Hey peeps: I know I've already covered this bit but… here it is with a different angle: and it is v. important to the story that we know about Archie. So sozzie if it's a little tedious going over well-trodden ground… But enjoy all the same and r 'n' r !!!!! I need ur reviews and encouragement! I need ideas. I need anything u have to offer coz after all it is all about u - the readers!

Chapter 11

The great shadow of the Lucille-Mariette on the horizon had driven him below, and it was panicked adrenaline that had taken control of Archie's body as time after time he called the guns to 'Reload!' The black iron monsters jumped around him, spewing flames into the swiftly approaching Nemesis. Through the gun-ports and wreaths of smoke clinging to the air he could just see the ominous flashes from across the water. His were ears still ringing from the exploding powder around him and the sound of his own voice bellowing orders, and he could not hear their canons' distant booming, nor could he see the soot encrusted shells falling towards them. His first sight of death came with the deck exploding beside him, the splinters scattering in all directions, being thrown to the floor and the blood blinding him. The last thing he remembered before his mind went numb with fear was the screaming about him.

A rough hand pulled him to his feet and Horatio's voice barked above the wails of agony:

"Reload! You there - take them to the sick birth! Fire!" He felt himself being shaken. "Archie! Archie! It's not your blood man! You're unhurt. Archie, I'm needed on deck. They need you here Archie! Snap out of it man!" Archie wiped the crimson fluid from his eyes and stared blankly at his frantic friend. He could only manage to weakly shake his head, eyes wide in terror. He could not continue - the screams rang in his ears as he saw the canon-ball rip through that gunner's body. Horatio saw his look and shook him fiercely again. "It is your duty to the ship and your men! This is not the time!" Archie continued to shake his head Horatio was forced to slap him once, hard, about the face and throw him at the guns.

"RELOAD!" Jerked back to reality, Archie's voice rang out over the sound of shot ripping through timber and flesh. He stopped listening and kept the guns firing. He could hear the battle overhead but fear consumed him and he yelled again and again to fire, his feet begging him to run but his mind would not let him move from the spot behind the guns.

He would not even turn as a voice spoke called behind him.

"Sir! Mr Hornblower's respects but you're needed on deck. We've been boarded! Leave me in charge here, sir." Mathew's voice seemed so oddly calm. He spun automatically around to face the smaller man.

"Very well Matthews! Hand me you're cutlass there!" He had grabbed the weapon then, pulled up several of the frenzied gunners and ran to the stairs. He would not let himself think on it! Almost tripping over his own feet as they scrambled on deck, Archie plunged into the riotous melee.

***

The battle had found him tired and disorientated as he fought man after man in the desperate struggle for survival. It was an almost reckless joy at their approaching victory that had carried him over the water and onto the Lucille-Mariette's prized planking. But the battle was over and all the emotions and adrenaline had fled his body, leaving him sick and confused.

He sat down on the Indy's deck and pulled his knees up to his chest, burying his head in his arms. He had killed with canon and seen men killed for the first time, within minutes of each other but neither could compare with killing a man, one on one, on the end of his sword. The way it had entered him so smoothly, the way his eyes had widened in horror before suddenly going blank as if one could really see the spirit escaping upwards, the gurgling noise as the man's blood had choked him and the pool of crimson spreading on the floor. It had seemed so easy; he had killed for the first time and then just swung round for the next opponent, which he had smashed about the head with a belaying pin. The crack still resounded in his own aching skull.

But he had done it! The thought momentarily obscured the haunting images of death. He had fought and killed as bravely as any other man and he would defy any man to say otherwise. Even the fearless James would be proud. Archie gained a pensive expression as he thought about the boy. He would never have expected to have made such a connection with a boy almost ten years his junior, but then in the navy all boys were forced into becoming men fast and age was almost meaningless and besides Jamie was often more man than he was. But all the same…

He was certainly an unusual person in whom he would have found a friend and yet the connection had been instant. He a man of 25 years of age, who often took his morals a little loosely and he, a quick- tempered, moody youth of barely 16. It was disconcerting the way that sometimes with the smile and the mass of curls, he almost looked like a laughing innocent cherub but then the next moment the humour was gone and those slated eyes lost their sparkle. Fierce, fiery and brave as the devil himself, M'man Jamie Saunders could certainly beguile you into underestimating him.

Archie smiled weakly to himself. James certainly had a very deceiving mien. The friendship had been almost instant, but it was by no means infallible. Sometimes he was sure he could open his mouth and let all his troubles out, but then there was always that niggling little doubt. One second Jamie was outgoing and kind but then it would seem that he was whole new person; mysterious and secretive. Archie couldn't be sure that he trusted James - there was something suspicious in his past, barely disguised secrets that meant there could be no frankness between them. But perhaps the suspicion on James' part was for similar reasons; after all he himself had hardly been completely forthright about his past… Archie squeezed his eyes shut, forbidding himself to think on it.

Archie lifted his head from his still shaking limbs and looked about the ship to spot his absent comrade. It took a few moments to spot him, the hunched feeble-looking individual on the other side of the ship, leaning on the rail. Archie examined his friend, shocked at the sight, as he saw the wan sickliness of the normally healthy ivory skin; His hair was matted and perspiration-soaked as it clung to the almost feverish looking forehead...

He looked worse than Archie felt, and a slash of blood was visible beneath the fringe. There could only be something terribly wrong to get Jamie near to collapse and with such a truly painful look on his face, as he bore now. Archie made to stand and go over to him but a wave of nausea and fatigue drowned him again and he was forced back to the floor, head in hands. He would have to content himself with remaining still for a few minutes longer, while his body calmed itself from the shock of combat. With the pounding in his head, slightly abated, he resumed looking at his oddly jaundiced messmate.

Jamie was certainly looking ill as he seemingly slumped further down on the rail, head bowed towards the salty water beneath. Archie could see the trickle of blood slipping down his forehead, and he frowned. He made to stand once more; this time a little more prepared for the crippling onslaught of dizziness. But by the time he had swayed to his feet and begun over to the ailing James, he saw Cleveland march to his side. Only a few words drifted intact over the distance between them: Captain and cabin.

Archie had thought it almost impossible for a man to look any more afflicted, but at Cleveland's words James had turned an exquisite shade of iridescent green that appeared to make even the men's agonised howling in the sick berth look of sound countenance.

***

It had not been a conscious decision to follow; yet Archie found his feet stubbornly echoing those of the two Midshipmen retreating below decks before him. There was something terribly wrong and it was this purely instinctive feeling that brought his dazed form to the door of the Captain's cabin and pushed his ear to the keyhole, after Cleveland's retreating form had dismissed the guards.

The door was solid oak and he had to strain to hear anything at all. At fist there was a silence… and then he heard the first faint snatches of words drifting through to his keen ears. They were talking softly and he could barely catch anything at all. So absorbed was he in listening that he gave no thought to the dishonourable nature of his conduct that found his pressed against the wooden barrier.

The words came in little drizzles: fool… then six months, secret. It was the Captain's voice he could hear. Never suspected… messmates… you lied… never…seaman. The words drifting through were disjointed and muffled. It took almost all his concentration to hear them never mind make some sense from them. More words came through as a question was asked, Archie thought he could just make out the end: to do with you? Reveal you to the men…disgrace… don't… who you are…Another question... Name? He heard the Captain's voice getting louder behind the door until it escalated into a distinct: IN GOD'S NAME!

There was more mumbling after that and only a few words filtered through. Lord Hammond and Calypso. He'd heard of him: Black Charlie Hammond. Then came… daughters. That had sounded like James' voice, but there was something different about it - it seemed somehow lighter. He heard what sounded like another name though it was too unclear to discern. Do not… PLEASE… do not send me back. It sounded like begging, James? The idea was laughable but he did not break his rapt concentration to dwell on it. More words… undetected… disgrace again… He could the Captain shouting now. The articles of war! All the regulations I stand for… TO THE WIND!

There was silence for a moment, before Jamie's voice spoke up again, strangely. He could only make out a few words: Fight…country. The Captain's voice again formed a few clear words. No woman! He heard Jamie's voice again, but this time with the unmistakable melodious strains of the Irish accent. Archie frowned in his concentration to hear: …to do with me, sir?

There was a prolonged silence here, and Archie took the opportunity to adjust himself into a more comfortable position. a spy. Archie's eyes widened in shock as the next audible words came through. a spy. He heard it again, as clear as daylight. Archie's mouth dropped open a little. …the Admiralty... a spy for your country… The words poured through the keyhole as wine from a pitcher, but Archie continued to listen - transfixed with horror as the words he was hearing began to mould their own meaning in his mind.

work yourself easily into confidence… deceit and disguise… noble family… foreign tongues - your English …being infallible…French. Spanish. There! The mention of Britain's detestable enemies! His worst imaginings seemed confirmed at once. foreign or no! Came through the chink.

The Captain spoke then but he could not make anything out. Burden… duty… the Admiralty was mentioned once more… they won't be happy… the punishment… await you… capture… dangers… proud to fight for my country! This is the only way I can do it… The last he knew came from Jamie. It was still in a appalled stupor that he kept his ear to the door.

what is to be don' now? His ears pricked up in order to catch it: sail back to Portsmouth, where you will be brought before a Lord of the Admiralty... As to the men…His ears strained to catch the Captain's judgement… we will say we must return the Lucille-Mariette to port…. prize too important… Lieutenant… speak of the consequences…recaptured. crews discontent.... questions asked…. utter secrecy… You will only speak if ordered to do so, am I understood. The words came in a rush as his already aching brain tried to process all that he had just heard. He must have stopped listening as the boy was dismissed, as a few moments later the door swung open and he was thrown to the ground.

"Archie! What in God's name are you doing man?" He could only stare up at the figure above him in horror.