Disclaimer: Be they mine; I'd be in Hawaii. I can only claim those aboard the Kugaran, HMS Dauntless and Forthright – except the stalwart Groves.

More mini-drabbles from the post-CotBP novel - A PIRATES LIFE NO MORE

AN: Although 'Pirate's Life' was originally an alternate universe story, it has somehow resolved itself to fit into the events of DMC to include Beckett's initial interest in the chest and how Jack's ship ended up in Turkish waters.

Chapter 14 - DANGEROUS BRIGANDS

Summary: Jack meets robust Captain Shankwell, new captain of the Dauntless.

"That, I imagine, would be said fruit lady now."

"Kindly mind your manners," Andrew warned him, "and remember who you are."

"Ah, who I am," Jack remarked, looking down to make certain that his sleeves were buttoned at the cuff. His bad shoulder still ached and he didn't feel up to explaining to anyone about brands and tattoos where a healing powder burn was, in fact, not actually healing, "is a man in sore need of another drink, 'ey?"

"Then by all means, Mr. Blackstone, indulge yourself."

Jack coughed, inwardly cringing. The voice was much too deep for Lady Isabelle, for any woman, in fact.

Slowly, tentatively, Jack raised his head, his eyes took in men's sizable blue breeches, crossed by a heavy sword buckle, unusually wide brocaded jacket at the chest and finally a pudgy face capped off, of course, by one of those unflattering white wigs which the royal navy insist their poor officers must wear. Chewing on the corner of his lip, Jack suppressed an impulse to tear the bottle from his side and guzzle the rum.

"Ah, so it's Captain Shankwell, I presume?" Jack ventured in what he fervently hoped sounded like a cultured greeting to the officer's ears. The encouraging look on Andrew's face reassured him. Still, Jack coughed again for good measure lest anyone forget that he was supposed to be infirmed. "Apologies, good sir, but we were expecting the Lady Isabelle. I do so hope you will forgive me, sir, for not standing."

Shankwell smiled almost sympathetically and nodded. "Oh, that's quite all right, young man. I am to understand then that you were injured while in the performance of your duties for the Crown?"

Jack glanced with exaggerated regret at his wrapped shoulder. "Oh, yes, that would be correct, sir. Most grievously, I fear, preventing me from successfully concluding my duties -- as it were."

Andrew refrained from rolling his eyes and hastily closed the door. "Oh, sir, this is, as you know, Joshua Blackstone. Mr. Blackstone, Captain Harrington Shankwell of the HMS Dauntless."

"It's indeed a pleasure, Mr. Blackstone, to meet you," Shankwell declared, dubiously eyeing the sling supporting Jack's left arm. "I daresay, you are most fortunate to be alive, sir, what with the prevailing lawlessness in these waters. Pirates and smugglers are very dangerous brigands to deal with for any honest man."

"Oh, how true, sir." Jack nodded readily, his features open and seemingly unaffected by the slight against his own trade. "As I'd mentioned, however, we were expecting the Lady Isabelle. Would you know, sir, what has become of her? Not indisposed again, I would hope."

"No, it would seem that the lovely lady in question has accepted an invitation with Lieutenant Walberg to dine in the Forthright's wardroom," Shankwell returned, avoiding Jack's gaze. "And the commodore has other, well, business needing his attention. I was asked by Norrington, should I find you well enough, sir, to learn what I may of the fearsome battle between, I believe it was the Kugaran and a pirate ship." Shankwell hesitated, glancing briefly at Groves as if to ask permission to continue. "So might you know anything of it, Mr. Blackstone?"

"Battle?" Jack felt the remaining color drain from his face. He had no more answers than the navy did - as a pirate. As an agent of the royal Crown, however, he had to think of something plausible. And since nothing came to mind, he reached for the implausible - not for the first time - and let it take his vivid and playful imagination on a ride. "You've heard of the Trident coins, Captain Shankwell?"

Groves almost choked. "Joshua, are you… sure that you're up to this? You're not looking too well."

"Aye," Shankwell concurred, patting one of his chins. "You do look a bit bloodless, at that. Perhaps this can wait. I'll just give your apologies to the commodore then..."

Sparrow waved off the attempted dismissal, offering the captain his brightest, close-mouthed smile. "The coins are quite real, I assure you, sir. And sadly, I suspect that my contact gave his life to bring that information to my... er, employer, the poor fellow."

This time, Andrew did roll his eyes, but Jack ignored him as he somehow flawlessly maintained his gentleman guise.

"You should know that this particular… coinage, sir, is of great – one might even say monumental - value," the pirate resumed almost conspiratorially, and to Andrew's mind, most probably enjoying himself. "Purest gold, ma- my man. One might almost say that they be worth a King's…treasure… at the very least."

TBC

AN: Special mention to Jennifer Lynn Weston. Jennifer, I greatly appreciate your feedback – thank you so very much for the encouragement!! You will certainly be the first to know when I do finish and post APLNM!!