Chapter 13

Lights, Camera, ACTION!

They made it to Baga by early afternoon. Saihrena and Rakasha had been below since Baga had been spotted, for if they were spotted above deck the plan would be ruined. Gabriella, Gibbs, Bandit, and Jonathon were readying themselves for the part they would have to take, while the rest of the crew mulled about on deck waiting. Every member of the crew had a job, in order for the plan to work everyone would have to do their share.

"Tis time te go Rena, Kasha," Gibbs called them, and they appeared at the top of the steps in moments. They were wearing their best dresses, their hair had been done up in ladylike fashion. They were weaponless. Two row-boats were lowered into the water, Rakasha, Jonathon, and Bandit got in one, while Saihrena, Gibbs and Gabriella, dressed in pirate garb, got in the other. Each boat had four other pirates in it. As soon as everyone was in the boats Gibbs pulled his cutlass and put it to Saihrena's throat, while Bandit put his pistol to Rakasha's. The crew began to row them to shore. The closer they got, the more people turned up on the docks to see what was happening. When finally they reached the docks every pirate pulled their weapons and motioned for the people on the docks to back up, they did so quickly. The eight other pirates stepped out of the boat and pulled Rakasha and Saihrena out harshly, placing weapons at throats and holding them in front.

"What is the meaning of this?" A man with long dark hair, dressed in finery, asked as he pushed through the crowed. Gibbs hopped out of the boat, followed closely by Gabriella, and stepped beside Saihrena. His pointed his pistol at her head.

"We want our Cap'n back er these two lovely lasses 'ere will be kill't, savvy?" Gibbs asked. Saihrena had to restrain herself from laughing at the use of Jack's word from Gibbs mouth.

"Baga does not deal with pirates," the man spat in English, glaring at them.

"Ah, but ye dun' know who this lovely lass 'ere is," Gibbs smirked, his arm moving around her waist and pulling her in front of him. "This be the Princess Saihrena Senire', she be marryin the King." Gibbs laughed as the man's eyes went wide and he stared at her.

"P-please, help me," Saihrena whispered, her voice quivering as unshed tears came to her eyes.

"What are your demands?" The man asked.

"Simple, alls we want is our Cap'n back, and ye can have the lovely princess and 'er friend," Gibbs said. At this point Rakasha decided to scream, turning all eyes to her as Bandit began to feel up the top of her dress. The man's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open at such treatment of a "lady". Little did he know that that little feel was much less than what Bandit and Rakasha were use to.

"Please, follow me," the man said, abruptly turning back to Gibbs. Gibbs nodded, and moved his cutlass back up to her throat and sticking his pistol in his pants. The eight other pirates broke into their prearranged groups of four and circled each girl and her captor to make sure no one could attack from behind. The man parted the group, with much help from the leering pirates that held pistols and cutlasses menacingly in front of them. He led them through the streets of the town towards a palace, smaller than Morgead's other one. It took about twenty minutes of walking for them to reach the gates. The guards in front of it, having seen them coming from a mile away, had called for reinforcements and had drawn their weapons.

"Baron Raymono, why do you bring these pirates to the gates of the palace?" One guard demanded of the man leading them.

"They hold Princess Saihrena and her friend hostage, they say they want their Captain and the women will be released. The guards all turned to stare at her and Rakasha who were both sobbing and screaming in their captors arms.

"Please get my fiancé, tell him what has happened," Saihrena begged, hoping the guards didn't notice the look of disgust that marred her face as she called Morgead her fiancé. Three guards turned and charged down the path to the palace, no doubt getting Morgead. They stood like that for a while, the tension mounting between pirate and guard, the girls had managed to still their sobs, but screams still ripped through the air every now and then as Bandit touched Rakasha, or Gibbs, visibly, tightened his cutlass upon Saihrena's neck. After what seemed like hours Morgead, flanked by twenty guards towing a dark haired man, emerged from the palace doors. Saihrena flooded with relief when she saw that it was Jack they were pulling. Her eyes creased with pain as she saw the condition he was in. He was black and blue, blood seeped from cuts that looked infected, and he was having trouble walking.

"Saihrena, are you alright? What have these monsters done to you?" Morgead cried as he ran to the gates, the guards held him back from coming any closer.

"Morgead, please help me," she sobbed as she saw him approach.

"Release her this instant," Morgead demanded.

"Not till ye release the Cap'n," Gibbs yelled. Morgead's eyes flashed with anger as Gibbs spoke. Morgead motioned for the Guards to bring Jack forward, and they threw him at his feet.

"How do I know you will release her if I give him back?" Morgead asked dangerously.

"Ye'll jus 'ave te trust me mate," Gibbs smirked.

"I could kill him now," Morgead warned, and frowned as Gibbs shrugged.

"Aye, ye could do that, jus like I could kill 'er," Gibbs tightened his hold on Saihrena, and she screamed as his cutlass drew a thin line of blood along her neck. She watched Morgead carefully. Did he really think she had been kidnapped? Or was he just playing along to save face? Genuine concern flashed through his eyes as she screamed, and she wondered momentarily if he was a wonderful actor, or if he truly cared.

"Then I have no choice," Morgead said, and stepped back from Jack, motioning for his guards to do the same. Gabriella and Jonathon moved warily forward and each grabbed Jack by an arm, they then moved inside the protective circle of pirates.

"Tha's mighty fine o ye mate," Gibbs smirked.

"Now, release my fiancé," Morgead said.

"Ye dun' believe us te be stupid do ye mate? What's te stop ye from attackin us once the lil princess is in yer care? No, we be keepin 'er till we're safe aboard the Pearl, then ye can 'ave 'er back," Gibbs declared, and the entire group of pirates began to back up. "I suggest ye and yer men stay 'ere, fer every one o yer men that follows this lil lady 'ere will be 'urt, understand?" Gibbs challenged, and smiled when Morgead nodded. "We'll leave 'er in a row-boat fer ye te pick up when we've left," he finished. He then pulled her to the inside of the mass of pirates, turned and began walking back towards the dock, secure with the four pirates flanking them. Jonathon and Gabriella were half carrying, half dragging Jack, and it was all Saihrena could do not to pull away from Gibbs and go to him, but that would ruin the charade and they would all be killed. They made it to the docks unopposed, Morgead having kept his guards at the palace as was requested. Gibbs picked her up as they reached the docks and dumped her gently into the boat. He jumped in after her, and was followed by Jack and the rest. Jack was laid down next to her, and she almost couldn't help the temptation she had to caress his face. Jack looked up at her with his deep, dark eyes, a smile playing at his lips as Gibbs' cutlass moved back into place at her neck. Rakasha was placed in the same boat with Saihrena this time, they were supposedly leaving her as well and the farce would be seen too soon for what it was if she was taken onto deck. As they were rowing away she caught a glimpse of Morgead hiding in an alleyway and quickly looked away, pretending she hadn't seen him.

"Gibbs, Morgead is hiding in the alley over there," she whispered, trying not to move her lips too much. Gibbs searched for a moment before waving to him.

"Well what do ye think he's doin 'ere?" Gibbs asked, concern in his voice.

"It's not good, whatever it is," she said. They had finally made it to the Pearl, the other boat having arrived before them. Gabriella and Jonathon handed Jack up first, and then climbed quickly up after him. This was the hard part, and they had to work fast. Saihrena and Rakasha stood up, as did Bandit and Gibbs. The two men unceremoniously picked each girl up and threw her up to waiting hands, then climbed as quickly as possible after them. Without warning a cannon went off, and thankfully splashed into the water near them. Morgead was firing upon them.

"Hoist the anchor, and fire back," Saihrena called. The men that had been left on the ship had been making ready to leave the entire time they were away. The cannons had been loaded and readied for just such an event. The sound of multiple cannon fire could be heard as all the cannons on the starboard side of the ship went off, destruction following in their wake. They hit the dock, small houses lined along the streets, and a ship that had been sitting in the harbor, almost completely destroying it. Another cannon went off, but it was too late. The Black Pearl was out of range by then, and on its way into the ocean. Saihrena stood at the back of the ship, watching as Baga got smaller and smaller. She didn't know where they were going, or what would happen now, but at least they were safe. She smiled to herself and walked towards Jack's cabin. They were safe and had Jack, she couldn't have asked for anything else.