CHAPTER 5

Coming to, my face feels like it's on fire. The taste of blood overwhelms me, making me nauseous. Which does not couple well with my mouth being dry as cotton. Not surprising since I can't breath through my nose at all due to the blood clots. As I sit up, I look around the candle lit room. Tao is lying in an actual straw bed in a corner to my left, and in the other corner there is a doctor filling up some vials with a pipette over a small flame.

He is in his late 40's with salt and pepper hair, mostly salt, pulled back into a ponytail and rocks a gray beard reaching past his sternum. He was fairly average in height, but he was built as hell for a doctor. His hands were almost laughably large holding that tiny vial and pipette.

The doctor turns his head slightly, but never looking away from the vial he was filling, “Oh I see you're awake. That's a pretty nasty gash, being it went through the bony bridge of your nose. I'm afraid that you will probably never be able to smell as well as you once could and you may suffer—.”

“Sleep apnea? Yea I figured that I'd probably have trouble with it. I was probably doing it just now with how clogged my nose is. Uhm, can I get some water, and do you have something for pain doc? My face is on fucking fire.”

“I do not know what sleep apnea is, but you will need to sleep on your side for now on. You’ll have trouble breathing if not. And, yea, I figured you would need more when you woke up. I didn't have a chance to see if you partook in opium or not, so I erred on the side of caution.”

I thought to myself, do I say yes? I do in real life, hell I take something a hell of a lot stronger than opium. Although, when the game renders your body, it is supposed to be in a completely natural state other than any mental disorders like depression or autism.

“Not in a long time, so, my tolerance should be pretty low. By the way how bad is Tao's pectoral muscle?”

He corks the vial he was working with, puts all the glassware in a box packed with loose cotton, and pulls a vial out of a small wooden box. He is studying me with a puzzled expression as he starts walking over towards me.

“If you understand opium tolerance, you have a better understanding of pharmacology than a lot of my peers. And you know the names of the muscles so you do know anatomy. Surprising coming from a simple sailor…”

The look he’s giving me isn’t suspicion persay, but I think curiosity.

“Anyways, Tao won't be fighting or lifting anything heavy for quite some time. I've irrigated the wound, and I'm about to stitch his muscle together with with some catgut I have. Here, I'm going to give you a few drops underneath your tongue. Are you opposed to the effects, or ever had any reactions?”

“Not in the past and I don't mind the mental effects, hell I'd welcome them actually. My face feels awful right now. And, to answer your question, I'm not formally trained, but I dabbled in medicine for a few years. So, I have a very good grasp on anatomy, decent on physiology, but my pharmacology is pretty rudimentary. If you don't mind me asking how clean is everything? I don't want him getting some awful infection. I am the one that cut him.”

He stops a few feet in front of me, and I fully realize just how massive of a man he is. He is definitely overweight around his stomach, but his arms are bulging with muscles, reminiscent of tree trunks. He smells of pipe tobacco and is covered with scars. He wears an apron, that while sanitary, is stained with quite a few colors. Although, dark red being the main one that stands out.

“Alright, seven drops it is.”

He motions for me to open my mouth, and counts out the drops. It is extremely bitter, and the high proof alcohol it's dissolved in burns going down.

“Don't swallow, leave it underneath your tongue. After, I will fix you some tea with some opium in it to slowly digest and hopefully keep the pain under control. Let me know if it flares up. When you're feeling up to it, you should head up to the deck and find Zijde. He wanted to talk to you about your share of the haul.”

“Alright, I'll be sure to find him. Anything else?”

He pauses for a moment, pondering about what he wants to say, “I'm surprised you know the theories of cleanliness and infection. Few people think it is plausible. Personally, I just don't like my hands to be dirty. So, I clean my hands several times a day. Actually, I don't like anything dirty. I clean my apron once a day in saltwater and a little bit of soap. I also wash my tools nightly with fresh water. I'm sure you realize how hard this is, but I can't seem to go to sleep unless I do it. As for his wound, using catgut usually festers it. Meaning, I will have to leave a opening for drainage, but it's better than trying to just close it up. The clean straight cut you left should heal nicely”

Not knowing if he will be able to understand me with this under my tongue, I speak slowly, “Thanttsss Dohc, itssh already detter. Nane?”

He has one of those booming and infectious laughs, which kinda reminds me of a badass Santa, “You can probably swallow now, and my name is Zale Thomas. Yours is Utah?”

“Yep, Tommy Dwayne Utah. So Doc, I do not want to step on your toes, but I have an idea for the catgut.”

“If there is no harm to the patient I'm all for experimentation.”

This old man and I are going to get along swimmingly. I grin, “Ok, so, I'm assuming you have some alcohol that is over 100 proof?” --He nods-- “Ok good, now water and heat weakens the catgut right? But, I read somewhere that heating alcohol very slowly to about 145 degrees helps with infection, without weakening the catgut. Then you remove the catgut onto a clean surface and let it dry out some. Then you use it normally.” I would explain staph to him but it's about a hundred years too early for that.

He strokes his beard, deep in thought. After a few moments he looks at me in the eye, “I'll try it, and if it works I’ll have to claim you as an assistant. You're holding back information though. It's ok, I'm not mad, but I just want you to know I'm no stick in the mud. If you have a theory I'd love to hear it.”

Ok, this man is officially my favorite person so far in the Caribbean. “Alright, Doc we'll talk about everything after a while. I guess I'm gonna head up.”

“One second”, He picks up a metal canteen, drops in a pea size ball of raw opium, tops it off with hot water, and shakes the hell out of it. Then he hands it to me.

“After you talk with Zijde, come back and see me. I'd love to hear what you know. I also wouldn't mind teaching you medicine, if you show aptitude.”

I flash a big grin at him. The chance to learn more about medicine is hard to come by. “Thanks again Doc, I'd like that more than you know.”

He smiles and nods as I walk through the door. I'm starting to feel the euphoria come over me from the opium, and the relief to my face is magical. I have to weave in between men taking supplies to the hold and others sleeping in hammocks. As I'm waiting at the stairs going up to the deck to clear, a short portly man with a sun burnt face walks up to me.

“Agh fuck me, your face is damn right horrifying. That is gotta hurt something fierce right? Mhh, I'm supposing you will need something easy on the mouth and throat to eat eh?”

I give him a smile that he immediately winces at, I guess I still have blood on my teeth, “Yea, that would help me a lot. The top of my mouth is pretty tender and I haven't ate since early this morning. I'm off to see Zijde after--”

“Mate, I'm going to tell you this as a curtsy. It's Captain Zijde, to everyone except other captains, doctors, and a few close friends. On this ship respect and curtsy is paramount to one's health. There is no fighting unless both sides agree to rules, there is no discriminating against anyone on account of who they choose to bed with, and if someone has on of them su-sufficksies like Cap'n or Doc use it. Another thing, whatever your opinion on Africans, don’t act like you’re better than them ‘cuz you’re not on this here ship. Oh, and bigger than all of that, no rapin anyone, and don't dip your wick in anyone underneath the age ah' 14. Savvy?”

“Aye, yea I get you, and thanks, I might've messed up with the titles one. I am on board with everything thing else. I do have to ask, how does that work robbing people?”

“Oi, you are a slick one ain't ye'. Yea the Cap'n does leave a loophole for that. Robbin' people and killing people is fine for as long as they resistin', but no killing anyone laying down their arms. Our Cap'n is a jam up person like that.”

I down some of the tea Doc Zale gave me. The heat feels great to my mouth, but the tea tastes like a bar of soap. “Alright, I'll keep that in mind friend. I'll come back down to see you after I meet with the captain. What's your name? Mine is Dwayne Utah. I've been going by Utah though.”

“Well, damn fine to meet you Utah, mine's Jake. Never had a last name though. I'll have you a fine treat later.” He nods and walks towards the back of the ship limping slightly.

The stairs to the deck are clear now, so I start heading up and the light is blinding. I went into the simulator at dusk in the real world, but the sun is still quite strong in the sky here. They have the ships still tethered together with the grappling hooks, and they have the other crew sitting at the bow of the ship under guard.

Tori catches my eye … holy hell his hand is black now, and there is no way he's keeping that hand. Damn, I did that… no wait, fuck him, he did that shit to himself.

Everyone that looks at me winces and looks away, so I'm guessing my face looks as rough as it feels. That reminds me to take another swig of the tea. Mid gulp, someone walks up behind me and grabs my right shoulder.

The fingers dig into my shoulder, renewing the pain from shooting the blunderbuss. I jerk away, trying to yell as some tea goes down my wind pipe. The blood clot shifts in my nose as the tea goes up my firmly clogged nose. I cough up the tea and wipe the blood and snot off my nose. I find out I can't touch my swollen nose without making everything a 100 times worse.

“Ah shit, what in the fuck are you thinking?”, I turn to see a tall, slender black man looking at me expectantly that turns to momentary shock when he sees my face. Everyone has stopped around us, looking with curiosity.

Quickly regaining his solemn expression, “I apologize if I startled you, I am the ship’s quartermaster, Bhekiztha. The captain is in the hold. He would like to meet with you.”

“Damn man, it's not so much you startled it's that my shoulder is sore from earlier. That, and you made this tea go up my nose. It's pretty tender if you can't tell.”

Without changing his expression he nods slightly, “I‘ sorry for any ‘discomfort’ I might have cause. Perhaps if you didn’t betray crews you will experience less discomfort. Please follow me.” He turns, not waiting for a response from me. This guy really just said all of that? He must not have seen how Captain diabetes was acting earlier.

I start to follow him below deck, and he leads me directly to the late Captain Piggy's quarters. Through the door, Captain Zijde and several men are trying to pry open the largest chest. Zijde turns, and whistles when he sees my face. “My new friend, I mean no offense, but have you seen your face? I do believe our meeting could have waited until you felt up to it.”

He points to a mirror in the room. When I see my face I just laugh, my forehead is bruised with a golf ball sized knot. The specks of blood really stand out in my light brown hair. Both of my eyes are swollen, black, and bloodshot. My nose is so swollen the stitches closing the gash look as though the might pop at any moment. Along with all of that, the blood in my stubble makes it looks like I bit into a heart while it was still beating. I feel the blood rush creeping back up to the base of my skull, mixing with the euphoria from the opium. It is intoxicating. I try to look away before anyone else notices, but I feel Bhekiztha's eyes boring into the back of my skull.

“Yea, I have to say I look pretty terrifying right now, but I feel pretty decent right now. What did you want to see me about?”

Zijde demeanor changes slightly, he becomes more professional, but still warm and friendly, “I wanted to talk about your share of the loot. The crew talked about it while you were being treated, and they came to the conclusion that you don't get a crew members share since you were not apart of the crew until after the ship was taken.”

The captain is looking at me intently, watching what I do. I try to remain calm but I can't help but stiffen a little bit. That sounds fair in theory, but in practice, I did just take the ship nigh single handedly and he lost nothing. Although, I did get what I want, so fuck it.

“I understand. I don't agree nor like it, but I'll respect the vote. I just ask for enough to get by until the next voyage.”

Zijde grins excitedly, looking past me at Bhekiztha, “See, I told you he wouldn't do anything reckless Bheki, and you owe me a doubloon when we get paid.”

I turn and see Bhekiztha avoiding my eyes, staring at the bookcase. I turn back to see Zijde's outstretched hand, I go to grab it and he grabs mine with both hands and warmly shakes it.

“We did vote that you don't get a crew's share but you get a finder's fee of 15 percent, we will calculate it all out when we get back to Nassau.”

Holy shit, 15 percent, that's going to be a massive amount of coin. I smile at him and he immediately winces.

“Friend, please refrain from smiling until you clear the blood from your mouth. That is downright terrifying!”

We both laugh and I even hear a chuckle out of Bhekiztha behind me. I look around and they have cleared almost all of the arms and powder out. They also have all but one chest broken into, four are full of documents, one full of clothes, and the last and biggest one remains unopened. A sailor enters with a small leather pouch. Zijde turns to him and smiles, “Ah, Billy, so good to see you. You think you can get the chest open?”

“I haven't come across a lock I couldn't pick yet Cap'n.”

Wow, he can't be older that 16. He pulls out some metal pieces bent into all different kinds of shapes. He starts picking the lock while muttering to himself the whole time. “Ok, so there is a metal ward.” “Ok, one down.” “Oh you tricky bastard, you have four sets of pins with shields.” After about 5 minutes of watching him, he turns to the captain, “Cap'n Zijde, I would find the key to this one. I'm almost done, but the lock on this chest is worth no telling how much. I won't bore you with details, but there aren't many people that could afford this chest, much less pick it.”

“Thank you for your insight Billy, but I’m afraid the previous captain had it on his person. We searched but concluded it either flew from his person or is ‘in’ his person.”

Billy chuckles and goes back to fervently working on the lock. After a few minutes there is a satisfying click and the lid pops open. Billy stands up, making way for Zijde. As the captain flips the lid a crushing sense of disappointment fills the room. The chest is just chock full of nude drawings, most are pretty vanilla, but some of them even make me uncomfortable. The level of detail on these hand drawn genitalia is impressive, albeit repulsive in their fifty shades of pencil gray.

Zijde lowers his head and curses under his breath. Bheki's jaw tenses and leaves the room hurriedly. I think it's funny and have a hard time not laughing. Billy is staring intently at the at the pictures, it looks like he wants to say something but he's remaining silent.

Zijde stands up straight at the chest shaking his head, “Well, I don't think we have any use for such smut. I guess give it to the cook for kindling.”

Billy's head snaps up at the captain, “Uhhh, say Cap'n, before that...” He pauses, chewing on his lip like bubble gum, “You think I could look through them? You know, to make sure we don't miss anything? I would also like them for uh, educational purposes.”

I can't hold it in any longer, I burst out laughing. All the while Zijde was trying to remain solemn as a priest during a funeral, but when I burst out he cracks as well. The cabin was roaring with laughter. In turn Billy blushes tomato red, and looks like at any moment he might start shrinking into the floor.

Tears rolling down his cheeks, Zijde holds a hand up at me signaling to stifle my laughter. “Dear Billy, Mr. Utah and myself apologize for laughing, but as I'm sure he will agree, we did not see that coming. Yes, you may have the drawings for whatever reason your heart or loins desire. All I ask, is for you to empty the chest and get some help moving it towards my bunk. We will leave you to it.” He motions for me to follow him.

Back out on the deck the sun is quickly setting and the heat isn't nearly stifling, but the bugs have started to come out in droves. Zijde walks over to a secluded section of the boat, seems like he wants to talk.

“So my friend, how are you liking the crew? Think it will be a good fit?”

“I've gotten along with almost everyone I've met. The Doc is knowledgeable and may wanna teach me a little, the cook is odd but he's friendly, and I don't know Billy”

“Hmm, I was afraid of this.” He turns his back to me, “You didn't mention Bhekiztha, did something happen?”

“Eh, nothing much. He just grabbed my shoulder that's hurt. I packed the gun I shot too much, so the recoil was a little more than my shoulder was comfortable with. He must have not noticed, and I choked the tea doc made. No big deal.”

“No, it's bigger than you think. Bheki doesn't 'not notice' things. He planned that whole thing out to see what you would do. I'm sure he will keep doing so, trying to get you to blow up. I've seen it before. He doesn't trust you.”

“Well I did single handedly betray my crew, so...”

“No, he knows the kind of man Saehrimir was, he would have tried to do the same as you. The problem is, you, and when he heals Tao, are probably the best fighters on the ship now. He's worried about his position. Which goes against what this crew stands for. The men pledge their bodies and lives to elevate the position of this crew. We don't have much patience for selfish actions. That's what I bet the altercation between you two was about. He was trying to provoke you, not only did you not get violent, you also didn't get mad about the bet we made. Not many men would have been so calm when thinking they would lose out on a share of such a large prize. He knows people like you make the best leaders and this scares him.”

Shit, this is not how I wanted to start off my first day on a crew.

“Look Captain Zijde, I don't want to step on any toes. I just want to make some money and maybe learn some stuff along the way, but I have a goal in mind. I will accomplish that goal or die trying.”

Well, if I could die... Well, I guess I would be dead to the crew anyways.

“Mmhh, interesting... may I hear about this plan?”

“Uh, sorry Captain, if it gets out what I want to do, it'll never come to fruition. I need to be strong enough to force it along before I start telling people about it.”

“Utah, I'm demanding you answer this question. Will your plan intentionally harm this crew?”

“Captain Zijde, I will need like minded allies for said plan. I would not burn any bridges that could be mutually beneficial. In time, I'm sure that I will share it with you. I will also ask you, your crew, and many other crews to be apart of it.”

“Alright Utah, I can respect that answer, but I will do everything in my power to destroy you if you hurt this crew. Anyways, your stitching is bleeding again. You should...” Before Zijde could finish, Billy burst out of the cabin screaming for the captain.

“Billy my young friend, did you find something in those 'illustrations' that scared you?”

We both chuckle but Billy waves for us to follow and runs back in. We follow and through the cabin door, the last remaining light coming in through the window is reflecting from the chests contents. Against the ceiling there is a multitude of red, blue, green, white, and gold colored lights shining. Then darkness overtakes everything......