Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 65
Jack managed to make his way up the gangplank without further mishap. He swayed around the deck a bit touching and feeling everything in his sight and garnering disgruntled curses from the men whose way he managed to get in while they were trying to prepare the ship for departure.
"Mr. Sparrow, if you please." James, who was conferring with Lt. Gillette, called out to him when a curse from one of the crew was uttered loudly enough it caught his attention and he noticed what was going on. "I dare to say any of the items on my ship you are so intently examining will hardly fit into any pocket or orifice you are now in possession of."
"Captain Sparrow if you please Commodore." Jack replied, waving his hands about.
"Well Captain, if you would be so kind as to join me over here and let my men get on with the running of my ship I would be most grateful." James replied dryly.
Jack started to sashay towards James when he noticed the look Lt. Gillette was giving him. He slowed and then stopped altogether.
When James noticed a few moments later that Jack had not joined him he looked at him questioningly and said a bit sharply, "What is it now Captain?"
"I don't think yer man there likes me." Jack answered a bit poutily as he flutteringly pointed at Lt. Gillette.
James rolled his eyes, took a deep breath, mumbled to himself something to the effect that he had to go and open his mouth and actually offer to have this man in his presence again for who knows how long, before asking Gillette if his orders were clear as to the running of Fort Charles in his absence and then dismissing the man.
Gillette gave Jack a threatening look as he passed him on the way to disembark. Jack gave him a puppy dog look in return before proceeding on towards the Commodore.
"Now Commodore," Jack said in a cheery voice, his hands busy making unspecific gestures in the air as he spoke, "I'm thinkin it might be wise ta be takin along some of me more trustworth crew. So as to have the hands necessary ta sail me Pearl when we find her. What say you to that Commodore?"
James snorted and said, "Even if there were such a thing as a trustworthy member of your crew Captain Sparrow I am sure I will be hard pressed enough to tolerate your presence on this voyage let alone more of your kind. If and when we find your Pearl I will provide able bodied seamen from my own crew to man her until we return."
"Was hopin ya'd feel different bout that Commodore." Jack said crestfallen.
"Oh I'm sure you were Captain, however that is the way it will be done. Now if you will excuse me, and make yourself scarce, preferably for the remainder of the voyage, I do have a ship to run." James said as he cast a sarcastic look at Jack before turning on his heel and heading off across the deck.
Jack cocked his head to the side and shrugged his shoulders as he watched the Commodore walk away and immediately returned to his touching and feeling of the ships accouterments once again drawing glares and curses from the crew.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
AsJames stood at the bow looking out towards the horizon he was just a little puzzled; they had been at sea for four days and had not spotted hide nor hair of the Pearl. He knew the ship had the reputation of being fast, but even the assorted times he had chased her and Sparrow here and there he had at least caught a glimpse of her if not down right gotten close to her from time to time, and who ever had commandeered her had not more than a few hours start. Then a thought struck him, those times he had chased after her were games to Sparrow. The Pirate had evidently been deliberately letting him catch sight of his quarry in order to keep him following. Perhaps spending time no matter how irritating and disagreeable with the man was some benefit, perhaps he was getting some idea of how the man's no doubt a bit on the daft side mind worked. Then upon further pondering of this he let out a snort, evidently the man knew him pretty well, or at least knew what would keep him following along behind him. James shook his head and said aloud, "All a game."
"Commodore?" Lt. Groves said, after just walking up next to James.
James looked at Theo with a bit of humor as he repeated his statement, "It's all a game to him Lt., all a game and he's been setting the rules to suit himself."
"I'm sorry Commodore, I don't follow you." Theo replied a bit confused.
"We were not meant to Lt." James said walking off and leaving Theo standing there still confused.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
James found Jack in the galley, feet kicked up on the table before him, ankles crossed, a bottle of rum cradled in his lap.
"I did not for a minute doubt you would manage to make yourself at home even on a Navy ship Captain, but I do wonder where you acquired the rum. We do not make a habit of stocking that aboard." James said as he eyed Jack speculatively.
Jack looked at the bottle in his hand, then smiled up at James as he said, "I'm well aware of yer lack of proper drink aboard yer fine navy ships Commodore, having a time or two been the recipient of the honor of yer Royal Navy's much to be desired hospitality that not only includes lack of rum but also dire lack of beddin material or any comforts what so ever in yer brigs as well, so I took it upon meself ta bring along me own." Jack tipped the bottle towards James in a mock salute, and then took a drink.
"Then perhaps I should reiterate and in fact clarify my previously stated words as to the state of your inebriation." James said with a half smile. "While you are on my ship Captain, you will refrain from being drunk or disorderly, or any manifestations in any degree of either of the afore mentioned behaviors or you will once again find yourself a guest in my most unsatisfactorily furnished brig. Do I make myself clear?"
"Soberingly." Jack said with a grimace.
To Be Continued
Reviews are appreciated
4