I don't know about you, nor do I really want to, but I am a major fan of women's sports. I can't get enough of them, let me tell you. There's something about women's sports that really speaks to me. The athleticism, the passion and the emotion certainly bring a lump to my underpants. Not that women should ever be treated as sex objects. They are more than that. They are objects we have sex with as well. If only they didn't want to talk so much. Let's be honest here guys, there are very few things that aren't sex objects as far as we're concerned. If it's got a hole in it and there's no one around it's going to get a dick inserted. In that way we're like bonobo chimps. Though both sexes will fuck anything in their case. It's how we know Darwin was onto something with all that evolution and natural selection shenanigans. It's surprising there aren't more human/vacuum cleaner hybrids out there. But if chimps can do it, why can't we. Why does society frown on a man sticking his dick into any suitable hole plus most of the unsuitable ones. We are driven to share our seed. Constantly seeking new ways to assure the survival of our species. There's hardly a hospital anywhere that hasn't had to deal with the aftermath of man on inanimate object love. Instead of denigrating this we should celebrate it. The way that nature always seeks to make new life, even out of things that are lifeless. Oh and ladies, before you get too up yourselves, let us not forget that there is actually no real logical reason why most feminine products are sold in containers that size and shape. There is hardly a hospital anywhere that hasn't had to retrieve the top of a shampoo bottle, from a ladies parts, because it came undone at precisely the wrong moment.
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There was an art to going looking for a fight while pretending you weren't. One that many a pirate had mastered over the centuries. Innocently wandering the ocean, armed to the teeth. Generally though they chose the easier targets. Like Francis Drake, who only ended up sailing around the world because he knew that the Spanish ships in the Pacific wouldn't have escorts. Then having robbed so many of them, he couldn't risk sailing back into the Atlantic and past all those angry Spaniards with guns. Having sailed these waters before the ships, apart from the Crystal Dragon, were known. That meant the others had to disguise themselves. Make subtle changes to their outline. The Belle Dame and Devil's bride had sailed these waters many times. They hung back and had made more extreme efforts to alter their shapes.
Looked at from Jake's view this had to be considered a senseless tempting of fate. There was no doubt they'd sustain damage. They had a mission. This had nothing to do with that mission. In fact it placed their hopes of success at risk. When Daisy made no objections, he didn't feel he could voice his concerns. There was a small part of him that wanted to do this. His first experience of battle had been quite brief. He'd been too preoccupied to notice much of what happened. Now he decided he'd soak it up like a sponge. It was also slightly cool that he was no longer the novice. Poppy was going into this for the very first time.
They would hit the fleet at night. Broad daylight held much greater chance of discovery at distance. If the potential enemies could get close in numbers before being sighted, they stood more chance of succeeding. That was why all the best crew were on the night watch. Pengelly constantly running his gun drills until they entered the danger zone. Out here they could only use modernized cannons. Similar to those of the golden age of piracy on earth. Breech loading though. A single shot, then a rapid reload. They could throw out far more rounds than a 17th century artillery piece. Explosive shells were also an option that had been unavailable to Black Beard and Captain Morgan.
Scarlet was remarkable. Exuding calm. Containing her excitement. The other senior crew being made of the same stuff. That calm readiness thus permeated the entire crew. He and Poppy were the only ones exhibiting any sign of tension. Though even they weren't wound up like springs. There was always a chance the bait wouldn't be taken. There was a chance they'd be swarmed. This was the home waters of those they were most likely to come up against. There were pirate ports dotted all over the coast around here. Competitive for the most part, but more than capable of banding together against an interloper. There, at least a hundred meters above the Dragon, you could dimly make out the manned kite flying from the ship. Zhen would have his best lookouts up there. Fetu had a good sense of impending danger, but in these circumstances eyeballs on the target were better.
Two nights had passed. If they hadn't been trying to lure an attack, the whole fleet would have passed through by now. A couple of unidentified ships had been seen in the distance. Nothing to indicate one way or the other, whether the trap had been sailed into. Except this was was a trap that could bite them on the ass. Which to their way of thinking made it even better. Poppy fidgeted. Shifting her sword and pistol in their respective containers.
"So how's Norbert taking your prolonged absence then?" Jake asked to get her mind off the prolonged inaction. "No more incendiary incidents I trust."
She smiled weakly.
"He's fine. Asleep most of the time I'm up here. Then during the day he's concentrating on his work with Priscilla and Pettifer. It's all very well them developing a way of harnessing that energy, but if we don't understand it then we can't do a lot more than power a few devices. There isn't enough oomph to get it shooting out energy beams. There may never be."
Scarlet had heard them talking she wandered over standing between the two of them.
"More importantly, what's he like in the sack. Is that energy of any use there? If it is I'm thinking of getting Sparky here upgraded. He could certainly do with it."
Jake was pretty sure Poppy would be blushing furiously.
"Nothings changed really. Not that I've noticed anyway. We haven't had much of a chance to try it out. Busy with other things."
"Well that's a shame." The captain replied. "Looks like I'm going to have to put up with mediocrity for now."
"That's a step up for me." Jake announced. "I've gone all the way from inadequate to mediocre. Your turn." He advised his lover.
"I think it's just a case of me getting used to short rations in the bedroom department. You'll do for now."
"Aw thanks." He squinted out into the darkness. "It doesn't look like we're going to see any action, does it?"
"You sound relieved." Scarlet accused him.
"Yeah. I'm saving my energy for the bedroom department."
A single light flashed in the sky above the Dragon. The captain clasped both their arms.
"This is it. Get ready. I think we've got a nibble. It's almost dawn. It'll be daylight in an hour or so. I'd have thought they'd have come at us earlier. Unless..."
There was something about that word which gave Jake reason to to ask his question.
"Unless what?"
The grip on his arm intensified.
"Unless they intend to swarm us from both sides at once. Boatswain get a signal off to the other ships. Quick as you can." She called to Pengelly. "If they are coming at us in those kinds of numbers they'll need to be able to recognize friend from foe pretty damn quickly. They'll be coming out of the wind, full sail I'll bet."
Before Pengelly could get the signal off, both Alain and Femke's ships were signalling themselves. No point being secretive now. There were at least ten vessels coming at them from windward. It looked like they intended to drive them towards shore. They were familiar with these waters. That indicated there were hazards that might be encountered.
"What do you want to do captain?" Pengelly inquired.
She smiled at him fiercely.
"What do you think?"
"We're going to take them on head on."
"Damn right. If they want us to withdraw we'd be bloody stupid to do so."
The ten ships rapidly became at least 15. meanwhile to landward there were eight more intent on engaging Zhen and the Spaniards two ships. The first shots boomed out. Femke and Alain were opening up with their longer ranged weapons. getting some blows in first. There was a long ripple of flashes on the far side of the Devil's Bride. Shots ripped through the rigging a couple of substantial hits on the ship to.
"They've got a battleship. Now we're in for a fight."
At some point Jake would have to ask what exactly that was. Something with a shit ton of cannons from the look of it. The flashes speckeld the night again. This time Femke was ready she shifted course expertly. More shots through the rigging but the others splashed harmlessly into the sea. Alain was running at the other vessels. Against the wind his options were limited. The Dragon had engaged as well. There was an armored galleon among her foes. One that was being peppered by the two Spanish ships with very little effect. The Harlot began to take fire from several directions at once. Fetu using his Polynesian sixth sense to haul them around, evading most of the danger. A single round whizzed between him and Poppy. Jake entered turbo mode instantly. Everything slowed. He actually watched the next shell making its way towards them. His eyesight grew far sharper this time. He could see in the dark it seemed. Hermes had picked up some tricks from Nemesis then.
The battle ship was sharply outlined for him. Outlined was a good word. He could distinguish its edges from the darkness. The Belle Dame took some hits from the battle ship as it attempted to evade the other ships outnumbering them more than five to one. He was just the man for this type of crisis. Pulling out his Nemesis inspired firearm he selected an explosive setting. This thing worked anywhere, regardless of the physics. Another mystery Norbert had been trying to get his teeth into. He moved to the railings as their own guns opened fire. Leaned out and took careful aim at the battleship. Squeezing off two shots that would have sounded simultaneous to anyone else. The battleship erupted in flames. Lifted up in the water and staggered to a near halt. Before listing towards them. Thanks to Hermes he was able to decipher exactly what Scarlet yelled at him from four feet away. Too slowly for him to comprehend otherwise.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing Sparky? Do you know how much we could get for that thing if we capture it? It's worth more than all the other ships put together. I don't think it's going to sink, but be more careful next time."
Fetu was making the ship dance. Pengelly was sending shot after shot into the ships that surrounded them. Whizzing from one side to the other as the broadsides alternated. Punching them sideways each time with the huge recoil. Damn this was exciting. They'd taken a few grazes, A half dozen of the crew on deck were nursing wounds. Tamsin moving from one to another doling out dressings. Poppy? Where the hell was she? His enhanced senses scanned the whole deck rapidly. There she was close by the captain's side. He took his place next to her. As it stood now they were spectators apart from the odd pot shot Jake could take with his less overpowered weapons.
When the battleship had been crippled their foes had backed off slightly. Afraid they'd receive the same treatment. Eventually when that didn't happen their fury at such a damaging blow took over. The need to avenge the loss of the finest ship in their fleet, became paramount. They also became more reckless. Two of their own ships colliding as they sought to chase the elusive prey. Fetu doing things few others were capable of. The sails were damaged, but he seemed to know exactly how this would affect their performance. Shouting out for them to be reefed and lowered in a symphony of movement. The vessels that had hit one another had become entangled. Locked together by their rigging. The Harlot passed them. First the bow. Then the stern. Firing two broadsides that cleared their decks of everyone who could have represented a threat. They were dead in the water.
This evoked even more fury. Scarlet clambered up onto a winch, demanding any update on how Zhen's team were doing. Well it seemed. The salvo having been held back until it could decimate that galleon in one tremendous blow. It too was removed from the fight. Then he'd launched his two surprises. The smaller ships held within, sliding forth and entering battle before they'd even left their respective homes. The Scarlet Harlot was in danger of being sandwiched between two of their opponents. They intended to ram and board. Overwhelm the crew. Scarlet and Fetu were having none of that. Somehow the Polynesian found a burst of speed from somewhere. They slipped around the closest ship's stern then turning on a nautical sixpence drew alongside. While the other slice of that sandwich made a shuddering impact with its own comrade.
Grappling lines were already arcing through the air. We'll stop you boarding us by boarding you. Jake was about to advise his charge to ready weapons. Only to discover she already had. He was the one stood there with nothing in his hands. Pistol and saber slithered forth as the lines were hauled in. Holy shit Scarlet was planning to take both of the other ships, one after the other. He looked around. Four vessels dead in the water. Two more taking on water as they limped away. Another half dozen deciding it wasn't worth it anymore. The battle ship was now being attacked from both ends by the French and Dutch captains. They would have the honor of taking her. Only fair they'd been the ones fighting it the longest. Even damaged as it was it had still been pouring out gunfire in every direction. They'd whittled it down while taking on multiple other enemies at the same time.
Scarlet yelled out her order to board and they leaped from one deck to other. Jake keeping an eye on his pupil. This was her first real engagement. Play fighting was all very well. Up close she might freeze at the vital moment. Find herself unable to strike. Until she adapted he'd need to direct her to be more aggressive. Then she shot some guy in the face, ducked under a swinging blade before slicing the wielder open. Oh fuck she was psychotic. It was the seagulls all over again. More brains, blood, teeth and skull fragments flew out of their usual container as she advanced through the crew who were stupid enough to get in her way. Maybe she'd been the one holding back in training? With her and Scarlet dishing out death wholesale it was less than two minutes before they were preparing to board the second ship.
Jake hadn't been idle. He'd dealt his fair share of mayhem. Holy shit she was grinning from ear to ear. Scarlet by her side almost laughing with glee and they were jumping already. He was souped up super speedy, but they'd already launched themselves at the poor fuckers queuing up to die. If he didn't get a move on there'd be none left for him. He'd only killed two more, one of those in mid jump, before the survivors were throwing down their weapons and surrendering. Poppy did not look happy when she tugged her sword out of the chest of the man she'd just run through.
"Well ladies." Jake sheathed his weapons as he spoke. "Hopefully that's got it out of your systems."
Poppy nodded disappointedly. Scarlet shrugged.
"I'll be fine for a bit."
It was daylight. He cast his now normal eyeballs around the scene. Smoking ships in all directions.
"One thing though. How the hell are we going to get all these ships back?"