Author's Note: Here's chapter five; sorry it took me so long to update. I've been pretty busy lately. Anyway, I just wanted to say that although I really, really love reviews, I will continue to update - without them if that's how it has to be - until the story's finished. I don't even know if anybody's following the story - but if you're there, hello and thank you!

Chapter Five

The first days of the voyage did little to allay my doubts and fears. Almost as soon as we were out of sight of land, an ominous black cloud arose in the sky; at sunset the storm erupted. No lightning was visible through the rain, but the thunder pealed loudly and often. I stood alone at my post, soaked through and chilled to the bone. The wheel seemed adamant in its desire to break free from my hands; I was struggling with it continually. As the storm progressed, the waves became fiercer, and soon they spilled continuously over the deck.

The Aegis continued in this way for near thirty-five hours. I was not at the helm the entire time, but I was not allowed to get any sleep. I spent my time in helping repair minor damage, as best I could in the rain. When the sun finally came out, on the morning of the third day, the captain ordered the anchor dropped and we took turns sleeping and repairing the ship for the continuation of our voyage.

It had been trying, but the ordeal had served a purpose for me. I had seen a crew of nineteen boys, myself included, show a perfect example of teamwork and courage under crisis. Captain Tennington had proved himself many times over, always trying to ease our load the tiniest bit, to help wherever he could. He had even taken the helm for me once, while I collapsed, utterly exhausted, to the deck for a few minutes' respite. Nothing in the drunk, irresponsible playboy or in the untried crew had showed me what they - we - were capable of. Perhaps our mission would be successful.

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The following week was relatively uneventful. The weather had surprised us again and become cloudless and beautiful. The Aegis was completely recovered from her bout with the elements, and I imagined, as we sailed, how beautiful she would look if I were sitting on the docks again. And once, seven days into the journey, I recieved a shock from Captain Tennington.

I was standing at the wheel, as always, when he came up behind me.

"Beautiful day, isn't it?"

I jumped a little. "Yes, sir."

"Don't you ever say anything but 'yes, sir?'"

"No, sir...I mean yes, sir! When I feel the necessity."

"I see." He went to stand by the railing, while I stared pointedly at the wheel, flustered.

"I know what you must have thought of me, Miss Hunter."

I nodded absently, then did a double take. "What did you say?"

He repeated himself.

"How did you find out?"

"I suspected it from the beginning; a bit of research confirmed it."

"But I thought -"

"I don't believe women on ships are bad luck," he interrupted. "You worked as hard as any of them, when that storm hit. Why shouldn't you have a chance to exact revenge on your tormentors? The other boys, they're just here for adventure."

I felt a bit guilty. "I'm afraid I might have, well, exaggerated my purpose a bit."

"Then why are you here?"

"I needed to get away from Port Royal. I couldn't stand it a moment longer. I've always loved the sea."

"I see." He spoke it as if he really did see.

"So, what are you doing here?" I asked after a moment's awkward silence. I wanted to ask how his personality had changed so drastically, but it didn't seem like a polite question.

He hesitated for a second, then spoke. "I was also an indirect victim of the pirate attack three years ago; my young wife was..." He trailed off, then with an effort continued, "My wife was brutally murdered that night, while I was fending off the pirates in another area of town. I left her locked in our bedroom...I thought she'd be safe..." He stopped to collect himself again. "I hate pirates, Miss Hunter, with all of my being. I have sworn to myself and to God that I will see them all dead, or die trying. I'm done with my silly, sad facade. Now is the time for justice - and I will see it done!"

I stood still, slightly awed. "I'm sorry about your wife," was all I could think to say.

"You and I are here for the same purpose. Don't tell me you don't want revenge - you know you do. We'll find them, and we'll kill them all."

I nodded, with a little smile. "Yes. Yes, we will."

He then turned to leave. As an afterthought, I called urgently, "Don't tell the others!" He knew immediately that I was referring to the secret of my gender, and he inclined his head in a friendly way, then disappeared from view.

I had learned that Captain Tennington was entirely different from my first impression of him. Was I really that terrible a judge of character?

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As I lay sleepless in my hammock that night, I thought about our conversation. I had agreed with him, that all pirates deserved to die. I tried to imbue my thinking with the same fiery passion and sense of mission that I had seen in Tennington that morning. But the harder I tried, the more my mind's eye could see nothing but the face of Jack Sparrow, awaiting his death.

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We had sailed for a total of thirteen days when another ship was sighted on the horizon. They were moving away from us, but only at a moderate speed. The captain ordered full speed ahead - and I knew he wanted a chance to look at their flag. He was incredibly impatient, pacing back and forth with his telescope in hand, looking every few seconds; though he knew that the person in the crow's nest would see anything new long before he did.

Finally, what we all knew already became official. "It's a pirate flag, sir!" yelled the lookout with excitement. Tennington took one look and shouted, "Ready the cannons!"

Within a few moments, the pirate ship had become aware of our presence, and they were heading away from us with all possible speed. "Cowards!" was the general cry. I decided that I would run too, if my peaceful day were suddenly interrupted by a shipload of vengeful pirate-killers coming my way.

We chased them for three hours, all the time gaining the tiniest bit. At that rate, it would have taken us two days to catch them.

And then they did something unexpected. With all their guns out - and, I imagine, already loaded - they stopped short and turned around. We were heading straight for each other, in battle stance. I sent up a silent prayer to the heavens.