The ship was nothing to be proud of; thin and poor in construction, it seemed to be a bundle of splinters that would best be put to rest. Ironically, it sailed like a storm. Under those crimson and coal banners was a deeper evil, under the command of a Captain Barabas, the scum of the sea formed into a skeleton of deceit. He was a spiny man, well-built but still small for his frame. He was between Jack and Will in age, kept a thin beard, and always a weapon at his side. Many a ghost had seen the blade of his sword, black as well, and reflected in it was his disgusting smile. A vile man was Captain Barabas, one who would make a lawful gentleman not believe that a pirate could be a good man.
His crew was half as decent as he, which made starving dogs better companions. Ironically, the crew ate dogs, and therefore was thick in smell and little in strength of body or mind. The master of arms and first mate was a killer of fifty; the navigator, blind in one eye, was known as Pup. Each had their story and lies, but one thing strung the throng together besides being a slave to the horrible Barabas—they each had a score to settle with Captain Jack Sparrow of Tortuga. As they saw the infamous Black Pearl come near there starboard at an alarming rate, a grin crept across their broken teeth. Barabas at the helm stopped and turned, cocking his hat back. "What's this?" he asked with his tobacco-stained rasp.
"I be dreaming," Fifty growled. "That be the Black Pearl."
"Stupid sot," Salty hissed, "the Pearl be buried long ago…"
"Shut up," Barabas croaked. "We're about to be boarded!" They ran about like the mindless idiots they were, trying to gather gun and cutlass while they could. However, the cannon doors were swinging against the black and red ship, and Captain Sparrow was drawing his famous pistol while balancing between the two ship's shoulders.
Elizabeth watched from the cramp cabin, wondering why she was locked away when both of those men knew quite well she'd find a way out eventually. Wrapping the thick blanket about her shoulders more tightly, she began to mumble curses at her own stupidity for allowing Will to do such a thing. "Need anything, mum?" Lory squeaked, still blushing madly. Elizabeth frowned slightly and turned to face the beaming boy. He looked so hopefully helpful. She smiled once more and began to search the small quarters for something large enough to break the wooden latch.
"Yes, Lory, actually I do." He was on his feet quicker than she could draw her next breath. "The captain—he's a little absent minded at times. You see, he didn't really mean for me to be cooped up here like some pet…and you! His brave look-out! He's mistakenly locked you in as well!" Lory blinked, thinking over the proposition.
"Do…do you mean the captain didn't mean for you to stay right here with me like he said?"
"You are such a smart boy!" Elizabeth cooed. "Now, I know my husband might have implied—"
"Say no more, m'lady!" Lory proudly announced, producing the unexpected key. "I'll humbly correct the captain and insist that we both be released." Before the youth knew what happened, she had shoved him out of the way and shed the blanket for one of Jack's old coats.
"Avast!" Will called with a hearty leap across the choppy waters between the boats. "Take hold there, man." Jack merely hopped onto the unsteady floor; a smug grin followed by a smart wink serving as his greeting.
"Certainly doesn't take you long to get back into the…swing of things, aye Turner," he warmly teased. Barabas leapt from his elevated helm, spinning a gun upon his thumb and snarling. "Ahoy, Barabas!"
"Get off my ship," he warned. "I've got better things to do then deal with you, back from the dead." Will proceeded to take the arms from the moronic minion, Barabas too concerned with his constant competition to deal with them being hostage.
"You've got something I want," Jack suddenly snapped, all childish playfulness gone.
"I could kill you right now," Barabas chuckled in aside.
"I could have killed you when I found you," Jack interrupted in reminiscence, "but what's a pirate's code to a dog trained to hold a gun." Will smiled briefly at the humor as he tied the last of the mates at hand together.
"Who's the boy?" Barabas barked. Will took to Jack's side, picking up on his nonchalant matters with deadly confrontations.
"William Turner," he introduced happily, "I believe we haven't met." A strange expression came over Barabas, which confused Jack with a hint of worry.
"William Turner?" he repeated. "Go by Bill?" Will shook his head, frowning slightly at how nervous Jack had become. "Never?" Barabas asked again. A soft cry came from behind them. Elizabeth, having just made a dramatic leap herself, picked herself up from the rocking floor. Barabas immediately became interested in the last entrance. "Well, well…"
"Elizabeth!" Will gasped, "God, what are you doing here?"
"Get back on the boat," Jack ordered with a deep sigh.
"It's my son!" she bit. Barabas strolled forward, feeling no threat from fatal enemies quite yet (for they were guests upon his ship) and extended a hand with a sick smile.
"Who is this angel?" he hissed, the mere stench surrounding him making Elizabeth gag. Jack slid between them.
"Do you have a child on this ship or not?" the captain asked. Barabas maneuvered around him.
"I might have a child if you might have a lady." William shoved the filthy rogue back, he being now between them.
"Both belong to me," Will growled. Elizabeth glared to her husband. He had no time for her feminist arguing. "Give me the boy and I'll let you keep your life." Barabas tossed his gun aside and pulled from his hip that bloody blade, spinning the hilt impressively in his palm.
"Let's see if we can work things out, Mr. Turner."