Chapter 17: Return to Port Royale

Commodore Gillette had returned to Port Royale only the previous night. Weatherby Swann, governor of Port Royale, was waiting in Fort Charles for Gillette to show himself.

The absence of the Dauntless was not lost on Swann, nor was the absence of Norrington, nor the presence of five ships instead of one.

Finally, Gillette showed himself. "Lieutenant, where is Commodore Norrington?"

"First, Governor," Gillette said coldly, "you will note that I am a Commodore now; I would appreciate being addressed as such."

"Yes, yes, Commodore. Where is Norrington?" Swann persisted as he followed Gillette into Norrington's office.

"Why don't you sit down, Governor? It's a long story."

When the older man was seated, Gillette began his long tale.

"So you say James has become a pirate?" Swann had trouble believing this.

"Not only that, I believe he's signed onto Jack Sparrow's crew."

"That's Captain Sparrow, Gillette," Swann reminded the younger man. While he could find no real qualities in the man, Elizabeth and Will did, so he respected their wishes, and respected the good captain.

SIDESHOW: At this point, Jack Sparrow sneaks from the pages, and attacks me from behind, pelting me with objects around the room-candles, candlesticks, pens, etc.

Jack Sparrow: "What's in yer head ter be callin' me the good captain, eh, mate? And it's ADMIRAL!"

Author: "Calm down, Jack, it's a figure of speech, savvy?"

Jack Sparrow: "Oh. Right. He calms down. Sorry, mate."

Author: "And they don't know you're an Admiral yet."

Jack Sparrow: "Why ever not, mate? Did ye not think to inform them of my grand rank and station of Pirate Admiral Jack Sparrow, Master and Commander of the Caribbean, and the most feared man in the entire ocean and indeed, the entire world!"

Author: "Gibbs was right. With your ego, it's a wonder this ship hasn't sunk through the sea and blasted out the core to China."

Jack Sparrow: "Ah, shut up! He whacks me in the back of the head. Now, get on with the story!"

Author: "Aye, sir." As he brandishes another candlestick...damn, do those things hurt "I mean, yes Admiral."

Jack Sparrow: "And refer to me as that whole spiel I just told you!"

Author: "But Jack, I've only got so much room on this page!"

Jack Sparrow: "Oh, alright, alright. Just once, please?"

Author: Sighs "Fine."

Pirate Admiral Jack Sparrow, Master and Commander of the Caribbean, Most Feared Man in the Entire Ocean and Indeed, the Entire World: "Now, then, on with the story!"

END SIDESHOW

Well, semi-good captain.

SIDESHOW: Jack decides he has to say something...much to my irritation.

Jack Sparrow: "Much better."

Author: "That does it! No more interrupting, or I'll blow a hole in your ship!"

Jack Sparrow: Pale-faced. "You wouldn't!"

Author:" Oh, yes, I would! Now, in ye get!"

Jack Sparrow: "Fine, fine." He sulks, muttering odd things about people these days and wanting rum as he climbs back into the page.

END SIDESHOW

"Actually, he's probably Commodore Sparrow now, with three ships instead of one," Gillette pointed out.

"True." Swann looked at the new defender of Port Royale. "Nathaniel, do we have any reason to believe that James could join forces with Sparrow?"

"No. James may have turned pirate, but he's been against Sparrow long enough to resent even the concept of working under him."

"Are you prepared, though, for the eventuality?"

"Yes, I am prepared for the possibility, Governor. But I severely doubt it shall ever need to be put into play."

"So you believe he'll never work with Sparrow?"

"Now likely, sir; he's too much his own man."


"Sparrow..."

"No."

"But..."

"No! I'm the superior officer here, and I say no. You knew what you were signing on for when you got yourself into this, now live up to it. That means making some tough things, and giving tough things to yer crew, too. Are we clear, James?"

"Clear." James was terse. Jack cleared his throat. James rolled his eyes, and said, "Clear, Admiral."

"Thank you. And cheer up, James. You have your own ship, more than most of my crew can say, and you have my respect, something very, very few can say."

That turned James' head. "I do?"

"Certainly. Y'see," Sparrow leaned forward, "you had it all; Admiralty, a fleet, Royal favor, a bona-fide place in George's Court in retirement...and ye turned yer back on it to serve under a pirate, one who's gotten the best of you so many times you should want to kill me. Takes more courage than most of my men have, savvy?"

"Savvy, Admiral. I'll tell Turner he can't have the Britannia back," James said as he moved to leave. Jack stopped him.

"Now hold on there, mate. I didn't say that. I said if he wanted it, he'd have to fight Ana for it," the pirate Admiral said waving his hand the way he walked; straight lines were not mandatory in the slightest.

"Exactly. He won't get it." James smiled. "There is no way that Parker or anyone else beats AnaMaria when it's her ship at stake. Anybody."

"Except the Admiral Jack Sparrow, of course," Jack added.

"Erm, I dunno about that, sir," James said none too quietly.

"Get out o' my cabin, ye bloody antagonist!" James neatly dodged the leather boot that made a halfhearted attempt to assault him.

"With that aim, it's a wonder you managed to shoot Barbossa at all."

"I was aiming for his head. Don't spread it around," Jack said in a conspiratorial tone. James smirked and left for his command with the new flag that Elizabeth had sewn for the Dauntless, Britannia, Elizabeth and Pearl; a cloth with a blue sea being touched by a setting sun, with a sparrow flying across it.

The flag of Admiral Jack Sparrow's fleet.

A/N: Now, given those requirements, can someone who actually has talent at art make a flag for me? Reviews, please!