Disclaimer: I was writing and realized I bought the rights to POTC the other day and didn't need it. I'm just kidding. I don't own them. I just wish I did.
Too Many Rats
The Black Pearl had persisted through the storm, I could see the edge of it and we would soon be out of the rain, thunder and lightening and I could relax. I was conjuring up some ideas of how I planed to do that. I stared at the ridge of light where the storm ended and the calm of the ocean began. As I looked I could see a ship perched on the horizon. Yes, I was heading for Isla de Muerta and I had set my bearings with all good intentions of retrieving my daughter, but this ship seemed to call to me. To my good fortune the crew was behind me. On their behalf I knew they would enjoy plundering a ship, and whom am I to stand in their way? Their Captain! We could always use extra supplies and I knew the thrill of a raid would put the men into high spirits.
"Jack." Will called out from above. He had positioned himself in the crow's nest. This suited him well it kept his mind off of Elizabeth and kept him away from giant rats. "Have you spotted her, Jack? There is a ship on the horizon."
"Aye Lad, and its Captain!" Why do you have a hard time remembering this I mumbled to myself? "I have indeed seen her. She has been shadowing us for some time now. I believe she is trying to make way out of the storm just as we are. Can you make out her name?"
Gibbs yelled from across the deck. "Yes Captain, she is a merchant ship, it is The Good Faith. She is known to be carrying at least 40 men and she has twenty-six guns."
"Gibbs if you are certain she is a merchant ship and not one of our own, lets take her." I shouted over the sounds of the wind and the sails.
"All men on deck make ready the guns. Raise the flag. Remember you scabrous dogs, don't shoot until I give the order."
I spun the wheel around and I headed straight for The Good Faith. As we neared her I could see she was only under half sail. There were signs of men running around upon the deck. The ship appeared to be in distress and was not moving. She had run a ground on a sand bar. This was good for us meaning she was very heavy and overloaded with supplies and hopefully treasure. They were trying to push themselves off with the sweeps. The captain of The Good Faith looked down into the water and then over at us as we were approaching. His men were crouching down along the low rails and there was a tense quietness of expectation.
"Captain Sparrow!" Will was now standing two feet behind me as he shouted in my ear wearing a childish grin on his face, pleased that he had made me jump and also that he remembered to say Captain. He had swung down on to the deck and was urgently pointing down into the water.
"There's less than a fathom of water here, Captain." As he spoke there was a sudden soft jar and jerk.
"Push her off to the lee. Let go the sheets." I spun the wheel around as I spoke.
The captain from The Good Faith saw that we had stopped. From where he stood he could see myself, Mr. Turner and Mr. Gibbs looking at them. I was wondering what the bloody hell he was doing.
They were plunging their sweeps into the water but they only sank, into the mud and the ship was not moving. The sails had fallen and they were flapping, thumping and clapping in the wind. The captain yelled over to us. "Who are you? What do you seek here? What D'ya mean, coming down on us this way?"
One of the Captain's men looked up in horror and said. "That's Captain Jack Sparrow himself and that is The Black Pearl."
The Captain looked with great interest and then yelled out again. "We're only peaceful merchantmen. What authority have you got to come down upon us? If you come aboard I will have to shoot you."
"Peaceful you say? With 26 guns aboard?" I glanced at Will and over to Gibbs. "Everybody's thinking it, I'm just saying it."
"If you come aboard we will shoot into you. You have no authority to board us." The captain of The Good Faith yelled with confidence.
"Gentlemen, ya here that? We have no AUTHORITY. Aye, mate we heed you're warning and we will undertake you at our own risk. Savvy?" I threw my hands up in the air and rolled my eyes.
"Captain Longfellow." Crewman Jackson spoke up. "If The Black Pearl were to fire on us they'd smash us to pieces."
"They won't fire on us. They wouldn't dare." Longfellow turned his back on The Pearl and urged his men to keep pushing the ship. It was beginning to move and they would soon be free.
"Captain Longfellow!" Jackson yelled. "They are going to hit us broadside"—before the words were out there came a loud and deafening crash and then instantly another and a third. The cannon balls flew into the side of The Good Faith. There were sounds of crackling and rending as the wood broke around them. Splinters were flying everywhere. The merchantmen fell violently against eachother. There were groans and shouts as men were falling and lying face down upon the deck.
There were sounds of yelling, cheering and shouting from The Pearl. We rushed about upon the decks. We pulled the cannons back and readied them again. They could hear the thud and punch of our rammers and they knew we were going to shoot again.
"Men stand fast and FIRE!" I yelled. There was another loud and deafening crash of cannons, one, two, three-four the last two almost together.
"Men prepare to board." I swaggered along the upper deck shouting over the cannon fire and delivering orders to my crew. "Once we get close enough, we will take all prisoners and put them in the brig." I gave a wide grin and then added. "Or maybe they'll appreciate a nice dip in the Caribbean."
XXXXXXXX
"Captain Longfellow, the pirates are coming aboard!" Jackson yelled out with alarm.
Drifting out from the clouds of smoke that enveloped The Black Pearl, we were looming up larger and larger as we came upon The Good Faith. She had gotten herself free from the sandbar and the jolts from our cannons helped a lot. Several dark figures jumped over the rail and more were following. We ran forward through the smoke, with our pistols out and our cutlass's unsheathed. Men were coming from everywhere swarming from above and below. There was a sudden stunning sound of a pistol and then another. There were screams and yells and I could hear the bodies falling and hitting the hard wood of the deck. Captain Longfellow was in the midst of the gunpowder when suddenly I was standing before him. I stood there grinning at him showing all of my golden teeth, my shaggy black hair was falling over me shoulders and I most likely looked like a demon fresh from the pit by the frantic look I saw on his face.
"Aye sir, Captain Longfellow is it? I am Captain Jack Sparrow" I gave a slight bow. "We are here to take over your ship. Savvy?"
Almost with the blindness of instinct he thrust out his pistol, firing it as he did so. I staggered back I also held a pistol in my hand which I had also shot. There was a stream of blood running down his ribs. Suddenly the mouth of my pistol was pointed at his head.
"Now that's not very friendly mate." I sneered at him and noted the blood.
Longfellow ducked instinctively striking upward with his cutlass as he did. I saw the flash of his sword and flung up his guard, meeting the crash of the descending blade with mine. AnaMaria shot her gun from behind him and at the same moment I saw someone else strike him with a blade. Longfellow staggered this time. There was a great gash upon his neck. He struck again blindly at me with his cutlass. As he swung his sword it was directed straight at me heart. Before Longfellow's sword could reach my chest Will bought his blade down and detached Longfellow's arm from his body. The sword and arm landed on the deck with a resounding thud and then so did Longfellow. The pool of blood was spreading and running out from under him. He raised himself with his remaining arm and saw that I was still pointing a pistol at him. His elbow gave way and he fell down upon his face. Will raised his sword again and decapitated him. His head went rolling. I looked at Will, astonished at what the Whelp had done and then back at the headless body.
"Now why did you want to do that?" I asked Will, as I was flinching backwards and had my eyes wide open, staring at the head.
"Pirate?" Will looked at me with his innocent doe brown eyes. He rolled his eyes and suppressed a smile. "Captain I think you owe me a thank you." He mockingly saluted me then turned his attention to secure the prisoners.
There was a loud splash as men were jumping overboard. I looked down at my hand and saw for the first time there was a great gash across the back of it. My arm and shirtsleeve were wet with blood. I went to the helm of the ship holding my wrist and with a quavering laugh and still wondering about Will, I shouted.
"I didn't know there was so much fight in these peaceful merchants but the fight is over men and the ship is ours."
I loud cheer resonated over the ship. Yes, there would be a party tonight.
XXXXXXXXXXXXElizabeth jumped as she heard the cannons go off. Was it day or night? She had made her way back to the brig after she had filled her stomach with food from the galley. She could only hope Rogers did not count every morsel of food that came onto the ship. There was a tiny patch of light that came through the crack of the cell. She went over and looked out. She could see we had approached another vessel. The ship was tossing with the swells of the waves and she was fighting to keep the contents of her stomach in now.
Laying her head down on a bag of old clothes she had found in the galley she ran her fingers through her short brown hair. She had spent some time clipping all her beautiful locks off to make for a more masculine look. She knew it was cut uneven but she was a pirate boy now. She also knew she should go find something else to eat to retain her strength but the thought of food sickened her. Just then the ship pitched. The grappling hooks were still attached and it was as if The Good Faith and The Black Pearl were fighting one another. As the ship rocked she started retching. Once she'd emptied her stomach she felt better but the compartment stunk something awful.
Breathing through her mouth, she could ignore the smell easier. Just then she heard the yells and cheers of victory. She figured the ship had been under attack. She jumped as she heard pounding and thumping all around on the deck and she had heard the battle raging. Silence had fallen upon the ship and she heard Will's voice.
"Captain! The men who have not jumped have been tied and I will escort them to The Black Pearl's brig. The other crewmembers are loading the booty from The Good Faith to The Black Pearl."
"Will, take two men with you. Make sure the prisoners are safely in the brig so they can be deposited into the sea…I may let them have a couple of lifeboats." I looked at one young sailor who could not take his eyes off of me. "Ya see mate, I'm not all that bad and you'd survive longer that way. Aye?" I gave him a devilish smile and then he spit in my face. "Aw son that was uncalled for." I raised my hand and he coward back. I wiped me face and sneered at him. "Lad, merchants vessels come heavily armed. A lot of good it does them when they do battle with The Black Pearl." I squinted at him and gave him a slight smile. "I wish you to live so you can recount the tail of, Captain Jack Sparrow."
I then directed my attention else where "Gibbs, Cotton, AnaMaria, you just have to love merchant ships. Lets clean out the food supply and treasures below, we can sell them when we dock. This haul should keep us stocked for months. You know Gibbs?" I smiled broadly as I looked over at Will. "That boy is going to become quite a pirate. If I'm not careful he will be better than me."
XXXXXXXXXXGetting her wits about her Elizabeth knew Will would be coming down to the brig and bringing prisoners. She had to hide.
As Will, Samuel and Joe were taking the prisoners down the stairs that lead below deck something made Samuel stop.
The smell of the vomit and the bilge water accosted the men's senses.
"How can anyone survive down here?" Samuel commented as he looked down into the dim dank belly of the ship.
"Mate, I don't know, but the rats must love it." Will said as he saw two of them dive into a dark corner.
At the far right of the stairs, hidden in shadows Samuel saw something move. There was a small indentation than a gap in the wood. There was a scrap of wood about three feet tall and three feet wide. He thought he saw the wood move.
"Rats you say Mr. Turner?" He moved away from Will and Joe and went to investigate.
There was enough of a gap in between the deck and this stray piece of wood that he realized there was a hidden compartment there. He heard a slight noise and he noted that there was something or someone in there. He went over to the secret door and dug his nails into the wood and pulled. He flew back on his butt as the wood flew open and immediately exposed the compartment. Elizabeth's eyes went wide when she saw this. She held her breath hoping the person would not see her in the dark. There was silence for a moment. She vowed to herself she was not going down without a fight. Samuel called out to Will and Joe as the door flung open. She felt the best thing she could do was to leap out of the hole and catch the intruder by surprise. With her nails extended to draw blood she flung herself at her assailant. She also had a pistol hidden in her boot that she had found in the galley along with the bag of clothing.
Samuel was caught off guard and he yelled as a person leaped out at him. He grabbed her wrists as her nails went for his throat. She pulled away, armed herself with the pistol and shot Samuel in the chest. She then dropped the gun and ran up the stairs. The deck was filled with loot, supplies and the crew. All the men were either drunk or otherwise occupied and she blended herself in with them. It was easy to disappear and she was hoping she could continue the charade.
Within minutes William and Joe, were on deck. "Jack! Jack!" Will was yelling over the noise and the singing. I was enjoying the victory celebration and drinking my fair share of the rum. "It's Captain! Captain Jack lad."
"Captain!" Samuel has been murdered. He has been shot in the chest at close range by a single bullet and it came from this weapon." Will tossed me the pistol. "You must come below with me, there is something you must see."
XXXXXXXXXXSeveral days had past since the raid on The Good Faith and Samuel's death. I know it sounds cold and uncaring but his death passed and hardly anyone noticed. That's a pirate's life. We pillage we plunder we rifle and loot. We kidnap and ravage we don't give a hoot. He was just another man who desired to live on the sea and have an adventure robbing and plundering. Due to his misfortunes his life was cut short, the cause being dishonesty between a mate and possibly even theft among one of us. I did not know and probably would never find out. However, I felt uneasy knowing there was one who did pull a weapon on a crewmate. The fact he, the killer, felt he had to conceal himself concerned me even more. What was he hiding?
"Gibbs." I pulled him aside and made sure nobody was in earshot. "I want you to overlook the crew, and keep a sharp eye on the new members. You know them far better than I. Have them make an account of their behavior and location the day of the raid. If they were like me I'd bet they were drinking, carousing and just being merry. I'd say one dog, however, drank a little to strong and became heated. In his drunken state he killed the unsuspecting scallywag, Samuel. The question is what was this man hiding that he had to kill Samuel over?" I twisted my fingers in the beads of my beard and looked at Gibbs in a quizzical way.
"Jack, we did take on some new blood from Port Royal. They be young boys and eager to go to sea. They seem tough and ruthless and skilled in navigation and seamanship but none of them seem capable enough of such a savage and cowardly act as murder among the ranks."
"Gibbs you surprise me. You must be getting soft in ya old age. It's the young ones we must watch out for. I am sure they are everything you describe and a whole lot more. They most likely have foul language, prolonged bouts of drinking and frequently quarrel and display fits of violence. Hey mate, don't we all? I'd be willing to wager they come to me ship for the attraction and lure of plunder and the desire for an easy life, plus the whores and the extra attention." I slapped Gibbs on the back. "Well, they will be rudely awakened. There will be no easy lives on me ship. Savvy? Bring them to me quarters. It is time we met."
Gibbs turned from me and I heard him grumbling while he drank from his flask. Little did I know Gibbs was not certain at how many new men he signed on and exactly who they were. Usually I would have assembled them sooner but my health prevented the proper introductions.
"Aye Captain I'll get them for you, but it will take awhile. I have the younger ones fixing the rigging. There is one in particular who enjoys the heights, likes to pass his time of day away up there. I have the older ones tending to our cargo and chasing the rats. The rats are bad Captain."
"Gibbs I don't need an account of what they are doing and send Tommy down after the rats. Just bring the men to me. Especially the one who enjoys heights. It seems to me this young lad may like it up there so he is not noticed down here.
Within the hour there were five young men standing in me quarters. They were all dressed in loose trousers, loose shirts, jackets and scarfs. Two of them were wearing large brown limp hats.
"Lads, I am sure you are all aware of who I am. I am the Captain Of The Black Pearl. The last real pirate ship in The Caribbean. My name, Captain Jack Sparrow, I am sure you have all heard of me." I looked about squinting my eyes at them, waiting for someone to speak. The silence was tranquil. "You are all acquainted with Mr. Gibbs, he is me first mate and the crew's representative. His job is to settle minor disputes and to bring them to my attention. He does have the power to set punishments but it is I who will carry them out. Savvy?"
Once again there was no reply. I was truly beginning to wonder about this lot of men Gibbs had recruited. I sauntered past each one of them several times. I would stop and occasional back up to look intently into the young men's eyes. I knew I was making them nervous but that was my intention.
By now I could tell I had every young mans attention. Their eyes were on me as mine were on them. I was looking each one over very carefully. Trying to determine if any of these men were ruthless enough to kill a crewmember and what the bloody hell they could be hiding.
"Very well, I will get on with it so you all may return to your duties. There is a code of conduct on this ship that applies to every man. Aye?"
"Aye!" They all said in unison. This was good.
"Now I will inform you of the code and you will all live by it. Aye?"
"Aye!"
"One, every man has a vote in all affairs. You may not agree with what goes on and you do have a say, so use your voice. Savvy?" I looked at the young man at the end wearing a brown hat. He looked vaguely familiar.
"Two, every man has a right to defend himself. If you are accused of a misdeed it is up to you to clear your name. If a man attacks you with a gun or sword you may do like wise, yet this goes against the next code. Three, there will be no striking of one another on board. Every man's quarrels should be ended on shore with pistol or at sword point."
I put me hand on my chest realizing I myself went against that code, but they are more like, guidelines. Will was the one who had challenged me. I shook my head becoming conscious that I had stopped speaking. I looked at the next young gentleman also wearing a decrepit hat.
"Four, no man will steal from another. If you do and you are found guilty you will loose an ear a nose or a tongue." I grabbed the ear of the young man in the middle who had a flock of red hair and a million freckles. It seemed to me the Caribbean Sun was going to be rough on his skin.
"Five." I let go of the young man's ear and I pulled me cutlass out and swung it through the air. "You are to keep your pistols and cutlass fit for service. If you do not have one see Mr. Gibbs when I am finished with you." I replaced me sword and approached a very small but sturdy boy. "You mate will want to see him. I note you lack both."
"Six, if you desert the ship or your post while in battle you will be punished by death. Seven, every man gets a fair share in the loot. That is, every man who is alive and does not run in the face of certain death. Eight, any man who falls behind is left behind and last but not least. Nine. No boys under the age of twelve or women are allowed among us. If any of you are found seducing any of the latter sex, and you carry her to sea, you will suffer death. If you are a woman on board and you disguise yourselves you will suffer death. This is to prevent divisions and quarrels among the crew. The only exception is AnaMaria. Aye, AnaMaria, she is a fine lass and you all will steer clear of her. If you have not met her yet you will soon have the privilege, but she is to be treated like the rest of the crew. She has been a crewmember for a long time and I owed her a ship. That mate is another story for another time." I smiled as I remembered the way I borrowed AnaMaria's boat. She always accused me of stealing it but I did give her a bigger and better boat. Thanks to William. "Some of you look mighty young and your bodies look fragile. I have to ask. Are any of you female?"
I cocked my head and gave the slightest grin towards the two pirates wearing the hats. I then looked at all the young faces. I really was not expecting an answer. I went up to the young lad at the head of the line. "You boy. What's your name?"
"Charles sir." He stood at attention and looked into my kohl-rimmed eyes.
"Aye Charlie. Do you understand all the rules?"
"Yes sir."
"Do you have any questions?"
"No sir."
I looked at the short boy next to Charlie and backed up some, just to give him a little distance. "Your name and same questions."
"Ben Sir."
"Short for Benjamin I presume?"
"Yes sir."
"And the questions Benjamin?"
"Yes and No sir." Ben was a man of very little words.
Next was my red headed sailor. "You mate, what do they call you?" I could not help but stare at his red hair and complexion.
"James sir."
"Fine strong name. Named after your father I presume? I'll call you Jim. Nothing against the name James mind ya but I know to many of them."
I approached the boy in the floppy hat and pulled it off his head. "And you, you look very young. I eyed him up and down. You're not a Eunuch are you?"
He surprised me with his arrogance. He pulled the hat out of my hand and put it back on his head. He glared into me eyes and answered tersely. "No sir I am not, I understand the rules, I have no questions and my name is William but I am called Billy. Bad Boy Billy. Savvy?"
I stepped back knowing I had offended him. I held up my hands and wiggled my fingers in his direction. "Sorry mate take it easy. A sufficient yes or no would suffice."
"And you son, what be your name." I asked of the last thin lad standing at the end of the line. He seemed timid and gave me the impression he would rather be any place then standing in front of me right now.
"E-E-Edward."
"E-E-Edward you say." I pulled his hat up but did not pull it off. "Have we crossed paths before E-E-Edward?"
"No, sir my father made it a point to keep me away from pirates."
"Aye E-E, he was probably a wise man." I continued to stare at him. His look was so familiar but it was hard to place. His face was smudged with dirt and his hair was cut in a way I had never seen before. Of course it was difficult to sum him up with the old dilapidated brown frock he had upon his head. His eyes looked to honest and kind, he looked thin and in my opinion he looked very feminine. Since I had already insulted Billy Boy I figured I would step down and not ask him the same question. "Lad I think you need a new hat, one with a feather."
He looked at me and gave me the strangest smile. I raised my head and squinted my eyes in his direction. "Lad, are you sure we have never crossed paths. I would hate to have a man on me crew in which I have already left a mark on."
"Captain sir, as I told you before, I have had no dealing with pirates and I have never met you before in my life. In all honesty sir, and don't take offence, I have never heard of you or your ship. If you are going to hold this against me, you may let me off at the next port." Ed bent his head down so the hat would cover his features and he was hoping the questioning would stop.
I was still uncertain and I was approaching Ed to pull off his hat when a knock came at the door. "Sorry Captain, but there's a fight in the galley," came AnaMaria's voice.
I sighed, wearily "AnaMaria, Gibbs can sort out the fight can he not?"
"Jack!"
I turned immediately and glared at her. I could not believe she was being so familiar with me in front of the new buccaneers. "What the bloody hell is it?"
"Captain! Gibbs started the fight." Her eyes were throwing daggers at me and I could tell she was in no mood for my antics.
"Very well men, back to work and remember I will not tolerate laziness or monstrous behavior on me ship. I know there is one man among us who has slain a mate and he knows of whom I speak. If any man comes forth and tells me his name I will make it worth your troubles. You are all men of the sea and you are now aware of the codes. If you cannot square with them, ya best speak now."
I picked my hat up off my desk. Placed it on my head and walked ever so slowly over towards AnaMaria and the door. I knew she wanted me to come immediately but I was not about to let the new men see me take orders from her.
I turned towards them and looked them over one more time. "Off to work you scabrous dogs. What are ya waiting for?"
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Night was falling and I stood at the helm watching the colorful sunset. I stared at the calm waters and the tranquil weather before me. AnaMaria came up behind me and placed her hands on my shoulders. She started to rub my shoulder blades and my neck. She continued down my back and if there weren't so many men on deck I probably would have started to moan. "Are you coming to bed tonight." She murmured, her voice was low so only I could hear her." "Aye Luv, if ya want me." "When have I ever, not wanted you Jack?" "Oh I can think of a few times Luv, but that is behind us. D'ya want ter go to bed now?" I asked with a mischievous gleam in my eyes.
As she turned away from me she gave me a playful hit. "Aye let me go get Gibbs or Turner to take the helm and I will meet you in your quarters."
I could see a look of uneasiness and jealously in the new crewmembers eyes especially Bad Boy Billy's.
"Men, it's late go below and gets your rest. The sun will wait for no man and you will all be up with it. Now go and stop gawking. She is seducing me, not the other way around. I owe you Whelps no explanations but I like you follow the code. Savvy? If you have problems take it up with Gibbs."
The men did go below and Ed could not believe that she was sleeping with the crew. She could not stand the loud snoring and the belching. When all the men had settled down she took her pillow and blanket up on the deck and made herself a nice bed under the stars. Luckily the night was clear and warm.
She was almost asleep when a loud clamor of iron aroused her. She saw William Turner standing in the moonlight with his sword drawn and he was talking to himself. She watched as he lunged and pulled back. He was so graceful, so handsome. She wanted to run up to him and press her lips on his. She wanted to hold him close to her breast and never let him go.
"All right you varmint. I have had enough of you. This is the last time you will ever step foot on The Pearl." He lunged forward and as he did Ed heard a squeal that made her blood run cold. Will pulled his sword up and held it in the moonlight. Skewered on the end of it was a rat. It looked even larger than the one she had seen under the table.
"Aye, now you see why I practice three hours a day. So I can kill rats like you."
Ed watched with fascination and almost broke out in laughter when Will fell over some loose riggings while he was admiring his kill.
"Well, I hope this makes you happy, I'm giving you a nice show."
Ed sat in silence. Did Will know she was there watching all along. To her relief she saw that Will was talking to old Tom. He was sitting on the deck about five feet from him. Will tossed the dying rat to Tommy and the cat immediately disappeared with it.
"No need for thanks Tommy, just make sure you get the next one." He raised a bottle of rum to his lips and drained it. "I really do despise and loathe those creatures there are too many rats in this world."
Elizabeth sat in silence watching the man she so adored and then began to wonder. Do I really know this man? It's not in Will's nature to be vicious. She had heard the story of the decapitation. Jack was bragging on Will's skill and about how very proud he was of his young Whelp, as he referred to him so dearly.
"He has changed so much. He has become a pirate." Elizabeth sighed to herself and went to sleep.
A/N Pirates did follow a code. They would gather on board the ship before embarking on a voyage and decide what provisions they would need and agree on what they would raid and how the plunder was divided. There was not a set code between pirates, it was determine by the crew and the ship/voyage. When the rules were all agreed on, each man had to sign.