CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Jack stood on the deck on the Black Pearl; he took in the sounds and smells of Port Royal. Mr. Gibbs placed his hand on jacks shoulder, "We just anchored, sir. Are you ready to go to shore?" Jack sighed, "Mr. Gibbs, why do you insist on asking questions you already know the answer to?" Jack let down the plank and walked onto the dock. Mr. Gibbs didn't say anything, but instead followed Jack.

Jack looked around; off in the distance he could see another black ship was coming in to anchor. Jack took out his compass and opened it; the needle spun around for a few seconds, suddenly it stopped and pointed at the black ship in the distance.

"How strange." Jack muttered.

"What is it?"

"The compass, it's pointing at that ship."

"That is strange." Mr. Gibbs said.

"Yes, but right now we need to concentrate on finding Alana." Jack and Gibbs started off down the dock.

Jed carefully sailed the Black Dragon into the harbor of Port Royal. He docked the Black Dragon next to another large, black ship then went to find Jesse and Kat.

Jed found Kat and Jesse in their cabin looking over a map.

"We've arrived Captains."

Kat looked up, "Are we anchored?" Jed nodded.

"Then we go to shore." Kat rolled up the map and put it in a desk drawer. Jesse stood up and grabbed her sword from the chair next to her. Jed followed Jesse and Kat out onto the deck.

Jesse walked the length of the deck; she stopped for a moment. Kat walked next to her, "What is it?" Jesse pointed at the huge, black ship docked next to them, "Doesn't that ship look familiar?" Kat looked at the ship, "Yeah, it does." Kat and Jesse stared at the ship trying to remember where they had seen it, "We have no time for this Kat, we have to go find Mom." Jesse made way for the plank, but she was stopped by Jed.

"What do you wish us to do?"

Kat came up behind Jesse, "Stay here on the ship, and if anyone unauthorized comes aboard this ship… kill 'em."

Alana slowed from a run to a walk as she rounded a corner and the docks came into view. Alana came to a complete stop; she took in a deep breath, a breath full of the smell of the sea. As the sweet smell left Alana's senses, she made way to her favorite shop: the sword shop.

Alana pushed the small wooden door open and entered the shop. An elderly man with snow-white hair stood behind a low wood counter polishing a sword.

"Good day Mr. Connor."

The man looked up, "Oh, Mrs. Norrington, how nice it is to see you again."

Alana smiled trying not to show her irritation, "Please, Mr. Connor, call me Alana."

"As you wish."

Alana stepped up to the counter and examined the sword Mr. Connor was working on, "That is a beautiful sword Mr. Connor" Mr. Connor held up the sword, "You think so? You can test it if you want." Alana grasped the sword on the hilt and swung it gently.

"So Alana, how's the son doing?"

Alana placed the sword on the counter, "James? Oh, he's doing fine."

Mr. Connor smiled, "Good, good. Do you still have that sword I made you those many years ago… Mrs. Sparrow?" Mr. Connor gave Alana a wink.

"Yes I do Mr. Connor, it's stashed safely in my closet."

The door to the shop swung open. Two men walked in; one was tall and thin with long black hair, two braids strung with beads hung on the sides of his face. A scarlet red scarf was wrapped around his head. The other man was a little shorter, had slightly graying hair, and a beard to match.

Alana kept her face hidden, just in case the two men knew who she was and could get her in trouble with the law.

"Good day gentlemen, can I help you with something?"

The taller man moved closer to the counter, "Yes, you can." Alana nearly choked; that voice, it couldn't be…