Sayla Ragnarok. Thank you
Asteria, Thanks. I wanted to describe Serenity through his eyes.
Phantom Creedy Lover. Thank you. Wash will never be gone. He may be dead, but he will never be gone.
Chapter 29: Cannon Fire.
-
“The Kraken,” Zoe Washburne breathed the name of the monster that everyone amongst their fleet had feared. She had not seen the monster up close, unlike Will and Elizabeth. She had only seen it from a distance, but she still knew what it could do, knew what it could do to all of them.
“Mrs. Washburne?” William Turner just stared at her; brown eyes were wide with fear. “What are your orders?”
She weighed her options, analyzing over the details and strategy. There were two main targets for them. The first was the Navy, but they were only secondary to Davy Jones and the Kraken. “We are still not close enough to fire at the other ships. Do we have any idea of which ship it will be going after?”
“Most likely it will be after the Black Pearl,” Elizabeth Swann said. The young woman had climbed down from her post in sails. There was energy about her, energy and a determination to fight. “Davy Jones had most likely summoned the monster when he saw her black sails.”
“He would want both the ship and Jack,” Will said. He also had the fight in him, same as his fiancée but as he continued to stare into Elizabeth’s eyes the fight was fading, being replaced by a yearning. Zoe didn’t need three guesses on what that yearning would be.
“We need to circle around the Pearl,” Zoe said, choosing to ignore the spark of lust in Turner’s eyes. “Not too tight. We need to be able to have enough room to fire the cannons at the monster.
“What if it isn’t going after the Pearl?” Will asked. “How can we be so sure?”
“We can’t be certain,” Zoe ran towards port. “We’ll learn soon enough if it isn’t.” She frowned as she stared at the other flagships. It would be hard to convey the message, even if she did shout at the top of her lungs. She longed for a squawk box. It would have been easier if they could transmit between the ships.
“Wind in the sails,” the blue parrot called out as it settled in to land on the rail. The bird folded its wings and stared at Zoe with its dark eyes. “Leaf on the wind.”
“I know,” Zoe needed to think and it was going to be difficult with the parrot squawking in her ear. She stared at the bird when the realization struck. The parrot would be her squawk box. “I need you to get a message to the others little one. Tell them to circle The Pearl, but only to Anamaria and Sao Feng.” The other ships would continue to close in on the Naval fleet.
“Circle The Pearl,” the bird repeated before it flew off towards the direction of the Luna Ghost.
That was one problem that was taken care of. “I want everyone at the cannons or armed with a gun on deck.”
-
Malcolm Reynolds couldn’t believe he was about to shoot at his own ship. He did not feel as quite as attached to the clipper ship he temporary captained as he did to Serenity. There was still some love for it, maybe not as much love as Kaylee felt for it, although it was still there.
“On my command,” Lieutenant Hall stood with them, one hand raised.
“Have you seen it?” Jack Sparrow asked. He was partnered with Mal. The men under Hall were instructed to double up, two to a cannon. “Take a look at it before we destroy it, beautiful isn’t it.”
“You’re ship or the fleet?” Mal asked. He held the flaming stick in his hand ready to strike the cannon’s fuse.
“The fleet. We are not going to be destroying my ship. We may destroy the other ships and hopefully we will not strike your ship or Ana’s or Sao’s, but we cannot look like we are trying to miss all of them, savvy?”
“Watch your mouth,” Mal hissed. It wasn’t the fact Jack had implied they would shoot at his own ship that got to him. It was the pirate’s slang and they way he pronounced his words.
“Light the fuses,” Hall said.
“I’ll watch my mouth if you watch your own gorram words,” Jack said as Mal brought the flame to the fuse. “Or did you forget yourself?”
Mal bit his tongue as he covered his ears. There had been a few times when he may have sworn, but he tried to save all of his gorram’s and shiny’s for when he was alone with one of his crew or when he was alone with Norrington.
The explosion from the cannon nearly caused Mal to jump back. As soon as the smoke cleared he peered through the crack between the metal weapon and the wooden frame. He saw a lot of splashing and saw several cannon ball strike against the ships. He tried to find where his was, but couldn’t see it.
“Need yer help,” Jack placed another cannon ball inside along with several handfuls of powder.
“Right.” Mal threaded in a new fuse.
“Do not wait for me to give you the second command,” Hall said. “Keep on firing at the enemy. We will win this battle.”
“Us, and not that monster,” another naval officer called out, earning cheers of agreement from the rest.
“For the Navy,” Mal added. It sounded hokey in his head, yet the other officers liked enough.
“For Norrington.” Jack said. “We are still rooting for him.”
“For Norrington,” Hall agreed. “And not for Beckett.”
Mal lit the second fuse. “Did Beckett have enough time to return to his ship?”
Hall waited until after Mal’s cannon had fired to answer. “No, he is still on board. We have no idea if Hamiton had made it here.”
Mal tried not to cringe at the idea the fop was still on board. He tried to study Jack’s face as the disguised pirate placed more ammo into their cannon. When he didn’t see any sign of recognition he looked through the crack again, this time into a different direction.
He was able to find The Haven. It, along with two other ships he had never seen before seemed to be circling around a dark ship, a dark ship with black sails. What was Zoe doing? The most important question was why did Zoe agree to join this fleet. He knew why. Somewhere deep inside he would have done the same thing.
“See anything?” Jack asked.
“It appears my ship and two others are very protective of yours,” Mal added another fuse before he lit it.
“Are they now?” Jack asked once the cannon had fired. He squinted through the crack. “This is curious.”
“Not as curious as the fact our friend is still aboard this ship, and you don’t seem all too worried.”
“I’m glad he’s still here, makes things easier for us.”
“It makes things easier for you, you mean.” Mal didn’t give a goat’s butt about the heart. Killing Davy Jones would make things easier for the pirates, but Mal was more concerned about the possibility of Beckett or his servant finding them.
Jack didn’t answer. His eyes widened and his mouth frowned. “Bloody hell, not again.”
“What?” Mal shoved him aside and peered through the crack.
What Mal saw had caused the color to drain from his body. He saw the long and thick tentacles as they pierced through the water’s surface and tower over the Black Pearl.
“What do you see Mr. Core?” Hall asked.
“Jones has released his pet,” Mal answered.
-
Will was more than ready to stand his ground against the Kraken. He knew the beast was not invincible. He and the other members of Jack’s crew were able to wound the monster. They tore off pieces of its flesh and burned it with their weapons and explosives. They were able to wound it; they just hadn’t managed to succeed in killing it. They would succeed that day.
He and Elizabeth watched as the large tentacles reached up from the depths, several were already sliding up against the hull of the Pearl while others were waving widely about.
“Will?” Elizabeth reached for his hand. Her hands had become rougher since she had left Port Royal. Her palms had developed some calluses and there was some grime under her fingernails. They were not the hands of a privileged member of high society, yet they were still the most beautiful hands in the world.
“I’m ready,” He stomped the floor three times signaling to those on the gun deck.
“Fire!” Mrs. Washburne shouted.
The sound of cannon fire was everywhere. Will watched as several shells flew from all four ships either striking against the tentacles or close to where the beast’s main body was.
Several tentacles waved widely about when the cannon balls tore of pieces of its flesh, including whole suction cups. The limbs that were grasping the hull of the Pearl detached from it briefly.
“Spring board people now,” Zoe called out the command.
Gusty, Jarvis and several others jumped onto the springboard catapults that were setup on deck. The other ends shot up, sending barrels of gunpowder to fly through the air, all aiming straight for the Kraken’s appendages.
Will had aimed his rifle at several limbs of the Kraken. He watched as one nearly struck the center of one tentacle before he fired. The shot met its mark, causing the barrel to explode and set the limb a flame.
Several more explosions were set off, tearing off and or singing more of the tendrils. The beast flailed around before pulling itself under the water; most likely to temporary ease it’s new injuries.
“Just like last time,” Elizabeth said in a small and weak voice. Her arms were shaking. “This happened last time. We injured it the same. We didn’t kill it. We wounded it and made it angry.”
“There was only one ship attacking it last time,” Will tried to assure her, but he wasn’t quite confident himself. They had injured the Kraken even more than last time.
“It’s still not enough.”
“No it isn’t.” He could still hear cannons being fired and knew it was from the other ships. He stared off towards the direction of the naval fleet. Cannons were being fired from both sides and sadly one of their own was already sinking.
“Don’t get your hopes down just yet,” Mrs. Washburne had placed a hand on his shoulder. She had seen what he was watching. “The battle has only started.”
“I hope you have some other ideas,” Will said.
Zoe placed her hands on her hips. “I cannot be the only one to get ideas. If anyone has a suggestion feel free to tell me.”
“You are right,” Elizabeth said. Her jaw was clenched.“I will try to come up with something.”
“Until then we are going to keep trying to blast that thing out of the waters.” She blinked. “First time I hear that line while we are on water.”
Will didn’t question what she meant. There was a possibility they used nautical terms while in the stars. That was not important. They needed to keep an eye out for the Kraken. The beast was most likely to return soon to finish what it had started.
He did not have to wait long. The singed and gouged tentacles slithered back up from the depths, a few slid up against The Pearl, a few were climbing up the side of the Haven. Most of the limbs were grabbing onto the Luna Ghost.
“It’s gone mad,” Elizabeth gasped. “It’s trying to take us all.”
“It can’t do that,” Zoe said. “Can it?”
“I’m not exactly certain,” Will said. He had only seen the monster attack one ship at a time.
“Good idea not to sit around and see if it can,” Zoe gave the deck another good stomp. “Load up more gunpowder people.”
The cannon’s fired again, tearing off more flesh from the Kraken. The two tentacles that favored the Haven released its hold briefly before it grabbed at it once more.
“We might be able to sever some of its tentacles off,” Elizabeth sounded hopeful.
“It wouldn’t kill it,” Will said. Even if they severed off some of the tendrils the beast had several more.
“Might make it harder to grab stuff,” Zoe said.
“Still won’t be enough to defeat it.”
“It is something,” Zoe said before more cannons fired at the tentacles. “Appreciate each accomplishment no matter how small, for each small feat shall be a step closer to victory.”
Will tilted his head to the side. What she had said did make a lot of sense.
“Will,” Elizabeth sounded worried.
“You are full of a lot of inspirational speeches,” Will said to Zoe.
The older woman shrugged. “Someone has to be.”
“Will, Mrs. Washburne.” Elizabeth tried to grab their attention once more. “I don’t think it’s after the Pearl.” She pointed towards Anamaria’s ship, the one vessel the Kraken favored with its tendrils. While it’s other limbs merely slid across the wooden hulls of the other ships these five held fast to the Luna Ghost and was pulling it down.
“Why is it going after the Luna Ghost?” Will asked. It made no sense unless there was something about the ship Anamaria had neglected to tell everyone. Davy Jones wanted Jack’s ship. Jones had succeeded in dragging The Pearl to his locker and if it weren’t for the ritual in Singapore it would have still been there.
“Who care’s why?” Zoe said. “Change in battle strategy. Hard to port and keep firing!”
Will ran straight to the helm and grabbed onto the wheel, and turned it fast, causing the ship to make a sharp and jutting turn towards port. Before he stared at the Luna Ghost again.
The Kraken had destroyed had snapped the foremast in half and was concentrating souly on Anamaria’s ship. Will cringed at the sight of a pirate being carried through the air by one of the tentacles before being dropped, most likely into the maw of the monster.
“We are loosing this,” Elizabeth had joined those using the cannons on the upper deck. She had shoved one of the pitted cannon balls into the back of one of the cannons. “Some of them have already given up, look.” She pointed to a long boat that was being rowed to the Pearl.
“Is Anamaria and Gibbs aboard?” Will asked. He could not see if their friends were aboard the longboat.
“I can’t see if Gibbs is there,” Elizabeth squinted her eyes. “Anamaria won’t be. She is strong willed. She would be like most captains and would stay with her ship.”
“Better prepare our ship,” Zoe said as the Luna Ghost tilted to its side and another long boat was seen. The second one was heading straight for The Empress. “More people are about to board.”
Two of the tentacles lashed out against the second longboat. The first fell right on top of it, smashing it into debris. The other tentacle grabbed two of the pirates and pulled them towards its mouth.
“No,” Elizabeth cried out.
“They are not on that boat,” Will grabbed her arm. He felt a tinge of sorrow for the pirates who did die. “They will be on the last boat.”
She stared into his eyes. “What if that is the last boat. What if the Kraken destroyed the others?”
He grabbed onto her hands. “They are alive. I know they are.”
“There is no time to dwell,” Zoe said. “We have to take care of those who are still alive.”
“How could you be so cold?” Will glared at her. “They were are friends.”
“Do you think I didn’t loose any of my friends in the war?” She placed her hands on her hips. “I lost many friends in the Unification War, many fellow soldiers. I lost more friends after the war was over. I lost my husband. You grieve for a second and continue fighting and when the battle is over you cry your eyes out.” She blinked back her tears.
“I’m sorry,” Elizabeth said.
“Forgive my rudeness,” Will almost wished he could take back his words. Zoe had said she was a soldier, she would have seen much death. He had no idea one death was her husband.
“We can apologize later.”
Will turned back to The Luna Ghost and the Kraken. The ship was practically on its side and a third longboat was departing from the craft.
-
When the call came out from commander Barclay for more soldiers to be on deck and prepare to either board one of the enemy vessels or to fight against it, Jack Sparrow jumped to it. Sure it meant leaving Malcolm alone, but he needed the opportunity to get near Beckett and steal back the heart.
Jack did not see Beckett on the top deck and everyone was running around, too busy to answer him if he asked, and it would be a foolish thing to ask, especially when everyone was busy fighting. He did ask some questions.
“How is the tally?” Jack asked one of the two red coats he stood next to. There was something awfully familiar about them. Where had he seen them before?
“The crew of the Aristotle is about to board one of the enemy ships,” the taller of the two said.
“Ah, a pity we are not aboard her eh?” Jack asked. He knew he had seen the two marines before and their voices confirmed it. They were the two men guarding the naval piers from civilians when Jack had arrived at Port Royal a year ago. “We could be amongst the action.”
“Maybe,” the shorter man said. “A bit of an honor to be aboard the Intrepid.”
“Because of Norrington?” Jack asked.
“Brilliant man he is,” the shorter man said. “Left Port Royal for a while.”
“Brilliant?” Jack blinked. “I heard he foolishly went after an infamous pirate, tried to sail through a hurricane, lost his ship, crew, role as commodore went to Tortuga, became a drunken scallywag himself and went crazy.”
The two men stared at each other before the taller one shook his head.
“He didn’t go crazy. He been to hell and back.”
“He lead the charge against the undead,” the shorter man said.
“This would have been the rescue of Miss Elizabeth Swann?”
“That would be it,” the shorter man said.
“I need a better view of the action” Jack removed the spyglass from his pocket.
The shorter man nodded. “What do you see?”
Jack extended the spyglass to its full length before he stared out. He sought out the ships from his fleet, another ship was sinking, and there was a battle on the deck of another. “We sank another one and there is a bit fighting on another. I believe one of our own ships have been boarded it.”
“Won’t be long till we get a chance to board,” the shorter marine said.
They can board and fight their way all they want. Jack was going to find Beckett, but first he had to see his ship and the Kraken. He swung the spyglass around until he found the flagships. He only saw three standing tall and one of them was his.
The Luna Ghost had been turned on its side and surrounded by floating debris. Jack watched as the giant tentacles of the Kraken pull the rest of the ship beneath the surface.
“Anamaria, Gibbs,” He gasped.
-