His mother was crying. Deep sobs racked her body as her hands overflowed with torrents of tears. His father stood stone still, his eyes deep-set and red from silent weeping. Gerald's own chest felt heavy, like his heart wanted to sink deep down into his stomach and never get up again. But he refused to let himself cry. He had to be tough like his brother would have wanted him to be. The steel gray ocean in front of him was foreign and unfriendly. But Gerald wasn't afraid of it or the pirates who called it home. He balled up his fist and felt rage course through his nine-year-old body. He was going to kill them. He was going to kill them all.
A cold deluge of water slapped Gerald back into consciousness. He sat up, sputtering and gasping for breath. When his vision finally came back into focus, he saw Sid and Stinky looming over him, their faces dirty and bruised.
"H-How many dead?" He croaked, his throat feeling thick and raw.
Sid and Stinky exchanged swift glances. "Not…many. There was a lot of fires, though. And Governor Arnold-"
"Arnold!"
Forgetting all sense of formality and only remembering their long-standing friendship, Gerald jumped up and desperately looked around. Hazy sunlight fell upon the smoldering town that was once Port Hillwood. People limped around trying to recover their goods, repair damages, and several officers were trying to assess their loss. But Gerald's eyes focused on the empty horizon. No sign of a ship or sail. Forgoing his pounding head and aching limbs, Gerald strode towards the docks and naval headquarters. Sid and Stinky hesitated a moment before obediently following behind him.
"Sir?"
"We're getting a ship and going after them," Gerald said through gritted teeth, "It'll be a cold day in hell before I let another pirate take my family."
"Wilikers," Stinky breathed in astonishment, but Gerald hardly heard him. Nothing was going to stop him from saving his best friend.
By the time, they reached the port, more service men had gathered around awaiting orders. Gerald gestured for Sid and Stinky to stay back while he pushed his way to the front. He spotted his superior, Lieutenant Commander Smithers talking with two other Lieutenants. Gerald briskly walked up to them and saluted.
"Midshipman Gerald Johanssan reporting on the incident last night, sir!" He declared.
His Lieutenant returned his salute wearily, "Go ahead Johanssan, but we have the situation all detailed for now."
"Sir, Governor Arnold was taken prisoner last night. I request a ship and a small crew to conduct a rescue immediately."
To his dismay, the lieutenants merely looked at each other, small frowns on their faces. That's when Gerald glanced behind them and for the first time noticed that several of their ships had been heavily damaged. They were barely staying afloat, smoke still wafted from various places.
But Gerald was persistent, "Sir, there are still a few ships left. All I need is-"
"I'm afraid it's out of the question, Johanssan," Smithers looked at him with some amount of sympathy, "But if they took Sir Shortman captive, we can be sure that he's still alive for a while yet. We'll wait for Commodore Basset before proceeding further. He was supposed to be here yesterday but met with a temporary delay."
Gerald opened his mouth to argue but his lieutenant made a gesture to silence him. Years of strict military obedience temporarily stilled his tongue, but it couldn't hold him back for long.
"Lieutenant Commander, please-" Gerald started but a shout at the docks cut him off. Pulling into port was a large ornate navy ship, decorated with several royal standards. Behind it, a small fleet of less decorated ships was pulling in. All men snapped into attention as the gangplank of the largest vessel lowered and several men lined up, making an aisle. Everyone went silent as a figure began to descend. The man was tall and lean, an air of aristocratic importance blanketed him like the fine uniform he was wearing. His face was set in an indifferent expression and not a single hair on his tightly curled wig was out of place. Gerald felt his stomach clench. He never saw him in person, but he would know Commodore Gabriel Bassett anywhere. The Commodore of fleet 118 took his time walking down the gangplank, his cold gray eyes taking note of the state of the docks around him.
"It seems my visit has been preceded by trouble?" Commodore Bassett took before the lieutenants and barely raised an eyebrow. When he spoke, his voice held unquestionable authority and yet didn't rise above a polite, grave tone.
"Pirates," Lieutenant Smithers gave an indignant sniff, "they came upon us in the dead of night and attack. The body count isn't high but the property damage is significant. They also abducted our governor, Baronet Arnold Shortman. We have reason to believe they're holding him for ransom, but we haven't had confirmation yet."
Commodore Bassett nodded but didn't seem all that impressed or anxious that Port Hillwood had been ransacked or their governor was taken. At his lack of response, Gerald lost the last bit of his self-control and boldly stepped forward.
"Commodore Bassett, Midshipman Gerald Johanssan requesting permission to speak, sir!"
The lieutenants gave him a look of annoyance, but surprisingly the Commodore motioned for him to continue.
"Sir," Gerald had to pause to get a grip on his emotions before speaking, "sir, our governor is essential to the survival and flourishment of this port. We cannot allow harm to come to Sir Shortman at the hands of some grotesque pirates. So, I humbly request and volunteer to take a small ship and a small crew to rescue him."
Feeling a little breathless, Gerald held his salute and
waited for Commodore Bassett to respond. The commodore barely moved but his cold gray eyes suddenly began to show life, assessing Gerald thoroughly.
"A young man eager to rid the world of one less pirate crew I see," Commodore Bassett held out his hand and wordlessly a steward handed him a stack of paper held together by two pieces of stiff, flat leather, "However, according to these monthly reports sent over the last five years, Port Hillwood has been steadily on the decline. And I see that the damage done last night has not rectified the matter of this port's, ahem, financial stability."
He slammed the reports shut and handed them back to the steward, "So I'm afraid we must assess the damage done to the artillery and the ships before we launch a full-scale retaliation. Lieutenant, how soon-"
"Retaliation? But sir wait," Gerald's confusion made him forget strict military code of conduct and he cut him off, earning a cold stare, "Sir, I believe that rescuing Arn- I mean, Sir Shortman should take priority over a full-scale retaliation. There could be a risk of him being killed or injured in the crossfire."
Commodore Bassett responded with barely a flicker of emotion in his steely eyes, "A tragedy, but it would be the cost of ridding the sea of one more crew of blasted pirates."
Well, this really bites," Stinky mumbled.
Sid nodded in agreement but Gerald barely glanced at them. He was walking fast, trying not to break into a run or punch the nearest person in sight. Anger boiled near the surface, but breathing deeply tempered it down again. He had to think, had to think about what to do next. A part of him agreed with Commodore Bassett. Hell, if it had been anyone but Arnold he would have made the same call to just obliterate the entire ship full of pirates. But it was Arnold. His best friend since they knew what friendship was.
"Too bad we can't just buy our own ship," Sid grumbled quietly, "I'd like the commodore to say no to us then."
Stinky hummed, taking this into consideration, "What if we rent one? I got some silver pieces I've been saving up for a rainy day."
"Get real man," Sid scoffed, "It would take a lot more than a couple of crummy silver pieces to rent a boat big enough to catch up to pirate ship. It would take-"
"A fortune," Gerald suddenly straightened up and spun around to face them, "And I think I know who has a fortune to spend."
Gerald quickly waved down a passing carriage and commandeered a ride back to Arnold's mansion with Sid and Stinky. The house was still disorganized from last night's chaos. Smoke still wafted from several holes in the walls and roof. More than one window had been blown out. Servants and soldiers attempted to sort through the smoldering rubble. A little away from them several large carriages were being loaded with luggage. Even from a distance, Gerald could spot the fine clothes and the glittering jewels of the Lloyds. To his surprise, though, when Rhonda spotted them, she immediately hurried over to them, concern all over features.
"Mr. Johanssan," Rhonda paused to give a small curtsy, "Sir Arnold-"
"Taken," Gerald hopped out of the carriage and took her hands in his, "He was taken last night."
Rhonda nodded, her lips thinning, "I know. He, he gave himself up to shield my family and I. It would have been us taken hostage if it wasn't for him."
Gerald wasn't surprised in the least. Even for a family he barely knew Arnold would give himself up if it meant saving someone else. But Rhonda looked completely caught off guard, she had to take a deep breath to gain her composure before speaking again.
"Mr. Johanssan," She said looking at him with dark but clear eyes, "my time with Sir Arnold was not long and while there was little affection between us, my family and I owe him our lives. What can I do to help him?"
Gerald took her hands in his, ignoring the formalities of their distant stations, "Lady Rhonda, to put it plainly, we need money to hire a ship and crew. Commodore Gabriel Bassett of won't allow us to take a ship to rescue Arnold. He wants to launch a full assault on the pirates despite the risk to his safety."
"Is that so?" Rhonda's eyes suddenly sparked with anger, "I know Commodore Bassett. Both his ambition for higher position and his hatred for pirates runs deep. But I might know how to get you what you need."
She gestured Gerald to follow her while he gestured for Sid and Stinky to stay back. Following Rhonda to her parents, he offered Lord and Lady Lloyd a deep bow which they returned with a stiff nod.
"Daddy," Rhonda started, "Sir Arnold has been taken by those dreadful pirates. Mr. Johanssan can bring him back but he needs our help to do so. Please, he saved our lives, we must help him any way we can."
Lord Lloyd exchanged a glance with his wife and put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "We will petition for his speedy release. I'm sorry dear but that's the most we can do."
Gerald's jaw dropped in shock and indignation, and he started to respond when Rhonda held up her hand to silence him.
"Daddy," she said in a different tone, "I'm afraid a petition isn't enough."
"And I'm afraid this port isn't suitable enough for you to live darling," Lord Lloyd responded gently, "a pirate attack! And you see how unprepared their forces were."
Gerald felt the insult personally even as he felt the same way last night. Rhonda though was still working her way with her father.
"Father, we must assist in Arnold's rescue," She lowered her eyes and an embarrassed smile graced her lips as her hand gently landed on her stomach, "as soon as possible."
Gerald frowned in confusion but Lord and Lady Lloyd visibly tensed.
"D-darling," Lady Lloyd whispered, "what on earth are you talking about? You two only met last night."
"Mother, we thought we were to be married. I know it is early days yet but," Rhonda lifted her eyes to meet theirs defiantly, "you never know. It might be safer not to take the risk of waiting too long."
Gerald flushed when he realized what Rhonda was doing. Threatening her parents with the scandal of potential pregnancy to get Arnold back as fast as possible. Knowing Arnold, he doubted it was true. But judging by how pale Lord and Lady Lloyd were, it was clear they didn't want to take the chance and have their daughter showing with no husband or ring on her finger.
"Lord Lloyd, Lady Lloyd," Gerald said stepping forward, "If you give me the money for a ship and a crew I can rescue Arnold in a matter of weeks. The rest can be, erm, sorted out later."
Lord Lloyd turned his dark gaze to him and nodded, "Consider it done then."
A/N- I know this is shorter than some of the other chapters but it serves to get the ball rolling again. Thank you guys for being so patient with me. You all are the best and I hope you continue to enjoy this story. :)