I stood behind the helm and struck a mighty pose. One hand resting on my sword and the other firmly gripping the wheel. My hat covering my eyes from the sun as the machine began to turn the sky into a storm. My coat flowing behind me. Suddenly I noticed that Gragh and the crew had stopped working. “Cap’n? What the blazes are you doing?” A deck hand inquired.
“I’m contemplating.” I replied.
“Yeah but… contemplating what?… exactly?…” another asked.
“My next move.” I replied.
“Ok… but… all the moves are set in motion. The pawns are in play and the rooks are getting into position. So by a move stand point you don’t need to consider anything… but you do need to rotate the wheel.” A deckhand said eloquently.
“Right… but perhaps he is contemplating… Captain things… For Captain reasons…” Gragh said tripping over his words.
“There, you see. Captain things… for Captain… reasons…” I said confused by Gragh’s remarks. “You know what. Just get back to work you swine.”
“Ok… that’s a bit hurtful.” A deckhand shouted.
“Look, I’m sorry but can you please get back to work.” I pleaded. The crew snapped back at the work at hand. I didn’t wish to continue feeling foolish so I pulled as hard as I could on the helm to turn Aurora as fast as she could. She gave a grown and reluctantly began to turn about.
As she turned a cannonball skipped right through the masts not touching anything till it hit the water on the port side. Aurora let out a noise. She seemed shocked that it didn’t hit her.
“You have amazing luck babe.” I said to Aurora. Aurora groaned in annoyance. “Alright, steady now.” Aurora barreled towards the Spanish vessel. Lightning cracked over head. I pulled out my sword and straighten out the helm. “Reduce the sails and prepare the cannons. Send the morons to hell!” I yelled.
“You heard the Cap’n. Hop to!” Gragh yelled. I threw the rope around the helm to steady our course and went to the starboard side.
“FIRE!” I yelled and the Aurora fired off a barrage. Before the Spanish could return fire we fired a second and third barrage. With the Spanish ship incapacitated we weighed anchor and threw hooks with rope at the Spanish ship. We pulled her in close and I swung aboard. I slipped on the Spanish deck which was wet from our rain. As I stood up a flash of lightning and crack of thunder back lit my ascent. “Listen well! I am Captain Smite Liff. I’m here for your gold and to make repairs. If you challenge myself or my crew then you will die!” I announced proudly. Unfortunately when I looked around everyone was engaged in fighting.
“It would appear to be the Spanish Royal Navy sir.” Gragh said as he bashed a man with the hilt of his sword. The man dropped like a pile of rocks off a cliff. I thrust my sword through the man’s chest. Gragh slashed at a man who came for my back. I deflected a sword from slicing Gragh behind his back. With my free hand I pulled out my gun and shot the man. Gragh pulled out his hand cannon and shot killing three man in the blast radius.
“Quite the party you throw, Gragh.” I yelled, “KILL THEM AND SEND THIS SHIP TO THE DEPTHS!”
“After we collect the booty sir?” Gragh inquired.
“You are kinda killing the momentum Gragh. But of course.” I said. Gragh slashed at a sailor who attempted to deflect but miscalculated how strong Gragh was and the force behind his swing.
The battle raged for a few more minutes until the Spanish Captain was killed and the Spanish crew had dwindled. The remaining Spanish crew surrendered.
“Alright Cap’n, shall we take the goods and sail away?” Gragh asked.
“The Captain said we scuttle the ship, taking the goods and killing the survivors. Right Captain?” Belmar asked.
“Are you seeking death Belmar?” Gragh reciprocated.
“The Captain should be a man of his word.” Belmar snapped.
“Aye but words of passion during times of the heat of the battle should not be judged against the Cap’n.” Gragh said getting annoyed.
“And what? You would prefer he appear weak in front of his crew?” Belmar asked with anger.
“ENOUGH! Last I checked, I am the Captain. And per the rules set down by Hornigold and Thatch we will do a vote with my decision being the tie breaker.” I said angry at Belmar for being presumptuous.
“A vote, what kind of Captain are you?” Belmar said under his breath.
“What was that Belmar?” Gragh said loudly.
“CREW! KILL AND SCUTTLE OR STEAL AND SCURRY!” I yelled. “THOSE FOR STEALING AND SCURRYING?!” Gragh counted 75% of the crew who voted for scurrying. “Then gather the goods men and prepare to make way.”
