Chapter 3: Lord Cutler Beckett and His Jurisdiction
Once the Relentless was parallel, a gangplank connected the two ships and Lord Beckett and his troops came onto the ship and captured all the crew. "We're controlling this vessel now, and Victoria Norrington is charged of piracy and will be under my jurisdiction and order," said Beckett as shackles were being linked to Victoria's wrists.
"What will you do to me?" said Victoria. "Like I said, you are under my jurisdiction and order. So you can do whatever I want to you," said Beckett, placing his body close to hers. "Who gave you this authority?" said Norrington. Beckett moved from Victoria and turned to Norrington, "Governor Swann did, he was a witness at your wedding and the only person who knew that Victoria was a pirate. And since you're looking for Jack, we will accompany you. And if you decide to do rash actions, my troops will shoot you," said Beckett. The soldiers holding the other pirates stayed while the two troops holding Victoria followed Beckett back toward the Relentless.
"Victor! Help me!" said Victoria as she walked on the gangplank. "Victoria, I will save you!" said Barbossa, but before anyone could do anything, the gangplank was pulled off and the troops led by a captain named John Pryde formed a line in front of the pirates. "Captain Barbossa, your ship is now under my order and by the order of Lord Cutler Beckett. You're going to lead us where Jack Sparrow is," said Captain Pryde. Norrington came up to Captain Pryde, "No you're not, I'm the Commodore. I have power over you," he said. "Not anymore, Lord Beckett repealed your reinstating as Commodore. You're just a nobody now," said Pryde.
The troops dismantled their line and began to guard the ship. Norrington went up to Barbossa, "'Victor'? Captain Victor Barbossa? How do you really know Victoria?" he said. The crew hurried around and went back to their duties as Norrington asked Barbossa the question. "I knew Victoria when she was Victoria Anne Barbossa…my sister," said Barbossa, looking out toward the Relentless and saw Victoria. Will and Elizabeth began to listen in, "Your sister? Victoria never told me about having a brother," said Norrington. "She didn't because she was informed that I was dead," said Barbossa.
"She also told us that she was in love with Jack; what do you know about that?" said Will. Norrington turned to Will, "She told you that? She loved Sparrow?" he said. "She was engaged to Jack before she got married to you," said Elizabeth. "That was the reason I hated Jack. He's been getting his advances on Victoria ever since I introduced him to her. I mutinied against him and marooned Jack on the island to make sure he was away from Victoria," said Barbossa. Norrington began to put this into consideration, "Now I really hate Jack for this," he said. "Some of us more than others," said Will.
As they continued talking about Jack and Victoria, the troops threw Victoria into the brig, "Apparently there's a leak," she said. "You'll stay here till Lord Beckett asks for you. Until then, enjoy your stay milady," said the soldier. The two soldiers locked her in the cell then laughed as they walked up to the deck. Victoria sighed then sat down on the floor, watching as her beautiful dress began to absorb the sea water. In Beckett's quarters, some of the men set a small candlelit dinner for two. Then moments later the two soldiers brought Victoria into Beckett's quarters; Beckett got up from his chair, "Mrs. Norrington, please sit. But first, you must dress for the occasion," he said.
Beckett went over to his bed where a beautiful blue dress lay and gave it to her, "There's a screen over there and you can change," he said. Victoria, confused, took the dress and went behind the screen to change. When Victoria stepped back out, Beckett smiled, "Simply beautiful. I knew that dress would fit you; come here, I have a necklace to match," he said. Victoria came over to Beckett and held her hair as Beckett placed the necklace around her neck and clipped it. Victoria smiled and then looked at herself in the mirror; Beckett came by her ear and said, "You're a vision in blue Victoria,"
Victoria then looked away and walked toward the dinner table and Beckett came over and helped her into her chair. Victoria saw all the wonderful food and took a bit of everything and began eating with her knife and fork. Beckett watched her as she ate and then he began to eat also. When they were both done eating Victoria was the first to speak, "Why are you suddenly so nice to me after the harsh actions you did earlier?" she asked. "Do I have to have an answer? Come, let's go outside where the air is much more pleasant," he said, lending his arm to her. Victoria smiled and took his arm and they went to the main deck. On the Tormentor, Will saw Beckett and Victoria on the deck of the Relentless; he went up to Norrington and said, "Look over there," pointing at the other ship.
"The night is very beautiful," said Beckett. Victoria nodded in agreement and then a man carrying two glasses of champagne came up to them. Beckett took the glasses of champagne and gave one to Victoria, "A toast, to good health and may the winds be in our favor as we sail towards the ends of the earth to find Jack Sparrow," he said, raising his glass. "Captain Jack Sparrow," said Victoria, raising her glass also. Beckett tapped their glasses gently and they both drank; when they were done they gave the glasses back and Beckett made the man go away.
On the Tormentor, Will and Norrington watched as Beckett and Victoria made the toast. "What's Beckett trying to do?" said Norrington, confused. Then he finally realized what was going on, "Make her…love him," he said. Then at the next moment Beckett went in and kissed her, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her close; Victoria began to struggle as Beckett's grip became tighter. Victoria was finally able to get out of Beckett's grasp and then she slapped him across the face. "How dare you? You can't go around kissing people, especially married people," she said.
"Maybe not, or I just like kissing you," he said, grabbing hold of her wrist and coming closer. "Remember, you're under my Jurisdiction and Order. Whatever I say goes," he said, and then he pulled her back into his quarters and shut the door. As Norrington and Will watched, Barbossa came up next to them, "Did you be seein' what I just saw?" he asked. "Yep, we just saw the monster in Lord Cutler Beckett," said Will. Norrington stood there, happy that Victoria slapped her way out of the kiss; but a single tear rolled down his cheek for the slap led to something even more hurtful.
Later, back at Beckett's quarters, both Beckett's and Victoria's clothing were thrown to the side. Beckett and Victoria lay in Beckett's bed; Beckett caressed Victoria's hair as she slept facing him. "I've got to find a way to make you mine Victoria. I must get Norrington out of your mind forever," he said.