Pyrates of the West Coast

[The Doctor]

:: The barge takes up position near the original anchorage of the Watch Dog, and Jack begins scanning the shore with his glass ::

Steady, now, lads. Hold us right here. Marksmen, keep a sharp eye, and make any reports quietly. Hopeful Mr. Lasseter and party are in a position to hear and respond to our call...

[Dorian Lasseter]

--in the woods--

::Dorian and Armand, seeing safe haven in the forrest, hunker down out of sight to rest and to weigh options...::

Lessee... tha' cannon fire we heard.... been about half 'r three quarter o' an hour ago... ships even under full sail can't be more'n two leagues away... up 'r down th' coast.... 'r out ta sea... Mayhaps we should head back ta th' Kate... mayhap we got outta there just in time, iffn th' whole area was raided...

:; he looks at Armand ::

Ye got any ideas, La-- Armand?

::Armand closes his eyes, his thoughts to the past, 'on the run again' he thinks::

Oui, Dorian... I know the way to the Chateau that Tempest and I went... I have some Livres, some coin enough to get some horses, we may travel swiftly... No?

::Dorian purses his lips and nods... ::

Aye, tha's not a bad plan...not a'tall.... Heh, can't wait ta get back on a 'orse, eh, Lad?

:: he nods again ::

Tha' may be our safest plan... per'aps we c'n find out what may 'ave 'appened through yer friends there? Well, we best be ---

:: his words are cut short by the report of a single cannon, close by. they almost dive to the ground at the sound.::

Tha's close! I wonder... stay put, I be right back...

::Armand nods as Dorian steps to the base of a large tree::

Ah, hang on ta these, will ye?

:: He hands over the parcel of swords and his Dragoon pistol, then rubs his hands together, grabs hold of the tree trunk and starts to hoist himself up...

Slowly he climbs higher and higher, up to near the top he wraps his left arm around the trunk, fishes in his pocket and pulls out his glass, shakes it open and puts it to his eye::

Armand! I sees th' "Dog"! She looks a wee battle worn... I sees the Bo'sun on deck... an' th' Master gunner... where's Cap'n? Looks like Mad_Jack's comin' ta shore wi' a landin' party...

:: he looks down at Armand ::

Ye think tis safe?

:;Armand looks up at Dorian, opens his mouth and shrugs::

"Possible?"

::Dorian, collapses his glass, shoves it into his pocket and swings about, sliding down the tree to the ground::

Looks safe enough fer the two o' us, armed as we are... we'll go carefully.... give me th' parcel, and me one pistol, ye 'hang on ta th' other an' th' sword.... Ye may need 'em...

::they cautiously make their way towards the cove...::

[TortugaWench]

*sits on the dock and watches the ships coming in, an old parchment clutched tightly in her hands*

[Diego Santana de la Vega]

(comin back up onto the main deck I seas Ciaran still in the basket and yells up to him) Ciaran the captain is sleeping and looking pretty darn good in fact. Why don't you come daown get some rest and I'll sits a spell in there! So we trade places and I make notice of a woman on our old loading dock I do not recognize her (cupping me hands to yell below) Badger sir! I sees a woman on our old dock in the cay sir! I hopes no I'm sure Mad_ Jack sees her!

[Pirate Petee]

*noticing two figures emerge from the jungle, he pulls out his spy glass. A smile comes across his face.* Its the quartermaster and Armand.

AHOY!

*waves his hand.*

[Jonathan Hawks]

...scrambling through the brush to the shore with me crewmates - the commotion causes the lot of us ta scurry ta finds our way back. Does the Watch Dog need defendin? What could have happened in such a short time - we were only ashore for what seemed like minutes. Following Dorian, Armand and Mr Hawks, I looks behind ta see that no one else is followin'

"I appreciates it Rummy. Did ya appen ta sees anyone bout the area yerself? Let us be going in e're and discuss that folded parer ya had shown me in more detail once things seem a bit more quiet."

[The Doctor]

:: Jack spies the party collectiing on the shore ::

There, lads! Put your backs into it! Marksmen, stay ready! Faster, mates! Let us scoop them up and carry them home!

[CaptainCiaran]

(Ciaran smiles as he climbs down and heads below for jes a bit of rest)

With all the activity going on, what's the first thing me dandy bucko Diego sees through the glass? A lone woman on the dock. LOL.

[The Doctor]

-- moved --

[Dorian Lasseter]

--just inland of the beach--

::Dorian and Armand cautiously make their way towards the beach, seeing through the brush that the 'Samson' is half way to shore, suddenly there is the sound of people crashing through the underbrush... they hold back, waiting for whoever it is to get closer..... Dorian eases the ships pistol out of his belt, setting his thumb on the cock... ::

Shhhhh....

:: much to their relief, it is the Carpenter with the blacksmith, Mr. Hawks in tow... they stand up out of the brush ::

Aye, there ye be!!!! Sumpin' 'appened whilst we was off in town! Looks a be as if 'r ship were in battle....

:: They all make their way out of the bushes, to the edge of the beach, watching the barge come closer ::

Aye, Armand.... lets not ferget th' dingy.... it still be o'er where we left it...

[The Doctor]

:: The barge pulls alongside the dock. Jack is beaming that everyone is healthy, but he's insistent and nervous about hanging around too long ::

No lines, mates! Two of you; grab the pilings and hold us fast. You, and you; help everyone in! Marksmen, watch to the left and right on the shoreline. Everyone, hurry!

[TortugaWench]

*waits patiently for her turn to dock and gives Mad_ Jack the parchment she's been holding* I was jes sittin' at th' bar mindin' me own business, when this gangly lookin' man came up and handed me this. T'was told t' give it t' ye.

[The Doctor]

:: Jack takes the parchment and tucks it into his coat without looking at it. He thinks it odd that anyone but a member of the local constablulary would know he had been in town, but dimisses the idea in light of the present emergency ::

Thank you, miss. Now please, find a place in the rear of the boat, and stay low. There's danger out there, and you know our location and numbers, so you'll be coming with us. Was anyone that you do not know following you?

[TortugaWench]

*ponders thoughtfully as she starts to the stern of the boat* Not that I know of... *she takes a seat before raising a hand*.... Well, there was that snail....

[Diego Santana de la Vega]

(eye stuck to me glass I see something passed to Jack and the unknown lady making her way on the bardge. Rummy is on,Hawks, Armand and Dorian last but all on plus one and accounted for! (I cups me hands and shouts below) make ready for assist pon bardge return.

Bringin me brings 'em near back up I set my weathered eye on the cover past the bardge that could hide a force of any size and watch, and watch and watch.....

[The Doctor]

A snail, you say? Then, miss, if he be carrying a musket, we'll be dining on escargot tonight.

:: Jack spies Dorian and the doctor's man coming toward the barge ::

Mister Lasseter! Hurry! You're needed aboard now, sir! So with all due respect, Quatermaster, please shift yer arse!

[Dorian Lasseter]

Mister Lasseter! Hurry! You're needed aboard now, sir! So with all due respect, Quatermaster, please shift yer arse!

:: Armand gets into the barge, turns and takes the parcel from the QM, then the QM climbs aboard ::

Shift my arse... You c'n shift yer asre as well!

Ye be plannin' a quick run off? Well, not wi'out gettin' o'er there an' retrievin' th' dingy ye don't!

[Diego Santana de la Vega]

Aye! I am about a goodly seventy some plus paces above the galley but I clearly hears whats I believes is the voice of Christine comin up through the open doors. (nice tune I says aloud to meself she's in a goodly mood today! Yar better than you I hear this innervoice say. Better than me i say back i dare not believe that atoll.) realizing that talking to yourself is witchcraft I shuts up promptly and rememberes the singing. Well I thinks to meself shes in a goodly mood today! and I catch myself and find the bardge and checks it out...

[The Doctor]

I thought you'd quicken your pace if you were of a mind to throttle me! Good to see you, sir.

:: Jack smiles at the Quatermaster, and hands him and the Doctor's man each a musket ::

And good to have a steady shot on board, as well. You, Armand, is it? Are you familiar with a musket?

:: Armand checks the weapon, makes a quick adjustment to the flint, and resets the lock and frizzen. "Oiu, monsieur." ::

Well, then... good! Please, the two of you join our 6 marksmen to suppress any threat from shore. We've got a dinghy to retrieve!

Marskmen! Eyes on the shore. All our friends are with us now. Oarsmen! Make for the dinghy!

[Dorian Lasseter]

AYe...

Now would ye be so kind as ta tell me what in BLUE BLOODY BLAZES has been goin' on whilst I was ashore?!?!

[The Doctor]

:: Jack leans close to Mr. Lasseter ::

Sir, the Dog was attacked by some unholy ship, and the Captain was hit. The good Doctor is tending to us, and I don't mind telling you she's furious with the lot of us. Hawks and two men can take the dinghy, but you need to be back on the ship straight away.

[TortugaWench]

AYe...

Now would ye be so kind as ta tell me what in BLUE BLOODY BLAZES has been goin' on whilst I was ashore?!?!

*shrugs* An unfriendly game of battleship?

[Dorian Lasseter]

Mother of.....!!!

BELAY casting off! You and you! Off ye go an' bring th' dingy ta th' ship.... there ain't noone ashore near by!

Th' rest o' you men, PULL FER YER LIVES TO TH' SHIP NOW!!!!!

::turns to Jack::

Attacked.... here in th' cove.... Cap'n William hit....

A'right.... tell me wot ye know... full details....

::the QM stares Jack straight in the eyes, his hazel eyes turn black as coal::

And if the Surgeon be furious, there be a damned goode reason fer it... ye best tell me why...

[The Doctor]

As best as I can remember, sir... We'd spotted a merchantman riding just outside the cove, and she was set upon by a ship on the Account, the Dark Lament. I'd never heard of her, but she's a damned ship, if I draw a breath. She seemed to exchange fire with the merchantman, but it was a ruse. She came upon us hard, she did, and brought a hail of musket and shot with her. I saw the Captain fall, and a shot blew threw a barrel on deck near me near the same time. I was out cold for I don't know how long. All I do know is the ship's largely undamaged, and the Captain was the only serious casualty.

:: Jack's expression becomes far away and haunted ::

I swear I've never seen a ship like that one before - like she was driven by stinking winds straight out of Hell itself...

[Dorian Lasseter]

::The QM closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and very slowly lets it out.... then opens his eyes, no longer black...::

Very... well....

PULL YA BASTARDS! PULL AS IF YER LIVES DEPENDED ON IT!!! FER THEY MAY!!!

As soon as we be back ta th' ship... YOU WILL have the Bo'sun loose th' sails and we shall head two mile out from shore... drop anchor and dowse all visible lights.... I'll be seein' th' Cap'n an' Surgeon.... Armand, yer ta stand as guard on th' ward... I'll be on deck as soon as I's able... 'ave Mr. Youngblood load th' guns, double charge n' shot, just ta be ready fer wot may come... And NO ONE SHALL ACT WITHOUT MY DIRECT ORDERS... Not a word, not a peep...

Does ye understand?

:: not waiting for a response::

I knew ye would...