Chapter 7: Americana


Admiral Sparrow's fleet had received a warm welcome in Boston, and the crew was quickly informed of General Washington's position in Valley Forge. They made the long journey down to Delaware Bay, then inland as far as they could go, robbing English and Spanish ships along the way—they'd received word that Spain would not assist the Americans in any action, and that was a major misstep in Jack Sparrow's mind.

They arrived by horses, the 5 of them, leading several carriages loaded with supplies. Jack Sparrow was notably resplendent in the Royal Navy Admiral attire—sans the hat; there is only the One Hat for Admiral Jack Sparrow—while Joshamee Gibbs and Ulysses Parker were in their old Navy uniforms. John wore a long coat very much like Jack's, and rather dark attire under it, and the newest Captain of the fleet, Mera Sparrow followed in a Marine's uniform, with the coat loosely open over the shirt, the two of them flanking the Admiralty.

Jack Sparrow cleanly leapt from his horse, onto the snow below. He was immediately met by General Greene. "General Greene, we have some supplies that the lobsterbacks had no apparent need of. Our stock includes meat, some Caribbean fruits, some decent clothing—a lot stolen from the Spanish Navy, and a few uniforms from the British Navy fer yer officers—and most important of all; rum." Gibbs suppressed a low whistle; if Jack was giving some of his sacred rum to these men, this was a very important cause to him.

To his surprise, Greene embraced Sparrow. "You have no idea how badly we require supplies; we've got men drinking dirty water and calling it soup, since there's no food to be had, and we've no real clothing, let alone uniforms." He paused, as if fearful to hope for too much. "Do these uniforms come with boots?"

"As I said, mate, they had no apparent need of them; if they did, they'd guard it a lot better."

Greene grinned broadly. "If there weren't so many people around Sparrow, I think I may have kissed you."

Jack's eyes widened quite a fair bit. "There'll be none of that, now; me daughter's present."

"Is she? Where?"

Jack indicated the Marine still on horseback. "That be the bonny lass, old...whatserface," he ended lamely.

"It's Mera, General. He gets myself and my twin sister mixed up far too often for comfort."

"Yes, yes, a minor fault on my part," Jack said quickly, hoping not to dwell on it; Jack Sparrow's shortcomings were few and far between, and he would very much have liked to keep it that way. "So let's get these supplies unloaded."


The pirates were given a very warm welcome, and later, General Greene, Admiral Sparrow, Captains Gibbs, Parker & Sparrow, and John Depp were engaged in several activities; the General and Admiral engaged in polite conversation—a skill Jack was only just learning—and the Captains were engaging John Depp in a gambling round, betting some very lovely possessions.

"So, Nat, what can we offer the United States, besides supplies stolen from rival navies?"

"Well, I don't know, Jack; how close can you get to York with your fleet?" The question was in darkly serious jest. Jack knew this, and played along.

"Well, seeing as we made a few trips to Neverland recently, I think we could probably fly over without extreme difficulty. Why d'you ask?"

"Because while he'll never admit it, I'm fairly certain that the entire Army would very much appreciate it if you quite literally lit a fire under the Congress's seat."

"And why's that?"

"You notice the warm welcome you received? You brought supplies—food and clothing that we desperately needed. Supplies that the Congress will not grant us."

"Whyever not? I thought it was them ye was fightin' for—second to the American cause."

"True enough—but the Second Continental Congress retired some time ago, sending home all the men that actually had some matter of substance between their ears. The current Congress...they wouldn't know dire need if it came up and shot them in the back—which several of my officers have graciously offered to do," he said, not joking at all. "We also could use real officers."

"But you have those, have ye not?"

"Not really. Most of our officers are either a bunch of foreign fools—from France, mostly—or glory-hunters. Sometimes both. Generals Lee and Gates being among the glory-hounds."

"Well, I could offer you a real officer. He served in the Marines in the last war. They got him trained incredibly well. Watch this." Jack turned to the gambling group, and shouted, "Colonel Depp!"

John sprang up into military attention, shouting, "Sir!" without consciously knowing it. Then he dropped the posture and glared daggers at Jack. "This had best be vastly more important than my gambling, young man; I had a bet of eight Fives with exactly that many on the table." At the continuing stares from Greene and Sparrow, he became mildly alarmed. "I knew it; I'm going to get shot."


John Depp stood outside the office before him, shifting from foot to foot. Then a man poked his head from the office—Tilghman, if he recalled correctly. "Colonel—"

"Just Depp, if ye don't mind; I stopped being 'Colonel Depp' years ago."

"Alright, then, Mr. Depp, the General will see you now." As he entered, the door shut behind him.

Nervously, he turned to face the other man in the office. He was tall, had a somewhat large forehead, a commanding presence, and a fine uniform. "Colonel Depp, I am General Washington. Please, sit down."

"Thank you, sir," Depp said. He sat, as did Washington.

"My friend Mr. Tilghman tells me you have actual military experience." It was not a question, so he didn't bother dodging it.

"Yes, sir; I served as a Colonel in the Marines. I fought in the Seven Years War in the European theatre."

"Ah. So...no offenses meant, but are you a deserter, then, sir?"

"No, General; after the war, they simply had no need for me. After quite a lengthy battle with several superiors, I was...somewhat forcibly ejected from the Marines. Since then I have led what is admittedly a somewhat checkered lifestyle. I've been a guide, lived in the Arctic, served with then-Captain now-Admiral Sparrow on his ship, and also had several unpleasant run-ins with Corsair pirates in the Mediterranean."

"Hmm." Washington appeared to think for quite a time. "How would you like a Brigadier General's commission, sir? I should like very much to send you, along with a letter of recommendation to the Congress. You would act as liaison between Admiral Sparrow and myself. You would also be on par with men such as General Greene. I also have the sense that you'd be of indispensable use on the field. How would that be?"

"Me, a General? I certainly had no such aspirations in the Marines, and I certainly don't have them now, sir. Surely there is another man who could use this commission more than myself." Washington sensed that this was no false modesty; he honestly thought that the Army had better men who deserved promotions. "If it is your will, General, then I shall do as you ask—but under duress."

"Noted." The General started drafting the letter, and said, "Welcome to the American Revolution, General Depp."