AN: Okay, about the name Nebuchadnezzar I just thought it sounded piratey and it's a cool name. thanks for all the reviews mates! I really appreciate it!

Silent Cobra

CHAPTER NINE: Introducing Monsieur Twiggy

Morgan gripped the rail of the ship tightly. Her knuckles were turning white. They were pulling into Tortuga. She looked at the other ships, then turned back and froze.

The Dauntless II floated about twenty feet away. "Oh, no."

She spun and ran to Jack. "Jack, look at that ship! LOOK!"

He turned and looked at it. He read the name on the side.

"Dauntless II?" He frowned. "Wasn't the Dauntless Norrington's ship?"

"Yes, and that must be Jake's new ship. He's in Tortuga, Jack."

Jack sighed. "This is not good."

Jake leaned over Maryia's body and cleaned his sword on her clothing. The bar patron were staring at him in shock.

"You two," he said, gesturing to his men, "Guard the door. You, give me rope."

A length of rope was handed to him. Jake turned to the patrons.

"Please sir, we are not doin' nuthin!"

"Ah, but you see, you've witnessed what has gone on, so…"

Jake manhandled the few patrons into a corner and tied them together. "Now, don't try to escape, it won't work."

He walked over to his men, ignoring the cries of the patrons. "Torch it."

"Yes sir." Torches were lit and tossed into corners. The patrons began to scream.

Jake turned. "May God have mercy on your souls." With that, they turned and left.

Morgan froze. She and Jack had been walking down the street when she saw black smoke curling into the air.

"Jack…isn't that around the Black Mermaid?"

"Aye, let's run love."

They took off, but all too soon, Morgan saw something that made her slam on the brakes. Jack stopped and turned towards her.

"What is it, love?"

She grabbed the front of his shirt and positioned him in front of her, back to the street. He looked down at her oddly.

"It's Jake," she whispered.

He nodded and stayed there. She watched as he passed by them with hardly a second glance. Then, her heart sank again, Gillette walked up to Jake.

"Sir, a pirate ship has just pulled into port."

"Really? Well, did you see who was on it?"

"No sir. A large black man is swabbing the decks as we speak."

"Thank you, Gillette, you came in handy." They continued towards the docks. Morgan and Jack took a breath of relief.

"Jack Sparrow! That you?"

Jack spun, hand on his sword. A small man with scraggily black hair, tanned, Spanish looking skin, and bright green eyes walked up to them.

"It is you! Why, I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Eighteen years, mate."

"Who the girl?"

"Captain Morgan of the Nebuchadnezzar."

"Pleasure to meet ya, Cap'n. The name's Twiggy, Monsieur Twiggy." He bowed.

"Twiggy?" Jack said. Twig turned back to Jack. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Anything, Mate, just name it."

"Find a crew willin to sail under Morgan. Meet us back at docks."

"Alrighty, Jack." Twiggy sauntered off.

"Is his real name Twiggy?"

"No, his true name is Roberto Perciful Francis Chiante Albus Durnay." Jack said.

"Ah, Twiggy's better."

The Black Mermaid came into sight. It was a crumbling mass of ruins.

"Oh no!"

"Bloody Hell."

They stared at the ruins. "There went our source," Jack said sourly. They stepped carefully into the smoldering mess. Nothing was left.

"Damn," Morgan muttered. She felt halfway responsible.

"Don't feel bad, love. It's not your fault."

Morgan kicked a charred piece of wood. "So now what, Jack?"

"We go meet Twig, love, and figure it out from there."

They walked onto the docks. Jack waved a finger at Twig. Twiggy bounded over to them, hyperactive and excited.

"Found ya a good crew, Cap'n, all willing to sail for a decent price."

Morgan frowned. "What price?"

"Rum, Cap'n, rum."

Morgan burst out laughing despite everything that had been going on lately.

"We got plenty of that, Twig," Jack said. "Now, introduce us to Morgan's new crew."

The three of them stepped onto the ship and were greeted by a highly agitated Sin.

"Lass, these men be stinking up the place."

"Don't worry Sin, we'll clean 'em up later." Sin nodded and leaned against the bulkhead.

Twiggy bounced on his feet. "Line up, ye slow pokes!" he shouted, the men he had gathered lined up.

"Alright Cap'n, there's me, o'course," he swept his arm back in a deep bow. He pointed to a small blond man. "And that there be Pegleg, and the bloke next to him is One-Eyed Willie. The tall guy next to Willie is Romanov, and the short skinny one is James C. Hook (Jimmy for short). Then there be Bartholomew, and the others…well, 'fraid I can't remember the others."

"I'm your captain, boys, Morgan." She gestured to Jack. "I'm sure most of you already know him, Commodore (call me Captain) Jack Sparrow."

"We got a problem, boys. Get the ship ready for sailing. We leave, now. Avoid the RN at all costs…for now."

AN: Okay, I know this took me forever to get out, but I had a nasty little virus called writer's block, and I finally got this chap out, tho I don't like it that much, so I may change it later. If anyone can come up with more pirate names, please leave them in the review. I'm really sorry this took so long, but when school started everything shot to hell real quick like. So, I'll try to update on a more regular basis, but I can't promise much.

Thanks for all the reviews.

Silent Cobra