Ship of Misfits [Rated M ]

"Understandable." He nodded. "Juu, stay on board. Celameng...Noiriss...you heard the man. Get on your ships, take cover. You'll know if you're needed."

Juu turned to the tanned Elf next to him, "Arevanos, dos orn ssinssrin ulu inbau rath pholor dosst ozam." Arevanos nodded without another word, taking his translator with him. One-by-one, the captains returned to their ships, falling back into the mist as Morsereg and Co. waited. A slight rumbling beneath them echoed for a moment and silenced, Tisiphone's way of assuring them that she was still there.

"And so it begins."

_________________
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Just after Morsreg's allies hid themselves, A ship with with obnoxiously patterned Green and purple sails came in to view. I pulled up along the port side and in a dramtic over the top manner a man swung from ship to ship, released in mid-air and landed perfectly, his oversized hat not even the least bit askew, a mere few feet from Morsereg.

Molan laughed, "You always had a flair for the dramatic but seriously, how the devil do you manage it? Even the damn monocle stayed on."

Angus MacQuarrie gave a roguish smile to his old friend. "Now, Now, If I told you how that it would ruin the whole entrance."
He then did an elaborate bow to Morsereg, Swishing his hat across a good section of the deck. "And you must be Captain Morsereg Dindaedel of the Night's Hollow. As you have no doubt guessed I am Captain Angus MacQuarrie of the Jaded Peacock, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Yes, a pleasure," Morsereg gave something of a smile as he extended his hand to the man. Juu stood to the side with the rest of the crew, waiting.

"So, how are we to go about this?" Morsereg asked after a moment of silence.

_________________
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back." - Friedrich Nietzsche

MacQuarrie shook the other captain's hand. Then began to outline the details of the attack. "The prize vessel will be guarded by two escort ships on each side, however there is a wide gap between them that a ship can easily pass through. The inital pass for our ships will be through this space and is meant to disable the main vessel's masts and rudder with cannons, leaving it dead in the water, while firing at the guard vessels at the same time from the other side of our ships. Our ships outclass their's in both speed and firepower, meaning that we'll have them helpless before they can load a single gun. After that we mop up whatever resistance remains and take the spoils. Does my plan seem agreeable? With these conditions it's doubtful they'll even be able to see us until we're sending cannonball up they're arse."

The other two ships had hightailed it when the others did. Faina had stayed aboard. Luz hadn't had time to explain why.
Now, Luz stood silent, watching the goings on.

_________________

"i have killed many in my life."
Justin.
(Quote taken out of context)

"Agreed." Morsereg nodded. "Should be simple enough."

_________________
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back." - Friedrich Nietzsche

"indeed, and since we do not have long before our prey arrives I'll return to my ship and leave you to your final preparations. I look forward to talking to you further once the job is complete." And with that MacQuarrie moved to the side and caught a rope that his crew swung his way. He tipped his hat and swung back to his ship.

Morsereg watched MacQuarrie leave, knowing that it was highly unlikely they would get any sort of chance to speak after the job was complete. He motioned Juu over wordlessly, waiting until the immortal fiend was breathing on his neck before he muttered. "We attack the ship and wait until the guard ships are useless before anything else happens. Keep Tisiphone hidden under the water, and wait for my signal."

He made all preparations necessary for the battle, sending Serghei down below to help man some cannons. Alessa followed him closely, and every second look was directed at her.

_________________
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back." - Friedrich Nietzsche

It was not long before their target and it's naval envoy appeared, Hidden in the fog banks the two pirate vessels were invisible to their victim. Suddenly MacQuarrie gave the signal and the attack began.

The Jaded Peacock easily sailed in between the other ships and began firing it's canons from both sides.

_________________
NICKY:Oh, Schadenfreude, huh? What's that, some kinda Nazi word?
GARY COLEMAN:Yup! It's German for "happiness at the misfortune of others!"
NICKY:"Happiness at the misfortune of others." That IS German!
Avenue Q song: Schadenfreude
-----
http://stavaros-the-arcane.deviantart.com/

Almost at the same moment that MacQuarrie's first cannon was fired, so too did Morsereg let his fly. The madman stood with his long-time friend and his newest "friend" at the helm of the ship, watching as the cannonballs impacted the guard ship they were taking on.

_________________
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back." - Friedrich Nietzsche

As planned the initial run did terrible damage to the escort ships. Almost all of their canons on the side they were being attacked were obliterated as well as each ship loosing at least one sail. One had lost all sails, while another had lost it's rudder. Had there been any truely great officers on those ships they may have formed some sort of decent response. However the captains and their subordinants were mostly wealthy or noble born men who had gained their commission through politics. Against another navy they may have been ready but the chaos of the pirate assult left them and their crews helpless. Two ships were on the verge of sinking sinking.

The Ship they were escorting however was in no such danger. It's sails and rudder had been neatly blown off and ship was dead in the water.

MacQuarrie shouted to his crew, the glee in his voice clear "Reload the canons lads, one more pass should finish them off." His ship prepared to do just that.

------------
Meanwhile Commadore Dalton's twelve ships were moving ever closer. The Commadore stood on deck glaring out on the horizon. "I swear this will be the day I clease the seas of MacQuarrie and his Pirate ilk. The days of the whole pirate breed are numbered."

Morsereg echoed MacQuarrie's command, cannons being reloaded as they prepared to take out the other ship.

The clock was ticking, as was MacQuarrie's time on this precious earth...

_________________
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back." - Friedrich Nietzsche

The second pass by both ships did as expected leaveing the ships sinking and most of the crewmen dead. The Tribute ship was theirs for the taking. Pulling up along side the precious vessel MacQuarrie and his boarding party swung over. Ready to engage the few men that stood between them and the prize.

Serghei returned to the deck as their target was destroyed. He ran straight to Morsereg, waiting for orders. "Take Alessa into my quarters. Guard her with your life." He almost snarled at him under his breath. Serghei grabbed Alessa's hand and they disappeared.

With that, Morsereg and Juu led members of their crew onto the tribute ship. Morsereg already had his pistol in hand, as did many of those that followed. Juu, however, carried nothing. They stood on board of the ship for a few short moments before Morsereg turned to his partner and gave him a curt nod.

Slowly but surely, torches were lit around the ship, carried by wispy, shadow-like creatures. As each light lit, the air seemed to thicken, until the last flame erupted into the night, and Tisiphone rose her head from the sea, ramming it into the side of the Jaded Peacock.

_________________
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster...when you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Those onboard the vessel were shaken as the great beast smashed into the ship. The first mate, a one-eyed man with white hair began shouting orders. although their was little he could do, they had withstood the first hit but how many more could they survive.

Both Molan and MacQuarrie stared at the serpent for a moment. then at each other from across the tribute ship. Molan could only shrug before MacQuarrie turned his gaze on Morsereg. "Well, I wish I could say I wasn't expecting this sort of betrayal, but then i'd be lying. Although I must admit I never expected something like that. An attempt on my life I could forgive, but nobody fucks with my ship and lives to see the next dawn." The foppish attitude and behavior was gone, Captain Angus MacQuarrie was angry.