» Sun Mar 20, 2011 3:20 am Prologue
The sky was a beautiful blue, as well as the glistening calm water surrounding the large badly damaged Brigantine ship known only as, The Nostromo which was crewed by a terribly vicious and deadly crew. Following the Oblivion Crisis, and the reconstruction period of Cyrodiil and the surrounding provinces; which was still going on. Piracy had taken hold of many ports and major sea lanes leading from Cyrodiil to the Summerset Isles, from Valenwood to Morrowind, and beyond. It had been seven long months since the crisis had been ended, and the reconstruction had begun. But it was not the reconstruction of Tamriel or anything else, that interested these bandits of the high seas; it was what the Empire's Fleet was carrying. A couple months after the Oblivion Crisis, the Empire had began to once again start shipping major resources from province to province, which led to Anarchy on the high seas, and many a man and mer perished fighting for or defending the resources which were carried across the seas by the Empire's Fleet.
Every Pirate, Raider, and Sea faring dog from High Rock to Black Marsh; was battling one another for the spoils of a successful attack. It was not until a couple months later, that these vile men and mer began helping one another rather than always killing each other, for the resources which were being brought across in such large quantities. Chancellor Ocato, the current leader of the Empire began putting out laws and rules for the port cities too be careful of any man or mer, who seemed to be or take presence as he put it, 'A Rapscallion on the seas, who has no education or true meaning to life.' This remark made by Chancellor Ocato, did not enrage or discourage the pirates and others; but made them stronger in both number and morale. It had seemed to them, that their hard work and willpower had reached the very top of the Empire, and that their presence was very well known which ended up making them much more aggressive, and decisive in their attacks on fleet convoys.
And this; this is where the Nostromo came into power and play. Her captain, a middle aged Imperial who was a notorious killer, murderer, ransacker, thief, and drunk by the name of Henry Good-Fellow; or as his crew and the rest of the sea going venturers knew him as: Lord Jim. His mentality and known temper were short and violent. He would just soon cut your throat and feed you your own heart, as look at him wrong. Lord Jim was, by no means a clean or caring man. Everywhere he went be brought the stench of death along with him; and like his crew, Lord Jim fashioned a very thick black beard that ran down to the base of his neck, and dirty mangy hair that reached passed his shoulders. His skin was a dark bronze, and you could tell by just looking at him that he had been through many sea faring adventures and battles. Most of which had probably caused him to be the way he was today. But it was only his crew, that could truly understand him the best.
They too were not clean or caring men, and were just as or even more so vicious than their captain. All their clothes were torn, ripped, and tattered from lack of stitching. But with all the chores and busy work, that each seamen had to take on the Nostromo; they had little time to care or mend their clothes which would sooner rather than later, just be torn and tattered once again. Lucky for them though, their captain was lucky with finding ships to plunder almost every day; and so the lack of new clothes to be once again, torn, ripped, and tattered was not far off. Most of the crew, had very different backgrounds from one another. All were more or less criminals in some sort or fashion, but how they had become what they had become were all very different. Some had been petty thieves, and killers. While others had given up their shore legs, and had come looking for adventure on the seas by doing many terrible things. No matter what they were in the past, it did not matter to the captain now or later. He knew, that they would duly do what was asked of them; even if that meant die for one another. But being the buccaneers that they were, it was not something to happen to often, even if they were a close nit and tight group, they were still self centered and closed off men in many ways.
If just being around each other, was bad enough. The crews temper around others, and even fellow pirates was no better, in fact it was much worse. During one of the crews stops for supplies, some of the crewmen had gone ashore to get some 'extra supplies' for the ship. When the crew members returned, their shirts and faces were spattered with blood and some even had small pieces of their victims, hanging in their beards and hair. When Lord Jim had asked what they had done, which was a some what respectable quality of him in a way, the men simply answered, "The poor fools tried cheating us out of a card game. Sorry for them, we cheated every last one of them, out of their very own lives."
And so, after traveling from port to port; killing, ransacking, murdering, and cheating people and other pirates out of their lives, money, and valuables all together. The crew of the Nostromo; along with the ship itself began to become well known around the Gold Coast, and other places. Many times when the sails of the Nostromo were spotted by an enemy ship, the captain of that ship would quickly give the order to surrender, and not put up any sort of fight. It was like this for months, and when the Nostromo and her crew reached Anvil to see that not much progress; construction wise had happened, they began to ask questions; either out of curiosity, greed, or whatever their reason, the answer was always the same, "Those damn pirates on the Nostromo, and their continuous attacks agains the Empire's Fleet. They are what is holding up the reconstruction, and peace that the Empire used to be, before the Oblivion Gates opened."
When Ocato began to get infuriated with the lack of influence, and success he was having on the sea lanes and pirates all around Tamriel. He began putting down rules and regulations, too which the fleet was to follow with no exceptions. Many of the rules were harsh, and very deadly to the pirates. A couple of examples of the rules and regulations, were that any ship of the Empire that spotted a possible pirate ship, or a ship that showed any kind of hostility towards them; was to be boarded and the crew killed without thought. Another, was that if any pirates or renegades were caught in a port city, even minding their own business. They were to be immediately handed over to any naval officer, belonging to the Empire's Fleet. There, they would be executed by either beheading or strangulation.
But these new rules, and problems did not deter the Nostromo, and their continuation of plundering ships like it did other pirate crews. But that was until one fateful morning, three months, and some odd days ago; the Nostromo met her match against the best of the Empire's Fleet, bringing to life one of the most interesting and dangerous secrets any pirate crew or man could know about.
***
The early morning was dim and the sun just barely starting to peak over the horizon. The sunlight lit the ocean around the Nostromo like a guiding light showing the way, for lost souls who had been traveling for eternity. The crew members aboard the Nostromo were busy at work, checking the sails and rigging, and cooking the food for the soon to be, if not already, hungry crew members working to get the ship in tip top shape. From afar, the crew looked almost like frenzied ants, crawling all over the rigging and deck of the Nostromo, double checking and tightening ropes, while also cleaning the wooden deck.
Not before long, while the crewmen on the top deck did their work. A cry from the top of the main mast came down to them. The voice was young, and the accent was one that was only common in the deepest parts of Valenwood. The young Bosmer, called down again with the same cry. This time with a bit more assurance in his voice.
"Ship off the port bow, ship off the port bow, ship off the port bow!"
Quick enough, the crew on the top deck rushed over from whatever it was they were busy doing, too hurry over and look for themselves. Sure enough, the young Bosmer look-out was right. Along the horizon, the tall mast and sails of a Brigantine came towards them. The First Mate in charge of the deck at the time, an aged Dunmer checked for himself; spotting the tall mast and sails right away. He, along with the crew on the deck smiled fiendishly at one another, a glimmer of vile evilness showing in each and every one of their eyes.
"Hurry to the Captain, he'll want to know about this of course." One crewmen said to the First Mate, a glimmer of happiness showing across his face. The Dunmer nodded, and quickly shot to the door leading down into the Nostromo's hull, and hurried through the single hallway to the captains door. A single knock came through before the deep powerful voice of Lord Jim accepted, and allowed him in.
"Captain, our look-out has spotted a ship off the port bow. It's a Brigantine sir, and it looks big!" The First Mate said with a bit of excitement at the end of his sentence. He tried not to show to much glee, but Lord Jim was good at reading peoples faces.
"Good, good, good. Alert the rest of the ship. I want this ship, and everyone on it ready for a fight!" Lord Jim said standing up suddenly; his chair sliding along the wooden floor. His gruff and grimace face told it all. He was ready for the fight, and quickly took his well finished sabre, which he had taken off the dead body of a Redguard Officer somewhere off the coast of Hammerfell a few weeks back, and strapped it to his waist. The First Mate gave a short quick bow, and quickly hurried off, closing the door behind him before he rushed to inform the rest of the crew that a fight was sure to come, and to be ready right away.
Lord Jim stood in silence, the voice of the First Mate shouting orders to the crew echoed through the wooden door, the Imperial smiling a moment before stepping to his personal closet. Inside, there was a fairly good wardrobe of nice linens, silks, and other clothes which he used to wear when he wanted to go into town, and not be harassed by city guards or the Empire's naval men. But hidden behind the finely kept clothes, Lord Jim revealed a small wooden box. Inside this box, would be the key to his and the crew of the Nostromo's problems in the very near future.
The Imperial opened the small wooden box, and a small glimmering light cast across his face. He looked into the box; as if he was almost 'entranced' by the light that was given off by the mysterious object. When the sudden sounds of shouting and the clambering of feet stomping up to the deck, and down to the cannons echoed into the room. Lord Jim suddenly became undone from the 'trance', and shook his head to clear his mind. The sounds of shouting, and the cries of readiness and joy echoed louder as Lord Jim took a small well balanced dagger which was stuck perfectly straight in the table, and slipped it into his left sleeve, where he had a hidden leather sheath that he used for precaution.
The sudden sound of a cannon firing alerted Lord Jim to the top deck, quickly sprinting from his room, up the stairs, and out the single door leading back down and to the top deck. When he looked around, the sight of not only a single ship was on the horizon; but four. He looked around, spotting another which had white smoke coming from the side. No doubt, it had tried to fire at the Nostromo; but the shot was well out of range. Lord Jim smiled, the crewmen from time to time watching him, and then turning back to the now five ships coming directly at them. Four of the ships, the one originally spotted along with the now three new arrivals were still coming at them strong from off the port bow, while the fifth ship which Lord Jim identified as a Man-of-War came at them directly from port.
Once again, from afar the crew on the Nostromo looked like ants in a frenzy. Awaiting for their prey to come close, just so they could eagerly swarm and kill; even if they were out numbered, and were swarmed themselves. The crew of the Nostromo knew no fear in the thought, or in this case, fact of being out numbered.
"What in the name of Oblivion are all you scurvy dogs waiting for?" Lord Jim shouted to his crew. "We've got some pests to deal with, don't just look at them and tease! Give them action, bring them all the fear that the Nostromo can bring!"Lord Jim said.
With enthusiasm and excitement running through his veins, Lord Jim pulled out a small well kept spyglass which he always kept on him, from his black leather belt. He quickly aimed the small spyglass at the Man-of-War, still coming directly from port. He determined to himself, that he and the crew had enough time to take care of the four Brigantines off the port bow, before having to deal with the dastardly strong and well armed Man-of-War. The crewmen were scurrying all around the deck, mast, and firing areas of the ship, getting ready. Lord Jim hurried over to the steersman, taking command of the large wheel.
"Watch that boom, don't let her swing around to far! Understand?" Lord Jim shouted to some crewmen who were busy pulling some ropes and tying them. They turned and nodded, quickly finishing their business before hurrying over to the main boom. Lord Jim looked to the four oncoming ships, steering the Nostromo right into their path. His plan was simple: Split them up into pairs, and take out one pair at a time while keeping the others off of him. At least the plan sounded simple to him, but the crew knowing him would think he was crazier than ever. Splitting the four ships into two groups would give the crew members of the other ships, just enough time to fire across them broad side, hitting them from both sides. Luckily Lord Jim had already thought of that, and was anticipating it.
"Sir, your heading straight into their formation. You'll have us finished before we can even get a shot off!" The First Mate shouted from down on the deck. Lord Jim smiled, looking directly into the eyes of his First Mate. The very notion of what Lord Jim was doing, was uneasy enough for the Dunmer, but his cold calculating stare was even worse.
"Do not worry my dear friend. We have not lost a battle yet, and I will not let this be our last, I can assure you of that." Lord Jim said as the wind filled the Nostromo's sails, and they began making better speed. "Prepare the gunners, and on my signal I want them to fire everything at the ships they can; as fast as they can. Understand!" Lord Jim added, looking to his First Mate.
"Yes Captain, we'll give them everything we have. And send them straight into Oblivion itself!" The Dunmer said smiling before he motioned for the past steersman to come over to him. Lord Jim nodded, and the tall Nord walked down to the First Mate, and listened to his instructions. Lord Jim did not pay attention, and figured the First Mate had everything under control; which he did.
Soon enough, the four Brigantines were almost in range, and the swivel guns on the bow's of their ships began to fire, clearly missing the Nostromo as the small iron cannon balls splashed into the water. It took a lot of discipline for the crew of the Nostromo, not to fire back. They would have to wait for Lord Jim's order. A bead of sweat rolled down the First Mates forehead as the sight of the two Brigantines they were to seemingly split apart neared closer and closer. The Dunmer looked nervously at the oncoming ships, and then to Lord Jim who smiled and chuckled as he steered the Nostromo closer and closer.
After a couple more shots from the swivel guns of the enemy Brigantines, Lord Jim surprised them all, the crew, the First Mate, and of course the enemy ships as he began steering the ship away from them, bringing the Nostromo's starboard guns to bare on their bows. The stunt was dangerous, but genius none the less. As soon as he felt the guns were ready, he shouted the order to fire. The First Mate shouted down the doorway, and down to the steersmen who was down below now, relaying the order.
Suddenly with a loud crackling, and almost ear popping explosion. The six starboard cannons of the Nostromo erupted into life, the cannons firing straight and true towards their intended targets. Smoke followed, and soon after the cannons were readied once again, and fired without an order at the enemy Brigantines. Lord Jim shouted and cheered with the crew, watching as the large ship's bows, masts, and decks were smashed by the flying iron weights. Two of the Brigantines, which had both been at the fore front of the group had taken most damage, and were unable to do much of anything. The Brigantine to the far right of Lord Jim, turned to bring its guns on the Nostromo, but was not quick enough as Lord Jim had already put the Nostromo into a turn, bringing the guns once again to bare on the enemy ship. This time though, the first three main guns of the enemy ship fired, but the first two fired short, and the cannon balls fell just short of the Nostromo's starboard side. The third cannon ball smashed into the mast head, destroying the 'Singing harlet' as the men of the ship had named her. Lord Jim looked at the enemy ship angrily. White smoke from both ships rose up into the sky, the Nostromo's guns firing once again; this time, smashing the entire bow and taking out some mid-ship placed cannons as well.
"Kill the fools! Do not let them run!" Lord Jim said shouting at the First Mate, who quickly shouted the message down to the gunners. A minute later, the guns of the Nostromo fired again, smoking rising from the guns as they took the third enemy ship out of action, and forced it into submission as its Main Mast, and Forward Mast had been destroyed. The sight on the enemy Brigantine was hilarious for crew of the Nostromo, the other sailors were helpless to do anything with their ship. Some of the mages who had joined the Nostromo, were preparing spells to finish off the ship and its crew. But they had not expected the sudden sight of their own, fighting for the Empire. Though it was not uncommon for many sea battles to turn into battles between ships mages, who were casting spells at one another from across the water.
Luckily, the mages on the Nostromo had readied first, and were already casting spells of fireballs, lighting bolts, along with other destruction spells to finish the ship off. In return, the mages on the enemy ship had to cast defensive spells; rather offensive destruction spells. They did not last, as the mages on the Nostromo were not aiming directly for them, but were more in tune to burn the ship.
"Light them up, burn them down. Kill them all!" Lord Jim shouted as he motioned for his Second Mate, a young Imperial to take the wheel. The man rushed over to Lord Jim, who acted as if he was going to draw his sabre; and somehow leap across the twelve foot gap which separated the Nostromo from the enemy ship. "Don't let them cast anything against us, that could harm the ship. We'll take them for what they're worth later." The crew looked on at the enemy crewmen; Lord Jim motioning for the Second Mate to break off their attack.
But he had failed to realize the other two remaining ships; one of which was the other remaining Brigantine, which was in firing range of the Nostromo. Lord Jim ordered the mages to cast some spells to increase their speed, giving them distance between the ships, allowing them time to return and attack. The mages complied, and began casting large spells of wind; which brought strong gusts into the large sails. Lord Jim looked around, taking his spyglass from his belt, and once again looking around for the Man-of-War. He was shocked to see it where it was, almost dropping his spyglass in the process. He cursed himself for not concentrating on it in the beginning, and watched as it sailed through the fiery smoke filled wreckage of what the first two Brigantine ships had become. Lord Jim shouted many words, some of which would not be suitable to say around a lady. He asked himself why no one else had seen it until now. But he had no time to answer the question, for the large powerful ship was coming directly at them, and closing fast enough to use its guns.
Lord Jim knew that he was outgunned, but he was not one to give in a fight. He had already dispatched three of the five ships alone, without taking much damage to the Nostromo itself. He and the crew looked at the Man-of-War, the crew aboard the ship which Lord Jim made out with his spyglass, The Whale, was blood thirsty and wanting revenge for their fallen comrades. But Lord Jim was not ready to give in, he would fight to his last dying breath if he had to. Under his command, no enemy of the Nostromo would set foot on her deck unless the next was to be pushed off or taken right back off by will of deadly force.
***
Smoke billowed from the cannons as the rocking of the Nostromo, from the guns began firing at the on coming Whale. It was inevitable that the larger ships guns, would soon be brought to bare on the Nostromo itself; and they would have to make a quick run for safer seas. But Lord Jim could not think about that now, he had a battle to win. As the Nostromo sailed forward, passing through a white billowy cloud of smoke from the black powder guns, Lord Jim could see through the cloud of smoke; the flashes of the Man-of-Wars cannons firing at them.
"Prepare yourselves!" Lord Jim ordered to the crew, hitting the deck of the ship as cannon balls sailed over head, two tearing through the main sail, and three others smacking into the port side of the Nostromo, luckily just above the water line. Wooden splinters, and the cries of men below deck echoed as they were injured or killed by the flying wood and flying iron. The others fell short, Lord Jim thanking the gunners for their faulty mistake before getting back to his feet, and quickly rushing over to assess the situation.
Along the port side, four of the six main guns on the ship had been destroyed; leaving only two operational it seemed. There was a giant hole where the enemy cannon balls had smashed into the ship. The other crewmen above deck looked as well, hopelessness suddenly came across their faces as Lord Jim looked to his First Mate with uncertainty in his eyes.
"Keep command here, I'm going down to asses the situation with the gunners. Fire back at that bloody ship with everything we have!" Lord Jim demanded, rushing through the others and down the main stairs to the gunnery deck. Down there it was dirty, and messy. Smoke filled the entire deck, causing Lord Jim to cough and squint his eyes and lungs burned in the smoke. Men were laying on the floor, bloody and injured with wood pieces scattered all around. Some of the sailors did not even move, and Lord Jim knew that they had perished in the attack. Several of the survivors who were standing, were bloody and in a complete daze of confusion. For some, their eyes were swollen and bloody, while all had large gashes and splinters of wood jutting of their their arms or torsos. The entire site was terrible, but Lord Jim had seen much worse in his younger and more youthful idealistic years. He looked around, assessing what he could through the smoke that filled the room before giving out orders with a cough here and there.
"Gather the wounded, and take them to the doctor. Whoever can still work, get off your asses or quit stumbling around and fire back at them!" Lord Jim ordered as he stepped over the body of a fallen crew memeber. "We can't stop fighting now. Those bastards will board us if we don't stop them." He added, walking back over to the stairway. The smoke was clearing, and already the sight of the Man-of-Wars hull could be seen coming against the Nostromo.
Lord Jim looked and panicked a moment; his breath quickening as he could see the silhouettes of the Whale's gunners through the dissipating smoke. The sound of men crying in agony echoed down as the voice of the First Mate came down to Lord Jim, beckoning him to hurry topside. More cries of pain and agony came as Lord Jim came outside, and saw several of his Mages laying on the deck, dead and completely lifeless. The sudden clanking of iron hooks coming from the Whale, quickly made Lord Jim look in their direction as the first of the invading sailors leapt across to do battle.
There were only three mages left out of the seven that had been aboard the Nostromo, and the enemy sailors were quickly rushing towards them. Luckily, two of Lord Jim's men rushed them, and cut them down. Cries of fear and harassment from both sides echoed as the men aboard the Whale began to leap across to the Nostromo in numbers. Lord Jim was forced to draw his sabre, his teeth gritting together in anger as seven or more sailors from the Whale, leapt across from their decks.
"Kill the bastards who dare take our ship!" Lord Jim shouted to his men, before rushing to do battle. The First Mate drew his sabre as well, following right behind. The two pirates clashed with the oncoming attackers, the other crewmen of the Nostromo did the same, getting some quick and easy kills as the men from the Whale leapt; and were cut down as they tried to quickly recover from their jump.
Not before long, blood quickly covered the deck of the Nostromo, the guns of both ships completely silent as man and mer fought one another to the death. Lord Jim smiled and laughed a fiendish laugh as he cut down man and mer alike. The First Mate covered his captain, getting an unlucky Altmer who had tried charging Lord Jim from behind. Both pirate and soldier alike cried out in pain and agony as swords, axes, daggers, and other weapons of death were thrust into their flesh.
Lord Jim's face was completely blood soaked after striking several times, a single Nord who had tried bringing down an axe on his head. Lucky for Lord Jim, he was quicker and his attacks counted for something. The blood sprayed profusely onto his face. His clothes were no better, and were soaked with the blood. With the echo of cries and death all around him, Lord Jim and the crew were forced back from the side of the deck, pushed down into the Nostromo, and around the wheel area.
"Don't let these bastards take another step!" Lord Jim ordered, slicing and swinging at any enemy that came to him. He moved down into the ship, leaving the others who were not already inside to fend for themselves. "This ship is ours, not theirs."
"Captain, look-out!" The First Mate shouted, as an unseen Bosmer came from his left, slicing his forearm with a small short sword. Lord Jim looked, but could not move quick enough and fell backwards; his arm in sudden and terrible pain as the Bosmer was quickly put down by two crewmen of the Nostromo. The little elf crying out as the blades were thrusted down into his chest.
"Damn them to Oblivion. This is a fight we cannot win, we have to retreat and make sail to a safe place." Lord Jim said with heavy breathing. His hand holding his wound as he moved to the back of the group, his First Mate tending to him.
"How can we retreat when they're already aboard ship, sir? If we try to break away, they'll fire on us with their guns again. Then we will have had it-"
"We'll have had it, whether or not we continue the fight or retreat. But we have a better chance of surviving and regrouping if we get away; rather than rotting on some ship headed towards the Imperial Prison. Now do as I say. Get these bastards off my ship! Kill them all!" Lord Jim interrupting; ordered in an enraged and rushed voice. The First Mate nodded, helping the captain into a secluded room which had not been broken into.
"I will do as you wish, sir. Take this just incase." The First Mate said, handing Lord Jim an extra dagger for protection. "We'll get them off this ship sir, no matter what the number." The First Mate added, before moving out, and closing the door before going to assist the other pirates with getting rid of the enemy crew members.
"Get them off this ship, kill them without remorse or hesitation. They will not be so kind to you!" The voice of the first mate echoed into the room. Lord Jim looked around, seeing he was surrounded by large bags of food and other goods. He could still hear the echo of cries and agony above and around him as he ripped a piece of tattered bag off, that looked to have been chewed on by rats, and tied the piece around his wound. The pain of the cut was much, but Lord Jim was not one to show much pain or emotion to injuries.
"Please, no, no, please don't do it-" A voice, of what sounded like an Argonian asked before being cut off, followed by the sound of something big hitting the water below. Lord Jim knew it was one of his own, as he did not know of many Argonians that participated in the Empires dealings on the seas, besides ruining them.
The chuckling of a man or mer above chuckled, but the chuckling was soon turned into a cry of terror as the sound of the body hit the deck of the Nostromo, leaving Lord Jim to imagine the man or mer had been swiftly killed. The echoing sound of explosions came as well, Lord Jim realizing that it was not guns from the Whale; but mages still casting spells. Who's side they were on, Lord Jim did not know; but only assumed they were the Empires as he had seen one of the three remaining mages of his ship be struck down by three or more men wielding swords and axes alike.
"Damn this, I cannot stay and wait for my end." Lord Jim muttered to himself. With his good arm, he pounded his fist against a bag of grain, his teeth gritting together once again as the cries of unrecognizable men echoed through the wood. The sounds were many, and few between each other as Lord Jim placed his sabre away, and placed the dagger his first mate had given him; into his belt. The other hidden dagger, was still hidden in the good sleeve of his white blood soaked shirt; Lord Jim sure he wouldn't need it right away. Before Lord Jim opened the door, the door itself was burst open with the sight of a sailor wearing the clothes of an Imperial sailor, came shooting in. The two men were surprised at one another's presence, and Lord Jim instinctively along with the other Imperial; drew a small blade and met one another's attack. Lord Jim smiled as he looked into the eyes of the enemy Imperial, their blades pressed against one another.
"Surrender this ship, and yourself. I will not harm you if you do so." The Imperial said pressing his daggers blade against Lord Jim's.
"I am sorry my friend, but that is not what I or any of my crew will allow!" Lord Jim said with emphasis before pushing with all his strength, against the Imperial, making him stumble backwards out of the room and catch himself against the wall. Lord Jim gritted his teeth together in a sadistic smile, charging the Imperial who was suddenly shocked to see a hidden blade unsheathed, and thrusted into his neck. The original dagger, was thrusted deep into the Imperials ribs, the man silent and eyes tearing up as his end was coming much soon than he had wished it to be. Lord Jim looked into the eyes of the Imperial, his sinister smile still shown across his face. "Never take my ship!" Lord Jim said withdrawing both blades, and letting the limp body of the dead Imperial fall to the ground; blood quickly collecting around him. Up and down the hallway, bodies of both pirate and enemy sailor were limp and lifeless on the floor. Some were covered with blood of their own and enemies, while resting limp against the wall or stretched across the floor.
"This is my ship. This ship is mine to command. I command this ship with the up most authority!" Lord Jim said to himself as he clambered up the stairs, and back to the top. his face was red with anger and blood, Lord Jim looked to the steersmen area. It was clear, but bodies were strewn all around as the Second Mate, who he himself was covered in blood, but still worked at controlling the wheel. On the lower part of the deck, the battle was coming to a close. Just as the First Mate had said, they were successfully clearing the ship of the enemy sailors, but not at a fast pace. Lord Jim looked, and saw no mages around on either decks of the two ships.
"Captain! I need your help." The Second Mate beckoned, waving Lord Jim over. "The Wheel is stuck, I can't get her to move. The rudder wont respond to anything?" The Second Mate said trying his best to get the Nostromo to turn away from the Whale.
The fighting was intense between the two, but it had collected once again along the sides where the two ships came together; allowing Lord Jim to come to his Second Mates aid. The two took good grips of the wheel, and gritted their teeth together as they tried with all their strength to turn it. The pain from Lord Jim's arm was terrible, but he did not think about it.
The first tries to turn the wheel were a failure, and neither Lord Jim or the Second Mate could understand what was happening. But then, Lord Jim came to a realization, and quickly rushed to look at the rudder. As he suspected, one of the hooks from the Whale, had been latched on, and was jamming the rudder either way. Lord Jim called over to the Second Mate, showing him the problem.
"Damn them to Oblivion, how are we supposed to destroy it without damaging the rudder?" The Second Mate asked, looking at his captain for an answer. Lord Jim smiled, and hurried to the other side of the ship, following the rope as it led to the Whale. On the other side, the rope was well tied onto the side of the Whale, and didn't look like it could be undone very easily.
"We'll take the rope out with this." Lord Jim said looking over at a swivel gun, which was well placed and facing the direction of the rope already. "Just get some powder and a small iron ball. We'll take it out with one shot." Lord Jim said with assurance. He knew they wouldn't last much longer, as he looked to his men still fighting on the deck. Their numbers were much fewer now, and the forces from the Whale looked as if they had an infinite amount of sailors to be used up and killed.
It didn't take long for the Second Mate to find an iron cannon ball, and enough powder for them to use. He quickly rushed back up the stairs and to Lord Jim before setting the powder down, and handing his captain the small iron cannon ball. The two made quick work, not bothering to check if they had enough powder or not for the small swivel gun.
"Hurry, we don't have much time left." Lord Jim stated, as he handed the Second Mate the little iron ball, while looking towards the fight. "Once we're free, you can handle steering the ship. Just bring us into the good winds. We do not have much time for our break."
"Yes Captain, I will make sure to bring us into the good winds." The Second Mate said with dirty yellow teeth showing in the light. "Stand back Captain, I don't want you hurt." The Second Mate asked, as he aimed the small swivel gun as best he could at the rope tied to the ship. With a quick flick of the wrist, and the sparking blaze of a single match; the small swivel gun erupted in a loud boom, causing a mediocre cloud of white smoke to go blowing out towards the Whale, as the single cannon ball went flying towards the rope and railing.
The ball crashed and tore the railing which the rope was tied to, almost completely off. They had succeeded in freeing the rope, and the hook which was jamming the rudder fell off; and crashed into the water. Lord Jim looked down, realizing something else inside the water as well. He looked closer, trying to figure out what it was. The thing was long, and had scales covering all its body. Sure enough, Lord Jim realized what it was; and quickly searched for a thing to throw. The Second Mate looked at his captain in a bit of confusion.
"I'll gets us out of here, sir." The Second Mate stated before rushing over to the wheel. Lord Jim looked and nodded, finding a piece of steel or iron from something to throw. He looked back over the ships side, and watched as the Argonian silently swim just below the water surface. The piece of dirty iron, was thrown with great precision, hitting the water just in front of the Argonians face. Lord Jim waved to the Argonian, signaling him of his known presence. The scaly creature surfaced, waving with his green and bluish scaled hand before looking for somewhere to get aboard. Luckily, a piece of board from the Nostromo hung off the ship, and into the water; allowing the Argonian to get back aboard.
Suddenly, with the cries and shouts of terror, and the smell of burning powder and death all around; the sails of the Nostromo were once again full, and the ship began to break away from the Whale. The remaining hooks either falling away, or just tearing off pieces of the ships railing as some sailors fell backwards into the water.
***
After breaking free, and gaining a bit of headway away from the enemy ships. The crew of the Nostromo, now few in numbers, cheered as they made good speed from the Whale, and the Brigantine which had just failed to get into the fight, and assist the Whale in its almost victorious battle. Lord Jim watched as the crew cleaned the deck of the dead, throwing without remorse or respect; the bodies of the dead sailors into the deep dark waters below. Everyone was busy at work, cleaning and readying the ship as they made way for newer and safer waters for the time. Lord Jim breathed a sigh of relief as he made his way down to his cabin, not noticing much of anything besides what was happening with the dead. But before he entered his cabin, a rustling sound echoed through the door. Lord Jim stopped where he was, his hand ready to open the door in seconds, as he pressed his ear against the door gently. More rustling came, and Lord Jim turned to see if anyone was around. The only ones around, were those of dead crewmen and general looking bodies from the battle.
Lord Jim readied his dagger, slowly wrapping his hand around the door knob fully. He waited a moment before the sound of more rustling happened. And when it did, he turned the knob, threw the door open, and leapt inside the room with his dagger ready to strike. He turned and saw the rustling was a man; one from the Whale no doubt, rummaging through his closet. The mer was dark skinned and his blood red eyes looked right into Lord Jim's. The Dunmer was stunned, and Lord Jim quickly realized he was holding the box which held his most valued possession. Both looked down at the box, and then each other in rapid succession of one another.
"Give me that box Dunmer, and I won't have my men kill you.....slowly." Lord Jim said stepping closer to the Dunmer. The clothes the Dunmer wore were surprisingly well kept, and Lord Jim took him for an officer or maybe even one of the Whale's captains closest mates.
"You have something in here, that is very valuable and could bring me much money. But, I am not crooked like you damned pirates. I will bring this to my superior officer, and you will have a bounty on your head so high; even the ports that cater to your kind will hand you over. I will not be giving this back to you, you thieving pirate!" The Dunmer said quickly drawing a dagger as well. Lord Jim smiled, and licked his lips before suddenly lunging at the equally formidable foe. The Dunmer was skilled, and dodge the first attempt, but also missed with his own attack. Lord Jim caught himself on his table, and turned to the Dunmer. The two circled around the table, both had their eyes well set on one another's as their blades glistened in the light of the room.
When the Dunmer had gone around the table, his back to the large window. He smirked and his blood red eyes gave a wink as he opened his mouth to speak. Lord Jim was angry, both were seemingly willing to get their hands dirty once again; but only one would be surviving the encounter.
"Well Captain. I bid you good day, and unsafe travels. Me and this rock inside here are leaving. May I see you again, but under much better circumstances?" The Dunmer said, turning to jump through the window. But Lord Jim grabbed his leg, and with a blind strike; sliced the Dunmers arm carrying the box, making the mer drop the box onto the floor before Lord Jim released his leg and he went tumbling into the water below. Lord Jim smiled, knowing that the mer was most likely doomed to die out there in the sea alone. He picked up the box, opening it to check for his precious possession. The light which emanated from it gave him the feeling of hope, and good luck; before he quickly closed it and put it back where it was before.
The Imperial closed the closet, not caring about the clothes scattered about his room or the broken window. He gently sat on his bed, which was beside his desk; and just relaxed. Lord Jim closed his eyes, taking a big sigh of relief before leaning onto his side, and falling asleep from exhaustion. Little did he know, this was just the beginning of all his life problems; coming back at him ten times over. The sight that little stone had, was just enough to bring everything down on Lord Jim, and the crew of the Nostromo. And soon, they would get a taste of what power that little stone had on their enemies.
And the length will be shortened so it's not such an eye strain. :foodndrink: 
