CHAPTER 7

I open my eyes to the same dark, musty room I woke up in the first time I logged out. I assume we are on our way from the ship bobbing up and down. I sit up and feel a crazy sense of deja vu. To my left Tao is laying on the same straw bed, and Doc Zale is passed out snoring in a hammock slung in the corner. I swing my legs over to get out of bed and I notice my legs for the first time. They are tan, hairy, and healthy. There are no bony protrusions or scars to be seen. My my knee joint is properly aligned and both are the same length. I start to feel anger swell up from my stomach and next thing I know, I'm fighting back tears.

I shake my head, forgetting how sensitive my face is. I stand up with my face fiercely on fire again and quietly open the door. I weave through the rows of hammocks filled with my sleeping crew mates, trying to make it to the top deck outside.

Despite it being around 3 in the moning, the full moon has the deck lit up well enough to take the night in. The breeze coming off the ocean is slightly warm, but the cool sea spray makes it very comfortable. I guess the wind is being very cooperative tonight since the rigging crew are leaning up around the main mast snoozing. As I look around, I only see three people awake. There is someone up in the crow's perch keeping watch for other ships, and there is someone at the keel steering. The other is sitting up near the front of the bow, looking at something by candlelight.

Looking for someone to talk to, I make my way towards the bow. Not that I want to climb to the crows perch, I can't anyways. It's a pretty serious offense to distract the lookout. I inspect the guns as I make my way towards the candlelit front of the ship. It looks like the captain has taken some pretty powerful ships here lately. The cannons are all pretty much 8 pounders, above average for a ship this size. What is really impressive are the six, twelve pounders lining the deck. He has them set up three to each side to be able to use them in either broadside. It's actually pretty funny, I think each one of his cannons come from different ships, and they come from a smattering of different countries. Not one cannon has similar proofing marks.

Walking past the last cannon, I'm close enough to see which member of the crew is by the candle. Well, I don't recognize the person, but I'd recognize those detailed drawings anywhere.

I start stomping my feet a little louder to make sure Billy hears me before startle him. Hearing me behind him, he frantically stuffs the papers underneath his shirt.

I wave and try to act as if I was none the wiser, “Hey Billy, how goes it up here tonight?”

He tries to flatten the obvious bulge underneath his shirt, only to loudly crinkle the paper. I look away as I am trying to not laugh at his piss poor attempts at hiding what he was doing.

He turns towards me and a terrified expression comes over him. He falls all over himself backwards trying to get up, “Who the fuck? Oh hey Utah. a-are you ok? S-sorry, your face still looks awful. What happened earlier? I-I didn't know what happened when you suddenly passed out.”

“Yea, I'm fine. I slept so much today I'll prolly be up most of the night. What happened after I passed out?”

“Uhm, well Captain Zijde tried to break your fall, but you still hit the ground pretty hard. He did keep you from falling on flat on your face. Then Bheki walked in a few seconds later. He made some comment about you having a poor constitution, then he and the Cap'n carried you down to Doc Zale. He said you must've passed out due to dehydration and blood loss.”

Dammit Mom, that made me look weak, “So, other than Bheki, who did I lose face to?”

“Face? Watcha mean?”

“Oh uhm, ya know, face. Like who did I lose respect towards?”

“Ooohhh! Actually, Doc Zale said as pale as you were that he was surprised you made it as long as you did. Most of the crew think you’re as hard headed as a mule. Other than Bheki, he's worried about you being a better fighter than he is. I actually I bet you are the best fighter we have now.”

Ok, sorry mom, I take it back. I guess you didn't hurt me as bad as I thought. “Oh, well that's great then.” Oh shit, I forgot about the treasure, “Billy, what was in the treasu...”

Billy quickly gets up, putting his hand over my mouth. “SSSHHH, quiet Utah. The captain told us not to say a word. There was A LOT of fucking gold and silver. Not to mention the dozens of finished gems. The Captain was worried if the crew got wind of it, they would just want to sell it to the first person that offered to buy. The Cap'n wants to take his time and get a fair price for it. Which, in Nassua will never happen.”

“Oh sorry, I guess I was passed out for that. How was the rest of the haul?”

Billy grins widely, clearly excited, “We got the biggest haul anyone on board has ever heard of. The ship was filled to the brim with tobacco, salt, spices, cocoa, and sugar. The Cap'n thinks that this should hold us over until the storm season is over. Well, if you wanted you could probably retire. There really is no telling what fifteen percent will look like. Any idea what you would like to do with it?”

I pause for a second. I really want to tell Billy what my plan is. It's just if it gets out... it will never happen. I look down, avoiding his eyes, “Billy, I want to make something. I want to start something big enough I will be remembered for hundreds of years. I want to create something that a man of any race, creed, or ideology can be proud to be apart of. I can't say a whole lot, but when I am powerful enough to make it happen, I will let you know.”

Billy looks slightly confused, “I don't know many folk that would throw away a chance to retire like that. But to each one's own I say. Good luck to you Utah.”

“Thanks Billy. So, what were you doing up here?”

Billy turns a bright shade of red and looks out off the starboard bow, “I was uh, researching what a woman's... ugh private areas look like. See, when I find a girl, I want to be able to please her. You know, so I don't have to worry about her leaving me for someone else.”

“Well Billy, I'm surprised at you. I thought you were just trying to relieve yourself up here.” I chuckle and I can tell I've made him feel even more uncomfortable. “Awe hell Billy, lighten up. I'm just fucking with you. Look, very few men actually want to please a woman. For as long as you are eager and willing, you'll do fine.”

“Really? That's not what my sisters told me. They said if I couldn't please my woman they'd find another person that could. They've always said that.”

“Well, maybe your sisters were just jealous that they aren't getting pleased by their husbands?

Billy just shakes his head at the deck, “They aren't married. They probably won't ever get married. They are ugh... working girls back in London.”

“Working girl? You mean a prostitute?

“Ugh, yes technically a prostitute, but I don't particularly like that word though. They never really had much of a chance to do anything else. After my Da' died during Queen Ann's War. He was killed by the damned savages egged on by the French at Mobile.”

I start to say something about calling them savages, but if my mother had to sell herself because of them, I'd be mad as well. I guess I'll just let it be.

“Damn Billy, I'm sorry. I know that had to be a rough way to grow up.”

“Most of my friends had it much worse than me. My mother was pretty popular till she got to be in late thirties. By that time my oldest sister was close enough to be of age. She ended up being just as popular. Then by the time I was ten, they all were 'workin'. I just tried to not be there at night. I didn't like the noise and some men seemed to be interested in me.

I feel my jaw tighten, I know this time period was shitty, but I still haven't gotten used to the these fucked up stories.

“I don't know Billy, that sounds rough to me.”

“It wasn't fun by any means, but hell Utah, I had friends starving to death left and right. I had one friend that his father sold him out to men of that persuasion. I never went hungry, I didn't freeze, and I even had shoes. It can always be worse.”

Well, fuck me. I really want to change the subject now. I did not wanna be this depressed before I tried to sleep. Maybe I can steer the subject to something else.

“Damn, well. Let's talk about something else. How did you end up on Zijde's crew?”

Billy looks at me shocked, “Utah, I can't believe someone hasn't told you, but always use the title for doctors and captains. Cap'n Zijde is pretty strict about it. Anyways, since my family was so well known, I had trouble being apprenticed. So, I got pressed by the Royal Navy when I was thirteen. I resisted and the press gang nearly killed me. After I healed up, I spent two years as a powder monkey on a frigate. Then one night. The Cap'n pulled up alongside her in the Kingston harbor and fired on her. He killed damn near everyone on the ship, but I was safe in the powder room. He gave me the choice and here I am.”

Well, now I just wanna fling myself off the ship. This is so awkward...

“Damn Billy, has anything ever happen you liked?”

“I like it here pretty good.” He's beaming with pride at being a pirate.

“Well Billy, how about this. When we get into port, I'll set you up with a girl in Nassau for a few days. I'll let her know you are looking to learn instead of getting pleasured. She'll probably enjoy the change of pace.”

He looks at me, like I just lifted years of worry off his shoulder. “You'd do that Utah?”

“Yes Billy, God knows you need someone to do something good for you.”

He just looks off to the horizon like he is trying to will the ship to go faster. I guess I was the same way when I was his age. Young, dumb, and horny, oh how it would be to be his age again.

“Alright Billy, I'm going to go look at the rest of the ship.”

He just nods, never looking away from the pale light horizon off in the distance. It's almost light enough now to see the horizon. The breeze is actually getting pretty cold with the ocean spray mixed in. I go over to a more secluded part of the ship so I can open my HUD without someone thinking I'm just staring off in the distance. I don't have any messages and no alerts on my account. I open up the map and see we are just past Little Ragged Island in the Bahamas. We are about 230 miles from Nassau and averaging a pretty good 4.5 knots. I guess that's pretty good considering how heavy we are right now. The weather and wind looks good. So, we should get there just shy of two days from now.

Satisfied with my bearings, I go to the poop deck at the back of the ship to watch for the sunrise. Out in the distance I see some fins, dolphins I think. Pretty good omen actually...wait. Fuck, nope those are sharks. That's a pretty bad omen actually.

The sun is peeking over the eastern horizon and the warm sun soothes my inflamed face. The breeze is still cold but goes well with the sun. In no time at all it'll be hot and humid again, with no relief until tonight. I open my eyes and look to find the sharks again. I don't see them, but something does catch my eye over by the end of the island we just passed. I see what looks like a stick poking out, but it's staying the same size. It should be disappearing as we are getting farther around the island. Then I see it, a bright white mast coming around the island. I turn back to see what the lookout is doing. Fuck, it's a shift change.

I start to wave my arms to get their attention. Then I start shouting, “Hey, ship coming around the island we just passed.”

He spins around with his spyglass to see what I'm talking about. After a few seconds he starts screaming at me to get the Captain from his quarters. As I make my way to the Captain he keeps barking orders to the crew snoozing on the deck. It must be serious since he's waking up the Captain, Navigator, Quartermaster, and the Gunnery Master.

I get to the Captain's door and start to knock on the door. By the second knock I almost hit the captain in the face as he opens the door. He just looks at me with red shot eyes and a sleepy look on his face.

“I heard you yelling at the lookout, thank you Utah. Are you feeling better? I was shocked when you passed out on us. Not surprising with all the blood you lost though. Did the Dr. Thomas give you the go ahead to be up?”

“He was asleep when I awoke Cap'n. I'll go get checked out if need be.”

Captain Zijde studies me for a moment and then smiles, “No, you look well enough to me. Besides, I may need some advice in the coming hours.”

“Sounds good to me Cap'n. Just so you know, it seems to me that ship knew we were coming through this route. It was waiting out of sight for us to pass.”

We start to head up to the poop deck to get a better look off the stern of the ship. Zijde pulls out a very familiar, ridiculous spyglass. As I wait for him to finish, I see the ship has gotten closer.

“Captain, I think they are gaining on us.”

Zijde turns to look up at the lookout, “How have our positions changed in the last few minutes?”

“I'd say they are a full knot faster than us right now. They are closin' the gap surely.”

Just then Bheki comes tops the stairs. He sees me standing beside the captain and I see him clench his jaw in frustration. He looks at me defiantly with a barely perceptible sneer, “I see our new crew mate is on his feet after a long slumber. Are you ok? Do I need to get you something soft to fall on in case you feel weak again?”

Asshole, if it weren't for what Zijde had told me I'd probably would call him out. I'll just play along instead, “Oh well, I wasn't going to say anything, but if you want to fetch me something soft to lay on I won't stop you.” I look at him expectantly, as if it was ridiculous he wasn't already on his way.

His sneer immediately turns into a look of frustration, “Fetch you something? Does it look like there are slaves on this ship white man? I should...”

Zijde shoots him a frigid look, “Bheki, one more word against Utah and I will have you fetch him something to recline on. Not because it's expected, because you so 'graciously' offered it to our new friend.”

Bheki looks like he had just been slapped by his mother. At the same time, the Navigator and the Gunnery Master had just finished walking up the stairs. The looks on their faces show they had heard the exchange. The tension is heavier than the thickest fog.

Zijde continues, “Do you understand how I feel on the subject Bheki?”

Bheki looks down at the deck, “Yes Captain.”

“Good. Now, since we are all here, let's discuss the situation. There is a large galleon currently pursuing us. They seem to be going just slightly faster than us due to the weight of our hold. Utah seems to think they were waiting for us behind the island. Can anyone recall someone that might want to hit us?”

Everyone looks at each other for a moment, then some names were mentioned. Each was quickly shot down. It looked like we were going to give up until Zijde mentioned they didn't choose this route until right before they left. Then it hit me, they didn't know the Going Swiftly was going through here.

I start trying to get a word in but they are full blown arguing now. Zijde is just shaking his head while he thinks. I finally shout above everyone else, “Listen, they are after the Narwhal.”

The Gunnery Master gives me a dumb look, like I'm crazy, “The fuck are you talking about? There aren't any narwhals for thousands of miles from here.”

I look around, expecting someone to get it. They just keep looking at me like I'm crazy, “Did none of you check the ship y'all plundered?” They all just shrug and keep looking at me, “Guys, the ship I helped you take was named the Narwhal. Remember the goofy, phallic looking figurehead and bowspirit?”

They all look at each other and start agreeing that what I'm saying makes sense. Captain Zijde looks up smiling, “Well boys, if they were looking to take a barely armed fluyte. They should be easy pickings. I wonder if we can take her? She'd make an excellent ship for plundering towns wouldn't she?”

As they all start to shout in agreement I get a uneasy feeling. It feels like I'm missing something. Just about then, we hear a boom from behind us. As we look back, we see cannon smoke from the ship.

The Navigator scoffs, “They are at least fifteen-hundred yards from us, no cannon could hit us.”

The others start laughing with the him until the Gunnery Master raises his hand for silence.

“If that was a cannon, why haven't we seen where the shot...”

Before he can finish, a large splash of water is heard far too close for comfort. Then, a muffled boom throws water up about a hundred yards away... just of the starboard side of the ship... slightly ahead of us.