Chapter nine: Mutiny

"Well, I suppose you have a point, Barbossa," Jack nodded, wisely. He went to his desk, and unlocked the drawer, pulling out a map.

"Here it tis." He spread the map out over the oval table, showing exactly the coordinates for the island. Barbossa looked it over with greedy eyes, a ghost of a smile slowly spreading.

"My thanks," He said airily, and walked out. A few minutes later, Else walked in, looking behind her occasionally.

"What's gotten into him?" She asked, clearly meaning Barbossa.

"The cat just caught the mouse."

"I always thought of him as more of a dog..." Else shrugged, and glanced down at the map that was on the table.

"Ah...becoming more lax? The crew seem to be getting restless."

"That's on the account that we are nearing the treasure. Currently, I seem to be faced with three problems." Jack pulled the unwilling Else into his arms. "First; the crew...haven't you noticed they are all being...I dunno...cant find the right word. Second; we are out of rum. And third; it looks like its gunna storm big time tonight." Jack looked at the upturned face of Else. "And you, Else, are my forth problem,"


Irritably, Jack released Else at the sound of banging on his cabin door. From the look on his face, a sound lashing was going to whoever was there. It was just nearing three or four in the morning.

"Yes?"

A man with an empty eye socket walked in, a smirk on his face. "Your presence is required on deck." No captain, no pleasantries.

"Who commands it?"

"Captain Barbossa." Instantly, Jack was up in a fluid motion, grabbing the pistol from his holster.

"Ahah. Don't want to br bringin' that mate." Jack dropped his pistol, and walked outside, followed by Else. She hid from view behind a barrel, hoping against the odds.

"Well Jack, I see you know exactly why we are doin' this." Barbossa spoke, followed by jeers from the crew members. They formed a tight semi-circle around their actual captain.

"Tisk tisk, Barbossa," Jack said, his voice rough with hatred. "I thought I knew you better then that. Lemme think...an island?" Barbossa let out a short bark of mirthless laughter. Else quickly glanced around, looking for Bill in the crowd. No...he wasn't there thank god. Small patterings of rain fell from the black inky sky, making the torches hiss.

"Why?" Demanded Jack. Barbossa had him at gun point, and slowly started to circle him.

"Well...when you have an opportunity, such as this one, you take it. I have been planning this for quite some time actually. However, you and your infatuation for that whore..." Else tried not to let out a yell of protest, "Almost cost us, almost cost us indeed." He stopped in front of Jack, smiling wickedly, baring his yellow teeth.

"So...poor Jack Sparrow. Your sentiments are what keep you from being a good pirate. Your lower then John Rackham on his worst of days."

"Its Calico Jack," Jack said tersely.

"Shut up," Barbossa spat, and once again, a burst of jeers broke out over the crowd.

"Where is Bootstrap?" Else cursed Jack for still being at ease, even when this was presented in front of him.

"Oh, we had to tie him up and lock him in the brig. Not too happy about it. Come to think of it...he was the only crew member, save for your wench, to not sign the Round Robin." The tight circle of started in closer to Jack as the rain fell heavily.

"See that there? That little smudge of an outline? That be your new home. Here you are." He produced a pistol. "Loaded only with one bullet, no extra powder then needed. You know the Code."

"And you are breaking it." Spat Jack. There was a sound of bone on bone as Barbossa gave him a punch, but Jack was still standing.

"In ya go," Barbossa hissed, and with a jerk of his head, Jack was seized by two of the crew members. He struggled as hard as he could, but more piled on him, slowly advancing to the deck.

"I will fucking kill you Barbossa!" Jack yelled, over the din. "If it is the last thing I do!" there was a splash as he hit the water.

Without thinking, Else quickly ran to her own cabin, grabbed up some of her medicines, bandages, some apples, and a hunk of cheese, and ran back to the deck.

"Your too late." Barbossa spat, seeing her come running. Without glancing back, and evading capture, Else quickly dived off of the ship, landing neatly in the water below.

"Your own death!" Barbossa called down to her. She started swimming.