OMG-I got a review! My first precious review. Here it is, just for you Peg! Hope you like it:) It may seem a little slow but I promise it will pick up in the next Chapter when I introduce Satya, Jack's love interest. Just laying some groundwork here.
Disclaimer:I don't own the Pirates of the Caribbean Disney does. I do own the DVD and my musings about Jack.
Chapter 2
The Ocean Venture
The Phurtila was making good time as she approached the Spanish ship. As the gap between them began to close the other vessel became more visible. Barbossa approached Jack at the helm.
"Looks like yer getting yourself a fine vessel." Barbossa said. Jack had made him privy to his desires to get another ship.
"Aye, she looks as though they must have something valuable aboard." Jack said when he noticed the ship was filled with cannons. He took out his spyglass and focused on the vessel again.
"Aye Cap'n" Barbossa agreed lifting his hand to shade his eyes from the sun as he looked on. "Looks like a ship o' the line." Out of the corner of the his eye he saw Jacks expression change. A look of concern had crept over Jack's face. "What is it mate?"
"That's not a cargo ship." Jack said under his breath. "That's the Ocean Venture."
Barbossa's eyes widened. He turned to take another look at the vessel. She was now close enough for him to make out her name. Sure enough, she was the Ocean Venture the most feared ship in the Spanish Main. The ship was well known for it's privateering missions commissioned by the East India Company. Just as Jack realized this was a trap, the crew of the Ocean Venture lowered the Spanish flag and raised their own colors.
"What in the bloody 'ell!" Raged Barbossa.
"Hard to Port!" Jack ordered. He ran to help ready the sails so the Phurtila could pull away from the other ship.
The Ocean Venture was about one thousand yards away when Jack ordered the crew to change course. As soon as the other crew noticed Jack's retreat they readied their ship to pursue him.
Jack knew they couldn't outrun the Ocean Venture and he had to think of something fast. Their only hope would be to wait until the Ocean Venture was almost on them and spin the Phurtila around to get the first opportunity to strike with her cannons. "Ready the guns! Make ready to turn and rake 'em with grapeshot! "
When the Ocean Venture was in position the crew of the Phurtila pulled their vessel around so it was in firing position.
"Fire the cannons!" Barbossa ordered. The cannon fire sheared through one of the sails of the Ocean Venture and took out some of her gunnary crew.
The Ocean Venture began placing heavy cannon fire from one of her swivelguns sending chainshot whizzing across the deck and splintering portions of the starboard side of the Phurtila. Ducking and maneuvering Jack made his way back back and forth across the deck in his normal animated fashion. He was feverishly helping make the necessary adjustments to get the Phurtila into better position.
The Ocean Venture was now in better position for fire with her main cannons. Cannonballs ravaged the Phurtila taking out some of the crew and damaging the mizzenmast.
Another volley of cannon fire was ordered by Barbossa. The canons boomed loudly and smoke fogged the scene. The volley took out a few of her crew but made no significant damage.
The Ocean Venture quickly closed in on the Phurtila and pulled along side her. Jack looked out toward the approaching ship. Upon closer observation Jack noticed the crew of the other ship. He could see some of the crew dressed in very prim and proper attire. He knew this was not befitting that of a normal privateering crew. He recognized one of them as an East India Company agent.
The captain of the Ocean Venture, a short plump man, was about to order his crew to deploy the grappling hooks when he noticed the Phurtila listing to her starboard side. Deciding to take advantage of the situation he pulled away from the sinking Phurtila. It wouldn't be long before her crew would have to come to him after she went down.
The doomed Phurtila had already started to moan and turn greatly on her side taking on water from the cannon damage. The remaining men on the Phurtila grabbed what they could to keep from sliding off the edge of their doomed ship into the water. Jack scrambled across the deck to his captain's quarters grabbing a few of his effects. The ship lurched and began to roll on her side sending Jack careening across his cabin. At the same time the bow of the boat began to sink making the rear of the vessel lurch upwards out of the water. Jack clambered to the back window climbing his way over upturned furniture. Bracing himself on the built-in cupboard below his rear window he pushed with all his might to open it. The large window panel finally gave way and crashed back against the now vertical Phurtila. Pulling himself up and out of the ship, Jack carefully maneuvered his way to the rudder. He stood there for a moment and took in the carnage around him and then dove gracefully to the water below. The Phurtila stood erect for some time before making her final decent to the ocean depths below.
Jack treaded water watching the bubbles gurgle up from where his ship sunk. He swam to the Ocean Venture because he had no other choice. He would have to bide his time and try to pull off another infamous escape like only Jack Sparrow could. After he and what was left of his crew had been boarded and secured they were approached by a the captain, a man named Clive Blackhorn. He was a short fat man in his late 50's with a ruddy complexion.
Blackhorn approached and surveyed the crew. After eyeing them for a moment he drew closer to Jack. "Mr. Sparrow I presume."
"That be Captain Jack Sparrow, Savvy?"
"Ah, Yes." Blackhorn said snidely "And Mr. Sparrow - Where is your ship?"
"As you can see I am presently looking into upgrading to a more seaworthy vessel, as it were."
Taking out a handkerchief from his jacket the pompously dressed Blackhorn wiped the sweat from his brow. "Let me get right to the point Mr. Sparrow, it seems you have an outstanding warrant with the East India Company. I have been commissioned as an agent of said company to bring you into custody by decree of his royal highness King Charles II."
Jack puts on an obviously fake look of bewilderment while raising his hand to his chest in an expression that said "Who, me?".
Barbossa and the other members of the crew who had thought themselves lucky enough to escape the sinking of the Phurtila all groaned in disapproval. They now knew that Jack was the reason for their arrest and capture.
"Take them to the hold men." Blackhorn motioned to Jack's crew.
After Jack was shackled Blackhorn's soldiers were about to move him to the hold too. Sticking out his stubby ring encrusted hand Blackhorn motioned for his soldiers to stop. "Not him" Blackhorn told the man holding Jack. "There is the little issue of Mr. Sparrow being a flight risk that needs to be taken care of."
"Don't think I am going anywhere mate." Jack said looking out toward the seemingly unending ocean expanse.
"Sorry Jack, Don't want to take any chances." Blackhorn said grinning through his small yellow teeth. "Your head is going to bring me a handsome profit and I don't want you to be able to slip away so easily this time."
Blackhorn turned to get the attention of a husky crew member wearing a leather apron. He then pointed to Jack. "Tag him."
Poor Jack! What will become of him? Review and I will tellllll youuuuu! ;)