The energy of the crew crackled around her as they readied for battle. They were fast approaching the Imperial ship, probably faster than many of them desired as they bolted across the ship preparing canons and arming themselves. A wicked smile graced her soft features; that Admiral wouldn’t be chasing her for much longer.
Lou hollered at her from across the ship, the canons were ready on her order. Handing off the wheel to the crewman next to her, she approached the edge of the upper level to look down on her men.
"Men, today we face a worthy opponent. He and his crew will fight hard, but we must fight harder. We win this battle and we’ll be set for life, we lose and well, you know how that’ll work out." She paused and smirked as her crew chortled at the morbid joke. "SO COME ON, YOU RIOTOUS BASTARDS! LET’S END THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!" A cheer rose through the crowd and they rushed off to their positions.
"Cap’n!" The young lad at the wheel called to her. "We’re almost on them!" She walked over to him, taking control of the wheel once more and gave him her most winning smile. "Then you better get down there and ready yourself, mate." She watched him bound off to grab a sword and smiled. He was new, but as energetic and loyal as the rest of her crew. Roger? No. Robert. Good kid.
Her gaze turned towards their enemy and she saw the man who had been chasing her for these last five years. The pompous admirals’ hat sat firmly on his head, his graying hair shining underneath it. She scoffed audibly. They had sent a geezer after her! This was going to be no problem.
Hackett’s hands tightened around each other in anticipation. He always loved the thrill of battle, and chasing down one of the most notorious pirates in the Caribbean was something he found peace in. After all he was a British officer, and his Highness’s Royal Admiral, keeping the peace on these waters was what he lived for.
Delany called out orders to the crew, and as the pirates drew even with them Delany gave the order to fire. Hackett’s eyes widened as he realized his second in command had given the order too soon, and he watched in horror as several cannons fired into the open ocean. Cursing at his ill luck, the admiral spun into action. His voice rang out around the deck, loud and confident as he ordered every second team to abandoned their cannons and join him on the deck.
His second, looking shame-faced and sour muttered a quick apology to him, and he waved it off. Delany would be dealt with when they returned to port. For now he was one of the most experienced soldiers he had. Ordering the men to the side of the ship he called for the planks to be prepared for their boarding. Several men looked at him in surprise and he repeated his order with more force. His men knew how to fight, and that was what matter. Turning to Delany he ordered the man to stay put, and unsheathed his sword. Turning to the pirate ship he waited for the two ships to draw even, his own ship shaking beneath the might of the other’s cannons.
He gave the order for the planks to be extended, and he neatly jumped upon the first. Sword held high he ran nimbly along the thin piece of wood, pulling his pistol from his sash and firing at a young pirate from the middle of the plank. Behind him he heard his men screaming and crying, their swords and guns in their hands. “Leave me the captain!” He cried as he jumped to the pirate’s deck. “Kill everyone else, but leave me the captain!”