A/N: SO sorry for such the long delay, Life gets in the way sometimes and it's a real pain! Anyway, to make up for it, here are the next two chapters. Enjoy!

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Chapter 9

Governor Weatherby Swann stood inside his sunlight-bathed office, gazing out at the twinkling Caribbean sea. His eyes were glazed over, his thoughts dwelling on his missing daughter and son-in-law. It had been almost a week, and yet, no drastic steps had been taken to ensure their safe return. But, Swann knew that now was the time to take action; he was fed up with Jack Sparrow's constant interference in his personal and political matters. And in order to prove his feelings, Swann planned on executing Sparrow the first moment he got, something that he should have done years ago when presented with the opportunity.

Governor Swann was now in his mid 70's, and in the span of a few more years, his time would eventually come; he wanted to be remembered and revered in the best way possible. In order for that to happen, eliminating Jack Sparrow would guarantee Swann's name of honor. A sudden rap on the door jolted Swann from his thoughts. He turned on his heel to face the door.

"Enter," he commanded.

The door to Swann's office slowly creaked open, allowing the Admiral of the British fleet sanctioned in Port Royal to come inside. "You wanted a word with me, sir?"

"Yes. Please, come in," Swann waved the Admiral inside

Admiral Nathaniel Wilkins wasn't the usual burly soldier. He did have some well-built muscular arms, but Wilkins was more concerned with the weapon of intimidation. He had other methods of defeating his enemies that only rarely required the use of brute force every other Navy soldier was adamant about. His face was one of stone-cold efficiency, reflecting the determination that flared inside of him. Wilkins was also a skilled swordsman, having partaken in many hours of training and countless battles in which he always emerged the victor. Like his predecesor, James Norrington, Nathaniel Wilkins housed an ever-present hatred for pirates; Wilkins was determined on making the seas a safer place for everyone, and if it required a bit of collateral damage, then so be it. Wilkins was prepared to do whatever was necessary to get the job done.

Take a seat, if you like." Governor Swann motioned to the two chairs sitting before his desk.

"I'd rather stand, but thank you Governor." Wilkins placed both hands behind his back and astutely stood at attention.

Governor Swann nodded and began to stride slowly around his office. "Well, you know that both my daughter and son-in-law were recently kidnapped by that gallivander Jack Sparrow."

"Ah, yes. Try as we might, that wretch has always managed to slip through the British Royal Navy's grasp. He has become a thorn in the backside of every man dedicated to making the seas a safer place."

"My thoughts exactly," Swann agreed. "Well, this recent action of his has pushed my dislike for him over the edge. We need to get my daughter and son-in-law back. That's why I'm asking you to get your Commodore to band together some of his best men and form a rescue team devoted to tracking down Sparrow, bringing him to justice, and regaining my children."

Wilkins waited a moment before answering. "Governor, are you sure that wouldn't like me to head the team? I assure you, with our best men under my command, Sparrow's capture would definitely be ensured."

Swann contemplated this for a moment, taking into consideration Wilkins' skill in combating pirates. If Wilkins accompanied the men, then success would pretty much be guaranteed. Finally, Swann came to his conclusion.

"Very well, Wilkins. You may accompany the Commodore and his men on their mission. But heed these words: If you happen to fail, then I expect to see your papers of recognition on my desk the first second possible. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Governor." Wilkins spoke those two words without the slightest trace of feeling whatsoever.

"You're dismissed," Swann said.

Admiral Wilkins nodded and promptly exited the Governor's office. Once the door had been pulled all the way shut, Governor Swann bent over and tightly grasped the back of a chair, fighting with all his might the tears of worry that were threatening to envelope him.

Admiral Nathaniel Wilkins made his way towards the flock of Naval ships that were tied to the posts onshore. All around him, merchant traders and peasants loaded and unloaded ships of their own, dutifully going about their business as they did every day. Wilkins admired the disciplined, efficient means that existed down here because, in his eyes, it reflected how the British Royal Navy should operate. And of course, under his command, Wilkins' squadron would meet the necessary standards.

Wilkins eyed Commodore Jonathan Sykes onboard one of the Naval vessels and immediately boarded it.

As Wilkins approached Sykes, the Commodore turned and greeted his superior with a curt nod.

"Admiral."

"Commodore. How long would it take to get your men ready for voyage?"

Sykes eyed Wilkins with a look that mixed confusion with amusement. "Do you mean at this very moment?"

"Of course."

"I suppose about forty-five minutes or so. Why?"

"I just came from Governor Swann's office and we have new orders. We are to form a rescue party to look for young Mr. and Mrs. Turner and depart from port immediately."

"What exactly do you mean by we?"

"What do you think I mean? I'll be accompanying you."

Sykes slightly grinned and shook his head, as if to convince Wilkins otherwise. "With all due respect, Admiral, it's highly irregular for someone of your position to come with a Commodore and his men on a simple rescue mission, wouldn't you say?"

Wilkins sighed. "Yes, I would. However, I believe that you'll need all the help you can get if you're trying to catch a pirate. Especially the one known as Jack Sparrow."

Sykes' eyes widened slightly, and he glanced around the deck, looking to see if anyone had heard Wilkins. "Jack Sparrow? But...I thought you said we were merely rescuing the Turners."

"I did say that, but that was only half of the situation. You see, Governor Swann has become so fed up with Sparrow's continuous interfering in his matters that he's ordered the execution of Sparrow."

"Execution without trial?"

"The Governor was vague on that aspect. But, of course, it all depends on if Sparrow is willing to cooperate or not by coming quietly with us."

"Taking into consideration Sparrow's past, I highly doubt that will be a possibility. But, if these are my orders, then I'll gather my best men and prepare to clear port as soon as possible."

"Excellent."

"However, I must inquire as to if we know Sparrow's destination with the Turners onboard his ship?"

"Well, given Sparrow's recent dealings with the two of them in the past, he may have taken them in order to get help out of a dire situation."

"He'll certainly be in a dire situation once we find him. Do we have a heading?"

Wilkins gazed out at the blue-green expanse of ocean before answering. "We'll start in Tortuga. If he's not there, well, someone there must know where he is or where he is heading."

Sykes heaved a deep sigh and strutted over to the railing. "And if we fail?"

Wilkins smiled smugly and walked beside him. "We won't. All we have to do is find the Turners, bring them back here and if need be, kill Sparrow before we return. The Governor's demeanor seemed to suggest that he had no intent whatsoever on letting Sparrow walk out of this alive."

Sykes nodded in complete understanding.

Forty-five minutes later, Sykes and Wilkins had rounded up some men, and their vessel, the Cutlass, had departed from port, intent on carrying out their orders to the fullest extent.