Chapter 32: Armageddon Part II
The Implacable was not firing on the ships of Barbossa's fleet. Instead, the crew was doing other things. Namely, rowing. The ship was picking up incredible speed.
And then ramming enemy ships.
It was a foolhardy tactic, but for the moment, the madness worked. The Knave returned to its rightful place on the ocean bottom, as did the Killer.
The Doomgiver was a horrible wreck when Will set foot on it. He was struck by two things:
1. It looked like a ship from Hell
2. A bony fist
The crew was definitely cursed, in a more creepy way than Barbossa's crew had been. In passing glances between parries and thrusts, he noted that all but three men were engaged in duels; the other three were finding the powder magazine.
Will parried, then swung and decapitated the cursed sailor. He started to walk away, the heard boards creak behind him. He ducked just in time; the headless sailor was still fighting. He parried, and severed it at the waist. Maybe now it would stop. He turned and was kicked in the rear. Irritated, he started swinging at it. The legs just hopped over and ducked under his blade, as if taunting him. This was one of the oddest duels he'd ever engaged in.
Then the legs kicked him in the shins. Oh, you did NOT just do that.
On the pub table, Jack spun his legs into a frenzy and whipped himself upright. He looked at Barbossa, and quickly leapt at him. Barbossa ducked. Jack's sword lodged in the wall. Then Jack wrenched it out, and lunged at Barbossa before he could grab his sword. He ducked again. This time, Jack stabbed a keg of rum.
Not a smart idea. Jack was enraged that anyone would dare harm his rum.
Jack leaned in, got a drink from it, and, energized, leapt back into the fray. As he engaged Barbossa, he noted that despite the large hole in the roof, the regular brawl still went on.
Some things never change.
The Dauntless and Britannia pounded on the Ravager. The ship was going down, but firing as it went. One cannon sailed into the air, and into the command deck of the Dauntless. James is not going to like that, Ana thought.
Deep in the Doomgiver, two pirates smashed the powder magazine, and lit a fire. They had maybe five minutes to get off.
Will, meanwhile, engaged in his curious duel. The legs jumped over his blade, then when it wedged in the deck, ran up the blade and kicked him in the jaw. Irritated severely now, he pulled two swords, and started swinging at the things. They just jumped and dodged.
Jack and Barbossa's battle left the pub. Their exit was granted by a cannonball that took down the entire wall. They stepped out the hole, and into the streets of Hell. The city was ablaze. Cannon rained death and destruction from the skies. Jack thought as he leapt down a hill to dodge a stab, God, old buddy old pal, now would be a good time to speed things up a little.
Beyond, the Black Pearl traded fire with the Red Dawn as James looked out. He saw eight ships coming in; bearing Royal Navy markings. He smiled. Thank God for the British Navy.
