William Brand

The second time Jack began yelling from below, William turned to his steward. "Miss Smith, will you please go down to the ward and tell Jack or the Doctor to keep a silent surgery. I cannot have a man screaming from the lower decks while I negotiate the passage of an unguessed number of Dutch sailors. I would hate to shoot the Master-at-Arms, but he cannot be yelling while we have so much hanging in the balance." . . . Tempest came over to Jack and threatened to restrain and gag him him if he didn't stop this nonsense of working himself into a fit. The Captain's Steward arrived then and was armed with more weapons than was common for her. She walked over to Jack and said, "I am instructed by the Captain to ask you to keep silent. There are...many important deceptions playing out over your head. Miss Smith paused before brandishing a pistol. She held it in an unpracticed way and she turned to leave twice before she continued to speak. "I believe the Captain meant for me to threaten you as well, but I am not very good at threats. He did say something about shooting you if you won't keep quiet. I cannot be sure if he was exaggerating, so please don't make me come back here." Tempest almost said something. Then she almost laughed, but the steward's face was so serious, that she chose to say nothing.

The Monsignor was gone below decks for some time. It was difficult not to worry, now that the barge and her crew were in the line of cannon fire if anything should go wrong over the next hour. Still, William couldn't imagine the Danzig crew taking hostages while the Watch Dog was just off her starboard bow. The recent demonstration of prowess from the gunnery crew had been impressive. Not one, but several hits at a narrow target was enough to make anyone think twice about a double cross.

Despite a strong will and a determination to remain standing, William is eventually forced to take to the chair on the quarterdeck. He settles into it as carefully as he can and a fine sweat breaks out on his forehead. "I can't tell you how glad I am that our first prize is as crippled as I am, Mister Lasseter." William watches the Samson's progress across the water with the Monsignor sitting near the bow presenting the personification of piety and peace. William wonders how many weapons lie underneath that plain cloth.

"Aye, Mister Lasseter. This may be the first ship I've ever fired upon with permission from the target." William nods with an approving smile in the direction of the Master Gunner. "Excellent work there, Mister Youngblood. Remind me to pass an extra ration among your steady shooters." William considers the foremast for a moment. "No, Mister Youngblood. It is remotely possible that the Danzig foremast may be rigged again to bring the ship to harbor. We will wait for the moment." William surveys the Danzig. The main mast has toppled over and with no rigging to drag at the Danzig, it is already being urged away from the ship by the sea. Crew members aboard the Dutch ship are milling about supressing any small fires that remain. Most of the Danzig is still intact, though blackened. William raises the speaking horn again. "With your permission, we should like to have you aboard, sir, to speak of your arrangements!" The man seems not to understand and him and another turn to speak together.

"I would have you look as holy and unthreatening as possible, my good Monsignor. I leave it in your good hands to dress as you feel you should to throw them well off their gaurd. A bible clutched in hand should add nicely. And don't feel that you have to lie to them in any way. After all, I have no intention of shooting anyone who will come as our guest." William pauses to think for a moment. "Perhaps you have enough vestments to dress one or two more in the barge?"

"Monsignor..." William turns to the clergyman with a dawning smile and waving him back. "Would you be so kind as to draw the Samson in as quietly as possible and have them thin the arms to make a place for you? I think we shall send you over as our 'olive branch'. We can use you, as a man of peace, to persuade them to send over several important officers to speak with us about the safety of transporting the Danzig's crew. Then we shall have...guests if anything should go amiss. Do you take my meaning, sir?"

William waits for the crew of the Danzig to retreat to places of safety. The officer, junior or not, does this with speed, despite whatever mistake he has made in allowing an unknown to fire upon his ship. "This is turning into a fine ruse, Mister Lasseter. Please pass a steading word down the ship if you please. They're a steady lot." William turns to the gun deck. "Fire at your leisure, Mister Youngblood. Take your time. I need them to all clear the deck."

"We will be..." the man pauses. "...gratitude." William wastes no time with idle talk and returns his offers immediately. "Your mast! It threatens you! We shall...knock it over!?" The man on the other deck pauses at this surprising offer and seems to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of being fired upon by an unknown ship. "The man is no Captain." William whispers to those about him. "Yes." is the tentative response from what must be a junior officer. His voice sounds thin from weariness and it shows the man's inexperience. "Clear your men aft! William turns to the Master Gunner and Mister Lasseter. "They are more vulnerable than ever, but compliant. We may yet see no bloodshed today. Still, we shall see some shooting. Mister Youngblood, I shall now call upon your skills as an amateur actor." William says with a smile. "We shall now pretend to assist them, by blowing the mainmast over. Please have your men pretend to load cannons and then run them out. We don't want them to think that we have had them loaded this entire time." William says this all with a smile he tries to hide but can't. Still it sobers a bit as he fine tunes his instructions. "Run out only two at a time until the Mast has been felled. If you should have cannons with powder and shot remaining, feel free to extend our permission to their foremast. Understood, Mister Youngblood?"

William nods to Mister Lasseter and surveys the deck. "Who are you? Will you take us?" the man yelled back across the water. William wasn't sure how to answer this. The answer to the first question might be too revealing and the second could be misunderstood very easily. Was this man asking to be taken to land as passengers, or was he asking if our intentions were to seize the ship? "We can carry your crew to safety! We will take you to land!" William called back, motioning for the Master Gunner to join him at the quarterdeck.

The Danzig is a mess. Fires have destroyed, railings, rigging and most of the Mainmast. Where there might have been two boats in the water, there is only the cutter now. It is overladen with supplies and riding very low in the water. there appear to be injured men untreated on the weatherdeck. Are you...England?" A man cries from the quarterdeck, his hands cupped together. More men are gathering on the deck. William smiles a little at the misuse of the word England in place of English, and for the a brief moment considers yelling back, 'I'm not England. I am Wales', but he doesn't. Instead he calls back. "Yes. We are English! Can we assist you?" he asks, grateful to be understood in his own language.

"Better your Scottish, than my Dutch. "William says with a small smile. "Light the lamps, Mister Lasseter, and let us begin." William picks up the speaking horn at the helm and waits for the Watch Dog to be illuminated. Once the lantersn up and down the length of the ship are lit, he brings the speaking horn to his lips. "Hello, Heren! Hebt u hulp nodig?!" William calls out, knowing somehow that it isn't quite right, but it seems close enough. At first, the crew of the Danzig seems not to hear his call, but heads begin to turn and arms begin to point outward towards them. for the first time in hours, the crew of the Danzig becomes quiet. Only the sound of fire and waves comes back for a few seconds. Then, officers rush to the Danzig's rails. The cutter crew stands in the small boat still holding goods not yet placed. "Steady on lads. Give them a moment." An officer begins to wave. No outward sign of aggression appears on the deck. William repeats his poor Dutch. "Hebt u hulp nodig?!"

"Almost the very ghost of this ship's former name." William says with a smile. William stands in silence for a time thinking back on his time in Amsterdam and trying to piece together enough Dutch to make the phrases necessary for this interaction. "How is your Dutch, Mister Lasseter?"

Gentlemen, in a moment I plan to announce our assistance to the Dutchman. When you see the stern lantern lit, I want all of the lanterns lit immediately after. We will give them the startling impression that we have been illuminated this entire time and that they simply missed sighting us due to their own folly or distraction. Who among them could honestly say differently if asked to testify at a later date? With this illumination, I shall announce our intentions as rescuers of these poor, adrift sailors. We shall have a discussion across the waters. If they should not comply with our offering of assistance, and all of the reward that that implies, then I shall give a single order. 'Put out that fire.' When I order this, several things shall happen simultaneously, gentlemen. Every lantern is to be doused and every cannon run out. No open ports before this order. Then, any cannon pointed at the mainmast and foremast is to be fired. Bring down any one of them and the other may go with it. As recommended by our Master Carpenter, here, we shall fire all remaining cannons at the more decorative parts of the ship fore and aft. This will create a demoralizing and devastating amount of debris and crippling splinters. If they persist, I shall give orders to 'Fire from aloft.' All lookouts aloft are to shoot any uniformed marine or officer they can see. Then any sailor in the cutter is open game from muskets or pistols from either the boarders or lookouts. If their crew does not surrender under this barrage then we shall take further steps." William turns back to Jack, taking his shoulder for a moment to convey close orders. "You shall strike her high on her quarterdecks with the grape shot when and if you hear me yell the order to "Clear Amidships!" We shall only engage the ship with further cannon fire if necessary, but have half your men ready for boarding. The Samson shall swing up behind them after they have surrendered, or following the grapeshot. Let us hope this is more barter than slaughter, gentlemen. Understood?" William waits for the smiles, nods and ayes from the small circle of officers. "Hounds to the deer, Gentlemen. Hounds to the deer. To your posts."

"Gentlemen, what is the word from each of your stations?"

William waits for his chair to be set down to the right and behind the wheel. He does not take a seat there, but stands near the helm, now leaning on his newly fashioned crutch. His shape appears less like a wounded man and more like a leaning scarecrow in the dark. A little light from the approaching dawn, but more from the burning merchantmen plays over his unmoving face. He turns to his steward and says, "Please bring me the Bosun, Master Gunner and the Monsignor." Then he rests his free hand on the shoulder of the Quartermaster. "Captains for kings and seamen for pawns."

When the final word was given, William sent for the steward to help him with his coat and hat. She brought him his pistols and mortuary sword from the trunk and the crutch from the corner. Two men were sent for to carry a chair up to the quarterdeck. William and Miss Smith followed behind as they made their way slowly to the weatherdecks. The doctor framed the doorway from the surgery and even in the dark, William knew her arms were crossed. He could have told her that he'd do more damage to himself pacing his cabin while all above took place. He could have said that even a wounded captain is needed on deck at times like this. He could have made fateful pronouncements about lightning never striking twice. Instead, he said nothing. He knew and she knew that despite the risks of further injury or harm, he had to be on the quarterdeck. HE did, and not because he was Captain, but because he was William Brand.

Zam! Pow! Magic...

"Thank you, Doctor. Please arm yourself for the possibility of bloodshed...and..." William paused, smiling again. "...the possibility of bloodshed." William said no more on the matter. He passed her a small glass filled with a strong, but warming drink of a questionable vintage. They drank a wordless toast and he dismissed the Doctor with his thanks, asking her to retreive sufficient arms for her and Armand's use.

"Doctor...Tempest...I would never harm Armand or allow him to be harmed." William said in his most reassuring tone. "Half of the men and women aboard this ship have a past worthy, or even unworthy of imprisonment. Most of us are wanted men. I alone have such crimes both real and imagined piled upon my head that I can scarse lift myself up from the weight of accusations. And here, on this ship, I have laid under your knife and under your absolute mercy as a surgeon. Do you think I would answer your repairs on me with any treachery? No, good Doctor. Never that." William's voice was sympathetic as he spoke. He had known enough false accusations in his own life to fill several printed volumes, stitched and bound. There were enemies still that would sell him at half the price offered for his capture. "A yes or no will suffice, good Doctor. I need know nothing more than his ability to defend himself and you."

"I would like you to be armed in the event that this turns on us. I doubt that such an unlikely event will ever take place, but I would feel much better if your surgery was defended. Both yourself and Armand should be armed. I've seen Armand. I've seen how he moves and responds to everything around him. Unless I am much mistaken, he has had some training. May I ask if he served in some capacity as a soldier? Perhaps a Marine?"

She was a shape in the doorway and then a shape near the table. Everything was shadows within shadows in the quiet dark. "Please have a seat, Doctor." William said quietly, then he waited for the sound of her as she found a chair in the dark. "Merci beaucoup." She replied as she settled into a chair. William smiled. "I've always found a woman's voice speaking French in the dark most appealing." "Have you now? That is most revealing." she returned. He could hear her smiling in the dark and the silence lingered for a time. The soft thump of feet passed overhead and he could feel the ship slowing. It was ever so subtle, but William had felt it often enough. "I wish I could say this was meant to be a social visit, but the truth is that we plan to take this Dutchman in the water and it is quite possible that blood will be spilt. It may be avoided, but one can never tell the outcome of such things."

William waited in the near total darkness of his cabin as messages came to and were sent from his cabin. The ship was so quiet at times, that William half imagined being abandoned aboard the large ship and left to fend for himself. As the time grew close, William sent for the doctor.

Mister Youngblood. Miss Rummy. I mean to take this ship intact. I know this will comes as a disappointment to men of your fine crew, Mister Youngblood, but you may yet have a chance to fire a round or two. We are going to offer our assistance to this stranded ship. It shall be a very "expensive" assistance. If they refuse, I will send orders for you to fire a persuasive warning shot or two across her midships. I want these shots to clear the deck and hull...but...if these shots should find there way to the Mainmast, you won't hear any arguments from me. William smiles a devious smile. A predator's smile and waits for Mister Youngblood's smile in answer to it. "However, there is another matter. They have a cutter in the water. I want it. If you should even accidently harm this cutter, I will be most upset by this news. Once we have their compliance, given or forced, you must immediately surrender half your gunners to assist in the helping or stowing of our guests. Keep as many swivel gunners as you believe you can spare at those guns until they are relieved by either myself or Mister Lasseter." William turns to the Master Carpenter. "Rummy, I need your understanding of Dutch merchantmen. Please assist the Master Gunner in selecting those targets that may induce the most damage without endangering the loss of our prize. It may become necessary to alarm the Dutch without sinking their fine ship. We may yet have some new cannons and carpentry tools aboard the Watch Dog very soon."

William excuses them all, sending Diego to fetch the Master Gunner and Carpenter to his quarters.

William waits for the quartemaster, coxswain and clergyman to arrive before speaking. Once all are standing before the table, William lifts himself until he stands over the charts. "Please bring us upon her stern at an angle sufficient to prevent either her stern chasers or starboard cannons from making kindling of us." Mister Lasseter explains that this is already the relative postion of the Watch Dog in relation to the Dutch ship. William nods, smiling. "Excellent. While we continue this approach, let us slow our speed sufficiently to quiet our arrival. Then lower the barge on our opposite side, to prevent the Dutchman from seeing the boarders. I want you to drag the barge behind us by a line, so that the Dutchman is prevented from seeing it until the last possible moment. If they should become alarmed, we will already have our boarders in the water and traveling at a good speed. Should the need arise, they can cut away from us and row directly away from our stern and come up to flank the Dutchman or shoot at those men in their cutter, so that it does not escape. Have the barge crew take sufficient chains to bind up any restless guests. Then, have the grapeshot ready, but more importantly, have our best marksman aloft. If necessary, take out anyone in uniform, especially any marines they might have, then we can take prisoners, guests or new crew members at our leisure. It is true that we could fire upon her now, but that might spoil all that could be gained. We have many opportunities here gentleman, but with many of us injured from before, let us not take risks. Besides, I want to see how well the crew can handle the subtlety of capturing a ship with prisoners. I'm quite convinced we have the strength to sink her, but I want as much of her as possible." William smiles a little before continuing. "We shall...negotiate...with these poor sailors for a substantial fee. And when I say substantial, I do mean to take from her a great and terrible reward. We need that cutter intact. Well, perhaps "need" isn't the right word. I WANT the cutter and I mean to have it. It pained me greatly to give the last one back to the French, despite the necessity of it at the time. Also, we need more men. Bring me what officers you may. If they refuse our...assistance...then insist upon it. They are in no position to negotiate. they will be our guests or prisoners. If they resist, subdue them, but leave as many as surrender alive. We may learn much about their current state of shipping in these parts. Above all else, do this all in silence. I want silence." William pauses to find just the right words to emphasize this important order. "If any man raises alarm or cries out before I have sounded the order to board or assist this ship, I will remove his tongue myself with a broken bottle as my instrument of extrusion. Any questions, gentlemen?"