Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 11

Jack and James were the first on deck, followed a few steps behind by Mr. Gibbs, Will and Elizabeth. Jack headed for the rail and putting the telescope to his eye peered at the ships for a few moments then handed the telescope to James. James looked through the telescope, lowered it slightly, looked at Jack, and then put it back to his eye. "It would appear there are three ships now Captain."

"I noticed that Commodore." Jack replied and then continued in a questioning tone, "I suppose it would be a bit superfluous to hope or suggest they are simple merchant ships wouldn't it?"

"Indeed it would Captain, if merely for the fact they are flying French colors, and if my eyes are not deceiving me the crew are wearing French uniforms." James said as he handed the telescope back to Jack.

Jack looked once again and replied, "I think you're right about the uniforms Commodore." and then to Mr. Gibbs, "All hands to stations if you please Mr. Gibbs, we shall be at the ready until we know what their intent may be."

"Aye Cap'n." and then turned and started shouting orders to the crew as he hurried off.

"Well no use standing about is there?" Jack said with a flutter of hands as he rocked back on his heels, "It will be some time before we are close enough to find out what they are about. Might as well spend the time in more propitious pursuits don't you think?" and without waiting for an answer swayed off toward the galley. James did not move, preferring to stay at the rail keeping vigil on the approaching ships. Will shrugged his shoulders at Elizabeth, and as she moved off to follow Jack he followed her.

"Jack, what are you going to do?" Elizabeth addressed the man as she and Will entered the galley and found Jack and his rum seated at the table.

"Well luv, right now I'm going to do my best to finish this bottle of rum. After that……well after that remains to be seen." Jack said with a wave of his hands. "Care to join me?" he added as he offered the bottle to the couple.

"I hardly think this is the time for drinking Jack." Elizabeth said a bit aghast.

"Now luv, there's always time for a bit of rum. Makes things go so much smoother, and if not smoother, at least makes a body not care that things are not going as smoothly as they could be. So you see luv, a bit of rum is always a good thing." Jack said with a smile and a flip of his hand.

"Really Jack, we are about to be attacked by three ships with more than enough fire power between them to sink the Pearl. You surely don't intend to sit here and get drunk?" Will said unbelievingly.

"No, dear William, I intend to sit here and drink….drink…….there is a difference William….if only a small one." Jack answered and then took another drink from the bottle in his hand.

"Can't we out run them Jack? The Pearl is the fastest ship in the Caribbean isn't she, and they are still far away enough for that aren't they?" Elizabeth said.

"Aye, that she is under normal circumstances, however I don't think that will be happenin at the present time luv, unless there's a change in the wind." Jack said quietly.

"So we just sit here and wait for them to blow us apart?" Will said angrily.

"Don't necessarily have to just sit young William, you could do a myriad of things, for instance, drink," Jack said as he once again held the bottle of rum up, "sing, dance, run around the deck screaming at the top of your lungs, although that might distract the crew a bit, wouldn't really suggest it now that I think it over." Jack said as he cocked his head to the side as if in deep though, and then continued, "You do get my meaning though dear William, not much to do until those ships get a bit closer."

"I think we should go talk to the Commodore." Will said still angry.

"Aye there you go….. go do that…..go on….off with you now…..take your bonny lass there with you." Jack said a bit snippily as he waved his arms about and made shooing motions at Will.

"Well I will!" Will said, "Come on Elizabeth." grabbing her by the hand and heading out the door, which surprised Elizabeth enough that she followed along without uttering a word.

"Commodore!" Will shouted as he came on deck, still with Elizabeth in tow, as he spotted the Commodore talking with Mr. Gibbs by the rail and headed towards him. James turned at the shout of his name to see a totally unbelievable sight, one that he would have never believed if he wasn't witnessing it with his own eyes. He gave a snort, trying his best to keep the smile from his lips at the sight of an evidently extremely enraged William Turner dragging an evidently extremely dumbfounded Elizabeth Turner along behind him. Mr. Gibbs deciding quickly this would be the opportune moment to take his leave said as he tried to appear casual as he walked away, "Now that's somethin you're not likely to be seein every day."

"Indeed." James said in reply, and then tried a little unsuccessfully for the most serious face he could muster as he cast his eyes towards the rapidly approaching couple.

"Commodore, I'd like to have a word with you." Will said as he stomped up to James.

James cleared his throat and said with a nod at Will, "Mr. Turner." and then directing his gaze at Elizabeth, "Mrs. Turner."

Will seemed to come to his senses as James spoke and realized he still had a very firm grip on Elizabeth's hand about the same time that Elizabeth came out of her shock at Will grabbing her and dragging her along behind him.

"Sorry Elizabeth." he said apologetically at the same time that Elizabeth jerked her hand out of his, favoring him with a very unhappy glare and saying in a very outraged tone, "William Turner don't ever do anything like that again!"

James took the opportunity of the two staring at each other to further wipe the grin off his face and address them in a close proximity of his usual Commodore-ly tone. "You wished to speak to me about something Mr. Turner?"

"What?" the sound of the Commodore's voice catching his attention, "Oh yes, Jack says we can't outrun those ships." Will said as he waved his hands towards the direction of the ships.

"As much as I regret having to side with that man he is on this occasion correct Mr. Turner, the wind is not presently in our favor to attempt such a maneuver."

"So you're saying the same thing Jack said? We can't do anything but wait for them to blow us apart?" Will said unbelieving.

"Oh I would not go that far Mr. Turner, there are other alternatives to that scenario, although it is not the proper time to act upon them yet. And until that time comes we will continue to do what we are doing….wait."

To Be Continued

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