Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 43
Jack put the telescope to his eye, and after a moment Mr. Gibbs heard him say "Bugger!" under his breath.
"Trouble?" Gibbs said.
"Naught but Mr. Gibbs." Then looking over his shoulder at the man said, "Is there a reason you're still here Mr. Gibbs?"
"Orders sir?" Gibbs replied a bit questioningly.
"Really Mr. Gibbs, must I make all the decisions around here?" Jack said with a frown at Joshamee as he rocked back and forth flittering his hands around in the air, "You know how this goes, guns, shot, firing said guns and shot, all that stuff that one does when one is perhaps under imminent danger or at least the threat of a threat of imminent danger as it were or perhaps might prove to be. I am wondering about the wiseness of havin ya in the position yer in if ya don't know the basics Mr. Gibbs." Then after a short pause and a half smile he continued, "Course seeing as you are much more better than that last yeasty cod piece that held the position I will give you the benefit of the doubt." And then peering at Mr. Gibbs again said, "May I ask you something Mr. Gibbs?"
"Cap'n?"
"Have I not made myself clear? And if so why are you still here? And if I haven't made myself clear, which I'm sure I have…..mostly that is……..you should already be scurrying off somewhere to do something….I think." Then after a brief puzzled look Jack continued as he made shooing motions at Mr. Gibbs. "Off with ya now, go on, you know how this works. Be about it smartly Mr. Gibbs." He turned and once again put the telescope to his eye and returned to the 'bugger bugger bugger' under his breath.
Mr. Gibbs walked off a few paces grumbling under his breath, paused and took a long drink out of his flask, and headed off to give the orders to prepare the guns.
He passed James and Teague on their way to the deck, still mumbling to himself and taking a drink from his flask every few moments.
"I wonder what that was all about?" James said as he watched Gibbs continue on his way.
"No doubt he's had a little chat with Jackie. He has the tendency ta do that to people at times." Teague replied with a smile. "I've no doubt he may have set you to talkin to yerself a time or two Commodore."
"You have no idea." James answered dryly.
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As Elizabeth, Alon, and Josette came on deck, escorted by a couple of Barbossa's men, they saw him standing by the rail looking through a telescope and talking to his first mate. Upon catching sight of them the first mate nudged Hector a bit and then directed his attention to the trio.
"Ah Mrs. Turner, so nice for you and your friends ta join me." He said magnanimously. He received a dirty look from Elizabeth at this as they had plainly been given no choice as to joining him on deck seeing as the men had entered the galley where they had been sitting and pointed muskets at them. "I really think yer gonna be wanting to see this particular sight." Hector said as he beckoned them to the rail and handed Elizabeth the telescope. "Now Mrs. Turner, if you'll just look off there I'm sure you will have no trouble seein a truly welcome sight." Hector said as he pointed toward a spot on the horizon.
Elizabeth looked at the spot Barbossa had indicated. She gave a little gasp and her heart did a flip-flop as she recognized, even at this distance, the Black Pearl headed for them.
Barbossa took the telescope from her and leaned over to mock whisper a short distance from her ear, "Now Mrs. Turner, I'd appreciate it if you and your companions would accompany my men back below deck for a spell. I promise ya I'll be bringin ya back on deck at the most opportune moment."
"Opportune for who Barbossa?" Elizabeth spat back.
Barbossa laughed a rather evil laugh as he said, "Aye, now that be the question does it not?"
Elizabeth could still hear him laughing as they were taken below. The men locked them securely in the brig, and with a few rather unsavory remarks directed at Alon and Josette, and Elizabeth in particular left them.
"Well Alon, Josette, it doesn't look good I'm afraid, but we must not give up. If we keep our heads I'm sure we can get out of this mess." Elizabeth said, not really convincing either one of them, or herself for that matter.
"Madame, do you know what that awful man is going to do with us?" Josette said with tears in her eyes. She had been strong and refused to let her fear take a hold of her up until they had been locked in here and threatened by those men.
"I don't know Josette," Elizabeth said as she stepped over to the girl and put a comforting arm around her.
"I'm sure what ever they have in mind for us it won't be pleasant. I have heard stories about what pirates do to their captives." Alon said sounding fearful and depressed.
"That's why we must be ready for anything because this pirate is capable of just about anything. I am under the impression Barbossa intends to bring us back on deck once we get close to the Pearl, and we may have to act quickly if an opportunity presents its self. I want you two to watch me closely and follow my lead. Understood?" Elizabeth said as she looked each one in the eye with a serious expression.
"You have a plan in mind?" Alon asked hopefully.
"Not at the present, but something may occur to me." And then with a wry smile continued, "I have been around the best act on the spur of the moment
and hope everything works out for the best person that ever walked the face of the earth long enough to maybe have picked up a few of his tricks."
"Your husband Mr. Turner, Madame?" Josette asked.
"No Josette," Elizabeth said with a smile, "Captain Jack Sparrow."
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James and Teague walked over and stood by Jack who was still mumbling and looking at the approaching ship.
"Barbossa." Teague said, not even bothering to make it into a question.
"Barbossa." Jack confirmed.
"Why would he come back? What do we have that is so important to him he would risk a fight? He has to know surprise is not on his side this time." James said.
"Question is what does he have that would give him the bollocks to come back." Jack said.
They stood there in silence for quite a while watching the ship grow larger and larger as it got closer and closer. Jack cursed, turned suddenly, shoved the telescope into James' hands and looking at him said, "I think young William is going to want to see this." and walked off.
James raised the telescope to his eye and also let out a curse. "For once Sparrow, you are telling the truth." He shoved the telescope at Teague and headed off after Jack.
Teague watched them walk off, turned and put the telescope to his eye. A smile flickered across his face as he said quietly to himself, "Now that's interestin."
To Be Continued
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