Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 4

"Now William……don't do anything stupid!" Jack said as he waved his arms around with a look of what could very easily be construed as panic plastered on his face. The thoughts going through his mind were these, He was no fool, and it usually didn't take him long to figure out he had pushed a situation too far, and He was not afraid of fighting the Commodore………….that is as long as he had room to maneuver, he would fight the Devil himself if he had maneuvering room, and There was no maneuvering room in here, and William was between him and the only way out, and didn't look like he was about to budge, and the Commodore was getting very close, and that was definitely not a friendly look spread across said Commodore's face.

"I'm havin a thought here Commodore." Jack said waving his hands about frantically as he looked around for the best route away from the advancing Commodore. "I'm thinkin there may be room for some negotiatin here, some understandin we could come to, to avoid any bodily injurin that may be about to be visited on certain persons present as it were……..such as meself Commodore. Commodore? Would it help if I waved a white flag……..er shirt?" Jack said as he scrambled onto one of the tables to escape the ever-advancing Commodore.

"The only thing that will help Captain is for me to get my hands around that insolent neck of yours." James spat out as he paced around following Jack as the man jumped from table to table just out of his reach.

William watched for a few minutes while the two men played catch me if you can, and then decided enough was enough. He surprised even himself with the forcefulness of the command that came out of his mouth, stopping both men in their tracks, "Enough! Both of you stop it right now!" Both men stared at William who stood there staring at them, still a little flummoxed by his actions. He recovered a little, and with a bit less forceful tone, "Enough you two, really if we can't manage to get along this venture is doomed before we even get started."

"I wasn't doin a thing William." Jack said in an innocent tone trying to match it with his expression.

James snorted and said, "Indeed! You most certainly were Sparrow."

William stepped forward and with a very serious look on his face addressed each man, "Jack if you don't put your differences with the Commodore behind you and at least try to get along and make this work you put yourself in a position of loosing the Pearl forever. Is that what you want? And you Commodore, if you don't accomplish this mission you take the chance of putting a black mark on your record that you may never be able to erase. It's to your advantage as well to get along with Jack. It would be to both of your advantage to work together on this, not to mention my advantage as well, as I am going to be around the two of you for the duration. Now can't we come to some sort of agreement here?"

Jack looked a bit obsequiously at William, James looked at the floor, pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers, and then looking up at William said, "You are of course right Mr. Turner, it is to all our advantage not to let personal feelings get in the way of the success of this mission."

William gave James an encouraging smile and then looked at Jack.

"What?" Jack said.

"You know what Jack." William stated firmly.

"No I don't." Jack said flipping his hands about.

"Very well Jack." Will said, and then turning to James said, "I guess we might as well return to your ship, you can carry out your orders as far as the Pearl is concerned and we can be on our way to find someone else to help with the mission." William turned to head for the door, and James, after a moments pause began to follow.

"Oye there! William?……..Commodore?…….." Jack called out, and then hurriedly put himself between the two men and the door. Holding up his hands in front of the two, and then waving them around foppishly as he said, "I'm havin a thought here mates. I'm thinkin we can indeed come to some sort of harmonic affiliation between the lot of us. No need to be wastin Her Grand Old Self's powder and shot nor her cannon balls for that matter. Savvy?"

"I don't know Jack, you'd have to agree to do your best to get along, and do your best to make sure the mission succeeds." William said looking at Jack dubiously.

"I'm good with that." Jack said giving William and James a winning smile.

"There's one more thing Jack." William said, still eyeing Jack dubiously.

"What's that William?" Jack inquired.

"You do still need to apologize to the Commodore …..in front of his men." William answered.

"I knew you were going to say that." Jack said poutily, and then after a thoughtful moment said, "I need only apologize, no specifications, whereas or wherefore-s attached?"

"None, as long as you apology is in front of the Commodore and his men, and doesn't turn out to be a farce Jack." William answered.

"All right, I'm good with that too." Jack replied. He looked at James and held out his hand, "Well Commodore, shall we endeavor to make this a fortuitous trip for all?"

"I shall if you shall Captain." James said as he took Jack's hand.

"Now let's get down to business. Where's me rum." Jack said with a glittering smile at James as his eyes perused the galley. "Oh there you are!" he said happily as he spotted and then headed for a bottle sitting on the table. He took a long drink, gathered together the mugs, poured each full, handed James and Will each one, and holding his own up in salute said, "Here's to me Pearl, may she carry us true, our mission, may we each get what we're expectin, and to getting along with our fellow mates, no matter how hard or vexin that may turn out to be."

To Be Continued

Reviews are appreciated

4