Chapter 25: Acts of Piracy III


The Black Pearl played an intricate dance with the Implacable, dancing to and fro as they fired on each other. Then they got close enough together and Jack Sparrow leapt across. He smiled as he swung across and kicked a Marine off the side. He grabbed the rifle from him as he fell. "Thanks very much."

He took the rifle and clubbed two Marines in the head. Then he shot one in the leg, watching him tip over.

Jack took his sword and went towards the helm of the Implacable, with a goodly part of his crew following.


The Britannia swung through the hole that the Valiant had made. Ana ordered them to assist the Dauntless.

"Pound those boats! Not with cannon, by hand! Get out there and stop them!" Ana took her own boat and rowed after them. She came to a boat that had several marines armed and ready. She leapt to tip the boat.

And someone else did. She landed belly-first on the underside of the capsized boat. The slick surface almost allowed her to slide off. Then someone grabbed her hand. It was the man she'd came to save; James Norrington.

There was a moment where they smiled at one another, then James pulled a pistol and fired on the marine that had come up from under the boat with a sword.

Then the Polaris was towering over them. "Stay down," James said. He stood warily, arms raised in surrender. Then a familiar face poked out.

Will Turner called down, saying, "Come aboard! I got an idea."


Jack Sparrow parried, then stabbed at Commodore Gillette. He smiled evilly. "Come on, Sparrow; you can't beat me. I'm far better than you are."

"Fine then." Jack replaced his blade. He carefully stepped back with each advance Gillette made. Step, retreat. Step, retreat. Step, retreat. Step, retreat. Step, retreat.

He then said, "You are unwise to lower your defenses!" At the last word he swung. Jack suddenly parried with a sword that he'd received from one of his men, and grabbed a rope that he severed. It carried him up to a sail on the mast.

"Come on, then!" Jack beckoned to the Navy man

Gillette smiled. "I don't think so," and swung. Severing the rope holding Jack's sail up. It tumbled, sending him flying. Smiling, he took his sword and advanced warily. "Good; good."


The Neptune spun in the water, clubhauling to face the hillside. Captain Joshamee Gibbs stared at the spinning wheel, then grabbed it, and smiled. "Open fire!" Time to cheat.

Cannon rained on the hillside, pounding the attacking marines mercilessly.


The Polaris approached the Flagrant, flying colors claiming need of assistance; men quickly swung over to the wounded ship, looking for the crew. "Is anyone here?" They could see none. Then a pirate crew stood behind them, weapons raised. Will Turner simply shrugged.


The deck of the Implacable was carnage. Bodies were everywhere. Blood had turned the deck into a scarlet sea. Weapons lay near their owners, useless. For all appearances, it was dead on the seas. That was why the fleets ignored it.

Only one man prowled its deck. Gillette looked through the wreckage as clouds gathered overhead; it was about to rain. He looked about, and stepped over the fallen sail.

"You cannot hide forever, Sparrow. I will find you. And then I'll detain you, and have you watch as I destroy your ships, then the Pearl.

"Then, when your fleet is on the bottom of the ocean, I'll destroy Tortuga." Jack's eyes hardened as the unsuspecting Commodore drew near. "Vile town; it deserves to die, anyway." He laughed coldly as he approached. "If you will not fight, then perhaps they will not either."

Enraged, Jack leapt out, swinging two swords at Gillette's defense, driving him back. Stabbing, he forced the Commodore over the bodies of marines. He parried the Commodore's attempted assault, then swung viciously, severing several buttons off the man's coat. Stab. Parry. Stab. Parry.

Stab.

Parry.

Stab.

Parry.

Next, he blocked with one sword, then sliced the man's hat apart with another vicious swipe. Then he backed him into a wall, then pounded on his defense until he broke through and grabbed the Commodore's hand. He severed it, removing the blade from his possession.

His blades were crossed at the man's throat. He stared back, contemptuously awaiting death. Jack picked him up, walked him to the side, and said, "Get off." He kicked him in the gut, straight off the edge.


The Flagrant's captain, Tom SinClair, smiled as he watched the Loyalist Marines be captured. He walked across to the Polaris, and shook hands with Will Turner.

"Welcome to the Fleet of Admiral Jack Sparrow."


Several ships over, Captain Art Fowl smiled as he shook hands with Captain Ulysses Parker.


On the hillside, the surviving Marines sweep down to the beach. They take in boats from the ships. None had sunk, they are told; they'd been captured. Then, as they leave the beach, dismayed, one turns and shouts.

In the water, there is a person. It appears to be swimming towards them. They run down to the beach to help him out. It is Commodore Gillette; bloody, shredded, defeated. He looks sadly at his men, and with their help, limps away to fight another day. As he limps away, he mutters two words under his breath.

"Bloody pirates."


Jack Sparrow leaned on the wheel of the Implacable. The duel had taken a lot out of him. He looked up as he saw the sun come out. Then he looked around.

What he saw made him smile broadly. The Polaris, the Flagrant, and the Artemis flew the Sparrow high on the mast.

Only one thing left to do, he thought. He limped forward. Leg wound killing him with pain, he strung up the flag from his sack.

A Jolly Roger flew proudly from the Implacable's mast. Finished, Jack slumped.


The Black Pearl's crew boarded the ship Implacable. They were shocked by what confronted them; bodies everywhere, shredded clothing, and useless weapons. There was one man breathing; he lay against the mast, asleep. He wore a leather jacket and a worn cap. His gold teeth showed as he smiled in his sleep. Reverently, they picked the man up, and carried him to the Captain's Cabin on the Pearl, where he lay for a long time.