Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 13
As the French ships limped off a skiff from the Trident and just a few minutes later one from the Atlantis were launched and headed for the Pearl.
James stood at the rail watching, adopting his Commodore-ly stance without conscious thought, hands clasped behind his back as the boats approached. As the two navy officers came on board James turned and strode over to them. They both came to attention and gave James perfectly executed salutes. James stared at them for a few moments before giving them a salute in return.
"I believe I made my orders very clear before I left Port Royal gentlemen, and in no way possible that I am aware of could they in even the slightest sense be construed to include following me in the two most important means of defense Port Royal has. I assume you have conspired together to come up with a plausible explanation for your actions?" and then motioning at the two with a wave of his hands, "Go on, I'd love to hear what you came up with."
Still standing at attention Mr. Gillette and Mr. Groves cast sidelong glances at each other. Mr. Gillette was the first to speak, "Commodore sir, there were rumors of French war ships in the area………"
Groves interrupted, "And we talked it over and asked ourselves what you would do in the situation………"
"And decided you would go out to meet the threat………." Gillette added.
"So here we are. I assure you running into the Black Pearl was simply coincidence……….." Groves interjected.
"Not planned in any way what so ever…..sir." Gillette finished.
"So you feel I would have taken the two most heavily armed ships in the Caribbean and gone chasing around after some unsubstantiated rumor leaving Port Royal woefully under protected and ripe for attack? Gentlemen?"
"We didn't look at it exactly in that way sir." Mr. Gillette said quietly.
"But in our defense sir, we did actually find French war ships." Mr. Groves added.
"Lucky for you two, otherwise I might be inclined to recommend a bit stiffer penalty for the two of you." James said. "Now regardless of what you may claim was your reasoning, I will tell you this, I am perfectly fine, as you can see no bodily harm has befell me at the hands of my present company, nor is it likely to. No one has threatened me with pistol, musket, sword or cutlass nor any other manner of sharp object of any kind, down to and including any kitchen knife or fork that may be aboard this vessel. I have a mission to complete, and you gentlemen have responsibilities to fulfill back in Port Royal, responsibilities that in no way, shape, or form include running off to mother your commanding officer. Do I make myself clear?"
Two more perfect salutes executed, and a "Yes Sir!" from the officers.
"Good, then as you sail back to Port Royal I would suggest you both contemplate all meanings of the words Follow Your Commanding Officer's Orders To The Letter. Gentlemen you are free to go."
"Yes Sir!" they said in unison, and then climbed back down to the skiffs waiting for them and began heading back for their respective ships.
James stood at the rail watching the boats row off, and suddenly remembered something, "Mr. Gillette, Mr. Groves," he called out to them, and as the men looked back towards them he shouted, "Captain Sparrow…..and myself as well wish to extend our thanks for your help in the battle." And then after a moments pause added, "In no way is that to be interpreted as a softening of my previously stated position on your actions gentlemen."
Both men smiled as they gave one last salute towards James.
"That's a fine couple of officers you've got there Commodore, even if they are navy." Jack said as he sauntered up to James. "Don't suppose they'd be interested in changin sides?"
"I hardly think so Captain."
"Never hurts to ask Commodore." Jack said with a smile and a flutter of hands as he started to walk off.
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The next few days were relatively uneventful. Elizabeth spent her time going over the papers she carried, and the strategy she would use once she reached Saint Domique. Will and James made themselves as helpful around the ship as they could to deal with the boredom. They even quite a few times practiced their sword fighting with each other, mostly for Will's benefit as he was used to spending several hours each day doing just that, and was glad to have someone as skilled as the Commodore to practice against. This activity never failed to draw quite a few members of the crew as an audience, along with whistles, cheers, boot stomping, and hollers when either one of the men executed a well done maneuver.
Elizabeth had come on deck to get some fresh air during one of these matches, and as she stood there watching Jack strolled up. "Now luv, that is a fine sight for sure. No doubt two of the most upstandin examples of manhood a girl could hope to lay eyes on."
"Really Jack, and just what is that suppose to mean?" Elizabeth said as she looked towards Jack.
"Not a thing luv, just makin an observation's all. Perfectly innocent I assure you." Jack said with a flutter of hands and an innocent look.
"Nothing you do is perfectly innocent Jack." Elizabeth replied.
"Now that's just unfair luv, I'm perfectly innocent a lot of times." Jack said a bit poutily.
"No you're not, and if your comment was meant to insinuate I might have some sort of feelings for James I assure you my heart belongs to Will." Elizabeth said rather haughtily. "I think of James as a big brother, a dear friend as well."
"Are ya positive that's all you feel for the man luv, he'd have made a fine husband I'm thinkin."
Elizabeth paused before she answered thoughtfully, "I know he would have Jack, he is a fine man, kind, gentle, and a lot more tenderhearted than he'd care for anyone to know under the front he puts on, and if I didn't have Will in my life I'm sure I would have been very happy as his wife." And then a bit more in her normal tone, "But I do have Will."
"So you do luv, so you do." Jack said flippantly as he smiled, swayed a bit and then sashayed off.
Elizabeth watched him walk away and slowly turned back to the men who were still absorbed in their sword practice. Her thoughts however were still on what Jack had said, and stayed there for some time.
To Be Continued
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