A/N: Well, so much for this chapter being written quickly.


"Damn it all to hell!" Cynthia hadn't let go of Chloe's arm the entire time they'd been running through the streets. The ship was on the other side of the harbor, meaning they had to go the long way around in order to meet up with the rest of the crew. Unfortunately, that put them right in the path of the rapidly approaching ships.

Cynthia kept them moving. Rushing through the back alleys to try and cut down the distance to safety. Chloe barely got a glimpse of the people around them as they rushed by but everyone was wearing the same expression.

They were scared.

Chloe didn't have as much experience with the navy as Aubrey did but the rational part of her brain told her that nothing should happen. The navy ships were bigger, yes, the frigates dwarfing all except the largest pirate vessels, but the pirates had them sorely outnumbered. "Do you think they'll really try something?"

"I've learned not to underestimate the idiocy of the British Navy." Cynthia jerked them to the side just as the main street came into view. "Fuck. They're already on shore."

Chloe poked her head around the corner of the building they were hiding behind. Sure enough, there were three white dinghies filled with seamen. They both watched as a tall gentleman with a captain's hat stepped off the lead boat, splashing into the water with a hand hovering over the blade on his belt. He was followed by several of his men, each armed with a sword and flintlock on their hip.

Just as the navy men reached the shore, three men appeared from the town, the one in front was easily recognizable as Blackbeard but Chloe didn't know the other two. The one on the left looked almost presentable, clean shaven and wearing a royal blue coat. The other was a little less put together, his bright red coat standing out against the otherwise drab affair of the rest of his clothing.

"That's Hornigold and Rackham." Cynthia whispered almost absentmindedly. "What the hell is going on?"

It was hard to hear over the bustle of the people around them and the sound of the ocean. Cynthia seemed very concerned so she pulled Chloe along until they were close enough to eavesdrop on the conversation playing out on the beach. Now, hiding behind some low bushes on the beach, they listened.

"Ahoy there," Blackbeard called as the sailors made it to dry land. "And what brings ye fine gentlemen to our humble isle?"

The lead officer scoffed. "Don't bother with these false pleasantries. We're well aware of the pirate infestation plaguing this island."

Blackbeard looked to his fellow captains. "Either of you know what he's jabbin about?" They both shook their heads so Blackbeard turned back, "Sorry gents. We's be humble privateers, sponsored by ol King George." He gave them a crooked grin that would have made a wolf nervous. "Long may he reign."

The lead officer turned up his nose, whether in disdain or just to look Blackbeard in the eye was up for debate. "The next time his majesty's name crosses your lips I will cut your treasonous tongue from your mouth." If the officer was trying to be intimidating then he picked the wrong pirate. Teach stood almost a full foot taller than the sailor, had significantly wider shoulders and was carrying enough weapons to fight an armada.

Blackbeard literally towered over the other man.

"I'd be careful about who yer threatenin there friend." He placed his hand on the man's shoulder. "Before ye forget who's isle yer on."

The officer visibly swallowed while his compatriots went for their weapons. Hornigold and Rackham were faster, pulling their own flintlocks before the navy men could get theirs out of their holsters.

"Easy gents," Hornigold warned. "Let's not be hasty."

"Speak for yourself Ben," Rackham pulled back the hammer on his pistol. "This just got interesting."

"Down boys." Blackbeard removed his hand and gestured for his men to lower their weapons. "We might as well hear what they have to say. After all, they did come all this way."

The sailors, still not entirely convinced, kept their hands on their weapons even as the pirates holstered theirs. "We have come in search of the pirate known as Captain McKadden. We have reason to believe that she is hiding somewhere on this island and has taken two high value prisoners."

"Really?" Blackbeard's brow raised in surprise. Chloe and Cynthia both pulled back a little more behind the building they were hiding against. "First I've heard of anything like that."

The officer clearly didn't believe him. "Yes. She sacked Port Royal about a week past. Made off with two hostages." He looked around as if expecting said hostages to appear out of nowhere. "She might also be responsible for a recent attack on a Royal African Company ship. But I suppose you haven't heard anything about that either."

Blackbeard shook his head. "It's as I said. This be an honest port, no pirates around here."

The numerous pirate ships floating in the bay were pointedly ignored.

"Be that as it may we have orders to search the town." The officer brushed past Blackbeard and in doing so shoved the pirate to the side none too gently. Chloe could see, even from this distance, the look in Teach's eye and just knew everything was about to go to hell.

Without even bothering to look, Blackbeard drew his own pistol and shot the officer in the back. Not a second later Hornigold and Rakham had their weapons back out and killed the other two, their bodies splashing into water that slowly turned red.

"Bastard should have listened to me. Teach turned to his men. "What are ya standin around for! They'll be after us now! Get to the fort and sound the alarm you braggards!"

All three men rushed down the main street, the crowds scattering before the other navy men could get out of their boats and onto shore.

"Fucking hell Teach!" Cynthia cursed. "He could have just let them pass!" She looked for a way around the Navy men that now blocked their path. There wasn't really an option, with the sea to their right and panicked streets to the right. "Come on." She grabbed Chloe's arm again. "We'll have to make do with the back streets. Stay close to me, this is going to get messy."

Chloe didn't say a word, she just followed behind Cynthia. They rushed back into the alleyways and it only took a few minutes for Chloe to be completely turned around. But Cynthia seemed to know where she was going. They wound up in the central square. It was devoid of people, a shock after seeing how crowded it was earlier.

"Where is everyone?" Chloe asked. Even if there was a threat she didn't think so many people could disappear in a matter of minutes.

Cynthia managed a dry laugh. "This is a town of thieves and pirates. They all know when to get out when the getting is good." She looked around the square with a critical eye. "This might be our best chance to get to the ship. Those navy boys will have to wait for reinforcements, only an idiot would storm this island with only a dozen men."

They walked out into the square. Chloe immediately missed the cover that the houses provided, out here they were completely exposed. Her eyes kept glancing to the different streets, like she was expecting someone to appear at any moment. They made it halfway across the square with no interruptions.

Halfway...three quarters...

"Stop! In the name of the King!"

"The King can go fuck himself!" Cynthia drew a flintlock from her belt and fired blindly at the group of men coming from the other end of the square. She missed wildly but it bought her enough time to shove Chloe into another back street. Keeping her gun leveled at the square, Cynthia kept pushing Chloe to move faster.

Chloe could barely think over the sound of blood pumping in her ears and her panicked breath. Why was she even running? Weren't those men here to rescue her? At the moment it didn't really matter, the only action Chloe understood right now was 'run'.

She could hear gunfire behind her but she didn't dare turn around. Instead she rounded a corner and saw that they had come to a dead end.

Cynthia said some choice words in a language Chloe didn't recognize. "Stay behind me and don't say a word." She reached for her powder bag and started filling her flintlock. "Here," She tossed Chloe a large red handkerchief. "Tie that around your hair."

"Why?" Chloe asked as she wrapped the cloth around her head.

"Because I don't want to die." Cynthia finished loading her weapon before flattening herself against the wall. "And if they realize who you are they'll shoot me. But there's a chance that they won't think we're pirates." She shoved her gun into her belt and slid down the wall, dragging Chloe down with her. "Try to look terrified."

"That won't be hard." Chloe muttered and it made Cynthia laugh.

"Just keep your head down."

They cowered in the corner, with Cynthia placing herself between Chloe and the sound of the troops.

When the navy men made it around the corner Cynthia started blubbering and wailing and she changed her voice from its usual rasp to a high pitched wail. "Please sir! Those terrible pirates, oh theys terrible!"

The man in the lead stopped, clearly confused by the two women. Chloe was shocked as well, the complete one eighty and change in voice threw her for a loop.

The men all looked to the one in front, the stars on his shoulders identifying him as a lieutenant "Where did they go?" He asked.

Cynthia pointed to the roof above them, "Theys went thataway, leapt over us like rabbits they did!"

"Curses," The man turned around. "Wallace. Kurt. Get over that wall and get after them." Two soldiers broke away from the group and, with a little help, floundered over the wall. "Jonathan, take half the men and head back around, try to cut them off."

"Aye," Six others followed after the man who must have been Johnathan, leaving only six more.

"How in the blazes did they get away?" The lieutenant looked around bewildered. "We were right behind them."

Chloe couldn't believe that Cynthia's bluff was working but the pirate was being very convincing. There was even a fake tear running down her cheek as she grabbed her knees and sobbed. Just a few more minutes and they might actually get away.

It really looked like it was going to work. They didn't suspect a thing.

"Wait sir," One of the other navy men said. "Isn't the pirate crew we're looking for led by women?"

So maybe they weren't all fools.

The man in charge turned his head, eyeing the two women suspiciously as his hand dropped to the pistol on his hip. Cynthia shifted as well, placing a hand on her own weapon. "Looks like we're doing this the hard way." She mumbled. She jumped to her feet, the flintlock coming up with the rest of her.

The lieutenant was faster.

The clap of gunfire echoed in the tight quarters and Cynthia fell, clutching her arm. Chloe looked on, fear paralyzing her body as the entire world slowed down around her. She could see a dark stain starting to form around the wound.

The sight of blood made Chloe feel faint, the edge of her vision dimmed and she almost succumbed. But then something strange happened. Without conscious thought, she reached forward and grasped Cynthia's pistol from the ground, aiming it at the lieutenant. She'd never held a gun before, she wasn't even sure how it worked, but the lieutenant stopped dead in his tracks.

"No one move!" Chloe shouted while waving the gun back and forth. "I'll shoot!"

The lieutenant looked her over with a serious expression. He couldn't fire his weapon again and only a few of his men carried flintlocks. Besides, none of them would be fast enough to shoot first.

They were at a stalemate.

"Listen here miss." The lieutenant held up his hands as he spoke. "Just put the weapon down and surrender. You can't escape, even if you kill one of us the rest will put you down."

Chloe knew that, but she wasn't thinking rationally. She only wanted to protect Cynthia, who was growing paler by the second. "Or you could leave us alone. Just walk away."

"Can't do that." The lieutenant took a step forward. "Your crew has two very important people, Aubrey Posen and Chloe Beale. Take us to them and we might let you go."

Lie.

Chloe could see it in his eyes, he had no intention of letting them go. But maybe she could get Cynthia out of here if she revealed herself. "You want Chloe Beale?"

"Yes, her and Aubrey Posen must be reacquired immediately, by order of Admiral Posen." So Aubrey's father was leading the charge. That was not a good sign.

Chloe remembered Ulysses Posen, he was strong willed and single minded. McKadden's crew would be hard pressed to escape from him. "Fine," She said. "I can get you Chloe Beale. But only after she's been treated." Chloe gestured with her head to Cynthia.

The lieutenant scoffed. "She's dead already. Just take us to your captives and we'll leave this island."

'Dead already?' Chloe could see that Cynthia was still breathing, even if she'd turned sickly pale. If Chloe could get her back to the ship then Stacie might be able to save her. After all, Stacie had brought her back from a crocodile attack, surely a bullet wound couldn't be more difficult than that. But how was she going to get out of here? Chloe couldn't possibly fight all these people. The lieutenant was right, she only had one shot with the flintlock, after that she would be swarmed.

Chloe was too focused on the men in front of her to notice the silhouette moving above them along the roof.

"Fine, I'll give you Chloe Beale." Chloe stood up and dropped the pistol. There was one last card she could play and it was probably the only chance Chloe had at saving Cynthia's life. She moved her hand to the knot keeping the bandanna in place, letting her long red hair fall free.

It was almost funny watching the shocked expression of the lieutenant, he obviously hadn't been expecting that.

Chloe straightened her back and tried to put on an air of authority. "Now, I am ordering you to take this woman to her ship."

"I-Miss Beale, it is against the law to render aid to pirates." The lieutenant stammered.

"I don't care." Chloe took a step forward.

"Miss Beale," The lieutenant looked torn. "I have orders to arrest every member of the Bella pirates."

'Bella pirates?' Chloe had never heard that name before but it must be referring to McKadden's crew. "I don't care. And while you sit there disobeying my orders she gets closer to death."

The lieutenant straightened his own spine as she came to a decision. "My apologies miss but we have our orders. Ensign, secure Miss Beale."

One of the other men stepped forward, his hand outstretched to grasp Chloe by the arm. He didn't make it more than a step.

At that moment the shadow on the roof stood up, the sun glinting off two short blades. Chloe, who was the only one facing the right direction, looked up and gasped, causing everyone to quickly spin around and see what she was looking at.

But not quickly enough.

The shadow fell upon the two men nearest the building, their cries of shock quickly silenced as cold steel tore through their necks. The mysterious figure stood up, relieving herself to be none other than the captain. She brandished her swords and with a flick of her wrists cleared the blood from the blades.

"I'll give you one chance to run." McKadden glared at the others, her eyes cold and calculating. Four against one were terrible odds but, somehow, there was no hint of fear on her face.

The lieutenant seemed to realize his advantage and drew his sword. "Take her men!" An easy thing to say when you're at the back of the group.

The other three drew their own swords only for McKadden to make the first move. She dashed forward, blades held close as leapt into the air and extended her leg. Her boot collided with the first sailor's face, knocking him back and forcing his head to crack against the brick wall of the alley with a sickening 'thunk'. The soldier made a grunting noise before slumping over on the ground, his nose broken and blood running down the back of his neck. McKadden paid him no mind as she rolled, both to recover from the kick and to dodge a blow from the next opponent. In a flash she was back on her feet, bringing up her left blade to block an attack while lunging with the right, forcing the two sailors to give her space. Sticking out her leg, McKadden swept the man on her left off his feet, giving her just enough time to block the lieutenant's blade, who had finally joined the fray.

Chloe watched in awe as McKadden danced around her opponents. Even though it was three against one the captain remained unfazed, ducking and weaving, sometimes only having a few centimeters of space to dodge. But as skilled as the captain was, she couldn't face three men for long. She gave ground as the trio forced her into a corner. But this quickly backfired on them. With two walls pressing in they could only attack two at a time and their long rapiers struggled in the cramped quarters.

McKadden's short swords did not share that problem.

With a deft move of her blade, the captain disarmed one of the sailors before delivering a powerful kick to...a place that would keep him from fighting. With that man out of the fight it was now two against one, and if the lieutenant hadn't been blinded by battle he would have ordered a retreat. But it was too late for that now as McKadden managed to parry an attack with one blade while slipping the other under the ensign's guard.

The lieutenant backed away and looked at his fallen comrades. How had one woman managed to take out six soldiers in a matter of minutes. "You-You're a demon!"

"No," McKadden's voice was unfairly calm, "I just had a better teacher." She placed her blade against his neck and in an instant the fight was over.

Chloe looked around them in a mix of shock and terror while the captain strode over and knelt next to Cynthia, not even sparing Chloe a glance.

"Sorry captain," Cynthia's voice sounded weak but she definitely wasn't dead.

"Jesus Rose, what have you done to yourself now?" McKadden stripped off her own bandanna to tie it around the wound, making Cynthia flinch and curse. "I'll get you to Stacie as quickly as I can. But I swear if you keep getting hurt just so that you can flirt with her-"

"She was protecting me." Chloe spoke up. "Those men didn't-'

"I know," McKadden grabbed Cynthia's hand and started to pull. "I was only a few blocks away when I heard the shot, got here as quickly as I could." She gestured for Chloe to come closer. "Put her arm over your shoulder. We need to get her to the ship. Now."

Chloe did as she was told and the captain had them moving at a brisk pace. Whenever they heard sounds of fighting McKadden would leave Chloe to handle their wounded comrade to see what was happening. Luckily they didn't encounter any more British sailors, there was one instance where a group of pirates crossed their paths but as soon as McKadden drew her sword they thought better of it and ran the other way.

The sky started to darken above them. Dark storm clouds were rolling over the island and Chloe had just enough time to wonder when they had appeared when the sky had been bright blue less than half an hour ago. But then, storms were known to creep up on people who weren't careful. Eventually they made it to the other side of the harbor. Cynthia was getting worse by the second, draped heavily against Chloe while the redhead struggled to keep up with McKadden. She could just make out their ship, bobbing gently on the water. The problem was that there was no cover between them and the ship.

McKadden looked at Cynthia and grimaced. "We'll just have to risk it. She won't last much longer." She grabbed Cynthia's other arm and together they hobbled across the open space. Chloe could hear a battle behind them growing louder, probably other pirates trying to get to their ships to escape. The sound of steel on steel sent a shiver down her spine.

Halfway to the ship the battle caught up to them. Sparing a glance over her shoulder, Chloe could see a massive group of pirates heading their way. And behind them was a firing squad of soldiers.

"Shit!" McKadden looped her arm around Cynthia's back and grabbed her head, pushing all three of them into the dirt just as the first volley was fired.

The loud crack of the muskets, followed by the whizzing of bullets and the screaming of men kept Chloe's face buried in the sand. Even when she thought it was safe and started to raise her head, McKadden forced her back down. "Not yet!"

Two more volleys flew over their heads before McKadden scrambled to her feet. "Come on! We have to get to the ship while they're reloading!"

Chloe struggled to get up as the fear kept her legs from working properly. All around her men were dying, screaming out in pain and anguish. It took everything she had to get to her feet and pull Cynthia up with her.

"We-we're not going to make it." Chloe huffed as she dragged in air.

McKadden grabbed Cynthia's other arm and heaved. "Yes we are. Get up, we're almost there. Once we get to the ship we'll be safe." More shots rang out behind them and that was enough motivation to get Chloe moving. Some of the pirates on the island snuck behind the soldiers and were now in a heated duel. "See, we might not all get along but we all hate the navy."

Together they staggered forward and Chloe had never been so happy to feel a gangplank under her feet.

"Stacie!" McKadden called out as several members of the crew ran forward to assist their captain. "Get Stacie up here now!"

Cynthia was completely out of it now, sagging heavily in the arms of two crew members who grabbed her from Chloe and the captain.

"Captain." Jessica and Ashley pushed through the crowd of pirates. "We've got to get the ship underway. The Navy has the island under a blockade but there are half a dozen ships ready to go. We can fight our way out."

"Is everyone on board?" McKadden straightened herself and glanced around her crew.

Ashley shook her head. "Amy and Flo are still on the island. Along with about a dozen of our men."

"No we're not!" Flo came bounding up the stairs with a heaving Amy right behind her.

"Ran...all...the...way...across...island." Amy wheezed while the other members of the crew ran past.

"Let's get out of here boys!" McKadden yelled, spurring her crew into action.

While the ship started to move away from the pier, Stacie appeared from below deck. She took one look at Cynthia's arm and gestured to the men holding her. "Get her to the surgery table." She looked at the captain. "Don't suppose you could keep the ship steady while I dig the bullet out?"

"Don't think I have a choice." McKadden said before yelling. "Battle stations! If the Navy wants a fight we'll give them one!"

The men roared in approval as the captain turned to her command crew. "Jess, Ash, get the cannons ready. Flo, start distributing powder."

"Aye Captain." The three women rushed off to do their jobs.

"We'll have to play this smart," McKadden held out her arm and Lilly's red parrot came swooping down to land on it. "Tell Lilly to get down here."

The bird squawked and flew back to the crows nest. A second later and Lilly came swinging down on a rope. "Good, we'll need all hands on deck in case we get boarded. With Cynthia down I'll have to stay at the helm. Be ready for anything."

The entire ship came alive as sails were lowered and they started to pick up speed. Chloe wasn't really sure where to stand so she hurried after the captain.

"You should be in my cabin with Miss Posen." McKadden said when she noticed Chloe following her. "This is about to get very dangerous."

"I think I'm starting to get used to danger." Chloe stood next to the captain. "And if it's all the same to you I'd rather stay here than hide in your cabin."

The captain gave her a long hard look before shrugging her shoulders. "Suit yourself, just make sure to stay out of the way."

The ship was picking up speed, heading straight towards the blockade.

McKadden scanned the sea. In front of her were four frigates, all flying the English flag. Behind her were three sloops under pirate control, all in all not an even fight. "Where the hell is everyone?" She muttered to herself. Off in the distance the cannons of the fort were firing to the north, hopefully keeping more ships from heading towards them. But that wasn't McKadden's problem, she had to deal with the four frigates. "Can you see what flag those sloops are flying?" She addressed the question to Chloe who moved to the railing and squinted to see the designs.

"There's a skeleton holding a spear standing next to a man. They seem to be holding something between them." Chloe said. "I can't tell what it is."

McKadden cursed under her breath. "It's an hourglass. Those are Robert's ships."

"That man Stacie was talking to?"

"The very one." McKadden cursed again. "They're as likely to attack us as the English." She raised her voice to shout at the crew. "Get ready men! We're in for a hell of a fight!"

There was no hearty cheer this time as all the men had grim expressions. This wouldn't be like the time they captured the slave ship, now the odds were heavily against them and there was no element of surprise.

"Ready the starboard cannons!" McKadden heaved on the wheel, turning the ship to port so that starboard faced the navy. The enemy ship was growing closer and closer, turning its own cannons towards them. Chloe crouched behind the bulwark while keeping an eye on the ships behind them.

"If those ships start to turn tell me immediately." McKadden said to her.

"Aye captain." Chloe didn't even realize what she said, but McKadden did. A small grin grew on her lips but it quickly disappeared as the other English ships turned their cannons towards them.

This was a bad spot. four against one, with no hope of reinforcements. "Well, we've been through worse. Haven't we girl?" She brushed her fingers over the wood of the wheel. The ship obviously didn't respond but the wind picked up and rain started to fall from the dark clouds overhead. Usually a storm would be cause for concern aboard a ship but, given the situation, McKadden smiled. The English frigates were considerably bigger than her own ship, which meant that they would be slower to maneuver, especially during strong winds and high waves. And with the wind at her back, McKadden knew there was a chance. "Go to full sail! Catch every scrap of wind!"

The crew heaved on the ropes and the sails clattered down. The ship lurched forward with the extra speed, the entire hull vibrated and the ropes snapped as they were tied in place. Water sprayed over the bow as they dropped down a wave and when they crested the next the English ship was right in front of them.

McKadden waited for the two ships to level out, so that her cannons would do as much damage as possible. She could see the enemy crew scrambling around their own cannon but it was too late.

"FIRE!"

The starboard cannons roared in defiance, filling the air with smoke and fire. A second later the English ship exploded in a shower of splinters, scattering the crew as they dove for cover. Jessica was already yelling at her men to reload when Ashley called out. "Ship approaching off the port bow! twenty seconds!"

"Hard to starboard!" McKadden ordered while spinning the wheel as hard as she could. The sea made it difficult but the ship turned sluggishly, presenting her port cannons to the newcomer. Except this time the ship was prepared. Enemy cannons fired and the front of the ship was peppered with steel. Luckily they didn't hit anything important, the English crew had fired too early to do any real damage. Several of the men received minor injuries but none of them abandoned their posts.

McKadden swung the wheel again, steering the ship as far to the right as possible, bringing the cannons level. "Fire port side!"

Again the cannons deafened the crew, shattering the enemy ship. A benefit of being on a smaller ship, aside from speed and maneuverability, was that your cannons sat closer to the water line, making it much easier to sink enemy ships. And the English frigate had the unfortunate luck to be cresting a wave when McKadden fired, allowing the cannonballs to tear into the hull and cripple the keel. McKadden knew the ship would only last a few more minutes, she also knew that they wouldn't get that lucky again.

"Roberts ships are moving off!" Chloe yelled, her voice almost swallowed by the wind. "It looks like they're trying to escape!"

"Damn you Roberts." McKadden muttered. She looked around, trying to ascertain where the other Navy ships were doing. The first ship was close behind them, it would have to be dealt with before they could get away. The other two frigates had turned towards them but it would take several minutes for them to catch up.

"More ships are coming from the island!" Chloe shouted again. "At least a dozen!" McKadden spared a glance over her shoulder. Sure enough, there were a dozen more pirate ships heading towards them. Not from Robert's crew, these ships flew no flags, but the townspeople. They wouldn't be able to help in the fight but if McKadden could get them all out safely then Nassau would stand a chance of rebuilding after the British left. She had no doubt that Blackbeard would fight them off, but it would take months to find new vendors and merchants if everyone on the island was arrested.

A plan started to form in McKadden's head. The ship they just fired at was taking on water and its crew was scrambling to get in the life boats. If she could disable the other frigate then the other two ships would have to waste valuable time saving the stranded crews, giving McKadden's crew and everyone else a chance to escape.

A slim chance but she'd take what she could get.

"Jessica! We're coming about! Have your men aim for the rudder!"

Jessica raised her hand signifying that she'd heard the captain. If they could knock out the rudder then the ship would be dead in the water. The trick would be timing it right, with the waves getting higher and more turbulent it would be almost impossible for the gunners to get a good shot. Not to mention that they would be under heavy fire, it's not like the navy would just let them destroy the ship. McKadden angled the bow so that her ship would pass as close to the enemy, she had to give her gunners the best chance she could.

As they inched closer McKadden kept her eye on the other ship. Through the rain she could just make out the crew reading their cannons. "Take cover!"

Enemy fire singed through the air. McKadden hid behind the helm as cannonballs plowed into her poor ship. She could feel each hit to the hull and it hurt her soul as she watched splinters and pieces of timber fly through the air. The crew responded as quickly as they could, getting injured people below deck and making sure the rigging still worked. The ship listed to starboard, which meant they were probably taking on water but it brought the forward cans to just the right spot.

Jessica gave the order, timing it just right so that the waves gave the cannons a clear shot and the rudder was blown to smithereens.

The crew cheered, but the fight was far from over.

"Any spare hand get below!" McKadden ordered. "We're taking on water! Patch the leak or we'll be joining them in the drink!"

Several men ran for the hatch to fix the ship while the others remained at their stations.

Chloe made her way to stand next to the captain. "Is it over?" She asked. The storm started to pick up, lightning flashed through the sky and the wind howled around their ears.

McKadden bent over and grabbed the spare rope she kept handy. With a few quick loops she and Chloe were tied together and secured to the banister. "Not quite."