men quickly; realizing she was screaming in Spanish after her sailors stood looking at her with a dumbfounded expression.
Ignoring them completely, she pulled herself on the helm; extending her sword towards her first mate who stood with his dark hands easily gripping the wheel. "Explain yourself, SeƱor Fernandez," she hissed, her Spanish tongue wildly accenting her every word.
"I apologize, senorita," Fernandez said, turning to her and placing a hand over his heart before bowing in respect. "But I believe if you take a look, you will appreciate what you see."
Narrowing her shimmering eyes, she sheathed her weapon and slowly dragged her gaze from the young Spaniard she trusted to run her ship under her command. With ease, she followed the curved stairs onto the deck, which led her towards the sight of the Black Pearl looming above like a vicious steed against the night sky. Grasping the rigging towards the front of the ship, she pulled herself up; scanning said vicious steed for the one person she knew would be watching.
And there he sat, looking directly at her even across the distance the ships held between their ropes. He brought his bottle of rum to his lips and tipped his hat in a salute; the wind whipping at her hair and bringing memories of Spain to the forefront of his mind. Even from their distance she was painstakingly beautiful, and even from their distance he could see her brilliant smile.
"Jack Sparrow," she murmured to herself, laughing sweetly as she looked down to view the current passing under her ship as if she held the speed of the Black Pearl, the Victoria Marie, and the Cour Valant together in one vessel. "You are a madman...a brilliant madman, but a madman no less."
