Aerak walked to where everyone could see and hear him clearly, and began to speak. “Well, Captain, gentlemen, this is the way of the world. Drake knows you are running, and that you are heading south. He’s known for the last three or four days, so you at least have a three day lead on him. More so, if the tactics that the network has employed were successful. We’ve made efforts to slow him, and irritate him, so that he will come after you faster, and more recklessly. We think that if we can keep him on edge, it might goad him into doing something stupid when it comes time to face you. We have three operatives on board the “Defiance”, which is currently Drake’s flagship. He’s under orders from Elizabeth to bring you in alive, to account for your actions, so he’s only got the one ship. However, he’s vowed to go around the world again if he has to, to catch you for his Queen. Isn’t that just sweet? Do you have any questions?”
BlackJack pondered a moment before speaking. “How many men does he have on the Defiance? How many guns does she have? What KIND of guns does he have? What type of ship is she? I’ve heard of it, but have never seen or heard anything ABOUT it.”
Aerak looked at the ceiling, as if he was recalling the information requested. “It’s believed that she has close to 200 men on board. There are 28 ten pound guns for each broadside, as well as four guns each on the bow and quarterdeck. The bow and quarterdeck guns are 6 pound swivel guns. The ship just came out of dock after being rebuilt as a race-built galleon, which tells me nothing, I was hoping you could clarify that, as I would like to know.”
BlackJack swore. “Bloody hell. A race-built galleon is a warship that has been re-fitted to make her faster in the water. She’s going to be eating our lead quicker than a standard galleon, which is what we are, and she’ll be much more efficient in changing direction. If’ she’s been refit in that style, we could be in for one hell of a race. As far as guns and manpower, we’re fairly evenly matched. We’re a lighter ship, which should compensate for her greater speed. However, it’s still going to take every bit of skill we all have to keep ahead of Drake. I want at LEAST a two day lead when we get to the Cape, in case we have problems making that turn. I don’t want to fight the weather, AND Drake. Suggestions?” He looked at each officer in turn.
Mr. Thomas was the first to speak, as he pulled a chart from the mess on the table. “He says we’ve a three day lead. What we don’t know, is how he thinks. However, we DO know how you think, my captain.” He stabbed a finger at the map. “Puerto del Curruo, in the Azores. Right now it’s controlled by Spain, so we know that Drake won’t go there. Plus, the way I understand what our friend Aerak is telling us, Drake is angry, and pursuing you with a vengeance. The last thing anyone chasing a target would expect is for the target to hide, and wait to be passed. Thus, the hunted,” he grinned evilly, “becomes the hunter. With the Defiance in front of us, if we keep enough of a distance, we can then take the battle to them, and send them to hell at the Cape of Good Hope.” The other officers grinned and nodded to each other in approval.
BlackJack looked around at the others, and then to Aerak. “What say you, lad, do ye think yer boys on the Defiance can piss Drake off enough to get him to pass us?” Aerak grinned, and laughed….
“Magnus knows you as well as your men do, Captain. That is why his people on the Defiance have their orders to make the crew think that the ship is currently cursed, and the quickest way to break the curse is to capture you. As long as Drake’s crew think their ship is haunted, they aren’t going to give him pause to think strategically about what you might do. It should work.”
BlackJack nodded slowly, as the grin slowly crept across his face, as he pondered the options this gave him. “All right lads, then we shall endeavor to do this, and send Drake where he belongs. Get busy, and keep double watch aloft for the next couple of days. Mr. Thomas, when do you think we can hit La Palma?”
Mr. Thomas looked at the map, as the others began departing. “Not knowing our current position, I would say with fair winds, we should be able to make it in two days most. If we don’t stop anywhere between here and there, we could be out of sight, and have to wait three days to begin hunting the hunter.”
“LAND HO!”, came the cry from the crow’s nest, two days later, as BlackJack stood on the quarterdeck.
“Where away?” BlackJack called out, as he began making his way to the bow of the ship, to see for himself.
“Two points to port, about two leagues out!” came down the breeze to him as he leapt on the rail, spyglass in one hand, a rope in the other for balance.
Mr. Thomas, just coming up with the day watch, walked up to where BlackJack stood. Turning and jumping down, BlackJack grinned, and spoke. “It looks like we made it, lad. There appears to be a small cove we can weather the next couple of days in, and hole up. We’ll anchor there, and put men ashore for lumber, water, and any meat can be found. I also want a watch posted on top of the hills on the north side of the isle, to keep an eye out to sea. The men can camp on the beach if they want, as long as the required watches are on board. We’ll stay three days, weather permitting, and be gone, hopefully to come up on Drake, and finish him.” Mr. Thomas nodded in agreement, and the two men walked back towards the quarterdeck, discussing options.to be continued...
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