Chapter 36: Intrusion


A rowboat approached the cliffs of Port Royale. This rowboat carried four men; an Admiral, a blacksmith, a Navy deserter, and a weapon master. As John and Will rowed, James still marveled at how Jack Sparrow had gotten them to do this crazy job.


"Are you mad, Jack? Join the United States? If George didn't hate us for being a thorn in his side here, he'd hate us for this!" Gibbs was repulsed.

In the cabin of the Black Pearl, the assembled captains—Bootstrap Bill, James, Will, AnaMaria, SinClair, Fowl, Parker, Starr, and Mera Sparrow (plus Elizabeth and John)—sat at the table, and were engaging in a routine of being spectators at a tennis match; following the verbal rebuttals from Jack to Gibbs to Jack and back again.

Bootstrap, Will, Elizabeth, John, Ana, and Mera were poorly concealing amusement at the verbal sparring match. SinClair, Fowl, and Starr looked aghast that a captain would dare speak to a commanding officer like that—not just that, but that a man would dare speak to Jack Sparrow in this manner. Meanwhile, James and Parker looked pensive.

"Well, mate, Georgie already hates us, so why not give him fair reason to do so?"

Head turn. "Because you are deliberately antagonizing the most powerful man in the world! First we steal ten ships from his fleet, one of which cost him a large amount of money. Then we cost him several more ships in a battle with the Devil Himself. And now you want us to join the colonies and plunder Port Royale!"

Head turn. "Yes."

Head turn. "You're mad."

Head turn. "Conceivably."

Head turn. "Well, I give up. If no-one else will back me up on this..."

Then James spoke up. "Why be so obstinate, Gibbs? He is right—the King does hate us. Why not give him ample reason to?"

Gibbs's mouth worked for a moment or so. Then he glared at Jack. "There, you see? You've corrupted him, too."

"Oh, I did no such thing. Adjust his priorities, certainly. Mess with his brain, certainly. Corrupt him, certainly." Then Jack paused. "Wait. That last one is what I stand accused of, is it not?"

"It is," John held his head in his hands.

"Oh. Then I am guilty as charged." He bowed in a way that suggested hours of practice refining the smaller details therein.

"Fine, fine. What's the plan?"

"The plan? Raid, pillage, plunder, and otherwise pilfer our weaselly black guts out. Then escape Port Royale using John's maturity, his optimism," he jerked a thumb at James, "and my skill with women."

Will said into his hands as he held his head in them, "We're doomed."


For their last night as mere pirates, the four men had decided to go into a tavern. Unfortunately, it was one where they were recognized. Five minutes after entering, they were run out by thongs of an over-adoring public.

As soon as they were in the clear, Jack asked, "Anyone catch the names they gave us?"

John said, "Apparently, I'm the goofy one, he's the dour one," he indicated James in a manner similar to how Jack had identified him hours ago at the table, "you're the piratical one—"

"Fitting."

"—And Will's the somber one."

Will looked bemused. "But I'm not sad."

"You look sad. Makes the lasses want to comfort you. Depresses them so badly that you should comfort them."

James smiled wanly. "And Will the only one of us with a successful relationship with a woman. Missed opportunities, Turner."

Jack thought that this might be an interesting time to bring up James's relationship with Ana, but decided to save the humiliation for a better time.


So the four of them were rowing towards Port Royale. This was going to be interesting.