Captains Choice {Dreamless and Steve J}

[SteveJ101]

Three days out of Port Royal, Captain “Iron” Sam Bonney smiles and yells down from the quarterdeck, “All right now boys, time to change the old girl out of her port clothes.”

There is a cheer from the men on board and they rush to assigned tasks, the ships colors are struck and the sails are furled, soon after a second set is hoisted, a blue green mottled color on them, hard to see against the water, the new flag that flutters above is Bonney's Jolly Roger, a kerchiefed skull, the crossbones are a single bone laced with a cutlass.

Pointing to one of the men on deck he points up, “Get your ass up in the bucket, there should be some hunting out here today, we got fair wind and calm seas, there are others that will be trying to make the time before storm season gets on us.”

The man climbs the rigging and in a few short moments was in the crows nest and begins to scan the seas around the ship as the captain turns to the helm, “Start a slow search, work to the north and west, I'll be below for a bit.”

Bonney turns and moves down the port stairs, then to the door amidship, the short hallway leads to a door at either end another he faces directly ahead. Stepping through that one he enters his cabin. The room is not overly large, a rather out of place four posted bed bolted to the door takes most of one side, to the other side a large desk covered with charts and ledgers, log books and journals. The back wall is near completely windows, a low bench seat at the bottom, is all that keep the panels from being floor to ceiling.

Going to the desk he shuffles through the papers, opening one map and using a candle stick to hold down one side he opens it, one hand on the other side to keep it from curling, a finger of his free hand running back and forth in an 's' pattern, as if describing the path of the ship he has ordered.

Turning he looks at himself in a long mirror, straightening his jacket and adjusting his belt. He is not an overly large man, standing just at 6 feet, a rather slim build and long black hair give him a less ferocious look, but with his cutlass in hand he is quick and accurate, his temper known to be the same, his men followed him for the most part respect, he had increased their fortunes greatly. There is also a good bit of fear as well, all had seen what can happen to those that angered him, few would care to fall to that group.

Sam is just starting to look at the chart again when he hears a cry from the look out, “Sail ho, 4 sheets, will be coming across the starboard bow.”

He was out of the cabin and to the rail in no time, his eyeglass out and scanning the horizon until he spot the ship. The smile on his face widens, “She's riding low, not showing many guns, we're going to have a prize soon boys.”

Closing the glass with a snap, he turns to the helm, “Set course to be across her bow,” then turning to the men on deck he laughs and says, “Get us full sheets, I want this to be fast and clean.”

The men hop to his command, a few minutes later his ship is cutting through the water as if it were flying, bearing rapidly down on his prey.

The other ship sees him but being heavy has not the speed or manuverability to get away and even before the ships the other captain had struck his colors and dropped sail, standing at the rail with his sword held over his head in both hand, a surrender, best to lose the cargo then the ship, and ones life.

 

[Dreamless]

Standing on deck not far from her father, Jaze or Jasmine Cross, acted like a simple boy part of the crew. Jaze looked the part that she was acting with her black hair cropped shoulder length and the gray hat atop her head hiding her more feminine features. The black tunic shirt and gray breeches also hide her slender yet softly curvy body.

Jack Cross, the well known merchant ship captain shot her a look and she got behind him. It wasn't obvious but anyone with half a brain would have noticed the Captains protective glance at his 'son'.

Jaze gripped the small blade that was kept in her tunics sleeve, her fathers reaction to the pirates was abnormal and it made her want to hide but she stood straight, acting like the dutiful son.

The pirates Captain was tall to her short, she looked like a twelve year old boy. In other words she was 5'1 and disliking every moment as she realized that the pirate could easily over power her if he realized she was female.

 

[SteveJ101]

Booney did not become the man he was by being reckless, rather he approached the merchant carefully, slipping up against it in its port side, his men at the rail ready to swarm aboard if need be.

Six men go first to the other ship, two tying ropes that are tossed from their ship, the others standing beside them, blunderbuss in hand, saber at the ready. Five lines finally hod the ships together and Booney moves to the rail and steps across moving up to the captain, his men still ready to attack at the first sign of treachery

With a nod he greets the other captain, "You are a wise captain, for that I will let you keep your ship, though it will be somewhat lighter when my men are finished," he says, smiling at the last point.

Pointing around the deck he says, "Tell you men to stand down and to go the the rail .starboard, do not interfere and we can keep this nice and civil."

Cross in no fool, his best chance of getting out of this with his live, much less his ship, is to do as told, his men ordered to the rail, his son allowed to stay at his side should he wish to.

The pirates board the ship, moving efficiently, going first for maps and powder, then working on relieving the merchant of some of it's cargo, "Not too much men, would not want to be belly deep in sea water for a few more bits of gold," the captain yells out, his men choosing the light valuable cargo over anything cumbersome.

The entire exchange takes less then an hour, Booney turning back to Cross, "You are a good captain, you know you would not out gun me, but I'd have a little protection that you don't go running to fast to the nearest port to have them after me."

Pointing to the boy and the first mate he says, "I take these two now, and you can pick them up in Port Royal in a month, that will give me the time I need to take care of my new goods."

 

[Dreamless]

Going stock still Jaze glared at the pirate but it wasnt likly that he would notice sense her face was hidden. Stepping closer to her father she gave away just how frightened she was and grabed his hand, her father wasnt one for affection but he gripped her hand back. "Please take someone else, my...son is mute. Please you can even take my nephew." He points to a well musculed teenage male standing close to one side of the ship.

Everyone on the ship new Jaze was female and all were willing to protect her with their lives. Jaze wanted the pirate to leave becasue every moment that passed she grew more and more scared, he had been on the ships deck far to long and he seemed way to pleased to have cornered them.

The calm ocean even seemed displeased as it slowly started to become harsher and more 'playful' then before, large waves were rolling underneath the ships causeing many new ships men to stumble at the jolt.

 

[SteveJ101]

His smile fading he looks at Cross, "Now you'd been doing so well up till then, would be a pity to see this all get messy over such a small thing, I'd have the one you would protect, one you are willing to offer you'd be willing to sacrifice too."

Hand moving to the handle of his saber he looks at the captain, "It's be 5 lines and a broadside and you, your ship and everyone aboard goes to visit old Davey. As for myself, I'd be preferring to handle this without the need of all that work."

As he had been talking his men had moved closer, already two were moving toward the first mate, their captain looking at the others son, "I'd like to make away soon captain, do we do this the hard way," his hand rattles the sword in it's scabbard, "or the easy way?" he steps to the side to look at the boy again.

 

[Dreamless]

Closing her eyes for a moment Jaze slowly stepped out of behind her father and looked at the Pirate Captain, Looking up at her dad she moved her hands in her own personal speech, asking her dad if she should go get clothes. She was shaking in fear but it could be played off as simple cold, "Can my son go get some clothing? It will be a month after all" Cross said, he voice barely hiding the intense anger that filled his very being.

If it wasn't for the fact he was no good to his daughter died he would have already risked his life to rid himself of the stupid pirate on his ship. Jaze could feel the wind trying to left her hat and she lifted her hand and pushed it back on to her head, she wasn't sure if the Pirate had seen her face but she was almost positive he hadn't.

 

[SteveJ101]

Turning to the captains son he says, "I'd be guessing that mute does not mean you cannot hear, would not make it long at see without ears, so you go below and get a few things, but be sure not to take to long, I'd think your father would get a tad upset if I had to burn you out."

Turning he sends the men with the first mate to the other ship, "Be nice, he's behaved well, give him a dry cell, one with a little room, don't trust him free."

Speaking loud enough for the rest of the crew to hear he says, "Get ready to make sail, as soon as the boy is aboard we'll cast off." His men move back over the rails of the ship, a couple staying with him in case of treachery, below decks there are still men at the guns, if the merchant tries anything it will have a 14 gun broadside at point blank range, even a Man of War would not take that kind of punishment.

 

[Dreamless]

Jaze quickly packed her bag of loose fitting clothing similar of what she was already wearing and a first aid kit that had everything she needed hidden as normal first aid stuff. Bandages were abnormally long and thick to wrap down her breasts and etc.

Carfully rewrapping herself she pushed down her cap and quickly made her way to the deck and walked to her father. Giving him a brief hug she then lowered her head and waited for the Pirates directions.

Tense but observant Jaze watched the Pirate and the pirate crew, she wasnt as scared because most likely she would be kept in a cell for a month which means a month of no contact with the Captain and her secert would be safe.

 

[SteveJ101]

The captain waits for the boy then says to the other captain, "It's a month, I'll treat them good enough if they mind their manners, I do what I can to keep my word, be they promises or threats."

Turning to the rail he puts his hand out to the boy, "Come on then, lets get you across so you can get back to daddy." With a laugh he pulls the boy up and putting an arm around his waist swings over the his ship already ready to be off. He lands easily on the deck and turns to bow and wave to the other ship and his lets go the lines and turns off, putting the sails full up as they take to the sea.

Handing the boy of to his first mate he says, "Get the boy below, I'll be talking to both of our guests tonight." He goes to the quarter deck and speaks to the men there, plotting their course and taking care of orders before he heads to his cabin.

The cell Jaze finds herself in is actually better then expected, fresh straw on the floor, an actual cot to sleep on and even a light blanket. The other captive is across from her, separated by a walkway, his cell also far better then expected. They have about an hour of quiet time together before two men come and escort the first mate off, saying that the captain would have a chat with him.

 

[Dreamless]

Jaze had barley had time to rewarp her breasts before the men had grabed the First mate, Laying on her cot Jaze started to fade into sleep, her hat still in place but while she slept the hat goes askew and anyone who paid attention would notice her fac was not that of a boys, no matter how young.

Her eyelashs were thick and left creasent shaped shadows on her smooth honeygold skin and her lips were a full pink color. If her eyes had been open the bright blue/green color would have been seen.

 

[SteveJ101]

The time between the first mate and the captain was civil, Bonney asked questions and, if they did not endanger his friends at least, the first mate answered. There were no threats, in fact there was even a little drink shared between the two. By the end of the discussion the first mate understood the precautions, the captain had agreed to allow him some deck time daily in exchange for a little help on the ship.

The men take the first mate back down to the cell, the various doors and hatches making more then enough noise to wake the other prisoner. The mate steps into his cell and retires to the cot as the men turn, "Come on boy, Cap'n will have a word or two with you as well, though what he'd expect from a child I don't know."

The cell door is open and he is escorted to the captains quarters, the men standing to the side, there more as an escort, not to drag the prisoner kicking and screaming. that the first mate had come back no worse for wear was a good sign.

 

[Dreamless]

Standing up straight Jaze walked silently by the men her head held high but not high enough for the men to see her face. Her eyes roamed the deck makeing note of anything that might help her escape if that time comes.

Once in the Captains quarters she sat down but did not remove her hat, if anything it was her way of looking like an angry boy who had been removed from his fathers side.

 

[SteveJ101]

Watching as his hostage takes a seat, the captain smiles and says, "If you did not know, I am Cap'n Bonney, you are aboard my ship as a hostage, though this part you are aware of."

Shoving a glass across the table the man pours a dark liquid from a bottle in it and the one that sits on the desk in front of himself as well. He takes a deep swig and then looks across, "Have a shot, it'll do you good."

The captain asks a few rather expected questions, age, how long at sea, how able a seaman he thinks he is, what he thinks of certain superstitions of a ships crew, pausing for an answer between each.

Leaning forward, he smiles and says, "The one superstition I always found odd was that a woman aboard a ship was bad luck, an ill omen...I realize that if it were but one a crew like mine may fight over whose turn it is with her, but they are good men, I think they would be able to keep to their duties as well."

A brief, not reassuring chuckle is followed by him looking his guest straight in the eye as he says, "Which may be a good thing for you girl, my men may behave themselves after a bit, but I'd be betting that your first few hours would be quite an education."

Letting that statement sink in for a moment as he takes another sip he says, "So my problem is this, Do I give in to superstition and drop you into the deep dark, do I let my men know and show them there are uses for a woman that need not be bad luck but to her, or, do I let the girl offer to play the part of my cabin boy, my cabin girl when alone? With that incentive secrets may be kept better."

Leaning back in his chair, his gaze even he says, "What say you girl, you know what your options be, which would you choose?"