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A Seafaring SagaChapter 17: Sunk!
While Rosa and Anastasia had been distracted with the mast, Targon had ‘removed’ them with the most handy weapon available at that moment: a shattered spar. Two cracks across their heads had laid them both out cold. And now as Anastasia awoke, she found herself being manhandled up the shattered hatch into the chilling afternoon. Terrified, she cried out, “Rosa, help me, help me!”
But Rosa was still unconscious.
“Ah, there’s the lass.”
Anastasia turned and found herself facing none other than Burtrand Storm-Rider. He preformed a small mock bow.
“Beggin’ yer pardon, miss, but this be necessary.”
Burtrand turned to the pirates around them.
“Chain us together, the lady an’ I, good an’ tight!”
The pirates, befuddled, glanced at one another.”
“Do it!” Burtrand barked. The pirates rushed to obey.
“Now, missy,” hissed Burtrand, “hold this here stone tight within mine hand iffen ye want to live…we’re goin’ fer a little swim…”
On board the Aterops, Captain Horatio Johnson stood near helm, squinting at the immobile Mantis through his spyglass.
“Now what is that…?” he asked himself just above a whisper.
“Sir?” questioned O’Brien, at the helm.
“She’s run up a flag of truce.”
O’Brien snorted.
“Pirate tricks, Cap’n…just pirate tricks…pirate like to lure ‘em close then blast the megaflops outta them with ballistae.”
“I’m fully aware of pirate deception,” said Captain Johnson coolly, “But all of the Mantis’ ballistae have been disabled by the storm.”
“’Haps they plan t’ board us.”
“That would be fool-hearty.”
“Aye, Cap’n.”
“Continue on current course, then pull right along her starboard side. There seems to be a commotion on deck.”
“Aye-Aye, Cap’n.”
O’Brien did as ordered and soon hunted and hunter and along side one another, just keeping far enough away as not to collide.
“Hail!”
Captain Johnson looked at the source of the voice. It was a man, a man who was chained to the Princess. And his saber was at her throat.
“I be Captain Storm-Rider!” the man continued, “And methinks I have something ye want, Crusader!”
“This is Captain Horatio Johnson of the ship Aterops, a ship in his Majesty the King Robert’s fleet. You will immediately halt all violent activity and submit!”
“How much do ye want fer her?” Burtrand shouted, pressing the blade closer, “8000 coins? 9000?”
“Crusader’s don’t make deals with pirates!” returned Captain Johnson, “Cease and submit!”
“10,000? How ‘bout 10,000 gold coins fer t’ pretty princess?”
“Cease and submit or you will be shot!” shouted Captain Johnson.
Burtrand shrugged. “Have it yer own way, then.”
At that moment, Captain Johnson realized withhusa oviedo horror that Storm-Rider and Princess Anastasia were not only chained together, but also to the Mantis’ spare anchor, which was balanced precariously on the deck where a section of railing had bee taken out.
“Let ‘er go, Smythe!”
Sydney Smyth, along with a dozen other men heaved, pushed and shoved, and the anchor along with it’s chained prisoners plunged into the deep.
“SHIFTY-BRICK!” Captain Johnson shouted.
There was a clang. All the pirates on the Mantis had thrown down their weapons.
“WE SUBMIT!” cried Smythe.
“T-take those scum into custody.” growled Captain Johnson to no one in particular, “I’ll be in my cabin.”
Captain Johnson stomped below, slammed his cabin door and slumped into his chair, where he poured himself a drink. Curse that wily pirate! Johnson slammed his fist into the table. He had failed. He had lost them all: that Jellybean terrorist, that so-called Storm-Rider, and worse of all, he had lost the princess. He would hand for his failure. He knew it. There was an urgent knocking on the Captain’s door. Johnson quickly stowed the glass and gin bottle in his desk drawer and then harrumphed, “Enter.”
The helmsman O’Brien stepped inside and saluted, “Sir, the other ship, the Crusader ship that we had previously been pursuing, she’s heaving to now and making sail.”
Captain Johnson rose.
“They’re making their getaway.” he concluded, “Mister O’Brien, order the marines to board and secure the Mantis. You are also to board and take temporary command until I return.”
O’Brien nodded swiftly. “Aye, sir.”
“Dismissed.”
Broadside was indeed making a getaway. If his prize, Burtrand Storm-Rider, was gone there wasn’t much reason to stay. As Mister O’Brien and his men boarded the Mantis they found the bodies of Targon and Rosa. Targon, who had been left up by the helm when the Aterops’ arrival interrupted Burtrand’s orders, they left for dead. But they hauled Rosa out of the brig and brought her over to the Aterops.
Captain Johnson strode to the helm.
“Mister Bloom.”
The sober and freshly disciplined sailor stood rigid and saluted crisply.
“Sir!”
“Set a course to intercept that ship.” Captain Johnson indicated the distant Bombardier.
“Aye sir.”
Mr. Bloom spun the helm and Captain Johnson turned another man.”
“Mister Took, prepared to heave to and make sail.”
“Aye, Cap’n!”
As Mr. Took began shouting orders to the crew another sailor approached Johnson and saluted,
“Cap’n, sir, Mister O’Brien and the marines are onboard and in control of the Mantis.”
“Very good. Mr. Took, release larboard lines.”
“Aye, Cap’n. Release larboard lines. Let ‘er go!”
As the Aterops and the Mantis began to slowly drift apart, Captain Johnson leaned forward on the rail, staring at the distance Bombardier.
“I’ve lost two prizes…I’m not going to let the last get away!”
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