Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 36

Jack and James lowered their swords and looked around at the crewmember that had called out. Jack stalked towards the man with a very unhappy look on his face, his arms waving about wildly. "Mr. Fribley feel free ta correct me here if I'm wrong, which in this instance I'm mighty sure I'm not, but seems ta me I'm seein a bit more than a mere sail." Jack said angrily as his gaze went to the ship pulling along side of them, their cannons already having the appearance of being ready to fire upon them, the deck full of armed men ready to board his Pearl.

"Sorry Cap'n." the man said morosely hanging his head.

"By the looks of it we may all be such afore it's over." Jack said ruefully.

James and William had walked over while Jack was talking. "Seems we may have a bit of a problem on our hands here mates." Jack said indicating the ship.

"I believe that may be the biggest understatement I have ever heard." James said sarcastically casting a glare at Jack.

"It's also Barbossa." William added.

"I know." Jack replied.

"What would he want with us?" Will asked.

"I would assume we are about to find that very thing out Mr. Turner." James said as he pointed towards the other ship.

Barbossa and several of his crew had swung across to the deck of the Pearl. The rest of the crew remained at the rail aiming their firearms at the crew of the Pearl.

"Jack, what a fortuitous turn of events runnin inta ya out here with no one around." Barbossa said with a wide smile.

"Speak for yourself Hector." Jack grumbled with a pout on his face.

"And Commodore, still playin dress up I see." Hector said with a sarcastic smile aimed at James, who gave Barbossa a glare and a snort in return. "And Master Turner, have ya managed ta find that willful wife of yours yet?" and then after a pause said, "I'd be sayin no to that as other wise by now we'd surely have been treated to the dulcet tones of her lovely voice raised in question as to me business here." Hector said with a wave of his hands.

"Don't talk about Elizabeth that way!" Will said as his hand went towards his sword. Unfortunately one of Barbossa's men was standing behind Will and immediately held a sword to his throat.

"What do you want?" James said, his tone filled with hostility.

Barbossa started to answer and then his eyes went wide for a split second as he looked over James' shoulder.

"Captain Teague!" Hector said with surprise.

"Barbossa." Teague replied as he looked at Hector with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"I was led to believe you were still in Tortuga." Hector said a bit confounded.

"I would think the error is clear to you now is it not?" Teague said his gaze never wavering from Hector's face.

"My business has nothing to do with you Captain Teague." Barbossa said.

"Ah but you see it does now Barbossa. The minute you stepped aboard this ship it became my business." Teague said, the warning tone clear in his voice.

"I've no inclination to be involvin ye in this Captain Teague." Barbossa said, not so sure of himself as he had been before the mans appearance.

"Then your ears nor yer wits for that matter, are up ta snuff Barbossa. I've stood here and told ya that ya have involved me."

Jack, James, Will, and the crew of both ships for that matter, stood watching as the two men stared at each other. They were intrigued by the way Teague seemed to intimidate Barbossa, something his crew would swear had never happened before to their knowledge.

Then all of a sudden Barbossa turned and roared at his crew, "What are ya waitin for ya mangy pack of bilge soaked cork brained swabs. Back ta the ship." As he started to stomp away he stopped and turned, and looking between Jack and James said, "There'll be a day when I run into your ilk without the gracious company of Captain Teague." Then continuing his ranting at the crew as they left the Pearl and a few minutes later sailed away.

"What was that all about?" Will said as they stood there and watched Barbossa sail away. "And was it just me or did Barbossa seem daunted by your Da Jack?"

"He has that effect on more than most William." Jack answered with a wave of his hands.

"But what did he want? He waited and then followed us out of Tortuga. What was so important for him to do that?" Will asked.

"Hopefully we'll never have the answer to that young William." Jack replied still watching the retreating ship.

"Well gents, now that's been taken care of I say back to our little romp" Teague said with a wide grin.

"You have got to be kidding." James said with an unbelieving look on his face.

"Not in the least Commodore." Teague said as he slapped the Commodore on the back and headed over to where the sword fight had been taking place, "Come along Commodore, Jackie, don't dawdle." He called back over his shoulder.

As Jack started to walk past James said shaking his head, "I see you do not possess the only addled mind in the family. I pity the trials and tribulations your poor Mother must have gone through with the two of you around."

"Who says she wasn't a bit addled herself?" Jack said.

"You are right, she must have been to put up with the likes of you and your Da." James said.

Jack stopped and said, "Watch what yer sayin about me Mum Commodore." and then headed off to join Teague.

James stood there dumbfounded for a moment sputtering, "You're the one that said she might be addled not me, I was comparing her to a saint for putting up with you."

"You know you can't win Commodore." Will said as he came up beside James.

"So it would seem." James said snappishly as he headed toward Jack and Teague.

To Be Continued

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