Continued from here part 2
An ancient oil rig sits in the sea, it has long since been claimed by sea life. People have come to call this artificial island the Coral tower. It is mostly home to nesting gulls. On one side Kearn had ordered the supply ships and few escort ships he'd assigned to anchor themselves in a straight line making it impossible for on coming ships to see behind the island.
On the other side four pirate ships approach. Between the pirates and the island stands Castor, the Man-At-Arms for the Barracuda on a long boat. He stands with a hand rolled cigarette hanging from his lip as he checks his weapon, three black sickle blades attached to a long chain. Its called the Raven's claw.
A sailor named Curry sits with a pair of oars at his side and a poleaxe called the Naga strapped to his back. As they sit a pirate ship comes close to the longboat. A man looks over, "What are you doing out here?"
Castor begins to swing the Raven's Claw, as it picks up speed he looks up to the ship, "I'm plannin' on sinkin' yer boat."
The pirate grins as he turns back to the crew, "You hear that, boys? He's gonna sink our boat."
As they begin to laugh Castor threw out the claw. It connected and sunk into the side of the hull. He then yanked back and the pirate crew was silenced by the sound of wood being torn. The ship then dipped sharply to the side as water rushed into the massive hole. Castor then looked to Curry who had nodded off and began to snore. He kicked his leg, "You're on."
Curry stood with a yawn, "Alright, alright."
He then put the base of the poleaxe down and used it to pole vault to the large hunk of hull Castor had ripped off and then spun the Naga around. The pole extended then he caught the side of the ship pulling it down a bit as he allowed the Naga to drag him up as it returned to normal size.
The angry pirates charged but he swatted several into the water with the Naga. The blade at the top of the poleaxe extended and he sliced through the mast before kicking it over. It crashed down, slamming into the bow of a ship coming up to help.
As this was going on, Bartley, Vargas and several others swam up beside one of the other two boats. Bartley tossed up a grappling hook and they climbed aboard. The pirates turned to attack but Vargas stabbed the Coyote into the deck sending out a shock wave that split the ship. Bartley led the rest of the crew to attack the panicked pirates.
The final ship turned to flee but was ripped apart by large spikes. Angus stood on a longboat with Olaf holding the hilt of the changeling as the rest of the blade laid just under the water's surface. Olaf patted him on the back, "I need me, one of those."
The Navy forces then got back to their longboats as Akida raised Triton's Claw. Light flickered around it for a moment. The pirates in the water began to scream as hundreds of shark fins began heading toward them. Bartley snatched one pirate from the water.
***
Kearn stood on the Coral Tower as Bartley brought the lone survivor of the pirates and tossed him down at the Admiral's feet. His eye's went wide in terror as Kearn spoke, "I am Admiral Kearn from the Navy of the Western Empire. I assume you've heard of me."
The pirate nodded as he shook. Kearn swatted him in the face, "Man up, boy. I ain't gonna kill you."
The pirate spat out a tooth as Kearn glared down, "You tell Barrick and that hag that if they want I fight, I'll bring one to them. They can run if they want but this sea lane is mine now."
Bartley then tossed the man into the water by a longboat and threw a pair of oars down after, "I'd get goin' quick if I were you."
He then looked to Kearn, "You know Barrick ain't gonna run."
Kearn nodded then looked back to Dory, "Tell everyone to get ready to fight, we're heading into rough waters."
.***
The God's Head
Casandra gives Rikke a report, "He took six empty cargo ships and eight battle ships. He said he was going to break up the pirate fleet and be back with a resupply in a week or so."
Rikke nodded, "Did he know Barrick and Selena have sixty ships between them?"
"He said they could have a thousand, for all he cared."
Rikke burst into laughter, "That's why I love that man."
***
The pirate Kearn had spared was rowing along but wearing out when he came across a ship from his fleet. A young man with long black hair and a tattooed face named Argyle looked down to him, "Where the hell are the rest of you?"
The pirate looked up, "The Navy sank us. Sent me back with a message."
Argyle sighed, "Who was it?"
"Kearn and his crew."
Argyle took on a serious look as he yelled back to the crew, "Get him up here."
He then walked back to the cabin door and swung it open, "Captain, we got problems."
***
Barrick sat on the dock at his island sipping rum as Selena's crew loaded up their ship. He noticed a messenger bird flying in but continued to sit and drink.
A few minutes later Amos came up running. Barrick turned as he noticed the panting man, "I take it, the bird was for me."
Amos nodded, "Kearn's coming this way with Black Heart."
Barrick shrugged, "It's about damn time. He must be loosing a step from age."
As he took another drink Amos finished, "He's got Vargas with him as well."
Barrick crushed the bottle with his hand at the mention of Vargas. He tossed the shattered glass and rose, "Get my ship ready."
He stomped past as Selena made her way to her ship. She looked to Amos, "What's his problem?"
"Vargas is coming."
She sighed, "Get the fleet ready. All hell's gonna break loose the second they spot each other."
Amos nodded, "Black Heart Bartley is coming to."
She nodded, "Tell the men I'll give the man who brings me his head a ship-full of gold. Two if they can get rid of Kearn and Vargas before Barrick gets there."
Amos looked concerned, "Ma'am...."
She grabbed him by the shirt collar and glared, "I've worked to damned hard building this fleet to let it fall apart over some petty grudge. If Barrick ruins this, I'll kill him myself."
(To be continued)
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