Chapter 10: Nearing the End
Still don't own nothin'; This is the second to last chapter. All that's left is an epilogue.
"I suppose we haven't gotten much time to talk," Bootstrap started once he and Will were alone in the Captain's cabin of the Pearl. "I know this is a lot to take in…"
"You can say that again. First, I thought you were a merchant sailor, then I find out you were…are a pirate. Next, I think your dead, and now…Don't get me wrong; it's great to see you. I've wanted to know you my entire life, but it is a lot to swallow. How…what…ARRG," Will exclaimed, frustrated with the many questions flooding his brain.
"Just calm down," Bootstrap commanded, seating himself in a nearby chair. "Let's talk. Ask me anything."
"Why is captain Maloy after you?"
"That, I don't know completely. After I was rescued from my watery grave by a merchant ship, I worked for a few years. Once I had enough money, I bought the Patriot to go after Barbossa. From there, I took on a crew in the Carolinas and set sail to find the Pearl. Once I reached Tortuga, I was shocked to find that my son had already avenged me. After that, I sold the ship to my first mate, and came to Port Royal. The only reason I can figure for Maloy being after me, is that he thinks I'm the captain of the Patriot.
"So Maloy went after the Patriot for revenge?"
"No, Jacklyn's never attacked him. I suppose it was a preemptive strike. It still seems odd. Maloy isn't even that good of a pirate… What was that!" Bootstrap exclaimed as the ship made a horrible jerk.
"The British Navy is boarding us! It's The Colonel himself! Hurry to the main deck. We're ordered to fight," a young man yelled as he barged into the captain's chamber.
"Don't bother boys," the Colonel sneered as he filled the doorway. Will and his father, along with the young pirate, were dragged out of the captain's chamber and tied up on Navy ship.
"You four take the Patriot and the rest of its captives back to the base. You four do likewise with the Pearl. I'll stay here."
"Alone colonel? Is that wise?" one of the soldiers asked.
"It is not your place to question. The ship's captain stays with me. Tell him I'll be down below with the prisoners. I am not to be disturbed." Once the soldiers were off the ship, The Colonel turned to his prisoners. Jack, Bill, Elizabeth, Thomas, Will, and Jacklyn sat tied to a pole in the center of the cabin below the deck.
"What now mate?" Jack asked rebelliously as The Colonel's eyes fell upon him. After looking over at his cohorts, however, he changed his plea. "Listen, I'm the Pirate 'ere, let the others go."
"Imbecile! It's not you I'm after… well, not mostly. It's you." The Colonel rounded the pole and advanced on his daughter, grabbing tightly onto her hair. "You made me the embarrassment of the British forces; you and that hoar of a mother of yours!" By this point, his face had become dark red, and spittle was flying from his mouth. "I could have been knighted, but then you had to screw it up by becoming a pirate. I should have known…blood will show."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jacklyn spat. "My mother, Andrina Wetherington, was a wonderful woman…God rest her soul. Don't you dare say anything different."
"I wasn't talking about that tramp. I was talking about your low-life father. She was supposed to be mine. It had been arranged that way since we were kids. I was smart, rich, and powerful…everything he wasn't. She chose a low-life pirate over me, and look where it got her, but I did the right thing. I cared for you as long as I could, but it stops now. Today…you die." At this point, The Colonel raised his musket and pointed it at her heart. "It'll be tragic to lose my daughter and future son-in-law to pirates as well as Will and Elizabeth of course, but once I bring your killer to justice, all will be well. I'm sure no one will question it when I say that Jack Sparrow escaped and slaughtered you all, so I had to kill him."
As The Colonel unfolded his plan to his captives, recognition began to register on their faces. Will looked to his right where Elizabeth was tied. The lovers looked deep within each other's eyes knowing this might be it. He then turned and looked on his left, where his father stood. The two men shared a knowing glance. The look seemed to say, "If this is how we die, we'll die with honor." Jacklyn's eyes, however had not left the colonel's. She stared deeply into the cold depths of his eyes, seeing his very soul. For once in her illustrious pirating career, she didn't even have a plan. The Colonel slowly cocked the trigger of the gun, preparing himself for the deed.
"Let me get this straight mate," Jack drawled, pressing his gun to The Colonel's temple. "I've escaped, what was it I was supposed to do next?" In shock, the Colonel turned just enough to expose the gun. Jacklyn then kicked the gun out of his fingers, as Jack knocked him unconscious with the butt of a near-by pistol.
"How did you…?" started Will.
"Our dear friend here," Jack said, pointing to the unconscious man on the floor, "was so caught up in berating the young captain, that he didn't even notice me break free. From there, it was simple to grab my pistol off the table." Everyone sat in stunned silence after listening to Jack. For the first time, he sounded…well, normal, but the mood was broken when he said, "So who's up for some brandy," after finding the Colonel's stash.
"Jack, you come with me to take over at the helm," Jacklyn ordered. "The rest of you can watch our prisoner. Tie him up. Thomas, you come up and escort our other hostage down below. We're heading home."