Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 38

Elizabeth was in a quandary, she reasoned the storm had blown them off course but with no landmarks she couldn't be sure how far off course. She could make a reasonable guess, reasonable being relative here, but didn't know whether to steer them in a northwesterly or southwesterly direction to hopefully run across the Pearl. Or for that matter stay in the general area they were in and hope they were close enough to the path of the Pearl to be able to spot it. "Bugger!" she mumbled aloud, "Make a choice and go with it." She looked off to the southwest and then off to the northwest and then with another 'bugger' tacked the ship to put them on what she hoped was the right course.

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"Surely we should be coming upon either them or the wreckage of their ship soon Captain." The Governor said as he stood on the quarter-deck next to Captain Laurent.

"It's hard to say Governor. I would not think they could have made it too much farther than this, although storms being as unpredictable as they are, they could have been blown far from here."

"Well we shall keep looking as long as we are able, we must make sure they are not able to get that information into the wrong hands." The Governor said firmly.

"Aye sir, we are fully stocked with supplies and should be able to keep up the search for as long as it takes." Captain Laurent replied.

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Alon came on deck still looking a bit green but assured Elizabeth he was able to help if she needed him to. He told her Josette was feeling a little better as well and should be joining them shortly.

"Where are we?" Alon said as he looked around at the blue-green expanse of water surrounding them.

"I'm afraid your guess is as good as mine Monsieur Bergeron." Elizabeth answered.

"I see, well we shall just have to hope for the best then won't we." He said trying to keep his tone light.

"What is that? It's a ship isn't it?" Josette, who had just come on deck said excitedly as she pointed off in the direction of her gaze.

"It is a ship!" Elizabeth said with a bit of excitement in her voice as well as she moved over next to Josette to get a better look.

"Maybe it's the Black Pearl and your dear husband Madame and we are rescued!" Josette continued excitedly.

As she had the opportunity to make out the ship a little better she said, "It's not the Pearl Josette."

Alon had watched her expression go from one of excitement at the spotting of the ship to one of concern as she made the last statement.

"It's not good is it Madame. It's the Governor's ship isn't it." Alon said dejectedly.

"If it is they have foregone the flying of their colors Monsieur Bergeron. I'm not sure of anything right now other than that's not William and the Pearl."

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"Aren't you coming to the galley Commodore?" Will asked as James stopped in front of his cabin.

"I would prefer to avoid any company that I do not at present have the patience nor where with all to deal with at the moment Mr. Turner, unless that is you are intent on practicing what you so aptly stated as being between me and that… pirate." James said brusquely. "I shall be in my cabin no doubt occupying my mind with all forms of immensely gratifying thoughts on throttling that miscreant in the most satisfying way possible."

"You don't really mean that do you Commodore?" Will said as he looked at James hoping to see a sign of humor on the man's face.

James didn't bother to answer just raised his eyebrows as he looked at Will and then opened the door and entered his cabin.

"Perhaps he did mean it." Will mumbled to himself as he walked off towards the galley shaking his head.

"Ah dear William, come to join us have you?" Jack greeted him as he entered and sat down at the table with the two men. "And where be our dear Commodore?"

Jack poured a mug of rum and slid it over to him. He absently picked it up and took a drink. "Jack, I think it would be best if you avoided the Commodore for awhile."

"And why would I be wantin to do such as that William?" Jack asked looking at Will with interest as he leaned back in his chair.

"Because he wants to throttle you Jack."

"Old news William, he's always goin on about that very thing. Throttlin, hangin, stretchin me neck, honestly you'd think the man doesn't have anything to occupy his mind but the myriad ways of doin away with me person as it were. Gets a bit exaustin at times just listenin to him go on about it." Jack said with an unconcerned flopping of his hands.

"I think it's different this time Jack. I think he may actually be considering it." Will said seriously.

"Now William, I'm thinkin you've allowed his pasty, plodding, and ponderous personality to take over your own fine, if a bit misguided, mulish, and obstinate self if ya get my meaning here. And for that matter who's to say he's up to the task? I am after all Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Jack I hope you will take me seriously. At least if you won't stay away from him then keep someone around just in case. Me, Mr. Gibbs, or Captain Teague, someone Jack. Will you do that for me?"

Jack looked at Will and seeing the concerned expression on his face rolled his eyes and said as he placed his hand over his heart, "Alright William, I swear under pain of death I will not venture to be around the Commodore without some manner or sort of protection present. Are you satisfied now?"

"Yes." Will replied, although he knew Jack was just as likely to go search the Commodore out just to push him a little bit more over the edge.

"Good, now can I get back to the business I was emerging meself in before I was interrupted?

"By all means Jack, stay here and drink your rum." Will said as he stood up and left.

"Well Jackie, seems yer gonna have ta be on yer toes now doesn't it." Teague said with a smile. "Course ya can always count on yer old Da here."

"The only thing I would be counting on you for is to make sure the Commodore plunged the dagger in me back nice and deep."

"Now Jackie, is that any way ta be talkin bout your lovin Da?" Teague said still smiling.

"Yes." Jack said frowning at the man as he raised the rum to his lips.

To Be Continued

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