Our Future is in Our Past
Chapter Two
YO HO HO And a bottle of...?
Part 1
Kim guided the Sloth to a stop in a grassy meadow. The tires folded down and touched the ground as the Sloth went from hovercraft mode to car mode. She pulled the car up under some trees and shut off the engine. Ron checked the time computer. The date and position was displayed on the screen.
"September 18, 1718
GMT 12:10:05
longitude -76.85652
latitude 35.49562"
Kim turned and looked at Ron.
"Okay, where and when are we?"
Ron typed on the keyboard for the on-board computer and the screen displayed some information. Ron started to read it.
"We are in what will be eastern North Carolina in the early 1700's. The small town of Bath is located nearby. Wade's message says this is where Drakken and Shego have been traced to."
Kim nodded.
"Okay, but why would Drakken come here? There is nothing here."
Ron typed a little more.
"Well, KP. Remember our senior trip?"
Kim shuddered.
"That's one I'd rather forget."
Ron shook his head.
"Well, you better be thinking of putting those boots and hat back on. Apparently Blackbeard the pirate settled in Bath at this time. He got a pardon from the Governor of the area and is now supposedly living the life of a gentlemen. Wade and Dr. Director think Drakken and Shego will try and make some kind of deal with Blackbeard to get some of his loot or they will attempt to steal it. Who would be able to trace that? No one would know that it was gone. So, we are to make our way into that little town and see what we can find out."
Ron stepped out of the Sloth, his clothes morphed into a set of baggy pants with high boots, a open long sleeved shirt and a vest. Kim's clothes morphed into something similar to what Monique had picked out for her to wear as they tried to stop Drakken.. Ron leaned over and read more off the screen.
"Wade says that we are two brothers that are looking for work. People moved in and out of town a lot so it's doubtful anyone will ask questions. He says brother or cousins would be better than a couple. Women were not considered high on the social scale so, for now you are a guy."
Kim snorted.
"Thanks a lot, I know I don't have a lot up top but now I have to hide what I have? I take it that I'll have to do without my Ronshine for awhile."
Ron grinned back,
"Not unless you want people to look at us r-e-a-l funny."
Ron stood up out of the Sloth and stepped back. Kim activated the stealth mode and the car disappeared. They stepped out of the trees and into the sun. The meadow was covered in lush grass and flowers were blooming. Ron pointed to across the meadow to a group of trees.
"Bath is that way. We should be able to find out why in an hour or so."
Kim took Ron's hand and they started off across the meadow. They had been walking for sometime when they came upon a dirt path. Ron looked both ways, shrugged his shoulder and headed in the direction they thought the town was. They passed a number of farms. The homes on the land were mostly just shacks. They only saw a few people and the ones they did see just stared at them. As they neared the town they started to see more people. The town of Bath was only a small group of houses and buildings. There were some docks where ships were tied up. Some men were unloading one of the ship and were loading another. No one really paid them any attention. As they walked through town they tried to spot any of the buildings that seemed to be important or someone in charge.
One man was pacing back and forth along the dock apparently waiting for someone. He turned to one of the dock hands.
"Do you have any idea where he might be?"
The dock hand shook his head.
"No, I haven't seen him since yesterday. I guess he'll be along when he can."
The man muttered a curse.
"I can't wait. I'll have to get someone else to do it."
He spotted Kim and Ron standing there.
"You two, I haven't seen you before. You new around here?"
Ron nodded.
"Yes sir. My name is Ron. This is my brother Kim. We just got in town."
The man looked them over.
"Do you know how to handle a small sailboat?"
Kim nodded.
"Yes sir, but we are not too familiar with these waters."
The man looked them over.
"Okay, you'll do. I've got a small chart for you. You need to take this boat out to New Bern. It will take you a day for so. Deliver the goods to John Hammond. He will have a cargo for you to bring back. Now get on board and get going. There is stew, bread, cheese, cider and water on board as well as some lines if you want to fish. I'll pay you when you get back. Keep a watch for other ships. I don't trust the newest resident of our town."
Ron looked up at the man.
"Who is that?"
The man shook his head and grunted.
"He has gone by the name of Edward Teach but most people call him Blackbeard. He took the King's Pardon from Governor Eden and bought a house out near the point. You'll have to pass right by his place. If you see a small ship by the name of "Adventure" cut as close to the shore as you can. You have a shallower draft than he does. The charts show some sandbars you can use to your advantage. Now be gone and be careful."
Kim and Ron climbed down onto the small boat and settled down. It was a sloop with a single sail and about 30 feet long. Ron pushed the boat out into the river as Kim took her place by the tiller. Together they raised the sail and let the wind fill it. The steady breeze filled the sail and turned them out into the deeper water. Soon they were cutting through the water. Ron stumbled across the deck until he was seated beside Kim.
"Can you handle this thing?"
There was silence as he looked over at her. A smirk crossed her face. He rolled his eyes.
"I know check your name."
She grinned as she pulled the tiller and tacked across the water. Both of them ducked as the boom of the sail tacked over their heads as they headed out into the broader expanse of the sounds. As they enter the bigger water they saw a house on the top of an expanse of land. At one point they passed a brick structure with smoke coming from it's smokestack. The air was filled with a pine and tarry smell. Further on down they came up on another structure. It was a two story white house. Kim checked the charts.
"That land is called Plum's Point. The man back on the dock marked out Plum's and put Teach's Point instead. I guess that is Blackbeard's house. We have to go down this stretch of water before we turn east, we will go out into the sound then turn south. Then back up the other river to a place called New Bern. That's where we are headed."
Ron pointed to a ship at anchor near the Teach's house. He picked up a spyglass from a case under the boats compass and looked out over the water at it. He could clearly see the name "Adventure" on the stern of the ship. The ship had two masts with booms for triangle sails instead the square sails so well known. Ron handed the spyglass to Kim as he took the tiller for awhile. Kim watched the ship as they passed by and out into deeper water. She turned back to Ron and put the spyglass back into the box.
"Let's hope that we don't have to get a closer look than that."
Kim took the tiller back from Ron and they both settled down as the breeze carried them further out into the water.
Ron scowled as he bit into the bread and cheese. Kim had to choke hers down as she swallowed. The honey cakes were good and the meat pies had been filling. The ale in the jug had been like a strong cider. They were out into the sound and headed well south. The sky had a few clouds and the wind was strong. Ron glanced out over the water.
"So how do you think we will find Drakken and Shego?"
Kim tightened her grip on the tiller.
"Well, somehow we will have to keep our eye out for both of them. Taking this little trip will get us in with the people in the area and we will be able to ask questions easier. Those two are going to stand out a bit."
Ron nodded as he sat up and stretched. He turned around to look behind him him and stopped.
"Ahhhh Kim. We have company."
Kim whirled around to see the Adventure bearing down on them. She pulled the ropes tighter the the small ship leaped forward. Turning the tiller to the starboard she headed closer to the land. Ron picked up the spyglass again and looked back at the ship. He could see the bow of the ship clearly but one thing he could really see is a tall heavily built man standing in the bow looking at him. The man had a long black beard and long black hair. It was Edward Teach better known as Blackbeard.
Kim checked the chart again as they came around the spit of land they were following. Turning closer to land they followed the shallow water toward the west. After a few minutes she turned around to see the Adventure had turned away and was headed back out for deeper water. She sighed in relief.
"Well, we beat them this time. But I'll bet they will be waiting when we come back."
Ron stood at the bow of their small boat as they cleared the river and headed out into the sound.
"You see anything Ron?"
Ron squatted down and looked back to the stern of the boat.
"Nothing yet."
Kim glanced around the open waters.
"Well keep a good lookout. With the wind coming off the land it is forcing us to go further out into the water than I would like. We can't go into shallow water until we get further up the sound."
Ron turned back around and kept looking, then he noticed that some trees were moving. Trees may sway but they don't slide across other trees. Ron raised the spyglass to take a closer look. Then he saw it. The Adventure! It had been hiding in a deep creek. It was coming out from behind a sandbar in a deep channel.
"KP!"
Kim jerked to the side to see the Adventure had cut them off from the land. She turned to run before the wind. Hopefully the smaller craft could out run the bigger one. Ron stumbled back to where Kim sat. He pointed back.
"Their gaining on us."
Kim glanced back to see the bow of the Adventure coming toward them. Soon they would be able to cut across the stern of their boat and cut off the wind from their sails leaving them dead "she really didn't like to use that word right now" in the water. Up on the bow she could see a number of men including one tall man, it was Blackbeard.
At that moment the Adventure made a hard left turn across the stern of their boat and their sails fell limp as the Adventure blocked off the wind to their sails. Kim shook her head and helped Ron drop the sails to their boat. The Adventure made another turn and soon bobbed up and down next to their boat. Two grappling hooks came down and hooked onto their boat. A rope ladder unrolled down the side of the Adventure. Blackbeard leaned over the side of his boat.
"Up on deck with the both of you."
Before Kim or Ron could argue four crewmen from the Adventure swung down onto their boat. Without any other choice the two teens climbed up the rope ladder to the deck of the Adventure. They climbed over the side of the ship and down onto the deck. A shadow covered the two of them. Both of them looked up to see a man that would make Barkin look like a 90lbs weakling. He was quite tall and broad shouldered. A broad hat covered his head and long hair. His beard hung down onto his chest.
"Welcome aboard the Adventure. Me name is Edward, Edward Teach. What be your names?"
Ron pointed to himself then to Kim.
"My name is Ron, this is my brother Kim."
Teach eyed both of them.
"Ron and Kim? Well now you gave us the slip yesterday, but I figured the landward wind would catch you off guard."
Kim stared up at the man.
"I thought you had given up pirating."
The men laughed as Teach jerked back. He placed his hand on his chest.
"Pirating? You wound me lad. We were just interested in trading with you."
Kim sneered back.
"Yeah, trading by taking."
One of the crewmen swung his cutlass at Kim. She dodged to the side and struck his hand with the blade of her hand. The cutlass popped into the air and she grabbed it. Spinning around she drove her boot into the seaman's stomach folding him in half. Another seamen stepped toward Kim from the rear. Grabbing the man's hand that held his cutlass he twisted in a fashion that caused him to drop it to the deck. The seaman yanked his hand back and drew a dirk from his boot. He stabbed at Ron. Ron let the dirk pass under his arm and to the side. Grabbing the man's arm with one hand and his shirt with the other Ron rolled back sliding to the deck. Placing his feet into the startled seaman's chest Ron continued to roll back on the deck until he kicked out. The seaman let loose a string of curses as he sailed over the side of the ship and into the water. By the time the rest of the crew could blink, Ron had snap-kicked to his feet holding the other seaman's cutlass.
Cutlasses and clubs appeared as several crewman advanced on Kim and Ron. With a yell they attacked. Kim parried the first thrust by one crewman, then brought the guard up into his face with a blow that dropped him to the deck. Ron jumped to one side dodging the seaman attacking him. He spun in a leg sweep and brought the man down. A kick to the man's hand spun the sword into the air where Kim grabbed it. Two more seamen attacked Kim together. Kim blocked both slashes as she backed up against the side of the ship. Ron backed up against her side as they faced out to the remaining crew. The crew advanced on the two.
"Belay that."
The men stopped and looked over at Blackbeard. He had his own cutlass out blocking the way.
"These two have made their point, and made it well. Now back to your stations. Get Thomas out of the water."
The men backed off as they put away the clubs and the cutlasses. Most scowled at the two but none appeared ready to disobey Teach. Teach turned to Kim and Ron.
"Well now. Many waves have past under my sails since I have seen a good fight like that. I would have been honored to have ye on my crew."
Kim tossed her two cutlasses to the deck along with Ron.
"No thanks, we prefer an honest living."
Teach roared with laughter.
"Well laddie, I have taken the King's Pardon from our esteemed Governor. I am an honest trader now, but I could still use a couple of good hands. If you ever reconsider you can look me up. Be glad to have you part of the boys. Now, I have delayed you enough, why don't you be on your way. Here."
Teach dug into his pocket, pulled out some coins and tossed them to Ron.
"Here you go lads. This should cover any cost of you being late. Also, I know that boat. The man who owns it wants to sell it. There is enough to buy it there. Since you wish to be honest traders I'll help you along. I am always looking for someone to carry small cargoes for me. If you ever are in need of a cargo come and see me. Israel. Give these lads a hand to their boat and make sure they get off."
The tanned man gave some short of salute to Teach.
"Aye cap'n. Come along you two."
Kim and Ron climbed over the side and down into their boat. As soon as they could, they pushed off and guided their boat away from the Adventure. A gust of wind filled their sail and carried them off toward Bath.
Thomas stepped up beside Israel as they watched the small sloop head off across the water. Thomas grumbled.
"I owe that blond one a thing or two. I look forward to the chance."
Israel took a look over his shoulder at Teach as he directed some of the crew.
"Don't let the cap'n here you talk like that. He seems to have taken a liking to those two. You know what happens to what to those who cross him. Hell, you know what happens to those he likes sometimes."
Both men shuddered. In the months before one of the first mates was having dinner with Teach. Teach was roaring drunk that night and to play a joke he pulled one of his pistols and fired a shot under the table. The mate's knee was shattered and he was crippled. They also remembered what Teach had done to a number of crewman on ships they had taken when they had defied their captain openly. That was a death neither one of them wanted to have. Both men watched the small boat make it's way back toward Bath. Both of them turned and returned to their duties.
Kim guided the small sloop up to the docks in Bath. She could see the man who hired them the day before waiting for them. There were also a number of other people gathered on the docks. The man caught the rope that Ron tossed to him. He tied the boat off and straightened up.
"I got word that Teach and his crew stopped you. Did anything happen?"
Kim shook her head.
"Well, he did invite us aboard. After Ron and I had a little altercation with some of his crew, Captain Teach was quite the gentleman. He even paid us for his trouble."
Kim brought out the coins and handed a couple to the man.
"We would like to buy this boat. I think the two of us could make a good living carrying some small cargoes."
The man took the coins and nodded. Turning to a couple of the other men standing on the docks he motioned for them to unload the boat. He turned back to Kim and Ron.
"Well, I might have a cargo or two for you later. I am sure some of the other captains or merchants will be sure to be looking for you. Do you plan to sleep on board or do you need a place to stay?"
Ron glanced at Kim.
"I guess we could use a place to stay."
The man nodded.
"There is a small one room house down near the end of the docks. The couple who lived there moved out a month or so ago. No one has needed it so I guess the two of you can use it. I'll make sure all the papers are cleared for you to own this boat. What are your full names?"
Kim stepped up on the dock and helped Ron out of the boat.
"Kim and Ron. Kim and Ron Stoppable."
Out on the edge of town the air shimmered and warped. Two figures stepped out into midair.
Drakken looked around as Shego dusted off her costume. She scowled at him.
"You know this is one of your stupider ideas."
Drakken straightened his hat.
"Shego, this is a brilliant idea. If we are able to steal any of Blackbeard's treasure then who is he going to complain to?"
Shego reached over to rap Drakken on his head.
"Hello to that dark space in there. He wouldn't complain to anyone in the first place. This is Blackbeard the Pirate we are talking about. This guy makes us look like kindergärtners. If he catches us, he will keel haul us, then shoot us, then he just might start to hurt us. I don't know about you but I am allergic to that type of pain."
Drakken finished with his hat.
"He won't catch us. Once we get some of the treasure we can just disappear and he will not be able to do a thing."
Shego folded her arms in front of her.
"And you think Possible and the buffoon will just sit back and lay out on the beach. They will be after us so fast it will make even that thick head of yours swim."
Drakken groaned.
"Nngggggggg, what make you think they will be able to come after us?"
Shego sneered.
"Are you kidding? Just cause you can't build anything like that without stealing it doesn't mean Possible can't get it done. Remember her dad was smart enough to build the Tunnel. That Dr. Brown has his system. Now add Possible's two brothers into the deal and I would make a good bet that the princess and her boyfriend are either already here or will be soon. By the way, using the name of "Blackeye Brown" again is still dumb, but maybe it'll work."
Shego looked out over the land.
"Well, let's get going. Let's see if we can get up with Blackbeard."
Kim used a broom to clean out the room while Ron sat at the fireplace cooking. The shack had one room. They did have windows and the door did close good. They had enough money to buy some blankets and other items to make the house livable. The one bed was nothing more than a mattress filled with corn shucks on top of a rope web. The September air was cool at night with promises of colder weather to come. Ron set the pot on the old table in the middle of the room. The two candles gave a little light to the room. Kim looked down into the pot and sniffed. The aroma of meat and vegetables came to her nose.
"That smells good Ron."
Ron took his seat next to her as she sat down. He poured some cider into two mugs on the table.
"Thanks KP. Well, we are here and able to move around without anyone being suspicious. Now what to we do?"
Kim took a bite of her meal and washed it down with her cider. A cough came as the cider was a little stronger than she was used to.
"Well, I'd say try to stay as close to Blackbeard without being too close. I hope that we can spot Drakken and Shego in time to stop them from whatever they are planning."
She stood up after finishing her meal. Crossing the room she poured some water in a basin and washed her face and hands. She looked over to Ron and motioned for him to turn around. The windows were covered so she slipped out of her clothes and put on a nightshirt. Climbing under the blankets she tried to get comfortable.
"ooohhhhh, corn shucks are not the most comfortable things in the world. Think we can come up with something else?"
Ron blew out the candles and slipped off his boots and pants. Climbing in next to Kim he tried to get comfortable.
"Man, this stuff is itchy. We def are going to get something else as a mattress. Night KP."
Kim slid over and put her arms around him.
"At least in the dark in a locked room I can get some Ronshine. What to you say?"
"Booooyahhhh"
"Booyah will do."
I hope that you enjoyed this first chapter of the pirate sitch. So Kim and Ron have met up with Blackbeard. It is during this time that Blackbeard or Edward Teach had taken a pardon from the local Governor and had stopped Pirating. He started to live in a small town in North Carolina called Bath. He lived here for a few months until he was to meet his destiny in that final fight. Now Drakken and Shego have arrived and things will start to get interesting.
This is the Captain
Roger and Out
right hand salute.