Sink, Burn, or Take Her A Prize

[Lucky Jack Aubrey]

(Modified by request)

This is not necessarily an RPG thread, although it could easily become so if someone wishes to join in. I'm not certain if there are any other Navy or merchant crews available, as they would be easy to interact with in this particular scene. Be warned, any pirate vessels that appear will be dealt with!

Here is the premise. Conflicts with rivals in Spain, France, and Holland and a rising threat of piracy has compelled the British Admiralty to assign Captain Jack Aubrey and the HMS Surprise to the Caribbean area to bolster the British presence there. Known informally as Lucky Jack, Aubrey has had great success in his career, and is renowned for his sailing sense and good fortune in taking prizes. He takes a dim view of piracy, so his views match Commodore Norrington's nicely. Once reporting to Port Royal, Aubrey's instructions are to patrol the Caribbean, striking targets of opportunity and protecting English shipping interests.

Rules:
1. No net-speak, it's silly and lazy. Typing in prose makes the story easier to read and more enjoyable for all.
2. Stay in character. If making an out of character statement, label it plainly.
3. No cursing! It betrays a weak mind and poor vocabulary.
4. Common courtesy.
5. No godmoding, unless arrangements have been made with the other players.
6. Have some fun!

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The Caribbean morning dawned crisp and clear, with a stiff wind blowing from the east. Captain Jack Aubrey, R.N., sat on the quarterdeck of the 28-gun frigate HMS Surprise, taking his morning coffee. His steward, Preserved Killick, was pouring the last of the thick black liquid into his cup, his normal shrewish voice rising in displeasure.

"Which the Cap'n will catch his death out here of a morning without a boat cloak." He turned and shuffled away, muttering, "And that's the last of the coffee, too..."

Jack smiled slightly. Killick was one of the few core members of the Surprise crew that had followed him for much of his career. He had learned to accept Killick's incessant whining and complaining. The man made an excellent soused hog's face and toasted cheese, after all.

Jack finished his coffee, and settling his hat athwartships on his head he strode forward to the watch officer. The young midshipman leaped to attention and saluted.

"Sir! She looks to be a good five miles ahead of us. I've been seeing a lot of flashes and smoke in the last minute or so, she may have caught up with a prize."

Jack nodded absently. "Very well, Mr. Calamy. We may as well do what we've come here for. Beat to quarters."

Calamy barked the order in his shrill, cracking, teenage voice as the Marine drummer thundered out the alarm. Shouts and rumbles of footsteps echoed through the gun deck as the crew tumbled from their hammocks and raced to man their guns.

The Surprise glided swiftly towards her prey. Jack scanned the ship with his glass. It looked to be a heavily armed brig-of-war, sure enough flying the black flag. She had come upon a merchantman in the night, most likely stalking her the same as Jack now stalked them. The pirates were swarming aboard the civilian vessel, and Jack was counting on their lookouts being very distracted.

Still, caution first. Jack called out to the signal midshipman. "Mr. Boyle, Portugese colors. Mr. Allen!" he called to the sailing master. "Run us up astern, and when we get within pistol-shot heel to larboard and let her have it. We'll board in the smoke."

The sailors ran to their assignments as the Surprise quickly closed the gap.

[Lucky Jack Aubrey]

Jack kept a close eye on the pirate vessel. The pirate crew had abandoned all pretence of keeping a watch, and were now squabbling over the merchantman's cargo. The terrified merchant crew had been assembled on the foredeck, more than likely to be fed to the sharks in a few moment's time. Jack had to act quickly.

He turned to the Marine major. "Sharpshooters to the tops, Mr. Howard." The scarlet-clad Marines swarmed into the rigging with their muskets. Jack posted himself near one of the bow-chasers, a long brass six-pounder, whose crew was feverishly working to load. He looked over at his first officer, Tom Pullings, who captained the other bow-chaser. "No time for theatrics, Tom. We must act quickly. Mr. Boyle!" he shouted to the signal midshipman. "Hoist the naval ensign!" Jack would not strike under false colors.

By now, the approaching warship was too close to ignore. Jack and Pullings both set off their guns at the same time, sending their shots whistling through the brig's rigging. The pirates stopped in astonishment, and then began scurrying back over to their ship.

Jack looked over his shoulder and bellowed, "Hard a-larboard!"

The coxswain, Barrett Bonden, responded instantly. "Larboard it is, sir!"

The Surprise heeled over hard. Jack shouted down the deck grating. "Fire as she bears!"

A rippling broadside began at the frigate's bow and thundered back to her stern. When the volley cleared, boarders began tossing grapnels onto the shattered brig and hauling it close. Jack drew his heavy cavalry sabre and a long pistol, and leaped aboard the pirate vessel, his crew roaring behind him.

The fighting was fierce, but brief. Caught between the hammer and the anvil, the pirates fought to the last man but were overwhelmed. Jack's casualties were relatively light.

Six pirates remained alive to stand trial for piracy. It was little more than a formality. As the boatswain fastened the noose around the last one, the doomed pirate began a hateful, gurgling laugh.

"Ye might've finally caught up with ol' Dog Bates, but ye'll never catch the Pearl."

The boatswain looked quizzically at Jack, who merely nodded. "Carry out the sentence, Mr. Hollar."

The pirate was hoisted aloft to the spars, where he dangled and twitched alongside his mates.

Jack turned to Pullings. "The Pearl?"

An ancient sailor stepped up behind Jack and touched his knuckle to his forehead. "Axing yer pardon, sir, that'd be tha Black Pearl. Cursed ship, sir. A ghost ship."

The nearby sailors murmered assent. Jack glanced aloft at the pirates, dangling like fruit on a grisly tree. "Cursed. Hm. As is this one, it appears. Mr. Mowett, see that the merchantman has his stores squared away. As soon as we're clear, fire the pirate vessel."

The merchantman and the Surprise pulled away from the pirate ship, and the Surprise's guns spat heated shot into the pirate ship until it was blazing brightly.

Some of the more superstitious swore they saw a skull in the flames before the wreck slipped under the waves.

Jack turned back to the sailing master. "Mr. Allen, set a course for Port Royal. Commodore Norrington is expecting us."